FACT 1:  With an aging population (some with complex medical histories) being offered increasingly complex and invasive dental procedures, it is reasonable to believe medical problems occurring during dental appointments are increasing in frequency.  However, no academic research has been conducted by any US dental school for over 15 years. In the absence of evidence to the contrary and with a reasonable expectation that non-lethal emergencies are increasing, dental offices should be prepared for any unexpected circumstance.

FACT 2:  RMBF provided an 8-hour CERP-approved CE program on MEP last year.  The Virginia Dental Association endorsed and advertised the event.  Tuition was deliberately low.  Less than 12 dentists attended.  It is difficult to argue that Virginia dentists are self-motivated to prepare themselves for medical emergencies.

FACT 3:  Implementing the recommendations of the petition would not be a financial burden on Virginia dentists.  Assuming a dental office had no current preparations for an emergency AND they were willing to do any of the work themselves (eg preparing an emergency manual), products for everything else cost less than $2,750.  

FACT 4:  The petition does NOT call for mandatory office inspections nor does it require any expense on the part of the commonwealth.  Dentists would merely attest on an affidavit that they have complied with the requirements as part of license renewal.  Of course, to provide false information to the board would carry heavy sanctions.

FACT 5:  As expected, some rank-and-file Virginia dentists oppose the petition.  However, no dental educator or nationally-known lecturer has publicly opposed the petition or any of the concepts contained in it.  

FACT 6: If the Virginia dentists can protect the public without direct oversight from the dental board, it is their burden of proof to demonstrate that such means already exist.