Healthcare

WHS Management for Dental Practices

Manage sharps injuries, aerosol hazards, mercury exposure, and sustained posture risks in dental practice settings.

Dental practices generate aerosol-borne biological hazards from every high-speed procedure, expose workers to sharps injuries from needles and burs, and create sustained ergonomic strain from the fixed postures required during patient treatment. Mercury from amalgam preparation and removal remains a chemical hazard in practices that have not transitioned to composite materials. Nitrous oxide sedation creates anaesthetic gas exposure for dental staff when scavenging systems are inadequate. The new Healthcare Code of Practice commencing February 2026 applies to dental practices and will become binding under Section 26A from 1 July 2026.

Key Hazards

Sharps injuries from needles, scalpel blades, and rotary bursAerosol-generated biological exposure from high-speed handpieces and ultrasonic scalersMercury vapour from amalgam preparation, placement, and removalMusculoskeletal injuries from sustained fixed postures during treatmentNitrous oxide exposure from inadequate scavenging during sedationPatient aggression including biting during paediatric and emergency treatment

Regulatory Requirements

HRCW Categories

Work involving hazardous chemicals (mercury, nitrous oxide), work involving biological hazards

Section 26A Codes (binding 1 July 2026)
Healthcare Code of Practice 2026Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the WorkplaceHazardous Manual Tasks

SWMS Required

Sharps ManagementInfection ControlChemical DisinfectionAnaesthetic GasErgonomics Healthcare

Related Sectors

HospitalPharmacy CompoundingVeterinary Clinic

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