NYSDA Alerts

Thursday, June 30, 2011

AED Bill Signed Into Law

On Wednesday, June 8, 2011, Governor Cuomo signed an important piece of legislation into law that will improve public health and safety of New Yorkers statewide.

Beginning January 1, 2012, all dental offices in New York State will be required to have Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) on-site. Dentists in New York are already required to be trained to use these devices. AED’s save lives and now over 10,000 dental offices across the State will have them available.

NYSDA’s support of AEDs in dental offices is a result of the indisputable evidence that they greatly improve outcomes for people experiencing cardiac arrest.

While dental offices are not a site where cardiac arrest is likely to occur, as many people frequent dental offices, the availability of an AED provides additional protection for those in a dental office who may experience an unanticipated cardiac event, regardless of the cause.

The importance of early defibrillation cannot be over-emphasized:

  • The prognosis of pre-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation is dependent on the first few minutes following the arrest
  • The availability and use of AEDs has resulted in a marked increase in the effectiveness of pre-hospital CPR in saving lives
  • It is estimated that an individual’s chances for survival decreases by 10% for each minute that defibrillation is delayed
  • Early defibrillation has been shown to be more effective than CPR alone
  • The national average for survival after sudden cardiac arrest is 5-6% without immediate defibrillation
  • In metropolitan areas, the survival rates are actually lower, 1-2%, leading many communities to equip first responders with AEDs
  • Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs have raised survival rates up to 60%

This bill was sponsored by Senator Martin J. Golden and Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. and supported by groups from around the state including the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys.

New AED Law and How it Will Affect You

NYSDA has created a Frequently Asked Questions sheet that will answer many questions about the new AED law and how it will affect you. The FAQ sheet will be updated as new questions come in.

Acrobat PDF FileAED FAQ

If NYSDA members have questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, contact NYSDA offices at 1-800-255-2100 or send an email to info@nysdental.org.


New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
State Board for Dentistry
89 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12234-1000
Ph: 518-474-3817 Ext. 550
Fax: 518-473-6995
E-mail: dentbd@mail.nysed.gov


NYSDA Announces Endorsed AED Vendor

NYSDA has arranged a discounted AED purchasing program with AED Professionals to help members comply with the new AED law in the most cost effective manner.  AED Professionals has units starting at $850 and they can provide the forms and documentation needed to claim a $500 tax credit from New York State when you file the NY IT-250 form (for individuals) NY CT-250 (for corporations).  There are many models of AEDs with varying features on the market, and the staff at AED Professionals can advise you as to which AED is best suited for your needs and at the lowest long term cost. 

Special NYSDA member benefits include:

  • Special NYSDA member pricing
  • Dedicated website
  • Free lifetime reminder program letting you know when to replace the battery or pads
  • Free shipping
  • “Rescue Ready” unit comes assembled and ready to use

NYSDA is not receiving any royalties; the purpose of this endorsement is to provide savings to NYSDA members.

NYSDA members can contact AED Professionals at 888-541-2337 to learn more or visit them at: http://www.aedprofessionals.com/nysda.html