Workplace safety for a dental practice

Workplace safety for a dental practice

A dental practice is a small workplace with an unusually dense set of risks: blood and saliva, sharps, disinfectants, an autoclave, an X-ray unit and hazardous healthcare waste. Both the Labour Inspectorate and the regional public health authority have reasons to visit.

What you need from your first employee

• familiarisation on entry and refresher training at least every two years (Section 7(1) and (5) of Act No. 124/2006 Coll.),
• a written risk assessment document and a list of personal protective equipment (Section 6(1)(c) and (d) of Act No. 124/2006 Coll.),
• occupational health service and work categorisation (Section 21(3) of Act No. 124/2006 Coll.),
• fire protection training on entry and then at least every 24 months (Section 22 of Decree No. 121/2002 Coll.),
• fire protection documentation under Section 9(2) of Act No. 314/2001 Coll.,
• records of occupational accidents under Section 17 of Act No. 124/2006 Coll.

Biological factors and sharps

Work with possible contact with blood or other body fluids falls under Government Regulation No. 83/2013 Coll. on the protection of health at work with biological factors. In practice this means assessing the exposure risk and keeping a record of it, categorising the work and notifying the regional public health authority, keeping a list of employees exposed to group 3 and 4 biological factors, and taking measures to prevent sharps injuries: safety devices, puncture-proof sharps containers and a ban on recapping used needles. You also need a written procedure for what happens after a needlestick injury, who reports it and where the person is sent. Offering hepatitis B vaccination to exposed employees is a standard measure set up with the occupational health service.

Disinfection is a chemical factor

Surface and instrument disinfectants are chemical substances and mixtures under Government Regulation No. 355/2006 Coll. You need safety data sheets, an assessment of the risk from chemical factors, correct storage and the protective equipment the manufacturer requires. Gloves and eye protection while diluting concentrates are not a formality.

Autoclave and X-ray

The autoclave is pressure equipment and follows the manufacturer's instructions and, according to its classification, Decree No. 508/2009 Coll. The intraoral X-ray unit brings the practice under the radiation protection regime of Act No. 87/2018 Coll.: you need authorisation, a designated responsible person, personal dosimetry where required and clearly marked controlled areas.

Healthcare waste

Sharps, contaminated material and unused medicines are hazardous waste under Act No. 79/2015 Coll. You need a contract with an authorised collector, correctly labelled closable containers, waste records and a storage place patients cannot reach.

Fire protection in rented premises

Most practices are in rented buildings. Unless the lease says otherwise, the tenant performs the fire protection duties (Section 6(2) of Act No. 314/2001 Coll.): portable fire extinguishers under Section 9 of Decree No. 347/2022 Coll. checked once a year, clear escape routes, marking under Government Regulation No. 387/2006 Coll. and preventive fire inspections under Section 14 of Decree No. 121/2002 Coll.

Electrical and dental equipment

Electrical appliances are tested under STN 33 1630:2025, which replaced STN 33 1600 and STN 33 1610 on 1 May 2025, with parallel use until 1 May 2027. The electrical installation is dedicated technical equipment under Decree No. 508/2009 Coll., and dental technology follows its own service regime set by the manufacturer.

Ask for a quotation for your dental practice and tell us how many employees you have.