Regulatory Compliance

Dental practice, environment & radiation, infection control, Cal/OSHA and HIPAA

Multiple state and federal agencies are charged with regulating dental practices. Keep on top of the compliance process by downloading our versatile and customizable resources.

Regulatory Compliance Manual: Table of Contents and Use Instructions

Review the instructions for recommendations on how to best implement this program in your practice. Also download a table of contents for your binder.

Required Employee Training

A summary of state required employee training that employers are required to provide  and related requirements. Does not include training required for licensure or license renewal.

Required Postings in a Dental Office

Lists posters required at dental offices and required pamphlets. Poster sets are distributed to practice owners biennially. This resource is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated January 2024.

Respirator Fit Testing Requirements

Summary of the Cal/OSHA requirements for medical evaluation and fit testing tight-fitting respirators such the N95 and elastomeric respirators.

Respiratory Protection Program

Customize this sample plan which is required when an employer requires an employee to wear a respirator, such as an N95. This is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated June 2024.

Rules for Communicating via Telephone, Cellphone and Email

This is a guide to the rules for communicating via these technologies with patients and other individuals via telephone, cellphone, text message or email.

Safety Inspection Checklist for Dental Facilities

Use this checklist to conduct required safety inspections.

Safety Sharps Providers

Dental practices must regularly evaluate the appropriateness of using safety sharps. A dental practice must either use the safety sharps or document the reason why they are not used. 

Sales and Use Tax

An overview of the sales and use tax dental practices are required to collect and pay.

Sample Breach Notification Notice

Use sample notice to inform patients of a breach of their personal information. Sample notice includes elements required by law.

Sample Nondisclosure Agreement

Practices should personalize the attached sample language to their practices and confirm that the agreement is consistent with existing policies and procedures.

Sample Notice of Privacy Practices

Customize this form to create a dental practice’s notice, which must be updated by Feb. 16, 2026. It must have specified elements. Provide the notice to new patients and collect an acknowledgment of receipt. Post it in the practice and on the practice website. Notify current patients of the updated notice.

Schedule and Method of Implementation

Use form to record the schedule and methods of implementation of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard in the practice. This form is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated June 2024.

Sedation and Anesthesia Permits

Summary of permit requirements for dentists administering or ordering the administration of general anesthesia, deep sedation, moderate sedation, adult oral conscious sedation and pediatric minimal sedation. 

September 19, 2020 - December 31, 2020 (unless FFCRA sunset extended) AB 1867 Overrides the FFCRA health care provider exemption.

The law includes language that any entity that employs health care providers or emergency responders that elect to exclude employees from emergency paid sick leave under the federal FFCRA health care provider exemption must provide the leave in California. As a best practice, all employers should comply with emergency paid sick leave under FFCRA.

Sharps Injury Log

Use form to record required information associated with an employee’s injury with a contaminated sharp. This form is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated June 2024.

Steps To Becoming a California Registered Dental Assistant

Steps to becoming an RDA changed significantly in 2025. Use this resource as a checklist.

Sterilizer Spore Tests/Biological Indicators Vendor List

Weekly verification of proper functioning of all sterilization devices through use of a biological indicator (such as a spore test) is required. 

Surface Disinfectants and Waterline Cleaners

Surface disinfectants and waterline cleaners used and sold in the state must be registered with the state Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Surveillance Cameras: What to Consider Before Installing Them

Describes items dentists should consider when contemplating the use of video surveillance cameras at the practice. Sample notification language for patients and employees included.

Tables of Permitted Duties

Dental practices utilizing dental auxiliaries must post a notice that describes their allowable duties and functions within stipulated settings and/or circumstances.

Teledentistry

Q&As, coding information and a sample notice and consent form required by the Dental Board.

The Role of Front Office Staff in Cybersecurity

Front office staff are often the unsung heroes of a dental office. They juggle appointments, paperwork, and greet every patient with a smile. But there’s one more role they play that’s easy to overlook: front-line cybersecurity defender.

The Safest Ways To Share Passwords (When You Have To)

Learn how to reduce risk when access to systems needs to be shared in your dental practice.

Top 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Dental Practices Make (and How To Fix Them)

Get to know how to fix the top 5 cybersecurity mistakes a small dental practice can make.

Use Caution with Patient Referral, Loyalty Programs

Recommendations for dentists participating in patient loyalty programs; to ensure compliance with legal guidelines and CDA ethical standards.

Uses and Disclosures of Patient Health Information

Both federal and state laws protect patient health information (PHI) in part by establishing rules for its use and disclosure. This article reviews those rules.

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