OSHA & Cal/OSHA – What Every Dental Practice Needs to KnowUnderstanding OSHA Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide for Dental Practices
Hello Dental Professionals,
Welcome to this week’s Beyond the Binder! Today, we’re unpacking OSHA and Cal/OSHA regulations in a way that’s practical, relevant, and tailored for dental practices. Whether you’re new to compliance or a seasoned pro, understanding OSHA is key to protecting your team, your patients, and your practice.
OSHA Basics for Dental Practices
OSHA—the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—is the federal agency responsible for workplace safety standards. For dental offices, that means ensuring your environment is free from hazards that could harm your team.
These rules aren’t just red tape—they exist to:
✔ Prevent injuries
✔ Control exposure to infectious diseases
✔ Maintain a safe, healthy workspace
Key OSHA Regulations You Must Know
Dental practices are most commonly impacted by these OSHA standards:
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Bloodborne Pathogens Standard – Protects staff from exposure to blood and potentially infectious materials.
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Hazard Communication Standard – Requires proper labeling, storage, and documentation of chemicals in your SDS binder.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Mandates correct use of masks, gloves, eyewear, and gowns.
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Workplace Violence Prevention Standard– Cal/OSHA now requires all dental offices to have a written plan and provide staff training (effective July 1, 2024).
💡 California offices: Cal/OSHA adds requirements that go beyond federal OSHA rules. We specialize in California compliance.
How to Stay OSHA Compliant
Compliance is not a “one and done”—it’s an ongoing process:
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Annual Training – Every team member must be trained each year.
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Ongoing Training – Reinforce protocols regularly, and provide refreshers for new hires and temporary staff.
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Accurate Recordkeeping – Keep safety plans, incident logs, and employee training records up to date.
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Regular Audits – Identify and fix small issues before they become big problems (or citations).
How Dental Ed Can Help
OSHA doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our Compliance Program gives you:
✅ California-specific OSHA training for your entire team
✅ Workplace Violence Prevention training + customized plan
✅ Custom safety plans that meet Dental Board and Cal/OSHA requirements
✅ Easy-to-access digital documentation for inspections and audits
📅 Ready to simplify OSHA compliance? Schedule a free call to learn more
Until next time—stay safe, stay compliant, and keep smiling!
Joyce Weeks, B.S., M.Sc.
Owner & Lead Educator | Dental Ed, Inc.
📧 [email protected] | 📞 760-930-9401
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