Dental Regulations Compliance 101
July 31, 2019If you work in a dental office, there are a number of things you need to know about dental regulations and compliance.
HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which developed regulations protecting the security and privacy of health information. There are two parts to HIPAA, the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule. The Privacy Rule set national standards for the protection of certain health information while the Security Rule set national security standards for protecting health information that’s held by medical professionals and transferred in electronic form. It’s vital for every employee in a dental office to be compliant with HIPAA, whether you are a dentist, hygienist, dental assistant, office manager, patient coordinator, receptionist, or the janitor.
State & Federal Regulations
To practice dentistry, every dentist must be licensed in accordance with the State Dental Practicing Act. While the requirements vary from state to state, every dentist must meet and complete an education requirement, a written examination, and a clinical examination. To discover what the exact requirements are for each state, you can contact the Board of Dental Examiners, which governs the qualifications for practicing dentistry within a state. Along with establishing qualifications for licensure, the Board of Dental Examiners also issues licenses, establishes standards of practice and conduct, and takes disciplinary action against those who engage in misconduct. Keep in mind that there may also be other state and federal regulations that could affect your license and practice.
Americans with Disabilities Act
It is also vital that your facility and team are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities. This includes in jobs, schools, transportation, public life, and all public and private places that are open to the public. This law ensures that those with disabilities are given the same opportunities and rights as individuals without disabilities.
Consult with Our Expert Team!
If you have any other questions about dental regulations compliance, contact us today.