Carpules, used in dentistry, are small cylindrical glass tubes containing anesthetics which are screwed onto dental syringes, and are commonly aspirated while the practitioner injects the patient. The proper management of glass carpule waste is determined by the condition of…
Maintaining an accurate, complete, and up-to-date patient history file is important to ensure that appropriate treatment is being rendered. Failure to respond correctly to medical conditions disclosed in the patient’s medical history can be dangerous to the patient, and could…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes patient-care dental items (instruments, devices, equipment) into three categories: Critical items cut bone and/or penetrate soft tissue and carry the highest risk of disease transmission. Semi-critical items touch mucous membranes or…
Today, September 23, 2013, is Deadline for Updated HIPAA Notice of Privacy Policy Dental offices have until today to make sure that their Notice of Privacy Policy is updated with new patients rights, as required by the Health Insurance Portability…
In early 2013, the federal HIPAA Omnibus Rule went info effect, with a compliance date of September 23, 2013. The Rule brings together the requirements of HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009) and HIPAA…
Both the Dental Board of California (DBC) and the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are alerting licensees with renewal dates in September or October to complete their renewals by September 15th, 2013. The DCA is expected to transition to…
The California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB) recently issued an exemption that allows dentists to use portable hand-held x-ray systems. Without the exemption, portable hand-held x-ray systems would be prohibited in dentistry, as stated in the following…
OSHA exempts dentistry, as a low-risk industry, from maintaining and posting form 300 log (formerly called the “Log 200”). The form 300 log provides a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses during a calendar year. Businesses with more than 10…
Cal/OSHA is California’s occupational safety and health enforcement agency, covering nearly all employees in the state, except federal employees who fall under the jurisdiction of Federal OSHA. Cal/OSHA conducts workplace inspections to determine whether employers are complying with Cal/OSHA requirements.…
In Case of a Positive Spore Test… Weekly monitoring of sterilization procedures using biologic indicators, i.e. spore tests, to evaluate the sterilizing conditions and the equipment’s effectiveness is an important part of infection control. Both the Centers for Disease Control…
