Does the OSHA Annual Training Also Cover HIPAA Requirements?

A question we hear often from dental offices is: “If we complete the OSHA Annual Training, does that also cover our HIPAA training?” It’s a great question—and the answer is no, not exactly. While both OSHA and HIPAA trainings are required every year for all dental team members, they cover different areas of compliance and are enforced by different federal agencies.

OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, under the Department of Labor) focuses on workplace safety—things like bloodborne pathogens, infection control, hazardous materials, and protecting staff from injury or illness on the job. HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services) focuses on patient privacy and data protection—keeping health information secure and preventing unauthorized access or disclosure.

Because these are two separate government agencies with different purposes, dental teams usually need to complete both OSHA and HIPAA training each year. That’s why MyDentalCE.com offers courses covering both areas, either as a PDF or video training program. Each course is written specifically for dental offices and updated regularly to reflect current regulations, so your team gets exactly what’s needed—without the extra fluff that comes with generic healthcare programs.

Our OSHA and HIPAA courses are fully accredited by ADA CERP and AGD PACE in all 50 states. This accreditation means our content meets the continuing education standards accepted by most state dental boards and professional organizations nationwide. In nearly every state, completing both MyDentalCE.com’s OSHA and HIPAA courses fulfills your annual federal training obligations.

It’s worth noting that some state dental boards have additional or state-specific requirements—for example, courses in infection control, radiology, or opioid prescribing. While these are separate from OSHA and HIPAA Annual Training, it’s always wise to confirm your office’s compliance with your state dental board or licensing agency if you’re uncertain.

In short, OSHA and HIPAA training should be considered two separate annual requirements. Our goal is to make it easy for your team to stay compliant and confident—all from one trusted, ADA CERP and AGD PACE–approved source.

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References:

• U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): www.osha.gov
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HIPAA: www.hhs.gov/hipaa
• ADA CERP Accreditation: www.ada.org/cerp
• AGD PACE Program: www.agd.org/pace