NMDA Journal Winter 2019-20

20 New Mexico Dental Journal, Winter 2020 AMessage fromYour NewMexico Board of Dental Health Care By L. Paul Balderamos, DDS, MS, FACP Vice-Chairman, New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care AMessage from the Office of Oral Health NMDA and NMDOH Partner to Promote Safer Prescribing, Improved Pain Management, and Better Understanding of Addiction By Kathryn Lowerre Pain after dental work is often a young adult’s first experience with a prescription opioid like oxycodone. Longer-term or high dose opioid prescriptions can make it more likely they may go on to misuse opioids afterwards. Dental prescriptions also run the risk of interacting with other medications (controlled substances) a patient may be taking, such as benzodi- azepines prescribed to them for anxiety. In addition, a well-intended dental prescription for an opioid could put someone currently in recovery at risk of relapsing. The American Dental Association adopted an interim policy in the spring of 2018, on opioid prescribing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. That summer, the NewMexico Dental Journal focused an issue around opioids, with articles about NM’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) rules and about surveillance data show- ing prescribing patterns and drug overdose deaths in NewMexico. Staff from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), Pub- lic Health Division’s Office of Oral Health and the Epidemiology and Response Division’s Pre- scription Drug Overdose Prevention Program began seeking ways to support dental pre- scribers and patients through safer prescribing. Early in 2019, the Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Program reached out to Tom Schripsema, executive director of the NM Dental Association. He was enthusiastic about the idea of developing educational materials about opioids and pain management. Using CDC funding, NMDOH supported the NMDental Association in creating brochures for patients on pain management,“Where Does It Hurt? ManagingYour Pain Safely and Effectively”/“¿Donde Duele? Manejar su Dolor de Manera Segura y Efectiva,”and a dental pain management resource card for dental offices, including how and why dentists who are pre- scribing opioids need to check patients’records in the PMP (brochure cut outs available on pages 29–32). These resources are now being distributed to dental practices around the state. There are three educational videos designed to meet the criteria set by the Board for continuing education in Pain Management. They are: • Managing Pain Safely: Pain and Pain Management • Managing Pain Safely: Prescribing Best Practices • Managing Pain Safely: Dependence and Addiction Each video is 40–50 minutes in length. A link to each video is available on the NMDA website at www.nmdental.org/ CEonline. Anyone can watch the vid- eos at no charge. To receive credit, it is necessary to complete a post-viewing test. One hour of CERP-approved CE credit will be awarded for each video/ test completed. The testing fee will be discounted for NMDA members. Wow! 2019 is almost over! Where does the time go? Greetings from your New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care. There is an old saying that “no news is good news.” I think that this is the case as we close out 2019. Your board continues in our mis- sion to Protect the Public. There are no major issues nor controversies under discussion or review. The Rules Committee is working on integrat- ing Dental Therapy into our statutes, rules, and regulations. There will be opportunity for pub- lic input and you are welcome to participate. The Anesthesia Committee continues to mon- itor and evaluate the guidelines for Dental Anesthesia at the national level. Your NMBDHC members continue to serve in the various Regional Board Examination Agencies to ensure that high standards are maintained in the testing process. We contin- ue to grant licenses and permits to qualified applicants only. Complaints against dentists are down again this year. Congratulations for the good efforts! Here are a few gentle reminders: • Review the contracts you have with insurance companies. They are legal documents and you will be held responsible for violating the agreements you have signed. • Be careful when taking large payments from patients. Good record keeping and account documentation help when complaints are investigated by the NMBDHC. • Please report to the NMBDHC any record of Malpractice Settlement paid on your behalf by an insurance company. Failure to report will result in discipline. • Please monitor the expiration dates of your dental license and other permits. You are responsible to keep these current and in good standing. Your NMBDHC offers a big thank you to the NMDA for this opportunity to communicate with the dental community. Dentists are members of the public and your NMBDHC hopes that this medium helps you to protect yourself, your license and your patients.