Bulletin Board
Bridging the Gap in MDHA's Communication

MDHA Thoughts of Spring

Much of the state of Maryland is currently blanketed in snow and the forcast is that we will experience a day or two of freezing rain. When the days of winter are so long and dark, and the weather is so miserable, one cannot help but turn to thoughts of warmer days, light weight clothing, and pleasant outdoors outings. The MDHA board has spent many hours and days thinking of spring. That is, the MDHA ANNUAL SPRING SCIENTIFIC SESSION.

The two day event is scheduled to be held:
Friday, April 11, 2008 and Saturday, April 12, 2008.

Please make note that the venue has changed and will be held at the:

Sheraton College Park Hotel
4095 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, Maryland 20705
301-937-4422

A blockbuster line-up of nationally known speakers will present lectures on very timely and useful subject matter that will help every RDH expand her knowledge base, enrich her practice of dental hygiene and to provide excellent professional service to the patients entrusted to our care. Continuing Education Credits for both days of lectures will total 12 hours.

Speakers and Courses:

4/11/08 - 9:00 am-10:00am - Continental Breakfast / Registration / Product showcase
10:00am - 1:00pm - "Enamel Therapy: The Next Generation of Care" 3CEUs
Lillian Caperila, R.D.H., M.Ed.

1:00pm - 2:00pm - Buffet Luncheon

2:00pm - 5:00pm - "Dental Hygiene Management of the Patient With HIV Disease" 3CEUs
Valli Meeks D.D.S., M.Ed.

4/12/08 - 8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration /product showcase
9:00 am -12:00 pm - "The Recipe for Success: Practicing the Way You've Always Dreamed-Providing Customized Care" 3CEUs
Linda Blackiston, R.D.H., B.S.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Buffet Luncheon

1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. - "Strategies for Oral Health: The Science, Psychology and Solutions" 3CEUs
Stacey McCauley, R.D.H., M.S.

(MDHA Board of Trustees Meeting immediately following this course.
All Members Welcome to attend.)

The format for the lectures and luncheons will follow those of previous meetings with the buffet luncheons provided free of charge to those registering for all four courses. The very successful and brilliant new "Circle of Honor" program of VIP treatment for registrants of all four courses will afford those who detest waiting in long lines the ability to register once and have all course materials ahead of time.
Members are reminded and urged to register in advance (before 3/15/2008) to take advantage of the "early bird" discounts and to assure your seating. Space is limited and numbers of Walk-ins may not be accomodated.

Please note that the new Maryland licensure renewal process requires all licensees to list all courses as well as the organization issuing the CE credits. Don't get caught short at renewal time by not having enough CEUs or courses that lack MSBODE approval. Support your professional organization. Assure your credit - take only MDHA sponsored courses!


Please click on this link to view and print-out details and registration forms.

Please see full details and links on the childrens' pages of our public/consumer section.

Check this out!

MDHA Officers for 2007-2008 Installed

On Sunday afternoon November 4, 2007, Jackie Fried R.D.H. M.S. Director of Dental Hygiene at the University of Maryland conducted the installation ceremonies of the new officers of the Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association. Also present for the entire Annual Session, the MDHA House of Delegates, and the installation of officers ceremonies was A.D.H.A. President, Jean Conner, R.D.H. and A.D.H.A. DIII Trustee, Pamela Quinones R.D.H., B.S.





President : Linda Albowicz R.D.H., B.S.
President-Elect : Gloria Cantler R.D.H.
Vice-President : Kathleen Mancino R.D.H.
Treasurer : Bonnie Kirschbaum R.D.H.
Secretary : Carolyn Wahl R.D.H., B.S.
Speaker of the House : Kathleen Jordan D'Ambrisi R.D.H., M.S.
Immediate Past President : Michele Braerman R.D.H., B.S.


"In Solidarity there is power. Individual capabilities may guide direction, but collective effort sets the course. In the end, triumph for one is triumph for all."
author unknown

ADHA ADDS NEW PAGE TO WEBSITE AS PORTABILITY RESOURCE

Have you ever been faced with having to move to another state and worrying about the portability of your dental hygiene license to practice in your new location?
ADHA has now added a new page to the main website that is devoted exclusively to assisting you in acquiring the information you will need to obtain a new license. The new webpage will provide direct links to each state's board of dentistry website. This is a really great service to members and relieves this website from having to monitor the validity of an enormous number of links. Check this out! http://www.adha.org/portability/




DUES NEWS FOR NEW GRADS

Upon receipt of a dental hygiene license, all SADHA members will be eligible to convert to active member status through June 30th of the year following graduation/licensure and will automatically be placed onto the summer dues billing cycle. Those who are licensed during other times of the year will automatically be placed onto the second cycle after licensure.








NEW LICENSE RENEWAL INFO

All Registered Dental Hygienists and Dentists licensed in Maryland will very soon be receiving notice by postal mail that the 2007 license renewals are going to be available on-line by way of the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners website. You may access their site by clicking on this link (http://dhmh.md.gov/dental). The on-line renewal will be available beginning May 1st through June 30th. Please scroll down their menu for the renewal pages.

Before going on-line to complete your renewal application, make sure that you have all information pertaining to your required CE courses in front of you as well as a credit card.

Just as driving a car with an expired license can result in expensive and punitive actions by the courts, practicing your profession with an expired license can result in disciplinary actions such as fines for you and your employer, and a period of prolonged mandatory community service. All violations of the dental rules and regulations are maintained in the records of every Maryland licensee including that of your employer and yourself. Please remember to renew on time!

Licensees will be pleased to note the following changes in the Dental Hygiene fee schedule.

Current Fees

Initial -$375.00
Renewal - $185.00


NEW FEES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2007

Initial - $275.00

Renewal - $135.00

Please use credit card to submit payment. It is quick and easy to do. The website will have step by step instructions to help you get through the renewal process.

C.E. REQUIREMENTS WARNING NOTICE We are now required to take 30 CE hours in order to remain compliant with the law at each renewal cycle. Of this total number, 15 CE hours may be taken in self study but subject matter and course providers must be approved by the MSBODE. There is NO CE credit for CPR. CPR (Level C) renewal is every 2 years and a minimum of 2 hours MUST be in infection control. To maintain an active Dental Hygiene license, you must have documented 150 clinical hours every 3 years. Effective immediately, all courses including Home Study and Study Club courses that are submitted for credit are under close scrutiny by the MSBODE and may receive only partial to NO credit. Even though course sponsors state that they are AGD or PACE approved providers, subject matter may not be approved by MSBODE. Statutes state that subject matter MUST be clinically related and of appropriate level for practicing Dental Hygienists. Members are strongly urged to take a few extra "just in case" courses to avoid being short the number of hours required or subject matter that is not approved or does not meet appropriate criteria for practicing RDHs. MSBODE criteria for appropriate subject matter and approved providers of Dental Hygiene Continuing Education courses can be found on the Licensure pages of this website. Please make sure that your courses will be approved before renewal time. Last minute courses can sometimes be difficult to find, have limited attendance, or may require distant travel or exhorbitant fees to attend. Be smart and plan ahead. Support your local association.

Know About The MDHA Well-Being / Rehabilitation Committee?

PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW WELL-BEING PAGES TO VIEW FULL DETAILS AND CONTACT INFORMATION.

Good News About P.A.N.D.A.

Carol Ciazzo R.D.H., Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association Liason to the P.A.N.D.A. coallition, announced that the continuing education presentations regarding the prevention of abuse and neglect through dental awareness has expanded their lectures to now include elder abuse and domestic violence. Whereas the presentations had previously awarded 1 CEU, attendence at these updated presentations will now award 2 CEUs. This should be a tremendous help for component meeting planners who try to arrange our mandatory continuing education so as to obtain maximum credits while keeping CE courses at reasonable fees for members .All dental professionals practicing in the state of Maryland are mandated by statute to report suspected cases of abuse to authorities. Regular informational updates on this important aspect of our practice is key to fulfilling our responsibilities. Members should try to attend these presentations when offered. More information about the Maryland statute, P.A.N.D.A. and this important aspect of our dental hygiene practice is contained on this page of our website.

Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness "She's not hiding,   she's hurting." SM Artwork and acronym by permission of the P.A.N.D.A. Coalition developed by Deltal Dental of Missouri, copyright 1992 The P.A.N.D.A. Coalition Almost three million children are reported as being abused or neglected each year in this country (NCCAN, 1992). By state law, dentists in every state are required to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to authorities. However, dentists make less than one percent of the reports. (Mouden, 1994) This conflicts with data showing the 65 % of cases of physical abuse involve injury to the head, neck and mouth (Becker, et al, 1978). The coalition was founded in Missouri, and developed by Delta Dental of Missouri as the corporate sponsor. The P.A.N.D.A. educational programs have proven that education can dramatically improve dentists' response toward preventing child maltreatment. Based on these results, the Missouri Dental Association, on behalf of the members of the P.A.N.D.A. coalition, accepted the 1993 ADA Golden Apple Award for the premier dental health promotion in the country. You have a chance to help spread the news about P.A.N.D.A. and to help prevent abuse and neglect. Please take a moment to see how you can become involved in a P.A.N.D.A. coalition in your state. Help dentistry make a difference in a child's life.

Educational Programs The P.A.N.D.A. Coalition offers a variety of educational opportunities aimed at providing information on the prevention of abuse and neglect. Although originally designed for dental audiences, the presentations can be tailored for a variety of groups, from lay persons to those with considerable background in health care or family violence. The presentations focus on the role everyone has in decreasing the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Many people find family violence a difficult problem to confront. However, P.A.N.D.A. seminars will help them realize that their involvement in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect cannot only save a child from further abuse, it may save a child's life. The presentations include specific clinical aspects of child abuse and neglect recognizable in specific settings. State-specific statutory and liability aspects are also addressed. Individual state laws relating to child abuse reporting are discussed, and health professionals are given guidelines to prevent exposure to liability. The seminars also cover preventing domestic violence and elder abuse and neglect. While portions of the presentation may be uncomfortable for some individuals to view, the lecture is given in a positive light. The outcome is an increased awareness of the positive steps all citizens can take to stop abuse and neglect. The various presentations are suitable for all dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physicians, nurses, day care workers, teachers and anyone who works with or cares about children. Potential Coalition Members Approved corporate sponsor Dental association Department of health Department of social services Dental hygienists' association Dental schools Others Contact Info is listed below:   The Mid-Atlantic P.A.N.D.A. Coalition  MD/DC/DE phone: 443-276-0127 E-mail: midatlanticpanda@hotmail.com

Specific P.A.N.D.A. Information for the R.D.H.
(please click on any of these titles below to printout pdf copies)

Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Child Abuse and Neglect
Clinical Protocol for Identifying and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect
Be on the Lookout for Child Abuse and Neglect
The Rising Epidemic of Elder Abuse and Neglect
Dealing with Domestic Violence in the Dental Setting
Maryland Child Protection Statutes
Jurisdiction/Protection Services/Police Contact Information
Domestic Violence and Pregnancy

Important DUES News From ADHA
(Please Click Here)

The Linda E. DeVore Dental Hygiene Endowment Fund
University of Maryland Dental School
666 West Baltimore Street, Room 3-A-17
Baltimore, MD 21201