In December, many news sources were abuzz with reports about a Tennessee dentist who failed to properly process and sterilize equipment between patients. Patients who were treated at the Knoxville, Tennessee dental practice between September 2016 and September 2019 received letters advising…
A massive ransomware attack against dental offices strikes again, for the second time in five months. In late November, a ransomware attack of a third party technology company infected and locked the software systems of approximately 100 dental offices that use…
On November 21, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) updated their online Frequently Asked Questions about the new requirement for employers to train their employees on harassment prevention. The FAQ now indicates that the DFEH online training will be…
Lately, we have been hearing more and more reports about cyberattacks affecting businesses of all sizes nationwide. This past summer, over 400 dental practices were affected by a ransomware cyberattack from a third party data company. Then, most recently, the American Dental Association…
On October 30, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology posted a blog about how to effectively use its free online security risk assessment tool for security of…
The American Dental Association (ADA) published an updated clinical practice guideline on antibiotic use for the urgent management of dental pain and intra-oral swelling. According to the guideline, “evidence suggests that antibiotics for the target conditions may provide negligible benefits and probably contribute to…
In January 2017, California Assembly Bill (AB) 2235 took effect, which added to the Dental Practice Act’s definition of unprofessional conduct the failure of dental practitioners to obtain the written informed consent using mandatory language from a minor patient’s parent or guardian prior to…
Back in 2016, more than 60 children were diagnosed with confirmed or probable mycobacterial infections in Anaheim, California, after becoming infected with serious oral cellulitis, following dental pulpotomies performed at the same dental clinic. The microorganism in question was Mycobacterium abscessus, which…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, and many state dental boards require, disposable impervious barriers, such as such as plastic wrap, foil, bags, or other moisture-impervious materials, to be used on clinical contact surfaces and equipment that may be…
Cal/OSHA Standard Section 5203 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) mandates that all employers who use a regulated carcinogen must report that use in writing, by mail or email, to Cal/OSHA’s Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit. Cal/OSHA regulates ~30 regulated carcinogens under Title 8 CCR Sections…
