Comments on: Dentists: Is Your Waiting Room Ready for H1N1?

By: Yousuf Nabi

Yousuf Nabi — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:09:48 +0000

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.

By: Dental Blogs: The Week in Review (October 26 - October 30, 2009)

Dental Blogs: The Week in Review (October 26 - October 30, 2009) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:45:57 +0000

[...] Dentists: Is Your Waiting Room Ready for H1N1? Jim Du Molin & The Wealthy Dentist Blog discussed some of the changes dentists are making [...]

By: Update: 8 November 2009 « Flu Pandemic Chronicles

Update: 8 November 2009 « Flu Pandemic Chronicles — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:05:05 +0000

[...] “Wealthy Dentist” Advises Magazine Removal to Stop H1N1 [...]

By: Karilyn House, D.D.S.

Karilyn House, D.D.S. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:46:56 +0000

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.

By: Dental Hygiene Excellence

Dental Hygiene Excellence — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:26:57 +0000

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.

By: Stanley Sokolow, DDS

Stanley Sokolow, DDS — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:41:17 +0000

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.