PAGD Keystone Explorer Fall 2019

Keystone Explorer |  Fall 2019  3 Two government measures are about to land on Pennsylvania dental practices, and it’s important for providers to be aware of them. New EPA measures are due to go into effect on July 14, 2020 which will require dental offices to install measures to prevent mercury contamination in wastewater streams, and controlled substance prescribers will be required in November 2019 to implement an electronic prescribing system. By themselves, is there anything wrong with the intent behind either of these measures? In my opinion, no. No one wants to contribute to mercury contamination in wastewater streams, and any measure to curb opioid use and especially abuse in Pennsylvania is welcome. Whether either of these will be effective in achieving measurable goals is another discussion, but whether they are well-intentioned seems intuitive to me. Where the burden to these new measures is evident is on the ground where you serve. You will be the one that will change the way your practice operates to address these requirements. There will likely be costs involved. This is the exact reason PAGD needs a stronger advocacy presence. While both measures are well-intentioned, they are also unaware that the other exists. When deciding on their rulemaking, did EPA give consideration that dental offices would need to retool how they prescribe for opioids? Or did the Pennsylvania General Assembly consider EPA wastewater regulation when deciding on how to best curb opioid use and abuse? PAGD needs to know about the measures that will affect how its members practice before they are set go into effect. We need to communicate to decision-makers about the practical effects these measures will have on your patients, your practices, and your employees. And, equally importantly, we need to be a contributory voice that solves problems in Harrisburg, rather than represent parochial self-interest, if we ever want to effect change. It is only by doing this will we achieve the dual purposes of the PAGD mission, to serve the needs of general dentists, while promoting the oral health of the public. A Thousand Cuts executive director’s message | Steve Neidlinger, CAE “We need to communicate to decision- makers about the practical effects these measures will have on your patients, your practices, and your employees.”