Hurricane Katrina Relief Information

The devastation that Hurricane Katrina and the resulting floods have unleashed on the Gulf Coast is unprecedented in US history. This tragic event has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives including many American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) members. Dental hygienists throughout the region have suffered not only catastrophic losses of their homes but damage to their work facilities, labs, and classroom space.

From concern about the health and well being of our friends and their families in the hardest-hit areas to questions about temporary licensure for displaced dental hygienists to finding resources to help those affected, this tragedy will likely touch most of us in the days and weeks to come.

As relief efforts begin to help this devastated region, ADHA offers this Web page to keep you abreast of information and resources to help the dental hygiene community in this time of need.

Foundation Solicits Donations for Disaster Relief Grant

The ADHA Institute is soliciting donations for a grant program designed to provide assistance to accredited dental hygiene programs affected by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina Hotline

312/440-7381 (Direct)
800/243-2342 - option "8" (Toll Free)

This live hotline is offered as a clearinghouse for all your dental hygiene related disaster relief questions. From temporary licensure issues to ADHA membership questions, this one-stop resource is available to you to provide the latest information.

(If you are calling after regular business hours, please leave a complete message regarding the nature of your inquiry so that we can get you the information that you need promptly.)

Governmental Affairs - Licensure Information

Obviously, another impact of Hurricane Katrina is the inability for dental hygienists in the affected area to continue practicing. Some state dental boards have acted quickly to develop 'emergency provisional licensing' or other 'temporary licensing' provisions for dental hygienists who are currently residing in some of the surrounding states. Due to state governments acting on an ongoing basis with regard to temporary licensure issues, we will update this section as new information becomes available.

• Texas – The state board of dentistry has implemented procedures to issue emergency provisional licenses for dentists and dental hygienists currently licensed in Louisiana and Mississippi who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. For more details and download an application, please go to www.tsdbe.state.tx.us/katrina or call 512/463-6400.
  
• Louisiana – Due to the state board of dentistry facility being located on Canal St in downtown New Orleans, the office is not operational. However, the Executive Director of the State Dental Board, Barry Ogden, can be reached at 772/461-5987.
  
• Tennessee – The Tennessee Department of Health is expediting the temporary licensure process for licensed health professionals from the hurricane-effected states – Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. For more information, please contact Health Related Boards at 800/778-4123.
  
• Arkansas – Download the form on their website at www.asbde.org/licensure and explain on the form that you are displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. Licensure by credentials will be expedited, and the fee will be reduced and/or waived.

Hurricane Katrina Online Forum

RDHs Affected by Katrina
Exchange messages, concerns and ideas with other hygienists impacted by Katrina.

States Licensing Information
If you are a dental hygienist from the areas impacted by Katrina or are an evacuee investigating licensing requirements for your new location, post questions regarding the latest information available.

RDH Job Connections
Post a message if you are looking for employment due to Katrina-related issues or have a job to offer

Health Care Professional and Relief Worker Page

The Office of the Surgeon General is in the process of mobilizing and identifying health care professionals to assist in the relief efforts. Please visit the website, www.volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov for an application and more information. States that have developed similar actions for healthcare professionals include New Mexico, Kansas and Wisconsin among others.

New Orleans Dental Hygiene Students

The following was posted on the Louisiana State University Web site by Dr. Eric Hovland:
Notice #58, Posted 09/05/2005 at 5:15 PM

Good afternoon. This morning we visited the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in order to see their classroom and lecture facilities. It is a beautiful and large facility that will definitely meet our needs. We will be sharing the facilities with other schools of the HSC.

I also met with the student leadership this morning. We had a good meeting and addressed their questions. I requested their help and advice as we prepare our plans and move forward. They have done a wonderful job in communicating with their classes and providing assistance to myself and others.

I have been in contact with the Dental Hygiene faculty and they are finalizing their plans. Dental Laboratory Technology is also planning their programs.

I have been in contact with most of the residency program directors and we have had discussions regarding their plans.

As decisions are reached and plans are finalized, updated information will be posted on this web site. Please keep checking this site. Should you have questions in the meantime, you may call 225-578-4033 or e-mail DentalSchoolContact911@lsuhsc.edu.

I will keep you updated daily on progress. Thanks for your patience.

How to Help Through Donation

Volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina’s destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a contribution to support Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts agencies can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the relief effort visit the following sites for information:

• The ADHA Institute for Oral Health Disaster Relief Grant
• American Red Cross
  Also ask at your local Red Cross chapter about getting involved as a volunteer.
• AmeriCares
• America's Second Harvest
• CDC Foundation Emergency Preparedness & Response Fund
• How to Assess Hurricane Katrina Relief Agencies
• Louisiana Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness