Procedures for Individuals with Communicable/Infectious Diseases The HCC Dental Hygiene Program is obligated to provide care with compassion and dignity as well as respect the rights of privacy and confidentiality to all patients. Faculty, students, and staff will maintain standards of healthcare and professionalism expected of all health professionals. The following guidelines will be practiced by all faculty, staff and students in the HCC Dental Hygiene Program.
1. The program accepts ALL patients without discrimination of race, color, religion, gender, national origin or disability.
2. Patients who have an infectious disease will not be discriminated against or refused treatment; however, they may be required to postpone treatment until the HCC Dental Education Clinic has received a medial consult from their physician of record. This includes those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or hepatitis infections. An exception to this policy is active tuberculosis. These individuals will not be treated in the dental clinic until a clearance is given by the treating physician. The rights of faculty, staff, and students who have tested positive for an infectious disease will be protected. A physician’s consult is necessary for patients and personnel posing any risk of infectious disease transmission.
3. A student or employee who contracts an infectious disease has the right to retain his/her educational or employment status.
4. Students must demonstrate proof of immunity which includes HBV, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), tetanus, and TB skin test. All dental faculty and staff must demonstrate proof of immunity to hepatitis B, be immunized, or formally decline the immunization in writing. 5. All faculty, staff, and students will adhere to the established protocol for infection control and bloodborne pathogen training provided at initial employment or admission and through yearly updates. These protocols are in compliance with current OSHA and CDC guidelines as well as current federal, state, and local guidelines.
6. If a patient presents with a cold sore, the dentist will determine if treatment can be continued or deferred to a later time.
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