Alaska DHA Spring Newsletter

Springs in Alaska have been some of the most beautiful springs I have experienced in my life. As the snow begins to melt, waterfalls awaken from their frozen slumber, and the daylight continually increases bringing rejuvenation and energy. I love these times in Alaska because they symbolize hope, change, and rebirth.

The year 2020 was a year of stress, fatigue, frustration, confusion, and sorrow. There was no way to predict how the global crisis would impact our personal lives and our professional lives. Yet, this season we united more so than I have seen in recent years. Together, we fought to protect our profession to ensure we had a voice at the Board of Dental Examiners, at the State, and at the Covid-19 Task Force. Together, we advocated for adequate PPE that would allow us to return to our patients safely and provide necessary treatment. Our vital roles for the state did not end there, we also filled the state’s need as Covid-19 testers and contact tracers. I am beyond proud of my fellow dental hygienists. In the face of adversity your courage, your stamina, your commitment to oral health, your patients, each other, and this association is inspiring. We are Registered Dental Hygienists who are strong, committed, and vital to the overall health of Alaskans!

Thank you for being part of the Alaska Dental Hygienists’ Association, your membership helps our voices to be heard! Our growth as a profession would not be possible without you! If you are not a member and want to become a member to help support ADHA/Alaska DHA's efforts to elevate our profession, please email me or any member of the Alaska DHA membership committee, or you can call ADHA directly Ph# (312) 440-8900 or e-mail the Membership Division.

Elections for AK DHA will be held April 24, 2021, please contact President-Elect Lori Reetz wildirislady@gmail.com if you are interested in running for office! Board positions up for election are Vice President, ADHA House of Delegates AKDHA Delegate, and Secretary. We would love for you to join our team as we make forward progress in expanding access to oral health, shedding the light on the link between oral health and overall health, promoting the oral health of the public, as well as, promoting the advancement of the dental hygiene profession.

It is has been an honor to serve you and our communities as the Alaska DHA President. I look forward to climbing dental mountains together as your soon-to-be past president!

Sincerely,

Katrina Virgin, RDH, MS

President, Alaska Dental Hygienists’ Association

KVirgin.AK.RDH@gmail.com

As you may already know while our Registered Dental Hygienist in Advanced Practice (RDHAP) bill was in the last stages of being approved in last year’s legislative session the Covid-­‐19 pandemic hit, which caused the legislative session to end early, thus, “killing our bill”. Since we were in the second year of the bill when the session ended we had to restart the process again for this year’s legislative session. Your AK DHA legislative team has been hard at work preparing our RDHAP bill for this year’s legislative session. AK DHA has hired our wonderful lobbyist Yuri Morgan once again to represent us. With the hard work of your legislative team and Mr. Morgan, we have secured Representative Ivy Spohnholz as our bill sponsor. The RDHAP bill has been assigned a new bill number, which is HB 111.

As we gaveled back into session this year, things have been slow due to Covid and issues with the capitol committees organizing, however, I am excited to announce that HB 111 was heard in the House-­‐Labor & Commerce Committee. We had excellent testimony from Angie Stone, BS, RDH, who is an author, speaker, researcher, and educator, she has tremendous knowledge regarding our goals with HB 111! We also welcomed back American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Ann Lynch to provide testimony in support of HB 111, as well as, AK DHA’s very own President-Elect, Lori Reetz, and Past President Lisa Bryant. On Wednesday, March 31st, I represented HB 111 and AK DHA for the final H-­‐L&C committee’s Q & A and wrap-­‐up. I am excited to say that HB111 has passed the committee and will be heard in the House Finance Committee next week.

This year I am pleased that we have the continued support of the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners (BoDE), the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), and the Alaska Dental Society (ADS)!!

*House Bill 111 would establish an Advanced Practice Permit for dental hygienists and eliminate the requirement for collaborative agreements with a supervising dentist. In order to qualify for an advanced practice permit, a licensed dental hygienist must have practiced a minimum of 4,000 clinical hours. HB 111 would allow dental hygienists with Advanced Practice Permit to work independently under their scope of practice across a variety of institutional and organizational settings.

HB 111 Overview:

A licensed dental hygienist holding an advanced practice permit may practice as an independent contractor and potentially bill varying group health insurance policies for services provided.

The following services may be rendered under the permit:

• Oral health promotion, disease prevention education, and oral systemic health education
• Removal of calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from the surfaces of teeth
• Application of topical preventive or prophylactic agents, including: Silver Diamine Fluoride, fluoride varnishes, and pit and fissure sealants
• Polishing and smoothing restorations
• Removal of marginal overhangs
• Preliminary charting and triage to formulate a dental hygiene assessment and dental hygiene treatment plan
• Exposure and development of radiographs
• Use of local periodontal therapeutic agents;
• Nonsurgical periodontal therapy, with or without the administration of local anesthesia
• Screening for oral cancer
• Writing prescriptions for:
  • fluoride that is applied or provided to a patient or chlorhexidine or a similar antibacterial rinse.

The above services may be rendered to a patient who is unable to receive dental treatment because of age, infirmity, or disability and is:

• A resident in a senior center, including a hospital, long-term care facility, adult foster home, residential care facility, or adult congregate living facility
• A resident in a health care facility, including a mental health residential program or facility for individuals with developmental or other disabilities;
• Held in a local correctional facility for juveniles or adults
• Enrolled in a nursery school, day care program, vocational training facility, primary school, secondary school, private school, or public charter school;
• Entitled to benefits under 42 U.S.C. 1786 (Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
• Homebound
• A member of a population in an area the Department of Health and Human Services deems is an Alaska Dental Health Professional Shortage Area
  

A licensed dental hygienist who provides services under an advanced practice permit, shall maintain professional liability insurance and provide the patient, or the parent or legal guardian of the patient with:

• A written notice that the treatment provided will be limited to
  preventive services and non-surgical periodontal therapy and will not include comprehensive oral health care services
• A written recommendation that the patient be examined by a licensed dentist for comprehensive oral health care services
• Assistance in obtaining a referral to a licensed dentist for further planning and treatment, including a written description of methods for obtaining a referral and a list of licensed dentists in the patient’s community or other resources for finding a licensed dentist.

You can track HB111 via SMS Bill Tracking! Text a bill number (ex: HB111) to 559-­‐245-­‐ 2529 to enroll in text alerts.

You can also log onto http://akleg.gov/index.php and enter HB 111 in the search engine to track the bill’s progress.

*** We hope you are just as excited, as we are to see HB 111 progress through the legislative committees! We hope that 2021 will be the year that Advanced Practice Permits are a reality for our Alaska Registered Dental Hygienists! We thank you for your support of AK DHA; it is only through you and your membership that we can support these legislative efforts!

Katrina Virgin, RDH, MS

President, Alaska Dental Hygienists’ Association

Helpful links:

http://akleg.gov/index.php

http://alaskadha.org/legislative-news/

Legislative Committee:

Royann Royer (rroyer@mtaonline.net)

Lisa Bryant (lbryant_rdh@yahoo.com)

Melissa Davis (mel2008rdh@gmail.com)

Katrina Virgin (kvirgin.ak.rdh@gmail.com)

Dr. Thomas Wanat III grew up in Eagle River, Alaska. After attending Northern Arizona University for his undergraduate degree, he went on to earn his DMD in 2013 at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, and completed his residency in periodontics and earned his MSD at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado in 2016. In his free time, Dr. Wanat enjoys spending time in Cooper Landing with his wife, Nini, his dog Kai and cat Bert, fishing, skiing, playing hockey, and snow machining, along with most of the other outdoor activities Alaska has to offer.

Course Synopsis

This the course is designed to provide dental personnel with a review of the knowledge and skills needed to utilize the new AAP Periodontal Classifications system in the dental office. A synopsis of the new periodontal classifications will be presented and will include a review of the Staging and Grading criteria. The course will cover patient assessment and how to identify which Stage and Grade in the new classifications a patient should be placed in. Information regarding how to incorporate the classification system within patient records and chart notes will be covered. There will be time provided at the end of the session for questions attendees have regarding the assessment and management of patients in these classifications.

Handouts will be provided for the participants for future reference.

Course Schedule – Zoom meeting format

9:00 – 10:15 Introduction, History of Periodontal Classifications, Current AAP Classification guidelines, Utilizing case studies to assess a periodontal patient and develop a correct periodontal classification, identifying different formats for chart notes and the format best for your practice.

10:15 -10:30. Questions from participants

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the difference between the previous and new Periodontal Classification System
2. Identify how to assess a patient’s severity, rate of progression, and risk factors of periodontal disease
3. Determine the correct Staging and Grading of periodontal patients
4. Develop a periodontal diagnosis using the new Periodontal Classification system
5. Develop a charting note for use in the provider’s electronic charting system

$25.00 Registration Fee. The registration fee is being donated to Heathy Smiles Forever. If you would like to know more about this organization, please visit them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/HealthySmilesForever/?ref=page_internal

Registration by mail ends on April 18, 2021, must be postmarked by this date. E-mailed registration ends on April 22, 2021.

Payment accepted with Check or PayPal. Make checks payable to Alaska DHA.

A PayPal account is required to pay online with a credit card. Log in to www.paypal.com, select “Send & Request” tab. Choose “Pay for Goods or Services,” and enter rdhalaska@gmail.com for the recipient. In the “note” section, please type the first and last name of the CE attendee and your address. PayPal accepts all major credit cards. Or you can e-mail or mail your completed registration form.

Email registration to:

CEAKDHA2021@gmail.com, NOT TO rdhalaska@gmail.com.

Mail your registration and checks to:

Alaska DHA

℅ Laurel Pfanmiller-Azegami

5300 E 4th #201

Anchorage, AK 99508

Questions? Contact: Laurel Pfanmiller-Azegami (907) 317-6313, email: CEAKDHA2021@gmail.com

** Alaska DHA is not responsible for lost or misplaced CEU AK BoDE approved course vouchers. A $50 fee will be charged for the reissue of a certificate, this is only available for up to 2 years after the course date, upon verification of attendance **

Join the Alaska Dental Hygienists’ Association

Why you should join and support your professional organization:

Membership in AK DHA/ADHA opens many doors to opportunities for professional growth and recognition. It provides Alaska's dental hygienists' with a voice in legislature to ensure our profession is moving forward with the times! Opportunities to increase your knowledge and skills as a valuable oral healthcare provider are endless! Our members enjoy professional support, continuing education, and numerous networking opportunities. When you are ready to be a leader in oral health, leadership opportunities are present at the local component, state, and national levels. Besides professional growth, valuable friendships are often made that will offer support, collaboration, and encouragement!

When you team up with the largest professional organization that represents the interests of dental hygienists, you have a direct connection with colleagues who have years of experience and ample resources that will help you make the most of your professional career now and into the future. By supporting our organization you increase our voice at the state and federal level to protect the dental hygiene scope of practice. Together we can do what we were called to do, increase the health and well being of all Alaskans!

Extraordinary Benefits:

Job Security
AK DHA/ADHA’s legislative efforts monitor and impact government activities that influence the practice of dental hygiene and protect your role as a provider of oral health care.

Outstanding networking opportunities
Members have opportunities to meet regularly to attend continuing education courses, exchange ideas, information, and share experiences.

Insurance
The ADHA offers a variety of insurance plans at group discounts to members. Insurance options include professional liability, life, medical, cancer, disability, accidental death, and equipment coverage.

Discounts on automobile and homeowners insurance are also available.

Self-Study Continuing Education Programs
These courses keep you up to date on the latest scientific trends in your profession, and present the most current theories and techniques in dental hygiene practice.

Professional Enrichment
You will receive monthly magazines; The Journal of Dental Hygiene and Access Magazine. The Journal of Dental Hygiene brings you the latest scientific and technical information affecting clinical practice, education, and research. $35 value.

Access, ADHA’s professional magazine, focuses on current issues in health care, dental hygiene practice, and legislative developments. Gives you all the Up-to-the-minute news and information. $45 value.

MBNA
Apply for ADHA sponsored credit care, sign up for financial planning and mileage programs.

Hotel Discount Program
Members receive discounts from major hotels such as Ramada, Travelodge, AmeriHost and Howard Johnson.

Employment Assistance
ADHA offers state employment referral services, national classified advertising, and employment reference materials to help you move ahead in your career.

JOIN TODAY!!

Contact the American Dental Hygienists’ Association:

Ph# (312) 440-8900

Membership Division

Contact your local Constituent AK DHA:

Royann Royer: rroyer@mtaonline.net

Nicole Dowd: nrdowd91@gmail.com

Helpful Links:

Renew: Member Log In

http://www.adha.org/membership

President- Minna Allen

President Elect/VP- Liisia Putnam

Immediate Past-President- Carla Roe

Secretary- Valerie Truncali

Treasurer- Sarah McConnell

President: Minna Allen (minnaputnam@gmail.com)

President—Julie Hughes

Vice President— Blair Dellaquila

Secretary—Amanda Zimmer

Treasurer- Vacant

Immediate past president—Chloe Allen

Midnight Sun Dental Hygienists Association, Call/Text Julie Hughes at

919-802-1701 or Email: midnightsun.dha@gmail.com

Christina's term March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2025

Christina Hansen, RDH, from Fairbanks, AK! She became an ADHA student member while in hygiene school then became a professional member when she moved to Alaska. She has been a proud ADHA member for 6 years! Christina’s favorite part of being a dental hygienist cannot be summed up with one reason - She says she loves getting to help people with their dental hygiene, educating them with ways to have better home care, making patients smile when they leave their appointments, and seeing her patients year after year.

We are so glad you are a part of our AK DHA family and we are proud to have you serve on the Board of Dental Examiners (BoDE).

Dental Hygienist Board Members:

Christina Hansen, RDH & Brittany Dschaak, RDH

License Renewals—Licensing Period Extended

Due to the current health crisis with COVID-19 and concerns over obtaining continuing education credits prior to the normal license renewal deadlines; the Board of Dental Examiners has extended the the regular licensing period through April 30, 2021.

Brittany Dschaak, RDH started her term March 1, 2019. Christina Hansen, RDH started her term March, 1, 2021. Dentists recently appointed to the board are Jesse Hronkin, Kelly Lucas, and Jonathan Woller. A full board roster is available on the board website. Next board meeting is on April 15th. The board website is a great resource—applications, change of address form, meeting minutes, license search, disciplinary actions, and statutes and regulations are all available so check it out!

https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofDentalExaminers.aspx

Dental hygiene scope of practice- Questions that have come before the board as to what is allowable:

• Silver Diamine Fluoride—Allowable under general supervision 08.32.110(a)(1)(F); BoDE would strongly encourage informed consent.
  

• Laser—Allowable under general supervision 08.32.110(a)(1)(F), provided the procedure is therapeutic (irreversible tissue alteration that could be considered operative or surgical would be a violation of statute).

• Botox/Dermal filler—Not allowable; not in the scope of practice to provide oral health care to the public.

New Licensing Examiner: Tracy Wiard
Telephone: (907) 465-2542
Fax: (907) 465-2974
E-mail: BoardOfDentalExaminers@Alaska.Gov
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806

Dental Hygiene Program Director:
Carri Shamburger, RDH, MSDH

Thank you Alaska DHA for your continued support!

As you know the WREB is coming up quickly and seniors are desperately searching for board patients. We have a walk-in clinic for screening on Thursday evenings from 5:00 - 7:30 pm. If you could spread this information that would be great!

Also, there has been a misunderstanding circulating that there is an option for manikins for WREB testing. Our state statues state that Alaska requires in-person testing, so again, live patients are required and our seniors are searching for eligible candidates.

WREB exams are now scheduled for July 6-9th.

Carri Shamburger, RDH, MSDH

Program Director, Dental Hygiene

University of Alaska Anchorage

3211 Providence Dr.

Anchorage, AK 99508

907-786-4344

cashamburger@alaska.edu