Infectious diseases in the dental practice may be transmitted via bloodborne pathogens, aerosol or spatter and by direct contact. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections are bloodborne, whereas SARS-CoV-2, emerging Fungal and Bacterial infections may be spread by aerosol-generating procedures. Over the last decade, there has been an onslaught of new and unique infections that may pose a threat to the unassuming dental healthcare provider. These may be resurgent infections such as Tuberculosis or variations of previously identified diseases such as mpox (previously termed Monkeypox) and the multidrug resistant Candida auris to name just a few. Transmission may occur from a patient to a dental health care provider (DHCP), from a DHCP to a patient, or from one patient to another. In this ever-changing scenario, the Dental Healthcare Provider should be aware of emerging and re-emerging infections that may impact their dental practice. Presented by an expert on infectious diseases and a leader in Infection Prevention for over 10 years at a Dental University, this course is designed to provide an overview of emerging infections prevalent in the dental practice and re-emerging infections that the provider may not be familiar with, but may come across in their patient population.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe emerging and re-emerging pathogens in the dental practice.
2. Discuss the risks associated with these infections for the provider and the patient, and ways to prevent spread.
3. Describe measures to mitigate the risk of emerging and re-emerging infections in the dental practice.

Steps to Complete Course:

1. Click on On-Demand Recording below and watch the video
2. Complete the Assessment (requires a passing score of 70%)
3. Complete the Evaluation 
   • Once you complete the Evaluation, you can find your CE Certificate under MY ACCOUNT > MY CERTIFICATES