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Overview
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a Planning Checklist  to assist large businesses in preparing for the possibility of a pandemic outbreak of influenza. Recently, health authorities have been closely monitoring the spread of the H5N1 virus, an avian influenza strain that has been identified as a potential pandemic threat. Only limited, nonsustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has been reported to date.
Although the HHS/CDC planning checklist is more appropriate for large businesses, it does outline some preliminary steps that dentists could consider in planning for the impact of a potential pandemic on their businesses, their employees and their patients. These include: establishing personnel policies; allocating resources to protect employees and patients; communicating with and educating employees and patients; and coordinating with external organizations to help the community. Some recommendations, such as the use of personal protective equipment, are already common practice in dental offices. Dentists can also consider implementing other recommendations, such as identifying community resources for timely and accurate pandemic information and establishing policies for employees who have been exposed, are suspected to be ill or become ill at the worksite.
A link to the checklist is just one of the many resources available at www.pandemicflu.gov . The CDC has also issued guidance for preventing transmission of all flu strains in businesses and the workplace. This site contains useful information about preventing the spread of the flu, antiviral medications and flu vaccination. There are also printable materials that can be posted in offices to help educate staff and patients on preventing spread of the flu.
The ADA will continue to monitor the situation and disseminate further information as it becomes available.
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A–Z Topics: Avian Influenza
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Science in the News is a service by the American Dental Association (ADA) to present current information about science topics in the news. The ADA is a professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards. As a science-based organization, the ADA's evaluation of the scientific evidence may change as more information becomes available. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Page Posted December 2005
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