News

The American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is conducting an accreditation site visit of the Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs at Pearl River Community College on November 30, 31 and December 1, 2023.  Third party comments from students, patients, and other parties of interest are solicited by CODA up until 60 days prior to the scheduled visit.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review comments that relate to a program’s compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs.

Signed or unsigned comments will be accepted, names and/or signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program, and that comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process.  A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission by calling 1-312-440-4653 or by emailing navickask@ada.org.  

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners voted to lessen the restrictions for dental hygienists in the State of Mississippi by broadening our scope of practice.

This amendment to Regulation 13 involves being able to administer local anesthesia to our patients (under direct supervision by the dentist) and to practice under general supervision as the dentist deems necessary. These changes will greatly impact and improve oral healthcare in Mississippi.

The final step must be approved and voted on by the Occupational Licensing Review Committee (OLRC). It is crucial now more than ever that we unite together to have our voices heard. Please contact the governors office by email, stating that you support these specific changes for the dental hygienists with Regulation 13.

We appreciate your commitment to our profession. 

To contact the Governor’s office, please call 601-359-3150 or email governor@govreeves.ms.gov 
and request that the MSBDE’s latest passage of hygienists delivering local anesthesia under direct supervision of a dentist be added to the next OLRC agenda.

To learn more and send a message to the OLRC, click here to launch the Action Center.

MDHA would like to recognize this month’s “Hygiene Rockstar” is Tammy Weeks.

Tammy has been practicing dental hygiene for 14 years. She lives in Brandon and has worked at Germany Dental for 2 years. She has three children and two dogs. Tammy truly cares about her patients and is an outstanding team player. Tammy goes above and beyond everyday. Thank you for your commitment to the profession and for being a Hygiene Rockstar!

Please nominate a hygienist you believe goes above and beyond and the MDHA will recognize these amazing hygienists each month.
Send nominations to MDHA@live.com

The Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners released an update today, May 13, 2020, regarding the Return to Work, Phase 4 guidelines. These guidelines will be in full effect beginning May 18, 2020 and remain in effect until further notice.

Click here to view the announcement.

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) released a proclamation today (May 8, 2020) following the State Health Officer’s directive of the “Phase 3” Return to Work Guidelines. All dental practices will be able to return to work beginning on May 11th.

All workers and providers must utilize proper PPE and all universal precautions as previously stated by MSBDE. If PPE is not available, dental procedures must be cancelled until the time at which PPE may be obtained.

Click here to view the statement from MSBDE.

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners recently requested through the Mississippi Department of Health that Orthodontic Procedures as well as Implant Placement and related Implant.  Procedures be added to the list of Essential Procedures effective May 4, 2020. On this date, the State Health Officer has agreed to support this amendment. Through an Emergency Teleconference Board Meeting, the MSBDE voted to include the above procedures to the list of essential services effective Monday, May 4,2020. All previously mandated guidelines and protocols remain in effect. The Board continues to work with the Department of Health to ensure a safe and orderly return to practice, but doing so in compliance with the proclamations and emergency orders issued.

Click here to view the update

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, I am committed to keeping you, our members, informed of our recent efforts to support the health and safety of the nation’s dental hygienists.   To assist dental hygienists with the many unanswered questions about how to safely return to work, and the need for and availability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), I announced the creation of the ADHA Task Force on Return to Work last week. I am pleased to share with you that the Task Force has developed theADHA Interim Guidance on Return to Work.  This report provides evidence-based guidance for dental hygienists and will be continually updated as a living resource for the profession. It also includes a Readiness to Return to Work Checklist and Patient Questionnaire.  View and download here.

The Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners recently published its “return to work protocol” in response to Governor Tate Reeves’ “Safer at Home Guidelines” for re-opening Mississippi businesses and practices. View the protocol by clicking here. There is an active discussion of analysis and further detail of this protocol on our Facebook page.