NYSDA’s Committee on Substance Abuse and Well-Being is comprised of a statewide network of dentist-peers available to assist dentists, their families and dental office staff with substance abuse, addiction and related mental health issues.
If you know of someone who is having a problem with drugs or alcohol, you have an ethical obligation to notify a Committee member or NYSDA. Your interactions with any member on the Committee or with NYSDA are always confidential and non-punitive. Committee members are experienced and understand the devastation of addiction. They know that effective intervention and appropriate treatment can save a career or, even a life.
Practicing dentistry while impaired can result in a charge of unprofessional conduct and puts a dentist’s license and privilege to practice at risk. The Committee never refers a dentist to OPD or any other agency. We can help a dentist protect his/her license through the New York State Education Department’s Professional Assistance Program (PAP).
Funding through the Dr. Thomas Sullivan Substance Abuse Grant program is available for dentists who may need in-patient treatment but do not have the financial resources to access it. This grant is administered through the New York State Dental Foundation. For more information or to donate, visit the NYSDF website.
If you or a colleague is struggling with addiction, it is easy to get help. Contact Dr. Bob Herzog, NYSDA Peer Assistance Coordinator, at 716-830-3055, or Jacqueline Donnelly at NYSDA, 1-800-255-2100; jdonnelly@nysdental.org. Your call is confidential.
Additional Substance Abuse Resources:
The New York State Education Department’s Professional Assistance Program (PAP) assists professionals who have substance abuse problems, but who have not harmed patients or clients. Such professionals may voluntarily surrender their licenses while receiving treatment rather than face charges of professional misconduct. All applications to the program are confidential. PAP can be reached by calling 518-485-9380 or pap@nysed.gov.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Al-Anon
Narcotics Anonymous
NYS Office of Addiction Services & Supports (Oasas) Resources
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Doctor to Doctor: International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous
NYS Opioid Data Dashboard