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The PrimeGo is your online virtual classroom where you and your whole dental team can engage with our e-learning.

No matter your role in the dental practice, we’ll be able to help you get ahead and develop essential skills to help you grow.

Infection Prevention and Control eLearning Modules

Module Learning Outcomes

  1. Gain an overview of micro-organisms and methods of transmission – the ‘why’ of what we do.
  2. Understand Standard Precautions and each component of these together with their role in breaking the infectious cycle.
  3. Identify where Standard Precautions can fail and considerations to achieve them. 
  4. Know the integral role cleaning plays in the entire infection prevention process.

Lesson Plan

Topic 1 - What are Standard Precautions & why do we need them?

In this topic we define the meaning of the overarching Standard Precautions statement. We also consider why Standards Precautions are a critical element of Infection Prevention and Control.

Topic 2 – Micro-organisms & Methods of Transmission

In this topic we look at ‘the why’ of Infection Prevention and Control. Understanding the potential for the spread of infectious diseases and how to prevent these is critical in the dental environment. Knowing how microorganisms are able to multiply and spread are important factors in the correct implementation of Standard Precautions.

Topic 3 – Hand Hygiene

Hand Hygiene plays a critical role in managing the spread of infectious diseases. Many common bacteria are spread by hand to hand contact and hand to surface contact. There are important considerations to achieving good Hand Hygiene outcomes in our practices and we will look at these and their limitations.

Topic 4 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment or PPE as it is commonly referred to, is the first line of defence for keeping dental team members safe from infectious disease. PPE forms part of Standard Precautions and requires correct implementation and wearing to be effective. PPE also has its limitations and understanding these can improve the level of protection.

Topic 5 – Personal Hygiene

In this topic we will cover personal hygiene aspects that are additional to the use of PPE. Although transmission of pathogenic microorganisms via any of these material items is unlikely, attention to these do help to  keep the dental team safe and healthy.

Topic 6 – Respiratory Hygiene & Cough Etiquette

There is always the risk in the dental practice that patients will arrive to appointments and be visibly ill. This topic covers the risks this may pose and also management strategies to minimise cross infection and keep the team and other patients well.

Topic 7 – Aerosol Management

Many dental procedures generate high volume of aerosol contamination. In this topic we look at the potential risks of aerosol contamination and strategies to minimise and manage the risks.

Topic 8 – Isolation and Zoning

In this topic we will discuss how we isolate and manage zones within the treatment room to improve cleaning outcomes. Zoning identifies our cleaning priorities and what the minimum requirements are for cleaning between patients.

Topic 9 – Cleaning Procedures

In this topic we discuss cleaning requirements for surfaces in the dental treatment room. Effective cleaning limits microorganisms’ ability to reproduce. We will differentiate between detergents and disinfectants and where they apply in the cleaning process.

Topic 10 – Waste Management and Safe Transportation

In this topic we define clinical waste and how we manage it. Dental practices have a responsibility to ensure waste is well managed to protect public safety beyond the practice itself.  Safe management and disposal  plays a critical role in reducing the risk of injury from contaminated sharp items.

CPD Accreditation: 3 Hours

Australian clinicians are required to make their own assessment as to the number of hours of Non-Scientific Continuing Education each course provides. This course is eligible for NZDA CPD points.

Prime Practice guarantees courses are compliant with the current Dental Board of Australia Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development.

Learn more

Module Learning Outcomes

  1. Learn how sterilisation fits into the accountability vs responsibility model for infection prevention.
  2. Identify workflow bottlenecks in your reprocessing flow and how to make a sterilisation area function efficiently
  3. Gain an understanding of testing, monitoring, data recording and storage requirements for the sterilisation process.
  4. Be able to link all aspects of the reprocessing workflow to Standard Precautions and your essential documentation to achieve Compliance.

Lesson Plan

Topic 1 - Workflows

In this topic we look at workflows in the reprocessing area and design features that contribute to compliance. Layout and design contribute to both safety and efficiency in the reprocessing room and often, with minor workflow adjustments, bottlenecks and risks can be eliminated.

Topic 2 – Instrument Reprocessing & Management

How instruments are reprocessed prior to sterilisation can have a significant impact on the outcomes of the process. In this topic we begin to look at the specific requirements for reprocessing of dental instruments and how to manage items unique to dentistry.

Topic 3 – Spaulding Classification

In this topic we discuss the Spaulding Classification and how it relates to the reprocessing steps required for dental instruments and equipment. This widely adopted classification system allows easy identification of specific needs for reprocessing depending on how instruments are used.

Topic 4 – Sterilisation

Producing clean, sterile instruments for use on patients in the end goal of the entire reprocessing workflow. In this topic we look at sterilisation and how this is achieved with the correct use of appropriate equipment.

Topic 5 – Testing & Monitoring

Testing, monitoring and recording of data from the sterilisation process is essential to ensuring the intended outcomes are achieved. This data also provides traceability of the process. There are several parameters of the sterilisation process that need to be tested, monitored and challenged.

Topic 6 – Validating Your Process

Validation of the infection prevention and control process is essential for producing consistent reproducible outcomes. This includes validating the entire process but also undertaking validation, or Performance Qualification, on your steriliser.

CPD Accreditation: 3 Hours

Australian clinicians are required to make their own assessment as to the number of hours of Non-Scientific Continuing Education each course provides. This course is eligible for NZDA CPD points.

Prime Practice guarantees courses are compliant with the current Dental Board of Australia Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development.

Learn more

Module Learning Outcomes

1.Identify and obtain the latest essential documentation required for every practice.

2.Understand who in the practice is responsible and accountable when it comes to Infection Prevention.

3.Identify suitable training options for your team.

4.Find out what role quality assurance plays in maintaining compliance.

Lesson Plan

Topic 1 - What is Compliance?

In this topic we look at the multiple non-clinical aspects of compliance with infection prevention and control standards and guidelines. The practical undertaking of infection prevention and control is important for good outcomes. But, practical application can be inconsistent if good policies and robust systems are not in place to keep things on track.

Topic 2 - Essential Documentation

Documentation plays an important role in infection prevention and control compliance. A sound understanding of all of the standards and regulatory documents is necessary to implement practical procedures in the dental practice. A Policy and Procedure sets out the expectations for the practice and provides clear work instructions for team members.

Topic 3 - Responsibility and Accountability

Infection prevention tasks undertaken in the dental practice are usually delegated. While there is no concern in this model within the dental practice, an overall accountability needs to be taken. In this topic we discuss who is ultimately responsible for the management and compliance of infection prevention in the dental practice.

Topic 4 - Training

A well trained team is a well functioning team. Training for infection prevention gets staff up to date with changing requirements while reinforcing existing ones. A team managed approach is fostered by engagement and training can provide staff with the encouragement they need.

Topic 5 - Quality Assurance

Once the dental practice has clear policies and procedures for infection and control, the focus shifts to maintaining these. Team changes, different equipment and new products can all cause slips in the levels of compliance within the dental practice. The introduction of a Quality Assurance Program provides a solution to keep everything on track. This provides reassurance that your systems are producing the expected outcomes.

CPD Accreditation: 2 Hours

Australian clinicians are required to make their own assessment as to the number of hours of Non-Scientific Continuing Education each course provides. This course is eligible for NZDA CPD points.

Prime Practice guarantees courses are compliant with the current Dental Board of Australia Guidelines on Continuing Professional Development.

Learn More

Get up to 10% off when you purchase these three infection prevention e-learning modules together – Standard Precautions, Sterilisation and Compliance & Regulatory.

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The overall experience of the e-learning is fantastic. I can always go back to where I left before. The illustration of each concept is very clear and detailed.

Mark Jance / Forever Dental

Thank you Prime. I really appreciate the LinkedIn Certification upon completion.

Chris Hannings / Care Dental

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