H1N1 flu epidemic has lessons to offer health care providers: Anesthesia Progress

The H1N1 flu epidemic has lessons to offer health care providers. The limited amount of vaccine available initially left pregnant women, small children with medical conditions, and other high-risk populations waiting in long lines. The problems encountered in reaching certain segments of the population apply to the provision of dental care as well as other disciplines.

An editorial in the current issue of the journal Anesthesia Progress discusses the inequities of the health care delivery system that became apparent in the distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine. Early distribution did not adequately address certain high-risk groups, such as those who are homebound or have physical or mental impairment making them unable to wait in long lines. Meeting the dental needs of these people also poses a challenge for dentists.

Special needs populations are too often overlooked by dentists because of a lack of experience in managing these patients in the dental office. The author asserts that "the addition of a highly skilled mobile ambulatory general anesthesia practitioner can transform a dentist's office into a fully monitored mini-operating room." This would allow dentists to provide safe, high-quality care to people who cannot otherwise cooperate with treatment.

The advanced training of a dental anesthesiologist already requires extensive experience in providing ambulatory general anesthesia to dental patients with special needs. New ultra-short-acting drugs offer a rapid recovery, allowing office efficiency for dentists and cost savings for patients.

Finding different avenues to meet the needs of special populations is a lesson for government and medical communities. The solutions found in the dental profession may provide a model.

The author also notes positive changes in the health care community and beyond because of the H1N1 flu epidemic. Much as the impact of the HIV/AIDS virus spawned the wearing of gloves and other protective equipment by dental professionals, this epidemic is also bringing about transformations. These include a better awareness of hygiene and improved measures, such as hand-washing, that will decrease the spread of illness.