“Major Concerns of the Dental Care Workers”

Melaniece Dowdell, Crockett Career Technical Center

Nellie Graves Award 2008

Good morning, may name is Melaniece Dowdell. I am a senior student at Crockett Career Technical Center.

It is an honor to speak on behalf of the "Nellie Graves Award." This award was named in honor of Ms. Graves' 58 years of service to the Dental Assisting profession and to the students.

I am speaking on some of the major concerns to dental healthcare workers. The major concerns I have are hepatitis and hand washing. There are at least six types of viral hepatitis - each of which is caused by a different virus.

For example. Hepatitis B is a serious disease that may result in prolonged illness, destruction of the liver cells, cirrhosis of the liver, and death. It is a blood borne disease that may also be transmitted by other body fluids, including saliva. Anyone who has had the disease and some persons who have been exposed to but have not been actively ill may be carriers of the HBV. This means that even patients who appear to be healthy and have no history of the disease may be a source of infection. This presents a high risk for dental personnel because dental treatment brings them in direct contact with saliva and blood.

In addition, dental health care workers may knowingly be carriers of this disease. In this situation there is always the risk of transmitting the infections to the patients during treatments and it can also affect your personal life. This is why OSHA requires the dentist to offer a series of HBV vaccination to all employees. Another major concern is hand washing, which is very important. The environment between the hand and the inner surface of the glove is warm, dark and moist. These are ideal conditions for bacteria and other microbes to thrive. Frequent hand wishing is essential before putting on gloves and removing them. also, whenever you touch contaminated articles, liquid soap must always be used.

To minimize cross contamination it is preferable that treatment room sinks be equipped with "hands-free" faucets that are activated electronically or with foot pedals. Always wear your mask, safety glasses and gloves not matter what. It is mandatory!

I thank you MDAA for listening to my speech and for your very valuable time. The career of Dental Assisting is very important to me, and I look forward to working with you in the future. This is an honor for me.

Many thanks for this opportunity.