On December 12, 2009 the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s (SBOD) amended regulations for dental hygiene practice took effect. Hygienists may apply for a permit to administer local anesthesia under a dentist’s direct supervision. Hygienists who meet the requisite training and education requirements also may apply for a permit to work as a public health dental hygienist (PDHA) in public settings such as nursing homes and schools. Hygienists’ continuing education requirements are now based on whether they apply for any of these permits, and they also may apply three of their 20 credit hours to communication skills.
There also are changes to requirements for supervising hygienists based on the ASA classification of a patient’s health, and an extension of the 90-day rule for providing hygiene services to one year when the general supervision definition applies.
The new regulations may be accessed at the following site: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-50/2275.html
Due in large part to PDA members’ efforts and involvement in the legislative process, the Senate of Pennsylvania passed HB 602 by a vote of 49-0 on April 14, 2010 and Governor Rendell signed the Bill (now Act 19) into law on April 29.
This legislation allows Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) to perform coronal polishing and fluoride varnish and take impressions of teeth for athletic appliances. It also appoints one EFDA and an additional dentist to the State Board of Dentistry, maintaining a solid majority of dentists to decide on dental licensee issues.
PDA had HB 602 introduced when the Governor enacted a law permitting hygienists to practice as public health dental hygienists in public settings. PDA argued successfully that an expansion of EFDA duties would allow EFDAs to “fill the gaps” in dental offices and clinics which now have hygienists practicing in public settings. An independent audit conducted after Kansas passed similar legislation in the 1990s found an increase in access to dental care.
“This legislation is a great step in the right direction toward ensuring that Pennsylvanians can obtain the preventive dental care they need to improve their health,” said PDA’s immediate past president, Dr. President Andrew J. Kwasny. “The PDA applauds our state lawmakers for passing this bill that would allow dentists and dental assistants to treat more patients. We are particularly indebted to Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) and Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) for their leadership in steering this bill to passage.”
Experior Assessments, LLC, is the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry approved administrator for the radiologic procedure examination. Dental assistants and other staff members who take radiographs in your practice may schedule an exam, access study resources, sample questions and exam content outlines, by calling 888-378-7324 or visiting http://www.experioronline.com/pahc.htm
Congratulations to the following Active Members who have been elected ada life members: Dr. Avrohm A. Covitz, Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso, Dr. Robert Goldberg, Dr. John J. Leonard, Jr., Dr. Ramesh M. Shah, Dr. Philip T. Siegel, Dr. Richard Tobey. Each member has fulfilled the requirements for Life Membership – including at least 30 years of continuous membership at the local, state and national levels.
Dr Jay M. Goldberg was one of the “faces of American dentistry” featured in ADA dental practice management brochures, including the Dental Practice Hub, designed to provide dentists with tools and tips to help practice the clinical and business sides of dentistry successfully. Jay’s photo is on the ADA web site as well as on the printed brochure.
Dr. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, professor of periodontics and former dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine was reappointed as an ADA spokesperson on periodontics. ADA spokespersons complete an intensive session in communications skills, including exercises, discussions, on-camera practice, media interviewing and public speaking to prepare for their roles as the association’s public and media representatives on key dental topics.
Dr. Judith A. McFadden was awarded the 2010 PDA Distinguished Service Award during the association’s Annual Session in April 2010. The Annual Awards Committee noted Dr. McFadden’s willingness to serve organized dentistry and her exemplary leadership skills at the local, state and national level for more than two decades. Dr. McFadden was nominated by the Philadelphia County Dental Society as one “whose contribution of time and effort to the PDA has been exceptionally significant, whose significant achievements and high standards have been of such character as to have materially aided and advanced the science and art of dentistry, and as one whose public life and activities have been of such a nature as to reflect great credit upon the profession.”
Dr. Philip T. Siegel was awarded the 2010 PDA Public Service Award during the association’s Annual Session in April 2010. The Annual Awards Committee cited his continuous and unwavering commitment to the profession and improving the oral health of citizens across the commonwealth, including his tireless efforts to increase access to care. The Philadelphia County Dental Society’s nomination of Dr. Siegel noted that “he has always given generously of his time and expertise to our dental associations and never seeks to be ‘in the spotlight’ himself. His outstanding reputation within the profession certainly qualifies him as one who is worthy of consideration for the Public Service Award, one whose personal activities, actions or contributions have improved the oral health of the public.”
Dr. David A. Tecosky was interviewed by WYBE TV on a number of dental questions that are being aired throughout the Philadelphia area. Also, his letter to the editor of JADA was printed in the April 2010 issue. Dr. Tecosky raised a concern that a previously published guest editorial by Dr. William Kohn, “Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases: Be Prepared,” (JADA 2010;141[1]:10-13) omitted discussion about the effects of tuberculosis. Dr. Kohn’s reply was printed (JADA 2010; 141 [4];381).
The ADA is offering The ADA Practical Guide to HIPAA Compliance: Privacy and Security Kit to help dentists comply with HIPAA Privacy and Security and with the enhanced requirements that were part of HITECH Act provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The new HITECH Act rules include when and how dentists must provide notification if protected health information has been exposed in a security breach as well as the breach notification process that a business associate must follow. The ADA recommends that dentists review and revise their Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance programs and make any necessary changes to their Notice of Privacy Practices and to business associate agreements.
The kit includes sample forms, policies and procedures, checklists and risk assessment questions that can be tailored to individual practices. In addition, the kit includes sample Notice of Privacy Practices and Business Associate Agreement Amendment provisions, workforce training guidance and an analysis of twelve HIPAA Privacy and Security Attributes that are key to compliance.
The Kit also includes a companion CD-ROM to help dentists tailor the contents of the kit to their practices. Dentists who purchase the Privacy and Security Kit will receive a subscription to the ADA’s annual HIPAA Compliance Update Service through January 2013, which will provide users with current information about rules, regulations and news regarding HIPAA requirements. In addition, dentists who purchase the Privacy and Security Kit are eligible to earn up to eight continuing education credits by successfully completing the HIPAA test at adaceonline.org The fee for the test is $29 for members.
The ADA member price for the ADA Practical Guide to HIPAA Compliance: Privacy and Security Kit is $225 and the price is $337.50 for non-members. For more information, please visit www.adacatalog.org
Responding to customer complaints and input from dental organizations, including the ADA, Align Technologies, Inc., announced April 22, 2010 that, effective immediately, it no longer would require dentists to start at least 10 cases each year in order to remain Invisalign providers.
ADA staffer James Berry reported on ADA.org that ADA leaders learned in a telephone conversation with Align President Thomas Prescott that the company had dropped the 10-case requirement from a so-called “proficiency program.” Announced in June 2009, the 10-case requirement was met with sharp opposition from dentists using the Invisalign system and spurred the ADA to contact the company. “We were able to sustain the relationship with Align while working to convince them that their proficiency requirements would not be effective in assuring patient satisfaction or professional competency,” said Dr. Ron Tankersley, ADA president. “We are pleased to have played a role in reversing this policy on behalf of our members.”
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