OSHA Bloodborne-Pathogen Compliance in the Dental Practice

Categories: Public Health

Author(s): Christopher Canizares DMD

Course Type: Self-instruction journal and web based activity

Target Audience: Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienist, Dentists from novice to advanced

Educational Objectives

After completing this course, the reader should be able to:
1. Describe why OSHA was founded and its goals
2. Explain the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and how it protects workers from occupational exposure
3. Discuss the basics of chain of infection and how infectious diseases are spread
4. List the basics of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections
5. Discuss how OSHA standards protect employees from the spread of infectious diseases, ionizing radiation, and chemical hazards.

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Abstract

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency established to help assure the safety and health of American workers. Since its origins, OSHA has enforced standards to protect workers from potential dangers in the workplace. This course reviews some potential hazards to dental healthcare professionals, and what measures OSHA has taken to minimize risk and exposure to these hazards. This course provides a foundation on bloodborne pathogens and how infectious diseases spread. Strategies for protecting workers from ionizing radiation and hazardous chemicals also will be introduced.