Substance Abuse and Well-Being

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

NY Project Hope
NY Project Hope provides free emotional support and public education for NYS residents in response to COVID-19. Project Hope offers:

• Emotional Support Helpline at 1-844-863-9314, any day between 8am-10pm. (Staffed by trained crisis counselors.)
• Local Crisis Counseling Providers available in several NYS counties
• Online Wellness Groups
• Supportive Resources including digital educational materials.
• Public Education: contact Cheryl.Gerstler@omh.ny.gov to learn about virtual presentations.

National Alliance on Mental Illness  Learn about mental illness, warning signs and symptoms. Find a mental health professional by calling 800-950-NAMI or contact their Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 988 or 1-800-273-8255 

CDC Resources
The CDC has provided a list of resources for healthcare personnel for coping with stress. 

American Psychiatric Association

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers coping skills to manage stress burnout.