If you received “OSHA” training, you only received five percent of the needed information to be compliant and reduce risk to yourself and patients. OSHA training is not,

• The Dental Practice Act
• Sterilization
• Patient Safety
• Dental Board Infection Control
• HIPAA
• Radiation Safety
• Environmental Heath Management
• Human Recourses

Dental Professionals must look beyond the “OSHA mentality” and take responsibility to find out what they need in order to be competent in their duties. They also need to change their mindset from doing only the minimum to adding value in everything they do.

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry – located at 4530 Dublin Blvd., Dublin CA, 94568, Phone: 925.875.9292

Dr. Marjan Shaghasi and her team of Dental Professionals knows what it takes to maintain a patient compliant office. “Excellence in Patient Safety and Infection Control” is not only paramount, it should be etched on the door of this fine office!

Visit Dr. Shaghasi’s website: www.dublincornersdental.com

Employee turnover is hitting the dental profession hard and will continue for many more years, but turnover is no reason for not staying compliant with regulations, especially when it comes to hiring and training.  So let’s focus on being proactive, here are some suggestions,

Hiring - The candidate should complete an Employment Application and should submit a current resume along with a list of personal and business references. Asking the following questions in a face-to-face interview should provide an overview of the candidate’s qualifications and experiences.

• Education & Training
• Work Experience
• Expectations (relating to employment)
• Career Goals

Background & Reference Check - Because of the increasing issues surrounding employment verification and background checks I highly recommended engaging the service of a firm that specializes in background checks, however if you conduct the background yourself verify the following,

• Date of hire
• Date of departure
• Positions & Titles
• Rehire Status

Don’t be surprised that the previous employer declines to answer your questions over the phone, but instead request a letter for employment verifications be sent, this is becoming a standard.

Personnel File (or Employee File) - There should be a Personnel File setup for every employee on your staff.  The following is the “basic” documents that should be maintained in the Personnel File,

• Employment Application (Original)
• Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9)
• Copy of Driver’s License (or State ID)
• Copy of Social Security Card (not just the number)
• Completed “Hepatitis B Vaccination” form
• Copy of current professional license issued by licensing board  (if licensed)
• Copy of current CPR card (if applicable)
• Copy of license support documents (i.e. radiation safety certificates)

The Personnel File must be kept in a locked filing cabinet.

Employee Training - All employees including managers and supervisors should receive training on general and job-specific safety practices.  Training and instructions should be provided,

• When policies are established or changed.
• New staff members should receive compliance orientation training within the first 10 days of employment.
• Staff members who are given new assignments for which training has not been previously provided.
• When new substances, processes, procedures or equipment are introduced to the workplace.
• When new or previously unrecognized hazards are discovered.
• To supervisors to familiarize them with safety and health hazards to which staff members under their immediate direction and control may be exposed.
• All staff members with respect to hazards specific to there job assignment.
• A “refresher” training session for all staff members of the primary training topics are conducted a minimum of twice a year.

Core Training Topics - Core training topics should be the key sections of your Compliance Manual,

• Prevention Program
• Hazard Communications
• Infection Management
• Exposure Management
• Emergency Protocols
• Safety Protocols

Never over look the importance of training and meetings, both will keep employees advancing forward while promoting a safe and injury-free work environment. Make Compliance work for you!

Q: What OSHA courses do I need to renew my license?

A: The courses needed to renew your license made mandatory by the Dental Board are the Dental Practice Act (2 hours) and the Dental Board Infection Control Regulations (2 hours) which neither are OSHA.

Training is a process that improves knowledge and skills and information is the key ingredient for all training. Information must be current, specific to the job, presented by a qualified instructor and conducted yearly. Reducing employee training or looking to cut training costs by doing it yourself is ludicrous. Investing in employee training will payoff many times over and it is a critical element for a Patient Compliant office!

Q: What governmental agencies are most likely to inspect our office?

A: Although there are about seven agencies that are responsible for regulating dental offices, the top three and most active are,

1. OSHA
2. Consumer Affairs (Dental Board)
3. Department of Health Services

The mindset for dentistry is on OSHA where it should be on the Dental Board of California which is under Consumer Affairs. I am amazed to find dental offices focused on issues like labeling and MSDS binders more than sterilization and infection control. It is clear that the dental professional needs to become more aware as to what they must know and do regarding patient safety. Patient safety is paramount and it must be delivered consistently but only can be achieved when everyone is on the right page armed with the right knowledge. The Table of Permitted Duties and the Dental Board Infection Control Regulations is a good place to start! Visit the Dental Board’s websites: www.dbc.ca.gov

When it comes to dental compliance do you listen to those who know or do you listen to those who sell?

When choosing a seminar or compliance service you should select on the bases of getting quality how-to information from an expert, the kind of information and expertise that produces results and moves your office forward. Stop listening to those who sell gimmicks and produce nothing but BS.  This choice will cost you many times over in fines, citations, and litigation. Remember these two life teachings – “if it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t” and “you get what you paid for”

Specializing in Pediatric and Special Needs Dental Care – located at 1500 Grant Ave., Suite 100A, Novato CA, 94945, Phone: 415.897.5566

Dr. Neidre Banakus, Dan Banakus and their Professional Dental Team provides a “children friendly” modern office that is truly Patient Compliant. “Excellent in Patient Safety and Infection Control” is not only paramount but the foundation of this fine office and should be etched or crayoned on the door!

Visit their website: www.thesmilingturtle.com