osap_mrsa

OSAP Releases Information about MRSA

What is it and should we in the dental profession be concerned?
The "it" is MRSA (Methicillin-resistant /Staphylococcus aureus/), a bacteria which is resistant to some antibiotics but not all drugs.
Health experts say MRSA is a version of an everyday bacteria that causes pimples, boils, sinus infection and, in rare cases,
meningitis and blood infections; MRSA is resistant to Methicillin.

Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, an epidemiologist at CDC, says while it is understandable that people are concerned, it must be emphasized
that MRSA is a common cause of skin infection and almost all of these infections are readily treated by commonly available
antibiotics and by draining the lesions. Dr. Srinivasan says that hand hygiene is by far the best means to prevent the spread of all
diseases. Experts say the key to dealing with MRSA is early diagnosis and then the completion of a full course of antibiotic
treatment. The public needs to watch for wounds that do not heal and are not helped with normal antibiotic treatment.

In dentistry, two recent studies explore the possibility of aerosols and spatter generated during dental treatment spreading MRSA.

OSAP has developed a MRSA page on its website at www.OSAP.org (go to Resources – click on fly out menu, then "MRSA").

This site will be constantly updated to ensure dental professionals have the information and resources necessary to ensure the
safety of their patients and themselves against MRSA.

The OSAP website also has a multitude of other resources, training aids, educational programs and a "YouTube"-type of
compliance contest…all designed to help increase the safety of dental settings throughout the world.

Thanks for your support of OSAP, dentistry's resource for infection control and safety.

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