Legal Aspects of Dentistry

In this episode, Olivia and Caitlin discuss how a dental practice received a serious OSHA citation for contaminated laundry being handled unnecessarily.

In this episode, Olivia Wann and Caitlin Denison invite Lucy Barone up to the mic to discuss all things about planning a CE event! Lucy is a Practice Administrator and Healthcare Management Specialist who knows the many considerations and tiny details of planning a dental meeting. Their conversation covers the factors of meeting location, finding and hiring speakers, CE accreditation, attendance, food setup, annual scheduling with venues, and more!

Is your dental office ready for the new Hazard Communications updates required by OSHA? In this episode, Olivia, Terri, Brenda, and Caitlin discuss the updates and requirements that OSHA has coming your way in the year 2026.

In this episode, Olivia and Caitlin talk about the recent influx of TOSHA inspections to dental offices, and what TOSHA is specifically looking for. As well as discussing what we are hearing from inspected dental offices, Caitlin revisits her time as an OSHA inspector, and what you need to focus on and be aware of as a dental practice. 

In this podcast episode, the MPS team discuss the TOSHA eyewash station requirements and what that means for dental practices in Tennessee. They review the key components for having a compliant eyewash station, and why these guidelines are in place.

Amalgam contains mercury, so how should it be disposed of? What about filters? In this episode, Olivia and Caitlin discuss what they've seen onsite, and best practices for handling amalgam waste.

Is it a HIPAA violation to leave a voicemail on patient's device that's potentially shared with another person? In this episode, Olivia, Caitlin, Brenda, and Terri give guidance on the appropriate amount of information when leaving a voicemail regarding an appointment. 

When your staff is continuing their education, under what circumstance does the practice pay? When is it up to the staff to pay for their CEs? Olivia, Caitlin, Brenda, and Terri lay out the guidelines to clear up these questions. 

Is your practice up-to-date with your OSHA Compliance and programs? Do you have your policies, records, training, and many other factors ready for the worst? In this episode, Olivia, Caitlin, Brenda, and Terri discuss the different OSHA Packages that Modern Practice Solutions offers and what those packages entail. 

In this episode, Olivia speaks with Brenda Thornburg and Caitlin Denison about fire prevention in the dental office, and the different types of flammable materials that are (sometimes literally) right under your patients' noses. They talk about the importance of having an Emergency Action Plan, Safety Data Sheets, and how rehearsing emergency plans with your team is essential to keeping your employees and patients safe. 

In this episode, Olivia talks with Terri, Brenda, and Caitlin about the health of your dental unit waterlines, and how their contents could be closer to pond water than you may think. 

Whether you're a doctor, hygienist, assistant, or administration, your job at a dental practice entails a lot of strain on your posture and musculoskeletal health. In this episode, Olivia, Caitlin, Brenda, and Terri discuss the repetitive motions for each job title and ways to combat long-term health issues associated with those postures. 

No one likes to think about the worst thing that could happen, but in this day and age, a practice must have an emergency plan in place. In this episode, Olivia, Brenda, Terri, and Caitlin discuss different emergency situations in your practice and how to be ready. Whether its a weather emergency, natural disaster, fire, or an active shooter, every practice needs to have a game plan.

Is your practice up-to-date with your HIPAA Compliance and programs? Do you have your policies, records, cybersecurity, BAAs, and many other factors ready for the worst? In this episode, Olivia, Caitlin, Brenda, and Terri discuss the different HIPAA Packages that Modern Practice Solutions offers and what those packages entail. 

We often hear from our clients that they don't understand why they have to have so many different complex passwords for all of their practice's software systems. In this episode, Olivia Wann, Terri Walker, Brenda Thornburg, and Caitlin Denison discuss the "why" behind so many complex passwords, and what kind of systems work to keep them organized. 

In this episode of In Step With Compliance, Olivia Wann, Terri Walker, Brenda Thornburg, and Caitlin Denison discuss how best to organize your practice's SDS, what OSHA inspectors look for when inspecting, the most important sections of an SDS, and some practical tips on the best systems that organize it digitally. 

In this episode of 'In Step with Compliance', the Olivia Wann, Terri Walker, Caitlin Denison, and Brenda Thornburg discuss essential tips for traveling with laptops, focusing on data protection. They cover the importance of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and the risks associated with public Wi-Fi. The conversation emphasizes best practices for managing devices while traveling to ensure sensitive information remains secure.

In this episode of 'In Step with Compliance', host Olivia Wann, Terri Walker, Brenda Thornburg, and Caitlin Denison discuss the critical importance of using business-level email accounts in compliance with HIPAA regulations. The conversation highlights the risks associated with free email accounts, including data breaches and the lack of encryption. The financial implications of email breaches are also explored, emphasizing the potential costs of notification, forensic analysis, and legal fees. The episode concludes with a call to action for practices to evaluate their email security measures.

In this episode, Olivia Wann discusses with Caitlin Denison, Brenda Thornburg, and Terri Walker the importance of the hepatitis B vaccine in the dental field, focusing on OSHA regulations, employer responsibilities, and the necessity of proper documentation. Caitlin, a former OSHA inspector, provides insights into compliance and the handling of employee vaccination declinations. The conversation also covers post-exposure protocols, booster shots, and the legalities surrounding vaccination screening requirements.

In this episode of 'In Step with Compliance', host Olivia Wann talks with Terri Walker and Brenda Thornburg about the importance of quality control in dental practices. They discuss the necessity of proper documentation during OSHA investigations, the implementation of effective quality control tasks, and the transition to electronic records. The conversation emphasizes the need for team responsibility in maintaining compliance and offers resources for managing quality control effectively.Takeaways:Documentation is crucial during OSHA investigations.Many dental offices lack proper quality control documentation.Creating a detailed list of tasks helps in quality control.Visual task logs enhance accountability and awareness.Electronic records centralize documentation for multi-site practices.Regular inspections and documentation are essential for compliance.Team members should be assigned specific quality control tasks.Quality control is a shared responsibility among all staff.Resources and task logs can assist in managing quality control.Effective management of quality control ensures patient safety.

In this episode, Olivia Wann, Caitlin Denison, Terri Walker, and Brenda Thornburg have a conversation on the importance of OSHA compliance in dental practices. They highlight common violations, the necessity of proper training documentation, and the significance of maintaining safety protocols. The discussion includes insights on exposure control plans, sharps container management, hepatitis B vaccination compliance, hazard communication, and the importance of personal protective equipment. They emphasize the need for ongoing training to prevent complacency and ensure safety in dental environments.

In this episode of In Step with Compliance, Olivia Wann, Caitlin Denison, and Terri Walker discuss the critical topic of chemical dependency in the dental field. They explore the importance of continuing education (CE) requirements for dental professionals, the impact of substance abuse on patient care, and the resources available for both patients and dental professionals dealing with chemical dependency. The conversation also highlights the significance of responsible opioid prescribing and effective communication with patients regarding pain management.

In this episode of 'In Step with Compliance', host Olivia Wann has a conversation with compliance trainers Brenda Thornburg and Caitlin Denison to discuss the top HIPAA violations in dental practices. They explore common issues such as snooping on health records, the importance of risk assessments, patient access to records, business associate agreements, access controls, encryption, and breach notification processes. The conversation emphasizes the need for compliance in protecting patient privacy and the potential consequences of violations.

In this episode of 'In Step with Compliance', Olivia Wann, Brenda Thornburg, Terri Walker, and Caitlin Denison discuss the critical role of two-factor authentication (MFA) in ensuring data security, particularly in healthcare and dental settings. They explore various methods of MFA, the importance of compliance with HIPAA regulations, and the challenges faced by smaller practices in implementing these security measures. The conversation emphasizes the need for proper training and documentation to ensure that all staff members understand and adhere to MFA protocols, ultimately aiming to protect sensitive patient data from cyber threats.

Hey, dental professionals! In this first episode, we'll introduce you to our team, what each of us does here, then give you a quick look ahead into the topics we'll be discussing in this podcast!