Get ready for another steamy day in Maryland!
I am hoping to spend the next several weeks talking about some lesser-known bills that are important to dentistry and were signed into law over the last couple of months. They are all listed on our website, so please take a minute to visit msda.com/legislation and click on the link that says “view key legislation” on the right-hand side of the page to view the bills (now laws) important to our profession.
Today’s topic is HB 499/SB 335, Health Occupations – Private Dental Offices – Infection Control. This law sets up new criteria that every dental office must follow to ensure compliance with infection control regulations. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2024. We expect the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners to have registration details prior to that time.
This law requires:
- Each owner of a private dental office to designate a licensed dentist to be the supervising dentist for the office.
- The supervising dentist to complete the registration required by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners and be responsible for all “infection control activities” within the office.
- The owner of a practice to immediately designate an interim supervising dentist should the designated dentist relinquish responsibility for infection control issues.
A few things of note:
- The Maryland state Board of Dental Examiners may charge a registration fee.
- The law specifically points out that the supervising dentist is not responsible for activities in control of individual dentists, including use of adequate personal protective equipment or sterilization of instruments.
- Individuals, such as a dental assistant or hygienist, may assist with regulatory compliance, but the registered supervisory dentist is the person held accountable to the Board of Dental Examiners.
Infection control is critically important to our patients and our practices. Please go directly to the law, and consult your attorney, to ensure you are in compliance with the new law.
Stay cool this weekend!