POSITION STATEMENTS

NCDHP Statement on Reforming Licensing Questions

NCDHP supports licensure and credentialing application reform through the elimination of overly broad and invasive questions that are stigmatizing, discriminatory, and that violate privacy in the workplace - and may even violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Council recognizes that a one-size-fits-all solution may not be possible for all state dental boards. Boards have varying degrees of autonomy and different legislative structures and may also have members who are reluctant to adopt one approach at the expense of another that they feel holds promise.

NCDHP suggests a tiered approach proposed by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) which includes three different approaches, each with its own benefits in terms of removal of barriers to treatment seeking:

• The first tier is to use the FSMB’s 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? (Yes/No)”
• The second tier would be to remove the questions altogether.
• The third tier would be to use an “attestation” model, such as the one implemented by the Iowa Dental Board (see box -->).