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…
California Dental Continuing Education (CCR 1015-1017) – Each dental practitioner must obtain, from a DBC-approved registered CE provider, a specific number of CE units during each renewal period, every 2 years. Dentists need 50 units per renewal cycle, while RDAs,…
Ohio dentist are required to keep at least 2 years of both sterilizer biological monitoring records and documentation of any repairs. However, requirements may vary by state; so make sure to check with your respective state dental board on how…
Title 16. Dental Board of California, § 1005. Minimum Standards for Infection Control, Sterilization and Disinfection: (11) Cleaning must precede any disinfection or sterilization process. Products used to clean items or surfaces prior to disinfection procedures shall be used according…
With the flu season well upon us, and quite severe this year, we want to remind you about proper hand hygiene. Proper hand hygiene is considered to be the single most important measure for preventing pathogen transmission in healthcare settings.…
In the United States, under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sole responsibility to establish the rules for efficacy claims and safety of surface disinfectants. Under FIFRA, any substance…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes patient-care dental items (instruments, devices, equipment) into three categories: Critical items cut bone and/or penetrate soft tissue and carry the highest risk of disease transmission. Semi-critical items touch mucous membranes or…
OSHA requires the hepatitis B vaccination to be made available to all employees with the potential for occupational exposure to blood/OPIM (other potentially infectious material), within ten working days of initial employment or new assignment. Employee must be provided with…
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…
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…
