Dental Regulations
This is a list of the U.S. state regulations regarding dental sterilization and how often tests must be done to ensure that equipment is being kept sterile and safe for use.
Alabama - Alabama recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Alaska - Alaska recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Arizona - Arizona recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Arkansas - Page 78 of the Dental Practice Act details the requirements for keeping equipment sterile. Arkansas requires monthly sterilization tests to be performed.
California - The Dental Board of California requires weekly testing to ensure that sterilization equipment is working properly and recommends spore testing.
Colorado - The Colorado Dental Board follows CDC guidelines. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Connecticut - Connecticut recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Delaware - Delaware recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Florida - The Florida Board of Dentistry requires that testing be done every 40 hours of use or every 30 days, whichever comes first.
Georgia - The Georgia Board of Dentistry recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Hawaii - Hawaii recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Idaho - The Idaho Board of Dentistry recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Illinois - Illinois recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Indiana - The Indiana Department of Health requires weekly testing to ensure that sterilization equipment is working properly. For dental equipment they recommend spore testing.
Iowa - The Iowa Dental Board recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Kansas - The Kansas Dental Board requires spore testing to be done after six days of use or at least once a month. They also require that dental offices keep records of their spore test results for 3 years.
Kentucky - Kentucky recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Louisiana - Louisiana recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Maine - The Maine Board of Dental Examiners (chapter 9) recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Maryland - Maryland recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Massachusetts - Massachusetts recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Michigan - Michigan recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Minnesota - Minnesota recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Mississippi - Mississippi recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Missouri - The Missouri Dental Association recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Montana - Montana recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Nebraska - Nebraska recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Nevada - The Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
New Hampshire - The New Hampshire General Court states that they follow the current guidelines of the American Dental Association (ADA) which clearly states that monitoring sterilization processes is an essential part of infection control. Testing is required weekly.
New Jersey - The New Jersey Board of Dentistry (page 75) recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
New Mexico - New Mexico recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
New York - New York recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
North Carolina - The North Carolina Dental Board states that they follow the current guidelines of the American Dental Association (ADA) which clearly states that monitoring sterilization processes is an essential part of infection control. Testing is required weekly.
North Dakota - North Dakota recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Ohio - The Ohio State Dental Board requires weekly testing of sterilization devices to ensure they’re working properly and also requires that records of testing be kept for at least 2 years.
Oklahoma - The Oklahoma State Department of Health requires autoclave testing weekly or with each autoclave load if used less than once a week. The use of spore test strips is also a requirement.
Oregon - The Oregon Board of Dentistry requires weekly sterilization testing of autoclaves or other heat sterilization devices to ensure they’re working properly.
Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Rhode Island - Rhode Island recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
South Carolina - The South Carolina Board of Dentistry recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
South Dakota - South Dakota Legislature recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Tennessee - Tennessee recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Texas - Texas Administrative Code states that equipment must be sterilized using one of a variety of sterilization devices and testing must be done weekly as in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Utah - Tennessee recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Vermont - Vermont recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Virginia - The Virginia Board of Dentistry (page 15) recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Washington - Washington State Legislature requires weekly testing of autoclaves for sterilization and offices are required to keep testing records for 5 years.
West Virginia - The West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners follows the guidelines set by the ADA which requires weekly testing of sterilization devices.
Wisconsin - Wisconsin recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.
Wyoming - Wyoming recommends that CDC guidelines be followed. The CDC advises that tests be done weekly.