This presentation will review how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how oral healthcare is delivered and describe why transmission-based precautions, source control measures and vaccination will likely become the new “standard” precautions for clinical infection prevention and occupational safety. It will show how to access relevant guidelines, regulations and educational resources to implement practical evidence-based policies and procedures. Attendees will learn why pandemic and emergency preparedness should be part of the clinical operations, training and business plans for dental and OMS practices to mitigate potential disruptions that may result from future public health emergencies or natural disasters.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Demonstrate lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to implement infection prevention and safety strategies based on risk for respiratory disease transmission.
Explain infection prevention, and safety guidelines, regulations and educational resources to develop and implement practical policies and procedures for the practice.
Describe elements of an effective occupational health program that that complies with federal and state laws and regulations.
Describe the elements of a pandemic and emergency preparedness program to mitigate disruption due to public health emergencies, natural or manmade situations.
Upon completion, the learner will describe elements of an effective surveillance program to identify possible clinical acquired illness, injury
among staff or patients or breaches in infection prevention practice.