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Table 3 25-27 Prevention of H1N1 Influenza – Specific Recommendations for Dental Health Care |
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1. Encourage all dental health care personnel to receive seasonal influenza and the most recent H1N1 influenza vaccination. |
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2. Remind patients to reschedule if he/she is reporting influenza-like symptoms until 24 hours after the patient is free of fever (without using fever-reducing medicine(s). |
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3. Identify patients with influenza- or cold-like symptoms at check-in; offer a facemask or tissues to prevent any potential spreading. |
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4. Follow respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette (downloadable at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm |
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5. Separate ill patients from others whenever possible if evaluating for urgent care. |
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6. Urgent dental treatment can be performed without the use of an airborne infection isolation (AII) room because transmission of 2009 H1N1 influenza is thought not to occur over longer distances through the air, such as from one patient room to another. |
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7. Use a treatment room with a closed door, if available. If not, use one that is farthest from other patients and personnel. |
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8. Wear recommended PPE before entering the treatment room. |
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9. Dental health care personnel should wear a NIOSH fit-tested, disposable N95 respirator when entering the patient room and when performing dental procedures on patients with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza. |
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10. If N95 respirators and/or fit-testing is not available despite reasonable attempts to obtain, the dental office should transition to a prioritized use mode (i.e., non-fit-tested disposable N95 respirators or surgical facemasks can be considered as a lower level of protection for personnel at lower risk of exposure or lower risk of complication from influenza until fit-tested N95 respirators are available). Detailed information can be found in at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/GeneralHospitalDevicesandSupplies/PersonalProtectiveEquipment/ucm055977.htm. 27 |
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11. As customary, minimize spray and spatter (e.g., use a dental dam and high-volume evacuator). |
Standard precautions including hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette are effective in reducing the risk of influenza infection. The principles of respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette are reviewed in Table 3 and should be practiced in every dental office, especially during flu season.[21-25]
Conclusion:
1. Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) has emerged and was declared a full blown pandemic by the World Health organization in June , 2009.
2. An estimated 22 million Americans have been infected.
3. Pregnant women infected with H1N1 have a high rate of serious complications .
4. Standard precautions including hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette are effective in reducing the risk of H1N1 and other influenza infections.
5. Vaccination against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza is recommended for all HCWs.
With all the progress that has been made in this area, precautions still need to be taken to avoid all types of colds and influenza. In order for these diseases to be considered a pandemic (such as the Influenza A H1N1), there are three specific conditions that must be met under the WHO. It is important to keep in mind that the best way to avoid the threat of any cold or influenza is to maintain standard precautions—such as hand hygiene and/or cough etiquette—to be effective in reducing the overall risk of infection. It is also crucial to note that all health care works (HCW’s) should get vaccinated against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses.
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