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Dental Office Requirements

Dental offices must be safe for employees and patients alike. Per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, dental offices must meet certain requirements before serving patients. These safety standards must be followed no matter now many people the office employs. These requirements are set in place by OSHA to prevent hazards.

  1. Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

    • Dental offices must have a written exposure plan for bloodborne pathogens. Universal precautions of exposure to these pathogens must be set in place. To combat the risk of exposure to these pathogens, employees must wear personal protective equipment or gear. This includes gloves, face and eye protection and gowns. Employees should also have a Hepatitis B vaccination. In the case of an exposure incident, employees must have medical follow-up. Labels or color-coding should be used on containers or boxes for disposed needles or other waste that might carry bloodborne pathogens. Employees are to be thoroughly trained on proper handling of contaminated waste.

    Hazard Communication

    • With hazard communication, employees have the right to know of any substance that might impose a potential hazard to them personally. Hazardous chemicals used in the office must be listed along with the potential hazard. Employees must also be trained in proper use of hazardous chemicals.

    Ionizing Radiation

    • A survey of all radiation machines, including X-ray machines, must be taken. Restricted areas must be marked as such. Any employee that works in a restricted area must wear personal radiation monitors.

    Exit Routes

    • Exit routes must be safe and accessible in the case of fire or other emergency. There must be an applicable amount of safety exits for the number of persons employed at the dental facility. A diagram of exit routes must be put in a visible location for employees and patients.

    Electrical

    • Flammable gases may be used in dental offices. For this reason, special wiring may be required, per OSHA, insurance company standards and the local fire department. Requirements vary by fire department standards and insurance regulations.

    OSHA Poster

    • Every dental office must have an OSHA poster in general view for all employees to see. This poster explains all workers rights to a safe working environment and gives directions on how to file a safety complaint.

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