A chemical spill occurs in a dental office. What is the most appropriate INITIAL action?

When a chemical spill occurs in a dental office, the initial priority is to reduce inhalation exposure from vapors. Turning on the ventilation system helps to disperse and exhaust chemical vapors from the area, reducing the concentration of hazardous fumes. This is particularly important for volatile chemicals like disinfectants, glutaraldehyde, or mercury (from amalgam spills). All dental offices should have a written hazardous chemical spill response protocol per OSHA Hazard Communication Standards, including access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals. Proper PPE (gloves, mask, eye protection) should then be donned before attempting to clean up the spill.