FOCUS | ISSUE 6 | 2010
Cover Story: Best Management Practices continued from cover
separators and conscientiously practicing the ADA BMPs, which clearly confi rmed the need for increased member education.
After the survey results were assimilated, the committee began work on developing ways to educate members. To lay the groundwork, MDA presented continual Focus articles to keep the issue top of mind (one of which included the full ADA BMP as an insert). These articles culminated in the offi cial campaign kickoff last January when Dr. Fred Eichmiller, a renowned expert in the fi eld of amalgam and waste re- cycling, presented a course to attendees at the MDA Winter Session.
Also during this period, the MDA has been working to establish both Corporate Sponsors to offset program expenses and extend the reach of the education initiative, as well as Preferred Providers, which are companies that supply amalgam separators, amalgam recycling services and various other infectious and medi-
This FREE member benefi t provides continuing education hours as you learn about the Best Management Practices. Not only can you view the presentation in the comfort of your home or offi ce, but getting your free CE credit is easy: 1) Watch the video/presentation. 2) Com- plete and submit the 10-question test to MDA. 3) Receive CE confi rmation through email. The MDA hopes a majority of members will take advantage of this important online CE.
WHY IT MATTERS
As stated earlier, the creation of this effort centered around educating members about the BMPs so that Missouri dentists could be proac- tive on future changes in handling of amalgam waste, especially at a time when “going green” is top of mind for many and as mandates seem to be ever-increasing from state and federal regulatory agencies.
Although dentistry is a very small contributor of mercury in the environment as a whole, it is beyond dispute that dentists do discharge mer- cury into wastewater. Missouri is not immune to the pressures to reduce these substances in the environment, especially because there are many waterways in the state that are on the
Prior to this announcement, the ADA Coun- cil on Government Affairs (CGA) proposed a resolution for the 2010 ADA House of Del- egates, “that the ADA support a nation-wide amalgam separator requirement, provided that the terms of the requirement were otherwise reasonable.” One reason for this resolution was to assure that the ADA had a seat at the table should EPA move forward with a nation-wide standard. Sure enough, after CGA acted but before the House met, the EPA did just that in September. CGA’s resolution then passed the ADA House on the consent calendar.
The ADA is now meeting with the EPA to explain to the agency just what terms would be considered reasonable. Those meetings will be ongoing as the EPA works on its intent to issue a draft rule by next year.
On December 14-15, an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration will hold a pub- lic hearing on the safety of dental amalgam. If this sounds familiar, it’s because the FDA ruled just last year (favorably) on exactly this issue. Although there has been no signifi cant change on the science surrounding this issue, the ADA is taking the hearing very seriously. It and a number of outside organizations interested in
Although dentistry is a very small contributor of mercury in the environment as a whole, it is beyond dispute that dentists do discharge mercury into wastewater.
MDA WANTS TO EDUCATE MEMBERS ABOUT THE BMPS SO THAT MISSOURI DENTISTS CAN BE PROACTIVE
Especially at a time when mandates seem to be ever-increasing from state and federal regulatory agencies regarding changes in handling of amalgam waste.
cal waste services for the dental offi ce, that may offer discounts for MDA members. Cor- porate sponsors are Missouri Dental Insurance Services, Delta Dental of Missouri, Patterson Dental and Goetze Dental. Preferred Providers are Amalgaway, Mail Your Sharps, R&D Services and SolmoteX.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
While there was good participation from mem- bers attending the Winter Session CE course, the MDA desired to bring the BMP education program from that session to more members, in a more convenient way. As such, the MDA is pleased to announce the launch of the BMP (Putting into Place BMPs for Amalgam Waste) Online CE program!
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endangered list. There is increasing pressure at the federal level too.
EPA, FDA & THE ADA
This past September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it intends to propose a rule to reduce mercury waste from dental offi ces. The EPA expects to propose a rule next year and fi nalize it in 2012. The EPA suggests dental offi ces will be able to use existing technology to meet the proposed requirements through use of amalgam separa- tors, which can separate out 95 percent of the mercury normally discharged to the local waste treatment plant. The separator captures the mercury, which is then recycled and reused.
the topic will present testimony to the panel.
NEXT STEPS FOR MEMBERS MDA will continue to monitor this issue and the BMP for the Environment AD Hoc Com- mittee will continue to evaluate the education efforts of the program so that it has value for MDA members.
While we wait to see what happens on this issue both at the national and state level, MDA members can be proactive and prepared by participating in the Best Management Practices Online CE. Learn about the BMPS, how you can implement them into your offi ce, and how MDA’s Preferred Providers can make this easier.
Learn more at
www.modental.org/bmp.
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