Collaborating with other dental professionals has become much easier in the age of the internet and social media. Thought there are negatives associated with this easy access to information, there is a positive aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked- the sharing of evidence-based information from around the globe. In chapter 5 of the text Infection Control in the Dental Office, the authors explore similarities and differences in infection control practices from eleven different countries.
Each country uses different terminology for dental infection control, however, in general, these terms refer to the same basic protocol. Concerns for the environment and the overuse of plastics is mentioned in some of the literature. This is a global problem and one that should not be ignored. The reduction of waste is an area that needs to be addressed as it applies to infection control standards. It is worth mentioning that many of the countries studied rely on general guidance from the USA CDC.
Australia’s guidelines are the most up to date in comparison to other countries. AUS updates its guidelines every three years to add any changes in the “evidence base of infection control”. Canada’s protocol includes running spore tests daily and using procedure-specific, not patient-specific guidelines. Greece’s guidelines are very specific and thorough. Interestingly in Greece, it is recommended to double glove for patients that are HIV, HCV, or HBV +.
The UK’s guidelines are not specific to just dental settings, rather it provides recommendation for both dental and medical facilities. India’s guidelines cover more than just IC.
JAP, S. Africa, US, MEX, and Brazil follow the guidelines of the US CDC. Though water quality guidelines were not found for AUS, Greece and Japan. This does not mean that there are no guidelines for water quality, but the authors were unable to find an established protocol.
We would like to encourage you to read the chapter yourself. After reading this chapter on global infection control protocols, do you see guidelines from other countries you would like to see implemented for your country? What changes in protocol would you like to see in your clinic?
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