Government Relations
boards promulgating regulations for their respective licensees who are engaging in telehealth services .
Rep . Christina Sappey introduced HB 642 , which regulates all sectors of the health care industry , including dentistry . Rep . Dan Frankel is soon introducing telehealth legislation that is specific to the delivery of dental services in Pennsylvania . The PDA Government Relations Committee ’ s Teledentistry Subcommittee is reviewing and responding to these legislative proposals .
Governor Administration Update
PDA sent a letter to the Department of Health regarding the issue of dentists administering the COVID-19 vaccine . Dentists may already do so , due to an amendment to the federal PREP Act , but PDA continues to advocate at the state level . Our letter highlighted dentists ’ education , training and experience in giving injections , and noted that PDA ’ s survey indicates that more than 860 dentists and dental school faculty and students are interested in becoming vaccine providers .
Pennsylvania seems to be facing a situation in which there are a sufficient number of vaccine providers and a dearth of vaccines . But as the inverse will likely happen in the next few months , PDA is hopeful that the Administration will help facilitate the inclusion of dentists in mass vaccination efforts .
Regulatory Update
In January , new regulations took effect expanding public health dental hygiene practitioners ( PHDHP ) practice site locations to include childcare settings . The regulations also allow PHDHPs to practice in primary care settings ( i . e . physicians ’ offices ), but only if they are located in designated dental health professional shortage areas . DOH designates shortage areas in Pennsylvania .
The State Board of Dentistry voted to delay an increase in license and permit application fees for the 2021-22 renewal period due . However , it is likely the board will revisit the issue and promulgate draft regulations raising license and permit applications for the next renewal period to operate with a balanced budget , as required under Pennsylvania law . PDA will continue to monitor and respond to the board ’ s proposed rulemaking during the regulatory process .
8 MARCH / APRIL 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL