Opening a dental practice for yourself after graduation can be great, but you should also know things that might affect your business. One such is the start-up costs. It can be the biggest barrier while opening your dental career. The second is malpractice insurance. Malpractice insurance is often expensive and is required by every dentist to run a legit business. The third is the competition level of the market. There is significant competition in dentistry, which makes it difficult to attract patients. Therefore, to overcome such problems, you should contact a Torrance Dental Attorney.
Health compliance issues for dentists and orthodontists.
There are several health compliance issues that dentists and orthodontists need to be aware of. These include infection control, radiation safety, and ergonomics.
- Infection Control
Dentists and orthodontists need to take precautions to prevent the spread of infection. This includes using personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, and gowns. They should also practice proper hand hygiene and use sterile instruments.
- Radiation Safety
Dentists and orthodontists use x-ray machines to take pictures of teeth and jaws. They need to be appropriately trained to use these machines and follow all safety guidelines.
- Ergonomics
Dentists and orthodontists must be aware of ergonomic risks, such as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. They can reduce these risks using proper body mechanics and daily breaks.
Stark Law
Dental practices must be aware of the requirements under Stark Law to ensure they comply. Stark Law prohibits physicians from referring patients to health care providers in which the physician has a financial interest unless an exception applies. This prohibition applies to referrals for both services that are covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other federally funded programs.
Anti-Kickback Statute
The Anti-Kickback Statute is a federal law that prohibits dental practices from offering or receiving anything of value in exchange for referring patients to another dental practice. This includes referral fees, kickbacks, or anything else of value. The statute protects patients from being steered to certain practices based on financial incentives rather than their needs.
HIPAA and dental care compliance issues
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that requires covered entities (healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other organizations that handle personal health information) to protect the confidentiality of personal health information.
Dental care providers have covered entities under HIPAA and must take steps to protect the confidentiality of their patient’s personal health information. This includes taking measures to prevent unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal health information.
Dental care providers must also ensure that their employees are trained on HIPAA compliance and are aware of the penalties for violating HIPAA rules.
Dental care providers should have policies and procedures to address HIPAA compliance. They should also design their office space and workflows to protect the confidentiality of personal health information.