Mission Statement….

The North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals is an independent, non-profit agency whose mission is to identify, intervene, and assist members of the dental profession and their families who suffer the consequences of alcohol or other drug abuse or addiction, stress and professional burnout or other impairments.

History

This free-standing entity was created by a Legislative Statute in the North Carolina General Assembly (N.C.G.S. 90-48.2). The North Carolina Dental Society supported the legislation. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners’ Rule 21 N.C.A.C. 162.0101 set the North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals Program in motion after the legislation passed the General Assembly on April 1, 1994. The North Carolina Dental Society loaned operating funds to the Program until the first year’s funds were collected with the 1995 license renewal. It is now funded through assessments that are paid by Dentists and Hygienists upon license renewals.

The Program is operated under the auspices of a tripartite group consisting of the North Carolina Dental Society, The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners and the University of North Carolina Dental Schools. The Board of Directors consists of two representatives from each of these three groups, as well as two Dental Hygienists and two Volunteer Coordinators.

The members of the Board of Directors are nominated by their sponsoring Agency for three year terms, other than the Dental Hygiene Directors who serve for two year terms, and may be re-appointed at the discretion of the sponsoring Agency. The Chief Executives of the sponsoring agencies and the Volunteer Coordinators serve as ex-officio Board members. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors are elected yearly by the Board members. The Board of Directors meets at least twice a year and receives no compensation.

Learn more about our staff and Board of Directors

The NCCDP is incorporated as a private not for profit 501c3 corporation.