SACRAMENTO, California--With the potential to generate an additional 30,000 health-care providers during a crisis situation, and the constant threat of terrorism and natural disasters, the California Dental Association has made engaging its member dentists to be first-responders and work with emergency officials a top priority.
With the modification of the Dental Practice Act that took effect Jan. 1, 2009, a dentist's role during an emergency is important. Dentists who are part of their local emergency response teams and/or have received appropriate training can assist during an emergency by providing services for which they have been trained.
"Dentists have education and training that make them valuable members of emergency response teams," said Joyce Galligan, RN, DDS, CDA, member and the first dentist on the Los Angeles Medical Reserve Corp.
"We all want to do everything we can to help during an incident, but it takes preparation and training to know what our role should and should not be. This course will help California's dentists understand how to fill those critical roles in an emergency and work better with local officials in order to help save lives."
The first course was given in May by Dr. Galligan, associate professor at the USC School of Dentistry and director of the Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Dental Task Force, at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim, Calif.
Participants not only reviewed the basics of being a first responder, but learned about being a triage officer and how local, state, and federal agencies may utilize dental professionals during a disaster.
CDA will host the lecture again at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco in September.
For more information, visit California Dental Association.
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