Course Description: This two-part continuing education training will fulfill the CDE requirements for infection control, the annual OSHA training, and pharmacology needed for licensure renewal.

Infection Control - Recent breaches in infection control in dental offices across the USA has become a cause of concern for dental consumers. Is it safe to go to the dentist? The answer is yes when dental practitioners are compliant with recommended infection control practices. A thorough review of CDC Guidelines as well as other current CDC/OSHA infection control recommendations will be presented. Additionally, we will discuss the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. This virus causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome in some patients and this disease has been named COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) and how the alarming spread of this infection in the USA has dramatically impacted dental practices. This update will provide dental providers with the latest information on the management of COVID-19 in the dental office. Paramount to controlling this pandemic are the principles of infection control and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette which will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on compliance issues and how the New Normal for the delivery of dental care can be achieved in 2020. 

Proper Prescribing - The opioid epidemic has taken many lives over the years because of over prescribing of opioid pain medications. As this issue continues to rage in America, it is crucial that dental professionals know how to identify ways to decrease the opioids prescribed through their practices in order to reduce the potential for misuse and abuse. This program will review what the dental provider needs to know and how to decrease their impact in the community. We will review proper writing of prescriptions, disposal of unused medications, and protection of prescription pads.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the routes of transmission of infectious diseases and how to break the chain of infection in the era of COVID-19.

2. Indicate the updated recommendations for Standard Precautions in the era of COVID-19.

3. Discuss the principles of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases in the dental office. 

4. Review the latest information on the transmission, testing and management of COVID-19 as known on May 9, 2020.

5. Review the history and the problem of prescription drug abuse in America.

6. Discuss key factors which would identify a patient to be at risk for abuse.

7. Review proper use and disposal of prescription medications.

8. Discuss alternatives for pain management in post-operative situations which do not require narcotics.

9. Describe best practices with writing of prescriptions and protection of prescription pads within the office environment.

10. Identify 2-3 drugs commonly used illicitly.

Registration Information:

Registration closes at the end of the day on March 29th. Select the "register" button on the left panel of this screen, and choose your registration type. Department of VA Registrants MUST be current employees; retired VA would register as a Community Provider.

Community Dentist - $100 virtual

Community Hygienist - $80.00 virtual

Community Dental Assistant/Office Staff - $60.00 virtual

Dept. of VA Employee - $35.00 virtual

Evaluation and Certificate:

All attendees are required to sign in at the registration desk prior to the start of the program. Sign-in sheets will be available starting at 7:30am and will be removed at 8:30am. If you arrive later than that time, you are welcome to stay for the program, however a certificate will not be issued and no refund will be available. Virtual attendees will be required to receive an attendance rating of 90% of the content portion of the program in order to receive credit. At the conclusion of the program, an access code will be provided, you will need this access code to claim your credits. Evaluations will be emailed no later than close of business on the following Tuesday. Certificates will generate upon submission of that evaluation. CHEP does not and will not issue partial credit certificates.