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…
We have received calls in the past from dentists asking if they are required to pay for a sign-language interpreter for hearing-impaired patients. The short answer to the question is – it depends. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires dentists…
Do you know OSHA requires dental offices to have written OSHA safety plans in place that specify how various hazards in the office will be controlled to protect employees? Employers, including dental offices, must have these customized written plans onsite…
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…
On July 1, 2014, the first of two minimum wage increases planned for the next two years will go into effect in California. The minimum wage, currently at $8 per hour, will increase to $9 per hour on July 1,…
While not explicitly prohibited by OSHA, carpet in dental operatories is highly discouraged, since both chemical spills and bloodborne pathogen contamination can occur during dental procedures. The bottom line is that carpeting is more difficult to keep clean and cannot…
OSHA requires employers to properly train their employees to do their jobs safely. The premise, for all employers in the United States, is to ensure that employees are trained on the hazards associated with their job, as well as on…
On its website last month, the American Dental Association issued an alert to dentists about possible tax return identity theft occurring nationwide. Several state dental associations, including the Michigan Dental Association and California Dental Association, have reported member dentists being…
OSHA requires, at a minimum, dental offices to follow the concept of universal precautions to control occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs), while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the adherence to standard precautions. The term universal…
All dental practices in California must post a provide notification that Dental Board licensees in California are under the jurisdiction of the Dental Board of California (DBC). For practices with registered dental hygienists (RDHs) on staff, an additional notification stating…
