Narinder Singh Parhar

When I served as chair of the Board of Registration for Physician Assistants in Massachusetts, every decision carried a weight that extended far beyond the immediate case in front of us. Whether we were reviewing a licensing violation, addressing unprofessional conduct, or weighing in on a practice standard, we were always, whether we named it or not, making decisions about what kind of profession we wanted PA practice to be ten or twenty years from now.

During my years in dentistry, I often noticed something that extended far beyond clinical care. Many people were not ignoring their oral health because they did not care. They were making decisions based on incomplete, confusing, or inaccurate information. Some believed that bleeding gums were normal. Others assumed that dental visits were only necessary when pain appeared.

Over my more than 20 years as a pain management physician, I have seen countless patients struggle with chronic pain. Many describe the same frustrations: breakthrough pain that disrupts their days, the challenge of sticking to home exercises or medications, and the anxiety of wondering whether their symptoms are worsening between office visits.