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American Dental Education Association
Volume 3, No. 34, March 20, 2024
CDC Updates COVID Guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance [ [link removed] ] regarding coronavirus isolation that would no longer require Americans who test positive for COVID-19 to stay home from work or school for five days. This shift aligns with strategies to prevent the transmission of flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), marking the first change in isolation recommendations since 2021. With the pandemic evolving and most of the population having attained immunity through vaccination or prior infection, health experts advocate for a more pragmatic approach to public health measures.
The new CDC guidance suggests using clinical symptoms as indicators for ending isolation rather than adhering strictly to a time-based protocol. Individuals who are fever free for at least 24 hours without medication and experiencing mild, improving symptoms may no longer need to isolate. This approach aims to harmonize COVID-19 recommendations with those for other respiratory illnesses, reflecting a pragmatic shift in managing the pandemic amid changing circumstances.
While the CDC's new recommendations aim to balance public health concerns with societal disruptions, including older adults, immunocompromised individuals and long-COVID patients are advised to take additional precautions [ [link removed] ] .
The shift in isolation guidance mirrors similar moves by states like Oregon and California, which have already adjusted their protocols. These changes reflect a broader trend observed globally, with countries like the United Kingdom, Denmark and Australia.
National Health Service Corps Is Accepting Applications
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training. It’s the perfect opportunity to fund your health care career. Get financial support for your education and, in return, serve at least two years in a community in need.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
• Tuition and eligible fees;
• Items including books, health insurance and equipment;
• Monthly stipends to assist with living expenses while pursuing your degree;
Explore the benefits of the NHSC Scholarship Program and provide care to 19 million patients in underserved areas across the country.
Applications are being accepted now through April 25, 7:30 p.m. ET. General program information, including program eligibility and program application can be found here [ [link removed] ] .
Virginia Becomes Fifth State to Join Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact
On March 8, Virginia became the fifth state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact [ [link removed] ] .
Once enacted by seven states, the compact will create a pathway to licensure portability for dentists and dental hygienists who are licensed in member states. Licensees who live in states that are compact members can apply for a “compact privilege” that will allow them to practice in another member state. Under the model compact [ [link removed] ] that was written by The Council for State Governments, license holders will be granted the opportunity to apply for compact privilege if they do the following:
• Hold a license as a dentist or dental hygienist;
• Graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited program;
• Successfully complete a clinical assessment for licensure, with “clinical assessment” currently defined as an examination or process required for licensure as a dentist or dental hygienist, as applicable, that provides evidence of clinical competence in dentistry or dental hygiene;
• Have passed a National Board Examination of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or another examination accepted, by rule, as a requirement for licensure;
• Meet any jurisprudence requirements;
• Complete a criminal background check;
• Submit an application and pay applicable fees; and
• Comply with requirements to submit specified information for administrative purposes.
The compact has also been adopted by Iowa [ [link removed] ] , Tennessee [ [link removed] ] , Washington [ [link removed] ] and Wisconsin [ [link removed] ] . As of March 14, legislation to adopt the compact is active in 12 states [ [link removed] ] .
Tennessee Gov. Signs Bill to Increase Number of Dental Hygienists Safety Net Dentists May Supervise
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed legislation [ [link removed] ] that increases the number of dental hygienists that safety net dentists may supervise. The new law will allow a dentist to supervise up to five dental hygienists under general supervision if both the dentist and the dental hygienist work for the state's department of health, a county or metropolitan health department or an entity that participates in the state for the uninsured. Additionally, the bill authorizes a dentist to supervise, under direct supervision, no more than 10 dental hygienists while the dentist and each hygienist provide dental services – on a volunteer basis – through a nonprofit provider of free mobile clinics.
ADEA Advocacy in Action
This appears weekly in the ADEA Advocate to summarize and provide direct links to recent advocacy actions taken by ADEA. Please let us know what you think and how we might improve its usefulness.
Issues and Resources
• ADEA report [ [link removed] ] on teledentistry
• ADEA report [ [link removed] ] on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Dental Schools
• ADEA policy brief [ [link removed] ] regarding overprescription of antibiotics
• For a full list of ADEA memos, briefs and letters click here [ [link removed] ] .
Key Federal Issues [ [link removed] ]
ADEA U.S. Interactive Legislative and Regulatory Tracking Map [ [link removed] ]
Key State Issues [ [link removed] ]
The ADEA Advocate [ [link removed] ] is published weekly. Its purpose is to keep ADEA members abreast of federal and state issues and events of interest to the academic dentistry and the dental and research communities.
©2023
American Dental Education Association
655 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-289-7201
Website: www.adea.org [ [link removed] ]
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B. Timothy Leeth, CPA
ADEA Chief Advocacy Officer
Bridgette DeHart, J.D.
ADEA Director of Federal Relations and Advocacy
Phillip Mauller, M.P.S.
ADEA Senior Director of State Relations and Advocacy
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