Dentists naturally want to focus every minute of their workday on patient care. To do that, they rely on a support staff trained and tuned in to every detail of the practice, including cleanliness, proper recordkeeping, safety protocols and patient privacy. It takes ongoing training to keep those skills current and sharp. Which is why dentists need to partner with Linda Cannon and her company, MSDS {Medical Safety Development Services), founded 35 years ago to help dental offices comply with state and federal regulatory rules and safety requirements.

Currently, Linda works with 1,750 dental clients nationwide and is reaching out to help even more offices, especially new dentists who may not be familiar or comfortable with today's regulatory challenges.

"We are authorized by the Department of Labor to assist dental offices in complying with OSHA state and federal guidelines," Linda explains. "This is the highest training we can receive from the Department of Labor. We become your advocate and guide you with the knowledge and confidence that you will pass inspection. I've had more than 300 investigations and inspections over 35 years and have had no citations from HIPAA or OSHA."

To keep dental offices proficient in regulatory standards, Linda and her six staff members provide convenient educational services for busy dental offices, offering lectures, web and teleconferences, or in-office training. Ongoing training also gives dental offices access to free office manuals and around-the-clock contact via Linda's private and direct email and text. All presentation topics can be covered in either full-day or half-day sessions or tailored to individual needs.

Topics available include OSHA's bloodborne pathogens; medical emergencies in the dental office; HIPAA's latest update, the Omnibus Rule; risk management through recordkeeping; the complete inspection process; hazard communications and recordkeeping; CDC's infection control measures; recognizing the four types of abuse: child, elderly, domestic violence and human trafficking; and mandatory annual training in infection control.

MSDS also covers the 10 classes that OSHA requires annually: fire extinguisher safety, evacuation plans {active shooter), egress, eye wash station, needlestick safety, safety data sheets, ladder, electrical and noise safety, and bloodborne pathogens. An instructor with the American Heart Association, Linda also provides CPR training. In addition, MSDS offers employee screening, water testing, hazard communication poster and labels, and medical emergency products.
"One of the benefits of my classes is they are educationally driven and have CEs for everything I teach," Linda notes. She does all the teaching-seven to 14 classes weekly, including large webinars for dental supply companies such as Patterson.

Though her classes are critical to good patient care and office management, Linda believes her mock office inspections are among her most valuable services.

"We go through every drawer and binder, looking for infractions," she explains. "We may find some moisture on an instrument, which can mean your autoclave was not functioning properly and drying thoroughly. We may find incorrect labeling or products that are out of their original containers or have expired. A dental office can't have expired products, such as EpiPen®. We will search through your First Aid and medical kits, look at product expiration dates, and remind you if any are close to expiring. If you are a sedation dentist, the meds given must be documented bi-annually as well as certain equipment for certain sedations."

Mock inspections can also help Linda find ways to incorporate savings into a dental office's expenses. For example, a Richmond office was spending $3,000 a year on their filtering system for their Amalgam separator when changing to a filtering system that cost only $500-$800 per year would have been perfectly acceptable. How did Linda know that detail about the Amalgam separator? "When the Amalgam separator came available, I learned every detail about it," she says.
Linda's mock inspections also include tips on communicating with inspectors, who closely look at procedures and policies. An inspector may ask how patients' rooms are cleaned, so Linda addresses the answers needed to satisfy that question.  

When a dental office not under her guidance gets into trouble, she can be there to help them get out of trouble. Recently, an out-of-state dental practice contacted her after being cited $68,000 in infractions during an inspection. To correct the situation, Linda taught regulatory classes, conducted a mock inspection, and helped them prepare "beautiful paperwork." After back-and-forth negotiations with the inspector, the citations were reduced to $2,000.

"I teach dental offices how to communicate with the inspectors so there are no hiccups along the way," she says. "For instance, you never tell an inspector to leave your office and get a warrant. I helped one dentist who in his past told the inspector to get a warrant, and the inspector was livid, hired a plumber and electrician, and had a field day."

As a regulatory compliance specialist, Linda calls on her life's earlier experiences to help her navigate the delicate and complex processes that keep dental offices in good stead with state and federal regulations. Her work life began early on when her father, a chief financial officer for an engineering company, introduced her to government contracts. From there, she worked with a naval dental clinic, was hired by a dental office to help on the clerical side, and soon became a dental supply sales representative. Along the way, she learned and taught CPR to healthcare providers and trained as a cardiac tech and paramedic with Virginia Beach City Rescue. Her classes at Old Dominion University included business and contract law. Linda also has therapy horses that she uses to provide therapeutic mindful meditation to people who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts or have been victims of abuse through horses for the abused, suicidal. She also provides community service hours for those under 25 years old.

Linda has been honored as a Fellow with SCN {Speaker Consulting Network) and  is an honorary member of the Tidewater Dental Assisting Association. An instructor/trainer for the American Heart Association, she is an authorized trainer for the Department of Labor. Each of those professional steps prepared her for what she loves doing now: helping dental offices focus on their core mission-giving patients their undivided attention and providing top-notch care.

Linda notes that she takes the very same classes that the inspectors do. "This puts me in a circle of love, and the inspectors feel comfortable with everything I do. We point your office toward safety and hold your hand every step of the way. I keep dental offices out of trouble, "Linda concludes, adding with a sly smile, "People who know me know that I only wear cowgirl boots. Anyone who hurts my clients may just get a kick in the..."