Given our still-developing understanding of the coronavirus, it is clear changes to our daily life are here to stay. What we are experiencing is “the new normal.” For practices and patients to thrive, we must learn to accept and adapt.
Tag: Infection Control
Oral Health Professionals: Meeting the Risks of COVID-19
After the initial outbreak of COVID-19 shut down almost 200,000 dental practices in the United States in early 2020, the industry needed to quickly develop an effective response that would not only allow practices to reopen safely but also ensure that patients could access the oral care they needed.
Proper Hand Hygiene in the Age of COVID-19
Hand washing, though it may seem simplistic during a pandemic, can actually be the most effective way of preventing the spread of germs, including those that cause COVID-19. As dental practices navigate the recent challenges related to COVID-19 and work to implement strategies to protect patients and staff, a closer look at hand hygiene may prove helpful.
Dentistry Beyond 2020: Looking Forward to the Future
To say that 2020 was a year of rapid change is an understatement. After a brief shutdown of practices across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dental industry reopened with the adoption of new technologies, stricter infection control guidelines and a renewed focus on personal and team wellness. Linda Harvey, MS, RDH, HRM, shares her thoughts on what’s in store for 2021.
Building and Supporting a Robust Culture of Safety in the Dental Workplace
Infection control and adherence to strict regulations are critical components in the success of a dental practice. It is up to dental office leaders to create and sustain a culture of safety involving the entire dental team.
Dental Instrument Reprocessing and Waterline Maintenance: Behind the Scenes
Safety is a critical part of every dental patient’s experience. They want to feel comfortable about the care you and your team provide, and that includes the steps you take to ensure they’re safe from infection. What patients see in your waiting room and operatories is only part of the story. Would they still feel good about your practice if they looked into your sterilization room or could inspect your dental unit waterlines?
Equip Your Dental Practice with Next-Level Sanitization with PurLite Clean UV-C Cleaner
Keeping high-touch personal items and PPE clean can provide additional safeguards against the spread of COVID-19. One solution for sanitizing high-touch personal items is the new PurLite™ Clean UV-C Cleaner. PurLite is a sanitizer that uses advanced, medical grade UV-C technology to provide a fast and effective way to ensure patients and employees feel safe and protected while in your office.
The Three Ps for Infection Prevention [Audio + Resource Guide]
Undeniably, COVID-19 has forever changed the way we practice dentistry and manage infection control. Every area of your practice has been impacted, from how patients are scheduled and checked in, to how office staff don and doff all the new PPE.
On-Demand Webinar: New Patients, New Procedures and Faster Recovery with Solea
When dental offices reopened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some practice owners saw an increase in costs associated with PPE, coupled with a loss in revenue from scheduling fewer patients. Learn how Mark Ligocki, DDS, surpassed pre-COVID production and collections by performing new procedures and doing more same-day dentistry with the Solea all-tissue laser.
A Quality Assurance Approach of Infection Prevention from OSAP [Part 2]
In part two of its series “Implementing Routine Quality Assurance of Infection Prevention Policies and Procedures,” OSAP continues its close look at instrument reprocessing. Specifically, part two in this series outlines one approach to performing routine quality assurance related to packaging instruments during reprocessing.
OnTarget Highlight: PPE Adherence in the Dental Practice
A recent global health pandemic has brought personal protective equipment (PPE) to the public’s attention, but dental professionals have long been familiar with the concept of PPE. Despite this, many workers fail to adhere to PPE requirements because they find equipment cumbersome, uncomfortable or disruptive to performing tasks and communicating with patients and personnel. To remove these barriers, dental offices must supply PPE that maximizes ease of use, comfort and performance.
Keeping Staff and Patients Safe: Personal Protective Equipment and Donning and Doffing Advice
Nothing is more important than protecting the lives of your patients and staff. Yet new circumstances you and other dental professionals are now facing require the use of more personal protective equipment (PPE) and the proper procedures for ensuring you and your team are securely covered – from head to toe.
How to Know Your Instruments Are Sterile and Compliant
Cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments for re-use can be tedious and dull, but the task is a crucial component to ensuring the safety of staff and patients. Further, ensuring that instruments are free of potentially infectious material and debris is critical to the quality care that dental health professionals pledge to provide. Gain a better understanding of this importance and see how to set up an easy-to-maintain compliance program in this guest post from Hu-Friedy.
On-Demand Webinar: Respiratory Precautions and Aerosol Management Solutions
Managing respiratory risk is critical as dental practices begin resuming regular care amid COVID-19. In this on-demand webinar, OSAP and Patterson Dental discuss current respiratory precautions and aerosol management solutions from an equipment and technology standpoint for dental practices.
Patients, Team and Office – What to Think About as You Look to Reopen Your Dental Practice
After being closed for a few weeks, reopening your dental practice can be a stressful task that may not be well rehearsed among your staff. Creating a task list, communicating with your staff and patients, and ensuring a safe office space will help assure a smooth reopening transition.
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19: Infection Control in Dental Practices
Although every patient who enters a dental office should be treated as if they could have an infectious disease; times like these help us pause, take a step back and make sure we’re compliant with current guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Here are some ways to make sure your dental office is OSHA compliant.
Flu Fighters: 10 Tips for a Healthier Staff
Overall, February is a pretty solid month…lots of flowers and chocolates, cozy blankets, and the first inklings of Spring. One thing February is famously NOT great for? FLU SEASON. The worst in more 7 years, this current 2017/2018 influenza season is widespread and according to the CDC, […]
Like This, Not Like That: How to Dress for Infection Control Success
You’ve put on your favorite brand of mask and tossed on a new pair of disposable gloves, which means you’re protected, compliant, and ready to see your first patient, right? Not necessarily. Just because you have a mask on, doesn’t mean you’re wearing it correctly. […]
6 Ways Biofilm is Like a Bad Houseguest
Houseguests can be a pleasure to host if they’re courteous and polite, which thankfully is most often the case. Unfortunately, though, most of us have also experienced the “other” kind of guests…the kind that take “make yourself at home” far too literally. They leave lights […]
HOW to Know Your Instruments are Clean, and WHY it Matters!
Let’s face it, cleaning and sterilizing instruments for re-use might just be one of the most tedious and dull parts of your day. But the bottom line is that it is also a crucial part of your day. Ensuring that instruments are free of potentially […]
6 Tips for Protecting Your Team During Flu Season
Are you ready for the onslaught of sniffles, contagious coughs, cancelled appointments, and sick staff members? While you can’t control flu-infected patients walking through your door, there are some simple things you can do behind the scenes to protect yourself and your team. By following […]
Surface Disinfection: A Key Safety Priority
Safety must be at the forefront of each process in the delivery of oral health care. In order to ensure the safest dental visit for both workers and patients proper cleaning and disinfection of clinical surfaces must be understood and implemented appropriately. We are reminded […]
10 Products for a Clean and Compliant Office
CDC, OSHA, OSAP, ADHA. These are all organizations that require dental offices to be compliant with infection control regulations. Practices that do not meet these standards are subject to hefty fines and in extreme cases, loss of license. Beyond the punitive damages that can result […]
5 Steps to Becoming More Confident in Infection Control Management
Are you up-to-date on the latest guidelines and standards from CDC, OSAP, OSHA and your state government? Do you stay current with industry news and continuing education? Develop more confidence in your infection control management by increasing focus on training, documentation and ongoing education. Follow […]
Ebola Resources For Your Practice
Over the past few months, we’ve all watched as the Ebola situation has continued to evolve, with the US encountering its first diagnosed case on September 30th. As we learn more about this virus, its symptoms, and the way it’s spread, many of us have questions […]
Infection Control and Compliance Answers in Just One Place? Yes, Really!
“Which contact time do we follow for our disinfectant – there are three times listed?” “How do I get our students to comply with PPE?” “Do I have to wear my gloves? My hands get sweaty!” I could fill tomes with the questions I’ve received […]
Support OSAP and Infection Prevention
When providing oral care to patients, safety and infection prevention matter. The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is dedicated to preventing disease transmission and ensuring the safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare for all. We are pleased to announce that we are […]
New Research on Disposable Bib Clips and Infection Control
Keeping all patients, clinical and nonclinical personnel, and the community safe from harm has never been more important, or more in focus. Before, during and after treatment, patients trust their dentist and dental hygienist to provide care in a safe manner. That’s where infection control […]
December Events
Here’s where you can find us in December. Be sure to come say hi; we’d love to chat with you! Alabama 12/7: Bessemer – Implant Dentistry 12/7: Pelham – Treating Snoring and Sleep Apnea Arizona 12/13: Lake Havasu City – Discover CEREC Omnicam California 12/4: […]
Support the Fight for Infection Prevention
During the month of October, we are partnering with 11 infection control companies to raise funds for the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) in a special initiative – Support the Fight for Infection Prevention. The purpose of the campaign is to increase awareness […]