Reprinted with permission from the ADA Center for Professional Success Copyright © 2018 American Dental Association . All rights reserved .
Many symptoms of influenza are nonspecific . Therefore , it is possible that the patient you are treating may have the influenza virus or a number of other infectious agents without any noticeable symptoms .
The spread of influenza can occur among patients , your dental team , and yourself . It is important to use appropriate infection control precautions when providing care to minimize the possibility of spreading an infection amongst staff members and other patients .
Here are five major components that should be part of your infection control program .
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Annual education and training around occupational exposure to potentially infectious agents and infection-control procedures is an important aspect of an infection control program . The Centers for Disease Control has a number of resources available online for educating and training your team .
IMMUNIZATION
During flu season , staff and patients can exposed to the influenza virus from friends , neighbors , and the community . Annual vaccinations are a critical part of limiting exposure and deciphering from other communicable diseases . Consider covering the cost of vaccination for your team , or providing vaccinations in the office during work hours .
STERILIZATION
Proper and consistent sterilization practices of all materials in contact or in close proximity to patients are paramount . Verify that your sterilization methods and equipment meet compliance standards .
EXPOSURE PREVENTION AND POST- EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT
Make sure your practice is screening symptomatic patients . Develop etiquette regarding respiratory hygiene and coughing . Placing cough etiquette reminders in the waiting area and the staff operatory can be helpful .
POLICY ON WORK-RELATED ILLNESS
Encourage patients to seek preventative and curative care , and to report signs or symptoms of illness . Create a work environment that does not punish employees for illness .
For additional information on influenza and infection control , see also :
“ The ADA Practical Guide to Infection Control ”, for sale at the ADA Store .
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention , www . cdc . gov
The United States Department of Labor , www . dol . gov �
Looks like the Tooth Fairy tightened her money bag after an all-time high payout in 2016 . According to the Original Tooth Fairy Poll , sponsored by Delta Dental , the Tooth Fairy ' s cash gifts dropped to an average of $ 4.13 .
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll has typically served as a good indicator of the economy ' s overall direction , tracking with the movement of Standard & Poor ' s 500 index ( S & P 500 ) for 12 of the past 14 years . The December 2017 poll shows the Tooth Fairy hasn ’ t quite been able to keep up with the market ’ s hot pace — with an 11 percent cash payout decrease from 2016 , while the S & P 500 saw a total return in 2017 of almost 18 percent .
Even though the average price of a tooth dropped , the Tooth Fairy still paid out a healthy $ 271 million for lost teeth across the nation . Those looking under their pillow for their first lost-tooth payout took far less of a hit , receiving an average $ 5.70 per tooth , only a minor drop from 2016 which saw a $ 5.72 payout .
" No matter how generous the Tooth Fairy decides to be , a visit from the Tooth Fairy is a great way to teach children good oral health habits at an early age ," said Jennifer Elliott , chief marketing officer for Delta Dental Plans Association . " What better time to reinforce oral health messages than during the
Los Angeles Dental Society Explorer anticipation of a visit from the Tooth Fairy ?” Other Tooth Fairy stats :
• The Tooth Fairy visits 84 percent of the nation ' s households with children .
• Fifty-five percent of parents confess that the Tooth Fairy may have missed a visit at some time .
• While the Tooth Fairy leaves money at 95 percent of the homes she visits , some parents say that the Tooth Fairy also leaves a small toy or game ( 47 percent ), a letter from the Tooth Fairy ( 35 percent ) or a toothbrush ( 31 percent ) in addition to or instead of money .
• Tooth Fairy payouts are highest in the West with $ 4.85 ($ 6.76 for the first tooth ).
• Followed by the Northeast at $ 4.35 ($ 6.45 ).
• The South gave $ 4.12 ($ 5.68 ).
• The Midwest at $ 3.44 ($ 4.37 ).
* Footnote : The Original Tooth Fairy Poll was conducted between December 13 and December 28 , 2017 among a nationally representative sample of 1,007 parents of children ages 6-12 . The margin of error is +/ - 3.1 percent . �