As COVID-19 deaths in the United States surpass 119,000 with infection cases on the rise, last week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response. The updated guidelines provide practical information on resuming regular, non-emergency dental care. Summary of Recent…
At the end of April, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a Guidance Document for dental employers to protect dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) from exposure to COVID-19 during the pandemic. This differs from other guidance documents from…
Health departments and dental associations around the country currently recommend that dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) provide services limited to treat dental emergencies in order to both reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and preserve the nation’s limited personal protective equipment…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides important and up-to-date information to the public and healthcare providers on the status of reported cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is the respiratory disease caused by the outbreak…
With influenza activity peaking nationwide this season and with the emergence of a novel strain of coronavirus wreaking havoc in China, control of aerosol transmissible diseases (ATDs) is very important in the healthcare industry to minimize transmission to healthcare personnel.…
In December, many news sources were abuzz with reports about a Tennessee dentist who failed to properly process and sterilize equipment between patients. Patients who were treated at the Knoxville, Tennessee dental practice between September 2016 and September 2019 received letters advising…
Back in 2016, more than 60 children were diagnosed with confirmed or probable mycobacterial infections in Anaheim, California, after becoming infected with serious oral cellulitis, following dental pulpotomies performed at the same dental clinic. The microorganism in question was Mycobacterium abscessus, which…
Proper hand hygiene is considered to be the single most important measure for preventing pathogen transmission in healthcare settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two hand hygiene methods in healthcare settings: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60-95% ethanol): Put…
Tobacco use and dependence is one of the most important public health issues in the United States. It is a chronic disease that often requires repeated interventions and multiple attempts to quit. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking…
