What should dental professionals do if they experience symptoms of an infection?

Dental professionals experiencing symptoms of an infection have a critical responsibility to prioritize the health and safety of their patients as well as their colleagues. Notifying a supervisor and refraining from patient care duties is essential to prevent the potential spread of infection within the practice. This proactive approach helps to ensure that patients receive care in a safe environment and allows for appropriate measures to be taken, such as arranging for coverage or implementing additional infection control protocols.

This choice emphasizes the importance of infection control in a dental setting, where the risk of transmission can be significant due to close contact with patients and exposure to bodily fluids. By taking immediate action, dental professionals mitigate the risk of spreading an infection, thereby protecting the health of everyone in the practice as well as the patients they serve.