Seminar Registrations Closed

Presented by Marie Fluent
D.D.S.

View Bio

This seminar's registrations are closed

Course Description

Infection Control

Infection Control Check-up for the Entire Dental Team

As we begin to look at the COVID-19 pandemic in the rear-view mirror, the science and understanding and of this disease continues to evolve, and new emerging infectious diseases are now within our communities. While disease transmission in dentistry is rare, consequences may be severe. Participants will learn the latest policies and procedures that impact effective infection control in the dental setting. And, the entire dental team will learn that infection prevention is a team-sport that requires constant attention, education, and compliance.

Antibiotic Stewardship Practices in Dentistry

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat, with “superbug” infections occurring in 2.8 people in the US each year. Antibiotic misuse and overuse are the primary reasons for the development of antibiotic resistance and adverse reactions—most notably life-threatening Clostridioides difficile infection (C. Diff). The risk/benefit of prescribing antibiotics must always be considered before prescribing any antibiotic.

Antibiotic stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. Appropriate antibiotic prescribing means prescribing antibiotics only when indicated, then choosing the right antibiotic, the right dose, and the right duration.

In this program, guidelines for use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and treatment in dentistry will be reviewed, and challenges to responsible prescribing will be discussed. Attendees will be provided with numerous clinical tips, tools and resources for all dental team members to promote antibiotic stewardship in their own practice.

Eye Safety in Dentistry
During the delivery of dental care, both dental personnel and patients are at risk of ocular exposure to pathogens and/or physical or chemical injury. Ocular injuries and infections may lead to serious long-term consequences including potential blindness. Unfortunately, eye protection by dental team members (and patients) is often suboptimal or lacking. This session will review best practices for eye protection during all phases of oral healthcare including instrument reprocessing, cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces, chairside dentistry, and light curing procedures.

Topics Addressed Include:

  1. Principles of Infection Control
  2. Microbiology, Disease Transmission, and Immunizations
  3. CDC Guidelines and OSHA Regulations
  4. The role of the Infection Control Coordinator
  5. Hand Hygiene
  6. Personal Protective Equipment, Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
  7. Instrument processing
  8. Sharps Safety
  9. Special Considerations
  10. Dental Unit Waterlines
  11. Operatory Preparation and Waste Management
  12. Overview of the Concept of Antibiotic Stewardship
  13. Appropriate Antibiotic Prescribing
  14. Antibiotic Stewardship Guidelines in Dentistry
  15. Best Practices for Eye Safety
  16. Conclusions, resources, and get your questions answered!

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:

  1. Understand the importance of an office specific infection control program
  2. Discuss hand hygiene and personal protective equipment for dental health care professionals
  3. Review sterilization and disinfection of patient-care items
  4. Discuss environmental infection control and dental unit waterlines
  5. Identify Infection control resources for future reference
  6. Describe how antibiotic resistance occurs and some of the most important antibiotic resistance issue
  7. Understand the impact that unnecessary antibiotic exposure has on patient harm including antibiotic resistance and Clostridiodes difficile infection
  8. Review guidelines for management of odontogenic infections and guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxi
  9. Identify key antibiotic stewardship issues in dentistry and provide approaches and tools that may be implemented by all dental staff
  10. Describe eye protection for dental healthcare personnel and patients during all phases of the delivery of oral healthcare
  11. Discuss the proper fit and wear and fit of eye protection
  12. Describe NIOSH recommendations to reduce eye injuries and protect against ocular infection exposures

Concord Dental & Medical Seminars Is Designated by AGD and ADA

Concord Dental & Medical Seminars is designated as a Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit.


Concord Dental & Medical Seminars is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Associates to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.




PACE Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education PACE Academy of General Dentistry Program Approval for Continuing Education