LDA - Louisiana Dental Association

posted through the Web site, RA messages, providernotices and Provider Update articles. Refer to all providerpublications and go to the Web site frequently to stayinformed about the NPI implementation.Questions concerning the implementation of NPI maybe directed to the Unisys NPI group at (225) 216-6400or via e-mail at lamedicaidnpi@unisys.com.FDA Issues Toothpaste AlertThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 1 issueda warning to consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpastelabeled as made in China. The agency issued an importalert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonouschemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering thecountry. DEG is used in antifreeze and as a solvent.For a list of toothpaste brands included in the alert,see the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov.None of the toothpaste brands in the alert havereceived the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The ADA Seal ofAcceptance helps consumers make informed decisionsabout safe and effective products, such as toothpastes,toothbrushes and floss.For a list of oral care products that have received the ADASeal of Acceptance, see www.ada.org/ada/seal/index.asp.ADA Approves New Guidelines Related toDentistry and Infective Endocarditis (IE)For decades, the American Heart Association (AHA)recommended that patients with certain heart conditionstake antibiotics shortly before dental treatment. Thiswas done with the belief that antibiotics would preventinfective endocarditis (IE), previously referred to asbacterial endocarditis. The AHA’s latest guidelines werepublished in its scientific journal, Circulation, in April2007 and there is good news: the AHA recommendsthat most of these patients no longer need short-termantibiotics as a preventive measure before their dentaltreatment.The American Dental Association participated in thedevelopment of the new guidelines and has approvedthose portions relevant to dentistry. The guidelines werealso endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of Americaand by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.The guidelines are based on a growing body of scientificevidence that shows the risks of taking preventive antibioticsoutweigh the benefits for most patients. The risks includeadverse reactions to antibiotics that range from mild topotentially severe and, in very rare cases, death. Inappropriateuse of antibiotics can also lead to the development ofdrug-resistant bacteria.Scientists also found no compelling evidence thattaking antibiotics prior to a dental procedure prevents IE inpatients who are at risk of developing a heart infection.Their hearts are already often exposed to bacteria fromthe mouth, which can enter their bloodstream duringbasic daily activities such as brushing or flossing. Thenew guidelines are based on a comprehensive review ofpublished studies that suggests IE is more likely to occuras a result of these everyday activities than from a dentalprocedure.For more information and guidelines, go to the ADAWeb site at www.ada.org.Warning: Hand Washing Scam fromthe “Louisiana Healthcare ComplianceCenter”The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitalsis issuing a warning to health care providers about a falseadvisory in circulation which states health care providersare required by state and federal regulations to posthand-washing signs.The source of the advisory has been identified as LaborLaw Posters out of Michigan, which offers to sell the signsto the recipient of the notice at high prices. The companyreferences the “Louisiana Healthcare Compliance Center,”which is a fake agency that is being used as a front to deceiveproviders into believing they are required to purchase handwashingsigns.This advisory is considered particularly damaging dueto the expensive nature of the signs and the pretense thatthey are required by both the Centers for Disease Controland state health codes. The advisory also states that ifestablishments do not post these signs, they will be subjectto fines and penalties. Attempts to contact the sourcehave proved difficult due to anonymous P.O. boxes andout-of-state phone numbers.While hand-washing signs are encouraged to promotecleanliness, they are not required. If an owner wishes topost hand-washing signs, one may be downloaded andprinted for free from www.dhh.louisiana.gov.CareCredit Offers Anniversary SpecialExclusively endorsed by the LDA,CareCredit Patient Payment Plansprovide no interest and lowinterest plans to help yourpatients receive the care theywant and need. Offeringfax, phone and onlineapplications, instant creditdecisions, free training for yourstaff and integration intopopular software systems,CareCredit is the easiestprogram to use. Andduring CareCredit’s 20th Anniversary, enjoy a once-in-a-30 LDA Journal