They’re contentious topics touching dentists everywhere: amalgams, teeth whitening, hygienist autonomy. But while their issues may be similar, the situations under which dentists practice can vary widely. Take dental boards. Virtually every state provides a vehicle through which dental professionals acquire licenses and consumers launch care complaints. But beyond those commonalities lie a host of distinctions. The type of funding, regulatory authority—even administrative systems—can be profoundly different from board to board. As cash-strapped states seek financial rescue, some boards will have greater freedom than others to acquire new revenue. Most states have dental boards that regulate the practice of dentistry. But others operate under a central agency that regulates more than one profession. Some states--Washington and Pennsylvania, to name two--afford great leeway to their boards in establishing regulations. New York and California, on the other hand, can only act through their state’s legislators. Some boards meet weekly, while others convene only rarely. All are charged with “protecting the public” by ensuring the quality of the dental professional. No matter how a board is funded, hiking fees is one necessary tool for survival. According to John Bitting, “I think it’s a virtual certainty we’ll see across-the-board increases in dental licensing costs.” Bitting, DOCS Education’s regulatory counsel, offers a recent fee spike in Wisconsin from $50 to $75 as just one example. Public comment periods generally precede such fee increases and the appearance of a threshold number of interested citizens can prompt a special meeting. But the fact that a crowd appears doesn’t necessary mean the licensing increase will fail, Bitting adds. “Dentists are independent operators who don’t easily find common ground with colleagues and competitors. But acting together on occasion can produce good results. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease.” Having testified before 25 boards on matters related to sedation dentistry, Bitting says there’s another aspect of today’s tense financial climate to which dentists should pay heed. “Besides licensing fees, boards have only one other means through which they can acquire revenue, and it’s much more remunerative. That’s fining perceived violators.” Unfortunately, small lapses can spell big fines, particularly in hard-hit states such as New Jersey, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona and Michigan, Bitting says. “Are you performing a procedure for which you don’t have a permit? If you have a permit, do you display it properly? If an irregularity’s found it could open your whole practice to microscopic review, with disastrous financial results,” Bitting cautions. Some boards can be disconcertingly vindictive when it comes to punishment, Bitting says. “We would hope boards would usually reflect cultures of generosity, but that is not always the case. Particularly in distressed times we may see an almost vicious approach to fining dentists.”

The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor, should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 3250 Airport Way S, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98134. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.
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