The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have supported nearly the same guidelines for dental infection control since 2003, updated in 2016. These guidelines are the minimum standard for patient safety during dental visits and are included in many states’ practice acts. When establishing best practices for infection prevention, an office must first establish a safety culture, recognize the critical role of an infection control coordinator, and exceed the guidelines established by the CDC. This course will discuss the creation of a safety culture, assignment of the infection control coordinator role to the appropriate team member, and establishment of standard operating procedures and checklists. In addition, it will examine ways to elevate each CDC guideline from basic expectations to best-practices.
Educational objectives
- Identify the key aspects for creating a safety culture in dental health care
- Recognize the importance of the infection control coordinator’s role for creating safe dental visits
- Describe basic expectations for safe care as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Identify key standard operating procedures needed to establish best practices in each unique dental practice
About the Author
Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, CDIPC, has more than two decades of dental expertise, beginning as a dental assistant and completing a bachelor’s degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina and a master’s in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. She continues to invest in ongoing education, gaining certifications such as her Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control. Her community and global endeavors demonstrate her passion for dentistry, from volunteer work to worldwide missions. She is the owner of Level Up Infection Prevention, MichelleStrangeRDH, a practicing dental hygienist, and was the cofounder of the A Tale of Two Hygienists podcast.
Image credit: 25452336 © Subbotina | Dreamstime.com
Quick Access Code: 22159
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- 1 Test
- Course Certificate
CE credit(s): 3
Course Type: Written
Published Date: September 2023
This continuing education (CE) activity was developed by Endeavor Business Media with no commercial support.
This course was written for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, from novice to skilled.
Educational methods: This course is a self-instructional journal and web activity.
Provider disclosure: Endeavor Business Media neither has a leadership position nor a commercial interest in any products or services discussed or shared in this educational activity. No manufacturer or third party had any input in the development of the course content.
Requirements for successful completion: To obtain 3 CE credits for this educational activity, you must pay the required fee, review the material, complete the course evaluation, and obtain an exam score of 70% or higher.
CE planner disclosure: Laura Winfield, Endeavor Business Media dental group CE coordinator, neither has a leadership nor commercial interest with the products or services discussed in this educational activity. Ms. Winfield can be reached at lwinfield@endeavorb2b.com.
Educational disclaimer: Completing a single continuing education course does not provide enough information to result in the participant being an expert in the field related to the course topic. It is a combination of many educational courses and clinical experience that allows the participant to develop skills and expertise.
Image authenticity statement: The images in this educational activity have not been altered.
Scientific integrity statement: Information shared in this CE course is developed from clinical research and represents the most current information available from evidence-based dentistry.
Known benefits and limitations of the data: The information presented in this educational activity is derived from the data and information contained in the reference section.
Registration: The cost of this CE course is $39.00 for 3 CE credits.
Cancellation and refund policy: Any participant who is not 100% satisfied with this course can request a full refund by contacting Endeavor Business Media in writing.
Provider information:
Dental Board of California: Provider RP5933. Course registration number CA code: 03-5933-22159. Expires August 2026. “This course meets the Dental Board of California’s requirements for 3 units of continuing education.”
Endeavor Business Media is a nationally approved PACE program provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.
Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.
11/1/2022 to 10/31/2024.
Provider ID# 320452
AGD code: 130
Endeavor Business Media is designated as an approved Provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHPNW (January 1, 2022–December 31, 2024). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit. AADH code: AADHEBM-137-12-2024-3
Endeavor Business Media is an ADA CERP–recognized provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of dental continuing education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to CERP at ada.org/goto/cerp.
