The 2026 Dental Practice Compliance Checklist

Every year, we audit dozens of dental practices. And every year, the same handful of compliance gaps show up again and again. The good news? Most of them are fixable in days, not weeks. Here's our 2026 checklist based on the patterns we see most often.

1. Sterilization Monitoring

Biological indicators (spore tests) should be run weekly for every autoclave. Chemical indicators should be present on every pack. Many practices we visit have spore test results on file but can't produce them for a specific date range when asked. Keep logs organized, dated, and easily accessible.

2. Exposure Control Plan

OSHA requires a written exposure control plan that's reviewed and updated annually. Many practices have one from years ago that hasn't been touched since. Your plan should reflect your current staff, current procedures, and current equipment.

3. PPE Availability & Usage

It's not enough to have PPE in the closet. Every team member should know when and how to don and doff gloves, masks, eyewear, and gowns. We watch for proper sequence — gloves off last, for example — during our audits.

4. Surface Disinfection Protocols

Contact time matters. If your disinfectant requires 3 minutes of wet contact time but your team is wiping surfaces dry after 30 seconds, you're not actually disinfecting. Post the required contact time at each operatory station.

5. Sharps Management

Sharps containers should be wall-mounted, within arm's reach of the point of use, and replaced when they reach the fill line. Overfilled or floor-standing containers are among the most common citations we see.

"Compliance isn't about perfection — it's about having systems in place that catch problems before they become citations."

Next Steps

If any of these items sound familiar, you're not alone — and you're not in trouble. The best time to address compliance gaps is before an inspector shows up. Schedule a full audit with our team to identify and fix gaps before they become citations.