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The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners Newsletter [Important Updates] 

Talking with the Toothcop

Release Date: 08/03/2021

Maximizing Dental Practice Success show art Maximizing Dental Practice Success

Talking with the Toothcop

Introduction: Join Duane Tinker as he welcomes Leah Roling, an acclaimed life coach and celebrated author of "Shift" and "Nobody's Coming to Save You." Specializing in dental professionals' growth and success, Leah shares transformative insights aimed at enhancing both personal and professional realms. Embracing the Platinum Rule with Leah Roling: Discover the transition from the Golden Rule to the Platinum Rule with Leah Roling. Understand the pivotal shift towards treating individuals based on their personal preferences and needs, a cornerstone for effective communication and...

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Talking with the Toothcop

Clinical Recordkeeping for Dental Assistants for Nifty Thrifty Dentists Group   🦷 The importance of proper documentation and compliance in dental practices: Learn from Dwayne Tinker, former police officer for the Texas Dental Board, as he shares insights on #DentalCompliance and record-keeping.   Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Proper notations for medications and doctor's instructions are crucial. 2️⃣ #HIPAA compliance is a must, especially for patient record access. 3️⃣ Respect patient privacy and obtain consent during conversations. 4️⃣ Ensure accuracy and reliability...

info_outline Waterline Safety – Amanda Hill, RDH, BSDH show art Waterline Safety – Amanda Hill, RDH, BSDH

Talking with the Toothcop

Amanda Hill RDH, BSDH has been a dental hygienist for over 26 years. When she took her annual infection control training in 2017, the speaker covered waterlines. She never knew that she had to do more than flush her waterlines. No one else in her dental office knew that they were supposed to do more. Her practice failed their first water test, badly. So Amanda dug in and got them to pass their water testing. Then she started offering to help other dental offices. In this episode, Amanda shares her expertise and we have a deep discussion about waterline testing.  Outline of This...

info_outline MCS Infection Control Solutions - Paul Saueressig show art MCS Infection Control Solutions - Paul Saueressig

Talking with the Toothcop

Without question, the Covid pandemic had a large impact on the healthcare field. It highlighted monstrous changes that needed to occur in the infection control space. MCS put its resources into investigating standards of care in infection control.  MCS came out with some new technologies that will transform the world of infection control. Paul Saueressig outlines the solutions they’ve created and how they can benefit your dental practice in this episode of Talking with the Toothcop. Do NOT miss this one! Outline of This Episode [2:12] Learn more about MCS Infection Control Solutions...

info_outline How the No Surprises Act Impacts Dentists - Laura Diamond show art How the No Surprises Act Impacts Dentists - Laura Diamond

Talking with the Toothcop

Have you heard of the federally implemented “No Surprises Act?” Were you aware that it applies to dentists? The No Surprises Act protects uninsured and self-pay patients from receiving surprise medical bills. So what does that mean for your practice? Find out in this episode of Talking with the Toothcop!  How the “No Surprises Act” applies to dentists As of 1/1/2022, you need to provide patients an estimate of anticipated charges for dental services, i.e. “Good Faith Estimates” or GFEs. They must be provided upon request or upon scheduling an appointment—well in...

info_outline Protect Your Practice: Exclusions Monitoring + Compliance Programs - Justin Withrow show art Protect Your Practice: Exclusions Monitoring + Compliance Programs - Justin Withrow

Talking with the Toothcop

Everyone needs a compliance program tailored to the needs of their practice. Justin Withrow jumps in when a compliance program is absent and things go horribly wrong. Perhaps a client was employing an individual that's excluded from participation in the Federal Healthcare Program that should have been caught.  There is a multitude of things that could happen that could have been prevented by a compliance program. In this episode of Talking with the Toothcop, we dissect the importance of exclusion monitoring, the basics of the false claims act, self-disclosure protocol, and much more. The...

info_outline Dental Compliance Doesn't Matter Until It Matters. Then It Matters BIG TIME. show art Dental Compliance Doesn't Matter Until It Matters. Then It Matters BIG TIME.

Talking with the Toothcop

When you’re in the midst of a busy day in your dental office, the details are the things that you typically let slide, right? But in the dental business, it’s the details that keep you on track and it’s the details that protect your office from huge fines and your Doctor from losing her licenses. This episode highlights some of the things I’ve seen recently that I think all dental office workers need to have top-of-mind. If you don’t take these things seriously, you’re going to have issues eventually. Online training or in-person training? Which do you need? Every dental office is...

info_outline Enforcement Activity Is Up! Do You Have A Legit Paper Trail? show art Enforcement Activity Is Up! Do You Have A Legit Paper Trail?

Talking with the Toothcop

During the 4th Quarter of 2021 we saw a lot of enforcement activity, from the agencies that are announcing their fraud enforcement efforts to insurance companies that are initiating audits, etc. So whatever you’re involved with (Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Services, etc.), be sure you have an audit process in place that includes good records on the steps you’ve taken. You need to be able to prove your compliance should an audit or investigation comes your way. Narcotics charges against a Michigan Dentist, and lesson for all of us A Michigan Dentist was busted recently on narcotics...

info_outline An Important Announcement from the Toothcop show art An Important Announcement from the Toothcop

Talking with the Toothcop

I started the Talking with the Toothcop podcast in December 2017. Andrea has been with me since early 2019. We love doing this podcast together. Sadly, it’s time for us to hit the pause button. We will be back—I promise! But we have a lot on our plates right now and it makes sense to pull back temporarily. If this podcast has been rewarding and educational for you professionally, take some time and go back to listen to our episode archive!  Outline of This Episode [0:22] What’s happening in our lives! [4:18] Check out ProEdge Dental [7:01] Sharing some bittersweet news...

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Talking with the Toothcop

I work with dental offices and do a lot of dental inspections/consults. I help people identify what they need to do differently. We talk through OSHA, HIPAA, infection control, radiology, medications, state board compliance, etc. But I get really excited about infection control and sterilization. That’s my stage—my moment to shine. In this episode of Talking with the Toothcop, we’re going to talk about instrument processing and cleaning procedures. Find out what you could be doing wrong and what to do instead! Outline of This Episode [0:49] Time to redo the 75 Hard Challenge!...

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More Episodes

In this episode of Talking with the Toothcop, I share some sobering news that recently happened in Kansas. I’ll also share some important updates that dentists need to be aware of that were highlighted in the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners Newsletter. Stay up-to-date on the latest dentistry compliance issues—don’t miss it. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [0:21] 3-year-old boy dies during dental procedure
  • [3:13] Get your dental unit waterlines tested through ProEdge!
  • [4:30] Electronic Prescribing Waiver
  • [6:03] Texas administrative code Rule 108.7 sub-section 16
  • [7:44] Tele-dentistry rule (HB2056) passed
  • [12:50] Questions about Rule 108.7 sub-section 16
  • [14:33] Do dentists prescribe anxiety medication frequently? 
  • [15:26] Learn more about protectIt dental’s emergency medical kit
  • [16:43] The Professional Recovery Network

3-year-old Boy Dies During Dental Procedure

A 3-year-old boy in Wichita, Kansas went in for a simple procedure. He was sedated to have some teeth removed after a gum infection. Unfortunately, something went awry during the procedure and the boy passed away after being transported to a nearby hospital. The incident is currently under investigation though it appears there was no wrongdoing. 

However, incidents like these are a sobering reminder to have your dental office prepared in case of emergencies. You need a written protocol in place, your team needs to be aware of their role, and it needs to be referenced as often as possible. 

Electronic Prescribing Waiver

As of January 1, 2021, the Texas Health and Safety Code 481.0755 dictates that

“Prescriptions for controlled substances be issued electronically, except in limited

circumstances, or unless a waiver has been granted by the appropriate agency.” 

The waiver applies to dentists that issue prescriptions for controlled substances—but don’t prescribe many at all. They can apply for a waiver to avoid setting up electronic prescribing. If granted, the waiver allows dentists to write up to 25 prescriptions for controlled substances per year. You can re-apply for your waiver up to 30 days before it expires (it lasts a year from when it’s issued). 

Please Note: Many drugs that you may not consider are classified as controlled substances. Do your research and don’t let yourself get caught off guard by this. 

Texas administrative code Rule 108.7 sub-section 16

Rule 108.7 sub-section 16 was the COVID rule. It’s now been replaced with what was sub-section 17: You must “Hold a Level 1 permit (Minimal Sedation permit) issued by the Board before prescribing and/or administering Halcion (triazolam), and should administer Halcion (triazolam) in an in-office setting.” Basically, if you want to treat patients with these meds, you must hold a Level 1 permit. 

In the newsletter, the featured a question a reader asked, “Can I prescribe or dispense a drug for sedation without a sedation permit?” The answer is no. You have to have a minimal sedation permit to prescribe sedation medications to patients (dosage recommendations in board rules 110.1 and 110.4).

Texas Legislative House Bill 2056 Passes

The bill passed on June 16th, 2021. But on August 11th at 1 pm, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners will host a stakeholder meeting to address the specific rules for teledentistry. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and shape these rules on the front end. What can you do? Look at other state’s regulations and see what they’re doing and what their recommendations are. Too often dentists don’t get involved when they have the opportunity. If you’re not involved, you can’t complain about it! I think we will see rules formed by March. 

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