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I can hear the song now...”CH,CH, CHANGES,” as this president’ s address unfolds
and the incredible developments of our association’s alliances, not to mention
the profession of dental hygiene’s alliances in WV, shifts direction. Our WVDHA
Administration is in place, with changes that were crucial to the renewed,
positive energy we needed to pursue key issues, both professionally &
legislatively. We have commitment now to the pursuit of restoring our
professional alliances with the WVDA & the WVBODE, opening the welcome doors of
communication that lead to progress. Following a meeting with WVDA Executive
Director, Richard Stevens, in early January at his executive office in
Charleston, Laura Aliff, WVDHA Legislative Chair, WVDHA member & Asst. Director
WVU HSC Oral Health Initiative, Gina Sharps, & I resolved that although there
would always remain areas of disagreement on both sides, when reviewing the
“Emergency Rules” which were coming before the “WV Legislature’s Legislative
Rule-Making Review Committee,” we were ultimately, both, willing to pledge our
commitment to working together. When addressing the obvious area of most
question: “8.2gg - “dental assistants coronally polishing,” we were assured that
the WVDA had no intention on dental assistants coronally polishing as a “billed”
procedure, which both sides agreed would be an illegal service in need of WVBODE
disciplinary action. We were also assured of the opportunity to analyze the
efficacy of such a procedure over the course of the next two years, with the
WVDA & the WVBODE open to discuss any concerns/observations that may surface due
to “dental assistants coronally polishing.” As the meeting ended, we all were
elated to share with our associations the product of our discussions & the
common vision of desiring to join forces to answer the “access to care” issues
by ultimately finding patients “dental homes” to address their dental healthcare
needs.
The WVDHA Executive Board voted by majority, following a “meeting review”
given by me & Laura Aliff via email. I, also, had the Exec. Board review the
Virginia Dental Hygiene Association legislative victory over “dental assistants
polishing & scaling,” to consider all the possibilities for our own state’s
decision. Our Exec. Board did not agree with, “8.2gg - “dental assistants
coronally polishing,” but we did not want to “kill” the entire bill losing the
“General Supervision” & “Public Health Practice Permit.” The later two issues
were key in our decision, as we are satisfied that dental hygienists are taking
their “first steps” into the dental community under these broadening
professional settings. Tapping dental hygienists’ unique ability to provide
education, preventative clinical skills, and practice management, in answer to
the “access to care” issues in WV, will fuel the vehicle driving us to the same
destination: “providing ethical & quality” dental healthcare.
Speaking of “driving vehicles to the same destination,” I want to thank
all of the membership & potential membership that attended the January 24, 2009,
“Mid-Winter Meeting,” at the Clarksburg, Hilton Garden Inn; we had a lovely day
at our new, beautiful location! The presenters were simply outstanding, with the
“dynamic duo” of OSHA Standards: Pam Payne, PhD, MHA,CHSP,CHCM,RDH, and Amy Gay,
RN, CIC, ICP; Ruth Roach, Sales Consultant for Premier Dental, and Dennis Cone,
District Manager, GC America Inc.! Our Patterson Dental vendor extraordinare,
Sharon Green, RDH, shared her product & her computer wizardry with her “have
lap-top will travel” heroics! LOL! Your “attendee surveys” applauded the
location, the presenters, and the WVDHA performance! Thank you so much!
Also, I want to thank those attendees for their spirit of excitement, as
I shared the “highlights” of the upcoming “WVDHA Spring Symposium” scheduled at
the Charleston Ramada Plaza Hotel,Saturday, February 28, 2009! Truly, this CE
Event will be an “epic” experience for the WVDHA membership, potential
membership, & guests! Check out the “Registration Form” enclosed in this
newsletter to register, you may print additional registration forms from our
website: www.wvdhaonline.org for guests to attend, too! Dentists & dental
hygienists will love the “practice management” & “public health practice permit”
courses being offered! Kudos to Richard Stevens, WVDA Executive Director, for
extending our event information from 1/24/09, and now the 2/28/09 event, to the
WVDA email list! Remember to wear “red” & bring a “canned good” to celebrate
“community awareness & service!”
In closing let me extend my gratitude to the WVDHA membership & potential
membership, for affirming my role as WVDHA President! September 12, 2009, WVDHA
Fall Annual Session, is only 7 months away, as is the close of my two-year
presidency. It was a close friend & colleague, a few years ago, who convinced me
to take the role as president, stating, “You may be what the WVDHA needs right
now.” I will let you be the judge of that & give you the opportunity to express
your opinion, as I plan for you the “Roll Out The Red Carpet” Annual Session
Event at the Bridgeport Conference Center on Saturday, September 12, 2009!
OMGosh! Do I have an itinerary you will not want to miss; so SAVE the date! We
will introduce the “new” administration, presenter talent, & the “WVDHA
Distinguished WV RDH Award” recipient, just to name a few “highlights!” Look for
the “registration flyer” in the Summer Edition/Newscaler or online at:
www.wvdhaonline.org by June 2009!
I also invite you to attend the ADHA Annual Session in Washington, DC,
June 17 -23, as WV & all of District III are the “hosts” for this exciting
event, very close to home! Volunteers from WV are needed to assist at this
year’s “Annual Session,” so take a look online at: www.ADHA.org to register!
Following my attendance at the District III meetings this spring in Rockville,
MD, I will have more information for you as the date draws closer.
See you in Charleston for the “Spring Symposium,” 2/28/09!
Respectfully Yours,
Dawn Ann Dean RDH, MSDH, WVDHA President
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