Dental Bytes – October 2026 | Full Newsletter Roundup

October 5, 2026
OSHA Review
Dental Bytes, Dental Infection Control, OSHA Dental Compliance, OSHA Dental Regulations

The October 2026 issue of Dental Bytes covers a flu season reminder for dental teams, National Dental Hygiene Month, a Colorado license suspension involving infection control lapses, the final part of the ADA’s oral cancer living guideline, an updated AHA statement on periodontal disease and heart risk, and World Mental Health Day.

This post is part of our Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 hub, where you can access each monthly issue.

In This Issue

Flu Season Reminder: Protecting Your Dental Team and Patients
National Dental Hygiene Month 2026
Colorado Dentist Suspended over IC Lapses and Other Concerns
ADA Releases Final Oral Cancer Living Guideline
AHA Statement Links Periodontal Disease and Increased Heart Risk
October 10th is World Mental Health Day

Flu Season Reminder: Protecting Your Dental Team and Patients

As flu season approaches, dental practices should review their procedures for protecting patients and dental healthcare personnel (DHCP). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a multi-layered approach that includes vaccination, respiratory hygiene, appropriate management of ill personnel, infection control precautions, and environmental controls.

National Dental Hygiene Month 2026

National Dental Hygiene Month is celebrated every October to promote oral health awareness and recognize the vital work of dental hygienists. This observance has been in place since the mid-1980s and encourages individuals to adopt better dental hygiene practices. This year, the dental healthcare community celebrates four strengths that move the profession forward to advocate and advance the dental hygiene profession: Prevention, Career, Voice and Patients.

Colorado Dentist Suspended over IC Lapses and Other Concerns

A dentist was suspended by the Colorado Dental Board for allegations of substandard patient care, infection control failures, and performing med spa services outside the scope of his dental license. Some of the infection control lapses include improper sterilization practices, failure to conduct spore testing, and failure to provide employee training required by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

ADA Releases Final Oral Cancer Living Guideline

The American Dental Association (ADA) Living Guideline program completed its four-part recommendations for screening for oral cancer. Released this year in four parts, the living guideline addresses the use of cytology, vital staining, light-based and salivary adjuncts to determine the need for biopsy. Its final set of recommendations was published online Sept. 28 in The Journal of the American Dental Association.

AHA Statement Links Periodontal Disease and Increased Heart Risk

The American Heart Association (AHA) released an updated scientific statement reviewing evidence connecting periodontal disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ASCVD is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. Determining risk factors, such as periodontal disease, for ASCVD, as well as effective preventive measures and interventions are key to addressing this important health issue.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day

Sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Mental Health Day 2026 will be held on October 10th. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health, providing an opportunity for all stakeholders to talk about mental health issues, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Quick Summary: Dental Compliance News — October 2026

CDC recommends a multi-layered approach to flu season: vaccination, respiratory hygiene, management of ill personnel, infection control precautions, and environmental controls.
October is National Dental Hygiene Month; the 2026 observance highlights four strengths of the profession: Prevention, Career, Voice and Patients.
The Colorado Dental Board suspended a dentist over allegations that include improper sterilization practices, failure to conduct spore testing, and missing employee training.
The ADA Living Guideline program completed its four-part oral cancer recommendations covering cytology, vital staining, light-based and salivary adjuncts.
An updated AHA scientific statement reviews the evidence connecting periodontal disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
World Mental Health Day is October 10, sponsored by the World Health Organization.

Related OSHA Review Resources

About OSHA Review, Inc.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has supported dental professionals with regulatory compliance resources, infection control guidance, continuing education, sterilizer monitoring, surface disinfectant products, and dosimetry monitoring services. For more information, visit oshareview.com or call 800-555-6248.

This post is part of the Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 series. Visit the hub to access all monthly updates.

OSHA Review

Morgan Lawson is the Chief Operations Officer and Managing Editor at OSHA Review, Inc., where he has led dental compliance education and operations since 1999. With over 25 years of experience in OSHA regulations, infection control standards, and dental practice compliance, Morgan oversees the development of content, training programs, and compliance resources trusted by dental practices nationwide.