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…
OSHA requires the hepatitis B vaccination to be made available to all employees with the potential for occupational exposure to blood/OPIM (other potentially infectious material), within ten working days of initial employment or new assignment. Employee must be provided with…
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is holding its seventh semiannual national prescription drug take-back day on Saturday, October 26th for consumers. The purpose of this day is to provide a safe and convenient venue for the general public to…
In the dental profession, OSHA does not require that employees or employers receive CE units or attend outside ‘OSHA courses”. The basic premise of OSHA's training requirements, for all employers in the US, is to ensure that employees are trained…
Do you know how long you are required to keep those old material safety data sheets (MSDSs – now referred to as safety sheets, SDSs) that keep piling up in your office? Because illnesses resulting from workplace exposures often do…
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…
Oklahoma investigators announce first documented patient-to-patient hepatitis C transmission in a dental office On September 18, Oklahoma public health investigators released a status update confirming the first known patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis C. The transmission occurred in an Oklahoma dental…
Employees with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) must receive BBP training initially upon employment and annually thereafter. Cal/OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard – Title 8 California Code of Regulations Section 5193 (8 CCR 5193) requires annual training for all…
Infection control and prevention in the dental setting are critical part to a successful dental practice. Not following the infection control “standard of care” can lead to unwanted exposure to transmissible infections during dental treatment. This past April, media outlets…
As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), on October 1, 2013, employers covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must provide a notice of coverage options to each employee, regardless of plan enrollment status (if applicable) or of…
