The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all chemical containers in a dental office to be labeled with either the original (primary) manufacturer’s label or a secondary label. A color-coded system is not required. If a chemical is…
In the United States, under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sole responsibility to establish and enforce the rules for efficacy claims and safety of surface disinfectants. Under…
The flu season is beginning in the United States. Flu activity often begins to increase in October, peaking between December and February. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get…
The , formerly known as the Organization for Safety and Asepsis (OSAP), is sponsoring Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (DICAM) in September, asking stakeholders to support and promote dental safety throughout the month. The theme for 2024 is "Embracing a…
Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including influenza (flu) and…
On July 23, 2024, Cal/OSHA’s new rule to protect employees from unsafe indoor heat took effect. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3396 – Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment requires most employers where the indoor temperature…
It seems like almost every other day, the national media reports on a new data breach. From large corporations to mom-and-pop local businesses, hackers do not discriminate on their targets. Small and mid-sized businesses like dental practices are often targeted…
Recently, a patient filed a complaint with his state dental board against his dentist for not giving the patient back his extracted teeth. Which begs the question… how should dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) manage extracted teeth? OSHA does not prohibit…
According to an announcement by the Dental Board of California (DBC), beginning August 1, 2024, all California dispensers of controlled substances will be required to report dispensations to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) using the American…
As COVID cases surge across the country, California dental employers must continue to follow Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 return-to-work criteria as found in Title 8 California Code of Regulations Section 3205 (Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Standard). Effective January 2024, the California Department of…
