Dental Infection Control after COVID -19

Dental infection control after COVID-19 must be realistic

The premise of this presentation is, that as it is presently practiced, Dental IPAC is not fit for purpose. The argument in support of that conclusion will be made through a series of discussions beginning with, how infectious diseases are transmitted, the implausibility of asymptomatic transmission and a critique of COVID-19 policies. This will be followed by a realistic assessment of infectious disease transmission in dentistry, the limitations of instrument reprocessing procedures and the questionable effectiveness of IPAC checklists and inspections based on recently acquired Freedom of Information data. The role of aerobiology in the transmission of infectious diseases in conjunction with new studies, will address the efficacy of masks. Finally, it will be suggested that dentists ought to have an essential role in deciding on realistic and justifiable IPAC policies and procedures that are fit for purpose in their practices.

You will be sent a Zoom Link on the day before the event where you enter your full name and email address. This will allow us to identify you during the webinar and distribute the CE certificates.

Dr. John Hardie, BDS, MSc, PhD, FRCDC is a retired oral pathologist. Formerly, he was Head of Dentistry at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, the Vancouver General Hospital and held similar appointments in hospitals and health trusts in Saudi Arabia and Northern Ireland. He has published over 200 articles in infection control and related topics and given presentations on similar issues throughout N. America, Europe and the Middle and Far East. In 2000 he was commissioned by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario to prepare a report on: A Literature Review, Recommendations, and Guidelines Regarding Infection Control in the Dental Office.