Infection control is at the heart of safe, effective dental care. While cleaning and disinfecting clinical contact surfaces are essential to prevent disease transmission, many items in the dental operatory are difficult to clean and disinfect thoroughly between patients. The…
All contaminated disposable sharps generated in a California dental office must be placed into a sharps container, which should1 be placed in each operatory where disposable sharps are used. The sharps container must be rigid, puncture-resistant, leakproof, portable if necessary…
In September 2024, California Senate Bill (SB) 1453, the Dental Board of California’s (DBC’s) sunset review bill, was chaptered into California law. Among other things, this bill amended to Section 1700(c) of the California Dental Practice Act. Previously, the law…
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific requirements for sharps containers in dental offices under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). These rules are designed to protect dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) from exposure to bloodborne pathogens…
As of July 1, 2024, California employers are required to have a customized written workplace violence prevention (WVP) plan and to provide annual WVP training to their employees. Training must also be conducted when changes to the WVP plan are…
Under the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), dental practices handling protected health information (PHI) are required to conduct a HIPAA security risk analysis. This requirement applies to all covered entities and business associates and is essential for…
In the dental profession, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (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,…
Chemical cleaners on the market to remove and clean biofilm from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) must be registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA requires regulatory oversight because chemical treatment regimens on the market claiming to control biofilm…
As we are in the midst of flu season, dental offices play a crucial role in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses. Given the close-contact nature of dental procedures, implementing infection control measures is essential. One simple yet effective step…
As the COVID-19 is now in an endemic phase, most of Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Non-Emergency Regulation has expired as of February 3, 2025, affecting infection control, workplace safety, and patient care policies. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements remain in effect until…
