Tips for Successfully Serving as Infection Control Coordinator

By Kandis V. Garland, RDH, MS

The infection control coordinator or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officer is a key member of the dental team. Frequently, oral health professionals are thrust into this role by default. Sometimes this position is filled by dentists, dental hygienists, or dental assistants. Many dentists appoint dental hygienists to serve as infection control coordinators because of their skill and knowledge in the area of infection control. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) requires dental hygiene programs to graduate students with competence in infection control.¹ These competencies (specifically Standard 5-1) include compliance with policies and procedures related to asepsis, hazardous materials, and bloodborne and infectious diseases.¹ Oral health professionals are ethically responsible to comply with OSHA and infection control guidelines.²

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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