Safety Procedures

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Dental Hygiene Program adheres to the current OSHA Guidelines for Infection Control. Standard precautions are used by students and faculty in the care of all patients. Information on standard precautions and other infection control procedures used in the SCF Dental Hygiene Clinic is available in the patient waiting area and may be requested by calling the clinic directly at (941) 752-5353.

Individuals with Bloodborne Infectious Diseases

All dental hygiene students and faculty are obligated to provide patient care with compassion and respect for human dignity, respecting the rights of privacy and confidentiality of patients with infectious diseases. Dental hygiene students and faculty will not refuse treatment or discriminate in any way against a patient solely because the patient has an infectious disease or is at risk for contracting an infectious disease. This includes any disease process such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or hepatitis infections. Valid reasons for an individual student not caring for a patient will be evaluated by the faculty.

Patients with Active Tuberculosis

An exception to this rule is the care of patients who are known or suspected of having active tuberculosis. These individuals will not be treated in the dental hygiene clinic or assigned to clinical procedures or treatment until a medical evaluation clearance demonstrates that the disease is no longer active.

Other Limitations or Exclusions

Persons with complicated medical conditions, rigid time requirements and extremely difficult dental care needs may not be accepted at the SCF Dental Hygiene Clinic. Individuals who have temporary conditions that may interfere with dental treatment may be refused treatment on occasion at the discretion of the dentist faculty member on duty in the clinic at the time.