G ove r n men t Re lat ions
PDA is optimistic that the House of Representatives will pass
SB 373 before the end of session in late fall. Help us keep the
momentum going to pass this important insurance practice
reform legislation and send to the Governor for his signature.
We need a united front to counter the insurance lobbyists hard
at work opposing this bill. Legislators will count how many
dentists contact them about SB 373 when deciding how to
vote. They will assume that dentists do not care about enacting
this legislation if they don’t hear from you.
General Assembly continues to fund Donated Dental
Services Program
Due to PDA’s relationships with key leaders in the House and
Senate, the state budget again includes funding for Dental
Lifeline Network’s (DLN) Donated Dental Services Program. This
funding allows DLN to employ two regional coordinators to
manage the program statewide. These coordinators are
responsible for recruiting volunteer dentists and laboratories,
screening patients for eligibility, and facilitating between the
dentists and patients until treatment is rendered.
DLN is a national humanitarian dental organization providing
access to comprehensive dentistry for society’s most
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vulnerable individuals who are disabled, elderly or medically
compromised. They are not financially eligible for government
programs and have no other way to get the dental treatment
they need, which for most is necessary before treating other
medical conditions. To find out how you can volunteer, log on
to https://dentallifeline.org/
State Board of Dentistry Update
Thanks to your membership, PDA is able to monitor and
influence State Board of Dentistry (SBOD) regulations as they
are drafted and moving through the regulatory process. We are
your advocate on all SBOD issues.
Ever wonder what goes on at SBOD meetings? Here’s the latest
from the past few months.
Dental schools standardize opioid curriculum
SBOD’s legal counsel is working with the Departments of Drug
and Alcohol and Health and the dental schools, to develop
standard curriculum on safe prescribing practices and pain
management. Dental students will have the opportunity while
in school to complete the four-hour educational requirement
on opioids before applying for their Pennsylvania license.