NEW – CDC Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings

Date

Monday, May 02, 2016

In March 2016, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) released a new document aimed at improving the understanding and implementation by practices of the 2003 CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in the Dental Health-Care Settings. Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings, reviews and reemphasizes the original 2003 guidelines and brings together all of the relevant CDC recommendations from the last 13 years in an easy-to-read and implement format including helpful checklists.

  • TAKE THE QUIZ - See how your instrument processing and infection prevention protocols line up with the CDC Guidelines.

  • TAKE THE COURSE - The “Navigating Infection Prevention Practices” Webinar reviews the current recommendations and guidelines including the recently released 2016 Centers for Disease Control Summary while earning you 1 CE Credit.

  • ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS NOW - This Q&A summarizes & answers the key questions staff members have regarding the new 2016 CDC Summary and Checklists.

The summary includes additional topics and information relevant to dental infection prevention and control including:

  • Infection prevention program administrative measures

  • Infection prevention education and training

  • Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

  • Updates safe injection practices, and

  • Administrative measures for instruments processing

The summary can be used to:

  • Introduce new dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) to basic information about infection control in dental health care settings

  • Strengthen your current knowledge of infection prevention

  • Review the elements of standard precautions as they pertain to dental care

  • Ensure your dental health care setting has appropriate infection prevention policies and practices in place, including appropriate training and education and adequate supplies

  • Assess compliance with the expected infection prevention practices and provide feedback to DHCP regarding performance

The Summary is intended for use by anyone needing information about basic infection prevention measures in dental health care settings but is not a replacement for the 2003 guidelines.

SOURCES

The recommendations emphasize the importance of having one person in every dental practice assigned to be the infection prevention coordinator. The coordinator would develop written infection prevention policies based on evidence-based guidance noted in the new resource. The coordinator can help ensure that dental health care personnel are aware of the equipment and supplies necessary and should address infection prevention issues with all staff members.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/a0329-dental-infections.html