Remove your PPE When Leaving Areas of Patient-Care Activities

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and most state dental boards require, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective clothing, to be removed prior to leaving the work area. 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 involving exposure to, or contamination of, biological hazards.

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

OSHA Review, Inc. a registered continuing education provider in the State of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and Cal/OSHA training. OSHA Review subscribers in California receive updated regulatory compliance and infection control training thorough our bi-monthly newsletter.