What is one key regulation that dental nurses must adhere to?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a key regulation that dental nurses must adhere to because it establishes standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information. Compliance with HIPAA is essential in a dental setting where nurses handle personal health data, ensuring that it is kept confidential and secure from unauthorized access. This regulation not only protects patient rights but also sets clear guidelines on how patient information should be stored, shared, and transmitted within the healthcare system.

In contrast, while the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) addresses the rights of individuals with disabilities, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) focuses on healthcare coverage and costs, these do not specifically pertain to the operational aspects of patient information management like HIPAA does. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) primarily concerns workplace safety and health standards rather than patient privacy, making HIPAA the most relevant regulation for dental nurses to follow in managing patient information.