TDA Creates Practice Resource Guidebook

SEPTEMBER 2013 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 9 AVAILABLE ON TDA.ORG

CONTENTS• New TDA Website to Launch• The Navigator• UTSD & TAMBCD Freshmen Days• TDASO / ASDA Social• Texas Dental Program Medicaid/CHIP

• Evidence-Based Practice Tip of the Month• TDA Perks - Update on the new health care law

• TDA Smiles Foundation - Amarillo TMOM

- Thank you, Texarkana • TEXAS Meeting Update• Student Spouses Welcome to

Dentistry and the Alliance - April Cobb, Alliance of the TDA

• President’s Statement• Meet the Staff - Josh Epstein, Marketing Specialist

• TSBDE Rule Update• TSBDE Fee Increase

September Texas Dental Journal 2013 Membership Directory

Around the State

October 4 New Office Symposium TDA Perks Austin

October 4-5 Texas Mission of Mercy TDA Smiles Abilene

October 31 - Nov 5 ADA Annual Session NewOrleans

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TDA Hosts Freshmen Days in Houston and Dallas

TDA hosted Freshmen Days at the University of Texas School of Dentistry (UTSD) in Houston and at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry (TAMBCD) in Dallas, August 9 and August 16, respectively. The events included a catered lunch, a short presentation and discussion about the benefits of TDA membership and organized dentistry, games, door prizes, and a meet-and-greet with TDA members.

In Houston, 100 incoming freshmen dental students attended the event. TDA Committee on the New Dentist (CND) member Dr Dath Collins of Houston, TDA Council on Annual Session Past Chair, Dr Victor Rodriguez of Houston, TDA Board Member Dr Greg Oelfke, and Dr Sarah “Jody” Welch of Houston led the discussion with PowerPoint presentations about how being involved in organized dentistry shaped their careers. Greater Houston Dental Society (GHDS) and TDA staff members were on hand to answer students’ questions after the presentation. GHDS also provided goodie bags for the incoming freshman that contained helpful information on how organized dentistry can help students throughout dental school.

In Dallas, 106 incoming freshmen dental students attended the event. TDA Committee on the New Dentist (CND) Chair Dr Andrea Janik led the presentation. Other speakers included Dr Matt Roberts Jr, member of the Dallas County Dental Society (DCDS) New Dentist Committee, as well as recent graduates and members of DCDS, Drs Tina Lalangas and Allison Fowler. DCDS and TDA staff members were on hand to answer students’ questions after the presentation.

TDA Launches New Website in September

The TDA launches its new website in late September 2013. The TDA Board of Directors at its April 2013 meeting approved a resolution to redesign the TDA website. Clarity Ventures of Austin, which specializes in web design, is leading the project.

The Association’s current website received its last redesign in 2007, and the new platform will include a responsive design, which provides enhancements to website functionality and essential features. It will allow users to easily view and navigate the site on a wide range of devices (eg, smart phones, tablets) without having to resize, pan, or scroll.

The TDA Communications Committee provided feedback to TDA staff prior to project vetting. Committee members detailed their “wish lists” for the Association website, including graphic and format requests and functionality preferences.

In Dallas, 106 incoming freshmen dental students attendedFreshmen Day. TDA Committee on the New Dentist (CND)ChairDrAndreaJanikledthepresentation

InHouston,100incomingfreshmendentalstudentsattendedthe event. GHDS and TDA staffmemberswere on hand toanswerstudents’questionsafterthepresentation.

The Navigator is Now Available to TDA Member DentistsThe TDA is very pleased to announce the availability of TheNavigator, a wholly integrated practice resource guidebook designed to meet the needs of all member dentists regardless of practice environment. TheNavigator includes a cohesive collection of essential practice management information in an easy-to-use electronic format.

The Navigator will be on TDA’s new website in late September. For a copy of TheNavigator, please contact TDA Policy Manager Diane Rhodes at 512-443-3675, diane@tda.org.

PicturedisthenewhomepageoftheTDAwebsite,whichwill launch to the generalmembership and public in lateSeptember2013.

Texas Dental Program Medicaid/CHIP

On July 31, 2013, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) hosted a Medicaid Dental Stakeholder Meeting in which meeting participants asked questions about the Main Dentist assignments.

HHSC answered, “A member is auto-re-enrolled to the same Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) [DentaQuest and MCNA Dental] and Main Dentist if they lose and then regain eligibility within a 6-month window, as long as the Main Dentist was captured prior to losing eligibility. If you have examples of this process not working properly, please forward them to HPM_Complaints@hhsc.state.tx.us. Members outside of the 6 months are treated as new members and defaulted to a DMO and Main Dentist if one is not selected. Both DMOs use member utilization history to make MDH assignments.” According to HHSC, the only individual that a can change a member’s Main Dentist is the parent/guardian that is shown on the member’s case.

Additionally, the dental plans are required to implement Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs) to improve the delivery of clinical and non-clinical services each year. The first PIPs will likely focus on rewarding network dentist providers for delivering preventive services. HHSC is currently working with the dental plans on the PIPs and the TDA will make the information available as soon as HHSC and the dental plans officially announce the projects.

The TDA’s next quarterly meeting with the dental plans is scheduled for October 18, 2013 and the Association wants to hear from YOU! Email your feedback about the dental plans to TDA Policy Manager Diane Rhodes at diane@tda.org before October 8, 2013.

Evidence-Based Practice

Tip of the Month Stephen R. Matteson, DDS, FICD, TDA Editor

happyhealthysmiles... that’sourmission!

Hospitalizations due to Periapical AbcessesOver 61,000 hospitalizations for periapical abscesses occurred during the 2000-2009 period. Sixty-six patients died, length of stay averaged 2.96 days and 18.5% of patients were uninsured. Sinus involvement, age, race and geographical location were significant predictors of hospital fees and length of stay. See PMID 23953280 to view the abstract.

Reference: Shah AC, et al. Outcomes of hospitalizations attributed to periapical abscess from 2000 to 2008: a longitudinal trend analysis. J Endod. 2013 Sep;39:1104-10.

Update on the New Health Care Law:Individual Health Insurance ExchangesProvided by TDA Financial Services Insurance Program

As you probably know, the new health care law requires businesses to prove they are providing health insurance to their employees—or that their employees have health coverage from another source. This employer mandate has been postponed until 2015 to give the government more time to simplify reporting requirements and employers more time to figure out their options. However, the individual mandate will still take effect as scheduled.

All U.S. citizens and legal residents are required to have qualifying health coverage by January 1, 2014, or pay a penalty. This penalty will be phased in as follows: $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015, and $695 in 2016; or a flat fee of 1% of taxable income in 2014, 2% in 2015, and 2.5% in 2016. After 2016, the penalty will increase annually by the cost-of-living adjustment. In general, you can keep the current coverage you have. However, at least 4 plans insuring dentists in Texas gave notification that they will be terminating coverage by January. If your coverage is terminated, you will need to sign up for a new plan. You should be aware of the following dates:

• October 1, 2013 – Open enrollment begins• December 15, 2013 – Final day to enroll for coverage with effective date of January 1, 2014 • January 1, 2014 – Coverage under exchange plans begins• March 31, 2014 – Final day of open enrollment

The new health care law also requires health-insurance companies to issue policies regardless of any medical condition (guaranteed issue). The same premium must be charged for applicants of the same age and geographical location, without regard to gender or most pre-existing conditions, excluding tobacco use. Final rates and plans will be available in September.

Health insurance exchanges—sets of standardized plans regulated by the government—will have a minimum of 4 types of plans, plus a separate catastrophic plan. All policies must offer essential health benefits (EHB) with no annual or lifetime coverage caps. EHB include items and services in the following 10 categories:

1. ambulatory patient services2. emergency services3. hospitalization4. maternity and newborn care5. mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment6. prescription drugs7. rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices8. laboratory services9. preventive and wellness services, and chronic disease management10. pediatric services, including dental and vision care

In addition, beginning January 1, 2014, the law mandates that pediatric (up to age 19) dental benefits be included in all non-grandfathered medical plans. Covered benefits are defined by state-selected benchmarks. In most cases they would include:

• Preventive services: oral exams, cleanings, sealants, and certain X-rays• Minor restorative services, such as fillings• Major restorative services, such as crowns• Medically necessary orthodontial (“Medically necessary” will be defined by each individual health plan. As there is no single

definition of “medical necessity,” it is likely to be state determined)

For more information visit tdamemberinsure.com, or call 800-677-8644.

Abilene TMOMOn October 4-5, 2013, Abilene will host its first TMOM event. Please consider signing up for this exciting, 40-chair, 2-day event!

TMOM events depend on the generous involvement of Texas dentists. To sign up to volunteer for upcoming TMOM events, or to make a monetary contribution to support TDASF’s efforts, please visit tdasmiles.org.

Thank you, TexarkanaTDASF would like to thank all those who generously gave their time to volunteer at the Texarkana TMOM on August 9-10, 2013. Also, thanks to TDA legislative efforts this past session, 3 dentists from Arkansas and 1 from Missouri were able to volunteer and participate, having obtained temporary Texas charity licenses.

TDASF volunteers provided 462 patients with $386,575 worth of care, improving their oral health, relieving their pain, and changing their lives. A special thanks to Christus St. Michael for sponsoring the event. We cannot care for the neediest Texans without the help from ALL of our supporters and volunteers…thank you!

The TEXAS Meeting: Education, Camaraderie, and FunSteven Spivack, DDS, Chair, 2014 TEXAS Meeting

On behalf of the Council on Annual Session and the TDA staff, we hope to see you at the 144th annual session of the Texas Dental Association, the TEXAS Meeting, to be held May 1-4, 2014. May 2014 is not far off when it comes to the TEXAS Meeting, the largest in the state, and you need to mark your calendars now to sign up as soon as registration opens in January 2014.

For those of you who have been participants in the past, you are aware that the TEXAS Meeting is known for being one of the best in the country. Those of you attending for the first time will certainly be impressed as we continue the Texas tradition, offering speakers who are legendary and provide a wide range of course topics. Your challenge will be choosing which courses to attend during the 3-day conference. Visit texasmeeting.com for a comprehensive listing of speakers, topics and concurrent meetings.

A meeting of this caliber needs to be held in a special city. San Antonio is one of the premier cities in the country with activities to keep you, your family, and staff busy. We are excited to partner with the Grand Hyatt San Antonio as the headquarters hotel for 2014. TDA housing will be available starting December 1, 2013, with a wide range of hotels from which to choose.

TDA Perks presents The TEXAS Party on Thursday evening in Bridge Hall, an evening of fun interactive activities for attendees, an exciting DJ, and complimentary food and beverages.

Be sure to allow extra time to visit the recently redesigned exhibit hall where more than 350 exhibitors will help you discover the latest innovations in dental techniques, products, and technology. Representatives from the TDA Smiles Foundation, the DENPAC Silent Auction, and the TDA Perks Program Partners will also be in the Hall. To end the days on Thursday and Friday, enjoy the Exhibit Hall happy hour where you can meet up with your staff and friends.

See you there.

Our Texas dental schools welcomed nearly 300 new students in August 2013. Cheering on some of these incoming freshmen were the dental student spouses. As a dental student spouse you might be working, you might be raising children, and you might be a student too! You could be wondering how you will fit into the world of dentistry.

The Alliance of the TDA (ATDA) is an active group of dental spouses with local, state, and national connections to the dental profession. The Alliance directly supports and participates in dental related legislation, dental education projects, and the nurturing and well-being of the dental family.

Student spouses, we know you are busy. We know that your schedules and family routines will be complicated for the next 4 years (or more). Here are some greetings, advice, and words of encouragement from our members to help you through your dental school years.

Mary (Mrs. Lee) Coleman, San Antonio The main advice I would give spouses today is to be mindful of the pressures on students, and conversely, that students be mindful of the pressures on spouses! Be kind, thoughtful, and loving to each other. Spouses and students are in this together.

Debbie (Mrs. Terry) Moore, ATDA President-elect, SouthlakeMy advice is to really bond with your spouse’s classmates and their spouses. We would all get together on Saturday nights for eating and fellowship. Ah, the good old days! Friendship and having a close support group were essential for survival! I guess that’s why I have always loved The Alliance—on the local as well as the state level. We all understood what it took to get us there.

Karen (Mrs. David) Cox, ATDA President, San AntonioStudent spouses, check out the dental school, your spouse’s second home. Ask him/her to take you around the dental school and campus, and physically get oriented with the surroundings. Also, get to know your spouse’s friends...the ones he or she always talks about. His or her friends should be your friends as well!

April (Mrs. Nick) Cobb, WacoMy engineer husband decided to attend dental school 8 years and 2 sons into our marriage. I worked full time, he was under the pressure and demands of dental school, and we both had to maintain some sort of normalcy for our boys. We knew the effort was a great investment in our family. Sometimes during those 4 years, when patience wore thin, it was hard to see where our lives were headed. Two years post-graduation, we have an amazing practice with super patients and staff. I wish I knew then what I know now!

Anonymous Alliance memberWe were newlyweds (married 2 weeks) when we went to orientation for dental students and their spouses. We both still laugh today at the sage advice we received at that orientation on how to deal with stress (emphasis that we both would be facing stress due to his dental school life). It is an exciting adventure, and you will survive the time with laughter and struggles, but with a tremendous outcome in the end.

Marcella (Mrs David) Lovett, ATDA Past President, LubbockI cannot stress the importance of a dental spouse joining the ATDA, along with the spouse joining the TDA. As a new student’s wife, much out of my element, I did feel overwhelmed. If it were not for the Alliance and the friendships and mentoring throughout the years, I would not have gained the confidence to run for public office (and win several times), start my own business, work with my husband in his office, or tackle many other “markers” in my life including becoming president of the ATDA along the way.

The networking is invaluable and will be throughout the dental career. The pressure on a dentist as he or she is in dental school and practice is sometimes difficult to understand. The dental “family” is very important. As we go through life, the relationships mean we will instantly have someone to talk to so we do not feel so isolated.

If you are interested in learning more about the ATDA or becoming a member, please contact ATDA Publicity Secretary April Cobb at aprilcobb@hotmail.com.

President’s StatementDavid A. Duncan, DDS, TDA President

I seem to be hearing Jack Nicholson’s voice in my head more and more often and his deliverance of that infamous line, “You can’t handle the truth!” To be honest, I thought I knew what was in store for me during my presidential year. But truthfully, who could foresee or predict a year that would include problems with TDA’s employees’ pension plans, cancer, and now the replacing of the executive director?

I feel that it would be dishonest and evasive if I did not address the “elephant in the room” in regards to the executive director. Many of you have inquired through emails or calls, and you deserve an answer because this is YOUR association! The specific details cannot be discussed due to employment laws, and a signed confidentiality agreement. However, I will attempt to share as much as I can.

TDA’s official statement is this: “Mr Washburn has resigned as executive director of the Texas Dental Association. Effective August 17, 2013, the Board of Directors and Mr Washburn determined that it was in the best interest of the Texas Dental Association that he resign.”

Over the course of the 7-plus months the executive director was employed at TDA, it became apparent that the vision of the TDA and the vision of the executive director were traveling in 2 different directions. During its existence the TDA has been the cornerstone of member-driven associations. Through the actions of your House of Delegates, you, the member, direct the Board of Directors, and in turn, the Board of Directors directs councils and committees and the executive director who directs the staff. It is not up to any staff member or the Board to change the intentions or directives given by the House of Delegates. Through councils and committees, made up of TDA members, the hands-on work is accomplished. Staff implements the desires of the membership and offers their expertise; they do not decide what is “best” to dictate what direction TDA travels. That is our right, our privilege, and our responsibility. Our staff has been regarded by many as the best anywhere, but when those long-standing, tried-and-proven staff members are ostracized or the ideas of one become the focus of the work, we have to step in.

Through the evaluation process this difference in philosophy came to light. Call it pride or call it arrogance, but the dentists of Texas have always been and will continue to be the driving force behind the TDA. That is how we have always done business and that is how TDA will continue to do business until you, the membership, decide differently.

Your Board appreciates all your support and interest through this time, and we do hear you and are trying to be sensitive to your concerns. Just as iron sharpens iron, we will become a stronger association because of the trials we face.

Until next time.

MEETYOURSTAFFJosh joined the TDA in 2009. He works closely with the rest of the TDA Perks team to determine marketingstrategies and campaigns to benefit TDA’s members and the Association.

Originally from the Garden State, Josh and his wife Sherri are raising 6-year-old Myles, a native Texan.

Where did you grow up?I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, just 15 miles from NYC.

Where did you go to school and what did you do before you came here? I attended Northeastern University in Boston and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications. I worked in the music industry as a publicist and booking agent and then developed an online resource for independent musicians. I have always been involved in marketing and sales.

Why did you decide to come to the Texas Dental Association? I was interested in the opportunity to help develop a member benefit program and work with national vendors.

What is your favorite thing about the job? I enjoy when members use our valuable programs and share their experiences. I enjoy providing valuable resources to all types of members, ie new dentist symposiums.

What is one thing about you that might surprise people?One of my long-term goals is to open the “Jewish Texan Delicatessen,” a New York style deli in Austin. I am a huge deli lover and the sandwich authority at the TDA.

Josh EpsteinMarketing Specialist

TDA Student Organization (TDASO)and the American Student DentalAssociation (ASDA)hostedaback-to-school social on August 16, 2013 atSandbarCantinainDallas.Theeventincluded volleyball, food, and drinkstokickoff theupcomingschool year.More than 100 students signed upfor TDASOmembershipat theevent.Pictured(L-R)areTDASOStaffLiaisonLaurenOakley,DallasASDAPresidentAllieButtonLossing,andDallasASDAEventsCoordinatorKristinaMiller.

Student Spouses, Welcome to Dentistry and the Alliance!April Cobb, Publicity Secretary, Alliance of the TDA

DrDavidandKarenCoxofSanAntonioarepicturedatDrCox’sgraduationfromtheUniversityofTexasHealthScienceCenteratSanAntonioDentalSchool.KarenisthecurrentATDApresident.

ASDA and TDASO Host Social

The TDA Today newsletter now includes a new feature article

“TDA Member Spotlight” so you can learn more about your fellow

dentists, their families, and their lives away from the office. If

you would like to be included or if you know of someone with an

interesting story to tell, contact the publications team in the TDA

Department of Member Services. Email TDA Managing Editor Nicole

Scott at nicole@tda.org or call 512-443-3675.

SPOTLIGHTTDA MEMBER

SEPTEMBER 2013 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 9 AVAILABLE ON TDA.ORG

EDITORIAL STAFFStephen R. Matteson, DDS, Editor

Nicole Scott, Managing EditorLauren Oakley, Publications Coordinator

Barbara Donovan, Art DirectorPaul H. Schlesinger, Consultant

Board of Directors

David A. Duncan, DDS, DDS, PresidentDavid H. McCarley, DDS , President-elect

Michael L. Stuart, DDS, Immediate Past PresidentVice Presidents

Jean E. Bainbridge, DDS, NortheastGregory K. Oelfke, DDS, Southeast

Yvonne E. Maldonado, DDS, SouthwestDavid C. Woodburn, DDS, Northwest

Senior DirectorsJerry J. Hopson, DDS, Northeast

William S. Nantz , DDS, SoutheastJoshua A. Austin, DDS, Southwest

Steven J. Hill, DDS, NorthwestDirectors

William H. Gerlach, DDS, NortheastKaren A. Walters , DDS, SoutheastJohn B. Mason, DDS, Southwest

Charles W. Miller, DDS, Northwest

Ron Collins, DDS, Secretary-TreasurerJohn W. Baucum III DDS, Speaker of the House

Michael D. Vaclav, DDS, ParliamentarianStephen R. Matteson, DDS, Editor

Michael L. Stuart, DDS, Interim Executive DirectorWilliam H. Bingham, Legal Counsel

TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December by the Texas Dental Association, 1946 S IH-35 Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, 512-443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S IH-35 Ste 400, Austin, TX 78704-3698.Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-state American Dental Associa-tion (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $30.Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6.Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the Association are so-licited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted. Please refer to Instructions for Contributors in the annual September Directory of the Texas Dental Jour-nal for more information. The Information for Contributors is available at tda.org. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association. Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously. Authors must disclose any financial o r other interests they may have in products or services described in their articles. Advertisements: Publication of advertisements in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement by the Association of the quality of value of such product or

512-270-6999Support: M-F, 8 AM to 7 PM

On October 1, TDAPerksSupplies.com will launch with 40,000+ products from 200+ dental brands (most available through dealers). Product lines of more than

60 direct manufacturers will also be available. TDA members are projected to save an aver-age of more than 35% on dental supplies. Get a price estimate by sending a list of items using SKU or distributor item numbers—or place an order—via email, phone or fax. Active TDA members have pre-activated accounts. Your ADA membership number will be re-quired when placing an order or contacting customer service.

TDAPerksSupplies.com leverages the group buying power of more than 7,400 TDA members.

DENTAL SUPPLIES

Support@TDAPerksSupplies.com | F: 888-740-4154

TSBDE Rule UpdateThisrecurringsectionisdesignedtohelpTDAmemberskeepupwithimportantTexasStateBoardofDentalExaminers(TSBDE)rules,otherregulations,andstatelawaffectingtheirpractices.

TSBDE Adopts New Rules The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) recently published 2 new rules and 3 rule changes. All are the result of legislation the TDA supported and helped pass during the legislative session.

The TSBDE adopted a new rule creating a temporary charitable license for out-of-state dentists to provide charitable dental care in Texas. The rule is a result of passage of HB 1480, which the TDA strongly supported and helped pass. This new rule allows the Board to issue a temporary license for charitable purposes to qualified dentists from other jurisdictions. Both the charitable event application and individual out-of-state licensed dentist application are available now from the board.

The TSBDE also adopted rule changes to enforce the requirements of HB 3201. Upon a written request by the board, a dental service organization (DSO), as defined in HB 3201, must provide to the board the address of the location where the organization provides dental services in Texas and the name of each dentist providing dental services at each location. The TSBDE amended the rules governing dental licensure to authorize the board to collect new information from dental licensees at the time a license is issued and upon renewal. The board will start collecting the required information from dental licensees and DSOs September 1, 2013.

Additionally, as of September 1, 2013, fees will change for all licenses and registrations issued by the TSBDE. More details on the fee changes may be found on the dental board’s website at tsbde.state.tx.us.

The new rules and amended rules may be found at 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §§101.10, 108.73, 101.1, 101.5, and 102.

I want to include in an advertisement a photograph of one of my patients that includes only the teeth and no other part of the face. Must I first get written consent from my patient before I can include the photograph in the advertisement?

Yes. The dentist must obtain written consent from the patient before communicating photographs or facts, data, or information which may identify the patient. Also, photographs or other representations used in advertisements must be from actual patients of record.

The information in this TSBDE Update came from 22 Texas Administrative Code §§108.57(d). For more information, please contact TDA Policy Manager Diane Rhodes at 512-443-3675, diane@tda.org.

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