News — PPE
No More State Board Rule for COVID-19 Precautions: Now What Do We Do?
No More State Board Rule for COVID-19 Precautions: Now What Do We Do?
On 06/18/2021 the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) met and agreed to allow the COVID-19 Rule (officially 22 TAC 108.7(16)) expire with no replacement and the suggestion that dentists in Texas look to the CDC for continued guidance. This rule required patient screening, twice daily employee screening, use of N95/KN95 (or substantial equivalent), and so on.
A couple of weeks prior, however, OSHA announced the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to address COVID-19 safety in healthcare settings. The ETS being a Standard has the effect of law and is enforceable as such. We will explore the CDC Guidelines in a moment, but first, let us discuss the ETS.
The Lowdown on Tuberculosis
TB is an airborne disease meaning it is spread from person-to-person by air. Dental Health Care Workers (DHCW) must be provided adequate PPE, which in this case requires the use of respirator masks for which DHCW must be fit tested annually by a qualified occupational health specialist.
- Tags: COVID-19, Infection control, PPE, Tuberculosis