Dental schools now offering disaster response CE
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Posted April 3, 2006 |
By Karen Fox Louisville, Ky.—The University of Louisville isn't waiting for a terrorist attack or natural disaster to find out if the dental profession is ready to respond.
A number of dental schools have developed continuing education programs to help dental staff prepare for mass disasters, including New York University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
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Anthrax and spider bite: If you saw this patient, would you know what to do? A model at a University of Louisville CE course demonstrates physical presentations of bioterrorism and infectious diseases.
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"The ADA recognizes the need for a partnership between organized dentistry and the educational community for maximizing the assistance dentists can provide in the response to mass casualties," said Dr. Albert H. Guay, ADA Chief Policy Advisor who directs Association's efforts in bioterrorism response.
"Dental societies should develop response plans in conjunction with local emergency response agencies, and dental educators can provide the knowledge that dentists will require to provide assistance," Dr. Guay added.
"Without a doubt, the dental team would have a valuable role in a community's response to such events," said Dr. W. Michael Mansfield, director of continuing education, UL School of Dentistry.
The University of Louisville is in the second cycle of a bioterrorism and curriculum development program grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration earmarked for educating health professionals, including dentists, hygienists and assistants. Since 2003, the funds have helped educate a full range of first responders (physicians, nurses, public health personnel, pharmacists, mental health professionals, veterinarians, agricultural personnel) to be prepared for a terrorist attack, mass disaster or a pandemic flu.
"Dentists are a key component of that group in terms of having patient-care skills in order to respond to a disaster situation," said Paul McKinney, M.D., UL associate dean, Public Health and Information Sciences and principal investigator of the HRSA grant.
"Dentists have a wide range of expertise that fits well with emergency preparedness," said Dr. Theresa Mayfield, UL assistant professor, Diagnostic Sciences, Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry.
"Among dentists' strengths are the ability to take medical histories and make physical diagnosis, administration of local anesthesia and immunizations, oral surgical procedures and wound care, prescribing/administering medication, patient education and a range of abilities associated with dental specialty training," she said.
The courses provide two levels of training, added Dr. Mayfield. Level one is awareness, where dentists are trained in surveillance, recognition and notification. At that level, they would be able to recognize an event is occurring and know how to alert the public health system.
At level two, the courses train dentists and the dental office team to become responders in a mass disaster or catastrophic event.
Key to reaching the dental community is collaboration with the Kentucky Dental Association and its components. Most of the courses are arranged to coincide with constituent and component dental society meetings and events. The next course takes place at the KDA annual meeting May 18-21 in Louisville.
Dr. Jerome Wellbrock of Covington, Ky., took part in the training while serving as president of the Northern Kentucky Dental Society.
"I think dentists are aware of the possibility that we can contribute, but many feel not properly prepared to do that," said Dr. Wellbrock. "This course is helpful by making you aware of not only the possibility of bioterror threats, but how the dental profession can
contribute to address emergency needs in your community."
For more information about disaster planning and recovery, visit www.ada.org/goto/disaster.
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