Mary A. Bartlett, Senior Vice President & Founder of SafeLink Consulting, has spent more than three decades at the forefront of dental industry compliance and safety. Since 1991, she has been a trusted presenter and on-site instructor for dental and general industry professionals across the United States, Canada, and Asia — delivering expertise on employee health and safety, patient safety, privacy, and quality assurance. She has authored content for numerous national publications, and her clients consistently benefit from her hands-on experience navigating OSHA, FDA, and State Board inspections.
Why Dental Infection Control Requires a Proactive Approach
Don't Wait for the Complaint: Why Infection Control Requires a Proactive Approach For most dental practices and dental laboratories, infection control is something that happens eve
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What Every MedSpa Patient Has the Right to Know
This patient safety guide is co-authored by VIO Franchise Group and SafeLink Consulting. Before you book. Before you consent. Before anyone picks up a needle, laser, or device. The
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Dental 3D Printing Compliance: Is Your Dental Practice at Risk?
Dental 3D printing has made chairside care faster, more precise, and more profitable. What most dentists don't realize is that the technology also brought four new sets of federal
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OSHA Hazard Communication Update: Has Your Workplace Kept Pace?
The first major compliance deadline under OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard has arrived. These hazard communication changes have the potential to impact your business.
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Dental Lab Compliance: What It Takes to Keep a Government Contract
For dental labs, landing a government contract with the VA or another agency feels like a major milestone. But for one California dental lab, that opportunity quickly became a cost
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Fireworks Safety at Company Events: Risks Employers Should Know
For employer-sponsored events, fireworks safety is not just a holiday concern. It is a fire prevention, hazard control, and potential OSHA recordkeeping issue. Every summer, firewo
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OSHA Compliance for Young Workers: What Employers Need to Know
Summer often brings an influx of younger workers into employer settings such as dental practices, dental laboratories, medical spas, wellness centers, medical clinics, and specialt
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Celebrate National Safety Month in June
Since 1996, the National Safety Council has recognized June as National Safety Month. This is a time to raise awareness and promote safe practices in all environments. At SafeLink,
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How to Develop a Lockout/Tagout Program
No matter the level of industry hazard, all general industry businesses must implement elements of Lockout Tagout if they apply to their business according to the OSHA Standards. {
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Elements of an Effective Electrical Safety Policy
Many businesses are not aware that OSHA requires a written Lockout/Tagout Program for electrical safety, which is why the absence of this program continues to be one of the OSHA mo
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SafeLink Appoints Matt Rahman as President & Managing Partner
We are proud to announce the appointment of Matt Rahman as President & Managing Partner of SafeLink Consulting. This strategic move reflects where this firm is headed and what our
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Top 10 OSHA Most Frequently Cited Safety Violations FY2025
Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety violations, highlighting critical areas where e
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Update to OSHA Injury & Illness Tracking
OSHA's update expands submission requirements for certain employers in high-hazard industries. Continue reading to gain further insights into OSHA's Injury & Illness Tracking updat
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Year-End Checkup: Dental Workplace Health & Safety for Practices/Labs
As the year comes to a close, many organizations reflect on performance, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Alongside financial and operational results, workplace healt
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Year-End Reflections: Health & Safety for General Industry
As the year comes to a close, many organizations reflect on performance, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Alongside financial and operational results, workplace healt
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Take-Home Exposures on Street Clothes
OSHA requires employers to assess workplace hazards and determine how to eliminate or minimize them. Within the hierarchy of controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) is consid
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Identifying and Assessing Hazards in the Workplace
After recently presenting a course on hazard identification and assessment, it struck me how many employers could benefit from revisiting this essential process. According to OSHA,
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ADS Institute for Dental Safety Advances Infection Control Leadership
Published July 22, 2025 | Updated: September 1, 2026 When the Association for Dental Safety (ADS, formerly OSAP) announced the creation of the ADS Institute for Dental Safety and S
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Respiratory Protection – Difference Between Mandatory and Voluntary
OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 applies to having a mandatory or a voluntary respiratory protection program. Employers must determine if either of those programs need to be a part of their
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The Forgotten Member Of The Dental Team - The Dental Lab
Missed the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) live event? Access the on-demand course recording here - The Forgotten Member Of The Dental Team - The Dental Lab. This live webinar
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Fire Prevention in the Workplace - How to Use Fire Extinguishers
Are you prepared to handle Fire Emergencies in your workplace? Fires are probably more common than you may think. The NFPA reports that fire departments respond to a fire on averag
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The Importance of Properly Fitting PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
How many times are workers provided personal protective Equipment (PPE) just to find that it doesn’t fit? This could make the worker decide not to wear it since the employer didn’t
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Proper Removal of PPE for Infection Control
Preventing the spread of infection is a constant duty for workers who have potential exposure to infectious materials in the workplace. Routine and complete surface cleaning and di
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Be an Asset Rather Than a Risk as a Supplier or Subcontractor
It is not unusual today for a medical device manufacturer to outsource components of their production to third party subcontractors or suppliers. The subcontractor or supplier is r
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Enhance Trust in Your Supplier Management Process to Reduce Risk
Medical device manufacturers, including dental laboratories, must implement a supplier management process to comply with FDA's quality management system regulations. They must ensu
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Top Ten Quality Mistakes - Part Two
Learning from mistakes, whether our own or others', is a valuable way to improve. In this article, I aim to highlight the top ten quality mistakes often made by businesses and prov
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Top Ten Quality Mistakes - Part One
Since many of us seem to learn better from our own mistakes or the mistakes of others, I’d like to share with you some common top ten quality mistakes made by businesses and how yo
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Georgia Dental CE Requirements for Infection Control & Waterlines
Georgia's Infection Control CE Requirement Contaminated dental unit waterlines have caused documented infections in dental patients nationwide, including nearly 30 children in Geor
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SafeLink Consulting & Grand Avenue Present eQMS Dental FDA Compliance
SafeLink Consulting is pleased to announce its new strategic relationship with Grand Avenue Software, a leading provider of electronic quality management systems, or eQMS tools for
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Understanding the ADA Code of Ethics: A Guide for Dental Professionals
As dental pros, we have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and provide the best possible care to our patients. The American Dental Association (ADA
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Dental Unit Waterline Maintenance: OSHA, CDC & ADA Compliance Guide
Don't Overlook What's Running Through Your Waterlines Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) don't get the same daily attention as sterilization or PPE, but contaminated waterlines have ca
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Dental Infection Control Awareness Month
Published: September 2023 by Kellie Thimmes | Updated by Mary Bartlett: September 1, 2026 Every September, the dental community pauses to recognize Dental Infection Control Awarene
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How Workplace Safety Training Can Save Your Business Time & Money
When asking small business owners why they don’t fulfill OSHA training requirements the most common responses are that it (1) takes time away from employees' productivity, (2) it c
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Guidelines for Equipment Safety in the Workplace
Injuries are common in the workplace, with the number of workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private sector companies in 2020 being 2.7 million.
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Measuring the Value of Safety Programs for your Business
Developing a written health and safety program just isn’t enough. For good business practices as well as being able to demonstrate to the Occupational Safety and Health Administrat
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Preparing and Securing the Workplace for Employee Safety
Why are workplace security measures so important? Because it keeps employees, equipment, and goods secure and safe. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires compa
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Cal-OSHA Injury Illness Prevention Dental Practice or Lab Requirements
Cal-OSHA requires every employer in the state of California to establish, implement and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program. This Program should be in writi
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SafeLink Consulting Named Strategic Partner for the Industry by NADL
SafeLink Consulting has been selected by the NADL - National Association of Dental Laboratories as The Strategic Partner for the industry and featured in JDT - Journal of Dental Te
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Do You Have an FDA-Approved AED For Your Business?
AEDs can be highly effective in saving the lives of people suffering cardiac arrest when used in the first few minutes following collapse from cardiac arrest. Read on to learn more
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Washington State Registration Requirements for the Dental Lab
The state of Washington has passed registration requirements for each dental laboratory operating, doing business, or intending to operate or do business in this state.
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10 Tips For Safely Using Bleach
Many of our clients use bleach in their facilities. Keep in mind that it is a corrosive and can irritate or burn the skin and eyes. Employers must provide appropriate personal prot
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Implementing the Hierarchy of Controls for Workplace Hazards
Identifying hazards and exposures to occupational hazards and then mitigating that risk before work begins should be the goal of all safety and health professionals. A great way to
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Improve Your Safety Program Incident Investigation Procedure
As hard as employers try to prevent work-related injuries, they still happen. Hopefully, the injuries are minor. Even so, an employer should have a procedure in place to investigat
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Building a Quality Improvement Team
Perfecting your product and better serving your customers is the end result of a quality improvement team (QIT). A QIT should consist of a group of multi-skilled employees who will
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Protect Your Workers and Your Business by Fighting the Flu
It’s obvious when the flu vaccine is ready since signs begin to appear at drug stores. Businesses should begin planning their actions to prevent influenza illness when the season a
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Benefits of a Dental Lab Quality Management System
What is a Quality Management System and how can it benefit your dental laboratory? Find out here why businesses pursue certification and how your Quality Management System should b
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Tornado Preparedness In the Workplace
Preparedness is a continuous process of planning, equipping, training, and exercising — and severe weather should be part of that process year-round, not something you think about
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Understanding HIPAA Compliance
It's vital to ensure your business meets HIPAA compliance. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been actively inspecting businesses, otherwise referred to as Cover
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FDA 510 k submission guidance - does my product need a FDA 510k?
Have you developed or are you in the process of developing a product that is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? FDA is responsible for protecting the public healt
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SafeLink Consulting Offers Beverage Compliance Services
SafeLink Consulting, a premier provider of OSHA and FDA regulatory compliance services, offers health & safety programs and quality management system services to assist with bevera
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How to Create an Emergency Action Plan for Your Business: OSHA Guide
Updated: August 26, 2026 A fire alarm goes off. A chemical line ruptures. Severe weather rolls in with twenty minutes' notice. In the moment, your employees don't need a policy bin
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Dental Compliance - Preventing Unnecessary Liabilities
By understanding and preventing unnecessary liabilities associated with patient chairside services your business can reduce risks and stay compliant. The services that the dental l
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Learn why the dental lab may receive an FDA dental compliance notice
Your dental lab's website content and your FDA registration could be sending mixed signals to FDA. Dental labs are receiving notices from FDA asking for additional information on p
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