Respiratory Protection Program Administrator & Consultant
Make your office safe for staff and patients as offices prepare to reopen.
As a dental hygienist in the Seattle area, I am passionate about infection control and helping offices keep their staff and patients safe.
I provide advice and assistance to offices in accordance with OSHA guidelines for infection control. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, I am offering assistance in setting up Respiratory Protection Programs for dental offices. This is a new policy in many dental practices and it can be an overwhelming task.
Please contact me for a complimentary conversation regarding how your office could benefit from my services.
Contact Us
Emily Lyons, RDHemilylyonsrdh@lyonsdentalconsultant.com
(541) 510-9374
Current Events
PPE Shortages
WSDA and DOSH now are requiring all dental healthcare professionals (DHCP) to wear a fit tested respirator when within 3 feet from an aerosol generating procedure. This requires an formal respiratory protection program to be in place.
According to the Health Policy Institute, 53.7% of Washington State dental offices currently have no respirators in their offices. There are small changes that can lower the amount of aerosols to make practicing safer during the PPE shortage.
Current Guidelines for Safely Returning to Work
The CDC, ADA and ADHA each have their own Interim Guidelines for Returning to Work specifically for dental professionals. All of them recommend implementing a Respiratory Protection Program to allow for respirator use by dental healthcare professionals. There are also specific guidelines on safely reusing respirators due to the PPE shortage.
Respiratory Protection Program Requirements
In order to require the use of a respirator by employees, there needs to be an OSHA compliant RPP written and enforced. It must include medical evaluations, fit testing and additional training. This can all be overwhelming for practices, especially during this stressful time. Let me help make this transition seamless for your office.
Bellus3D Mask Fitter
Many offices are using the Bellus3D Dental Pro application to print a mask fitter. According to a study done at Loma Linda University, level 2 and level 3 surgical masks passed a fit test when used with the 3D mask fitter. Currently, the dental labs are 3 weeks behind in printing. I can have your 3D mask fitter available in a timely manner.
Get in Touch
Every office’s needs are different. I can guide your office through the process to generate a personalized infection control plan including a respiratory protection program that fits your unique environment and current office policies. A complimentary consultation will help ensure your office will benefit from my experience and knowledge .