PAGD Keystone Explorer Spring 2021

18 www.pagd.org \ advocacy Chairperson Dr. Lugo welcomed attendees, including incoming board counsel Shana Walter. The minutes were approved with minor corrections. Prosecutorial Report The prosecutions were discussed in executive session. One consent agreement that involved a dentist who was found to have left their prescription pad in an unsecured location was rejected as too lenient. Budget Report Kim Adams, chief budget analyst for the department of state, presented the financial position of the board. The number of licensees has risen steadily, and growth continued in 2020/21. 91.6 percent of all revenue from the board derives from renewals and initial applications Ms. Adams anticipated a $237,806.90 shortfall for the upcoming biannual renewal period. Board members asked Ms. Adams how delaying fee increases would impact these numbers. Ms. Adams indicated that this would make their deficit worse but left the decision to delay to the board’s discretion. Other board members asked about other medical boards who have waived renewal or application fees for 2021. Board counsel noted that many boards are operating at a surplus and can afford to waive fees. Legal Report Carolyn DeLaurentis of the department legal office presented statistical analysis of prosecutions, which have been conducted virtually during the pandemic. They are down in the number of cases, but the number of closed cases is close to the open cases, which means they are progressing in their investigations. There were 1,223 opened cases regarding violations of DOH or CDC orders related to COVID-19 in 2020. Fee Regulations Dr. Lugo noted the grim financial position of the board. Regulations for fee increases were approved in 2019 but were not published until November 2020. Comments from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission were not received until mid-January. IRRC comments reflected those sent in from PAGD and PDA, which showed concern about the implications of increased fees during the financial hardships dental offices are experiencing. BPOA Chief Counsel Cynthia Montgomery described the financial structure of the board. Most licensing boards contribute to the Professional Licensing Augmentation Account (PLAA). Boards are permitted to borrow from the PLAA when they enter deficits, which the SBOD is currently in. The recommendation of IRRC and the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is to delay the rulemaking for fee increases until 2023. BPOA explored the possibility or pushing licensure back until May/June of 2021, but that would stress staffing levels and potentially confuse licensees for CE requirements. Board members asked if there would be implications for continuing to operate with a deficit. Ms. Montgomery noted that the consequence is that the board would continue to borrow from the PLAA. The estimation is with fee increases in 2023, the board would be solvent again in 2027/28. Ms. Montgomery was asked if the PLAA was in danger of being insolvent due to other boards operating in a deficit. She noted that only six of the 25 boards that contribute to the fund are operating at a deficit. Ms. Hart Hughes voiced her anger about the irresponsibility of this board regarding fee increases. She noted that fee increases in 2016/17 State Board of Dentistry Report Meeting Summary January 15, 2021