News, Articles and Resources for Managing a Practice in California

• Dental Board Approves Sterilization Regulations
• New and Improved "You and Your Orthodontist"
• New Dental Materials Fact Sheet
• Doctors Business Seminar at CAO Annual Meeting
• Proposition 65 Posting Requirements Eased
• Locum Tenens Service
• Bite Down Early: A Parent's Guide to Detecting Bite Problems
• Link To Bite Down Early on the CAO Website
• Questions About Ordering CAO Brochures?

News for Orthodontic Practice

Dental Board Approve Sterilization Regulations

This year’s revised sterilization regulations have been approved by the California Dental Board, as follows:

CAO sought long to remove the “wrapping before sterilization” requirement. However, we did not prevail.  All infection control regulations a revised annually by the Dental Board and we will continue advocating our positions.

See more on sterilization requirements or download the regulations.

New and Improved "You and Your Orthodontist" Informed Consent Booklet

After a couple of years of concerted effort, a new, revised version of "You and Your Orthodontist" is available.

CAO's informed consent booklet for the orthodontic patient now has a handsome and distinctive purple cover.

The booklet retains the patient-friendly language and contains new material that makes it even more effective. More >

New Dental Materials Fact Sheet

The final version of the updated “consumer friendly” restorative materials fact sheet was approved by the Dental Board. It is called The Facts about Fillings.

The Board is distributing a copy to all dentists in California.

Unless you are doing restorations, you do not need to distribute this fact sheet to your patients.

More on the Dental Materials Facts Sheet.

Download the Fact Sheet in English, Spanish and Chinese, plus instructions.

Attorney General Eases Proposition 65 Posting Requirements

In the Spring of 2004, three years after our initial efforts on this issue began, we received written confirmation from the Attorney General (AG) confirming that orthodontists are cleared from Proposition 65 sign posting requirements regarding nickel and chromium.

However, CDA has cautioned us that there may be other listed materials and chemicals found in orthodontic offices.

Even with the AG's written clearance of the nickel and chromium posting requirement, we recommend that CAO members personally review Prop 65 frequently to be certain that none of the listed materials are being used.

See our Prop 65 update or the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment information on Prop 65.

Locum Tenens Service

If you need assistance during time out of your practice or if you are willing to fill in on a temporary basis while your CAO colleagues are out of the office, on an extended vacation, working on other projects, or are ill or disabled, contact the Practice Opportunities Coordinator at the AAO for assistance. Katie O'Rourke can be reached at (888) 242-3934 or at korourke@aaortho.org. 

Bite Down Early: A Parent's Guide to Detecting Bite Problems

The CAO's Bite Down Early kit is designed to help the public understand the advantages of orthodontic detection and treatment.

The kit has been field tested nationally and found to be simple to use and most effective: just tear off the ruler and place against the lower front teeth to determine the extent of malocclusion.

Order Bite Down Early.

Link To Bite Down Early on the CAO Website

The complete Bite Down Early brochure is available on the CAO Web site.

Orthodontists may want to include a link to the kit (www.caortho.org/products/bite1.cfm) from their Web sites.

Questions About Ordering CAO Brochures?

We've added a list of frequently asked questions about ordering CAO brochures and the answers.

Next: Practice Management Articles and Tips