CA Dental Requirements: Remove Protective Attire Prior to Leaving Patient Treatment Areas

Both the Dental Board of California and Cal/OSHA require personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective attire, to be removed prior to leaving the work area(s). While “work area” must be defined individually on a case-by-case basis, a work area in a dental office is generally considered to be any patient treatment area where work involving occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens or contamination may occur.

Dental healthcare personnel must change protective attire when it becomes visibly soiled and as soon as feasible if penetrated by blood or other potentially infectious fluids. Employers are responsible for laundering or cleaning any reusable PPE contaminated with blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious material.

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