MetLife MetDental Accreditation Information

A medical history does not identify all “infectious patients” in the dental office.  Therefore, Standard Precautions must be used when providing care to all patients. Part One of this two-part Guide discusses the history of: 1) infectious diseases and the healthcare worker; 2) the development of guidelines by the Center for Disease Control to protect both the patient and the healthcare worker; and 3) the OSHA regulations that impact the dental office. It discusses Standard Precautions for use during dental care, including aseptic procedures and personal protective barriers, as well as vaccine recommendations and management of dental waterlines. A companion Guide, “Infection Control and OSHA Update Part Two” outlines other specific infection control procedures for the dental office. It is suggested that Part One be thoroughly reviewed before reading Part Two.

A companion Guide, “Infection Control and OSHA Update Part One 6^th Edition” discusses the history of infection control in the dental office. It is suggested that Part One be thoroughly reviewed by the clinician before reading Part Two. This sixth edition discusses the “hierarchy of controls” and specific infection control procedures for the dental office, including sterilization and instrument reprocessing, environmental surface cleaning and disinfection and personal protective equipment. Charts and photos provide practical guidance for the clinician as they prepare their office, their staff and themselves to deliver dental care.

You are most likely treating your dental waterlines, but are you testing your dental waterlines? Treating is not testing! To provide safe care for patients and to protect your team, you need to know how to reduce bacteria in your dental waterlines. View this webinar to learn the five-step process for maintaining excellent water quality.

The U.S.Center for Disease Control Guidelines state that each dental office should assign at least one person as an infection control coordinator (ICC). The ICC should understand the modes of cross-contamination in dentistry, current infection prevention policies, products/equipment available to maintain staff and patient safety, and agencies' policies/guidelines that impact infection prevention and safety in dental practice. While the ICC is responsible for coordinating the infection prevention program, the entire dental team must be committed and accountable to comply with the office’s written infection control program. This Quality Resource Guide (QRG) discusses regulatory and advisory agencies that impact infection prevention in dentistry, the role and responsibilities of the infection control coordinator, the precautions needed to prevent disease transmission in the dental setting and provides current updates for infection prevention policies and protocols. This QRG will serve as an essential resource for the dental office ICC and all office team members during new staff members’ orientation, as well as periodic office updates regarding infection control.