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Dentists: Is Your Waiting Room Ready for H1N1?

November 3, 2009 By 7 Comments

Swine flu: H1N1 & DentistsWhen we asked about dentists and H1N1 this spring, only 12% said they had made any changes as a result of swine flu. But now that we seem to be in the midst of a pandemic, things seem to changing… Let's review some of the latest news.

Here's one change: the disappearance of magazines from many waiting rooms.

In the UK's Press and Journal, author Roddy Phillips bemoans the lack of glossy mags and even pamphlets.

“Someone’s nicked all the magazines and . . . all the leaflets,” I announced.

She smiled and told me they had all been removed for health and safety reasons.

“Even the health and safety leaflets?” I asked, amazed, and the receptionist nodded.

“It’s to stop the spread of infections, particularly swine flu,” she said without sounding the slightest bit convincing.

“So the swine flu leaflets which are made of porous paper were in danger of harbouring a virus for long periods and passing it on to some unsuspecting leaflet reader?” I said.

The receptionist took a very deep weary sigh and nodded again.

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Now get this: a San Diego dentist was denied the H1N1 vaccine on the grounds that "dentists are not eligible health care professionals"?!?!?

The CDC has clearly stated that it recommends health care personnel get the vaccine. However, it's up to each state's Department of Health to decide how to allocate the vaccine.

In practice, it also seems to be up to supervisor on site. The San Diego dentist waited in line for an hour and was turned away, but he was so upset that he later returned, and the supervisor okayed his vaccination.

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Meanwhile, New York dentists can now give patients H1N1 vaccinations. 

But there's an important catch: Governor David Paterson's executive order only allows dentists (and other healthcare professionals) to vaccinate patients at a state health department distribution center, not in their own practices.

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So what's going on at your practice? Has anything changed? 

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  • http://dontics.org/forum Stanley Sokolow, DDS

    I just now heard a CNN interview of an MD who pointed out that the southern hemisphere has gone through its flu season, and the predominant virus was the H1N1, not the viruses in the US seasonal flu vaccine, so he criticized the US for not making the H1N1 vaccine first and then followed with building supplies of the seasonal vaccine. Instead, the seasonal was given first priority and now we’re running short of injection H1N1 vaccine. I got mine on the 2nd day that it was available to me because I have chronic asthma so I’m in the high-risk-patient group. The medical center is currently restricting H1N1 immunizations to front-line healthcare personnel (by injection) and children (by nasal vaccine) due to shortage. Dentists are not in the priority group.

    Our orthodontic practice has made minor tweaks to our procedures, such as wearing masks more often, but pretty much our universal blood-borne precautions still apply. Removing all magazines seems futile. Does that office disinfect the front door knob after each patient enters or leaves? Flu is airborne but can be spread by hands — wash hands often, wear gloves during dental procedures, keep fingers out of nose, eyes, mouth, use universal precautions, reschedule patients who appear ill, etc., get vaccinated when you can and encourage your staff to do so also. That’s my approach.

  • http://www.dentalhygieneexcellence.com Dental Hygiene Excellence

    The magazine removal is a good precaution. Just watch people as they finger through the magazines. I would guess that at least 90% of them lick their page turning finger to separate the pages. (every page has saliva on the upper right corner)This makes your magazines a perfect way to spread H1N1 or anything else!
    Patti DeMatteis R.D.H.

  • http://www.pedsdentistryofoc.com Karilyn House, D.D.S.

    We are a pediatric dentistry practice and have put out the alcohol based hand sanitizers in the check in and check out areas. We have been surprised at how many people are taking advantage of this and the positive feedback we have received from parents. Plus, if it helps keep out staff healthy, we all benefit.

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  • http://www.drfreshdental.com Yousuf Nabi

    DrFreshDental has seen a huge increase in sales of our N95 Mask, 1 Liter Infectiguard Hand Sanitizer since Dr Oz recommended it.

    Dental offices are using this in the waiting rooms as well as for the staff.

    The N95 Mask, has been called the dental mask of the future on several dental blogs.

  • http://mississaugacosmeticdentistry.com mississauga dentist

    We from Mississauga cosmetic dentistry is pushing the use of ppm (pure power mouthguard) and as well our clinic is in the process of adapting new technology to be H1N1 ready.

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