Purpose
TheCommitteeassistsdentistsandtheirfamilieswhomay beexperiencingpersonal problems. Thecommitteehashelpedmanydentistsover the yearswithproblemssuchasstress,alcoholand drug use,depression,andotherproblemsthatmaycauseimpairment in their lives.
Confidentiality
TheCommitteeprovidesaconfidentialnon-disciplinaryavenue
fordentiststo seekappropriatehelpforproblems.Referralsarecompletelyconfidential.
Anydentist whoseeks helpthroughthe Committeecan be
assured their informationwill be held in thestrictestconfidence.
Advocacy
When a dentistentersinto a treatmentagreementwith theCommitteeandremainsin compliancewith allaspects of the agreement,the Committeeisable
toprovidewrittenandverbaltestimonyandsupport of the dentistwhenever it is needed. Themostcommonexampleis when the dentistneedsadvocacywithregardtolicensureissues.Inothercases, the Committeehasadvocatedwith the courtsystem,employers,malpracticecarriers,andotherinstitutions.
CommitteeMembers
TheDentist Well-Being Committeeconsists of concerneddentists who wishtohelp their peerstoresolveproblemsandmaintain their abilitytopractice.
A Clinical Coordinatoris in chargeof the initialcontact,evaluation,referralandmonitoring.
RobertMiller,DDS,Chairman
410-535-4050, r
RobertWhite,LCPC,ClinicalCoordinator
410-328-8549,
MichaelAnderson,DDS
301-797-6841
LenoraCaldwell,DDS
410-206-6434
GregHutton,DDS
301-698-9552
BrianMuhler,DDS
410-252-2424
JerryYeoumans,DDS
410-321-1133
AdvisoryMember
HalCrossley,DDS
NorbertMyslinski,PhD
DentalSchoolLiaison
IstheProcessPunitive?
NO-TheDentist Well-Being Committeeacts asan advocatefor the dentistwith the StateBoardofDentalExaminers,insurancecompanies,andlawenforcementagencies,aslongas the dentistiscompliantwithtreatment.
WhatHappensAftera Referral?
Familymembers,employees,associatesor friends concernedabouta dentistoften contactthe DentistWell-BeingCommittee.Manydentistsareself-referred.TheCommitteefirst determines ifthe dentistactuallyhasaproblem.Thedentistiscontactedand
urgedtomeet the ClinicalCoordinator.Ifthereis aproblem then the dentistisreferredforanevaluation.
Iftreatmentisrecommendedthen a treatmentagreementisdrawnupbetween the dentistand the Committee.
IstheInformationGiventothe
Committee Confidential?
All informationheldby the DentistWell-BeingCommitteeisconsideredstrictlyconfidential.Recordsarekeptby the Clinical Coordinatorandarenotat theofficesofthe MarylandState Dental Association. Withthe exceptionof those cases thatarereferredto theCommitteeby the StateBoardor those consideredtobe a dangertothemselvesorothers,noinformationisreleasedwithout the dentist’swrittenconsent.
FamilyQuestions
TheCommitteewelcomescallsandquestions fromfamilymembers who may be concernedabout adentist.Wewillwork confidentially to provideassistance,supportandguidanceabout the best waytointerveneandassist a dentistwith a problem.