Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast

In Season 3 of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, host Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, CDIPC is joined by expert Amy Wood to discuss the complexities of HIPAA compliance in the dental industry. They cover the importance of cybersecurity, common mistakes made by dental practices, and the critical need for processes and protocols to protect patient data. Amy shares her personal experiences with...

In this episode of Level Up Infection Prevention, Michelle Strange interviews legal expert Olivia Wann on the intersection of law and infection prevention in dentistry. Olivia shares her extensive experience as a consultant and lawyer working with dental practices, highlighting common compliance issues such as HIPAA violations, patient safety, and regulatory compliance errors. They discuss the imp...

In this episode, host Michelle Strange welcomes Karen Gregory to discuss the nuances of infection prevention and the importance of sterilization in dental practices. Drawing from their recent training in Italy, they explore the critical aspects of autoclaves, the significance of proper equipment procurement, and the often overlooked stages of the cleaning and drying processes. Gregory emphasizes t...

In the first episode of Season 3 of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, host Michelle Strange discusses the intricacies of infection control in dental settings with Alyssa Aberle. They dive deep into the specifics of disinfection, barrier use, and environmental infection control, offering practical insights and strategies to elevate infection control practices. The conversation highlights c...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention podcast, host Michelle Strange is joined by expert Sarah Stream to discuss the intricate and often confusing topic of dental burs. They delve into main issues such as the lack of clear instructions, the nuances between diamond and carbide burs, and the challenges of ensuring proper sterilization. The conversation touches on the classification of...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, host Michelle Strange dives into indoor air quality with expert guest Nancy Dewhirst. They explore the complexities of maintaining air safety in dental settings, particularly in the post-COVID era. Topics include the significance of building design, HVAC systems, filtration levels, air movement strategies, and the utility of engineering...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, host Michelle Strange is joined by Lisa Kane to delve into the often overlooked topic of waste management in dental practices. They discuss the importance of properly labeling and disposing of different types of waste, the misapplication of biohazard stickers, and the distinctions between general and biomedical waste. They also explore...

In this episode of the Level of Infection Prevention podcast, host Michelle Strange welcomes Amanda Hill to discuss the critical topic of backflow and suction safety in dental practices. They delve into what backflow is, why it matters, and practical solutions for preventing it. The conversation covers types of backflow prevention devices, proper maintenance of vacuum pumps and suction lines, and...

In this episode of Season Three of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, host Michelle Strange delves into the importance of ergonomics in dental practices and its surprising connection to infection control. Joined by Caitlin from 'The Aligned Hygienist' podcast, they discuss the critical role ergonomics plays in creating safe dental visits, mitigating occupational hazards, and enhancing over...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, host Michelle Strange is joined by infection prevention expert Leslie Canham to discuss the importance of eye protection in dental settings. They explore the consequences of inadequate eye protection for both dental professionals and patients, emphasizing issues like ocular trauma, infection risks, and the need for appropriate protectiv...

In this episode of the Level of Infection Prevention Podcast, our guest is Duane Tinker, also known as the "Tooth Cop." He is one of the top compliance experts in the country, has over 20 years as an Emergency Medical Technician and ten years as a Law Enforcement Officer. His unique experiences have given him a unique perspective and a wealth of experience of what to do when it comes to compliance...

The ability to organize objects for rapid access is the golden grail in all facets of life. It saves you time and effort in recovering these items, as well as money on perishable foods that have been stored and forgotten. Tina discusses how Zirc has aided professionals, including private practitioners, by giving adequate and quick solutions to typically unorganized objects and how these simple sol...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, we have invited Rolando Mia from Zyris- a company known for a product called Isolite. We're going to dive into what's happening in their company, the problems they're having, and how are they coming up with a solution to mitigate infections during this pandemic era. Stay tuned!   What's happening at Zyris?   [1:21]   Zyris is a medical...

In recent decades, medical modernization has progressed to new heights by providing high-quality services to clients. Inventions and modifications to existing equipment are critical to realizing these advancements. In today's episode, Michael Infanger discusses his inventions, which help dentists and hygienists deliver better care to their patients. Michael's Background [01:10]  Michael was a comp...

Keyboards and mouse are essential computer peripherals. Keyboards are used to input data while the mouse interacts with anything on the screen. These two components are the most used peripherals, exposed to the environment, and the ones that we are always in contact with. Thus, it is crucial for these peripherals to always be cleaned and disinfected to ensure our safety. But how can you disinfect...

The N95 mask is a safety standard in healthcare and vitally important to protecting healthcare workers and patients. Luckily, with the help of bringing an innovative mask technology to the healthcare market, the strapless N-95 mask was born. In this episode, we have invited Scott Chasin and Dr. Lisa Kane. Today, they share the benefits and importance of using a strapless N-95. Strapless N-95 Mask...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, we have invited Jim Langeloh from Dove Dental Products, a company dedicated to developing and bringing to the market cost-effective disposables for increasing patient safety. With their new products in the market, Jim shares his time to explain their latest products, all about backflow in the dental operations, how to prevent it, and wh...

Unhygienic practices have always been frowned upon in various industries. From the food you eat, the clothes you wear, to even the water you drink, hygiene is an essential aspect that everyone needs to take seriously. This sentiment should be more emphasized in the medical field, particularly in dentistry, where dentists use water to clean your mouth. Do you feel safe on the water you are using fo...

In this episode of the Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast, our guest is Debra Dencek. She is the Founder and CEO of CordEze, a registered dental hygienist, and a certified ergonomic assessment specialist. Dencek graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, and she continues to work clinically while promoting ergonomics in dentistry. Today, she talks wit...

In this episode of the Level of Infection Prevention Podcast, our guest is Debora Carrier. She is the Founder and CEO of Twice as Nice Uniforms, a company that creates stylish scrubs with a performance liner that regulates your body temperature, wicks moisture, and is antimicrobial. For the last five years, Debora has been dedicated to developing the best temperature regulating, moisture-wicking,...

Episode 2:  Today on Level Up Infection Prevention Michelle Strange, and India Chance are addressing PPE! Today we talk about what is included in personal protective equipment, your responsibilities, as well as your employers, and how OSHA comes into play.  Episode Highlights:  Getting back to the basics  What is included as PPE Who provides PPE OSHA Standards, Law or Recommendation? A look at Sta...

Episode 10:  Today on Level Up Infection Prevention, Michelle Strange and India Chance are addressing sharps safety and safe injection control practices! Episode Highlights:  Workplace Controls/ Engineering Controls  Protocols  Screen, Evaluate, Monitor, Document, and Repeat Utility Gloves Quotes: "I did some really horrible things early in my career in terms of sharps safety"  "I was mindful, but...

Episode 9: Today on Level Up Infection Prevention, Michelle Strange and India Chance are addressing dental unit waterlines! This is one of India and Michelle's favorite topics!    Episode Highlights:  Dental Unit Waterline Safety Lawsuits Municipal vs. self-contained water  Dead Leg Testing Logs   Quotes: "People get the suction and waterline confused, with what you can use to disinfect"  "A lot o...

Episode 8: Today on Level Up Infection Prevention, Michelle Strange and India Chance are addressing vaccination and other precautions you should take for your personal wellness and safety! Episode Highlights:  The link between professional burnout and infection control Immunization recommendations  Operator Fatigue  Stay home if you are sick!  Ergonomics    Quotes: "If you are tired you increase t...

Episode 7:  Today on Level Up Infection Prevention, Michelle Strange and India Chance are addressing product selection! This is super important and not as straightforward as you may think! Episode Highlights:  Products for Individual Team Members Products for Individual Ops/ Team Members  Safety of Products/ Product Selection  Who governs these products? What you need to know about labels   Quotes...