Infection Control

Many dental practices assign a clinical staff member, often a dental assistant or hygienist, to serve as the office’s compliance officer or compliance manager. Typically, the primary duties of this position are to:

• make sure that staff is aware of the various federal agencies that issue infection control guidelines
  • provide an explanation of what each agencies’ mission is and why it’s involved in creating and enforcing rules on infection control
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards offers a sample policy and a template that practices can fill in to help ensure their plans and procedures are both current and compliant.
    • The model plan in that resource has not been updated to include information on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS); details on that are available in the OSHA Fact Sheet on the Hazard Communication Standard Final Rule.
    • The GHS is expected to prevent injuries and illnesses, save lives and improve trade conditions for chemical manufacturers.
    • keep training records that document:
      • the date(s) of the training session(s)
      • a listing of the topics covered during the training or a summary of the program
      • the names and qualifications of whomever conducted the training
      • the names and job titles of everyone who attended the session
      • make sure that all members of the team know how to contact the designated health provider to conduct post-exposure follow-up medical care
      • the practice must maintain any exposure records according to the requirements of the appropriate federal or state regulations and follow whichever rules are most stringent
      • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards [PDF]
      • OSHA Fact Sheet on the Hazard Communication Standard Final Rule
      • CDC Infection Prevention Checklist for Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care [PDF]
      • OSHA Standard for Tuberculosis
      • ADA Tip Sheet on Exposure Control Plans [PDF]
      • ADA Sample Exposure Control Checklist [PDF]
      • ADA OSHA & Infection Control products [ADA Store]
      • CDC Q&A on Personal Protective Equipment
      • OSHA’s Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard