Regulatory Changes that Every Practice Needs to Know

Episode #297 with Linda Harvey

A lot has happened in dentistry during the pandemic, including regulatory changes. And if you’re wondering about the potential changes and how to prepare for them, today’s expert can help! Kirk Behrendt and Linda Harvey talk about some of the policies, procedures, and protocols that were updated and what to be aware of. Know and understand the laws, and don't be resistant to change! For more advice on how to protect yourself and your practice, listen to Episode 297 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways:

Don't assume you're in compliance. Know and understand what's required.

Don't be resistant to change.

Every dentist needs to have adequate cyber risk insurance coverage.

Know what your cyber risk insurance covers.

You can't afford not to have a breach expert.

Stay current on changes so you can have protocols in place.

Take caution with PPE supply chain shortages.

Quotes:

“We learned quite a bit about COVID-19 . . . We learned how we had to protect ourselves. We learned that OSHA put dentistry at the top of the list when it came to high-risk categories for contracting airborne diseases in dental settings. So, we realized that there were actually laws that were already in place, such as OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, that now applied to us in dentistry.” (08:08—08:39)

“There were a lot of folks that were capitalizing on the COVID-19 crisis, selling products that weren't fit to be used in a healthcare setting and masks that were counterfeit. So, we had to really step up a notch as far as our understanding and not just buy something because, ‘Oh, this looks like it’s good. This looks like it’s legitimate.’ We couldn't trust that last year. And even earlier this year, we saw the same thing happening.” (10:07—10:32)

“I happen to have an acquaintance who helped to author [OSHA’s] Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. He was on that committee many years ago, and he feels like it’s being picked back up. So, I feel like we’re in that train. And if OSHA takes it a step further and starts an initiative called a Special Emphasis Program, that means that they may take time to go actually investigate offices and do random inspections. Whether they will target dentistry, or healthcare, or what area they will target, that's to be seen.” (12:38—13:07)

“The likelihood is that you're more likely to get inspected if there's a complaint filed against the practice. Right now, OSHA does not have the manpower to go target dental offices. We know that they did in Tennessee probably five, maybe six years ago. But Tennessee is one of the 20-something states that has their own OSHA-approved plans, so they have some more restrictive and more stringent requirements than the federal law in some areas.” (14:07—14:31)

“I think, oftentimes, we assume we’re in compliance. And sometimes, when I start speaking about, let's just say the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, and I take one little section that I want to really drill into, almost everybody in the room goes, ‘I had no idea we weren't doing that right.’” (14:47—14:59)

“I was one of those individuals that lived through no gloves, masks, and glasses. I was cleaning teeth with no gloves, if you can just imagine how gross that is now. Right? But nevertheless, we had to make that change. And I was one of the last ones to change, quite honestly. I didn't want to wear damn gloves. I've known these patients for years. Why was I fearful of them? But then, I finally got it. You know, we had young children. So, this is the same way that we are now. We’re making changes in our PPE, and we can't be resistant to that change. And we have to be open-minded about, ‘Well, maybe OSHA’s going to say that we’re going to have to continue wearing respirator masks,