IDA Well Being Program Offers Help for SUD

19 Sep IDA Well Being Program Offers Help for SUD

By Dr. Chris Kirkup, IDA Well Being Program Chair

Substance Use Disorders are equal opportunity illnesses. No profession is immune, and dentists will face lifetime prevalence similar to the general adult public of 10-15 percent. We should be concerned about this because dentists, like other medical professionals, are in a position to do harm to the patient when practicing in an impaired fashion (defined as the inability to practice with reasonable skill and safety). This impacts the public trust for the profession of dentistry. This impairment is not always obvious, as it may be from use at work and more likely the aftereffects of use away from work.

While alcohol use may be the primary source of the impairment and the highest prevalence, dentists also have access to many controlled substances with potential for abuse. Both tend to be progressive and may start as social use, eventually leading to problems. With prescription abuse, it may start with treating oneself for neck, back or other pain and may start innocently enough and then spiral out of control with increased tolerance.

Solo practitioners are at additional risk, as there is less oversight, and employed staff may be more reluctant to intervene for fear of losing their jobs. Family members may be reluctant to intervene for loss of income and conflict avoidance. Other dentists may be reluctant to intervene because they do not want to impugn another professional’s reputation, fear of reprisal, think they do not have enough evidence, think it is none of their business, etc. A delay in responding increases risk to everyone including the dentist.

Because of the above and other barriers, dentists are often in an advanced stage of illness before steps are taken. Some of these signs are:

• Patients harmed
• Missed appointments
• Poor work relationships
• Patient complaints
• Significant signs of use at work, etc.

Knowledge of a fellow impaired dentist carries both professional and legal obligations. Indiana statute requires a dentist to report suspicion of an impaired professional to a peer review committee such as the IDA Well Being Program or the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

Fortunately, help is available through the IDA’s Well Being Program. A confidential referral can be made by contacting Candace Backer, LCSW, LCAC at wellbeing@indental.org or phone 800-562-5646, extension 1010.

This program allows for confidential evaluation, treatment, and monitoring as long as the dentist complies with the program and is making progress. The dentist gets the care they need and the assistance to practice safely. It is based on an evidence-based model of care that has proven effective for medical professionals.