Oral Health Topics
Bioterrorism
Introduction
It became apparent following the tragic events of the fall of 2001 that the nation was not adequately prepared to respond to a significant bioterrorism attack. A great amount of time and resources were subsequently devoted to achieving an adequate state of preparedness for possible future events of this nature. Dentistry considered its potential role in responding to a significant bioterrorism attack during the first part of 2002 and reached a consensus on its role. That consensus was reported in The Journal of the American Dental Association in September 2002.
In the following sections, you will find information related to bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. New information and resources will be added to this area as they become available.ADA News
- Preparing for H1N1 (September 23, 2009)
The Journal of the American Dental Association
- Dentists’ Preparedness for Responding to Bioterrorism: A Survey of Hawaii Dentists (April 2006)
- Emergency Preparedness in the Dental Office (November 2004)
- Bioterrorism and Catastrophe Response: A Quick Reference Guide to Resources (June 2003)
- Dentistry's Response to Bioterrorism: A Report of A Consensus Workshop (September 2002)
Smallpox
The ADA wais pleased to collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in this cooperative effort to provide information about smallpox to all dentists in the U.S. It is likely that dentistry could be called upon to provide assistance in the immediate aftermath of a significant bioterrorism attack, especially when the traditional medical capabilities in a community have been overwhelmed. We strongly recommend that you develop a special “bioterrorism” file in your office for this information and additional educational materials to help prepare for such an event..
- ADA-CDC Smallpox Letter (PDF)
- CDC Smallpox Vaccination Letter (PDF)
- Evaluating Patients for Smallpox
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Vaccine Information Statement
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Vaccination Methods & Reaction
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Smallpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Additional Resources
- Bioterrorism Template (PDF)
This is a template for dental societies to use in developing a plan for providing assistance in the response to a bioterrorism attack and other mass disasters. - Conference Summary—Dentistry's Role in Responding to Bioterrorism and Other Catastrophic Events (PDF)
Related Links
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Emergency Preparedness & Response:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/ - American Medical Association's Center for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/6206.html - Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology — Bioterrorism Resources:
http://www.apic.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PracticeGuidance/Topics/Bioterrorism/Bioterrorism.htm - U.S. Food and Drug Administration Counterterrorism:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bioterrorism.html - U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases:
http://www.usamriid.army.mil/education/index.html - Center for the Study of Bioterrorism:
http://www.bioterrorism.slu.edu/ - Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
www.upmc-biosecurity.org
