Nobody expects an emergency or a disaster to happen. Yet, emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. Employers should establish effective safety and health management systems that prepare employees for emergencies to ensure that employers and workers have the…
The Dental Board of California’s Infection Control Regulation (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1005. Minimum Standards for Infection Control) requires that each dental office in California must maintain a written infection control protocol onsite which states the office’s…
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal occupational safety and health enforcement agency, covering all employees in the nation either directly through OSHA or through an OSHA-approved State Plan. State-run safety and health programs must be…
Beginning in October 2014, the New Jersey Department of Health investigated and confirmed fifteen patient transmissions of bacterial endocarditis after oral surgery treatment at the same oral surgery practice. During the investigation, breaches of recommended infection control standards were identified…
Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the new amalgam separator rule on the EPA’s website. The FAQ document provides detailed answers to various questions such as “Who must comply with…
With the end of the year drawing near, as we prepare to usher in 2018, December is a good time to review and evaluate office safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance and their effectiveness. Using a safety assessment checklist…
The regulations for monitoring occupational exposure to x-ray radiation arise directly from Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 20, which are the Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards. Federal regulations state that monitoring of individual employees is necessary if the employee is likely to…
The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, that all personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowns, lab coats, gloves, masks, and protective eyewear or face shield, to be worn…
Under new amendments to Proposition 65, California dentists with ten or more employees that use or generate Proposition 65-listed chemicals in their offices have until August 30, 2018 to comply with one of the following: Post one sign at all…
According to a recent survey conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), over a quarter of private dental practices who participated in the survey did not have…
