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Contents
Page last reviewed: 03/29/2007
Highlights
  • Compliance Assistance Quick Start. OSHA. By following this step-by-step guide, you can identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that may apply to your workplace. Small and new businesses may find Quick Start helpful as an introduction to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA's web site.
    • Health Care. This module applies to employers and employees in the health care field
  • Silica. OSHA eTool. Links to an expert training and information aid. Includes current information that will assist businesses and workers in identifying potential silica hazards in their workplaces by choosing appropriate sampling and analytical techniques, comparing monitoring results with the silica exposure limits, and selecting appropriate short and long-term control options.
Silica eTool
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Dentistry

Dental professionals may be at risk for exposure to numerous workplace hazards. These hazards include but are not limited to the spectrum of bloodborne pathogens, pharmaceuticals and other chemical agents, human factors, ergonomic hazards, noise, vibration, and workplace violence.

There are currently no specific standards for dentistry. However, exposure to numerous biological, chemical, environmental, physical, and psychological workplace hazards that may apply to dentistry are addressed in specific standards for the general industry.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to dentistry.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Frequently Cited Standards

The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2010 through September 2011, in Offices And Clinics Of Dentists Industry Group (SIC code 802).

The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2010 through September 2011, in Medical And Dental Laboratories Industry Group (SIC code 807).

Directives

Standard Interpretations

  • OSHA has no specific standard on autoclaving used medical instruments. (2004, September 3). Refers to guidelines and recommendations on the use and monitoring of sterilization equipment in dental healthcare settings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may also have relevant information in connection with that agency's approval of autoclaves as OSHA has no specific standard.

Bloodborne Pathogens

  • OSHA's standard of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. (1997, July 3). Discusses the standard requirement that employees use gloves in the dental setting when there is hand contact with blood or "other potentially infectious material" (OPIM) which includes saliva in dental procedures as well as any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood.

  • Classification of saliva in dental procedures under the bloodborne pathogens standard. (1996, February 15). Based upon the recommendations of the CDC with regard to precautions in dentistry and the necessity for assuring employee protection against all bloodborne pathogens, we have concluded that retaining "saliva in dental procedures" as an "other potential infectious material" is appropriate and correct.

  • Bloodborne Pathogen standard as it applies to personal protective equipment. (1992, May 6). Determines that it is the employer's responsibility to evaluate the task and the type of exposure expected and, based on the determination, select the "appropriate" personal protective clothing in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(i) of the standard. In general, OSHA would expect the employer to select traditional protective clothing, such as clinic jackets, lab coats, or uniforms since this type of clothing is designed to serve as a barrier to strike-through and would protect underlying garments or skin.

  • Orthodontics wires considered as "sharps" under CPL 2-2.44D. (1990, May 25). Determines since the ends of orthodontic wires can penetrate the skin their contamination with blood can reasonably be anticipated. OSHA believes that they must be classified as "sharps" under the above referenced Instruction and standard and disposed of accordingly.

Hazard Communication

Hazard Recognition

Many dental care professionals are at risk for occupational exposure to a variety of hazardous chemicals and situations. Being unaware of the potential hazards in the work environment makes them more vulnerable to injury. The following references aid in recognizing hazards in the workplace.

Beryllium

  • Preventing Adverse Health Effects From Exposure to Beryllium in Dental Laboratories. OSHA Health Information Bulletin (HIB), (2002, April 19 - Revised May 2002). Also available as a 42 KB PDF, 9 pages. Provides information on the ways in which beryllium exposures can be reduced, the type of protective equipment which can be worn to reduce exposure, and on the type of medical surveillance procedures that can be used to identify workers who may be sensitized to beryllium, or who may be in the early stages of CBD.

  • Beryllium. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control

Ergonomics

Silica Dust

  • What Dental Technicians Need To Know About Silicosis [114 KB PDF, 2 pages]. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Surveillance Program. Provides an informational brochure about the hazards associated with exposures to silica.

  • Silica. OSHA eTool. Assists in determining silica exposure, obtaining a measure of the silica concentration, and provides instruction on protective measures.

  • Silica, Crystalline. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Waste Anesthetic Gases

  • OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January 20).
  • NIOSH Warns: Nitrous Oxide Continues to Threaten Health Care Workers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-118, (1994, June 14). Provides a brief update of the hazards of exposure to nitrous oxide (N2O), including steps for prevention. Presents control measures for preventing or greatly reducing exposure to N20 during the administration of anesthetic gas.

  • NIOSH Alert: Controlling Exposures to Nitrous Oxide During Anesthetic Administration. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-100, (1994). Concludes that exposure to N20 causes decreases in mental performance, audiovisual ability, and manual dexterity and that adverse reproductive effects may also result from chronic exposure to N20.

  • Analyzing Workplace Exposures Using Direct Reading Instruments and Video Exposure Monitoring Techniques. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-104, (1992, August). Contains case studies describing a variety of circumstances where the video exposure monitoring techniques provided useful information not obtainable by integrated sampling.
    • Case Study E: Dental Administration of Nitrous Oxide. Analyzes workplace exposures to waste nitrous oxide during dental procedures.

  • Nitrous Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres (Passive Monitor). OSHA Inorganic Method ID-166, (revised 1994, May). Describes the sample collection of airborne nitrous oxide (N2O). There is sufficient concern to warrant positive steps to control the airborne levels of N2O in workplaces, such as medical, dental and veterinary facilities.

  • Nitrous Oxide. OSHA/NIOSH/DOE Occupational Safety and Health Guideline.

  • For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page on Waste Anesthetic Gases

Control and Prevention

The following references aid in controlling and preventing workplace hazards associated with dentistry.

Anesthetic Gases (Nitrous Oxide)

  • Control of Nitrous Oxide in Dental Operatories. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-107, Hazard Control HC3, (1996). Presents NIOSH research that shows controls including system maintenance, ventilation, and operations. Includes step-by-step approach to controlling N2O exposure.

  • Controlling Exposures to Nitrous Oxide During Anesthetic Administration. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-100, (1996, August 5). Presents control measures for preventing or greatly reducing exposure to N2O during the administration of anesthetic gas.

Beryllium Controls

  • Preventing Adverse Health Effects From Exposure To Beryllium In Dental Laboratories. OSHA Health Information Bulletin (HIB), (2002, April 19 - Revised May 2002). Also available as a 42 KB PDF, 9 pages. Provides guidance on engineering controls, work practices, hygiene, clothing, housekeeping procedures and personal protective equipment, as well as training and health surveillance methods for beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention

Infection Control

General

Recordkeeping

  • Recordkeeping: It's new, it's improved, and it's easier... OSHA Publication No. 3169, (2001). Summarizes the Recordkeeping rule, and provides access to Form 300, 301, and 301A. Identifies SIC code 802, Offices and Clinics of Dentists, as an establishments classified as partially exempt from most of the recordkeeping requirements, regardless of size.

  • 29 CFR 1904.39. OSHA Standard. Provides phone numbers to report fatalities or imminent life-threatening situation, as well as to report accidents, unsafe conditions or other safety and health violations.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

Other Resources


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