The Delta variant is sweeping the country, making it all the more important to be on top of the latest guidance from CDC. In this episode of In the Sterilization Room, infection prevention expert Jackie Dorst, RDH, BS, talks about the CDC’s recent edit to its Guidance for Dental Settings, originally published on December 4, 2020.
Updated CDC Guidance
Previously, the CDC guidance advised dental healthcare personnel to avoid aerosol-generating procedures for all patients, regardless of known or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection status. The edit removes the all patients regardless of risk language and instead advises dental healthcare personnel to avoid aerosol-generating procedures for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Tracking Community Spread
Jackie then shares two additional resources for keeping your staff and patients safe during this new wave of infections. First, she breaks down how The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center website can help your practice stay on top of conditions in your region. Jackie recommends practices check out the data for their community at least on a weekly basis.
ADA Update on Office Procedures During COVID-19
She then goes on to discuss the ADA’s latest COVID-19 resource—a document titled “Update to Office Procedures During COVID-19.” Available to ADA members exclusively, the document provides dental professionals with updated information on hazard assessments, best practices, pre-appointment screenings, and staff protection. The document includes a hazard assessment checklist that walks the practice through each action item, from knowing your community infection and vaccination rates and treatment considerations to physical plant and staff assessments. OP
Links:
CDC Guidance for Dental Settings
Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center
ADA Update to Office Procedures During COVID-19 (Access through the ADA Member Portal)
