The Dental Board of California is proposing amendments to California’s Infection Control Regulations (Title 16, Section 1005) that would require an internal chemical indicator inside every instrument package undergoing sterilization in a California dental practice. If the internal indicator cannot…
Proper sterilization is an essential part of infection prevention in the dental office. But how do you know your sterilizer is working properly? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends three types of sterilization monitoring – mechanical,…
Are Kentucky Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes — and Kentucky backs its infection control rule with one of the sharpest enforcement mechanisms in this guide. Under 201 KAR 8:540, Section 5 (Infection Control Compliance), every licensed dentist…
Are Kansas Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes — and Kansas is the only state in this guide with a testing interval tied to actual sterilizer use rather than a flat calendar schedule. Under K.A.R. 71-1-18(b)(3)(C), "biological spore…
Are Minnesota Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes — indirectly, through the state's own administrative rule. Minnesota Rule 3100.6300, subpart 11, titled "Adequate Safety and Sanitary Conditions for Dental Offices," requires that "dental health care personnel shall comply…
Are Iowa Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes. Iowa dental offices are required to perform weekly biological (spore) testing of every sterilizer under 650 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapter 10 — Minimum Infection Control Standards, enforced by the…
Are Missouri Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes — indirectly, but firmly. Missouri doesn't have a dental-specific rule that names "spore testing" or "weekly" testing in its own text. Instead, the requirement comes from RSMo §191.694, a public…
Are Indiana Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes — in practice. Indiana's own regulatory text doesn't name spore testing directly. Instead, 828 IAC 1-1-15(a)(4) defines "dental incompetence or improper conduct" to include "operating an office or treatment facility…
Are Wisconsin Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes. Wisconsin dental offices are required to perform weekly biological (spore) testing of every sterilizer under Wisconsin Administrative Code DE 5 (Standards of Conduct), enforced by the Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board…
Are Oklahoma Dental Offices Required to Perform Spore Testing? Yes — in practice. Oklahoma's own regulatory text is notably vague: Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 195:35-1-3(c) requires only that "sterilization equipment and its adequacy shall be tested and verified on a…
