Relentless, Positive Action

By Jerry Bird, DMD, FDA President

Soon we will come together to attend the Florida Dental Convention (FDC) at the end of June. While there, we will celebrate our Florida Dental Association (FDA) leaders who have improved our association and kept us moving forward positively. We will celebrate our friends and colleagues, their achievements and all the good we have accomplished this year. We will see old friends and make new friends. We will learn new ways to do things, improve our patients’ care and be excited about new possibilities.

As FDA president this year, I hope I have built on my predecessor’s achievements and been a positive leader. I may not be as I once was before my bicycle accident, but I make the best of the life I have. I believe in “Relentless, Positive Action” – our FDA motto, which is printed on the blue wristband many of us wear. Beyond the Bite’s December issue focused on “Relentless, Positive Action” too. I have chosen to be happy, positive and make a difference. Each of us sets the tone for the day, whether in our office, with our team or with our family. As dentists, we are all leaders in one way or another. We set the tone. You may have heard the saying that a challenge or a problem is an opportunity. We can view a challenge as something bad or choose to view it as an opportunity for good. We can choose to be eager, engaged and proactive as we move through each day. Every day is a gift to be opened. Each challenge is an opportunity for us, our association and our profession as we move forward into the future.

Choose “Relentless, Positive Action” and plan to attend FDC June 29 - July 1, 2023, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando. Don’t delay. Do it today! The Gaylord Palms is a beautiful venue and a place that you, your team and your family will enjoy. There will be many opportunities to learn from excellent speakers, embrace new techniques, gain continuing education credits, have fun and return home invigorated with positive and exciting ideas for your practice. I will be there with my FDA team, my work team and my family and I hope to see you there too.

HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CHECKLIST:

Inform

Non-opioid alternatives for pain treatment, which may include non-opioid medicinal drugs or drug products are available

Non-opioid interventional procedures or treatments, which may include: acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage, physical or occupational therapy, or other appropriate therapy are available.

Discuss

Opioids

SUMMARY:

DOCUMENT IN PATIENT’S RECORD

Provide

“Alternatives to Opioids,” an educational information pamphlet created by the Florida Department of Health printed or in electronic format (required, available at bit.ly/2KXvZ2h). Also, a checklist and poster.

Exclusive Member Benefit!

FOR THE LATEST ON OPIOIDS, GO TO: FLORIDADENTAL.ORG/NYK

All health care providers must include non-opioid alternatives for pain and pain management electronically or in printed form in their discussions with patients before providing anesthesia, or prescribing, ordering, dispensing or administering a schedule II controlled substance for the treatment of pain. Effective July 1, 2021.

NON-OPIOID ALTERNATIVES

LAW: GO TO bit.ly/2KXvZ2h did you know?