GDA Dentists Speak in Support of Dental Student Loan Repayment Program

March 2015 Journal of the Georgia Dental Association

-Drs. Menaker & Rodney, DDSwww.SmileCharlotte.com

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24 • MILESTONESMember news and views featuring reports on district CE events (with Dr. Cameron and Dr. Katie Garvin), the Dental Dash at Dawn 5K, GDA office staff updates, and Dr. Don Spillers being installed as GAO president.

19 • GDA MEETING Author, radio host, and former presidential candidate Herman Cain is the keynote speaker for the July 23-26 meeting in Amelia Island, Florida. Visit www.MeetGDA.com starting April 1 to register for this amazing event.

GDACONTENTSMARCH 2015VOLUME 34, NO. 3

COMMENTARIES 5 • EditorialDr. David Bradberry on the seasons of dentistry.

COLUMNS7 • Third Party Assistance Medicare: Should GDA members opt-in or opt-out? 9 • Politics & DentistryGDA arrowing in on legislativegoals for the 2015 session.

11 • Legal IssuesTips on how to protect the trade secrets of your dental practice.

13 • Leadership PathwaysWhat does a high performing dental practice look like?

19 • ANNUAL MEETING

22 • EXPANDED DUTIES

24 • MILESTONES

27 • CALENDAR

28 • CLASSIFIEDS

30 • PROMOTIONS 30 • PROMOTIONSApril is National Facial Protection Month. Visit www.gadental.org for tips on reminding caregivers, coaches, and athletes to play it safe while playing sports as well as links to educational materials to share in your practice.

14 • GDA Executive Director’s ReportExecutive Director Frank Capaldo informed the House of Delegates in January about the state of the GDA. Now, members may read his mid-year report on how over the past year the GDA leadership team has focused on strategies to ensure that the association not only survives, but thrives. Read about The Four Cornerstones, public relations initiatives (like the one featuring Dr. Aaron Schwartz, above), legislative successes, the new Annual Meeting, and a study on a buying cooperative that could save members hundreds of dollars annually.

March 2015 • 3

ON THE COVER: Thank you to Dr. Robert Carpenter, Dr. Jeff King, Dr. James Lopez, Dr. Rene Roberts, and Dr. Mark Zwickey of Western District for their efforts in support of the GDA’s 2015 legislative goals at LAW Day. See page 9 for details on the triumphs of the GDA Governmental Affairs team.

4 • March 2015

GDA ACTION (ISSN 0273-5989; USPS PE-590290) The official Journal of the Georgia Dental Association is pub-lished 10 times/year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GDA Action, 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N.E., Suite 200, Building 17, Atlanta, GA 30328.

Dr. Doug Torbush (President)1000 Iris Dr SW, Conyers, GA 30094torbush@gmail.com

Dr. David Bradberry (Editor)1070 Woodlawn Dr NE, Ste 250Marietta, GA 30028drbradberry@bellsouth.net

Frank Capaldo (Executive Director)Georgia Dental Association7000 Peachtree Dunwoody RoadSuite 200 Building 17Atlanta, GA 30328-1655Call (800) 432-4357Call (404) 636-7553capaldo@gadental.org

GDA Officers and Staff:Find the full listing of state officers, House of Delegates members, Board of Trustees members, district officers, committee members, and other lead-ers at www.gadental.org.

______________________________

GDA ACTION seeks to be an issues-driven journal focusing on current matters affecting Georgia dentists and patients accomplished by dis-seminating information and pro-viding a forum for commentary.

Closing date for all editorial and ad-vertising materials: First of the month preceding the publication month.

Subscriptions: $17 of GDA member-ship dues is for the journal; all others, $75 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA.

© Copyright 2015 by the Georgia Dental Association. All rights re-served. No part of this publication may be reproduced without writ-ten permission. Publication of any article or advertisement should not be deemed an endorsement of the opinions expressed or products ad-vertised. The GDA expressly reserves the right to refuse publication of any article, photograph, or advertise-ment, and illustrate, reduce, or revise any article submitted.

ABOUTGDA

MARCHADS

Dentist Launches CancerFundraiser to Honor LateDean Connie DriskoMy name is Dr. Ryan Fulchi and I am a 2010 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. I established “MOD for the Dean” to honor my mentor and friend Dean Connie Drisko. This is a one-time fundraising campaign with proceeds supporting research and treatments for patients battling blood cancers.

Connie served as Dean of the Medical College of Georgia dental schoool from 2003-2013. She began her career practicing dental hygiene for 16 years before earning a dental degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1980. She then completed a residency in periodontics and later moved into her role as dean within the Medical College of Georgia/GHSU/Georgia Regents University. She was extremely accomplished in all aspects of her life and one of her lasting legacies will be her own fundraising campaign which led to the new Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine building.

Advertise in GDA Action! Email Skip Jones at jones@gadental.org for rates.

GDA Dentists Speak in Support of Dental Student Loan Repayment Program

March 2015 Journal of the Georgia Dental Association

Center for TMJ Therapy .........................................10

Coast Dental ..............................................................31

Craniofacial Pain Center of Georgia .................... 6

Dr. Mark Padolsky—TMD Dentist ......................22

GDA Expanded Duties Program .........................22

GDA Dental Recovery Network ..........................10

Georgia Dental Insurance Services ...................32

Henry Schein Professional Practice Transitions .12

Hospital Dentistry—Dr. Kurtzman ....................22

Officite ........................................................................... 2

Paragon Practice Transitions ...............................10

PNC Bank ...................................................................... 8

Southeast Transitions .............................................. 6

StatDDS Medicare Enrollment ............................12

PARTING SHOTS: LATE BREAKING NEWS

Dean Drisko lost her battle with leukemia last year which inspired the establishment of this campaign.

As a way to honor Connie’s memory, I am asking that dentists contribute proceeds from at least one MOD filling, or the equivalent, during a 10-week campaign running from March 26 to June 5, 2015. Participants will not be asked for future donations as this is a one-time fundraising campaign. All contributions will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and are tax deductible. Your donation can support research that can save thousands of lives.

Contributions may be made at www.MODfortheDean.com starting March 24.

These efforts will serve to fund research that could lead to a cure and life saving medical advancements. Please support me in making this campaign a success and adding to Dr. Connie Drisko’s legacy. If you have any questions, you can reach me at rmfulchi@gmail.com.

March 2015 • 5

DR. DAVID BRADBERRYGDA State EditorPhone (770) 977-8644drbradberry@bellsouth.net

Spring has sprung. The blooming of flowers, grass, and trees is a colorful and vibrant sight to behold. The only drawback is the pollen produced as a part of this great season.

I’m learning that most of our lives can be defined in seasons.

A young dentist may strike out into the world of private practice and begin the season of building a practice. Possibly, this season is defined by struggle, more learning, and growth. He or she might be somewhat excited and apprehensive but none the less ready for the challenge. Youthful exuberance provides the energy and the will to spend long hours in establishing a foundation for their future as a part of the dental family.

Many new professionals must make the hard decisions of where to practice, how to finance, whom to hire, what types of patient payments will be best to consider, who will market them to the world, and how they can manage to practice while keeping together their young family. Those who can may begin to engage in service to their larger dental association. They watch, then participate and volunteer, and may even look ahead to leadership. No matter what the practice setting, this is a season of learning and gaining new friends and colleagues.

Similarly, the practitioner transitioning through this first season of dental life continues to maintain these foundational building blocks of struggle, learning, and growth but adds to them a layer of depth. These practitioners have been around a few years. They’ve been refined a little through the fires of gains and losses, victories and disappointments. In other words, they have been shaped through ‘practicing the trade.’

I think one could define this season of growing depth as the “art of practice.” I say art because the honing of a practitioner can only come through time, much like steel is fired and molded only after a careful process. Dentists in the art of practice season have grappled with many issues in the office already. They’ve dealt with handling the staff family while balancing the needs of their personal family. They exude a learned confidence and wisdom that comes with

“It takes every season of dentist to make a profession and an association that can withstand change ... No matter what season of dentistry you are in, you are in the right season to promote and protect our profession.”

Editorial: Seasons of Dentistry

age, further skill acquisition, and continued education. Many are seemingly pleased to share their experiences and knowledge with colleagues. They’ve had the time to observe those who have gone before them and they willingly give their time and effort to aid in the furtherance of dental education. They often propose ideas that will achieve optimal positive outcomes for the dental issues facing our profession today.

Other dentists have practiced many years and envelope both the young season and the art of practice season. They began with struggle, learning, and growth, then added the depth of practicing. We could say that these practitioners are in the “seasoned” season. They are honorable men and women who have served and still serve their community and association well. They still lead with vigor and wisdom. Maybe they add a layer of deep understanding. The changes in dentistry have been made by them and experienced by them and dentistry today depends on them. They are all of us put together.

It takes every season of dentist to make a profession and an association that can withstand change or make change. Change is constantly upon us and around us. We all have a perception of how our profession should or could look. No matter what season of dentistry you are in, you are in the right season to promote and protect our profession.

By Dr. David BradberryGDA State Editor

6 • March 2015

HEADPAINForeheadTemples

Migraine typeSinus type

EAREar Pain

Ringing in earsDizziness

VertigoFullness

TEETHClenching/Grinding at nightLooseness and soreness of back teeth

EYESPain behind eye, above eye, below eyeSensitive to light

JAWClicking, popping jaw jointsPain in cheekLimited openingFace painMuscle sti�ness

NECKLack of mobility/sti�ness

Neck painTired/sore muscles

Arm/finger numbness

Unexplained tooth pain

Have your patients complainedabout face pain?

H E A D A C H E S F A C I A L P A I N N E C K P A I N T M J D I S O R D E R S S L E E P A P N E A

Face PainMyofascial pain and toothaches.

Many disorders in the head and neck region are known to refer pain to dental structures and imitate dental pain. Due to the location of the perceived pain dental clinicians are often involved in the diagnosis and management of the pain. Myofascial pain (MFP) is widely believed to be the most frequently occurring orofacial pain of non-odontogenic origin. It has long been known that MFP could mimic pulpitic symptoms. Past studies have shown that MFP is a relatively prevalent condition among the general population and the one that is most often misdiagnosed by dentists.

Aust Endod J, 2005 vol. 31(3) pp. 106-10. Kim, ST1505 Mount Vernon Road, Suite 150 • Dunwoody, GA 30338

P: 678 899 6076 • F: 678 899 6075W: www.cpcgeorgia.comE: office@cpcgeorgia.com

Mayoor Patel DDS, MSD.ABDSM, DABOP, DABCP, DAAPM, FICCMO, FAACP, FAGD

Dental Sleep Medicine and Craniofacial Pain are not recognized as specialty areas by the ADA.Adjunct Clinical Instructor Tufts University, Boston, MA & Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA

Bill Adams, DDS, FAGDPresident and Founder

Pete Newcomb CEO

Southeast TransitionsPassing dentistry to the next generation

through practice sales

www.southeasttransitions.com • 678-482-7305

Southeast Transitionsannounces the sale of the practice of

John R. Howell, Jr., DMD

to Eric J. Smith, DDS

A Legacy Preserved andNew Future Created

Sellers are concerned with:

• The continuing quality care of your patients

• The well being of your staff• The reputation of your business• The return on investment for your

life’s work

Buyers are concerned with:

• Acquiring a profitable practice• Creating a friendly & proficient team• Building lasting value & relationships

with your new patients• Creating a successful future for you

and your family

Southeast Transitionsannounces the sale of the practice of

DMD

Southeast Transitionsannounces the sale of the practice of

Thomas S. Davant, DMD

to William N. Coulter, DMD

Contact us for a con�dential, complimentary phone consultation with a Transition Advisor.

March 2015 • 7

March 2015 • 7

SPOTLIGHT ON GDA OFFICE THIRD PARTY ADVOCACY EFFORTS:

MEDICARE: SHOULD GDAMEMBERS OPT IN OR OPT OUT?By Melana McClatchey, General Counsel By Stephanie Lotti, Director of Member Services

By June 15, 2015, all health care providers must make a formal decision about their Medicare participation. The GDA has received numerous calls and emails from members requesting guidance on this issue. Your association has responded by creating a GDA Medicare Opt-In and Opt-Out guide that is intended to provide each dentist with the tools necessary to make a Medicare decision appropriate for the needs of his or her office and patients. The GDA developed this guide with the best information available as of March 2015. The guide, complete with active links to all websites referenced here, is posted at www.gadental.org. Perform a search for “Medicare” to find the guide. As your association receives additional answers to questions staff have posed to the American Dental Association and federal government on key areas of concern, we will send out an updated email notice, and make an updated guide available on the GDA website.

Please note that MedicAID contracts—usually involving PeachCare for Kids clients—are not affected in any way by a provider’s MedicARE enrollment decision.

Opting in as a Medicare ProviderA provider may enroll in Medicare as either a Participating or a Non-Participating provider. This appears to be primarily a financial distinction. The fee schedule implications are covered on the Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators website www.cahabagba.com. (Visit the Medicare Resources link on the GDA website www.gadental.org for the direct link). Opting in allows the dentist to bill Medicare for services, but be aware that Medicare generally covers few dental services. Opting in also requires the provider to bill using the Medicare fee schedule. However, opting in does not automatically designate a dentist as a “participating provider.” The difference between “participating” and “non-participating” appears to be primarily financial.

How to Opt in as a Medicare ProviderFirst, all enrollees must have an individual NPI number. In Section 2D of the Medicare application, oral surgeons should select the “Oral Surgery” box. Other dentists should check “Undefined Physician Type” and write in “dentist.” Providers may enroll by paper form or online. The paper form, CMS-855I, is available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website www.cms.gov. (Visit the Medicare Resources link on the GDA website www.gadental.org for a live link.) The completed form should be mailed to Cahaba GBA Provider Enrollment, P.O. Box 830170, Birmingham, Alabama 35283-0170. Dentists are encouraged to read the CMS process guide before initiating the online enrollment process. That guide is available at www.cms.gov. The enrollment process can be completed online here: https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov/pecos/login.do.

Opting in as a Referring ProviderOpting in as a Medicare Referring Provider allows patient prescriptions, written by the dentist, to be covered by Medicare. The distinction between opting in as a Referring Provider, and opting out, is unclear at this point. The apparent differences, as of this writing, are that the opt-out affidavit must be re-filed every two years, and the opt-in does not; and that an Opt-In Referring Provider does not need to enter a contract with Medicare-enrolled patients for Medicare-eligible services.

How to Opt in as a Referring ProviderFirst, all enrollees must have an individual NPI number. In Section 2D of the Medicare application, oral surgeons should select the “Oral Surgery” box. Other dentists should check “Undefined Physician Type” and write in “dentist.” Dentists are strongly encouraged to review the CMS process guide before initiating the online enrollment process. It is available at www.cms.gov. The paper enrollment form, CMS-855O, is available at www.cms.gov. The completed form should mailed to Cahaba GBA Provider Enrollment, P.O. Box 830170, Birmingham, Alabama 35283-0170. The site for online enrollment is here: https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov/pecos/login.do. Opting out as a Medicare ProviderOpting out requires a dentist to enter into a private contract with each Medicare patient for services that would generally be covered

MEDICARE Continued on page 21

8 • March 2015

March 2015 • 9

POLITICAL ISSUES FROM THE DENTAL POINT OF VIEW:

GDA CLOSING IN ON LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR THE 2015 SESSIONYour GDA Governmental Affairs team has stayed active nder the Gold Dome. The team has monitored hundreds of bills to ascertain their potential impact on dental patients and the profession, and lobbied to accomplish a wide range of GDA goals. Here is an update on those goals:

Dental Student Loan Repayment: The Senate Appropriations Committee met on March 18 to review their version of the 2016 Fiscal Year budget (HB 76). The GDA is pleased to report that the full committee voted to maintain a $200,000 appropriation to reinstate a dental student loan repayment program. The GDA has lobbied for this funding to stay in the budget all the way through the House and into the Senate. Thank you to the Senate Appropriations Community Health Subcommittee and especially to Senator Tommie Williams who championed this endeavor.

The student loan repayment program is a state-funded program that would provide service cancelable loans to dentists to repay dental education debt in return for practicing in underserved rural areas. The GDA believes this program will encourage and enable more dentists to practice in Georgia’s rural areas. Dental practices in small towns not only bring oral health care to Georgia citizens, but also provide a positive economic impact.

Single Administrator for Dental Medicaid:HB 537 authored by Rep. Carl Rogers (R-Gainesville) is on the move in the Senate. The GDA worked exceptionally hard to move this bill through the House. The GDA has long championed creating a single administrator for Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids dental programs. The GDA believes that removing layers of bureaucracy would allow low-income

children to continue to have access to the dental care they need and allow the state to realize administrative and cost efficiencies.

Two days after Rep. Rogers introduced the bill, the GDA received notice on a Friday afternoon that the bill would be heard before the full House Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee on the following Monday. The GDA notified every contact dentist as well as every GDA Medicaid provider and asked them to touch base with an HHS committee member to identify the many reasons that a single administrator would benefit patients and the state. Dr. Byron Colley of Savannah flew up on Monday to testify on behalf of the GDA along with Executive Director Frank Capaldo.

The testimony from your GDA was well received. Dr. Colley spoke about the difficulty of ensuring a child’s eligibility and onerous prior authorization requirements under Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids. Mr. Capaldo mentioned the administrative costs and profits that the state is paying for six different entities, leaving a smaller pool of money which can go toward actually providing care to Georgia’s children.

After testimony was completed, Rep. Rusty Kidd made the motion for “do pass.” Procedurally once a motion for “do pass” is made another committee member “seconds” the motion. Based on the number of voices that called out “second” it seemed like every member of the committee present wished to shepherd the bill through the committee. HB 537 passed unanimously out of committee. Within a few days, the bill was debated on the floor of the House and passed 166 to 1.

Unfair Practices Insurance Bill: The GDA is working with a number of other health care advocacy groups, including the Medical Association of Georgia, in support of SB 158,

the Consumer and Provider Protection Act. This bill seeks to address a number of unfair tactics that insurers use in their contracts including “all-products clauses,” unilateral contractual changes, and rental networks.

Senator Charlie Bethel (R-Dalton) has recommended that a study committee be established to further review and discuss the issues that SB 158 is seeking to address and recommended the following members for the committee: Senators P.K. Martin (R-Lawrenceville), Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), Ed Harbison (D-Columbus), Burt Jones (R-Jackson), and Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge). A study committee would be a welcome opportunity for the provider groups to testify and provide evidence of the unfair tactics used by insurers.

Local Anesthesia Bill: HB 350 sponsored by Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) would allow licensed dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia (by block and infiltration) under the direct supervision of a dentist. The GDA House of Delegates supports the position that the administration of local anesthesia should remain the responsibility of the dentist and that is the patient protection centered message your Governmental Affairs team carried to the legislature. The bill did not move out of the House. House of Delegates members will be asked to discuss this issue during the July 23, 2015, meeting.

Anti-Fluoridation Bill: HB 129, which would have amended the law to make it easier for communities to remove fluoride from public water systems, did not move out of the House during this session.

10 • March 2015

Center for TMJ Therapy

3590 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005

770.521.1978 phone • 770.521.9936 fax

www.tmdatlanta.com • office@tmdatlanta.com

Manoj MagganDDS, DABDSM, DABCP, DAAPM, FICCMO, FAACP

Do your patients suffer from any of these symptoms?

Head PainForehead • Temples

Migraine-typeSinus-type

EyesPain behind eyeBlood-shot eyes

Sensitive to light

JawClicking, popping jaw jointsPain in cheek • Limited opening

TeethClenching/grinding

at nightLooseness and

soreness of back teeth

EarEar pain • Ringing in earsDizziness • Vertigo

NeckLack of mobility/stiffnessNeck pain • Tired/sore musclesArm/finger numbness

Visit us online at www.tmdatlanta.com to download a referral form and learn more about our services!

If your patients have any of these symptoms and are not responding

to treatments, they may be suffering from a TMJ disorder. Problems within the jaw can produce a

myriad of symptoms that, at first glance, might appear to be

totally unrelated to the temporomandibular

complex. Our dedicated team of professionals have years of training and

are happy to assist you in the diagnosis and treatment of possible

craniomandibular/ temporomandibular

disorders.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

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CMY

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GA-JUN-2014.pdf 1 6/5/14 7:50 AM

March 2015 • 11

A GDA PERSPECTIVEON REGULATORY ISSUES AND LAWS:

TIPS ON HOWTO PROTECT YOUR PRACTICE TRADE SECRETSBy Stuart J. Oberman, Esq.

In today’s society, protecting confidential and proprietary practice information is next to impossible. Employees on a daily basis have access to an employer’s confidential information that can be quickly stored on a smartphone, flash drive, and in the cloud.

In many states, trade secrets are protected by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Generally, a practice’s patient list and other sensitive assets are protected by the Act. A trade secret is certain information which is not commonly known by or available to the public. When a practice takes reasonable measures to protect its valuable and confidential information, and if the information is generally not known to the public, then a practice’s trade secrets will most likely be protected. In addition to patient lists and related data, other forms of information, such as business plans, may also be protected.

It is important for a practice to have policies, procedures, and agreements in place in order to protect a practice’s assets and intellectual property before an employee leaves. Below is a checklist that a practice may consider to protect its valuable assets.

Returning Trade Secrets: A practice should have policies in place that clearly identify what is considered a protected trade secret (patient lists, pricing, vendors, referrals, marketing data, business plans, etc.). If an employee resigns or is terminated, the practice should have a written procedure in place that requires the former employee to immediately return to the practice all protected and confidential information.

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements: In order to protect a practice’s

trade secrets, every employee should sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. This agreement may be part of an employee manual or a separate document.

Keep Confidential Information Confidential: Information that is identified by a practice as a trade secret or considered confidential should be treated as such by all employees or it may lose its confidential status. A practice should train all employees to take necessary precautions in order to protect against the wrongful disclosure or misuse of confidential information.

Bring Your Own Device or Employer Provided Device Policies: If a practice permits an employee to use their own personal electronic devices, such as a smartphone, for business purposes, then a practice should have a written policy in place that will permit a practice to periodically inspect an employee’s electronic device in order to ensure that confidential practice information is protected and secure.

In addition, if an employee resigns or is terminated, a practice should have a written procedure in place that outlines specifically how a practice will be permitted to purge confidential information from the employee’s personal electronic device upon departure. The information must be purged immediately upon an employee’s departure.

Non-Solicitation and Non-Compete Agreements: A practice should have its key employees sign a non-solicitation and/or non-compete agreement. A non-compete agreement will prevent an employee from performing the same or similar services for a competitor for a certain period of time, within a specified geographical area, for specific clients, or other confidential

relationships. A non-solicitation agreement will prevent a current or former employee from soliciting or contacting the practice’s patients. Both types of agreements must be designed to protect legitimate practice interests, be reasonably limited in duration and geographic scope, and be applied consistently in order to be enforceable.

System Access: A practice should immediately cut off an employee’s access to information upon an employee’s planned or unplanned departure (or in advance of an employee’s departure, if at all possible). In addition, a practice should immediately change all passwords upon an employee’s departure, especially in those areas where the employee has access to confidential and protected practice information.

Reminder Letters: After an employee is no longer employed by a practice, the practice may want to consider sending a reminder letter to the former employee that sets forth the former employee’s post-employment contractual obligations (i.e., non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure of confidential information).

In many cases, the most valuable asset of a practice is the practice’s intellectual property. Protection of this valuable asset may very well be necessary in order to ensure the viability of a practice. If a practice takes the required steps to protect its assets, then a practice should be in good position to prevent a devastating and potentially costly loss in the event of an employee’s departure.

Stuart J. Oberman, Esq. handles a wide range of legal issues for the dental profession. For questions or comments regarding this article members may call (770) 554-1400 or visit www.obermanlaw.com.

12 • March 2015

1.800.988.5674 www.henryscheinppt.com

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© 2014 Henry Schein, Inc. No copying without permission. Not responsible for typographical errors. 14PT9453

15PT3353_ChessMich 7.5x4.7_.indd 1 12/18/14 2:02 PM

As reported in the ADA NewsDentists must opt in or out of Medicare By June 1st, 2015.

There are nearly 50 million Medicare patients. Baby boomers are turning 65 years old at a rate of 8000 per day. Geriatric patients today have more implant, restorative, bruxism/sleep appliances and cosmetic dentistry performed than any other age group. Do you want to grow your practice dramatically and attract more of these patients?

“My enrollment application was done in a day – they saved me time and money!”- Dr. Louis Malcmacher, President, American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE)

Call STATDDS @ 1800.693.9076 or email info@statdds.com to get started today!

MEDICARE ENROLLMENTDENTISTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT DECISION TO MAKEContact a STATDDS Medicare Enrollment Dental Specialist today at 800.693.9076!Save Up To $500 By April 1st!

March 2015 • 13

HELPING DENTISTS LEAD PERSONALLY & PROFESSIONALLY

WHAT A HIGH PERFORMING DENTAL OFFICE LOOKS LIKEBy Ed Cooney President, Affinity Bank

What makes a dental practice perform at its highest efficiency and productivity? Is bigger always better? As it relates to the amount you collect at your dental office, it depends. For the past 12 years, Affinity Bank, formerly known as Atlanta Business Bank, has assisted more than 500 dentists throughout Georgia obtain hundreds of millions of dollars of financing. During that time, we have combined financial and practice trends into what we refer to as our High Performing Metrics Index. When we examine this data in conjunction with information from the thousands of informal discussions our bank has held with dentists over the past decade, we have a good idea of what it takes to be a high performing dentist. Considering a marginal federal tax

rate of 33% and state tax rate of 6% on incremental income, the ‘Larger Clients’ are netting only $24,000 more, annually, than our ‘Most Efficient Clients.’ At the same time, that extra $2,000 per month is often times associated with a higher debt level (risk), higher stress level, additional hours worked (less family time), more personnel issues, and, generally, a lower level of happiness. Why not find a way to generate this additional income from your existing patient base?

I am certainly not advising you not to grow your business. My point is to avoid growing for the sake of growing. You need to understand the importance of QUALITY growth and how it impacts your existing practice and bottom line. Profitability is not linear — as a percentage of collections, it typically decreases with size. Sure, a dentist can generate a 38% NOI on the first million dollars. However, this figure typically dips to 15-20% on the second million. No differently than driving cross country without a map, a trip has a tendency to be bumpy if not planned well in advance. While no journey goes exactly as planned, do your research and anticipate rough terrain as you plan quality growth. This can be challenging since your advisors may operate in a silo and may not advise you on the full scope of considerations. YOU, as CEO, must gather all of the relevant

Paradoxically, those who place money above service don’t perform as well. (I think we all can tell when we are being “sold” something.)

2. Work IN and ON the business. It is not an easy task to be CEO and VP of business development at the same time! While they may have trusted advisors, HPDs are on a mission to continually learn more about how to more effectively lead their practice. Our data show that dentists who regularly attend study clubs and are involved in their profession outperform those who do not.

3. Invest in staff. Even in the age of ‘efficiencies’ HPDs pay their staff above average wages and expect above average performance. They understand their staff is not a cost but their most valuable asset and follow the Disney work model of happy staff = happy patients = a great business.

4. Loan discipline. HPDs amortize their loans as quickly as possible. We have dentist clients in their mid 30s who gave themselves an $85,000 a year raise by paying off their $500,000 practice loan in seven years.

5. Live to work, not work to live. HPDs understand that patient care and profitability are not mutually exclusive.

To actively produce and manage any multi-million dollar business is not easy. Know that what made you successful (YOU!) with your first office or million dollars of production may not be as scalable with your second office or second million dollars of production. There will be a level of stress with any business venture. In and by itself, this is not a reason not to move forward if the anticipated challenges are short term in nature rather than long term. Know yourself, your risk tolerance, and the balance of life you are looking to achieve.

March 2015 • 13

AFFINITY BANK HIGH PERFORMING METRICS INDEX: Client Type Annual Collections NOI* % NOI* $$Average Client $1,053,000 32% $337,000Larger Clients $1,253,000 29% $363,000Most Efficient Clients $853,000 38% $324,000

*NOI: Net Operating Income is the total of owner salary plus net income.

information and make an independent decision. Calculate your risk versus reward. Here are some common characteristics of our High Performing Dentists (HPDs) who have planned for and executed smart growth:

1. Service before money. HPDs connect with people and focus on providing exceptional patient care knowing the money will follow. They provide a genuine level of care felt by staff and patients and their treatment plan acceptance far exceeds the average.

14 • March 2015

and traditional business models are being challenged. Few associations can coast into the future assured of their relevance and sustainability.

To survive, associations need to secure their short-term survival while ensuring they are well-positioned to succeed in the future. Over the past year, the Georgia Dental Association leadership team has focused on strategies that will ensure the association not only survives, but thrives. As you will read, work is underway on a new strategic plan. We are developing the plan along key results areas we will call “The Four Cornerstones.” This update on your association’s activities is arranged in these areas as well.

By Frank CapaldoExecutive Director

“Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” John F. Kennedy

“There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” Ronald Reagan

We live in a world that is rapidly changing. New technologies are emerging at a record pace, industry landscapes are shifting,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MID-YEAR REPORT: NEW MEMBER BENEFITS AND A STRONGER PROFESSION

1. Legislation/Policy2. PR/Media/Communications 3. Member Practice Services/Education 4. Business/Non-Dues Services

Exciting member benefits will roll out in coming months, a multi-year media campaign is in development, and we are strengthening our legislative advocacy to address important issues such as dental student loan repayment, a dental Medicaid single administrator, and community water fluoridation. I had the distinct pleasure of hosting the officers from the GDA districts along with our governmental affairs team leaders last fall to discuss our legislative

Governor Nathan Deal (center) with State Representative and past GDA President Lee Hawkins and Executive Director Frank Capaldo at a fundraising event prior to Gov. Deal’s successful re-election.

March 2015 • 15

Cornerstone: Business and Non-Dues Services

T here is a lot of exciting energy being generated around the potential member benefits associated with a group purchasing initiative. What

would you think about an exclusive [Georgia Dental Association] member benefit that could save your dental office tens of thousands of dollars per year on the items you use daily?

Practicing members! The GDA and Kevin Cain, PhD, a Georgia Regents University Hull College of Business Assistant Professor of Management, are conducting a critical feasibility survey on dental practice characteristics. The GDA will use the results of the survey to create association products and services, such a buying cooperative, that can reduce your practice expenses. Thanks to the GDA leaders who took part in a cooperative buying strategy session in March, including President Doug Torbush, Dr. Mike Loden, Dr. Jim Hall, Dr. Howard Jones, and Dr. Suhayl Rafeedie, as well as Kevin Cain, PhD, and GDHC/GDIS Chief Operating Officer Lisa VanZandt.

agenda and inform the leadership that our team was exceptionally prepared to accomplish every legislative goal we set.

At the same time, we continue to enhance member services. You won’t want to miss this year’s Annual Meeting in July which will offer dynamic speakers and sessions, along with networking events and activities for the whole family. Our keynote speaker is Herman Cain, the noted former presidential candidate, national radio show host, and author. Your family will enjoy the amenities offered at the The Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida.

I’ve never been more enthusiastic about what lies ahead for the GDA and the heightened services and support for our members. We are facing the future head-on.

GDA Buying Cooperative Could Save Members Tens of Thousands of Dollars Per YearI hope that you have already participated in the buying cooperative feasibility survey conducted by the GDA and Kevin Cain, PhD, a Georgia Regents University Hull College of Business Assistant Professor of Management. Your willingness to share information about your practice will enable the GDA to determine the potential for success of an association-supported buying cooperative.

There is a lot of exciting energy being generated around the potential member benefits associated with a group purchasing initiative. What would you think about a member benefit that could save your dental office tens of thousands of dollars per year on the items you use daily? Stay tuned—big things are on the horizon for GDA members.

GDIS Values for MembersGeorgia Dental Insurance Services (GDIS) continues to reign as one of the top agencies in the nation offering professional liability coverage from Medical Protective thanks to outstanding partners and service by our team of insurance experts. GDIS implemented a health insurance portal via the GDA website during open enrollment in 2014. By visiting the portal, members could select individual or family plans through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia exchanges, as well as purchase Medicare supplemental insurance. This new offering experienced some success.

16 • March 2015

GDA Seeks Funding for a DentalStudent Loan Repayment ProgramThe GDA’s top legislative priority for 2015 is to reinstate a state-funded dental student loan repayment program that would provide service cancelable loans to dentists to repay dental education debt in return for practicing in underserved rural areas. This program, which experienced great success in the 2000s but was lost to budget cuts during the recession, would increase the availability of comprehensive oral health care for rural citizens and bring needed economic growth to rural communities.

GDA Backs Single Administrator for Dental Medicaid, Tackles Unfair Insurance Practices, and Takes Stand on Scope IssuesThe GDA is also working on a number of other legislative issues. House Bill 537 would require the state to contract with a single administrator for dental Medicaid benefits. The GDA has long supported the creation of a single administrator for Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids dental programs so that low-income children will continue to have access to the dental care they need and the state will realize administrative and cost efficiencies.

The GDA carried out the will of the House of Delegates in regards to House Bill 350. This bill would allow licensed dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia by block and infiltration under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. Your House of Delegates voted previously to support the contention that only a dentist be allowed to administer local anesthesia in this manner in order to protect the patients of Georgia.

The GDA is working with other health care advocacy groups, including the Medical Association of Georgia, in support of Senate Bil l158, the Consumer and Provider Protection Act. This bill seeks to address a number of unfair tactics that insurers use in their contracts with health care providers including “all-products clauses,” unilateral contractual changes, and rental networks.

GDA Monitors Anti-Fluoridation Activities This proven public health benefit of community water fluoridation is receiving negative attention in our state legislature during the 2015 session, and municipalities in Georgia and nationwide are debating fluoridation’s value. The GDA has secured a grant from the American Dental Association to advocate for community water fluoridation in Georgia. Visit www.gadental.org to find tools you can use to educate your patients about fluoridation during the 70th anniversary year of this public health milestone in 2015.

It’s Not Too Late to Back Your PACDo you donate to GADPAC? Only about 35 percent of our dentist members support the GDA Political Action Committee financially. PAC funds are sent to dental- and patient-friendly candidates running for local, state, and federal offices. We are a looking at a number of initiatives to boost our GADPAC giving percentage. Stay tuned for some special activities taking place at the 2015 Annual Meeting in regards to our keynote speaker Herman Cain.

Dentists, Alliance members, and dental students make a difference for patients and the profession at every LAW Day event. After breakfast and a legislative overview, LAW Day attendees talk to legislators about key issues. Thanks to President Doug Torbush and GRU dental students De’Leshea Blissett, Loan Tran, and Cherie Murray for taking part in a GDA LAW Day.

Thanks to our strong support, the GDA received several tickets to Gov. Nathan Deal’s inauguration and swearing in ceremonies. Shown are GDA President Doug and Debbie Torbush, Drs. Richard and Becky Weinman, and Dr. Donnie and Fran Brown with State Representative Joyce Chandler (third from left).

Cornerstone:

During a GDA LAW Day, Northern District members Dr. Jeff Kendrick, Dr. Chris Adkins, and Dr. Richard Weinman joined Executive Director Frank Capaldo and Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations Carol Galbreath for a photo with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and State Senator Lester Jackson.

March 2015 • 17

GDA Monitors Mid-Level Provider Study Conducted by the Community Voices’ ProgramThrough a $400,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Sullivan Alliance in partnership with Atlanta’s “Community Voices’” initiative is exploring ways to make dental care accessible to more Americans. The initiative has a goal to “strengthen and expand the oral health workforce as one way to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families through the engagement of mid-level dental providers in Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.” The Sullivan Alliance and Community Voices’ are surveying dental providers, among other activities, and will publish a report this spring. The GDA fully expects the report to contain strong language advocating for the creation of mid-level providers in dentistry.

The GDA has significant research to demonstrate that workforce expansion, including the introduction of lesser trained mid-level providers, would not impact the access to care challenges that exist in our state. The GDA believes that only a dentist has the training and expertise necessary to properly diagnose and treat dental disease. Your Governmental Affairs team is monitoring this initiative, and with assistance from an American Dental Association State Public Affairs program grant will continue to promote the GDA’s position on the mid-level provider model in Georgia.

GDA Continues High Level of Advocacyon Dental Medicaid/PeachCare for KidsThe GDA submitted recommendations for the re-contracting of the Georgia Families Program, including the administration of the Care Management Organizations (CMOs) last fall. Our recommendations included, but were not limited to: 1) Eliminating pre-authorization requirements for common dental procedures; 2) Using only one Credential Verification office for oral health providers; 3) Re-calculating geo-access requirements to more realistic parameters; and 4) Requiring CMOs to increase reimbursement to 80 percent of market rates for preventive codes.

Now that the Request for Proposals for the new contracts has been released, the GDA is reviewing them carefully to prepare for further input and public comment. The well-being of the children served by the dental Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs, as can also be seen in our championing of the single administrator for dental Medicaid legislation under the Gold Dome, is at the top of our advocacy list.

Board of Dentistry Data Collection and Database Project UpdateThe GDA is spearheading the collation and data entry of census data obtained from the Georgia Board of Dentistry. The state gathered the census data as part of the 2013 dental and dental hygiene licensure renewal process. The GDA plans to employ this data to, among other things, examine how the Georgia dental workforce correlates to county and regional populations and determine the age ranges of dentists in the state. The GDA can also draw on the information we learn about Georgia dentists to enhance our GDA membership recruitment and retention efforts.

Legislation and Policy

The GDA seeks to

serve as the premier

professional

organization of

dentists in the

state committed to improving

oral health in Georgia and

continuously promoting the

highest standards of dentistry

through education, advocacy,

and professionalism.

GDA Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Dr. Bruce Camp, Governmental Affairs Director Fatimot Ladipo, and GADPAC Board Chairman Dr. Richard Weinman with State Representative Dewey McClain during the 2015 Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Annual Heritage Dinner. The GDA governmental affairs team works year round to build and maintain legislative relationships and monitor legislative issues that could impact patients and the profession.

18 • March 2015

GDA Takes Steps to Implement a Comprehensive Public Relations PlanThe GDA will engage a marketing communications agency to conceptualize, develop, and implement a multi-year program to advance the profession of dentistry in Georgia. The campaign will target adults ages 18-64 with a slight skew toward women, who influence 80 percent of family health care decision making. The campaign will also target the media to combat misinformation and to communicate the value of dental care, as well as target lawmakers to protect oral health best practices, patient safety, educational standards, and the effectiveness of the profession.

The Public Relations Committee led by Dr. Robin Reich and supported by Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations Carol Galbreath issued a Request for Proposal to several agencies in February. The committee evaluated presentations from three agencies in March and will announce their selection at the Board of Trustees meeting in April.

Like the GDA on Facebook!The Georgia Dental Association has established a public Facebook page as a forum for public relations initiatives, such as National Brush Day. The page is a great source of association information. Like the GDA if you are active on the Facebook.com website.

GDA Gathers Significant Media Exposure on Give Kids a Smile Day on February 6GDA members celebrated Give Kids A Smile Day on February 6 by providing free care to underserved children across the state. While we are still compiling the numbers, as of March 10, 60 GDA dentists have reported providing approximately $120,000 in free care to hundreds of children across the state.

Several GDA GKAS events were featured on television and in newspapers. Public Relations Chair Dr. Robin Reich and Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations Carol Galbreath were featured on Channel 11 in Atlanta leading up to the big day talking about the GDA’s outreach efforts. The GDA has a list of news clips and videos on our website at www.gadental.org.

Cornerstones: Public Relations and Member Services

GMOM: Volunteer for the June 18-20, 2015 EventThe third Georgia Mission of Mercy (GMOM) is June 18-20, 2015. GMOM 2015 will be held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. Our goal is to treat 2,000+ patients in just two days and highlight the oral health needs of citizens of Georgia. (June 18 will be a clinic set up day, with June 19 as a treatment day and June 20 as a treatment and tear down day.)

At GMOM, more than 100 dental chairs, treatment stations, a sterilization department, patient education, computerized patient registration system, and much more will be used to create a full scale dental clinic. An event of this magnitude requires hundreds of volunteers. Please visit www.georgiamissionofmercy.org to register as a volunteer. Who can volunteer? EVERYONE 18 years of age or older! Shifts will fill up quickly on a first-come, first-served basis. EVERY job at GMOM is important to our success. Don’t wait too long to sign up!

At this time, our focus is on volunteer recruitment and fundraising. The GDA will not begin patient outreach and public education until later in 2015.

Thanks to Those Dentists who Paid TheirDues to Become Members for 2015The GDA mailed renewal dues statements to members starting in October 2014. The Recruitment and Retention Committee is examining membership trends and helping to identify the association programs that will appeal to and benefit our members the most. Of note, we must examine our dues structure. GDA dues have remained unchanged for nearly two decades while the challenges facing the association have most certainly changed. GDA dues have not increased since milk was $2.41 a gallon and gas was $1.11 a gallon.

Dental Recovery Network Works Behind the Scenes to Get Professionals HealthyThe Georgia Dental Association Dental Recovery Network (DRN) helps dentists and dental hygienists get their lives back on track by addressing their addiction challenges and getting them safely back to work. Program Director Jane Walter is a licensed counselor who has worked with the Georgia Dental Association for 13 years. DRN representatives recently spoke to dental students at the Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine about addiction in the profession and received a letter of appreciation from GRU Associate Dean Dr. Carole Hanes. Dentist contributions to the Relief Fund made via dues statements help support this program.

GDA Staff Members Addresses DentistQuestions About Third Party Issues GDA staff members receive calls on a regular basis from GDA members and their staffs concerning issues with third party payers. Recent call topics have included denials for crowns, medical necessity issues, claims appeals, coordination of benefits, Medicare opt-in and opt-out, X-ray bundling, coding questions, and other provider contracting issues and questions.

Public Relations Chair Dr. Robin Reich and Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations Carol Galbreath were featured on Channel 11 in Atlanta leading up to Give Kids A Smile Day.

19 • March 2015

2015 GDA Annual MeetingNavigating Change: It’s About TimeThe Annual Meeting is July 23-26 at The Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida. Contracts with the hotel and speakers have been executed, the CE program is set, and plans for the New Dentist reception are confirmed. Final preparations are being made for the Saturday dinner dance and family fun event. Noted author, executive, radio host, syndicated columnist, and former presidential candidate Herman Cain will be the keynote speaker. This will be an Annual Meeting like none you have experienced before.

You can make your room or villa reservations by visiting www.MeetGDA.com. Click the blue “hotel” button to access the link. Event registration opens April 1. Here is a preview of our CE lineup:

THURSDAY, JULY 23

Protecting Patients and PractitionersHIPAA and HITECH: Are You Audit Ready? Linda Harvey, RDH, MS.

(2:30-3:30 p.m., 1 CEU) With the passage of the HITECH Act of 2009 and the 2013 Final

Omnibus Rule, HIPAA compliance went from being viewed “simply as guidelines” to “enforced compliance” with mandatory audits, stiff fines, and penalties. These new laws impact the entire practice, including your employees and business associates. Building upon basic HIPAA knowledge, this course reviews the recent changes and introduces standard of care and identity theft issues associated with data breaches. Staff mishaps, random audits, or patient complaints could land you under the scrutiny of the Office of Civil Rights (the “HIPAA police”). Learn exactly what you need to do to protect patient health information and safeguard yourself and your practice against consequences.

__________________________________

Protecting the Profession: Strategies for Maintaining Clinical Autonomy. Kevin Cain, PhD, Assistant Professor of Management, Hull College of Business, Georgia Regents University.

(4-5 p.m., 1 CEU) Although still highly-fragmented, dentistry is in the early stages of industry consolidation. At the forefront of

the consolidation process are dental service organizations (DSOs) or what most refer to as corporate dentists. As DSOs enter new markets and further saturate their existing markets, independent practitioners may fear that they will be unable to compete or that they may lose their clinical autonomy to consolidation. In this course, we will examine DSOs and discount procedure-based practices. We will look at their competitive advantages and discuss strategies about turning these practice models into opportunities for innovation.

FRIDAY, JULY 24

The Truth Fairy: Forensic Odontology and Its Contribution to our Field. Holland Maness, DMD. Program Director of the Graduate Orthodontic ProgramUniversity of Tennessee College of Dentistry and Primary Forensic Odontologist, West Tennessee Forensic Center.

(1:30-3:30 P.M., 2 CEUs) Forensic odontology is one of the lesser known areas of dentistry, yet the subject always invokes intrigue and interest. As forensic odontology

Member Services: Annual Meeting

is defined as the overlap of dentistry and the law, it encompasses areas beyond identifications and bitemarks extending to civil litigation and age estimation. Dr. Maness will share her forensic journey as well as developments in the field. Demonstrations of procedures using case studies will illustrate what forensic dentistry can do and what it cannot do in our post-television CSI world. Attendees will learn the history and scientific rationale behind the forensic protocols of the American Board of Forensic Odontology. They will also learn of the challenges facing the field today and how Dr. Maness hopes to face those challenges. __________________________________

Whole Person Care: Dealing with Chronic Inflammation. Laura D. Braswell, DDS, Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology.

(4-5 p.m., 1 CEU) Oral inflammation has been linked to multiple systemic issues from arthritis to impotence. Join us to explore the oral/systemic connection and how we can better care for our patients as whole persons rather than simply teeth.

__________________________________

SATURDAY, JULY 25

Do Dentistry, Not Time. Roy S. Shelburne, DDS. The Appalachian Dental Group of Jonesville, Virginia.

(8:30-10:30 a.m., 2 CEUs) Dr. Shelburne went to prison on August 20, 2008, and learned a series of lessons the hard way. It is possible to protect and defend a dental practice and to prevent what happened to him from happening to you. You can be ready in the event of a board complaint, insurance audit, malpractice claim, or criminal complaint. It is possible to implement systems that result in record keeping excellence. If it’s not in your clinical record, you didn’t see it, you didn’t say to, you didn’t do it, it didn’t need to be done, and it doesn’t exist from the legal perspective. In this course, we will learn to understand that what you don’t know can hurt you and

that ignorance is no excuse. We will learn to assimilate and maintain records that can both protect and defend; and learn how to conduct records reviews and internal audits. __________________________________

Sex, Drugs, and Oral Cancer ™. Robert J. Whitman, MSE, Director of Clinical Education at Forward Science Technologies, LLC. Presented in partnership with the Georgia Academy of General Dentistry.

(11-12:30 p.m., 1.5 CEUs) Recent trends in oral cancer have heightened the importance of an oral cancer screening protocol for all medical and dental professionals. Oral cancer has risen each of the past seven years, and the deforming disease is now affecting patients with no traditional risk factors. Due to a 225% increase in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, oral cancer is occurring in younger populations, changing the perception of who to screen.

With the need for a new oral cancer screening protocol, we will cover adjunctive screening options in detail. This course will introduce recent and emerging technologies for early discovery of oral cancer, including fluorescence technology and quantitative cytology along with the importance of proper implementation. Clinical examples of these procedures will also be provided.

Office Emergency Drug Kits: What You Really Need to Have and Why. Glenn Maron, DDS, Chief of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Section at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

(1:30-3:00 p.m., 1.5 CEUs) This course will teach practitioners how to prepare for, and prevent, an emergency in the dental office. You will bring back to your practice knowledge and skills in how to: 1) Assess patient risk and apply proper treatment planning principles; 2) Review the complex medical issues that many patients present with in today’s practice; 3) Identify and avoid potential medical complications before they arise; 4) Ensure that you and your staff are prepared to deal with the most common medical emergencies that can occur; 5) Update your practice emergency kit; 6) Sharpen and refresh your ability to treat the most common emergencies that can occur in the office by going through real life scenarios (just like BLS and CPR training, if you do not practice, you forget); and 7) Explain the need for “mock code” drills in your office. __________________________________

Implant Rehabilitation and the Consequences of Poor Planning. Andy Loetscher, DDS, MS and Paul S. Kudyba Jr., DDS

(3:30-5:00 p.m., 1.5 CEUs) This presentation will focus on how to plan implant rehabilitation of the dentition. Emphasis will be placed on two topics: Full arch cases and the condition, number, and position of implants to provide for long-term stability and function. We will discuss avoiding pitfalls with the anterior esthetic implant with regards to site development and implant positioning. Attendees will leave with the knowledge to: 1. Understand the essentials needed to pre-plan implant cases to prevent future complications. 2. Make proper decisions regarding anterior implants to maximize esthetics and long-term stability. 3. Determine the decisions and treatment courses which may lead to complications and failure to meet patient expectations.

Navigating Change: It’s About Time

20 • March 2015

March 2015 • 21

by Medicare. The opt-out is in effect for two years and cannot be changed after 90 days of filing the opt-out affidavit. Opting out prohibits the dentist from billing Medicare for any covered services. Prescriptions written, and biopsies referred, by an opted-out dentist may be covered by Medicare as of this writing.

Emergency Cases as an Opted-Out ProviderFrom the CMS website: EXCEPTION: In an emergency or urgent care situation, a physician/practitioner who opts out may treat a Medicare beneficiary with whom he/she does not have a private contract and bill for such treatment. In such a situation, the physician/practitioner may not charge the beneficiary more than what a non-participating physician/practitioner would be permitted to charge and must submit a claim to Medicare on the beneficiary’s behalf. Payment will be made for Medicare covered items or services furnished in emergency or urgent situations when the beneficiary has not signed a private contract with that physician/practitioner. (See §40.28.)

The Private ContractThe required elements of the contract (a statement that neither the provider nor the beneficiary may submit a claim to Medicare, the expiration date of the opt-out, that Medigap will not cover services, etc.) are available at www.cahabagba.com. This website provides an excellent summation of contract requirements. (The live link directly to the contract guide appears on the GDA website www.gadental.org in the Medicare Resources section.) From the CMS website: Because Medicare’s rules do not apply to items or services that are categorically not covered by Medicare, a private contract is not needed to furnish such items or services to Medicare beneficiaries, and Medicare’s claims filing rules and limits on charges do not apply to such items or services. For example, because Medicare does not cover hearing aids, a physician or practitioner, or other supplier, may furnish a hearing aid to a Medicare beneficiary and would not be required to file a claim with Medicare; further, the physician, practitioner, or

other supplier would not be subject to any Medicare limit on the amount they could collect for the hearing aid.

How to Opt-Out as a Medicare ProviderThe opt-out affidavit for dentists in Georgia and Alabama is located on the www.cahabagba.com website. The direct link may be found on the GDA website www.gadental.org in the Medicare Resources section. The completed form should be mailed to Cahaba GBA Provider Enrollment, P.O. Box 830170, Birmingham, Alabama 35283-0170. Taking No Action (Neither Opting In Nor Opting Out) Taking no action—neither opting in nor opting out—means that the providers’ prescriptions written for patients on Medicare will not be covered. Dentists who take no action may not submit claims to Medicare for reimbursement.

MEDICARE Continued from page 7

Need More Information?For additional information to consider as you decide what Medicare path is the correct one for your practice, visit these websites.

• Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators. The Medicare contractor for Georgia and Alabama has excellent resource information on its website www.cahabagba.com. You may call Cahaba’s Provider Contact Center toll free at 1-(877)-467-7516.

• The American Dental Association’s Medicare Decision Tree is located on the ADA website www.ada.org. Search for “Medicare Decision Infographic.”

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. Dentists must consult with their attorneys for such advice.

By June 15, 2015, all health care providers must make a formal decision about their Medicare participation. The GDA has received numerous calls and emails from members requesting guidance on this important issue. Your association has responded by creating a GDA Medicare Opt-In and Opt-Out guide that is intended to provide each dentist with the tools necessary to make a Medicare decision appropriate for the needs of his or her office and patients. Find the guide on the GDA website www.gadental.org by performing a search for “Medicare.”)

22 • March 2015

The safest place for yourspecial needs* patients?In an O.R., of course.*Intense fears and phobias • Severe gag reflexesMedically compromised • Developmentally disabledHigh liability

Put your most stressful and unprofitable cases in the absolute best of hands: Dr. David Kurtzman at his regional Sleep Dentistry practice.

• 25 years of hospital dentistry• Hospital residency trained• General anesthesia administered by an MD

Dr. David Kurtzman, DDS, FAGD770-980-6336 | dkdds@drkurtzman.com

Multiple procedures per visitRoot CanalsGeneral DentistryImplantsSurgeryPerio

“Thedoctor’s safetynet.”

Find out more:

HospitalDentistry.org

GDA Expanded Duties Dental Assistants Program

Dates and Locations___________________

Athens Technical College (Athens) June 19-20, 2015

West Georgia Technical College (Newnan) July 31-Aug 1, 2015 October 9-10, 2015

Columbus Technical College (Columbus) December 4-5, 2015

___________________

REGISTRATION PACKETS: www.gadental.org

(search “Expanded Duties”)Call (800) 432-4357

March 2015 • 23

Stay in touch with your GDA online!

THE GDA WEBSITE:www.gadental.org

_____ PLUS! _____ GMOM 2015www.GeorgiaMissionofMercy.org

GDA ANNUAL MEETINGwww.MeetGDA.com

GDA ALLIANCE SPOUSESwww.GDAalliance.com

GEORGIA DENTAL INSURANCE SERVICES www.MyGDIS.com

FACEBOOK.COMSearch for “Georgia Dental Association”

TWITTER.COMFollow @gadentalassn

Find GDA, GMOM, and GDIS info you need 24/7!

GDAMILESTONESDr. Spillers Sworn In as President of the GAO J. Don Spillers, Jr., DMD, MS, of Spillers Orthodontics in Warner Robins, Georgia, became president of the Georgia Association of Orthodontists (GAO) during their 2015 Annual Meeting in February. The purpose of the GAO is to advance the art and science of orthodontics, contribute to the dental health of the public, and represent the specialty of orthodontics in Georgia to the public, the state dental association, governmental agencies, insurance companies, and industry and dental service corporations.

Dr. Spillers is also a delegate to the GDA House of Delegates, past president of the Central District, a participating provider for Smiles Change Lives, and the founder of the International City Study Club. He holds memberships with the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and the Southern Association of Orthodontists.

1. William Newell, DMD, (l) past president of the Georgia Association of Orthodontists, with newly sworn-in GAO President J. Don Spillers, Jr., DMD, MS.

GDA Executive Office Staff Members Take Part in Clinic DayGDA Director of Communications Delaine Hall and GDIS Property and Casualty Accounts Manager Margo Null recently attended Clinic Day at the GRU College of Dental Medicine to share information on GDA membership benefits with dental students. The Georgia Dental Association is a Platinum Level sponsor of the GRU American Dental Student Association chapter, and GDA leaders and office staff members always look forward to taking part in CODM and ASDA events and talking to dental students and faculty members about their goals and needs. Look for reports from dental student membership Transition Day in March in the next GDA journal.

2. GRU College of Dental Medicine student Andrew Kicklighter stopped by the GDA table at Clinic Day in Augusta. He spoke glowingly of one of his mentors, GDA Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Jay Phillips, during the conversation with GDA staff.

GDA Executive Office StaffUpdates and MilestonesKudos to Delaine Hall, GDA Director of Communications and Publications, for reaching a 20-year employment milestone on March 6. Delaine began work for the association in 1995, and has helped to produce the GDA Action journal since that time as well as oversee the GDA Directory and Sourcebook, Annual

24 • March 2015

1.

2.

3.

4.

March 2015 • 25

to district president-elect Dr. Cameron Garvin and GDA New Dentist Liaison Dr. Katie Garvin for hosting Linda Harvey, RDH, MS, of LegalShield. Attendees Dr. Robert Hurt III and Dr. Don Benton commented that the event was a “great job” and “a very-well-organized three hours.”

“I am honored to be the GDA LegalShield liaison and I am looking forward to helping GDA members, their families, and their dental teams protect their practice and their identity,” Linda Harvey told GDA Action.

Every time you step into your office, do you wonder what legal surprises await you? The GDA recognizes the challenges you face and has endorsed LegalShield services to assist you. LegalShield offers many services including 1) unlimited personal and business legal advice, 2) contract and legal document review, and 3) identity theft restoration. Contact them for additional information or to schedule courtesy in-service training for your team. Call Linda Harvey at (904) 573-2232 or Kevin Torres at (407) 529-8030. Visit the new GDA LegalShield site for details at www.legalshield.com/info/gda.

4. LegalShield’s Linda Harvey with GDA members Dr. Katie Garvin and Dr. Cameron Garvin of Central District. The HIPAA and OSHA course Ms. Harvey conducted for the district brought in hundreds of attendees.

GDA Supports Dental Dash at Dawn 5K for DDD FoundationThe Georgia Dental Association was proud to sponsor the Dental Dash at Dawn 5K Run and Walk to benefit the DDD Foundation, a nonprofit organization offering dentistry to the developmentally disabled.

MILESTONES Continued on page 26

Meeting publications, and the GDA website www.gadental.org among her other duties. She currently serves as a board member of the Emile T. Fisher Foundation for Dental Education in Georgia.

In March, long-time employee and Director of Finance Pamela Yungk announced her retirement. Her last day with the GDA was March 13. Pam had worked with the association since 1993 and was a fixture both at the dental school in Augusta where she worked to recruit dental students as GDA members as well as at the Annual Meeting where she was the main registration contact. Please join all of us in wishing Pam the very best and a wonderful new adventure in her retirement.

The GDA is pleased to welcome Lisa VanZandt to the staff as chief operating officer of the Georgia Dental Holding Company and Georgia Dental Insurance Services. Lisa will manage the operations of the GDA’s for-profit subsidiaries and a number of non-profit departments. Along with the other members of the GDA senior management team, she will advise and assist the CEO in the overall operation and management of staff, programs, and activities. Lisa is already hitting the ground running in regards to the buying cooperative survey that is underway as well as in regards to numerous other initiatives.

3. Director of Communications Delaine Hall receives a crystal memento of her 20 years of employment from Executive Director Frank Capaldo. Delaine works with Senior Director of Public Relations and Marketing Carol Galbreath on numerous projects, including GDA Action.

District CE Event Features Training from LegalShieldGDA endorsed service provider LegalShield recently conducted a training course on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and OSHA issues for the dentists in Central District. The event enjoyed excellent attendance area dentists. Thanks

5.

26 • March 2015

MILESTONESContinued from page 25

The DDD Foundation is committed to promoting and maintaining good oral health for patients with developmental disabilities. Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1999, the Foundation supports a dental clinic that solely treats patients with developmental disabilities. The clinic opened in May 2002 and it is the only clinic of its kind in Georgia. With a dedicated team of professionals trained in serving patients with special needs, the clinic sees individuals with developmental disabilities including autism, intellectual delays, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. The DDD Foundation’s primary goal is to provide excellent and accessible dental care for a population that often faces enormous barriers to affordable care.

December 1997 saw the closing of Brook Run, a state facility for persons with intellectual disabilities. At the time, it was the one of few state facilities in Atlanta serving this special population. Brook Run’s services included a dental clinic which cared for approximately 2,000 patients. Upon Brook Run’s closing, Georgia Regional Hospital in Decatur became the primary facility in the metropolitan Atlanta area for this population. Currently its services, including dental care, are limited to only the most profoundly intellectual disabled. It was this event in time that sparked the creation of The DDD Foundation.

5. (On page 25) GDA Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations Carol Galbreath with DDD Foundation lead dentist Deidra Rondeno, DDS. The GDA was the Crown Sponsor for the DDD Foundation Dental Dash at Dawn 5K in March that raised funds for the foundation’s work with patients with developmental disabilities.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Notes That Disparities in Caries Persists in Certain Race and Ethnic GroupsThe National Center for Health Statistics released data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2012 in March 2015. Among the key findings:

• Approximately 23% of children aged 2–5 years had dental caries in primary teeth. • Untreated tooth decay in primary teeth among children aged 2–8 was twice as high for Hispanic and non-Hispanic black children compared with non-Hispanic white children.

• Among those aged 6–11, 27% of Hispanic children had any dental caries in permanent teeth compared with nearly 18% of non-Hispanic white and Asian children.

• About three in five adolescents aged 12–19 had experienced dental caries in permanent teeth, and 15% had untreated tooth decay.

• Dental sealants were more prevalent for non-Hispanic white children (44%) compared with non-Hispanic black and Asian children (31% each) aged 6–11.

Although dental caries has been declining in permanent teeth for many children since the 1960s, previous findings showed caries in primary teeth for preschool children increasing from 24% to 28% between 1988 and 2004. Disparities in caries continue to persist for some race and ethnic groups in the United States as indicated by this study’s results. Prevalence of dental sealants—applied to tooth chewing surfaces to help prevent caries—has also varied among sociodemographic groups.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a cross-sectional survey designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population. Survey participants are selected through a multistage process, which includes oversampling to obtain reliable estimates of health and nutritional measures for population subgroups. In 2011–2012, oversampling included Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and Asian persons. The survey consists of interviews conducted in participants’ homes and standardized physical examinations in mobile examination centers (MECs). Additional information may be found at the NHANES website www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

From 2011 through 2012, the NHANES oral health assessment was conducted in MECs by dentists. The assessment included a tooth count to identify the presence or absence of permanent or primary teeth, including retained dental root tips, and dental implants. Each tooth was assessed for dental caries, restorations, and sealants. Dental exams were conducted using a dental light for illumination, a dental mirror, and an explorer.

Study co-author Bruce A. Dye is with NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Study co-author Gina Thornton-Evans is with CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Oral Health. Study co-author Xianfen Li is with CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, Office of Analysis and Epidemiology. Study co-author Timothy J. Iafolla is with NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

March 2015 • 27

GDACALENDAR

The Georgia Dental Association Board of Trustees will meet in Savannah on April 11 in the spirit of moving the meeting from Atlanta to venues around the state and allowing interested members to attend the meeting and observe. For questions about attending this meeting, please contact Patrice Williams at williams@gadental.org. The GDA board looks forward to visiting the town where President Elect Dr. Tom Broderick has his orthodontic practice!

Reserve your room now for the GDA Annual Meeting that takes place July 23-26, 2015, at The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Amelia Island, Florida. Click the blue “Hotel” tab on the www.MeetGDA.com website.

APRIL 2015Fri, April 3: GDA Office Closed for Good Friday.Wed, April 8: Northern District CE Course (Dr. Glenn Maron).Sat, April 11: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, Savannah.Thu, April 16: Western District CE Course (Digital Imaging).April 27-29: ADA Grassroots Legislative Conference, DC. MAY 2015May 1-2: Presidents-Elect Conference, GDA Office.Mon, May 4: Northern District Executive Council, GDA Office. Tue, May 5: Western District CE Course (Financial Planning).Fri, May 8: Northwestern District CE Course (Laney Kay).Mon, May 11: Northern District Membership Meeting Details at the District Website www.ndds.org.Tue, May 12: Eastern District Spring Meeting.Fri, May 15: Southeastern District CE Course (Dr. Heymann).Mon, May 25: GDA Office Closed for Memorial Day Holiday.Sat, May 30: Special Smiles Dental Screenings, Emory Campus.May 29-31: Hinman Annual Meeting, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC.

JUNE 2015Fri, June 5: Finance, GDHC, and GDIS Meetings, GDA Office.Thu, June 11: Western District CE Course (Bioactive Prevention).June 18-20: Georgia Mission of Mercy Clinic, Perry, Georgia.

JULY 2015Fri, July 3: GDA Office Closed for Independence Day Holiday.Wed, July 22: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, Amelia Island, FL.Thu, July 23: GDA House of Delegates Meeting, Amelia Island, FL.July 23-26: GDA Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, FL.

AUGUST 2015Sat, August 3: Special Olympics Bowling Screenings, Warner Robins.

SEPTEMBER 2015Mon, Sept 7: GDA Office Closed for Labor Day Holiday.Sat, Sept 26: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, GDA Office.

OCTOBER 2015Oct 22-24: ADA Fifth Trustee District Meeting, Birmingham, AL.

NOVEMBER 2015Nov 5-10: ADA Annual Session, Washington, DC.Nov 26-27: GDA Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

DECEMBER 2015Sat, Dec 5: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, Atlanta.Sun, Dec 6: GDA House of Delegates Meeting, Atlanta. There will be no House meeting in January.

DENTISTS AVAILABLE(LOCUM TENENS)Periodontist wants to work with GP performing SRP therapy. Metro Atlanta area, part-time. Please respond to dentist5884@gmail.com.

Dentist (Temp Fill In). DEA# and insured. GA, FL, AL licensed. Private practice (solo & group), military experience. Email: drglassdmd@yahoo.com or call cell# (770) 656-5269 or (770) 380-7487.

Dentist will fill in for illness, vacation, or continuing education. Licensed, insured, DEA #. Call (404) 786-0229 or email breighard@gmail.com.

DENTIST: Need Part Time Fill In? Vacation, Illness, Maternity? GENERAL DENTIST SOLD LONG ESTABLISHED PRACTICE. GA & DEA LICENSED. Available Expanded Atlanta Area. Cell: (404) 219-4097. Home: (404) 842-1196. Jesse Hader, DDS.

Dentist available during emergencies, vacation, CDE courses. I have a current license, DEA certificate, and insurance. Contact me at (706) 291-2254 or cell (706) 802-7760. I hope I can be of service to you. Patrick A. Parrino, DDS, MAGD.

DENTIST AVAILABLE: Pediatric Dentist with over 30 years’ experience available for part time or fill work in the northern Atlanta metro area. Please contact pedosam@aol.com with opportunities and/or qualifications.

POSITIONS AVAILABLEPediatric Dental Office in Metro Atlanta is seeking Pediatric Dentist and General Dentist to work in quality oriented expanding business. We offer a team motivated working environment and competitive salary. Please contact Ms. Daniel at (404) 668-1155 or send your resume to pdentistryjobs@gmail.com.

ATLANTA — ASSOCIATE DENTIST: We have a once in a lifetime opportunity for an experienced dentist who cares about patients and performs high quality dentistry. We need someone who is capable of replacing the

GDACLASSIFIEDSPLACING A CLASSIFIED AD1.) AD FORM: Submit ads on a GDA Classified Advertisement Form. To obtain a form, call Skip Jones at (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553, or email jones@gadental.org.

2.) DUE DATE: ALL ads and pre-payments are due by the first of the month before the publication month (i.e., Dec. 1 for January).

3.) DENTIST RATES: ADA member dentists pay $75.00 per 60-word ad per month. There is a 50 cents per-word charge for each word over 60. Non-ADA member dentists may not advertise in GDA Action.

4.) CORPORATE RATES: Non-dentist-owned companies (real estate firms, banks, etc.) pay $195 per 60-word ad per month. There is a 50 cents per-word charge for each word over 60.

5.) FORMS OF PAYMENT: Ads are payable by check (made payable to GDA), money order, Visa, or MasterCard. Per the GDA Finance Committee, a surcharge of $5 will be applied to any credit card transaction.

6.) PRINT ADS ON WEB SITE: Prepaid ads for the print GDA Action will appear on the GDA website www.gadental.org for the month the advertisement appears in print. There is no additional charge for the Web ad.

7.) BANNER ADS ON WEB SITE: Advertisers who purchase a classified or display advertisement may purchase an add-on banner advertisement on the GDA website www.gadental.org. See the advertising guide on the GDA web site for pricing and details.

current dentist and producing $600k-$1MM per year. High volume crown and bridge, CAD-CAM. We are looking to build a long-term relationship with the right person. Serious candidates only. Email resumes to 1careerinfo@gmail.com.

Christie Dental is seeking a full-time general dentist for their amazing beachside practice in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Doctors offered generous compensation benefits packages. Contact Sarah Bolduc to apply today at sbolduc@amdpi.com.

Associate Dentist Needed Immediately in Johns Creek. Are you looking to work with a great team of professionals in an environment with an emphasis on patient care and comprehensive treatment? Our successful, busy general practice is adding a associate dentist to help with our expanding patient base! If interested, please send your resume to suwaneedentist@gmail.com. PT to potential FT available immediately.

Associate Wanted in Columbus. Our busy Family Dental Practice is centrally located in Columbus near the St. Francis Hospital complex. We have a large main office with nine operatories and four Dental Hygienists. We have a satellite clinic with three operatories and one Dental Hygienist. Our services include general restorations, removable prosthodontics, CEREC crown and fixed prosthodontics, rotary endodontics, implant placement and restoration, digital radiography to include panoramic views, Invisalign orthodontics, and nitrous sedation. Email CV to 2015dentalresume@gmail.com.

General Dentist Opportunities: Atlanta area. Full time and part time opportunities available. Dental Partners is one of the fastest growing family dental practice groups in the Southeast. We give you the ability to focus on patient care while earning a base rate plus the opportunity to earn more based on production. We offer a full time benefits package to include medical/vision/life/FSA benefits, 401K with company match, paid professional liability, and yearly CE allowance. Relocation package available and sign on bonus of up to $5000. Email resume to areimiller@dental-partners.com or call Ashley Reimiller, (321) 574-8003.28 • March 2015

March 2015 • 29

General Dentist Opportunity: Copperhill,TN / McCaysville,GA. Part time, Saturdays. Dental Partners is one of the fastest growing family dental practice groups in the Southeast. We give you the ability to focus on patient care while earning a base rate plus the opportunity to earn more based on production. We offer a part time benefits package to include 401K with company match and yearly CE. Sign on bonus of up to $2500. TN dental license required. Email resume to areimiller@dental-partners.com or call Ashley Reimiller, (321) 574-8003.

ORTHODONTIST and ENDODONTIST—Atlanta. We have lucrative opportunities in our Atlanta group practice for an Orthodontist and an Endodontist. We have a proven track record of successful implementation of specialty services within our business model. Exceptional support staff and systems are in place. Our general dentists are seasoned and experienced, which gives us an advantage in generating and securing referrals. We focus on serving the patient at the highest level with an emphasis on quality of care and customer service/satisfaction. We have a large patient base, having seen over 30,000 patients. We maintain and enjoy good locations for our facilities with high visibility which is a draw for outside referrals as well. Experienced candidates please email resumes to: 1careerinfo@gmail.com.

Full-time Dental Associate needed to join high quality, busy, long-standing general dentistry practice in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. We provide all types of dentistry including implants, endo, reconstructive, and family and cosmetic procedures. General practice residency a plus. Send your CVs to: piedmontdentists@yahoo.com.

Are you looking to sell your practice, but continue to work in it, either full or part time? Sometimes a “For Sale by Owner” is the best solution. You can avoid big company politics or inflated brokers fees by working directly with the buyer. Interested? Email us at horizondentalmanagement@gmail.com. For more information contact Beth Hodder.

Pediatric Associate needed for group practice. Associate/Buy in. Serving 3 practice locations in Southwest GA. Email: jpjohnson423@gmail.com.

Family and Pediatric Dental Practice in southern Georgia seeking an associate, full or part time. Dynamic practice, modern facility, with wide mix of services including Sedation Dentistry and CEREC. Willing to help train in a great office environment to work and grow professionally. GPR experience. Our office is Scheduling Institute trained, grossing over $2 million a year. Excellent opportunity for a motivated dentist to join our team. Email CV to newbern.dentist@mchsi.com or contact (229) 242-6202 for more information.

Expanding Dental Group Seeking Dentists for Our Atlanta-Based Practices! Are you looking to join an innovative and dynamic dental company that puts their patients and team first? We focus on serving our patients at the highest level with an emphasis on quality of care and customer service/satisfaction. We have a large patient base, having seen over 30,000 patients in 2014 and with our continuous growth, we are seeking additional docs to join our team. Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced dentist, we have both part and full-time opportunities available for you in our pediatric and teen practices in North Georgia. We provide competitive compensation and benefit packages. If you are interested in learning more, please contact HR@tebodental.com and submit your CV.

PRACTICES & OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLEORTHO PRACTICE FOR SALE — Gwinnett County, GA. GA-1072. Ortho practice with 5 equipped ops, 2 more plumbed. Excellent growth potential. More than half of patient base is fee for service. Located in suburban shopping center with great visibility. Please contact us at (678) 482-7305 or info@southeasttransitions.com for more information using listing ID GA-1072. www.southeasttransitions.com.

DENTAL PRACTICE FOR SALE—Coastal GA. GA-1071. Beautiful, updated, 6 operatory facility in southeast Georgia, 30 minutes from Savannah, GA. Free standing building, collecting over $1 million per year. Great hygiene department. Dr. moving but will stay on for transition. Please call (678) 482-7305 or info@southeasttransitions.com for more information using listing ID GA-1071. www.southeasttransitions.com.

Gwinnett: Start-up practice for sale, 500 active patients. 1600 square feet, 5 ops plumbed/3 equipped. Digital x-ray, digital Pano. Located in busy shopping plaza. Excellent opportunity for specialist. $200K OBO. Contact (404) 895-1377.

Practice for Sale in Southwest Ga. Owner retiring, associate needed to buyout. Email jpjohnson423@gmail.com.

April is National Facial Protection MonthFive of the nation’s top dental associations want to remind young athletes to play it safe by wearing a mouth guard during recreational and organized sports this spring. Research estimates that about 2 percent of all children or adolescents who participate in sports eventually will suffer a facial injury severe enough to require medical attention.

“A properly fitted mouth guard is an essential piece of any athlete’s protective equipment,” says Dr. Paul Nativi, DMD, FASD, and past president of the Academy for Sports Dentistry. “Mouth guards protect the teeth from being knocked out, broken, and displaced. Mouth guards prevent injuries to the bone and tissues around the teeth. They also help prevent injuries to the mandible and temporomandibular joint. Tooth loss incurs a tremendous financial, emotional, and psychological expense. Protect what you have--wear a properly fitted mouth guard.”

The Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and the American Dental Association (ADA) are collaborating to promote National Facial Protection Month in April. National Facial Protection Month strives to raise public awareness and remind parents/caregivers, coaches. and athletes to play it safe while playing sports.

Visit the GDA website www.gadental.org for tips and fact sheets that you can share with patients to help prevent facial injuries and educational flyers on what parents can do should dental trauma occur while a young patient is playing a sport without the proper oral protection.

Start planning for National Facial Protection Month in April today:1) Visit the GDA website www.gadental.org.

2) Click the green “GDA Services” button.

3) Click “Practice Promotions” in the drop down menu.

4) Review the information and download materials.

5) Email admin@gadental.org or call (800) 432-4357 for help.

GDAPROMOTIONS

30 • March 2015

^The compensation and benefits outlined are for full-time, employee general dentists; terms and conditions apply. Independent contractors are not eligible. Ask us about opportunities for independent contractors. EOE/M/F/D/V. The dentists and hygienists are employees or independent contractors of Coast Dental of Georgia, P.C., (Adam Diasti, DDS, DN11634). © 2014 Coast Dental. All rights reserved. CD-102188

Your practice. Only better.sm

Your practice. Only better.sm

Your practice. Only better.sm

Your practice. Only better.sm

JOIN OUR TEAM of General Dentists & Specialists

Nina VoelkerSenior Doctor Recruiter

(855) 559-6888

Nina.Voelker@CoastDental.com

Careers.CoastDental.com

“If you’ve considered Coast Dental in the past, it’s time to take another look. A new management team combined with Coast’s strong focus on excellent patient care and customer service make Coast a great place for doctors and patients.”

Asia Richardson, DMDGeneral Dentist in GA

COAST DENTAL?WHY

DISCOVER A REWARDING CAREER

Coast Dental is making some big changes in Georgia to give our doctors more flexibility and freedom. We’ve eliminated employment contracts and established a workplace culture that allows our doctors to focus exclusively on patient care in a setting that looks and feels like their own private practice, seeing 8 to 12 patients a day with clinical autonomy.

ENJOY THE BENEFITS^

• Sign-on bonus & relocation assistance• Retention bonuses up to $20,000 annually• No employment contracts

• Free group professional liability insurance• Continuing education programs• Health benefits, 401(k) plan, & paid time off

CALL COAST DENTAL TODAY

Journal of the Georgia Dental Association7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NESuite 200, Building 17, Atlanta, GA 30328

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:GDA Guide to Medicare Opt-In/Out ProcessArrowing in on GDA Legislative GoalsWhat a High Performing Practice Looks Like