Most dental offices do not generate “red-bag” biohazardous waste, also known as regulated medical waste. Cal/OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard (Title 8 CCR Section 5193) and the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA) each have a unique,…
If a chemical spill occurs in your dental office, it is important to have written instructions on how to handle such an event. If personnel and/or patients are injured during the spill, then emergency medical services must be activated. If…
Both OSHA and state dental boards require dental personnel to adhere to infection control standards in the office, including the use personal protective equipment (PPE). Most people know what should be worn to protect themselves from bodily fluids – exam…
Proper hand hygiene is considered to be the single most important measure for preventing pathogen transmission in healthcare settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two hand hygiene methods in healthcare settings: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60-95% ethanol): Put…
According to Section 30255(b) of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, the California Department of Public Health Radiological Health Branch (RHB) requires several notices to be conspicuously posted in a dental office for dental personnel to view: The…
The compliance date for existing dental offices to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) effluent limitations to reduce the sewer discharge of mercury and other metals is a little over a year away. On July 14, 2020, existing dental offices…
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and…
Saturday, April 27th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs, and the majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet…
Establishing and cultivating a culture of safety and well-being in the workplace is an integral part of an office health and safety policy. And it starts with valuing employees and treating them with respect, especially since most OSHA inspections are triggered…
All dental professionals are required to report suspected signs of abuse and neglect in patients, which is often referred to as “mandatory reporting”, and to be trained on the reporting requirements. To help ensure that dental professionals are properly trained, the American…
