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…
All clinical contact surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected using a Cal/EPAregistered, hospital disinfectant that is labeled as effective against HIV and HBV, or TB. Furthermore, all clinical contact surfaces that are not protected by impervious barriers must be cleaned and disinfected using a Cal-EPA…
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…
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…
JULY 2013 UPDATE In response to x-ray user concerns about the new QA regulations that went into effect late last year, the California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB) created Frequently Asked Questions to the new regulations. As…
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…
California proposes to add BPA to Proposition 65 List Updated 4/22/2013 On April 19, 2013, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) withdrew the proposal to add bisphenol A (BPA) to California's Proposition 65 List of chemicals…
April 1, 2013 – 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…
