Policies and Procedures Relating to Individuals with Bloodborne Infectious Disease(s)

These policies pertain to Faculty, Staff, Students, Patients and Applicants

Lone Star College-Kingwood is obligated to maintain standards of health care and professionalism that are consistent with the public’s expectations of the health profession. The following guidelines are established and practiced by all dental hygiene program personnel (faculty, staff and students) while as an employee, volunteer or student with the dental hygiene program.

1. All dental personnel are obligated to provide patient care with compassion and respect for human dignity, respecting the rights of privacy and confidentiality of patients with infectious diseases.
2. Dental personnel will not refuse to treat or discriminate in any way against a patient solely because the patient has an infectious disease or is at risk of contracting an infectious disease. This includes any disease process such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or hepatitis infections. The one exception to this policy is a patient with active tuberculosis. Those individuals will not be treated in the dental hygiene clinic or assigned to clinical procedures until treatment is completed and the medical doctor responsible for the TB management gives a clearance.
3. In the event that a student and/or employee contracts an infectious disease, it is the intent of the college by means of this policy to strike a balance between the right of a student and/or employee having an infectious disease to an education and/or continued employment and the right of students and college employees to be free from the risk of exposure to an infectious disease which may affect their health, safety and/or welfare. In the occurrence of an infected student, the Rules & Regulations established by the State board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) state that the health care provider must notify patients and obtain their written consent thus completing clinical educational requirements may be difficult. In the even t that the student completes the program, the SBDC may deny licensure.
4. Lone Star College-Kingwood is obligated to protect the privacy and confidentiality of any faculty member, student or staff member who has tested positive for an infectious disease. Dental personnel who pose a risk of transmitting an infectious disease must consult with appropriate health-care professionals to determine whether continuing to provide professional services represents a material risk to the patient.
5. Each incident of infectious disease shall be dealt with on an individual case-by-case basis and the determination of the course of action to be taken by the college will be made by a team consisting of appropriate health care professionals (board of health and/or physician), appropriate college personnel and with current federal, state, and/or local guidelines.
6. Students are aware through orientation procedures that they are responsible for themselves and must demonstrate proof of immunity, which includes MMR, hepatitis B, current tetanus and TB skin test.

All dental personnel must demonstrate proof of immunity to hepatitis B or be immunized. Dental personnel will adhere to the established protocol for infection control and blood borne pathogen training that is provided at initial employment and/or admission and through periodic updates. These protocols are in compliance with current OSHA and CDC guidelines and meet current federal, state, and local guidelines.