Is Your Dental Practice OSHA and CDC Compliant?
Zirc Dental Products
Give your dental teams a success boost with the proven power of a lean clinical workflow.
Would you be compliant if OSHA shows up at your dental practice tomorrow? Unfortunately, many dentists cannot answer this question while others will find out the hard way.?
Understanding OSHA Penalties
Did you know that the cost of OSHA penalties continue to rise each year? As of January 15, 2024, receiving one violation from OSHA could cost a dental practice $16,131. Failure to abate that violation can lead to a $16,131 daily penalty beyond the abatement date.?
However, the situation can escalate: Should your dental practice fail to comply with OSHA and CDC regulations, you may not only face potential penalties and fines but could also be vulnerable to lawsuits from patients or employees.
So, What Can Dentists Do?
With the proper mindset, communication, and products, you can become compliant, allowing your staff to minimize their risk of injury.?
A great place to start is by viewing the OSHA and CDC websites, which offer great resources and information on what these requirements entail:
Aside from educating yourself on these requirements, implementing Zirc Dental's products will benefit your practice in meeting guidelines while also enhancing procedure organization and efficiency.?
3 Tips for Dentists to Stay OSHA Compliant
Below, we've outlined a few essential requirements from OSHA and CDC and share tips for dentists on how our products can keep you compliant.
Infection Control Requirements
According to the CDC:
"Dirty Instruments must be “contained” prior to transporting them. Containment can be defined as instrument cassettes or cages in which dental care items are cleaned, sterilized, and stored until point of use. Sharp instruments should not be carried openly to the instrument processing area. Percutaneous injuries may occur to other dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) or patients in hallways leading to the instrument-processing area."
The risk of a staff member being accidentally injured by a sharp or needle during handling is reduced, which minimizes the potential for transmission of bloodborne pathogens and the spread of disease.?
Tip 1: Implement Resin Instrument Cassettes to Prevent Injury
Zirc's dental instrument cassettes provide a secure and organized storage solution for dental tools. By keeping the instruments protected, the cassettes help to maintain their longevity and reduce the risk of damage or contamination.?
This, in turn, enhances patient safety and reduces the likelihood of injury to dental professionals.?
It Gets Better!
When you utilize our dental instrument cassettes, it allows you to easily identify, organize and streamline your dental procedures. With color-coding, for example, you can quickly recognize procedure items, and keep the setup together from chairside to sterilization.?
The advantage of color-coding, combined with confidence in health safety, can boost dental team morale and improve your patients' experience.
领英推荐
As a dedicated dental healthcare provider & Certified Compliance Consultant, I have seen firsthand Zirc's commitment to enhancing infection control in dental practices. Their innovative solutions not only streamline workflow but also significantly contribute to maintaining the highest standards of patient & workplace safety. — India Chance RDH, CDIPC
Cross-Contamination Requirements
According to OSHA requirements:
Immediately or as soon as possible after use, contaminated reusable sharps shall be placed in puncture-resistant, leak-proof and labeled or color-coded containers until properly reprocessed. (To avoid spillage of contents, it is suggested that they be covered and secured prior to moving.)
Tip 2: Prevent Cross Contamination with Zirc's Safe-Lok and Tub Systems
Our systems securely transport contaminated items from chairside to sterilization. The trays and locking covers contain used instruments and prevent spilling of procedural materials.
This unique system allows your dental practice to ensure safety practices among your dental team and patients.
About Our Safe-Lok System
Our Safe-Lok System helps improve procedural performance and prevent cross-contamination. By using the Safe-Lok Tray System, you and your team can prepare their instrument trays in advance and store them conveniently until they need to be used.?
After the procedure, the locking cover is secured onto the tray, stacked and made ready for sterilization processing.
About Our Tub System
The Tub offers a portable drawer with procedure-specific materials, while the bulk supply is stored in the sterilization area, a spare room, or a closet. This helps improve inventory control and procedure flow, as all necessary items are available when it's time to perform at the chair.
Tip 3: Get Started with Zirc Dental
By implementing our Safe-Lok Tray and Tub System, cassettes, and other dental instrument organizers, dental offices like Dr. Cappy's practice have already felt the positive effects of being organized.?
By utilizing Zirc products, they also comply with the OSHA and CDC requirements. Check out other great testimonials about Zirc Dental!
Keep Your Dental Practice OSHA Compliant with Zirc Dental
Meeting the requirements of OSHA and CDC may take some time to implement, but it will assist you in providing a safe environment for your team and patients—not to mention a competitive advantage.
By consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible, Zirc Dental is truly a standout in the dental industry.
You can purchase Zirc products online today or find a dealer near you. Be sure to stay connected for more tips for dentists on how to improve your practice's organization and safety standards.