A Busy Month for Dentistry
The month of May has been a busy one for dentistry in politics. From school based dental care in Louisiana to history making legislation in Minnesota, oral care continues to make the headlines across the country.
House Bill 687 would prohibit the practise of dentistry in elementary and secondary schools in the state of Louisiana. HB 687 passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee on May 12, 2009 to the delight of the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) and American Dental Association (ADA). According to their website, the LDA believes that dental care should be preformed in a permanent office, referring to this as a dental home. The concern over school based dentistry, which is typically preformed in school libraries or gymnasiums, stems from what the association believes is a "quick fix" solution by attempting to provide school based dental treatment. Other concerns voiced by the LDA include:
- School based dentistry eliminated a parents' right to informed consent and right to oversee the treatment offered to their child
- Because the programs are offered in public areas of the school, privacy becomes an issue as well as the lack of proper equipment and possibly proper infection control procedures
- The potential for legal and insurance liability for school districts
On May 19, 2009 HB 687 went before the full house and failed to pass by just two votes. There were 15 representatives absent for the vote. Reconsideration will be available at a later date.
The American Dental Association Foundation held their second annual Give Kids A Smile Awards Gala on May 12, 2009. Members of congress that have supported the ADA's commitment to oral health advocacy goals were honored at the gala held at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
Sen. Susan M. Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D-WI) co-authors of the Dental Health Improvement Act in 2002 which was re-authorized last year, were honored with the ADA's Oral Health Champion Award. Rep. Michael Ross (D-AR) received the ADA's Leadership in Oral Health Advocacy Award. Ross is the lead sponsor of the Essential Oral Health Care Act of 2009.
The ADA Foundation's Give Kids A Smile Fund graciously honored five 2009 grantees who received $20,000 in needed assistance.
On May 13, 2009 Minnesota became the first state to pass legislation to allow "mid-level" oral health providers, specifically enabling students educated under the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) model to become licensed to practise under Senate File 2083. According to the ADHP competencies listed on the American Dental Hygienists Association's website, Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioners would be permitted to practise the following procedures typically reserved for dentists:
- Perform restorative procedures to treat infection, relieve pain and promote oral health including pulp capping in primary and permanent teeth, pulpotomies on primary teeth and preparation of cavities using the direct placement of dental materials
- Extract primary teeth and uncomplicated extraction of permanent teeth
The entire scope of practise may be viewed on the ADHA's website.
Dentistry remains at the forefront of discussion from dentists to members of congress and because of this, the reaffirmation that oral health is a vital part of our overall health and wellness has never been more clear than it is now. If you are concerned about dental care in your state or the country as a whole, I encourage you to voice your concerns by contacting your Governor, regarding matters that impact dentistry in your area.
Comments
Louisiana dentists should be ashamed of themselves.
Mobile dentists make visits to Prince George’s County schools (Maryland)
Program brings convenient dental care to local children
Mobile Dentists, a Michigan-based nonprofit, serves school districts in 14 states and first came to the county last spring. It offers dental care for children whose parents are either unable to afford or too busy to arrange regular dental care.
For $80 or less, depending on financial need, parents can enroll their children in the program, which visits each spring and fall.
The importance of children’s dental care has drawn greater attention in recent years, particularly in Prince George’s County, since Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old student at the Foundation School in Largo, died in 2007 after bacteria from an abscessed tooth spread to his brain.
http://www.gazette.net/stories/05212009/greenew175242_32528.shtml
After reading this article,it seem’s that RIGHTS,stand in the way of whats WRONG!!Having
experienced wearing dentures,I,wish that someone,had introduced a programme like this at my school!!!!!!!!
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