Fingerprint and Background Checks

Public Act 26 of 2006 states that all individuals applying for a health professional license in Michigan are required to submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background check. Additional information may be found at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.

November 2009 (updated August 2010)

RDA Disciplinary Action
To date for 2009 two RDA’s have been disciplined by the Board of Dentistry for failure to comply with the continuing education requirement.

October 15th Board of Dentistry Highlights

The Board of Dentistry passed the addition of the “Assignment” category for RDA’s. It still has to proceed through the necessary channels, but if it remains intact and the category is changed in the Administrative Rules this will mean that the RDA will be able to work without the dentist being on the premises. There will be a limited number of functions that the RDA will be able to perform and this serves two functions. First it will keep the RDA’s working in a limited capacity when doctor is on vacation, and second it also helps to address some access to care issues. This is great news and we will keep you posted.

The Board will be addressing the insertion of a new CE category into the Rules. This new CE category will allow dental professionals to obtain CE credits for providing free dental care in approved volunteer clinics. This will be on the agenda for discussion at the December 10th BOD meeting.  An example might be that you work two hours and receive one hour of CE up to a specific amount. More details later as this issue comes forward. Again, this is to help get dental professionals to volunteer more to help with the access to care issue.

The Michigan Board of Dentistry will meet in the Ottawa Building located at 611 West Ottawa St., Upper Level Conference Center, Lansing. The 2010 meeting dates are listed below.

Thursday August 12 10:00 a.m. Ottawa Building, Room 3
Thursday October 14 10:00 a.m. Ottawa Building, Room 3
Thursday December 9 10:00 a.m. Ottawa Building, Room 3

American Red Cross support of upcoming Legislation
The American Red Cross has responded to our request to recommend that all dental assistants in the State of Michigan be required to obtain CPR for Health Care Providers. They are drafting a formal letter, which we can proof for language with our lobbyist, and will have it available to us by January 2010. No word from the American Heart Association has been received to date.

ADAA Legislative Activities Program
I recently filed for $3,000 in emergency legislative aid from ADAA.  A decision will be reached soon and they will let us know. The funds will be used to mail to CDA’s and dental offices a notification of the legislative informational forums scheduled around the state in 2010. The money will help defray the cost of printing and postage to around 7,000 people.

Legislative Forums
The following legislative forums have been scheduled. They were set up with keeping cost to a minimum.

October 2, 2010 Delta College 9-12, free room and AV
September 18, 2010 Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City 9-12, room fee is $52
November 12, 2010 Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit 9-12 free room, may order coffee