Infection Prevention and Control: It doesn’t have to be scary
The term Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) might seem daunting, but it’s a crucial and positive commitment in oral healthcare — not just another burden.
IPAC
COVID-19 Guidance No Longer in Effect, Says Ontario’s Oral Health Regulatory Colleges
On July 19, 2023, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), along with the other regulatory colleges representing dental hygienists, dental technologists, and denturists, announced they are rescinding their COVID-19 guidance. They made this decision after analyzing current trends and evidence of improvement in Ontario, such as Public Health Ontario’s COVID-19 tool which shows COVID … Read more
New CDC Training Resource Outlines Principles of Infection Prevention, Control in Dental Settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Oral Health released a free, online training on safe care in the dental office and the principles of infection prevention and control. Foundations: Building the Safest Dental Visit is a self-paced training designed for dental health care personnel, infection prevention coordinators, educators, consultants and others. The CDC … Read more
Spread the News of Dental Infection Control Awareness Month
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect dental practices across the country, the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is spearheading an annual campaign observing Dental Infection Control Awareness Month, with plans to hold it each year in September. The goals of Dental Infection Control Awareness Month are to supplement Centers for Disease Control and … Read more
Dentsply Sirona: Now Offering Pre-Sterilized Blister Packs of Vortex Blue Endodontic Instruments
Developing solutions that increase patient safety and enable excellent clinical outcomes is a major priority for Dentsply Sirona. As a pioneer in infection prevention, the company is now offering pre-sterilized Vortex Blue Rotary files. This is in addition to the already pre-sterile ProTaper Gold, WaveOne Gold and TruNatomy files. The new pre-sterilized blisters are available … Read more
Staying the Course: Tips for Remaining Vigilant in an Ever-Evolving Pandemic
A year-and-a-half into this ever-evolving pandemic and we find ourselves in the grip of a third wave. The pandemic has caused a significant change in all of our lives. The only constant we’ve had is the constant of the unknown. The virus has proved to be relentless and efforts to contain the spread require a … Read more
Have Opportunities Emerged from the COVID-19 Pandemic?
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the current pandemic has had many negative impacts on dentistry. As discussed last month, revenue has been down while costs are up. Despite the many hurdles you have had to face, we would also like to explore the potential opportunities that have emerged during the last year. … Read more
Key Public Health / OHS Areas of Focus for Dental Practices
With Public Health and OHS inspections increasing due to COVID-19 tracing requirements, our IPAC expert, Sonia Gracias, has identified 10 key questions dental offices should be focused on to ensure they are prepared in the event of an audit. They are: 1. Do you have an effective Failed Biological Indicator Policy and Patient Tracking Method? … Read more
Dentistry in a Time of Covid: What to Expect in the “New Normal”
Dentistry has faced more challenges in the last six months than in any similar span of time in history. A torrent of information about COVID-19 has overwhelmed not only practice teams, but all of society. Patients and dental team members alike have concerns about the safety of providing and receiving oral health care. Variations in … Read more
Implementation of IPAC Standards Through Best Practices During COVID-19 Pandemic
Infection prevention and control (IPAC) has never been discussed or read about more until now. The pandemic, caused by COVID-19, is having a devastating impact on our world. Will you and your staff carry on business as usual when you reopen? In principle, the answer to this question should be yes but the reality is, … Read more
Possible Implications for Returning to Practice
As we review what we have learned from other countries and other provinces, it is quite apparent that dental offices will be allowed to open before Covid-19 is eliminated as a risk to patients and health care workers. Reopening our offices will likely be subject to several new requirements that public health agencies will have … Read more
Henry Schein Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement of Radic8 Air Purifier Systems in the U.S. and Canada
Radic8 Devices Can Help Improve Indoor Infection Control in Dental Practices Henry Schein (Nasdaq: HSIC) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Radic8, a UK-based manufacturer of air purifier systems, to distribute their devices in the U.S. and Canada.* The Radic8 ViruskillerTM is currently being marketed under the U.S. Food and … Read more
BC Dentist Renovates to Canadian Health Care Facilities HVAC Airborne Infection Isolation Room Standard to Assist in the Fight Against COVID-19
In response to COVID-19, Care Dental in Kelowna BC (www.caredental.ca) has made significant investment and renovated their entire facility to meet Canadian Healthcare Facilities HVAC Negative Pressure Airborne Infection Isolation Room Standard. It is believed to be the first of its kind in a BC dental setting. Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms are used by hospitals to … Read more
Key Components to a Comprehensive IPAC Plan: Are You Ready for a Public Health Inspection?
Are you compliant with the current regulated IPAC protocols in your clinic? By now, every dentist should be acutely aware that changes are necessary to traditional IPAC processes. All clinics must now follow the latest protocols created by the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) and the RCDSO Standards of Practice for Infection Prevention and … Read more
Overcoming the Unknown: 5 Tips to Combat Coronavirus
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a “public health emergency of international concern”, meaning that it considers the emergence of novel coronavirus “an extraordinary event” posing a “public health risk … through the international spread of disease”. The WHO’s unsettling announcement arrived the same week the first few cases of Coronavirus … Read more
The Shared Responsibility Of Infection Prevention and Control
Imagine you or a family member received a letter from your dentist indicating that, due to an oversight on the practice’s part, you should be tested for bloodborne diseases, such as HIV or Hepatitis C. Now, imagine if the letter was from a practice you owned or worked in. In July 2017, Public Health Ontario … Read more
Hong Kong University Apologizes After 254 Dental Patients Put At Risk Of HIV & Hepatitis
Hundreds of people who received treatment at the University of Hong Kong’s dental clinic with equipment that had not been properly sanitized have been given a public apology by the university’s council chairman, Dr Leong Che-hung. The university has already contacted 237 of the 254 affected patients to have their blood tested. One hundred and … Read more
Patients Possibly Exposed to Improperly Cleaned Tools at Colorado Springs Clinic
A local dental clinic is notifying nearly 30 patients that they may have been put at risk of disease. Peak Vista says some of their dental tools were improperly-cleaned at their main clinic in Colorado Springs. It’s at the International Circle location near Airport Road and Printers Parkway. 11 News started asking questions after a … Read more
Ontario Dental Patients Told to Get Tested for HIV, Hepatitis
Patients who’ve attended a Kingston, Ont., dental clinic since 2010 are being urged to get tested for certain infectious diseases after the local health agency discovered the clinic’s tools were improperly cleaned and sterilized. The investigation into the Dr. Ken Luco Dental Clinic began after Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health received a complaint from the public on Jan. 16. An order to close the clinic … Read more
VistaCool 3 Eliminates Need for Autoclave Condenser Bottles
SciCan is proud to announce the VistaCool 3 Direct-to-Drain Thermal Reduction System for Autoclave Wastewater, created by Vista Research Group. The innovative design of the new VistaCool 3 provides all the same benefits as its predecessors, while occupying less space. With its mounting clips and pressurized drain line VistaCool 3 can be installed vertically or … Read more