New DEA training requirements affecting oral and maxillofacial surgeons licensed to prescribe controlled substances take effect this summer. All DEA-registered practitioners must complete a one-time eight-hour training requirement of coursework addressing substance use disorders as part of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act.
Practitioners who complete their next scheduled DEA renewal registration or an initial application on or after June 27 must check a box on their online DEA registration form affirming they have completed the training. The DEA clarifies that past training – including continuing education received through AAOMS or the ADA prior to Dec. 29, 2022 – counts toward meeting this requirement and that the eight hours does not need to be completed as a single session.
Training may be on the management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders and not necessarily the treatment of these patients. We believe AAOMS offers qualifying online CE courses to meet the requirement.
While AAOMS continues its communications with the DEA and SAMHSA, we also would strongly suggest contacting the DEA with questions regarding qualifying courses or other matters. Email questions to the Diversion Control Division Policy Section at odlp@dea.gov or call 571-362-3260.
Visit our website for key provisions, advocacy efforts and available educational resources to assist members in complying with the MATE Act. Questions? Email advocacy@aaoms.org.
News
Join Us in Honoring Dr. Warren Arrasmith
In a fitting tribute to one of the specialty’s most beloved OMSs, the Alabama Society of OMS (ALSOMS) recently honored Dr. Warren W. Arrasmith with $100,000 in new gifts to the OMS Foundation made in his honor. These Alabama and national donors helped launch the appeal with new Bronze OMSFIRE gifts:
Let’s join ALSOMS with donations in honor of Dr. Arrasmith.
Simply go to the OMS Foundation Web site:
- Check the “honor or memorial gift” box in the online donation form
- Put Warren Arrasmith in the “in honor/memory” field
- It’s not necessary to complete the Notification Recipient info that follows
- Add “SSOMS” in the “Additional Information” field (after Donor Recognition)
To Donate: https://secure3.convio.net/omsf/site/Donation2?df_id=1720&mfc_pref=T&1720.donation=form1
SSOMS Member, Dan Gesek FDA’s Dentist of the Year
The Florida Dental Association (FDA) recognized Dr. Daniel J. Gesek Jr., as Dentist of the Year at the 2022 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Congratulations, Dan!
Dr. Gesek has served as a leader in organized dentistry at the national, state and local levels. In addition to serving on both the FDA and the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates, he has served on the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure and FDA Council on Communications, helping lead key policy changes in these roles. Dr. Gesek was also appointed to the Florida Board of Dentistry, where he served from 2007-2015.
Dr. Gesek was also named 2022-2023 Secretary of the FDA, which will lead to him becoming president of the association in 2026.
In addition to these leadership roles, Dr. Gesek served as the chair of the 2021 Florida Mission of Mercy held in Jacksonville. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gesek successfully led the first large-scale, post-pandemic Mission of Mercy event in the nation, which provided 1,000 patients in need with $1.6 million worth of donated dental care.
“Dr. Gesek has been influential in the safe and effective practice of dentistry in Florida and throughout the nation,” said Drew Eason, CEO and executive director of the FDA. “He exemplifies the Dentist of the Year award through his leadership in the dental profession, as well as his dedication to helping thousands of Floridians receive critical dental care through the Florida Mission of Mercy.”
Dr. Gesek grew up in Olean, New York and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1991. He went on to study Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Washing Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., completing his residency in 1995. Dr. Gesek is now a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing in Jacksonville, where he resides with his wife Stacy and their three children.
Finally, We Gather Again
When SSOMS Past President Lee Allen and I went to Ireland to put the finishing touches on the 2019 annual meeting, we met and became friends with a kind and gentle Irishman by the name of Pat Crowley. Since that time Pat has sent me several emails with warm and thoughtful gifts from his huge heart. Attached is one of those gifts, a poem written and narrated by Kevin McCormack against a backdrop of beautiful photos of the breathtaking Irish countryside. The poem addresses the challenges of the past year hammered by Covid and what we need to do going forward to regain our joy.
I hope it will inspire you and it did me. Remember, “the past is heavy, put it down”.
Hope to see you at Amelia Island. It has been too long.
Hank Holderfield, Executive Director
COVID-19 Resources for OMS Practices
Please see summaries and links that have been recently added to the AAOMS COVID-19 Resources. See also links to the infections control webinar and Telehealth page.
Order Washable Medical Gowns
Pro Med Sales has secured a supply of washable medical gowns for our OMS members and are ready to take your orders.
Please call Pro Med Sales at 678-714-5341 or download and fill out the order form and return. For more information about the medical gowns, click here for a spec sheet.
Thank you to Pro Med Sales and ImageFirst for making this happen.
The Health Care Group – publisher of some AAOMS practice management publications – has teamed up with Health Care Law Associates to develop a summary of significant COVID-19 legal developments related to OMS practices. COVID-19 Resource for OMS Practice Owners, Associates and Managers (pdf) is being offered at no cost to AAOMS members. The guide covers mandated paid time off, paycheck protection program under the CARES Act, benefit plans relief and the CMS accelerated and advance payments program.
The SBA Webinars are now available:
- Free webinar: Financial Steps to Take Now to Overcome a COVID-19 Business Downturn
- Free webinar: What the CARES Act means to you
The Infection Control Webinar also remains active:
Updated Telehealth Resources At-a-Glance
- With the COVID-19 outbreak, CMS and states are working to eliminate barriers to telehealth use – including telephone or “virtual” evaluations and/or treatment advice – to help patients access care remotely and reduce the strain on hospitals and clinics. AAOMS has assembled a new webpage – Telehealth Resources – with details and links that will be updated when new information becomes available. In addition, AAOMS published AAOMS White Paper: Telehealth and Remote Treatment in January (pdf).
EXTRACTED; Unmasking Rampant Antisemitism in America’s Higher Education
Dr. Perry Brickman, GSOMS Past President, founder of our GSOMS Educational Trust and recipient of our John Freihaut Lifetime Achievement Award, is the author of Extracted, a fascinating book that describes the antisemitism he and many other Jewish students experienced at Emory University’s Dental School and the Atlanta Southern Dental College in the 1950’s and early 60’s. Also a part of the “racial quota” scheme was ADA’s Council on Dental Education (CODE).
Perry’s story is compelling in many ways but his relentless pursuit of the truth stands out throughout the tightly written text. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
You will be proud of Perry, ashamed of the leadership at Emory during that critical time in dental education but pleased with the end result of reconciliation and forgiveness.
Posted 2-2020