Health Policies

Student Health Information

1. All students are potentially exposed to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, and ionizing radiation.
2. Prior to entering the program, dental health students must complete and return the Immunization Form for Health Science Students and meet the specific requirements for dental health students, please see dental health department website.
3. Drug testing may be required by some external clinical agencies.
4. The health record must be completed by August 1st and submitted to the school nurse.
5. Students who are not compliant will be penalized in their professional grade in all laboratory courses and will not be allowed to attend any clinical sessions until compliant.
6. Students are not required to be tested for bloodborne diseases. Individuals who disclose the presence of bloodborne infectious disease states will be shown the same consideration as non-infected individuals. Should the individual’s condition be considered a handicap, he/she will be referred to the appropriate support services. Information pertaining to health status of each individual is maintained in strict confidence.
7. All patients, faculty, staff and students will be considered as potentially infectious, thereby necessitating the use of standard precautions in all instances of patient care.
8. Students with any medical condition where activity is restricted must provide their physician's written permission to participate in the Dental Health Programs.
9. All female students will be requested to inform the Program Director and course coordinators if they are pregnant. A pregnant student may continue in her assigned clinical, radiography and materials activities provided her physician has given written permission for her to do so. The student will be advised of the department policies regarding continuance in the clinic and laboratories while pregnant and will be provided with a list of chemicals used in the Dental Health Department.
10. Students with a history of artificial cardiac valves, congenital heart defects, cardiac transplants, cardiac shunts, infective endocarditis or total joint replacement must provide documentation from their physician stating whether or not prophylactic antibiotic premedication is required for dental treatment.
11. Students with a history of heart attack and stroke within the last 6 months need to provide documentation from their physician clearing them for dental treatment.
12. Information regarding the health status of an individual is considered confidential, and protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Policy

Dental Health Department Infection Control Information

1. A written infection control protocol for procedures in the dental area, laboratory and clinic operation will be provided annually to all dental health faculty, staff and students; the Chairperson, Department of Dental Health Programs; and the Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences. The protocol is based on current standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and college policies.
2. The dental health faculty and staff will be provided with at least one in-house continuing education program in infection control annually given by the Dental Health Department Infection Control Officer or person designated by the Department Chairperson.

Introduction

This policy outlines the procedure to be followed if a bloodborne pathogen exposure occurs. Copies of this plan MUST be given to all students. Students MUST read this policy when they enroll in a CCRI health program, and MUST sign the waiver of understanding that they understand CCRI's policy on bloodborne pathogen exposure response and its medical and financial implications.

CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Testing and Treatment Guidelines

Medical procedures to be followed in case of exposure are taken from CDC guidelines. Whatever the site of the exposure incident and treatment, CDC guidelines should be followed and the following testing should be done: The source patient‘s and the exposure recipient‘s blood should be tested as soon as possible for anti-HBsAG, anti-HCV and anti-HIV. The exposure recipient should be tested for anti-HBsAG, anti-HCV and anti-HIV the same day as the exposure to provide baseline data. Liver function tests should be obtained. Hepatitis B testing is not required if the exposure recipient has received the hepatitis B vaccine and was post-tested to prove seroconversion immunity. The exposure recipient should receive counseling concerning the signs and symptoms associated with anti-HIV seroconversion and given the opportunity for further clinical evaluation. The health care provider at the chosen treatment site should be asked to determine whether to give information on AZT or other prophylaxis. Exposure includes the following.

• Contaminated needlesticks
• Puncture wound from contaminated sharps
• Splashes in the eye, mouth or on broken skin with possibly contaminated bodily fluids (whole blood, plasma, serum)

CCRI'S Position on Student Health Insurance

At present CCRI does not require its students to carry health insurance. This policy is currently under review. CCRI urges all its uninsured students, particularly those in CCRI health programs, to purchase insurance that will provide, in particular, adequate coverage in case of a bloodborne exposure incident. CCRI urges all insured students to consult their insurance providers to determine their coverage limits, especially coverage for the blood tests that may be required following a bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Student Immunization Information

For everyone's safety, the Rhode Island Department of Health requires students to have immunizations before they can attend their second semester. Visit the Dean of Student Services site for the immunization forms required.

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