Package Description

Water safety is an important component of healthcare, including dentistry. Infections and outbreaks due to dental unit waterlines have been reported. Here we discuss the background behind water management in dental practices, the problems that can arise when waterlines are not cared for properly, and best practices for waterline management and standards for dentistry.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, learners should be able to:

• identify the importance of improving practices around maintaining dental unit waterlines.
• describe what happens when quality fails and leads to infections in patients
• discuss information regarding water management and hygiene that must be included in dental practice policies.
• list guidelines, standards, and regulatory changes related to dental unit waterlines that may impact their practice.

Price:

• Members: $15
• Non-members: $30

CE Information:

CE Credits: 1.00

Click here to view detailed CE information about this course.

Speakers:

Matthew Arduino, MS, DrPH, FSHEA, M(ASCP)

Dr. Arduino is a Public Health Microbiologist and Infection Preventionist. He was a bench microbiologist in the Westchester County Department of Laboratories and Research from 1980-82. He served as bench microbiologist and weekend supervisor at Westchester County Medical Center from 1982-1984 before returning to graduate school for a doctorate in Public Health from the University of North Carolina. He served as a research microbiologist from 1988-1994, lead research microbiologist 1994-2006, Deputy Branch Chief 2006-2010, and Branch Chief 2010-2014 of the Clinical and Environmental Microbiology Branch, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC. Dr. Arduino currently serves as Senior Adviser for Environmental Hygiene and Infection Prevention, in the Office of the Director, in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. He has authored and coauthored 148 articles indexed in PubMed. Dr. Arduino is a Fellow in the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

Disclosures: No relevant financial relationships to disclose

David Carsten, DDS

Dr. Carsten is the Chair of the Washington State Dental Commission, Chair of the Infection Control Committee, and an Assistant Professor at Oregon Health Sciences University.

Disclosure: No relevant financial relationships to disclose

Kathleen O'Donnell, MPH

Kathleen was a senior epidemiologist with the Orange County Health Care Agency, with a focus on emerging infectious diseases and healthcare associated infections. Most recently she has been working at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine to build systems to improve their research capabilities.

Disclosures: No relevant financial relationships to disclose

Educational Funding Provided By: