NMDA Journal Summer 2020

nmdental.org 27 payment or settlement of a malpractice action, revoked or suspended membership of a health care facility, discipline by any other state licensing authority, and any mor- bidity or mortality resulting in hospitalization or treatment by emergency personnel, and all within 30 days of the event. The most common assumption is that dentists that have a malpractice action rely on their liabil- ity insurance carriers to report these to the board. This is not the case. The dentist has to personally report this to the board. I want to reassure everyone that these are completely anonymous. The board members are not allowed to know the identity of the dentist. Only the board staff sees names, which are kept completely confidential. It frequently becomes an issue if upon renewal for licen- sure, that the dentist does not report it, but then the board staff sees the legal action on the National Practitioner Database. That’s when the board has to get involved, because there was no report from the dentist. We continue to see a reduction in overall complaints, which is a great trend. Most complaints can be resolved with good com- munication, financial refunds of fees incurred, and proper referrals to those prac- titioners with more specialized skills. I encourage all licensees and certificate hold- ers to review the rules and regulations on a regular basis. Thanks to all our board and hygiene commit- tee members, Drs. Paul Balderamos, Dave Warren, Jolynn Galvin, and Burrell Tucker. And our hygienists, Ermelinda Baca, Melissa Barbara, Denise Myrick, and Paula Jenkins. Rules committee members, Dr. Marc Pacheco, Ermelinda Baca, Laura Moss, and myself. And special thanks to additional den- tal therapy rules committee members, Drs. Tom Schripsema, Gary Cuttrell, and hygienist Barbara Posler. We also have an excellent team at the board office. I realize that some of your phone calls and emails are slow to be returned. Please be patient, as all the staff report to multiple boards within the Licens- ing and Regulation Department. And during these times, they are mandated to work from home as much as possible. Stay safe and be well. NMBDHC Report to NMDA HOD 2020