Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 63, Issue 1, January–February 2018, Pages 25-26
Dental Abstracts

Hands On
Infection control coordinators

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.denabs.2017.09.019Get rights and content

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Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care, which conveys in plain language the evidence-based guidelines recommended by the CDC. Included in the recommendations are the need for a written, office-specific infection control program and the need to name an infection control coordinator (ICC). The roles of the ICC were outlined.

Qualifications

The ICC is responsible for coordinating the individualized and written infection control and prevention program. To manage this task, the ICC should have at a minimum a basic understanding of how cross-contamination occurs in dental settings, how to prevent infection, general safety procedures, and the products and equipment available to maintain safety for both patients and employees. The goals are to help to exemplify a culture of safety and develop a shared commitment of employer and

Monitoring and Documentation

The ICC is also responsible for developing and maintaining relevant documents. These include the written health program for dental health care practices based on evidence-based guidelines, regulations, and standards. This document includes policies, procedures, and guidelines for education and training, immunizations, exposure prevention and post-exposure management; work restrictions related to medical conditions and work-related illness, such as contact dermatitis and latex hypersensitivity;

Training and Resource Roles

The annual training of all dental personnel is mandated and should be provided or at least coordinated by the ICC. Included are updates on new information, equipment, products, chemicals, procedures, and technology. New hires must be trained immediately. Other events that prompt training are a change in responsibilities of staff that may affect the employees' occupational exposure and changes in recommendations or regulations.

The ICC should also serve as a resource on infection prevention. This

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Fluent MT: Roles of the infection control coordinator. Inside Dent, June 2017, pp 22, 24

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