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Despite the gains that have been made since
the 1860s when Joseph Lister and Louis Pasteur identified
infectious organisms and infection control practices to minimize
their impact, today's healthcare environments persist in containing
threats from infectious agents. Unlike the photo below, today's
dental professionals must be alert to the potential for the
transmission of pathogens in the dental healthcare setting.
Ravel, Edouard John E., 1847-1920, Beim Zahnartz,
1882.
Photo Courtesy of National Institute of Medicine.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
US Census Bureau, in 2004, there were approximately 150,000
dentists working in the US; dental hygienists held approximately
158,000 jobs (due to multiple job holding, the number of jobs
exceed the number of hygienists) and dental assistants held
about 267,000 jobs in 2004.
Both dental professionals and patients can be
exposed to pathogens when contact with blood, oral and respiratory
secretions and contaminated equipment occurs (CDC, 2003).
Dental professionals live and work in a time that calls for
competent, thorough, modern infection control procedures.
With all the media attention given to the rise of new infectious
agents and treatment resistant organisms, patients too are
concerned about the sterile procedures used in the dental
office. However, utilizing proper procedures can prevent the
transmission of infection among patients and dental professionals.
Following recommended infection control procedures can prevent
transmission of infectious organisms among patients and dental
health care personnel.
The prevention of the exposure to pathogens
and the spread of disease during routine dental care is the
focus of this course. Dental professionals must understand
recommended infection control measures to be confident in
their own daily practice. Much of the information in this
course is based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) 2003 Guideline for Infection Control in the Dental
Health-Care Setting (the complete citation appears in
the reference section of this course).
In the State of California, dental professionals
must meet the requirements of the state's laws and regulations.
Title 16, Professional and Vocational Regulations, Division
10, Dental Board of California, Chapter 1, Section 1005 identifies
Minimum Standards for Infection Control applicable to all
dental licensees. This course includes those minimum Standards.
According to California Rules and Regulations,
Section 1017, Dentists and Dental Auxiliaries are required
to complete a minimum of 80% of their required units for license
renewal in Category I subjects including two units of continuing
education in infection control and two units in the California
Dental Practice Act, and no more than 20% of their required
units in Category II subjects. The mandatory units will count
toward the total units required to renew a license, however,
failure to complete the mandatory courses will result in non-renewal
of a license. This course was submitted to, and approved by,
the Dental Board of California. Successful completion of this
course will fulfill the mandatory requirement for two units
of continuing education in infection control.
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