Are You In Compliance?

Here are four presentations for dental practice HIPAA privacy and security officers to learn about their responsibilities, and one training presentation that can be used in combination with a dental practice’s written policies and procedures to train office workforce (includes students and others).

The ordinance sets forth certain requirements for employers retaining freelance workers (bona fide independent contractors) operating within the City of Los Angeles. Among other requirements and protections, the ordinance establishes a requirement that a written agreement be in place. Read more about the requirements of the ordinance here.

The “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster has been updated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This new notice includes information regarding the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) which became effective June 27, 2023. Practice owners must print and post this notice over the (10/2022) notice contained in the 2023-2024 Required Poster Set.  

Although the Department of Labor’s website description for the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster still shows reference to the 2016 posting date, the poster itself has been added to reflect a “2/22 revision” update.

A recent update to federal law providing additional rights to parents who must express breast milk at work has impacted the federal Minimum Wage poster. Known as the “PUMP” Act (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers), the law impacts employers who are not covered by California’s more expansive protections. Since it came into effect employers must accommodate nursing mothers by, among other things, providing a location other than a bathroom to express breast milk. California has required lactation accommodation for a number of years and requires notices to employees above and beyond poster notice requirements.

Poster last revised: April 2023 (the April 2016 and February 2013 versions still fulfill the posting requirement). The April 2016 version is contained in the 2023-2024 Required Poster Set. CDA Members may still choose to print and affix the new poster over the FMLA poster contained in the 2023-2024 Required Poster Set. The poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place where employees and applicants for employment can see it. 

Prescribers who apply for a new DEA registration, or who want to renew their registration, on or after June 27, 2023 are required to complete 8 hours of education on “treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.” The hours can be completed with one or more courses from an acceptable course provider. The individual is only required to complete the hours once for DEA registration or renewal. The new requirement is part of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act that was enacted in 2022 as part of a federal spending bill. For more information see this article.

New C.E. requirements include a mandated opioid course for dentists and new activity eligible for earning C.E. credit. For more information see “Continuing Education Requirements and FAQ.”

Dentists are authorized to administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The Dental Board has adopted related regulations on training, continuing education, notification and reporting.

Employers can find updated information for 2023 payroll withholding on the EDD website.