2023-24
While state OMS societies operate independently and dictate their own policy priorities in all levels of state government, AAOMS stands ready to assist them in their efforts. In particular, AAOMS identifies the following state legislative and regulatory issues as of the greatest importance to the specialty and recommends societies take an active role when they are discussed in their states.
Protecting the OMS Specialty
National discussions are occurring to remove barriers to care through the expansion of providers’ scope of practice and the elimination of licensure barriers. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a unique dental specialty requiring years of advanced training and expertise to achieve the level of proficiency needed to treat patients suffering from oral and maxillofacial conditions. AAOMS is committed to protecting the profession and preserving the foundation that defines the OMS specialty. AAOMS supports efforts to allow OMSs to practice their full scope of training and opposes measures that dilute the recognition of oral and maxillofacial surgery as a bona fide dental specialty.
Preserving OMS-led Care
AAOMS believes all surgical procedures delivered within the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery should be provided only by individuals who have completed OMS residency training. As such, AAOMS opposes efforts that would allow midlevel dental providers to perform surgical extractions or procedures falling within the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. AAOMS also believes only the OMS is qualified to dictate patient care for patients receiving treatment for oral and maxillofacial conditions. Furthermore, OMSs should be free to exercise their own professional judgement in the treatment of their patients, including the daily operation of OMS practices, establishment of treatment plans and prescription of pain-abating drugs.
Ensuring Safe Anesthesia Delivery
Anesthesia is the life force of the specialty, and it is important any changes are in the interest of patient safety, and they recognize the specialty’s superb safety record. AAOMS supports measures that preserve the OMS anesthesia delivery model, ensure patient safety by promoting office inspections that utilize the standards of the AAOMS Office Anesthesia Evaluation and further the development of dental auxiliary staff training.
Advocating for Fair Reimbursement Practices
In an effort to lower costs, third-party payers will frequently adopt policies that reduce patient coverage or implement contract provisions that are unfair to providers. Both scenarios may impede a patient’s ability to receive medically necessary care. AAOMS supports policies that place payers and providers on a level playing field by prohibiting unfair contracting practices and stipulating reasonable claims processing procedures. AAOMS also supports measures that require insurers to provide adequate coverage for medically necessary treatment.
Defending Patient Access to Treatment
Medical advancements have broadened the locations where care can be safely provided, expanding access to patient care. AAOMS supports efforts that maintain an OMS’s ability to provide safe, office-based surgical care and services. Conversely, AAOMS opposes policies that inflict undue administrative burdens on the provider that limit the ability for OMSs to provide patient care.
