May 15, 2025 On a global scale, more than 2 million healthcare workers experience needle-stick injuries on an annual basis. Dentists are at the most at risk, with 59% of dentists studied experiencing needle stick injuries. Dentists are particularly susceptible to OSHA violations due to the daily use of sharps and the increased possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and saliva when working in patients’ mouths. Protecting your dental team through safety and compliance isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Here’s a clear look at the standard preventive measures for OSHA in dentistry. First Line of Defense: Training There are numerous safety precautions to keep staff safe, but the first layer of protection is proper training and procedures. Before working with patients, staff must be thoroughly trained on the possible risks and mitigation techniques. Staff must also be provided a walk-through of the practice, assuring they know where all emergency equipment and exits are located. Training programs must review all possible risks, like sharps, bloodborne pathogens, radiation, etc. Videos and training materials must be easily accessible for staff to review. All relevant policies outlining compliant procedures for various situations must also be accessible to all staff members. Training is the foundation of a compliant practice, and with proper OSHA in dentistry training, your staff can feel confident handling any situation. Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment While it might not always be the most fashionable decision, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is imperative to keep staff safe. It is key that staff always wear PPE when working with patients. PPE can be defined as gloves, masks, gowns, face shields, and more. By wearing PPE, your staff have a barrier when working with patients, minimizing the risks of exposure. PPE must be provided to staff free of charge, cultivating a safe environment. Staff must also be appropriately trained to use PPE when working with patients, ensuring all know the necessary steps to protect themselves. PPE minimizes exposure to risks by limiting contact with patients, and is a staple for a safe healthcare practice. Stay Sharp: Handling Needles Carefully Dentists are well aware of the risks associated with working with needles, scalers, and other sharps. Use sharps carefully and utilize devices with safety features when working with sharps. Many sharps have preventative measures, like retractable needles after use, self-sheathing blades, and reinforced containers for sharps. When using sharps, ensure your staff wear gloves and other applicable PPE. Sharps handling, from initial use on a patient to disposal, requires strict adherence to safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidental sticks and the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne Pathogens 101 Working in healthcare, especially dentistry, puts staff at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease, like hepatitis B, C, and HIV. The World Health Organization states that 3 million healthcare workers are exposed to bloodborne diseases through skin puncture injuries each year. With PPE and appropriate sharps equipment, your staff is already significantly mitigating risk. However, if a sharp needle or blade pricks a staff member, it is essential to receive First Aid to protect the wound immediately. The staff member should have their blood tested as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, time is of the essence after a sharps incident. Some diseases, like HIV, can be prevented within 3 days of exposure. While it can be overwhelming, staff must stay calm and follow the proper procedures after an incident, with most sharps incidents not resulting in an infection. Simplifying OSHA Compliance As you can see, handling OSHA compliance in dentistry can be daunting. With the correct compliance program to address numerous risks, your dental staff can feel secure and concentrate on delivering excellent patient care. Intelligent OSHA software offers automatically generated policies, required forms, and training resources in a centralized compliance hub, providing a documented compliance program for your team. Meet with a compliance expert today to learn more about how you can streamline your OSHA compliance program.
