Dental News - ADHA supports FTC’s input on dental therapy education

Dental Tribune USA

Tue. 18 February 2014

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NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has issued a statement of support of the recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action that provided written comments to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on proposed standards for dental therapy education programs.

ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell said, “ADHA advocacy efforts to increase access for oral health care across the country, coupled with our efforts to expand the workforce with dental-hygiene-based mid-level oral health care providers, provided the impetus for our ongoing communications with the FTC. (FTC chairman Edith) Ramirez is to be commended for her commitment to promote competition in the oral health care industry for the benefit of consumers.” Battrell’s comments came after she and ADHA Director of Governmental Affairs Ann Lynch, ADHA Director of Education and Research Pamela Steinbach and ADHA Washington Counsel Karen Sealander (of McDermott, Will & Emery) met with Ramirez.

With recognition that Minnesota has developed mid-level oral health providers and noting that a number of state legislatures have legislation pending or planned to create similar programs, the FTC provided 15 pages of written comments to CODA. The comments noted that the proposed dental therapy standards’ effectiveness may be limited by unnecessary statements on supervision, evaluation and treatment planning. The FTC comments included the recommendation that CODA develop standards that do not unnecessarily constrain the discretion of states to determine dental therapy scope of practice and authority.

The FTC comments raised concern that the draft standards do not fully address the accreditation needs in Minnesota and, as proposed, could hinder competition.

CODA is scheduled to meet on Jan. 30 at the ADA offices in Chicago, at which time it is expected to further deliberate on the proposed standards for dental therapy education programs.

About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 150,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health.

(Sources: ADHA, Oral Health America)

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