Dental associations respond to infection control breach in Oklahoma

According to published reports, about 7,000 patients who visited Harrington’s offices in the Tulsa, Okla., area for treatment may be at risk for HIV and hepatitis. The Oklahoma Department of Health has been sending letters to his patients, urging them to get blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The practice has been closed pending an investigation.

The story received widespread media attention.

“In light of recent news reports concerning a Tulsa, Okla.-based oral surgeon, the American Dental Association understands that there may be heightened interest in infection control procedures,” the ADA said in a statement released March 29. “Regulations for dental office inspections are determined on a state-by-state basis by the state dental board.”

“The ADA has long recommended that all practicing dentists, dental team members and dental laboratories use standard precautions as described in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings guidelines,” the ADA statement said. “Studies show that following proper infection control procedures greatly reduces risk to patients to the point of an extremely remote possibility.”

The Academy of General Dentistry also issued a statement, assuring the public that AGD members, including general dentists and their dental teams, abide by strict infection control guidelines.

“Because many dental procedures involve direct contact with blood and saliva, safety protocols are put in place to help stop the spread of disease,” said AGD President Dr. Jeffrey M. Cole. “Heat sterilization of dental instruments helps prevent the spread of diseases like hepatitis and HIV. By following stringent best practices, AGD dentists maintain a commitment to patient health and safety.”

“If your dentist is an AGD member, you can be confident that he or she strives to provide the best quality care to their patients by utilizing the most current safety protocols,” Cole said in his statement to the public.

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), an association dedicated to preventing disease transmission and ensuring the safe delivery of oral healthcare for all, issued a list of guidelines for dental professionals.

OSAP’s recommendations include the following:

• Inform patients that your practice uses evidence-based infection control precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The latest recommendations and other resources can be downloaded from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/index.htm.
• Explain that dental anesthetics are provided using sterile single-use needles and cartridges of anesthetic and that these items are properly discarded after each patient.
• If IV medications are used, those medications are either from single-dose vials or that multi-dose vials are accessed only once with a single needle and syringe and that additional medications, even for a single patient, are drawn with a new syringe and needle.
• Reassure the patient that all procedures requiring licensure or certification are provided only by professionals licensed to provide those services.

“This case serves as a reminder to ensure all professionals understand the guidelines and regulations related to infection control practices in dentistry,” OSAP said. “Every dental healthcare professional should periodically review infection control procedures and have those procedures in writing. Communication between team members is also essential to ensuring everyone understands their role in the infection control processes.”

(Sources: ADA, AGD, OSAP)