National health care security and the dentist and dental hygienist compact: A call to action

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0897

Keywords:

national, healthcare, security, dentist, dental hygienist, compact

Abstract

There appears to be some confusion, misunderstanding, and unfounded concern about state governments being asked to adopt the recent initiative from the United States (US) Department of Defense regarding a dental health provider’s compact for US states and territories. Yet, there needs to be a realization of the significance and priority for joining the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, since it directly incorporates into health care security as a strategy component. While there is a gross lack of research and information shared in this area, this editorial serves to offer such research, information, insight, and clarification to emergency management professionals on the value and necessity to openly support dental compact agreements for all US states and territories.

Author Biographies

Gregory S. Jacob, BS, MS, BS, DDS

Adjunct Faculty, Midwestern University CDMI, Downers Grove, Illinois

Karin Buchanan, PhD, RN, APN, NHDP-BC, CCRN, CEN

Trauma Services Manager, Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Jamie Johnson, PhD

Professor, Assistant Director of the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois

References

Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. Available at www.ddhcompact.org. Accessed December 6, 2024.

Federal Emergency Management Agency: National Disaster Medical System (NDMS): Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) & Definitive Care. Available at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/recoveryresilience-resource-library/national-disaster-medical. Accessed December 6, 2024.

US Department of Health and Human Services: Disaster Medical Assistance Teams. Available at https://aspr.hhs.gov/NDMS/Pages/dmat.aspx. Accessed December 6, 2024.

Cleveland Medical Clinic: Dental Emergencies. Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11368--dentalemergencies-what-to-do. Accessed December 6, 2024.

US Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response: National Health Security Strategy, Strategic Goal 1. Available at https://aspr.hhs.gov/NHSS/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed December 6, 2024.

Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact: Letter of Support. Available at https://ddhcompact.org/letters-of-support/. Accessed December 6, 2024.

US Department of Defense: VII-Force Planning. 2022 National Defense Strategy of the United States of America. Available at https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/27/2003103845/-1/-1/1/2022-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY-NPR-MDR.PDF.2022:18. Accessed December 6, 2024.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Available at https://imlcc.com/, https://imlcc.com/participating-states/. Accessed December 6, 2024.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Available at https://www.nursecompact.com/. Accessed December 6, 2024.

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Published

02/01/2025

How to Cite

Jacob, G. S., K. Buchanan, and J. Johnson. “National Health Care Security and the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact: A Call to Action”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 23, no. 1, Feb. 2025, pp. 7-11, doi:10.5055/jem.0897.