CDC Updates COVID-19 Recommendations

Guidance on Infection Control in Healthcare Settings (Includes Dentistry)

On September 10, 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19) to streamline and consolidate existing infection control for healthcare guidance, making it easier for healthcare providers to find relevant information. As a part of the update, multiple setting-specific guidance documents, such as those for dental offices, have been streamlined and combined into the main infection control recommendations for healthcare settings.

Dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) should refer to this new streamlined CDC guidance, which includes a section specific to dental settings, for dental infection control considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidance on Quarantine and Isolation

Last week, the CDC updated recommendations on quarantining and isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine refers to separating and restricting the movement of people who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sickwhile isolation refers to separating people already infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. An individual would quarantine if they have been exposed to someone with the virus, while an individual with confirmed virus would isolate.

Because local conditions and needs vary significantly, be sure to check with your local public health authorities about guidance specific to your community on infection control in healthcare settings and quarantine and isolation procedures.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has provided dental professionals with comprehensive programs to support regulatory compliance and infection control. We are a registered continuing education provider in the state of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and OSHA training.