Dental professionals face a wide range of workplace hazards, including exposure to bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, ergonomic strain, noise, vibration, and even workplace violence. While OSHA does not have a single standard specifically for dentistry, many general industry standards apply to the hazards found in dental environments.
This course provides a comprehensive foundation for employees working in dental offices, focusing on health and safety risks, exposure control, and infection prevention. It also includes best practices for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing dental equipment to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Describe the potential health hazards to which dental employees may be exposed. |
| LO 1.1.2 | Describe the risks of exposure and symptoms of silicosis and beryllium. |
| LO 1.1.3 | List and describe the three strategies for controlling exposure to beryllium and other hazardous substances. |
| LO 1.1.4 | Describe the risk and controls for exposure to ionizing radiation (x-rays). |
| LO 1.1.5 | Describe procedures within the bloodborne Exposure Control Plan. |
| LO 1.1.6 | Discuss the risk and controls for exposure to latex. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Describe the different types of personal protective equipment (PPE) used by dental clinic employees. |
| LO 1.2.2 | Describe dental equipment cleaning, disinfecting, sterilization, and storage procedures. |
| LO 1.2.3 | Describe good housekeeping practices for dental clinics. |
| LO 1.2.4 | Describe procedures for hand care and hygiene. |
Key: TO – Terminal Objective, LO – Learning Objective