The assurance of sterility is important to ensure patient safety. However, compliance challenges exist for dental practices. In this webinar, we will discuss the full array of sterilization validation solutions and guidelines for testing to help you achieve compliance. This webinar will discuss OSHA standards, AAMI/ANSI recommendations, and CDC infection control guidelines focusing on sterilization validation solutions including biological indicators (BI), chemical indicators, and testing methods. The types and recommended frequency of the use of BI will be discussed. The pros and cons of both in-office and mail-in biological monitoring will be discussed. A review of microbiology, disease transmission, infection control principles, and the latest sterilization validation technology is covered. This webinar offers timely education as well as helpful suggestions and resources to empower participants to assess their level of compliance and make any necessary updates to their own office policies, procedures, and technology.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the chain of infection and correct common pitfalls with compliance related to sterilization, including biological and chemical indicators.
2. Discuss sterilization validation solutions and guidelines for testing.
3. Discuss current CDC Guidance and regulatory requirements from AAMI/ANSI and OSHA related to sterilization validation and testing to prevent compliance errors.

SPEAKER: Kandis Garland, RDH, MS, CDIPC

Ms. Garland is an educator, author, and speaker. Her career spans 22 years as a dental hygienist and educator, where she currently serves as Clinic Lead Instructor, and QA/Infection Control Officer at the Oregon Institute of Technology.

Ms. Garland’s research focuses on infection control and dental hygiene competency and has been published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, the Journal of Dental Education, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, Mentor Magazine, Decisions in Dentistry, and Access Magazine. Garland is an active member of the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention and Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Peer Review Panel. She received the OSAP Emerging Leader Award in 2017. She is a member of the Crosstex Luminary Council, provides infection control consulting services, and serves as an educational consultant for Tuttnauer. In February 2023, Kandis was recognized by Dimensions of Dental Hygiene as “One of the Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know."

Educational Funding Provided By:

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