Infection control in dental settings is a dynamic process, yet many practices fall victim to “change blindness”—the failure to notice gradual but significant shifts in protocols, risks, and outcomes. This course explores how protocol management, despite being a well-educated topic, remains a blind spot in many offices due to changes, continuous improvements and assumptions of compliance. Using real-world examples and behavioral science insights, we’ll examine how institutional knowledge, outdated habits, and checklist culture contribute to missed opportunities for intervention. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to recognize and respond to subtle but critical changes in infection control environments.

Learning Objectives

• Define change blindness and explain its relevance in dental infection control.
• Differentiate between a “to-do list” and a validated checklist in infection control workflows.
• Recognize the risks of relying on outdated habits versus documented procedures.