2 THE ADA PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE INFECTION CONTROL Overview of Program Content This program provides a convenient, self-paced learning experience for all members of the dental health care team. The program contains four units. Each unit consists of a video segment and accompanying workbook material. Unit One — Fundamentals of Infection Control — discusses the infectious disease process and provides information about essential infection control practices including immunization, hand hygiene and care, personal protective equipment, and assigning an infection control coordinator. This unit also discusses post-exposure evaluation and follow up, work practice and engineering controls, as well as special procedures for oral surgery. Unit Two — Sterilization and Disinfection — provides detailed information on sterilization methods, the types and uses of liquid chemical agents for disinfection, nonregulated and regulated waste, dental unit water quality, and disinfection of dental prostheses. Unit Three — Infection Control During Clinical Procedures — discusses infection control practices to be used during the provision of clinical care. As an aid to learning and implementing these practices, the clinical period is divided into three phases — pre-treatment, clinical care and post- treatment. Unit Four — Special Considerations — provides detailed information about the handling of various clinical devices, extracted teeth, and patients with tuberculosis and prion diseases. For each unit, the video segment provides an introduction to unit content and demonstrations of infection control practices. The workbook materials provide more in-depth coverage of the various topics covered in the program. The program also contains: • A self-assessment checklist of current infection control practices • Goal-setting worksheets • Appendices containing additional information about infection control practices • A list of resources for further study • A post-test for continuing education credit The self-assessment checklist provides a brief evaluation of the current status of infection control efforts in the office or clinic. The goal-setting worksheets provide assistance in setting realistic goals and developing action plans for implementing an effective infection control program. The appendices contain detailed information on the selection of sterilization and disinfection procedures, and provide additional information on infection control topics. The list of resources contains references to useful and informative publications on infection control and related topics. Finally, the continuing education post-test is included for those who wish to receive continuing education credit for completing this program. The program content is based on recommendations of public health and other scientific authorities. It is not a definitive guide to complying with federal, state or local laws that incorporate these recommendations (e.g., OSHA or dental board rules). Knowledge of the scientific and clinical bases of a law can certainly help the dentist comply, but dentists who wish to obtain information on legal requirements are referred to other resources such as the ADA Practical Guide to OSHA Compliance: Regulatory Compliance Manual.