By: Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH
There has been a great deal of development in the subject of infection control (IC) over the last century as we have grown to understand the concept. We know how it affects the quality of treatment and overall dental office safety.
Over time, research on infection control prevention and management has yielded insights that have been gradually integrated into the curriculum and training courses.
What Does An Infection Control Coordinator Do?
The infection control coordinator (ICC) should be someone who pays close attention to detail, has excellent organizational skills, is eager to learn, and has a genuine interest in infection control.
To execute the role of an ICC effectively, the assigned individual must be adept at identifying the links that have the potential to cause infections.
The position requires more than just performing checks and balances and going through the motions of day to day. There should be a degree of foresight in developing proactive strategies to reduce the spread of infections.
It is also possible that the individual will be required to take on a reactive role, such as responding effectively to an outbreak of infection in the local community.
Infection Control Training Online
The ability to communicate more quickly via the internet has also led to an increase in the types and levels of training opportunities available for the ICC.
Level Up Infection Prevention
One factor contributing to poor infection prevention practice is the lack of readily available and relevant training programs. Level Up Infection Prevention aims to elevate the role of the ICC, ultimately creating safe visits for anyone who visits the dental office.
Level Up provides multiple resources that will help you and the infection control coordinator maintain a high standard of dental office safety. This training will ensure your patients can receive the high-quality care that they deserve and that they can have safe dental visits without worrying about the risk of infections.
Benefits of Infection Control Coordinator Training
Let’s find out how ICC training can benefit your practice:
Prevent Infection
The main priority of all healthcare professionals, regardless of the service they provide, is the prevention of infections, making infection control training necessary for anyone who works in healthcare.
However, while the infection control training that dental professionals receive in school may be sufficient in creating awareness on maintaining a safe environment by reducing the potential spread of diseases, it does not provide the relevant in-depth knowledge in the implementation of safety protocols. A dentist or dental assistant would also have different infection control training from a properly qualified ICC.
The ICC is both proactive and reactive in infection management.
Specialized Up-To-Date Training
A certificate or degree in infection control does not entail sufficient training for an ICC. To perform quality healthcare work, employees must receive training that is tailored to their specific job duties.
Furthermore, the science of infection control is constantly evolving as emerging research uncovers areas that warrant ongoing updates and training.
Also, when there is a health crisis like the current pandemic, updating protocols and refreshing IC skills could significantly improve the safety of the services offered.
Stay Up to Code with State Regulations
Proper training for the ICC not only elevates the knowledge of the person going through it, but it is also beneficial for the office should there be any audits by the state dental board.
If you have an ICC who is responsible for keeping up to date on best practices, monitoring the products and techniques used, overseeing the exposure control plan, serving as a resource for all staff, and communicating the importance of proper procedures to both staff and patients, you can be confident that your practice complies with state board regulations.
State boards commonly use audit checklists to ensure that infection control and prevention protocols are adhered to, and with an ICC whose numerous responsibilities include performing risk assessments and monitoring compliance through sterilization logs and checklists, you won’t have to worry about whether or not all of your infection control measures are up to code.
Your ICC should also be able to answer any questions regarding your office infection prevention program, leaving you to focus on treating your patients.
Infection Control Training Improves Patient Experience
Your patients can have peace of mind that a trained professional is on-site. Moreover, having a trained ICC at your clinic can serve as a marketing tool to inform your patients that you are making the required efforts to ensure their dental sessions are as safe as possible.
For patients looking for evidence of infection control and safety procedures, especially during times of a pandemic, having an ICC on-site can provide them with a greater sense of comfort. People who have been putting off going to the dentist because there aren’t enough safety procedures can also have peace of mind that their safety is being taken care of in your office.
Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, brings over 20 years of experience to her numerous roles in dentistry. A graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s of health science and the University of Bridgeport with a master’s in dental hygiene education, she is focused on expanding the knowledge of her colleagues in all aspects of health care. Strange’s passion for dentistry and its connection to overall health extends to her community and global efforts. Currently, she is the co-founder and cohost of the longest-running podcast for dental hygienists, A Tale of Two Hygienists, the cofounder of Level Up Infection Prevention and TriviaDent, a practicing dental hygienist, and client success manager for MouthWatch.
Photo by Daniel Frank from Pexels
