Breaking the Opioid Habit in Dentists' Offices
OSHA National News Release
June 12th - June 18th is
Safe + Sound Week, a new nationwide effort that calls on organizations of all sizes in a wide range of industries to raise awareness of the value and importance of workplace safety and health programs.
At the Minnesota Board of Dentistry Public Board meeting held on April 21, 2017, the Board approved a motion to start accepting the ADEX exam for licensure of Dental Hygienists as of May 1, 2017.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA restricts use of prescription codeine pain and cough medicines and tramadol pain medicines in children; recommends against use in breastfeeding women
OSAP Launches the Journal of Dental Infection Control and Safety
The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), a community of clinicians, educators, consultants, researchers and industry representatives who advocate for the Safest Dental Visit™, has announced the launch of the Journal of Dental Infection Control and Safety, an online peer-reviewed, professional journal. The journal will contain previously unpublished scholarly articles on clinical practice and education, and scholarly and secondary research related to the practice of dental infection control and safety in oral health settings.
See the full PRESS RELEASE and more info here!
Announcement: Immunization Delivery Trainings for Dentists Now Offered by the U of MN ONLINE! Check out the Basic and Comprehensive courses today!
Basic Immunization Delivery for Dentists
Comprehensive Immunization Delivery for Dentists
Stay in the know on what is going on in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health Oral Health Division has a great tool for finding out more information on pediatric dental disease prevalence and other related oral health topics of interest. Visit Minnesota Oral Health Statistics System (MNOHSS).
The Board of Dentistry has elected a new president for 2017. Mr. John (Jake) Manahan, JD is one of the Board's two public members and has been serving on the Board since 2011. He has been a member of the Minnesota Bar for over 30 years and has been in private practice law for over 20 years. Mr. Manahan has served on many Board committees, including Policy, Jurisprudence, Complaint Review, and Executive Committee. We look forward to his leadership over the coming year.
Starting January 1st, 2017 the Minnesota Board of Dentistry will no longer be offering licensee affidavit letters. Instead, state dental boards wishing to access MN dental professional licensee information can access our online licensee verification. If the licensee has been subject to public discipline you may locate the detail of the orders on our website. If you cannot locate the disciplinary order on our website or need information on a public corrective action, please email dental.board@state.mn.us with your request, licensee name and license number.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RADIATION CONTROL RULES
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Radiation Control, X-ray Unit is considering amendments and possible new rules to ionizing radiation, Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4732. This rulemaking process will update the current Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4732 to address advances in equipment technology, scope of practice for operators of x-ray equipment, service provider responsibilities, inspection requirements, and other related matters. These rules affect practicing dental professionals who have x-ray equipment in their offices. Any person wishing to comment on, or otherwise monitor the progress of this rules promulgation are encouraged to visit the MDH X-Ray Unit website which addresses these rules.
APPOINTMENTS - Dr. Douglas Wolff of St. Paul was appointed replacing Dr. Joan Sheppard. Dr. Paul Walker and Jake Manahan have been reappointed for another term by Governor Dayton. For more information click here.
Minnesota Board of Dentistry response to media/public inquires.
Report suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults - Note: ALL licensed dental professionals are MANDATED REPORTERS! Beginning July 1, 2015, the new Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center will provide a single, toll-free number the general public can call to report suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. Mandated reporters, including doctors, nurses, social workers and other licensed professionals, will be able to use a new web-based reporting system on this website. Reports will be promptly submitted to the appropriate lead investigative agencies.
Updates on this process will be provided on the Adult Protection webpages http://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/services/adult-protection/ on the DHS website. For more information, contact dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
NEW RULES EFFECTIVE APRIL 20, 2015- A number of rule changes have completed the rulemaking process, becoming effective on April 20, 2015. Minnesota regulated dental professionals are responsible for knowing and complying with the requirements of the new rules.
In summary, the new rules include the following:
- Requires that all licensees must receive appropriate CPR training through only the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross; and only the American Heart Association for licensees who are required to complete Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Allows the Board to either grant or deny the reinstatement of a professional license
- Adds the submission requirements for nitrous oxide forms from dental therapists to the Board
- Allows the Board to impose one or both of the stated options if a licensee has failed their professional development portfolio audit
- Allows dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants under general supervision to place nonsurgical retraction material for gingival displacement after successfully completing an accredited course in nonsurgical retraction material for gingival displacement
- Adds dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants to the informed consent component for patient records within the recordkeeping regulations
For more information, go to Rulemaking under Laws and Rules and review the documents listed under Adopted Rules.
INFLUENZA VACCINE COURSES NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION- Due to legislation passed in 2014 (
Statute 150A.055) dentists who wish to provide influenza vaccines for their patients will be able to do so after taking a Board-approved course. Registration for the Board-approved courses is now open. Both courses include an online component and a live component. Click on the links below for more information or to register for each course.
RxSentry Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) - The RxSentry Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) controlled substance prescription database went live on April 15, 2010, and the PMP database is now available to licensed prescribers and pharmacists approved for access to the PMP to look up patient profile information on patients that they are currently treating.
The purpose of the PMP is to promote public health and welfare by detecting diversion, abuse, and misuse for the prescription medications classified as controlled substances under the Minnesota statutes. For more information about PMP, please review the FAQs (and other menu items) at: www.pmp.pharmacy.state.mn.us/faq.html
To apply for access to this database, you may go to the PMP web site at www.pmp.pharmacy.state.mn.us, click on Access Request Forms, print the Prescriber Access Request form and follow the instructions provided to request the needed access.
Notices:
Interested in Active or Completed Rulemaking Projects? See the Board's Public Rulemaking Docket and a separate listing of the same documents stated within the Docket for Proposed/Adopted Rules. Click on Rulemaking .
Proposed Rules Information: Rulemaking Mailing List - If you wish to be placed on the rulemaking mailing list maintained at the Board office to receive information on any upcoming proposed rules, please notify the Board office IN WRITING. The Board is unable to accept requests made by an organization or association for all of their members.
Minnesota Responds Medical Reserve Corps- Volunteer Opportunities - TheMinnesota Responds Medical Reserve Corpsis a registry of names, contact and skill information of people in health occupations wanting to volunteer in the event of a public health emergency.
