FEBRUARY 2010 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE by Lori Barnhart, CDA, RDA
Upcoming Legislative Forums:
The next Legislative Open Forum will be held on Friday April 16th from 9-12 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Novi during the Michigan Dental Assistants Association’s Annual Session. Registration form was located in the last issue of the MATRIX. Please contact Lori Barnhart at SLSBARN@power-net.net if you would like to register.
Board of Dentistry Meeting Update:
Julie Dumas and I attended the October and December Board of Dentistry meetings. In October the Board 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 perform a limited amount of functions without the dentist being on the premises. This will keep the RDA’s working in a limited capacity when doctor is on vacation, and it also helps to address some access to care issues. The Board will also 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. An example might be that you work two hours and receive one hour of CE up to a specific amount. Again, this is to help get dental professionals to volunteer more to help with the access to care issue. It was announced at the December 10th Board meeting that Dr. Molinari was appointed as a public member and has been appointed to the CE Committee. There was discussion about dentists administering Botox. Much discussion on changing the wording from “lapsed license” to “inactive” status in some circumstances, for example if a dentist has licenses in two states, but only practices in one, then the license would become inactive in the other state, but he would not lose the license as he is still meeting the criteria through the other state. The Michigan Board of Dentistry consists of 19 voting members: 8 dentists, 2 dental specialists, 4 hygienists, 2 registered dental assistants, and 3 public members. The Board currently oversees the practice of approximately 7,830 dentists (1,095 dental specialists), 10,103 hygienists and 1,400 Registered Dental Assistants. Future 2010 BOD meetings: April 8, June 10, August 12, October 14, December 9 in the Ottawa Building, 611 West Ottawa Street, Upper Level Conference Room 3, Lansing, MI 48909
RDA License Renewal:
Please be aware that the State of Michigan only sends out one RDA license renewal notice. If you do not pay on time they do not send out a second notice. It is your responsibility to pay your bill on time. If you do not receive a bill in the mail for any reason and you do not pursue it prior to your expiration date you will be considered lapsed. Just because you do not receive a bill in the mail is not an excuse to be late renewing. You must know the year you expire. Put it on your calendar in July to pay the bill or to check to make sure you received one. All Registered Dental Assistants are on a three year renewal cycle and expire on August 31. Section 333.16201(2) of the Michigan Public Health Code states, "A license or registration not renewed by the expiration date may be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date upon application, payment of renewal, and late renewal fees, and fulfillment of any continued competency or continuing education requirements. The licensee or registrant may continue to practice and use the title during the 60-day time period." Your initial RDA license is only good until the next expiration date of your profession (anywhere from 4 months to 1 year). After your first renewal, your license will be valid for 3 years. You will receive a renewal application 45-60 days prior to the expiration date of your license and it will state the renewal fee required. You cannot renew your license early. The states system is not set up to receive renewal information until the renewal time for your profession. Remember to notify the Department in writing of any address changes you have. Failure to notify the state of an address change does not exempt you from renewing your license on time. You can renew online at www.michigan.gov/elicense. Online renewal payments require you to pay with a credit card. You can also mail your renewal application. The expiration date will reflect the original expiration date -- it will not include the grace period. For example: If your license expires January 31, you have until April 1 to pay your renewal fee. If you do not pay by April 1, your license is considered lapsed as of January 31. When your license lapses, you can no longer practice your profession nor can you identify yourself as a licensed or registered individual. Practicing without a valid license is a felony under the Public Health Code and can result in legal proceedings as well as disciplinary actions. It is your responsibility to make sure your license is current and valid. The state sends the renewal notices to the last address on file. If they have an incorrect address, you are still responsible for making sure your license has been renewed in a timely manner.
What if I don't earn enough continuing education credits for my RDA license? |
If you are audited and you are unable to submit evidence of having earned the required hours of continuing education, your file will be submitted to the states Health Regulatory Division. Failure to comply with continuing education requirements is considered a violation of the Public Health Code and administrative action will be taken against your license. Typical sanctions may include an imposed fine, a period of probation and completion of deficient continuing education credits. All administrative sanctions remain on your license record permanently and administrative sanctions are released under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act to anyone who requests that information. Remember that by submitting your renewal form and renewal fee, you have indicated that you have completed the required continuing education. If you have not completed your continuing education by the expiration date of your license, you can use the 60-day grace period following the expiration date of your license to complete your continuing education. Once you have completed the required hours, you can submit your renewal with the late fee. Michigan law provides for a 60-day grace period following the expiration date before your license officially expires. In 2009 two RDA’s were disciplined by the Board of Dentistry for failure to comply with the continuing education requirement. |
How do you change your name or address for your RDA license? |
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CDA Credential Renewal:
Payment of a renewal fee is due on/before the assigned expiration date (indicated on the renewal statement). A late fee of $10 will be assessed after the certificate expiration date, but within the 3-month grace period. Certificate and wallet card processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Information on recertification is provided in the Recertification Requirements, included in the initial certificate packet, Certified Press newsletter, or upon request. DANB Certificants’ are randomly selected for CDE verification audit. Please note: Current COMSA and CDPMA Certificants’ can continue to renew their credential, provided they meet DANB's Recertification Requirements. Reinstatement of a lapsed COMSA and/or CDPMA certification will only be possible if the credential has lapsed for less than one year. If certification lapses, the individual is no longer certified and may NOT use the credential or the acronym under any circumstances. DANB has a variety of programs available to reinstate the CDA and COA credential. Interested individuals should call 1-800-FOR-DANB x445 and speak to the Assistant Director, Recertification.
Legislative Fundraisers
A special thank you to MDAA member Deb Burch and her entire family for hosting a legislative fundraiser at their family business. They own Slackers Family Fun Center in Benton Harbor, a laser tag and gaming facility. Due to two area football teams going to the finals the turnout was very low so the Burch’s made a personal donation instead. Thank you so much for donating to the MDAA. Thanks also to the MDAA members who did attend. There are several fundraisers currently being planned. Mary Govoni has agreed to travel to Iron Mountain and Sault St. Marie in August to hold OSHA update courses and a Forensic course will be held on Friday April 16th from 9-11 at Annual Session as well as an evening social event and auction. MDAA will also be hosting a raffle with great door prizes. Please support our endeavors.
MDHA support of upcoming Legislation
A meeting was held on October 15 with three members of the MDHA Board to discuss the MDAA’s upcoming legislation and to ask for their support. We need to be able to name their association in our legislative paperwork and use their membership numbers. Their Board of Trustees will be discussing the issue at an upcoming meeting and will let us know their decision.
MDA support of upcoming Legislation
I have contacted MDA in regards to meeting to present our legislative intention to them. They have requested that I attend the MDA Governance Council meeting in Feb/Mar along with our lobbyist where they will allow me 30 minutes to present. Currently the MDA does not support opening the Public Health Code and are only willing to recommend CPR and CE to dental assistants as “Best Practices.”
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. We have received a formal letter of support. No word from the American Heart Association has been received to date.
ADAA Legislative Activities Program
I recently filed for and MDAA has received $3,000 in emergency legislative aid from ADAA, which was used towards the Legislative Forum mailing to dentists and non-member CDA’s.
CDA Information Seminar
DANB will be hosting an informational meeting at the Rock Financial Center in Novi on Friday April 16th. This meeting is designed to encourage dental assistants to obtain the CDA credential and how to go about it. If you have non-credentialed assistants in your practice who are interested in becoming Certified, please provide them with more information about this meeting as Annual Session draws closer.
Kris Nicholoff leaving MDA
Kris has accepted the executive director position for the Michigan Osteopathic Association and completed his position as MDA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs on December 31. We have enjoyed a great working relationship legislatively over the years with Kris and wish him well as he pursues this new endeavor. |
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