|
Overview
Dentistry can play a vital role during times of disaster, when considerable casualties can overwhelm a community’s basic medical infrastructure. Armed with medical knowledge and clinical skills, dentists can perform any number of functions that would ordinarily tie-up medical personnel. Moreover, the dental office can provide communities with a ready reserve of supplies, equipment, and trained personnel. When called for, it can even be used as an alternate site for treating for disaster victims.
Caring for large numbers of patients during a public health crisis is no small task, especially for clinicians traveling across state lines. Infrastructure must be established to ensure the coordinated, well-organized mobilization of volunteer personnel. Liability issues also abound, from the applicability of state licensure laws to the handling of frivolous malpractice claims. Above all, training will be required to help dental personnel understand and prepare for their role(s) as first responder(s).
- First Responder Training. The ADA is calling for advanced training and technical assistance to help dental personnel establish and plan for their role(s) in caring for large numbers of patients during public health emergencies.
- Volunteer Coordination. The ADA supports the general concept of an all-volunteer national medical reserve corps comprised of health professionals who are willing to be mobilized throughout the country during times of community need.
- Licensure Mobility. State licensure requirements to need be waived (or reciprocated) for health professionals traveling across state lines to help care for large numbers of casualties during a declared domestic emergency.
- Civil Liability Protection. Dentists must be granted immunity from civil actions—except in cases of willful misconduct—for damages resulting from the good faith treatment of casualties during a declared domestic emergency.
Return to Top
ADA Resources
Return to Top
Additional Resources
Return to Top
Contact Us
For additional information, please contact:
Federal Affairs
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202.898.2400
Fax: 202.898.2437
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org
State Government Affairs
ADA Chicago Headquarters
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.2525
Fax: 312.440.3539
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org
Return to Top |
