While not prohibited, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that dental personnel with direct contact with patients refrain from wearing artificial nails, keeping natural nail tips to no longer than ¼ inch in length. Artificial nails have…
Dentists have options when disposing of medical waste, consisting of red-bag waste and contaminated sharps, generated in their offices. Many states allow medical waste generators to use approved mail-back systems for medical waste disposal, which provide a simple, economical alternative…
Biofilms are microbial communities that form on the walls of the small-bore plastic tubing that delivers water from the dental unit through the dental handpieces, scalers, and air-water syringes to the patient. Currently, no quantitative water quality standards specific to…
Disinfectant-soaked 4x4 gauze not recommended unless used immediately Disinfectants should never be stored in containers with cotton gauze, also termed “4x4’s”, unless the gauze is applied immediately to dental surfaces upon saturation. Cotton gauze materials that have been saturated with…
Most state dental boards require weekly spore testing. In addition to CDC's infection control recommendations include weekly sterilizer monitoring. Staying in compliance can be a challenge especially if staff skips a week due to vacations or even terminations. If the…
First check the manufacturer’s instruction manual for ultrasonic cleaner maintenance information and recommended testing frequency. If manufacturer’s information is not available, the aluminum foil test, recommended on a monthly basis, is a fast and simple method to check the cleaning…
The July/August issue of OSHA Review, providing an update on HIPAA requirements, has been mailed. Enclosed with the issue is an informational document that answers dentists frequently asked questions about HIPAA. Note this issue is worth 2 CE credits toward…
California Dental Continuing Education (CCR 1015-1017) – Each dental practitioner must obtain, from a DBC-approved registered CE provider, a specific number of CE units during each renewal period, every 2 years. Dentists need 50 units per renewal cycle, while RDAs,…
Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), the hepatitis B virus (HBV) three-shot vaccination series must be made available at no cost to all employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, within ten working days…
How do you know if your autoclaves are actually working, properly sterilizing all of your contaminated dental instruments? Did you know that both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association recommend, and most state…
