SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST: AN ODA MEMBER BENEFIT
The Subcouncil on Dentists Concerned for Dentists (DCD), a subcouncil of the Council on Membership Services, assists dentists whose chemical dependency affects their ability to function professionally; and works to identify those areas which impact the dentist’s mental, emotional and/or physical ability to function professionally and to develop a means by which to assist the member in addressing those needs.
DCD has served to provide help and direction to chemically impaired dentists for more than 35 years. In 2023, the ODA House of Delegates passed a resolution to expand the scope of the ODA’s Subcouncil on Dentists Concerned for Dentists (DCD) to identify those areas which impact the dentist’s mental, emotional and/or physical ability to function professionally and to develop a means by which to assist the member in addressing those needs.
DCD works with the Ohio Physicians Health Program to get help for dentists who may need treatment, monitoring, drug testing or counseling and works with all Ohio State Dental Board approved treatment centers.
Any dentist who thinks they may be addicted to drugs or alcohol can contact the ODA at (614) 486-2700 or dentist@oda.org. They will first speak with an ODA staff member who will put them in contact with Dr. Mark Wenzel, chair of DCD. All information is kept strictly confidential. Spouses, office team members, friends and colleagues can also contact the ODA if they have any concerns or questions about a dentist who they think may be abusing drugs or alcohol.
The ODA website also features a page of wellness resources. For more information, click here.
