NCDHP Guidelines for State Programs
These guidelines outline key elements of effective state-level support systems. They are organized around core components that influence how support is accessed, coordinated, and used.
Licensure Reform
State licensure processes influence whether dental professionals seek help early. Policies that support access to care while maintaining public protection are essential to effective systems.
NCDHP supports licensure and credentialing application reform, including the elimination of overly broad and invasive questions that may be stigmatizing, discriminatory, or inconsistent with privacy protections and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Approaches to reform will vary across states. Dental boards operate within different legislative and regulatory structures, and implementation may differ based on authority and context.
NCDHP suggests a tiered approach, adapted from the Federation of State Medical Boards, to reduce barriers to help-seeking:
- Tier 1: Use model language focused on current impairment (see sidebar)
- Tier 2: Remove health-related questions entirely
- Tier 3: Use an attestation model (see sidebar)
MODEL LANGUAGE
“Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely affect your ability to practice medicine in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?”
ATTESTATION STATEMENT
(sample from Iowa Dental Board)
The Board recognizes that licensees may struggle with health concerns, just like their patients, including mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and substance use disorders, which may impact practice.
The Board expects its licensees to properly address health concerns by seeking medical care, and/or limiting their practice, when appropriate.
The Board encourages licensees to utilize its practitioner health programs when the symptoms of a health concern may have the potential to impair the ability to practice. More information can be found here:
The inability of a licensee to meet the minimum standard of care as a result of inadequately addressing any health condition, which may impair their ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients, could result in Board review.
*I have read and understand the statements above.
o I acknowledge
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