Respiratory Etiquette

The swine flu can affect the dental as easily as anywhere else. With the information obtained from the CDA website (below), we came with suggestions and best practices to prevent the spread of H1N1 in the dental office. Cough Respiratory and disinfectant precautions are currently recommended to prevent transmission of swine influenza in a nursing home dental health. CDC is working closely with officials in states where human cases of H1N1 have been identified, and with health officials in Mexico and Canada. Using medical grade disinfectant spray will kill H1N1, MRSA, tuberculosis, HPV, HIV-1 (AIDS virus) and more. Sprays are also safe for all areas of your practice - the examination room, all hard surfaces, tools and instruments, and all rooms for patient care. Below, learn more about preventing the spread of H1N1 virus in dental practice.

What should I do if a patient presents for a routine examination, and respiratory symptoms? If the dentist suspects the disease may be due to swine influenza (fever, aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting are symptoms), elective dental treatment should be in neutral and the patient should be instructed to contact their health care provider. The health care provider will determine whether screening for influenza or treatment is necessary. Be sure to sterilize and disinfect any instrument or surface touched by the patient with a disinfectant spray note.

How would you handle a situation where the patient has symptoms, but requires urgent dental care? If necessary dental care is necessary and the virus H1N1 has been confirmed or suspected, care should be provided in an institution (hospital, dental care capacity), which provides airborne infection isolation (the air infection isolation rooms for handling negative air pressure).

For the procedures generating aerosols, using a procedure room with handling negative air pressure. Personnel providing direct care to suspected or confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) should be fit tested N95 3M disposable mask (respirators) when entering the patient's room and when performing dental procedures . respirator use must be in the context of a complete respiratory protection program in accordance with the Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

1. What if someone from your staff reports to work with acute respiratory symptoms? The staff knows the flu-fever illness (with a cough or sore throat) should not report to work. Employees who experience these symptoms and want to get medical care should contact their healthcare providers to report the disease before seeking treatment in a clinic, doctor's office or hospital. Workers who were not using appropriate personal protective equipment in close contact with a confirmed, probable or suspected case of swine influenza (H1N1) virus during the infectious period of the case should receive chemoprophylaxis according to the CDC guidance. Finally, employees who have difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, or is believed to be seriously ill, seek immediate medical attention.

With appropriate preventive measures, the issues surrounding the swine flu H1N1 and infection can be controlled. Using cough etiquette, N95 masks, and high grade disinfectant sprays, can go a long way in preventing the spread of H1N1 swine influenza in the dental office.