Professional patient interaction in drawing blood in the dental office is an important aspect of the phlebotomy process. Since drawing blood is not a routine experience in the dental environment, the dental professional drawing the blood must explain the process, answer any questions, explain the risks and benefits of the procedure, and strive to make the patient as comfortable as possible during the experience. Informed consent is mandatory. OSHA dictates all BMW must be properly disposed. Phlebotomy generates considerable and varied BMW. Needles, catheters, and bloody gauze need to be properly segregated and placed in proper containers to be OSHA-compliant. Non-compliance with OSHA rules and regulations exposes the practice to considerable fines and penalties. Being Prepared for the Risks The practice of phlebotomy comes with an increased risk to the patient and phlebotomist concerning an accidental needle stick. An exposure control plan must be incorporated into existing office procedures and policies to be compliant with OSHA. Complications can and will occur with phlebotomy. Most complications are minor and necessitate simple first aid such as wound irrigation and dressing, elevation of the extremity, and analgesics. A serious complication includes arterial puncture or cannulation. While rare, this significant complication can result in serious consequences including limb amputation. Prompt recognition and appropriate therapy by a physician are necessary steps for better patient outcomes. Better Dental Outcomes The practice of phlebotomy offers Dentistry an avenue for better patient outcomes with minimal cost and risk. Wounds heal better, patients experience less pain, and tissue response is accelerated when PRF is employed. The GDA is proud to share photos from our first session of Phlebotomy and IV Access for the Dentist and Dental Auxiliary training! Hosted on Friday, September 20th at the GDA building in Marietta, it is one of only three Phlebotomy/Venipuncture Courses for Dental Assistants and/or licensed Dental Hygienists approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry. The purpose of this course is to educate licensed dentists, licensed dental hygienists, and dental assistants practicing in Georgia so that they may be qualified to perform phlebotomy and venipuncture procedures on patients pursuant to the requirements established by O.C.G.A. § 43-11-23, and Georgia Board of Dentistry Rule 150-9-.01. Our September class filled quickly and we look forward to our second class on Monday, December 2nd. We will offer more sessions in 2025. Many thanks to Dr. Lee Whitesides for not only crafting the curriculum but also facilitating the course. Dr. Whitesides also graciously penned this introduction into phlebotomy in dentistry and what the GDA’s course covers. We hope to see you or your dental teams at a phlebotomy session in 2025! — EMILY JACKSON, GDA’s Director of Continuing Education & Training LEARN MORE by scanning the QR code or visiting gadental.org/phlebotomy | 47 Nov 2024
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