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April 28, 2009
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Keep Swine Flu out
of your operatory

OSAP provides online resource to keep dental professionals up-to-date on this health scare.

Compiled by Renee Knight, Senior Editor

Swine Flu Fact

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get Swine Flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine Flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond a few people. Source: osap.org

By now, you’ve probably heard about it. Reports of the Swine Flu outbreak have dominated the main stream news for the past few days. But what does it all mean for you, your practice and your patients?

By the numbers

The Swine Flu numbers are constantly changing, but here’s the latest:

152 deaths, all in Mexico, 20 confirmed as Swine Flu. The rest are suspected Swine Flu cases.

1,995 people in Mexico got pneumonia but Swine Flu is not yet confirmed.

64 confirmed cases in U.S., including 28 at one New York City school and a total of 45 in the city; 10 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio.

Six confirmed cases in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland and several suspected; 11 confirmed and 43 suspected in New Zealand; two confirmed and 25 suspected in Spain; one suspected in France; one confirmed in Israel; one suspected in South Korea.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency guidance allowing certain antiviral drugs to be used in broader range of population if needed. Public health emergency declared and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Nonessential travel to Mexico discouraged and arriving travelers questioned at Mexico border.

The World Health Organization (WHO) raises alert to Phase 4 of 6, noting disease spreads easily but isn’t pandemic.

Source: Associated Press and the CDC

The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) has put together a special online resource to give dental professionals the information they need to protect themselves and their patients from this flu strain. The Swine Flu Resources section of the OSAP Web site (osap.org) includes an overview of the disease, up-to-the-minute reports on the current outbreak, tips for prevention and links to additional in-depth information.

The OSAP Web site is constantly updated as new information comes in, providing dental professionals with a quick, easy way to stay current. Links to reports and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization and the White House Briefing Room are available for instant access to important information and advisories.

Dental professionals should be vigilant as this potential pandemic emerges, according to OSAP. If any of your patients are feeling ill, they should delay dental treatment until they are feeling better. If patients present with flu-like symptoms, they should be referred to a physician for testing. 

Prevention is key, and OSAP’s Swine Flu Resource center provides plenty of tips for dental professionals to keep Swine Flu out of their practice including:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you’ve used it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick with influenza, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

These everyday tips are for those states without laboratory-confirmed cases. The CDC recommends that affected states with at least one laboratory-confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection consider activating community mitigation interventions for affected communities.

Additional Swine Flu resources for dental professionals:
As more details emerge, the CDC will update the dental profession on recommendations for dental facilities.

Online resources for dental offices include:

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