Government Relations
What is PADPAC?
The Pennsylvania Dental Association Political Action Committee
(PADPAC) is a voluntary, non-profit group run by in and for dentists.
As a bipartisan group, PADPAC is made up of dentists, their spouses
and anyone from Pennsylvania who is dedicated to supporting
legislators who value the profession of dentistry. PADPAC,
operating under strict state and federal laws and regulations, is
always watching the voting record of every member of the House
and Senate. Working with the American Dental Political Action
Committee (ADPAC), PADPAC promotes the highest quality dental
health of Pennsylvania and our nation, while shaping the future of
dentistry.
A political action committee (PAC) is an entity that combines
contributions from members and donates the funds to candidates
who share their interests and helps advance their legislative
agenda. By joining PADPAC, your personal financial contribution is
magnified and plays a pivotal role in elected state government and
ensures the practice of dentistry is represented by legislators who
will fight for the profession and for high quality dental care.
Dentists are invariably rated among the most ethical professionals.
We need to showcase that hard-earned respect to tell your side of
the story. Why are your issues important to the people of
Pennsylvania and the General Assembly? You must remember that
the righteousness of your cause does not compel others to take
action on your behalf. You have to make the contact and do the
work so they become aware of your issue, among the hundreds of
others, and showcase why your issue is deserving of their support
and action. PDA and PADPAC can help you tell your story and pass
the laws you need to make dentistry more rewarding and less
frustrating.
Unusual times can create unusual, but seemingly hidden,
opportunities. We, as individuals and as part of organized dentistry,
must do our best to get through this and make the world better by
exceeding ourselves. Let us know how we can help you.
Thank you for practicing dentistry, for your devotion to your
patients, for being a PDA member and giving to PADPAC, and for
your willingness to pitch in to help, usually before being asked.
That is true nobility and you show that each and every day.
If you have any questions about making a contribution to
PADPAC, please contact John Basial at [email protected] or
(800) 223-0016, ext. 108. You can also contribute online by visiting
padental.org/padpac.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is designed to protect from exposure to infection agents.
Various types of PPE that are appropriate for various patient
interactions, and will effectively cover personal clothing and
skin likely to be soiled with bodily fluids and other infectious
materials need to be made available. This includes gloves,
facemasks, protective eye wear, face shields and protective
clothing such as a gown, jacket or laboratory coat.
Dental health care professionals should be trained in how to
select and put on appropriate PPE, and how to remove PPE so
the chances of contamination are reduced. Using proper hand
hygiene is necessary after removing and disposing of PPE.
Training should also stress other methods of preventing
further spread of contaminations while wearing PPE, including
keeping hands away from your face, limit touching additional
surfaces, and removing PPE when leaving work areas.
Key Recommendations:
• Provide sufficient and appropriate PPE and ensure that it
is accessible
• Educate all staff on the proper selection and use of PPE
• Wear gloves whenever there is the potential for exposure
to bodily fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin or
contaminated equipment
• Do not wear the same gloves to care for more than one
patient
• Do not wash gloves; they are one-time use
• Perform proper hand hygiene immediately after
removing gloves
• Wear protective clothing that covers skin and personal
clothing during procedures or activities where contact with
bodily fluids is anticipated
• Wear mouth, nose, and eye protection during procedures
that could generate splashes or spattering of bodily fluids.
• Remove PPE before leaving the work area.
A copy of “Summary of Infection Prevention Practices for
Dental Settings: Basic Expectation for Safe Care,” is available
on CDC’s website:
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html
MAY/JUNE 2020 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 11