TODS FEATURED SPEAKER
THE GERM FACTOR: LIVING AND WORKING TOWARDS A SAFE PRACTICE
Mr. Jason Tetro
Session Date: Thursday October 19, 2023
Session Time: 6 PM – 9 PM
Presenter Name: Mr. Jason Tetro
Outline:
The Germ Code
Participants will consider the realities of living in a world in which microbes not only outnumber humans on Earth, but also cells in our own bodies! We will discuss the difference between harmless bacteria and pathogens and explore how the human relationship with germs has become dysfunctional mainly due to our own activities. Finally, some of the more beneficial aspects of a positive relationship with germs will be presented.
The Pathogen Principle
We will review the principles of infection prevention and control. Participants will have a greater understanding of the following:
- The various types of microbial pathogens
- The impact of pathogens on human health
- Acute vs chronic infection
- The concept of ‘long’ infections
- The environment in the context of infection prevention and control
- How pathogens contaminate the environment
- How pathogens and the environment influence each other
- What is environmental control of pathogens
- An introduction to the concept of sterilization, disinfection, and cleaning
The Art of War Prevention
We will focus on the application of infection prevention and control with particular reference to the dental facility. Participants will have a greater understanding of the following:
- The importance of patient safety
- Risk assessment of potential contamination events
- The best approach for preventing infection
- Sterilization
- Barrier protection (including PPE)
- Hand hygiene
- Dilution
- Cleaning
- Passive disinfection
- Disinfectants and other microbicides
- The process of approval & information contained on a label
- How to best set up a practice to reduce the likelihood of infection spread
About The Speaker
Mr. Jason Tetro has been involved in health-related microbiology and immunology for the last 30 years. He has worked in various fields including bloodborne, food and water pathogens; environmental microbiology; disinfection and antisepsis; and emerging pathogens such as Zika virus. In the public, he is better known as The Germ Guy™. He has written two books, The Germ Code, which was shortlisted as Science Book of The Year in 2014, and The Germ Files, which spent several weeks on the national bestseller list. He has also co-edited, The Human Microbiome Handbook, which provides an academic perspective on the impact of microbes in human health. He is currently the host of the Super Awesome Science Show, which explores how science fits into our everyday lives. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Co-Sponsor
