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Introduction

Environmental Infection Prevention and Control in Oral Healthcare Settings

COURSE NUMBER: 363

Michaell A. Huber, DDS; Geza T. Terezhalmy, DDS, MA

Credit Hours:

2 Hour(s)

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Environmental Infection Prevention and Control continuing education course presents essential elements of environmental infection prevention and control in oral healthcare settings with emphasis on meeting basic expectations for safe care. ...

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Overview

Environmental Infection Prevention and Control continuing education course presents essential elements of environmental infection prevention and control in oral healthcare settings with emphasis on meeting basic expectations for safe care.


There are few data clearly showing causality with respect to environmental opportunistic organisms and healthcare associated infections (HAIs); however, air, water, and fomites in healthcare settings serve as reservoirs for many pathogens. This course presents evidence-based strategies related to air quality-, water quality-, and fomite-related infection prevention and control measures, which when consistently implemented, are effective in preventing HAIs and meet basic expectations for safe care.


Syllabus: Infection Prevention, Hazardous Waste Management, and Hazard Communication Compliance

The information in this 13-module syllabus is intended (1) to meet initial educational/training requirements for Dental Students, Dental Hygiene Students, and Dental Assistant Students as mandated by OSHA and other federal, state, local and professional organizations, (2) to provide a framework for an in-service training program in oral healthcare settings to meet annual educational/training requirements as mandated by OSHA and other federal, state, local and professional organizations, and (3) to serve as a resource for oral healthcare personnel wishing to review evidence-based information on specific topics related to infection prevention, hazardous waste management, and hazard communication compliance.

Infection Prevention, Hazard Waste Management, and Hazard Communication Compliance

  • Intended Audience:

    Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Dental Students, Dental Hygiene Students, Dental Assisting Students

  • Date Course Online:

    Sep 23, 2010

  • Last Revision Date:

    Nov 24, 2023

  • Course Expiration Date:

    Nov 23, 2026

  • Cost:

    Free

  • Method:

    Self-instructional

  • AGD Subject Code(s):

    148

  • Technical Requirements:

    Stable internet connection and the latest version of browser and device software are recommended.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:


  • Discuss issues related to the criteria for determining the strength of evidence for environmental sources of infection.

  • Discuss issues related to air as a source of infectious agents in the healthcare settings.

    • Implement air quality-related infection prevention and control.
  • Discuss issues related to water as a source of infectious agents in the healthcare settings.

    • Implement water-quality-related infection prevention and control.
  • Discuss issues related to fomites as a source of infectious agents in healthcare settings.

    • Implement fomite-related infection prevention and control.
    • Implement cleaning and disinfection strategies for clinical contact surfaces.
    • Implement cleaning and disinfection strategies for housekeeping surfaces.
    • Implement cleaning and disinfection strategies for spills.
  • Discuss and implement strategies for other issues related to environmental infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.

    • Carpeting and cloth furnishings.
    • Flowers and plants in patient-care areas.
    • Pest control.
    • Contaminated laundry.
    • Disposable surgical gowns and drapes.
    • Service animals.
    • Waste management and hazard communication.
    • Basic expectations for safe care.

Disclaimers

  • P&G is providing these resource materials to dental professionals. We do not own this content nor are we responsible for any material herein.
  • Participants must always be aware of the hazards of using limited knowledge in integrating new techniques or procedures into their practice.  Only sound evidence-based dentistry should be used in patient therapy.

Please Note:


  • This course may not satisfy individual state requirements on CDC/Infection Control. Please check with your State Board to verify.
  • Iowa Dental Professionals: This course complies with the Iowa Dental Board for recertification in the area of infection control standards, as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Note:  Registration is required to take test.

Author(s)

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement

  • Dr. Huber is a member of the dentalcare.com Advisory Board and has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
  • Dr. Terézhalmy has done consulting work for Procter & Gamble and has served on the dentalcare.com Advisory Board. He has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Dr. Michaell A. Huber is a 1980 graduate from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School, San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduation, he embarked upon 22-year career serving in the United States Navy Dental Corps. He...

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Submission Information

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Submission For credit transfers to appear in your AGD account in real time, make sure to add your AGD membership number in the field provided on the “Share Your Test Score” page.


CE Broker For all states that use CE Broker for licensure, “proof of completions” are electronically reported the first of every month. If a course was taken in November, the “proof of completion” will be submitted the beginning of December.

Recognition

AGD Pace Logo

Approved PACE Program Provider

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY


Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.

Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.


8/1/2021 to 7/31/2027

Provider ID# 211886

AADH Logo

AADH Approved Program Provider

Procter & Gamble is designated as an approved Provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHPGC (January 1, 2024-December 31, 2025). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit.