The delivery of oral healthcare brings a certain level of risk to the dental healthcare worker, part of which can be linked to a blood exposure. The blood or bloody saliva may contain bloodborne pathogens, which include HIV, hepatitis B, and/or hepatitis C. These exposures should be considered an emergency driving quick post exposure testing and evaluation for appropriate therapies. Policies must address the process to evaluate the exposed worker and when allowed the source patient. 

This webinar will discuss actions required by the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on post exposure management. The goal is for the exposed worker to receive the best care possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. List the most common bloodborne pathogens.
2. Identify different types of exposures occurring in the delivery of oral healthcare.
3. Discuss the post exposure process for the source patient and exposed worker.

Speaker:
Karen Gregory, RN, CDIPC

Ms. Gregory is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer skilled in translating regulatory and compliance information into captivating educational programming for healthcare workers. She is Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control® (CDIPC®), serves as a subject matter expert in dental infection prevention and control, and specializes in packaging process and policy content for successful integration into practice. She is currently on the Editorial Review Board of the popular newsletter, Infection Control in Practice.

Continuing Dental Education

OSAP 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 continuing dental 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 the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org.

OSAP designates this activity for 1 continuing education credit.

This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) through joint efforts between the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP)  and New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC).

Check out the topic page, Oral Health and HIV, from NEAETC's online HIV Resource Library.

Intended Audience

All oral health providers, clinical and non-clinical support staff

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