In sickness and in health

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The infection control practices in your clinic may be right on the money, but can you say the same for its staff? MED reviews the routine jabs that every hygienist should have.

In a patient-focused profession, it's easy to lose sight of your own health in the workplace. Infection control guidelines emphasis the importance of protecting the patient - but it's equally important for hygienists to protect themselves.

A first rule of healthcare is that prevention is better than cure, and routine vaccinations should be high on any clinic's list of priorities. MED discusses how to stay ahead of the game on occupational exposures.

Mass medication

Most countries have lists of recommended vaccinations for healthcare workers, targeting diseases that flag up specific occupational risks. There are two major reasons for this; firstly, it protects employees from diseases that can develop serious complications when adult infections occur; and secondly, it stops them serving as a source of cross-infection to patients.

As the most infectious bloodborne hazard, immunisation against hepatitis B virus (HBV) should top the list of vaccinations in any dental surgery.

The three-injection vaccination schedule has contributed significantly to a drop in the incidence of workplace infection over the last 20 years and should be offered to any employee likely to have contact with blood/body fluids, clinical waste and sharps in the course of their duties.

In parts of the Middle East, routine childhood vaccination for HBV is still patchy and relatively new. In Saudi Arabia, for example, widespread vaccination only began in 1989 so many adult patients will not be immune.

Staying vigilant on HBV immunisation is thus doubly important for hygienists to help protect themselves against occupational infection.

Mumps, measles, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccinations are next.

Common childhood diseases can be significantly more severe in adult cases, with studies showing that between 1 and 2% of adults contracting varicella require hospitalisation.

Hygienists have regular contact with children, and a drop in the number of parents opting to immunise means vaccination coverage can be compromised.

By ensuring staff immunity against these diseases, dental surgeries can cut the risk of patient-worker transmissions, for healthier staff and clients.

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