ADA policy promotes the dentist as the leader of the dental team

While the ADA opposes nondentists making diagnoses, developing treatment plans or performing irreversible procedures, the House of Delegates has made it a priority for Association public affairs and advocacy efforts to assist constituent societies that are addressing proposals to change the scope of practice for allied dental personnel.

Resolution 75H-2008, passed by the House of Delegates in October 2008, states that ADA “efforts should assist constituent societies in dealing with proposals to change the scope of practice for allied dental personnel by focusing on determining need, promoting sufficient education, training, supervision by a dentist and a scope of practice that ensure the protection of the public’s oral health. The ADA should offer support to those constituent societies facing potential scope of practice changes to enable the best possible outcome.”

As one of several states addressing midlevel provider proposals through legislative mandate, the Minnesota Dental Association is receiving assistance through the ADA State Public Affairs Program.

In June 2008, the ADA Board of Trustees appointed the Task Force on the Dental Team to proactively develop strategies to help address dental team advocacy issues that incorporate both national and regional (state) differences and concerns. Dr. Jamie Sledd of the Minnesota Dental Association gave an update on the oral health practitioner workforce model to the Task Force during its March 5-6 meeting. The Task Force is expected to provide a report to the ADA Board of Trustees in June.