Practice Resources

A funding assistance program is available to dentists impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. The Feb. 21 attack is preventing many dentists from sending electronic claims and attachments to insurance companies to receive payment. Change Healthcare, owned by UnitedHealth Group, is one of the largest health care technology companies in the U.S.
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Although the American Dental Association (ADA) has updated its recommendations for radiation shielding, New York State law requires the use of lead radiation shielding for patients. This has not changed and is not subject to ADA recommendations. The New York State law is quoted below.

New York State Education Law:

§ 6611. Special provisions.

7.  Any dentist or dental hygienist, who in the performance of dental services, x-rays the mouth or teeth of a patient shall during the performance of such x-rays shield the torso and thyroid area of such patient including but not limited to the gonads and other reproductive organs with a lead apron thyroid collar, or other similar protective garment or device. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if in the dentist's professional judgment the use of a thyroid collar would be inappropriate under the circumstances, because of the nature of the patient, the type of x-ray being taken, or other factors, the dentist or dental hygienist need not shield the thyroid area.

The NYS Dental Association is working diligently to find solutions to address the workforce crisis in dentistry. Below, please find resources to assist you as we highlight strategies to improve staff retention, assist in your understanding of the future of dental workforce and education, and share our Workforce Development Action Plan. >>> Learn More

Patients present with a variety of dental insurance benefit plans, including self-funded benefits, Medicaid,  Medicare Advantage plans, and No-Fault or Workers' Compensation insurance. NYSDA can help your practice navigate this complex system. Learn More >>

NYSDA and the American Dental Association's Contract Analysis Service provides a free legal analysis of managed care contracts. Learn More >>

New York State requires all prescriptions to be issued electronically for both controlled and non-controlled drugs. When prescribing controlled drugs, doctors must first query the NYS Department of Health's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). Learn More >>

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease. Learn More >>

Submission guidance for claims with third party liability (Medicare or other insurance). Learn more >>

NYSDA is committed to aiding our colleagues in addressing substance abuse, addiction, and related mental health disorders. Our Committee on Substance Abuse and Well-Being provides a statewide network of dentist-peers who are available to assist members, their families, and the dental office staff in a confidential and caring manner. Learn More >>

NYSDA can help to resolve problems you may be having with your patients' dental benefit plans. Please complete the information below and a member of NYSDA's staff will contact you. Include any supporting documentation you may have (i.e., EOBs, correspondence, etc.). Be sure to redact patient identifying information. Learn More >>

Knowing the top risk factors, providing oral cancer examinations and educating parents on the benefits of the HPV vaccine can be vital in early detection and prevention. Learn More >>

New Federal requirement takes effect June 27, 2023

The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, passed by Congress as part of the Omnibus Bill of 2022, mandates most practitioners licensed to prescribe controlled substances, including dentists, complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

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Effective June 27, 2022, under certain circumstances, doctors in outpatient settings prescribing an opioid for pain management may also be required to simultaneously prescribe an opioid antagonist to the patient. This new LAW applies to the first opioid prescription to a patient each year when any one of the following conditions are known to exist:

(a) a history of substance use disorder; or

(b) high dose or cumulative prescriptions that result in ninety morphine milligram equivalents or higher per day; or

(c) concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepine or nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics.

Each provider's first opioid prescription of the year to a patient is subject to this law. It does not matter if the patient already had received another opioid prescription from a different provider earlier in the year. If it is your first opioid prescription to the patient that year and one of the noted conditions exist, you must also prescribe an opioid antagonist.

Seven-Day Limit on Initial Opioid Prescriptions for Acute Pain

Since July 2016, New York State has limited the initial supply of opioids that can be prescribed for acute pain to seven days. Acute pain is defined as pain, whether resulting from disease, accidental or intentional trauma, or other cause, that the practitioner reasonably expects to last only a short period of time. This rule does not include prescribing for chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain being treated as a part of cancer care, hospice or other end-of-life care, or pain being treated as part of palliative care practices.

Upon any subsequent consultations for the same pain, the practitioner may issue, in accordance with existing rules and regulations, any appropriate renewal, refill, or new prescription for an opioid.

The New York State Department of Health provides information about the requirements for opioid prescribing, treatment guidelines and education.

Prescriber Information & Requirements
Educational Resources

As of November 2022, the CDC has updated their clinical practice guideline for prescribing opioids for pain.

CDC Opioid Prescribing Guideline

On April 3, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed legislation establishing the right to paid leave for New Yorkers. New York's paid sick leave law requires employers with five or more employees or net income of more than $1 million to provide paid sick leave to employees and for employers with fewer than five employees and a net income of $1 million or less to arovide unpaid sick leave to employees. Learn more >>

New York State Paid Family Leave Law went into effect January 1, 2018. 

The New York State Paid Family Leave Law took effect on January 1, 2018.  This important law applies to all employers in New York State, including all dental practices, regardless of size or type--no exceptions, no exemptions.  It is not a law NYSDA supported, but it was a priority of the governor, which coupled with broad public support, made it a law the Legislature was destined to pass. Learn more >>

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) mandates data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. Federal HIPAA regulations include requirements for doctors to safeguard, store and transmit electronically maintained information to protect patients’ privacy. Adherence to these requirements can help dentists avoid potential prosecution and sanctions. In addition to the requirements for the security associated with information technology and electronically maintained patient health records, both HIPAA and New York State laws include provisions for the protection of patient privacy. Learn more >>

New York State’s Hero Act and Workplace Safety

On March 17, 2022, the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the HERO Act ended.  Private sector employers are no longer required to implement their workforce safety plans. Learn more >>