Top 10 Year End To-Do List for a Dental Office

by Olivia Wann, JD

As we close out 2025 and say hello to 2026, it’s a great time to look back at the past 12 months and take a “compliance inventory.” Assess how well your practice achieved the goals of infection control, and OSHA and HIPAA compliance.

1 . Ensure team members have satisfied required OSHA-HIPAA training. Use the OSHA-compliant training roster.

2 . Update safety plans such as the Exposure Control Plan especially adding the provision:

a . For recapping: The end-user of the device- a DDS or RDH-uses the one-handed scoop technique, a mechanical device designed for holding the needle cap to facilitate one-handed recapping, or an engineered sharps injury protection device.

b . For disposal: In most situations, the end-user of the sharp will dispose of the sharp in a sharps container as soon as possible. In limited circumstances where the end user cannot immediately dispose of the sharp due to patient-treatment needs, the dental assistant will immediately dispose of the sharp. 

3 . Update the chemical inventory with new product’s SDS plus verify that the items in the inventory match the particular brand in the product actually used.

4 . Be sure verification of the hepatitis B vaccine (or declination) is in the confidential medial record 

5 . Verify the current operating system on your computers as Windows 11.

6 . Be sure the business associate agreements are in place and signed for all non-employees who have access to ePHI.

7 . Check CE requirements (such as chemical dependency and prescription writing) are up to date.

8 . Check licensed team member’s dental licenses to ensure everyone is up to date.

9 . Verify that the HIPAA Security Risk Assessment has been completed for the year and any deficiencies were addressed.

10 . Celebrate one another’s wins and continue to establish a culture of compliance in your practice.

Consider creating a checklist for yourself that is met by the end of each year. Instead of trying to swallow many compliance items at once, perhaps make a resolution that 2026 will be the year that each thing is accomplished accordingly throughout the year.

We at Modern Practice Solutions want to close out this year and begin the new year by looking back and thanking all of you for making this year so amazing. So thank you for making our 2025 so great!