Influenza Facts and the Health Care Worker

Influenza Facts and the Health Care Worker is organized by The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).

Accreditation:
CE Credits: 2

Course Description:
Your patient is sneezing and coughing. A coworker is complaining of feeling “dead tired”, has a headache, cough, and feels hot. Exactly how should dental offices deal with these situations? Public health leaders in most countries continue to launch full efforts educating people to recognize and control the spread of respiratory infections. Dental assistants play a vital role in strategies to keep respiratory illness out of the dental office.

Dental healthcare workers will undoubtedly be exposed to seasonal strains of influenza. Every dental team member must take necessary precautions to avoid illness, maintain a safe office environment for both the dental team and its patients, and keep current on new strains of influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Dental offices should implement a program for screening patients for aerosol transmitted diseases (ATD). Understanding the risks and how to deal with them can avoid panic, illness and even death.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course the participant should be able to do the following:
• understand influenza epidemics and pandemics.
• know how influenza is transmitted.
• recognize signs and symptoms of influenza.
• take appropriate precautions against influenza exposure and transmission.
• screen patients for influenza and other transmissible respiratory infections.
• be aware of vaccinations and antiviral medications.

Original Release Date: 2013; Review Date: 2018; Expiration Date: 2021

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.