September is Dental Infection Control Awareness Month, and The Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) encourages all dental professionals to promote patient safety this month. Go to osap.org for a full list of resources to help your practice brush up on their infection control protocols.
Inside Dentistry is doing its part to promote Dental Infection Control Awareness Month by providing free Infection Control Continuing Education courses in September. Use the promo code ID917 to take the courses below free of charge, and get serious about safety with OSAP and Inside Dentistry!
Current Trends in Endodontic Disinfection
Rebekah Lucier Pryles, DMD
Clinicians must rely on other treatment methods to sufficiently disinfect the root canal system. Irrigants, including sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate, both flush the root canal system of debris and possess antimicrobial capabilities. Furthermore, adjunctive irrigation techniques, including passive ultrasonic irrigation, eliminate many intracanal bacteria effectively.
The Ongoing Challenge of Waterborne Infections
John A. Molinari, PhD
Infection caused by waterborne organisms from contaminated water sources and the subsequent burden of disease is not merely a problem for developing countries; it also poses a significant threat in countries with established water treatment procedures and infrastructures.
The Cost of Infection Control Noncompliance
Louis G. DePaola, DDS, MS
Although most dentists follow infection-control protocols carefully, a very small percentage either does not or has momentary lapses. The costs of not following guidelines and recommendations can be high, leading to substantial loss of income, causing long-lasting damage to a provider’s professional reputation, and having a long-term impact on the health and well being of patients.
Instrument Cassettes: An Effective Infection Control Precaution
John Molinari, PhD; Jennifer A. Harte, DDS, MS; Peri Nelson, BS
Instrument processing and recirculation involves a complex, sequenced series of events that requires qualified dental healthcare workers, specialized equipment, and adequate space. The ultimate goal of the process is to provide sterile instruments for patient care.
Use promo code ID917 to get serious about safety!
