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New infection-control rules take effect in California

August 22, 2011 -- Dental professionals in California, take note: New infection-control regulations took effect August 20, and without making some significant changes in certain aspects of your everyday routine, you could be in violation of the state's minimum standards for infection control.

The guidelines are a product of the Dental Board of California and the Dental Hygiene Committee of California, as mandated by California law. The revised guidelines are the result of a year-long collaboration between these two agencies of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

The regulations have not been updated since 2005, according to Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA, an infection-control compliance expert in California.

The Dental Board of California does not contact dental licensees to inform them of the new regulations, Canham noted; instead, dentists are expected to check the dental board website to stay informed of any changes. In addition, a copy of the regulations must be conspicuously posted in each dental office, and a written protocol outlining proper instrument processing, operatory cleanliness, and injury management must be made available to all workers.

The California Dental Association (CDA) has informed members about the revised infection control regulations through CDA’s monthly news magazine, online resources, email, and local dental society newsletters, according to an association spokesperson.

Utility gloves, more sterilization

The board made several changes and additions to the regulations, Canham said, some more significant than others. For example, utility gloves that are chemical- and puncture-resistant must now be worn by anyone working with germicides or hazardous chemicals and when processing contaminated instruments.

“Other states would do well to know what we are doing in California to protect ourselves and our patients.”
— Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA

"Many people don't like to wear the heavy-duty utility gloves because they are bulky and don't fit well, but anyone cleaning a treatment room has to wear them now," she said.

In addition, instrument pouches, packages, and wraps must be labeled with the date of sterilization and sterilizer used (if an office has more than one sterilizer).

"Some offices already do this, but the majority don't," Canham said.

Other changes in the regulations include the following:

The board also changed some language in the regulations to help clarify who the rules apply to.
"Dental workers" is now "Dental Healthcare Personnel," which broadens the scope of who might be
exposed to infectious materials while working in a dental office, Canham noted.

"This is a better definition because it applies not only to a dentist's employees, but contracted workers
as well," she said.

The infection-control regulations complement the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standards, Canham added.

"Other states would do well to know what we are doing in California to protect ourselves and our
patients," she said. "Some states still defer to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
guidelines, which are almost 9 years old."

 

Electronic Fingerprint Requirement Information

For all DHCC renewal cycles beginning July 01, 2011, electronic fingerprinting will be a required component. If your renewal cycle begins after July 01, 2011, you will be required to have your fingerprints recorded using the Livescan service in California if you have not already done so. Unfortunately, the paper fingerprint cards used historically no longer fulfill this new legal requirement.
The procedure is modern and efficient. The technology is called Livescan and the process is as simple as rolling your fingers on glass. No longer is it necessary to get ink on your fingers.

Livescan is available for applicants and renewal licensees within California. A list of locations can be found here:
California Livescan Locations: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.php

Please print the DHCC Livescan form and take it to a location listed in the link, above.

DHCC Livescan Forms: http://dhcc.ca.gov/formspubs/index.shtml#forms

Notice: There is a unique DHCC Livescan form for RDH, RDHAP, and RDHEF. It is important to use the correct DHCC Livescan form as each form contains specific routing information that specifically routes your information to us. Our Livescan forms are used for both renewing licensees and new applicants.

We are prohibited by law to share fingerprint information with any other association. For instance, if you were fingerprinted by DMV, the Dental Board of California, or perhaps for an employment background check, the information you submitted is specific to the association to which your information was submitted. The DHCC cannot request, retrieve, or otherwise legally acquire information previously submitted by you to any other association.

 

November 11, 2010 -- Dental bills in California averaged $813 per patient in 2007, roughly a quarter more than the U.S. average of $643, according to the latest News and Numbers report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

The federal agency's analysis of dental care spending and use in the 10 largest states in 2007 also found the following:

• Nationally, nearly half (49%) of the cost of dental care was paid out of pocket versus 16% for other types of healthcare.
• Compared to the national average for dental expenses paid out of pocket, Florida and Ohio had higher and lower rates -- 69% and 40%, respectively.
• Insurance was a factor. Private insurance paid for only 27.5% of dental bills in Florida but 48.5% in Ohio. Portions not paid by private insurers or out-of-pocket were paid by Medicaid or other sources.
• About 42% of all Americans incurred at least one dental care expenditure. Nationally, this varied from 31% of Texans to 54% of Michigan residents.

The data in this AHRQ News and Numbers summary are taken from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a detailed source of information on the health services used by Americans, the frequency with which they are used, the cost of those services, and how they are paid.

 

ORAL CANCER ON THE RISE AMONG NON-SMOKERS UNDER 50
California Dental Hygienists’ Association Urges Routine Office Screenings

GLENDALE, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2011) – To quit smoking and drinking remain worthy and recommended public health resolutions for 2011 but they are not enough to prevent oral cancer, the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) warned today.
“Tobacco and alcohol use are no longer the only major risk factors for oral cancer,” reports Ellen Standley, CDHA President.  “The fastest growing segment of oral cancer victims is the non-smoker under 50 years of age.”

The latest statistics indicate that over the next decade, exposure to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) will likely replace tobacco as the main causative agent for oral cancer, according to the latest research. The HPV positive group, specifically the strain responsible for cervical cancer, is a rapidly growing segment of the oral cancer population.  This new high-risk group includes persons under 40 who have never smoked or abused alcohol. Read more.

 

The long and winding road

California's path to self-regulation was full of twists and turns (RDH Magazine Nov 2010)

by Heidi Emmerling, RDH, PhD, and Ellen Standley, RDH, BS, MA

California dental hygienists did it! In 2009, the Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC) distinguished California as the first state to achieve their own regulatory agency. The self-regulation process has not been a fast track. Thanks to many progressive California dental hygienists who have paved the way, certain key milestones stand out. The following events are considered part of the long history in the formation of the DHCC professional self regulating agency:

• Early independent practice
• Increasing the dental hygiene scope of practice and licensure categories
• Joining northern and southern California for stronger advocacy
• Acquiring dental hygiene representation on the Board of Dental Examiners
• RDHAP licensure including pilot projects.

March Fong Eu was one of California's true gems. In the early 1940s, Fong, who later became California's Secretary of State and member of the State Assembly, began her career as a dental hygienist. Susan McLearan writes that Fong's position on self-accreditation and self-regulation has never wavered. Thus, the vision, discussion, and hard work that goes into becoming professionally autonomous started many years ago. Fong also served as ADHA president in the 1950s. During her presidential address she stated, "Dental hygiene is controlled by the dental profession. Dental hygiene is the only profession I know that is controlled entirely by another profession. It is not a simple process to divorce oneself from a dependency which has become part of our professional thinking; yet we must make this first step if we hope to be free." Read more.

 

News Alert from the DHCC

Digital fingerprinting will be required of all hygienists licensed with the Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC) beginning with the April 1, 2011 renewal cycle. Paper fingerprinting cards will no longer fulfill this new legal requirement.  Licentiates renewing after January 1, 2011 will need to have Livescan digital fingerprints submitted as part of the renewal process. Licentiates who already have Livescan records on file after taking the CA state board examination will not need to be rescanned. Renewal applicants will need to download a DHCC Livescan form prior to going to a Livescan site for fingerprinting. Specific forms for RDHs, RDHAPs and RDHEFs are available on the DHCC web site.(http://dhcc.ca.gov/formspubs/index.shtml#forms)

Click here for a list of livescan locations. (http://www.ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm)

For more information, visit the DHCC web site.

 

It’s official!  UCSF President Mark Yudof signed the approval for the Masters of Science in Dental Hygiene at UCSF.  This is truly a milestone for our profession.  Peggy Walsh has been working tirelessly with the full support and commitment of Dean Featherstone to get this program approved.  If all goes as planned, the first class will be accepted in June of 2011.  It is a one year program.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE California Dental Hygienists' Association ............ Attention Summer Cycle Renewals ..... CDHA Announces! Take Advantage of the Quarterly Payment Plan! Summer is just around the corner and it is time to renew your ADHA membership for 2010 - 2011. Your personalized ADHA membership renewal information is available now by logging into your members only profile. We have a very special announcement that is sure to help make your ADHA dues payment easier than ever this summer. ADHA is now accepting quarterly payments! If you would like to split your annual membership fee into four easy quarterly payments you can do so today through your online members only profile. For complete details regarding the quarterly payment plan and instructions on how to opt in, click on the link below for more information. Please Note: In order to transition your annual membership to the Quarterly Payment Plan for your 2010 -2011 ADHA dues you must do so online before June 30, 2010! As an added bonus any member who renews online (annual or quarterly) before June 30, 2010 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a pair of Loupes! For your chance to win one of two pairs of Orascoptic loupes-a $1,500.00 value-renew your ADHA membership online TODAY! IMPORTANT NOTICE! Summer Cycle renewal members who choose to take advantage of the Quarterly Payment Plan must renew by the June 30th deadline in order to stay in "Summer Cycle Renewal". Members who miss the June 30th deadline will have to wait until the winter cycle to renew with the the Quarterly Payment Plan option. Don't let your membership lapse! Renew by June 30 to maintain the benefits of ADHA and CDHA membership. Learn more... If you are already in the Summer Cycle by taking advantage of the QPP during the last promotion in April, CDHA appreciates your membership and ongoing support of our professional association. Maximizing Your Membership Need Some Help Paying Your Membership Dues? 3M ESPE has partnered with ADHA to give away several one-year ADHA memberships. (over $300 value for California members) It's FREE to enter for a chance to win by simply becoming a fan of the 3M ESPE Preventive Care Facebook Fan page and post a wall comment about one of the topics listed. You will be automatically entered to WIN! California Dental Hygienists' Association Liz Marks, RDH CDHA Membership Council Chair email: syrdh@comcast.net phone: 805-693-0989