Recently, a Tulsa, Okla. area dentist was cited with putting patients at risk of infection with hepatitis by failing to follow proper infection control practices. The Oklahoma Dental Association is closely monitoring the situation.
Infection control procedures are there for one reason, to protect the patients, says Dr. C. Todd Bridges, president of the Oklahoma Dental Association. This alleged breach may have placed patients at risk, and it is clearly an aberration that in no way reflects the way dentists typically operate. The reason this situation is so alarming is because it is so rare.
The Oklahoma Dental Association recommends that all practicing dentists, dental team members and laboratories follow standard precautions specified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Examples of infection control in the dental office include the use of masks, gloves, surface disinfectants and sterilizing reusable dental devices.
We recommend that people talk with their dentists about infection control, says Bridges. Dentists are universally proud of the cleanliness of their offices and will not be offended when patients ask questions about infection control protocols.
The CDC's guidelines for infection control are available at: http://www.ada.org/sections/professionalResources/pdfs/guidelines_cdc_infection.pdf
Source: Oklahoma Dental Association
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.