2026 Catalog: All Courses

This is based upon the tip of the week e-mail sent out by DOH the week of March 10th, 2026. To gain CDE credit, participants must successfully pass a test [score 80] based upon the reading material.

Reading Materials:
https://www.adamemberadvantage.com/resources/culture-of-safety/dental-practices-must-follow-new-pharmaceutical-disposal-protocols-to-stay-compliant:~:text=Treat20dental20carpules20with20trace,unless20properly20destroyed20by20incineration

https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/environmental-control/regulated-medical-waste.html

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2007-01-09-0

The proper disposal of half-used dental anesthetic carpules [cartridges] depends on their condition and whether they are contaminated with blood or saliva. Here are the key points based on current dental infection control and safety guidelines:
1. If the anesthetic carpule is visibly contaminated with blood or saliva:
•   It should be considered regulated medical waste.
•   Place the contaminated carpule in a container that is closable, constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport, or shipping, and is color-coded or labeled appropriately.
•   If the carpule is broken and could penetrate the skin, it must be disposed of in a puncture-resistant sharps container located as close as possible to the area where it was used.
2. If the anesthetic carpule is not visibly contaminated and is intact:
•   It is generally not considered a contaminated sharp and does not require disposal in a sharps container.
•   However, always follow your state and local regulations, as requirements may vary.
3. General considerations:
•   The ultimate disposal of pharmaceutical vials, including anesthetic carpules, must comply with municipal, state, and federal regulations [such as those from the Environmental Protection Agency].
•   Product material safety data sheets may provide additional guidance on proper disposal.
Summary Table:
Condition of Carpule   Disposal Method
Visibly contaminated [blood/saliva]   Regulated medical waste container [leak-proof, labeled]
Broken or able to penetrate skin   Puncture-resistant sharps container
Intact, not contaminated   Follow local/state/federal regulations; not usually sharps

Upon reviewing the NIPCS Tip of the week, you will:
1. Understand the OSHA requirements for regulated medical waste
2. Know how to properly dispose of dental carpules
3. Understand key considerations for contaminated sharps.

Damon Pope — Deputy Project Manager for the IHS Electronic Dental Record IHS DOH National Infection Control Consultant For follow-up questions, please contact the speaker at damon.pope@ihs.gov.

The speaker has no conflicts of interest to report.

It is the policy of the Indian Health Service, Division of Oral Health, that faculty/planners disclose any financial or other relationships with commercial companies whose products may be discussed in the educational activity. The Indian Health Service, Division of Oral Health, also requires that faculty disclose any unlabeled or investigative use of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Images that have been falsified or manipulated to misrepresent treatment outcomes are prohibited.

None of the faculty/planners for this activity has a conflict of interest, and there is no use of unlabeled or investigative pharmaceutical products or medical devices. No images have been falsified or manipulated to misrepresent treatment outcomes.The educational objectives, content, and selection of educational methods and instructors are conducted independent of any commercial entity.

The IHS Division of Oral Health is an accredited sponsor of continuing education under the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP). ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the IHS at IHS CDE Coordinator or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ada.org

Please Make Checks Payable to: Indian Health Service.

Tuition must be paid in full 8 weeks prior to the start date of any course. Request for refunds must be received in writing at least two weeks before the course begins. For each refund request, there will be an administrative charge of $100. No refunds will be made to registrants who fail to attend a course. If IHS CDE program cancels a course, then 100% of the tuition will be refunded.