WASHINGTON, DC / NEW YORK, NY, USA: A bill that would incorporate dentistry into the federal disaster response framework unanimously passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce recently. Introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), the Dental Emergency Responder Act (H.R. 903), the American Dental Association has for several years lobbied Congress vigorously to pass the bill.
“The vote recognizes the important role dentists have played and can continue to play in the event of national disasters,” said ADA President Dr. Ron L. Tankersley. “Many federal, state and local officials don’t realize that medical evaluation and triage are important aspects of dentists’ professional education.”
“Following the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, dentists were among the first to triage and treat the wounded,” he added. “They played a critical role in saving lives.”
The ADA said that passing this bill into law would dramatically increase the number of health professionals able to respond to an emergency.
The Dental Responder Enhancement Act would:
- Incorporate dentists and allied dental personnel into the federal definitions of “public health worker” and “emergency response provider;”
- Incorporate dentists into the National Health Security Strategy and the operational plan for the National Incident Management System;
- Clarify that dental schools are eligible to apply for public health and medical response training grants under the federal Centers for Public Health Preparedness program; and
- Encourage the Department of Homeland Security’s chief medical officer to engage the dental community when addressing medical and public health preparedness issues.
The bill will move to the full House for a vote after the August recess. The Senate has yet to take up the issue.
(Edited by Fred Michmershuizen, DTA)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / NEW YORK, NY, USA: In a society where expert medical care seems ever more elusive and impersonal, the last thing you might expect is ...
CHICAGO, Ill., USA: Registration is open for dentists and dental students to attend the American Dental Association’s 27th New Dentist Conference ...
CHICAGO, Ill., USA: The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently moved into a new office space in downtown Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. ...
Washington-based Web services provider Sesame Communications, known as a dental industry pioneer in online patient connection systems, recently announced it...
World renowned oral surgeon and educator Michael A. Pikos, DDS, has chosen the highly acclaimed Safety Harbor Resort and Spa as the new home for The Pikos ...
ATLANTA — The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting — one of the nation’s largest dental meetings — has announced it will move the Hinman 2020 ...
NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: Researchers at the Dental Institute at King’s College London say they’re a step closer to growing human teeth in the lab ...
Continuing education is an indispensable part of a dental professional’s career and shows great dedication and commitment to the profession. The Midwinter...
BOSTON, Mass., USA: Ask anyone from Crest Oral-B what is important, and they will likely tell you it’s partnering with hygienists to help them ...
SILVER SPRING, Md. & FORT COLLINS, Colo., USA: Efficacy trials for a new dental anesthetic that saves patients the pain of injections are continuing ...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 AM EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 AM EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register