Dental compliance refers to adhering to the laws, regulations, and guidelines set forth by governing bodies in the dental industry. It's important to understand the difference between what you have to do and what is recommended to ensure that your practice is operating legally and ethically.
Here are some examples of what you have to do in terms of dental compliance:
- Meet state licensing requirements: Dentists and dental practices are required to obtain and maintain appropriate licenses from their state dental board.
- Protect patient privacy: Dentists and dental practices must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and safeguard patient health information.
- Follow infection control guidelines: Dental practices must follow guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure proper sterilization and disinfection of dental equipment.
- Obtain informed consent: Before performing any dental procedure, dentists must obtain informed consent from their patients.
Here are some examples of what is recommended in terms of dental compliance:
- OSHA compliance: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets guidelines for workplace safety, and dental practices should follow these recommendations to ensure the safety of their employees.
- Compliance with advertising laws: Dental practices should follow advertising guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure their advertising is truthful and not misleading.
- Regular staff training: Dental practices should provide regular training to their staff to ensure they are up-to-date on compliance regulations and are providing high-quality patient care.
In summary, there are certain compliance requirements that dental practices must meet to operate legally and ethically, while other recommendations are meant to help ensure the highest level of patient care and safety. It's important to stay up-to-date on both to maintain a successful dental practice.