STANDARD 6: Staffing Management

6.1 Licensure, Registration, and Certification

1. The dental organization shall have a policy and practice for outlining and verifying that each staff member possesses a valid and current license, registration, or certification as required by national law.

2. All staff, including contract staff, shall function within the limits of their current license, registration, or certification.

3. Staffing levels shall be maintained in keeping with national law, standard of care, and the scope of practice of the dental organization.

4. Members of staff shall receive an orientation developed and approved by the dental organization management. This orientation shall include: 

a) general safety practices; 

b) emergency procedures and evacuation processes; 

c) document control of patient records and other information as required by the dental organization; 

d) infection control; 

e) hand-washing requirements; 

f) use of PPE;

g) facility emphasis on patient focus and customer satisfaction; 

h) patient confidentiality and ethical considerations; 

i) operation of equipment, including medical devices, in a safe manner; 

j) other topics as required by the dental organization and national or other regulatory requirements.

6.2 Staff Competence

1. The dental organization shall take actions to achieve the necessary level of staff performance within the scope and job description of all personnel. Appropriate documented information shall be maintained as evidence of staff competence.

2. The dental organization shall ensure that persons doing work under the organization’s control are aware of:

a) relevant quality goals; 

b) their contribution to the effectiveness of the dental organization operation, including the benefits of improved performance and patient satisfaction.

6.3 Health Promotion

1. The dental organization shall have policies and procedures that address healthcare and disease prevention and control within the staff and patients. These shall include but are not limited to: 

a) a program for monitoring, measuring, and improving employee physical and mental health; 

b) required immunizations; 

c) treatment of job-related injuries; 

d) intervention and mitigation of substance abuse; 

e) other areas deemed necessary by the dental organization; 

f) reasonable surveillance of communicable disease from patient vectors.