Substance Abuse and Mental Health

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 Chemical Dependency 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

If you are feeling anxiety, fear, and/or helplessness, and need help managing it, reach out to the Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Line at:

1-844-863-9314

The Emotional Support Line provides free and confidential support, helping callers experiencing increased anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency. The Help Line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling.

National Alliance on Mental Illness for Health Care Professionals -- 800-950-NAMI  

American Psychological Association

American Psychiatric Association

Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with substance abuse. With heightened levels of stress and financial struggles, members find themselves struggling. We want you to know that the NYSDA is here to support and assist you, your family or a colleague who may need help.

The CDC has provided a list of resources for Coping with Stress. 

View Resources

US Department of Health and Human Services
Coping Skills to Manage Stress Burnout


New York State & Headspace
The State is partnering with the company Headspace to provide New Yorkers with free meditation and mindfulness resources. We can't underestimate the impact this public health crisis has on mental health. New Yorkers can access a collection of free guided meditations, along with at-home mindfulness exercises and additional resources to help address rising stress and anxiety. Visit Headspace


The American Dental Association has provided resources on handling stress. It’s normal to feel stressed and anxious. Here are a few resources to help.

• Health and Wellness Information: The Dentist Health and Well-Being Program provides support for our members who are in need of information on ergonomics in the dental practice, prescription opioids and abuse prevention, substance use and mental health, and additional resources to help dentists be more proactive in looking at their own health and wellness. 
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly [Webinar]: Addresses how to identify stress, recognize the physical and mental impacts of stress and how to manage the negative types of stress
• Mindfulness Techniques May Help You Reduce Your Stress [video series]: Tackle your stress through mindfulness exercises