YOU NEED TO KNOW:

·         Fluoridation Levels per the U.S. Public Health Service

Earlier this year, the U.S. Public Health Service released its new recommendation for fluoride in drinking water for prevention of caries---0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.  This level matches the fluoride level recommended in 2010 by the ADA Council on Academic Affairs.

Community water fluoridation is one of the least costly, most effective ways to prevent dental disease.  The ADA and most state dental societies have set a goal of bringing optimally fluoridated water to 80% of the population served by public water by 2020.  Further, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has concurred in these efforts for many years.

·         Changes to OSHA Requirements for Safety Data Sheets

As of June 2015, OSHA has updated labeling requirements for material safety data sheets, including the name which is now “Safety Data Sheets”.  Safety Data Sheets must be standardized in a user-friendly 16-section format.  Further, hazardous product labels must contain pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements, the product name, and supplier identification.  Employers must provide staff training on particulars of the new labels and Safety Data Sheet formats.  This change to requirements for labeling hazardous products and training of staff aligns the U.S. OSHA regulations with the “United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals”.  No matter your opinion of regulations dictated by the UN that affect your practice, compliance is mandatory or face a fine in case of an OSHA inspection of your office.

For further information on bringing Safety Data Sheets, hazardous product labels, and staff training in your office to revised OSHA standards, call the ADA Member Service Center at 1-800-947-4746 or order The ADA Practical Guide to OSHACompliance at ada,org.