Page 23 - Compendium Chapters for Course 1 (IC, DPA, OSHA)

Similarly, masks must be comfortable and fit well, especially up over the bridge of the nose and under the chin. Protective eyewear must shield against spatter from the sides and front.
OTHER POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIALS
(12) "Other Potentially Infectious Materials" (OPIM) means any one of the following:
(A) Human body fluids such as saliva in dental procedures and any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids;
(B) Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and,
(C) Any of the following, if known or reasonably likely to contain or be infected with HIV, HBV, or HCV:
(i) Cell, tissue, or organ cultures from humans or experimental animals; (ii) Blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals; or
(iii) Culture medium or other solutions.
Although OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is a separate regulatory requirement and compliance area for the dental team, the Dental Board of California has adopted the content of the Standards and requires all dental healthcare workers to comply with the Standards. Included is the term OPIM (Other Potentially Infectious Materials) as seen in the above stated regulation.
DENTAL HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL – DEFINED IN REGULATION
In the latest edition of the Board’s Infection Control Regulations (§CCR1005 adopted 8/2011), the Board defined the term DHCP and in doing so used the term DHCP throughout the regulations to identify who the regulations were to adhere to and who was required to follow and be compliant with the regulations. The regulatory language states the following:
(13) “Dental Healthcare Personnel” (DHCP) are all paid and non-paid personnel in the dental health-care setting who might be occupationally exposed to infectious materials, including body substances and contaminated supplies, equipment, environmental surfaces, water, or air. DHCP includes dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians (in-office and commercial), students and trainees, contractual personnel, and other persons not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious agents (e.g., administrative, clerical, housekeeping, maintenance, or volunteer personnel).
Intro Page - 23
Introductory Chapter: Dental Practice Act, Infection Control and Cal-OSHA
The California RDAEF: A Compendium for Licensure Success © The Foundation for Allied Dental Education, Inc. 2016 Copyright protected. All rights reserved