GDA Action February/March 2016 by Delaine Hall

February/March 2016 Journal of the Georgia Dental Association

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GDACONTENTS

february/march 2016 • volume 35, no. 2

features 9 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO GDA MEMBERS

Executive Director Frank Capaldo on finances, services, and future initiatives.

16 GDA CONVENTION

Get the scoop on this year’s CE and special events.

26 ANTIBIOTIC REFRESHER When and when not to premedicate a patient, complete with a wallet card to share.

departments 10 SEEN & HEARD

Members making news and news for GDA members.

13 THE PRACTICE

Tools and tips to help you manage your business.

15 FINDING SUCCESS

Helping you achieve personal and professional growth.

in every issue 4 5 5 7 9 36 39

GDA Calendar GDA Benefits Plus+ Contact GDA Staff Editorial Director’s Commentary Classifieds Practice Outreach

Cover: Dr. Amy Loden and Dr. Michael Loden of Central District research information about legislators during a GDA LAW Day at the State Capitol. Look for a legislative wrap up and list of LAW Day attendees in a future GDA Action. (Photo: Sheila Watson.)

Dentists Take Part in GDA LAW Days Attending a GDA Legislative AWareness (LAW) Day provides a unique opportunity to learn about political issues impacting dentistry and dental patients in the state. Dentist, GDA Alliance, and dental student attendees enjoy breakfast and a full issues orientation, then walk to the State Capitol (like Dr. Bruce Camp, at left above, and Dr. Darryal Donerlson-McCullough did on the February 10 LAW Day) and talk to legislators about those issues. Thank you to all of this year’s attendees for volunteering their time to speak up for patients and dentistry! February/March 2016 • 3

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

GDAEVENTS April 7-9:

ADA Recruitment & Retention Conference, Chicago.

Fri, April 22:

GDA Expanded Duties Course, Columbus Tech.

Dr. David Bradberry GDA Editor 1070 Woodlawn Drive NE Suite 250 Marietta, GA 30028 drbradberry@bellsouth.net

Apr 24-May 1:

GDA President’s Trip: Danube River Cruise.

May 2-4:

Washington Leadership Conference, DC.

Dr. Tom Broderick GDA President 500 Eisenhower Drive Savannah, GA 31406 thomas.broderick@comcast.net

Mon, May 16:

Northern District Executive Council, GDA Office.

Fri, May 20:

Southwestern District CE Event: Dr. Howard Farran.

Sat, May 21:

Special Smiles Dental Screening Event, Emory Campus.

Sat, May 21:

Leadership GDA Workshop, GDA Office.

Mr. Frank Capaldo Executive Director Georgia Dental Association 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 200 Building 17 Atlanta, GA 30328-1655 capaldo@gadental.org ______________________________ GDA ACTION seeks to be an issuesdriven journal focusing on current matters affecting Georgia dentists and patients accomplished by disseminating information and providing a forum for commentary. Closing date for all editorial and advertising materials: First of the month preceding the publication month.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________ Mon, July 4:

GDA Office Closed for Independence Day Holiday.

Mon, July 11:

Northern District Executive Council, GDA Office.

Wed, July 13:

GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, Amelia Island, Florida.

Thur, July 14:

GDA House of Delegates Meeting, Amelia Island, Florida.

July 14-17:

GDA Convention & Expo, Amelia Island, Florida.

Fri, July 22:

ACD White Coat Ceremony, The Dental College of Georgia.

Sat, July 30:

NEW DATE: Northern District Gala for Smiles, Park Tavern.

___________________________________________________________ Wed, August 24: Welcome Back Event, The Dental College of Georgia. Sat, August 27: Special Smiles Dental Screening Event, Warner Robins.

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

___________________________________________________________ Mon, Sept 5:

GDA Office Closed for Labor Day Holiday.

© Copyright 2016 by the Georgia Dental Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. Publication of any article or advertisement should not be deemed an endorsement of the opinions expressed or products advertised. The GDA expressly reserves the right to refuse publication of any article, photograph, or advertisement, and illustrate, reduce, or revise any article submitted.

Sat, Sept 10:

GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, Atlanta.

4 • February/March 2016

___________________________________________________________ Oct 13-15:

ADA Fifth District Caucus, Birmingham, AL

Oct 20-25:

ADA Annual Session, Denver, Colorado

Oct 20-23 Continuing Education

Oct 20-22 Exhibit Hall

Oct 21-25 House of Delegates

REACHUS PERSONAL SERVICES + MERCEDES-BENZ PROGRAM: (866) 628-7232 or www.gadental.org UBS (wealth management): (404) 760-3000 or www.gadental.org WHIRLPOOL (appliances): (866) 808-9274 or www.gadental.org

HEALTH PLANS + GEORGIA DENTAL INSURANCE SERVICES (group and individual medical and vision coverage) with BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF GEORGIA

GDA EXECUTIVE OFFICE 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 200 Building 17 Atlanta GA 30328-1655 (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553 GDA Fax: (404) 633-3943 GDIS Fax: (404) 634-6099 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Frank J. Capaldo frank@gadental.org EXECUTIVE STAFF Email staff at firstname@gadental.org Dial the person’s extention when calling Michele Amatulli, x-127 Business Insurance Department Manager Christy Biddy, x-113 Health Insurance Department Manager

(800) 432-4357 or www.gadental.org

Catrece Brown, MAFM, x-106 Assistant Controller

PRACTICE SERVICES +

Carol Galbreath, x-119 Senior Director of Public Relations & Marketing

BANK OF AMERICA PRACTICE SOLUTIONS: (800) 497-6076 or www.gadental.org

Kitty Giffin, x-109 Assistant to Georgia Dental Holding Co.

CARECREDIT (patient financing): (800) 300-3046 x-4519 or www.gadental.org CLAIMX (insurance claims management): (866) 886-5113 or www.gadental.org THE DENTAL RECORD (patient form kits): (800) 243-4675 or www.gadental.org iMEDICOR (HIPAA secure email provider): (800) 432-4357 or www.gadental.org LANDS END OUTFITTERS (staff apparel): (800) 990-5407 or www.gadental.org LEGALSHIELD (prepaid legal plans and ID theft restoration): (904) 573-2232, (407) 529-8030, or www.gadental.org OFFICITE (custom practice websites): (877) 484-7187 or www.gadental.org TRANSFIRST (check/credit card acceptance): (800) 538-1601 or www.gadental.org TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS (debt recovery): (404) 538-6099 or www.gadental.org UPS (shipping services): 1-800-MEMBERS or www.gadental.org

BUSINESS INSURANCE + GEORGIA DENTAL INSURANCE SERVICES (800) 432-4357 or www.gadental.org • GREATER GEORGIA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (life insurance) • GUARDIAN (disability coverage) • THE HARTFORD (property and casualty coverage) • THE HARTFORD (workers’ compensation coverage) • JOHN HANCOCK (long term care coverage) • MEDICAL PROTECTIVE (professional liability coverage)

Delaine Hall, x-104 Senior Director of Communications Anne Jamison, x-116 Membership & Advertising Assistant Laura Kuechenmeister, x-190 Communications Specialist Courtney Layfield, x-209 Director of Outreach & Development, GDA Foundation for Oral Health Scott Lofranco, x-103 General Counsel and Director of Government Relations Stephanie Lotti, x-108 Senior Director of Health Policy Denise Moya, x-129 Business Insurance Sales Representative Torin Nickens, x-107 Business Insurance Sales Representative Katherine Torbush, x-191 Member Relations Manager Lisa VanZandt, x-105 Chief Operating Officer, GDHC & GDIS Sheila Watson, x-189 Governmental Affairs Assistant Patrice Williams, x-125 Assistant to the Executive Director

February/March 2016 • 5

Is Your E-Mail HIPAA-Compliant? Yahoo

Gmail

Transmission Security (encryption) HIPAA 164.312(e)(1)

Audit Controls HIPAA §164.312(b)

3rd-Party Verification & Authentication HIPAA §164.312 (a)(2)(i)

Emergency Access Procedures HIPAA §164.312 (a)

Utilizes the “DIRECT” Federal Protocol (MU2)

Check if your provider supplies these features: Automatic Log Off

HIPAA §164.312 (a)

Outlook

HIPAA Facts, and Why HIPAA Compliance is Critical WHY

In 1996, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed into law. The purpose of the law is to protect individuals’ identifiable health information, also known as Protected Health Information, or PHI.

WHO

Anyone, except the patient, with access to patient health information is responsible.

WHAT

Rule infraction can also be considered a criminal act, and lead to prosecution by the

if the law’s broken?

Violations can result in fines ranging from $50,000–$1.5 million. A HIPAA Privacy Department of Justice–with jail time ranging from 1 to 10 years.

Many products on the market today are secure, but may not meet the standard of HIPAA compliance. Incorporate a secure, HIPAA-compliant messaging protocol designed to protect your practice from federal violations.

E-Mail Compliance for $22.50/mo. GDA endorsed service provider iMedicor’s iCoreExchange is a HIPAAcompliant secure messaging hub. GDA members receive a 35% discount on subscriptions. Learn more at www.imedicor.com, or by calling iMedicor at 888-810-7706.

6 • February/March 2016

888-810-7706

EDITORIAL: STATE OF THE UNION

By Dr. David Bradberry GDA Editor

“Meanwhile, our ability to care for patients, the numbers of dentists we have [...], and our overall means to provide the best and greatest oral health care is the best it has ever been. ” DR. DAVID BRADBERRY GDA Editor Phone (770) 977-8644 drbradberry@bellsouth.net

On my mind most often lately is what I call the state of the profession. In government, education, and business arenas every year the leader typically addresses the rank and file with a speech summarizing where the entity is at that time and where they intend to go. A thought, bringing up the question for our profession—where are we and where do we intend to go? I have posited many thoughts to you over the last few years and tried to provoke thought and awareness. We have lived in a bubble for some time and been relatively unaffected until recently. In the last few years our little bubble we call dental practice has been stretched, poked, prodded, and at times attacked. The view we have known, the view that has been taught in our schools, and the overall premise of how we do what we do is, I believe, not only under assault but in the throes of changing and evolving. In my last few writings I let everyone know that change is always with us and has many benefits. Failure to change leads to stagnation and the possibility of being discarded to the dust bins of history. State after state is falling to the rosier image of scope of expansion for different members of the dental team. The pressures to change politically and economically are tremendous. As in other professions there are promises that the cost of care will decrease and “access” to care will increase. But I ask you, with all this change in other professions, has your ability to “access” appointments and save cost improved? For me and my family the answer is a resounding NO. From my own perspective, the trend that I am seeing is that patients are finding more difficulty, not less, in “accessing” medical care. The cost of delivering and receiving care is exploding at a rate faster than ever. People think they have insurance and therefore “access” when the truth is that is often a phantom. The deductibles are causing many to be unable to receive the care they need, so on paper they have coverage but reality is something different. We in organized dentistry are working harder to find ways to break down barriers for people to receive the care they deserve

and desire. But the plain fact is the harder we work, the more those who provide coverage for care, no matter what the type, actually seem to put up more barriers. The more efficiency we create in the system, the more reasons seem to be given for lower reimbursements. If the numbers of people we care for increase, the more the coverage entities seem to view there must be a problem. Meanwhile, our ability to care for patients, the numbers of dentists we have available, and our overall means to provide the best and greatest oral health care is the best it has ever been. Each person in the dental team is appropriately trained, motivated, and has the biggest heart ever. In spite of this, we have entities, including those in the coverage sector, who want to change that. I believe that changing scopes of practice for members of the dental team will not break down barriers and impact “access”. Patients need total care, not just stop-gap measures that I believe will eventually lead to increased costs and inefficiencies in care delivery that will push away the people who need help. At the end of the day it appears to me that a wall is continually being built between patients and doctors. Every time we fight to knock out a brick, three more appear in its place. We have to tear down this wall and we must recognize that time is short. We have to see that our profession is under serious pressure and cracks are forming. We as dentists and the teams that magnificently help us to deliver care every day are strong. But many forces, including the monetary coverage entities that have not only gained a foothold, but are dangerously close to having a level of control that we cannot recover from, grow stronger every day. So ladies and gentlemen, the state of the profession is … cloudy with a possibility for showers or sunshine. It’s up to you. If you have not joined your association for 2016, the one fighting for us every single day, it is time.

February/March 2016 • 7

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8 • February/March 2016 05.15_Allproduct_GDAl_8.5x11_flyer_1.indd 1

5/15/15 3:14 PM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT “To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last—but eat you he will.” Ronald Reagan

By Frank J. Capaldo GDA Executive Director

“Further, in a twoyear process we have turned around our financial picture with positive trends during the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 and are on our way to solid financial health.” FRANK J. CAPALDO Executive Director Phone (404) 636-7553 frank@gadental.org

Folks, we have a lot to be proud of as a team when we look at our accomplishments over the last six months. We have faced some serious challenges but none of us has sat back. As a result, we have made a lot of things right. I want to give you a phrase: Right-sized. We have welcomed a number of talented staff members in the past few months, and we are at last approaching an association that is “right-sized” for the products and services we currently offer and plan to roll out. When a member reaches out, there will be a staff member there to provide answers. Christy Biddy, in addition to her position as Health Insurance Department Manager, is bringing her years of human resources experience into play and is giving all of our new staff members the materials they need to be productive starting their first day. Every staff member is introduced immediately to the idea that ‘if it matters to a GDA member, it matters to us.’ Further, in a two-year process we have turned around our financial picture with positive trends during the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 and are on our way to solid financial health. I want to give you one more phrase: Strategic Plan. Your House of Delegates has approved the goals and strategies for your association’s Strategic Plan. Going forward, the staff and leadership will use this plan to help determine what products, services, and operational structures are the ones that truly move this association forward toward our mission of “Helping Georgia Member Dentists Succeed.” Already, under Dr. Marshall Mann, the Governance Task Force is undertaking the monumental job of reviewing each standing committee and our governance structure to see if any changes need to be made.

There is excellent news to report in our Four Cornerstones: Legislation and Policy, Public Relations and Communications, Member Practice Services and Education, and Business Services and Non-Dues Revenue. I am happy to report our semiannual progress in each area.

LEGISLATION & POLICY 2016 Legislative Session: Our governmental affairs team traveled the state attending legislative receptions last fall. Dr. Tom Broderick, our president; Stephanie Lotti, our Senior Director of Health Policy; and I visited every district to talk about the legislation we expected to see when the session opened in January. In the meantime, our team, headed by Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Dr. Bruce Camp and Contact Dentist Program Liaison Dr. Troy Schulman, worked to recruit contact dentists for every Georgia legislator so we had a reliable system that we could activate instantly. We also hired Scott Lofranco as our chief lobbyist and director of government relations as of January 1 and retained Mo Thrash as a contract lobbyist to represent the interests of dentists and patients at the Capitol. He brings 40 years of lobbying experience and a deep appreciation of the value of dentistry to his work. As soon as the session opened, bills were introduced in the House and Senate to reduce supervision of dental hygienists performing their duties in “approved safety net settings” and for the Medicaid and Medicare patients of a supervising dentist. The GDA worked with the advocates of House Bill 684 to try and identify ways to ensure that the proposed legislation adequately addressed patient safety. At the

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Continued on page 30

February/March 2016 • 9

SEEN&HEARD Email GDA Staff Members at firstname@gadental.org You can email staff members at the GDA executive office in Atlanta in a new way. Instead of emailing to an address comprised of the last name of the staff member @gadental.org, please use the first name of the staff member @ gadental.org. To access a full list of all GDA and Georgia Dental Insurance Services staff members, please visit the GDA website or the staff contact page of this journal. You can still reach staff members at their lastname@gadental.org emails for a short while, but members are encouraged to begin emailing the new way as soon as possible.

Best Wishes to Staff Member Skip Jones March 4 was the last day for GDA Director of Membership & Business Services Skip Jones. Skip has worn a number of hats during his 10 years of GDA service, including in the areas of debt recovery with PDRS, insurance sales, insurance marketing, GDA convention exhibit hall booth sales, and planning for the GDA convention family fun night event. Please join the GDA leadership in wishing Skip all the best in his future endeavors.

Members Featured in Press Dr. Tom Broderick, Dr. Richard A. Smith, and Executive Director Frank Capaldo were featured in a Georgia Trend article called “Filling in the Gaps.” They spoke about the value of regular dental care and the importance of finding a dental home. Kudos to these dental spokesperson champions for conveying the good news about dentistry!

10 • February/March 2016

Are You In? GDA Group Buying Program Gets Underway June 1 The board of the GDA Integrity Dental Buyers Group (IDBG) recently met with senior management from Premier, our Group Purchasing Organization (GPO). The IDBG board selected Premier, an outstanding GPO in the medical supply arena that is already doing business with well-known dental supply and distribution companies, after a lengthy Request for Proposal process. IDBG Chair Dr. Jim Hall is pleased to announce that the first buy for products will take place on or before June 1. Dentists who are already committed to IDBG will begin to receive their participation fee invoices in March. For dentists who have already remitted a check or credit card, those will be processed by the end of March. Our commitment to the GPO was to obtain commitments from 350 Georgia dental practices. We have that now, after an extensive member education process, and in fact the number of committed practices is growing. We have also been required to form a legal entity and perform all of the work that goes along with setting up that legal entity correctly. The entity to house the GDA GPO is a Limited Liability Corporation called Integrity Dental Buyers Group, LLC, or IDBG. A board of directors was recently formed of your peers and they held the initial Incorporator’s board meeting on February 12, 2016, in Macon. Visit www.dentalbuyersgroup.com for more details. Members are invited to get on board with this cost-saving benefit. Email lisa@gadental.org for additional information.

Welcome Benefits+ Partner iMedicor The GDA welcomes iMedicor to the Benefits+ Program. Did you know that dentists are breaking the law when they transmit patient records and x-rays through their personal email even if encrypted? The GDA endorsed the iMedicor HIPAA-compliant messaging system to help members comply with federal regulations. GDA members get a discounted rate of $22.50 per month. There is a competitor that tells you they only cost $10.00 a month, but their fee doesn’t include services like HIPAA-required file storage. After the extra charges for these requirements, their cost will soar past $22.50. Visit the endorsed services section on www.gadental.org for more details.

Deadline Extended for Dentists to Decide Whether to Opt In or Out as Medicare Providers The ADA News reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the deadline for dentists to either enroll as a Medicare Part D “ordering/referring provider” or opt out of the program. The deadline was June 1, 2016, but is now February 1, 2017. According to The ADA News, CMS encourages prescribers of Part D drugs to submit their Medicare enrollment applications or opt-out affidavits to their Medicare Administrative Contractors before August 1, 2016 The GDA has updated its “Medicare Opt In/Opt Out Decision Guide” for members and posted it at www.gadental.org. Use this free guide to determine if opting in or out of Medicare is the best decision for your particular dental practice. Dr. Jay Harrington, GDA member of the ADA Council on Governmental Affairs, mentions that a dentist can enroll as a Medicare Provider, a Medicare Ordering and Referring Provider, or can Opt Out with an affidavit. If a dentist has, or might have, patients with a Medicare Advantage Plan, Dr. Harrington notes that the dentist might not want to opt out because the dentist won’t get reimbursed. He also notes that the Ordering and Referring Provider enrollment form is simpler to fill out, and it will work for the Medicare Advantage Plan.

In Memoriam The GDA expresses sympathy to the families and colleagues of the following dentists: Dr. Carl Carter Edge Jr. March 3, 2016 GDA Honorable Fellow ADA Life Member Northwestern District Dr. Donald M. Felker February 25, 2016 GDA Honorable Fellow ADA Life Member Northwestern District Dr. Marian Sprinkle Graves February 12, 2016 ADA Life Member Northern District

Don’t Miss Out! Receive up to $63,750 per provider Georgia Medicaid EHR Incentive Program

Join the nearly 6,000 Medicaid providers that have already received incentive payments. Must apply before the end of 2016 to participate. Visit dch.georgia.gov/ehr for details. February/March 2016 • 11

Have your patients complained about facial pain and headaches? TMJ DISORDERS

Temporomandibular disorders, facial pain, and headaches. Headaches and facial pain are common in the general population. In many cases, facial pain can be resultant from temporomandibular joint disorders. Studies have identiÞed an association between headaches and temporomandibular joint disorders suggesting the possibility of shared pathophysiologic mechanisms of these 2 maladies. Headache, 2012 vol. 52 Suppl 1 pp. 22-5. Bender, SD

Dental Sleep Medicine and Craniofacial Pain are not recognized as specialty areas by the ADA.

HEADACHES

•

FACIAL PAIN

•

NECK PAIN

•

TMJ DISORDERS

•

SLEEP APNEA

Mayoor Patel DDS, MS

DAAPM, RPSGT, FAAOP, FICCMO, FAACP, FAGD

Diplomate American Board of Orofacial Pain Diplomate American Board of Craniofacial Pain Diplomate American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine Diplomate American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine

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Multiple procedures per visit Root Canals General Dentistry Implants Surgery Perio

“The doctor’s safety net.”

THE

PRACTICE

Disability Coverage: If Your Income Stops, What Replaces It? By Michele Amatulli, CISR, GDIS Business Insurance Department Manager Disability insurance replaces a portion of a dentist’s income in the event a dentist is unable to work due to an illness or injury without using valuable assets set aside for retirement. You are your most valuable practice asset. If your income stops because of a disability, what will replace the income? Here are some tips about choosing disability coverage that best protects you and your family. What to Look for in a Disability Plan • Waiting period. Once you become disabled, there is a waiting period before your benefits begin paying, usually 30, 60, or 90 days. One way to reduce policy cost is to select a longer waiting period. A policy with a 30-day waiting period can cost 2-3 times more than one with a 90-day waiting period. If you have significant other income, you can purchase longer waiting periods than 90 days. However, you will be self-insuring short-term disabilities. • Length of Benefits. The benefit period starts right after the waiting period ends. It represents the maximum length of time during which benefits are paid. A policy may offer benefits for two years, five years, to age 65, or for lifetime. Premiums for policies with longer benefit periods are more expensive. As a rule of thumb, if possible, purchase a policy with lifelong benefits. If you suffer a disability, it will be financially catastrophic if benefits end prematurely. • Definition of Disability. Your policy’s definition of total disability is crucial because it determines the circumstances that entitle you to your benefits. Imagine you have had a serious illness. Your disability makes a rigorous patient load impractical; so after you have partially recovered, you resign your practice and start teaching at a local university. Or, you sell your practice and start a career in another field. Can you still collect on your disability insurance? Yes. Good policies provide full disability benefits, regardless of what you now earn. Inferior policies will reduce your benefits because you are still employed. The worst policies will terminate your

benefits completely once you go back to work, with no compensation for your drop in income. Look for a policy that finds you totally disabled when a condition prevents you from performing the “substantial and material duties of your regular occupation.” This definition, often referred to as the “your occupation or own-occ” definition is a liberal one. You collect benefits although you may practice another occupation or facet of your profession. Another definition states that you are totally disabled when an illness or accident prevents you from performing the important duties of your regular occupation or “any other occupation for which you are suited as a result of education, training, and experience.” This definition is less expansive than “your occupation” but is workable. Because many dentists return to part-time practice after a disability, the insurance industry has introduced partial coverage that pays reduced or “residual” benefits. Make sure that your policy includes a clause of this type so that you receive benefits even if you decide to work part time. However, many policies pay residual benefits only after a period of total disability—sometimes as long as 12 months. In addition, many policies restrict benefits if partial disability occurs after age 55. Other insurers will pay benefits for only 18 to 24 months. Because your risk of disability is greatest after age 55, choose a policy that covers you up to age 65. Plan Renewability Tips After you buy a policy, the two worst things that can happen are having your premiums raised or your coverage cancelled. Some inexpensive policies allow the carrier to do both. An important feature of your disability income policy is its continuance provision—the clause that spells out your rights to renewal. There are three types:

THE PRACTICE Continued on page 29

Find tools and tips for managing your business in this column and on The Practice page at www.gadental.org. February/March 2016 • 13

GA-NOV-2015.pdf

11/3/15

8:41 AM

CMY

Do your patients suffer from any of these symptoms? Head Pain

Forehead • Temples Migraine-type Sinus-type

Ear Ear pain • Ringing in ears Dizziness • Vertigo

Eyes

Jaw

Pain behind eye Blood-shot eyes Sensitive to light

Clicking, popping jaw joints Pain in cheek • Limited opening

Teeth

Neck

Clenching/grinding at night Looseness and soreness of back teeth

Lack of mobility/stiffness Neck pain • Tired/sore muscles Arm/finger numbness

Visit us online at w w w.tmdatlanta.com to download a referral form and learn more about our services! Manoj Maggan DDS, DABDSM, DABCP, DAAPM, FICCMO, FAACP

3590 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Center for TMJ Therapy

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14 • February/March 2016

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.

FINDING

SUCCESS

Got Marriage? How to Succeed in Dentistry Working with Your Spouse By Wendy Cassidy What role should spouses play in a small business, particularly a dental practice? There are as many answers to that question as there are dental practices. Some spouses choose not to be involved in the practice at all and some are full practicing partners. Most spouses fall somewhere in between, playing a supporting role in the practice. While many spouses are employed by the practice as dental hygienists or dental assistants, the majority of spouses are employed in administrative support roles. There is variability even in those roles, from full time management of the office to coming in one day a week to handle payroll and accounts payable. What is crucial to spouses working successfully together is not the actual roles, but clearly defining those roles. As with any member of the team, spouses need clear roles that enable them to work toward common goals, adhere to healthy boundaries, and communicate roles, goals, and boundaries to other employees, patients, and family members. Unique Challenges for Dental Spouses It’s amazing how many spouses start working in the dental practice on a temporary basis to “help out.” What starts as a temporary job becomes a permanent one. What starts as a part time job becomes a full time one. Consequently, there is little if any of the normal discussion that you would have when hiring a new employee. Not only does this important discussion need to happen now, it needs to happen on a regular ongoing basis. Spouses, more than any other family members working in a family business, need to have clearly defined roles, work toward clearly defined goals, and adhere to healthy boundaries. Spouses have unique challenges not faced by other family members. Working in the practice is more than a job for them. They have more of a vested interest in the success of the practice since it may determine their only or at least their main source of income. However, unlike a furniture store or a restaurant, the spouse who is not a dentist can never own the practice. Spouses may put their heart and soul into building the practice only to be left with very little due to death or divorce. And spouses may not feel that they can leave to find another job because that would mean emotionally abandoning their spouse.

Another challenge is the unique relationship between spouses. Other employees, including other family members, are not going home and sleeping with the boss. Or at least I hope not! The employees, patients, and other family members recognize that power imbalance and the best way to handle this it to acknowledge it. Spouses are never fully employees and never the boss. The relationship is unique in the workplace and the challenge is for spouses not to abuse this unique power. Establishing Boundaries and Practice Goals While it’s important for spouses not to abuse the relationship power with others, it’s equally important for the dentist not to abuse the relationship power. The dentist may have expectations of a spouse working in the practice that they would never have of other employees. Many dentists will take advantage of a caretaking spouse and expect the spouse to put the dentist’s and practice’s needs ahead of their own. If the dentist is uncomfortable with confrontation, he or she may use a peace-making spouse to handle unpleasant situations with employees, patients, or extended family members, situations that are more appropriately handled by the dentist. Cheerleading spouses may find that more and more discussions revolve around the practice and its problems and finding balance both at home and at work becomes difficult. This overlap between home life and work life becomes evident in determining the practice’s goals and how they fit into the family’s goals or vice versa. Honest and ongoing conversations need to take place. During these discussions, both dentist and spouse have equal say and this is unique to the spouse/employee and spouse/ dentist relationship. While the dentist would want to consult employees and have consensus on the practice’s goals, he or she is ultimately going to set the goals. With spouses as employees, more than consulting and consensus need to take place. Real negotiation needs to happen to ensure that the practice’s goals and the family’s goals mesh and can be supported by both partners. If an

SUCCESS

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Find guidance in achieving personal and professional growth in this column and at www.gadental.org. February/March 2016 • 15

16 â&#x20AC;˘ February/March 2016

WELCOME

By Mark Dusek, DDS General Chairman 2016 Convention & Expo

Register before June 15 at www.GDAconvention.com to enjoy Early Bird pricing! New this year: You may only obtain accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island through the link at GDAconvention.com. You cannot call the resort directly for GDA rooms. Once again we listened to you and scheduled more free time for you and your family to enjoy!

There is something for everyone at the GDA Convention & Expo in beautiful Amelia Island, Florida, at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. The event is July 14-17, 2016, and registration is open. The convention features top quality continuing education courses, nationally known speakers, networking and social events, children’s programs, a spouse educational track, and an exhibit hall not to be missed! Our kickoff speaker is noted political commentator and media personality James Carville. “The Ragin’ Cajun” is America’s best-known political consultant. His long list of electoral successes evidences a knack for steering overlooked campaigns to unexpected landslide victories and for re-making political underdogs into upset winners. He is going to knock your socks off with his insight into the current state of American presidential politics. Value-added inclusive pricing is back this year, with one GDA member dentist registration fee gaining you access to all continuing education, our kickoff session with Mr. Carville, our opening night reception in the Exhibit Hall, and entry into the Saturday family fun night event. Register your spouse at no additional charge and they can attend all of these events as well. You may add children, dental staff, and other guests to your main registration for additional fees. Each category can also attend multiple special events at no additional charge once registered. We also have inclusive registration pricing for Life Members, Retired Members, and our first time attendees. Current GDA members who have never before attended a GDA convention receive a special 50% registration discount. There is value in attending the convention wherever you are in your dental professional career. New this year! Register for the convention AND your room at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island via our secure, easy to use online system located at www.GDAconvention.com. Rooms will go fast! Register early to reserve your spot. Early bird pricing for the convention ends on June 15; rooms at The Ritz-Carlton are available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you are not required to reserve accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton to register for the meeting, but if you do want a room at the Ritz, you must obtain one via the GDA convention registration system. Our planning committee is excited about the value this convention offers to our members. I want to thank them for their hard work leading up to the meeting, and on behalf of President Tom Broderick, we all look forward to seeing you and your family in Florida this July. Alliance Liaison: Awards & Installation Breakfast: Children’s Program: Clinical Program: Door Prizes: Exhibit Hall: Fishing: Golf Tournament: Kickoff Event: Memories Presentation: New Dentist Program: Registration: Saturday Family Event: Tennis Round Robin: Tours & Events: Volunteers Party:

Julie Vaughn and Linda Broderick Dr. Matt Mazzawi Dr. Eric Gladden Dr. Byron Davis Dr. Celia Dunn and Dr. Annette Rainge Dr. Julie Ann Routhier Dr. Ron Smiley Dr. Donald Nelson Dr. Byron Colley Dr. Jim Hall Dr. Katie Garvin and Dr. Erin Pickwick Dr. Christopher DeLeon Dr. Mark Dusek Dr. Will Faulk Dr. Matt Rosenthal Dr. Jay McCaslin

February/March 2016 • 17

EVENT SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

1-4PM: Board of Trustees Meeting.

THURSDAY, JULY 14

8:30 AM-1 PM: House of Delegates and GDA Business Meeting 10AM-NOON: CE: Dental Estate Planning. (CE included with registration.) 2-3:30 PM: CE: Future of Dentistry. (CE included with registration.) 3:30-5:30 PM: CE: 2016 Legal Trends. (CE included with registration.) 6:00-8:00 PM: Welcome Reception/Exhibit Hall Opens.

FRIDAY, JULY 15

7:30-8:30 AM: GADPAC Power Breakfast with James Carville. (Special separate ticketed event and GADPAC fundraiser.) 8:30 AM-2PM: Exhibit Hall Opens. 9:00-11:00 AM: Kickoff Event: James Carville Looks at the Race for the White House. (Included with your registration fee.) 9:00-11:00 AM: Children's Kickoff Breakfast. (5-12 years old only; included with children’s registration fee.) 1-5:00 PM: CE: Peri-Implants. (CE included with registration.) 3-5:00 PM: Salt Infusion & Wine Tasting Event. (Special separate ticketed event.) 6:30-7:30 PM: New Dentist and Alliance Social (by invitation).

SATURDAY, JULY 16

7:30 AM-Noon: Golf Tournament. (Special separate ticketed event.) 8:00 AM-Noon: Inshore Fishing. (Special separate ticketed event.) 8:00 AM-Noon: Deep Sea Fishing. (Special separate ticketed event.) 8:00 AM-1PM: Exhibit Hall Opens. 8:30 AM-12:30 PM: CE: Contemporary Treatment Options for Edentulous Patients. (CE included with registration.) 9:00-11:00 AM: Tennis Round Robin. (Special separate ticketed event.) 10:00 AM-Noon: Alliance Brunch. (Special separate ticketed event.) 1:30-3:30 PM: CE: Dental Implants. (CE included with registration.) 4:00-5:00 PM: CE: The Quality of Life. (CE included with registration.) 6:00-10:00 PM: Family Fun Night. (Fun night included with dentist, guest, and child registration fees.)

SUNDAY, JULY 17

8:00-10:00 AM: Awards & Installation Breakfast. (Special separate ticketed event.) 8:00-10:00 AM: Children's Farewell Breakfast (5-12 years old only; included with children’s registration fee.) 18 • February/March 2016

KICKOFF SPEAKER Kickoff Breakfast Event with Guest Speaker James Carville Friday, July 15 • 9-11 a.m. (Included with registration) James "The Ragin' Cajun" Carville is America’s best-known political consultant. His long list of electoral successes evidences a knack for steering overlooked campaigns to unexpected landslide victories and for re-making political underdogs into big-time upset winners.

Value-added inclusive pricing is back this year, with one GDA member registration fee gaining you access to all continuing education, our kickoff session with Mr. Carville, our opening night reception in the exhibit hall, and entry into the family night event. Register your spouse at no additional charge and they can attend all of these events as well. You may add children, dental staff, and other guests to your main registration for additional charges. Each category can also attend multiple special events once registered.

His winning streak began in 1986, when he managed the gubernatorial victory of Robert Casey in Pennsylvania. In 1987, Carville helped guide Wallace Wilkinson to the governor’s seat in Kentucky. Carville continued his winning streak with wins in New Jersey, when Frank Lautenberg was elected to the U.S. Senate. He next managed the successful 1990 gubernatorial campaign of Georgia's Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller, including a tough primary victory over Atlanta mayor Andrew Young. But his most prominent victory was in 1992 when he helped William Jefferson Clinton win the Presidency. In recent years, Carville has not been a paid political consultant for any domestic politicians or candidates for office, instead focusing on campaigns in more than 20 countries around the globe, including leading Ehud Barak to victory in his campaign to become the Prime Minister of Israel in 1999. Carville is also a best-selling author, actor, producer, talk-show host, speaker, and restauranteur. Along with pollster Stanley Greenberg, Carville founded Democracy Corps, an independent, non-profit polling organization dedicated to making government more responsive to the American people. Democracy Corps has conducted over 200 national, congressional, and local surveys, interviewing over 220,000 American voters during the past 10 years. Carville can be seen on news networks worldwide. He is a columnist for The Hill newspaper which publishes daily when Congress is in session and serves as a Professor of Practice at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he lives with wife Mary Matalin and their two daughters.

We also have inclusive registration pricing for Life Members, Retired Members, and our first time attendees. There is value in attending wherever you are in your dental professional career. Visit www.GDAconvention.com to register! Act quickly. Early bird registration ends June 15.

February/March 2016 • 19

THURSDAY, JULY 14 10 a.m.-Noon: “Dental Practice Estate Planning: How to Handle the Unexpected Death of a Practice Owner” (2 CEUs). Stuart Oberman, JD. Attendees will learn why every dental practice owner must be prepared for an unexpected death, and what happens to a dental practice when an owner passes away. Learning objectives: Learn how simple estate planning can prevent enormous complications and financial devastation if an owner passes away; how to handle the complex probate process; what happens if there is no will; steps to consider in the sale of a dental practice; how to avoid losing 25-35 percent value per month; and Georgia Board of Dentistry requirements when a practice owner passes away.

2-3:30 p.m. “The Future of Dentistry” (1.5 CEUs). Dr. Mark Causey, Dr. Jim Lopez, Dr. Colin Richman, and Dr. Mark Stevens. Dentistry, like all health disciplines, continues to see advances in technology, technique, and materials. The future of dentistry is bright and part of an ever-changing landscape in health care delivery. Join specialty dental leaders as they discuss cutting edge developments in their specialty. There will be a Q&A session following the presentations. Learning objectives: Attendees will learn about new technology, techniques, and materials in four specialty areas of dentistry. Mark Causey, DMD, is a board-certified orthodontist from Gainesville, Georgia, who received his dental degree and orthodontic certificate from the Medical College of Georgia. He is the current president of the Georgia Orthodontists Foundation. James Lopez, DDS, graduated from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences with his DDS degree and went on to earn degrees in Pedodontics and Orthodontics from UT. He is a Trustee to the GDA Board of Trustees and the 2016 President of the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He maintains an orthodontic and pediatric practice in Columbus, Georgia. Colin Richman, DDS, completed his residency in Periodontics at the University of Connecticut. He maintains a private Periodontics and Implant Dentistry practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Richman is an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics at The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Mark Stevens, DDS, is Professor and Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. Dr. Stevens is boarded and a diplomate of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He served on the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as a board examiner for seven years. Dr. Stevens is widely recognized in the field of cranio-maxillary fracture repair and is an Association for the Study of Internal Rigid Fixation faculty member.

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3:30-5:30 p.m. “2016 Legal Trends and Updates: What Every Practice Owner Must Know” (2 CEUs). Stuart Oberman, JD. This course is designed to provide attendees a broad overview of common legal issues that every practice owner must know. Topics will include: employee embezzlement and warning signs, dental practice management, intellectual property protection, OSHA whistleblower statutes, U.S. Department of Labor audits and how to be prepared in the event you find your office involved in one, basics of dental office employment law, guidelines for risk management, cyber security risks and breaches, arbitration agreements, HIPAA compliance, and dental board complaints. There will be a Q&A session following the presentation. Learning objectives: Attendees will learn how to best prepare and protect their office, their employees, and themselves in the event of any legal issues. Stuart Oberman is the founder and president of Oberman Law Firm. Mr. Oberman received his law degree from John Marshall Law School and has practiced law for more than 22 years. He represents dental clients through the United States in a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, partnership agreements, commercial real estate, entity formation, employment law, commercial leasing, intellectual property, and HIPAA/OSHA compliance.

The GDA is an American Dental Association (ADA) Continuing Education Recognized Provider (CERP) and expects its presenters to be in compliance with ADA CERP standards. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. As a national CE accreditation system, CERP recognized providers are approved providers of dental continuing education, and are recognized as approved CE providers by the dental licensing boards of most states, the licensing agencies of most health-related fields, and certification requirements of most health-related fields. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at www. ada.org/cerp.

CONTINUING EDUCATION implant provisional restorations; optimize implant sulcular profiles in the esthetic zone; develop anatomical peri-implant esthetics for single and multiple edentulous spaces and completely edentulous patients; and communicate tissue contours to the laboratory via accurate impression and scanning techniques.

Mr. Patrick Carroll

Dr. Mark Causey

Mr. Harris Gignilliat

Dr. James Lopez

Dr. Samuel Norris

Mr. Stuart Oberman

George Priest, DMD, maintains a private prosthodontic practice devoted to esthetic, advanced restorative and implant dentistry on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He lectures nationally and abroad on topics including implant dentistry, advanced restorative dentistry and esthetic excellence. He is a regular contributor to many acclaimed dental journals including The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, The International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, The Journal of Prosthodontics, The American Journal of Esthetic Dentistry and others. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. Dr. Priest is a former professor in graduate prosthodontics at Emory University and an innovator and teacher of implant and esthetic dentistry for more than 30 years.

SATURDAY, JULY 16 Dr. George Priest

Dr. Colin Richman

Dr. Mark Stevens

FRIDAY, JULY 15 1-5 p.m. “Part 1: Shaping Peri-Implant Soft Tissue for Long Term Esthetics and Health” (4 CEUs). Dr. George Priest. Esthetic implant restorations require a sound understanding of peri-implant profiles and a technical foundation of appropriate implant components. As a critical member of the implant team, the restorative dentist or prosthodontist is primarily seen as the clinician providing the definitive implant restoration. That role, however, extends far beyond hard tissue esthetics and includes a significant responsibility in soft tissue development which is necessary for optimal esthetic outcomes. This session will include a discussion on immediate placement and aesthetic restoration of implants in appropriate situations. Dr. Priest will examine restorative dentist/oral surgeon collaboration to achieve optimal peri-implant profiles primarily with anatomically contoured provisional restorations and definitive abutment and crown contours that maintain long-term soft tissue stability. The use of digital dentistry to facilitate procedures will be explored. Stepby-step clinical examples and videos demonstrate provisional restoration techniques. Results are examined from initial treatment to long-term follow-up for periods of over 20 years. Learning objectives: attendees of this course will learn how to adopt surgical and restorative protocols that maximize soft tissue potential of single and multiple implants; create esthetic chairside

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Part 2: Contemporary Treatment for Edentulous Patients” (4 CEUs). Dr. George Priest. Technological innovations in materials and techniques offer superior esthetics and long-term durability to prostheses for edentulous patients. Beginning with conventional dentures and progressing to removable and fixed implant prostheses, Dr. Priest will feature treatment options that demonstrate proven longevity for edentulous mandibles and maxillae. Clinical examples and video segments will demonstrate expedited and accurate prosthetically driven implant placement; CAD/CAM designed and manufactured frameworks that are precise and long-lasting; and improved resins and ceramics for stronger, more lifelike tooth replacements. The impact of these advancements on clinical practice represents a significant development in enhancing implant treatment outcomes for edentulous patients. Learning objectives: Attendees will learn contemporary treatment protocols for edentulous patients; select appropriate implant options for edentulous maxillae and mandibles; learn how to position and distribute implants optimally for overdentures and fixed complete dentures; learn impression and scanning techniques for absolute cast accuracy; learn to direct the laboratory for ideal framework fabrication and tooth arrangement; learn to place implant attachments using an accurate and expedited chairside protocol; and learn how to use CAD/CAM technology for superior framework fabrication.

CE COURSES

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February/March 2016 • 21

EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS 3M Oral Care A-dec Affinity Bank Atlanta Dental Supply Company Benco Dental BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia Brasseler USA CareCredit Colgate

CE COURSES

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1:30-3:30 p.m. “Dental Implants and the Periodontium, PeriImplantitis, and the Maintenance of Dental Implants” (2 CEUs). Dr. Samuel Norris. The tissues of the periodontium combine to form an active, dynamic group of tissues. One of the long-term risks associated with dental implants is a condition called Peri-Implantitis, an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the surrounding gum and bone of an already integrated dental implant, leading to the loss of supporting bone. Learning objectives: Attendees will learn more about the tissues that support the natural tooth and supporting implants, the etiology and diagnosis of peri-implantitis, the mucogingival aspects of dental implants, periodontal and dental implant maintenance, and how to treat an ailing or failing implant. Samuel Norris, DMD, graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center with his DMD degree and received his certificate in Periodontics from the Medical College of Georgia. He is a diplomate to the American Board of Periodontology, has been published in several prominent dental journals, and practices Periodontics in Brunswick, Georgia.

DentaQuest Georgia Dental Insurance Services Georgia Department of Public Health Georgia Rural Water Association Habif, Arogeti, & Wynne Halyard Health Henry Schein Medical Protective New Image Dental Laboratory Oberman Law Firm Patterson Dental Pittman Dental Laboratory Sherer Dental Lab Sidney Lee Medical & Scientific Gases Straumann, USA LLC UBS Financial Services Ultradent Products, Inc. Zoll Dental / Bobby Morse

4-5 p.m. “The Quality of Life” (1 CEU). Mr. Harris Gignilliat and Mr. Patrick Carroll. MIT AgeLab has identified three simple questions dental professionals should ask themselves to assess how prepared they are to live well in retirement. What do these questions have to do with retirement planning? A lot more than you may think. They actually uncover important factors that will determine your future quality of life or quality of life for your loved ones and serve as a starting point for planning a satisfying retirement from practicing dentistry. The questions will also shed light on issues your patients in retirement may be facing and things to consider for those who may become caretakers. When it comes to retirement planning, we’re inclined to focus on accumulating assets and making sure we spend our money wisely. But while our biggest fear may be outliving our wealth, there’s an even greater risk of: • Losing our independence due to ailing health; • Being unable to access the big and small things that make us happy, and • Facing a decline in the number of friends in our social network. Learning objectives: Attendees will leave this course having learned how to live longer and better; identify ways to assess how prepared they are to live well in retirement; discover important factors that will determine future quality of life in retirement beyond financial limitations; and with a market update and 2016 financial outlook. Harris Gignilliat, CIMA, CRPS, is Senior Vice President, Wealth Management at UBS. Harris earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst designation from the Wharton School of Business, and attained the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist designation from the College for Financial Planning. Harris is a member of the UBS Institutional Consulting Group and works with organizations such as the GDA, Georgia Pharmacy Association, and Alabama Dental Association to provide financial benefits to members. Patrick Carroll, CIMA®, is an advisor consultant for Hartford Funds and is responsible for marketing Hartford Funds and The Hartford SMART529 in Georgia and South Carolina. Patrick supports financial advisors and their clients with educational material, client seminars, product expertise, and practice-management strategies. Patrick has earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst designation. He attended The Pennsylvania State University and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

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NETWORKING & SOCIAL THURSDAY, JULY 14 WELCOME RECEPTION • 6-8 p.m. (Included with registration) All registered attendees are welcome to stop by the Exhibit Hall and visit with our exhibitors, make purchases for your office, and network and socialize at the GDA Alliance member reception and The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University alumni reception. Sample hors d’oeuvres, enjoy complimentary drinks, and enter for door prizes.

FRIDAY, JULY 15 PAC POWER BREAKFAST • 7:30-8:30 a.m. (Tickets: 250 per person to benefit GADPAC*) Enjoy real talk with James Carville. The Georgia Dental Association Political Action Committee (GADPAC) is honored this year to have “The Ragin’ Cajun” sit in on our Power Breakfast. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet Mr. Carville face-to-face and have candid discussions with him about his experiences, insights, and points of view on presidential politics. Attendees will receive a copy of his book and a photo opportunity starting at 7:15. Limited to 35 attendees. *Donations to GADPAC are not tax-deductible.

KICKOFF EVENT • 9-11 a.m. (Included with registration) Join us for a high energy opening event! Hear from GDA leaders and then welcome James “The Ragin’ Cajun” Carville, best-selling author, actor, producer, talk-show host, speaker, and restaurateur. The legendary, provocative, and always timely pundit presents his captivating views on politics, spiced with his own unique brand of optimism and humor. His talk will be followed by a Q&A session with questions from audience members. A light breakfast, coffee, and tea will be served starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall, then attendees will take their seats in the Talbot Ballroom for the 9 a.m. opening session. 9-11 a.m. Children have their own Kickoff Breakfast (ages 5-12 only) Friday. They will enjoy a “kid approved” breakfast then join their friends in making a pirate hand print T-shirt or other fun craft. This event is included in the “CHILD” 5-12 registration fee. Registered children may also attend the Family Fun Night and Sunday Children’s Farewell Breakfast for the single fee.

NEW DENTIST & ALLIANCE SOCIAL • 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Included with registration; by invitation) The GDA invites all our New Dentists (those out of school 10 years or less as of 2016), our GDA Alliance members, and their dental spouses to join us at the Ritz Spa Pool for light hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and networking. Get to know your colleagues, Alliance members, GDA officers, and GDA staff.

NETWORK & SOCIAL Continued on page 24

February/March 2016 • 23

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION Prices Increase June 15! Each dentist registration fee listed below, except the CE only fee, includes entry into all CE as well as the James Carville Kickoff Event, Family Fun Night, and the Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception. GDA Member: 285.00 ___________________________ First Timer: 142.50 (GDA member and first time GDA convention attendee) ___________________________ GDA Married: 450.00 (Two GDA members married to each other) ___________________________ Life/Retired Member: 145.00 ___________________________ CE Only: 110.00 (GDA Life or Retired Members only are eligible) ____________________________

NETWORK & SOCIAL Continued from page 23

SATURDAY, JULY 16 ALLIANCE BRUNCH • 10:00 a.m. - Noon (Ticketed: 50 per person with registration) The Alliance of the GDA invites current members and all interested spouses to attend this “brunch and learn.” Take away information about current Alliance projects, network with other members, and find a way to make an impact on the dental profession in the areas of dental health education, dental family wellbeing, and legislative advocacy. Special speakers and great door prizes! Enjoy a lovely plated breakfast as well as our awesome Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar.

FAMILY NIGHT: WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE BEACH (KIDS) AND RAT PACK PARTY/CELEBRATING SINATRA (ADULTS) • 6-10 p.m. (Included with registration) Enjoy Friday night out with family and friends. Save Saturday night for a night of fun for kids of all ages! The younger set will enjoy a Winter Wonderland on the beach with games and rides, plus kid-approved food and drinks. For the 18 and over crowd, celebrate Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday “Rat Pack Style!” Swoon over our casino night backed by a big band sound! After you’ve played a few hands of blackjack or spun that roulette wheel a few times, enjoy some delicious food and drinks and dance the night away.

SUNDAY, JULY 17

ADA Member: 670.00 (Non-Georgia ADA Member) ____________________________

AWARDS & INSTALLATION BREAKFAST • 8:00-10:00 a.m. (Ticketed: 50 per person)

Non-Member: 1100.00 (Not a GDA or ADA Dentist) ____________________________

This morning is one for beginnings and honoring dentists who honorably serve their profession. We will recognize current GDA leaders and witness the installation of 201617 officers for the GDA, Alliance, and districts. The GDA will also recognize past GDA and Alliance presidents, GDA Honorable Fellows, GDA Community Service winners, and Dr. Carole Hanes as our GDA Award of Merit honoree.

Active Military: 175.00 ____________________________ ASDA Member: 25.00

OTHER CATEGORIES COST WHEN ADDED TO A DENTIST REGISTRATION AS DETAILED ABOVE: Spouse: NO CHARGE Child (5-12): 80.00 Child (13-20): 40.00 Child (0-4): NO CHARGE Family: 40.00 Dentist Guest: 40.00 Dental Staff: 40.00

24 • February/March 2016

9-11 a.m. Children have their own Farewell Breakfast (ages 5-12 only) Sunday. They will enjoy a “kid approved” breakfast then have fun participating in a treasure hunt or other fun activity. This event is included in the “CHILD” 5-12 registration fee. Registered children may also attend the Winter Wonderland Family Fun Night and Friday Children’s Kickoff Breakfast for the single fee.

Congratulations to Carole M. Hanes, DMD, our 2016 GDA Award of Merit honoree. The Award of Merit, the highest honor the association can bestow, is only given to recognize service above all established standards. Dr. Hanes will be honored on Sunday, July 17, during the Awards & Installation Breakfast. Come out and honor her accomplishments!

SPORTS AND TOURS FRIDAY, JULY 15 SALT INFUSION & WINE TASTING • 3-5 p.m. (Tickets: 150 per person) Join us for an afternoon of great taste! The experienced Ritz Chefs infuse herbs, citrus, and other flavors to make their house made gourmet salts. Participants will be able to taste a diverse array of salts from all over the world and learn the secrets of cooking on a salt platter that’s 250 million years old. The sommelier will share cooking tips and the health benefits of these infused salts as well as pair some of their finest wines alongside them. Tasting will include four different pre-selected sommelier-choice wines (two reds and two whites). There is a 10 person minimum for this event. If the minimum is not met, the event will be cancelled. Participants must be 21 years old to participate.

FISHING EXCURSIONS/INSHORE 8 a.m. - Noon (Tickets: 200 per person) Go fishing in the calm backwaters surrounding Amelia Island. You will be fishing in two to three feet of water for redfish and spotted sea trout. You might even catch tarpon, flounder, sheepshead, or black drum. No food or beverages provided. Boats will leave the marina in Fernandina Beach at 8, so please plan accordingly. Captains will provide rods, reels, bait, tackle, ice and fishing licenses for all ticketed participants. A minimum of 4 registrants is required per boat or the charter will be cancelled.

FISHING EXCURSIONS/DEEP SEA 8 a.m. - Noon (Tickets: 200 per person)

Fish for kingfish, barracudas, amberjacks, and tuna out on the Atlantic. Amelia Island also has great bottom fishing for snapper, grouper, sea bass, and African pompano. No food or beverages will be provided. Boats leave the marina in Fernandina Beach at 8, so please plan accordingly. Captains will provide rods, reels, bait, tackle, ice and fishing licenses for ticketed participants. A minimum of 6 participants is required per boat or the charter will be cancelled.

ROUND ROBIN TENNIS TOURNAMENT 9-11 a.m. (Tickets: 60 per person) The Round Robin format of play will be held on the resorts four clay tennis courts. Three new clay courts use state-of-the-art Hydro-cool technology that keeps the courts play-ready. Players of all skill levels are encouraged to join in. Courts will open at 8:30 for warm ups.

SATURDAY, JULY 16 GDA/GADPAC* GOLF TOURNAMENT 7:30 a.m. - Noon (Tickets: 215 per person) Tee off to support dentistry under the Gold Dome. Have fun with your colleagues, play for a chance to win a Mercedes Benz, and raise money for the Georgia Dental Association Political Action Committee (GADPAC). The Golf Club of Amelia Island offers an exciting 18-hole championship golf course designed by Mark McCumber and Gene Littler. This challenging, yet fun layout is an avid golfers dream. The breathtaking landscape, meticulously maintained greens, strategically placed bunkers, and the evershifting ocean breeze ensure no two rounds are ever the same. A continental breakfast will be available for all players beginning at 6:45. *Donations to GADPAC are not tax-deductible.

February/March 2016 • 25

Management of patients with prosthetic joints undergoing dental procedures Clinical Recommendation:

In general, for patients with prosthetic joint implants, prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection. For patients with a history of complications associated with their joint replacement surgery who are undergoing dental procedures that include gingival manipulation or mucosal incision, prophylactic antibiotics should only be considered after consultation with the patient and orthopedic surgeon.* To assess a patient’s medical status, a complete health history is always recommended when making final decisions regarding the need for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Clinical Reasoning for the Recommendation: •

There is evidence that dental procedures are not associated with prosthetic joint implant infections.

•

There is evidence that antibiotics provided before oral care do not prevent prosthetic joint implant infections.

•

There are potential harms of antibiotics including risk for anaphylaxis, antibiotic resistance, and opportunistic infections like Clostridium difficile.

•

The benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis may not exceed the harms for most patients.

•

The individual patient’s circumstances and preferences should be considered when deciding whether to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures.

Copyright © 2015 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. This page may be used, copied, and distributed for non-commercial purposes without obtaining prior approval from the ADA. Any other use, copying, or distribution, whether in printed or electronic format, is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of the ADA.

* In cases where antibiotics are deemed necessary, it is most appropriate that the orthopedic surgeon recommend the appropriate antibiotic regimen and when reasonable write the prescription. Sollecito T, Abt E, Lockhart P, et al. The use of prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures in patients with prosthetic joints: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for dental practitioners — a report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. JADA. 2015;146(1):11-16.

Refresher: Recommendations for Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Certain Dental Procedures Recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis prior to certain dental procedures have existed historically for two groups of patients: those with heart conditions that may predispose them to infective endocarditis; and those who have a prosthetic joint(s) and may be at risk for developing hematogenous infections at the site of the prosthetic. However, compared with prior recommendation statements, there are currently relatively few patient subpopulations for whom antibiotic prophylaxis may be indicated prior to certain dental procedures. In 2014, the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs assembled an expert panel to update and clarify the clinical recommendations found in the 2012 evidence report and 2013 guideline, Prevention of Orthopaedic 26 • February/March 2016

Implant Infection in Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures.1, 2 As was found in 2012, the updated systematic review undertaken in 2014 and published in 2015 found no association between dental procedures and prosthetic joint infections.3 Based on this evidence review, the 2015 ADA clinical practice guideline states,3 “In general, for patients with prosthetic joint implants, prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection.” A co-published editorial by Meyer4 also states: “The new CSA guideline clearly states that for most patients, prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated before dental procedures to prevent [prosthetic joint infections]. The guideline also takes into consideration that patients who have previous medical conditions

or complications associated with their joint replacement surgery may have specific needs calling for premedication. In medically compromised patients who are undergoing dental procedures that include gingival manipulation or mucosal inclusion, prophylactic antibiotics should be considered only after consultation with the patient and orthopedic surgeon. For patients with serious health conditions, such as immunocompromising diseases, it may be appropriate for the orthopedic surgeon to recommend an antibiotic regimen when medically indicated, as footnoted in the new chairside guide.” The ADA encourages dental professionals to review the full 2015 guideline3 and take this recommendation into account, consult with the patient’s orthopedic surgeon as needed, and consider

the patient’s specific needs and preferences when planning treatment. According to the ADA Chairside Guide, in cases where antibiotics are deemed necessary, it is most appropriate that the orthopedic surgeon recommend the appropriate antibiotic regimen and, when reasonable, write the prescription. With input from the ADA, the American Heart Association (AHA) released guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis in 2007,5 which were approved by the Council on Scientific Affairs as they relate to dentistry in 2008.6 The current guidelines support infective endocarditis premedication for a smaller group of patients than previous versions. This change was based on a review of scientific evidence, which showed that the risk of adverse reactions to antibiotics generally outweigh the benefits of prophylaxis for many patients who would have been considered eligible for prophylaxis in previous versions of the guidelines. Concern about the development of drug-resistant bacteria also was a factor. Also, the data are mixed as to whether prophylactic antibiotics taken before a dental procedure prevent infective endocarditis. The guidelines note that people who are at risk for infective endocarditis are regularly exposed to oral bacteria during basic daily activities such as brushing or flossing. Patient Selection The current infective endocarditis guidelines state that use of preventive antibiotics before certain dental procedures is reasonable for patients with: • prosthetic cardiac valve or prosthetic material used for cardiac valve repair • a history of infective endocarditis • a cardiac transplant that develops cardiac valvulopathy • the following congenital (present from birth) heart disease:a unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits; a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedureb; any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device (that inhibit endothelialization)

Except for the conditions listed above, antibiotic prophylaxis is no longer recommended for any other form of congenital heart disease.

Prophylaxis is reasonable because endothelialization of a prosthetic material occurs within six months after the procedure.

References

1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/ American Dental Association. Prevention of Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures: Evidence-based Guideline and Evidence Report. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2012. http:// www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/PUDP/ PUDP_guideline.pdf. Accessed February 3, 2016.

Dental Procedures Prophylaxis is recommended for the patients identified in the previous section for all dental procedures that involve manipulation of gingival tissue or the periapical region of the teeth, or perforation of the oral mucosa.

2. Rethman MP, Watters W, 3rd, Abt E, et al. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association clinical practice guideline on the prevention of orthopaedic implant infection in patients undergoing dental procedures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2013;95(8):7457.

Additional Considerations About Infective Endocarditis Antibiotic Prophylaxis (when indicated) Sometimes patients forget to premedicate before their appointments. The recommendation is that the antibiotic be given before the procedure. This is important because it allows the antibiotic to reach adequate blood levels. However, the guidelines to prevent infective endocarditis5, 6 state, “If the dosage of antibiotic is inadvertently not administered before the procedure, the dosage may be administered up to 2 hours after the procedure.” Another concern that dentists have expressed involves patients who require prophylaxis but are already taking antibiotics for another condition. In these cases, the guidelines for infective endocarditis5, 6 recommend that the dentist select an antibiotic from a different class than the one the patient is already taking. For example, if the patient is taking amoxicillin, the dentist should select clindamycin, azithromycin, or clarithromycin for prophylaxis. Other patient groups also may merit special consideration, which is discussed more fully in the guidelines. In 2015, The Lancet published a study out of the United Kingdom that reported a correlation between institution of more limited antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Evidence (NICE) in 2008 and an increase in cases of infective endocarditis.7 Because of the retrospective and observational nature of the study, the authors acknowledged that their “data do not establish a causal association.” At this time, the ADA recommends that dentists continue to use the AHA guidelines discussed above. Dental professionals should periodically visit the ADA website for updates on this issue.

3. Sollecito TP, Abt E, Lockhart PB, et al. The use of prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures in patients with prosthetic joints: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for dental practitioners--a report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. J Am Dent Assoc 2015;146(1):11-16 e8. 4. Meyer DM. Providing clarity on evidencebased prophylactic guidelines for prosthetic joint infections. J Am Dent Assoc 2015;146(1):3-5. 5. Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, et al. Prevention of infective endocarditis: guidelines from the American Heart Association: a guideline from the American Heart Association Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, and the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group. Circulation 2007;116(15):1736-54. 6. Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, et al. Prevention of infective endocarditis: guidelines from the American Heart Association: a guideline from the American Heart Association Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, and the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group. J Am Dent Assoc 2008;139 Suppl:3S-24S. 7. Dayer MJ, Jones S, Prendergast B, et al. Incidence of infective endocarditis in England, 2000-13: a secular trend, interrupted time-series analysis. Lancet 2015;385(9974):1219-28.

See page 28 for education cards from the American Dental Association and American Heart Association for patients and practitioners to use to determine when antibiotic prophylaxis is required. February/March 2016 • 27

American Heart Association/ADA Bacterial Endocarditis Wallet Information Cards for Patients and Practitioners PREVENTION OF INFECTIVE (BACTERIAL) ENDOCARDITIS Wallet Card This wallet card is to be given to patients (or parents) by their physician. Healthcare professionals: Please see back of card for reference to the complete statement.

Name: _________________________________________ needs protection from INFECTIVE (BACTERIAL) ENDOCARDITIS because of an existing heart condition. Diagnosis: ______________________________________ Prescribed by: __________________________________ Date: __________________________________________ You received this wallet card because you are at increased risk for developing adverse outcomes from infective endocarditis (IE), also known as bacterial endocarditis (BE). The guidelines for prevention of IE shown in this card are substantially different from previously published guidelines. This card replaces the previous card that was based on guidelines published in 1997. The American Heart Association’s Endocarditis Committee together with national and international experts on IE extensively reviewed published studies in order to determine whether dental, gastrointestinal (GI), or genitourinary (GU) tract procedures are possible causes of IE. These experts determined that there is no conclusive evidence that links dental, GI, or GU tract procedures with the development of IE. The current practice of giving patients antibiotics prior to a dental procedure is no longer recommended EXCEPT for patients with the highest risk of adverse outcomes resulting from IE (see below on this card). The Committee cannot exclude the possibility that an exceedingly small number of cases, if any, of IE may be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis prior to a dental procedure. If such benefit from prophylaxis exists, it should be reserved ONLY for those patients listed below. The Committee recognizes the importance of good oral and dental health and regular visits to the dentist for patients at risk of IE. The Committee no longer recommends administering antibiotics solely to prevent IE in patients who undergo a GI or GU tract procedure. Changes in these guidelines do not change the fact that your cardiac condition puts you at increased risk for developing endocarditis. If you develop signs or symptoms of endocarditis—such as unexplained fever —see your doctor right away. If blood cultures are necessary (to determine if endocarditis is present), it is important for your doctor to obtain these cultures and other relevant tests BEFORE antibiotics are started. Antibiotic prophylaxis with dental procedures is reasonable only for patients with cardiac conditions associated with the highest risk of adverse outcomes from endocarditis, including: • Prosthetic cardiac valve or prosthetic material used in valve repair • Previous endocarditis • Congenital heart disease only in the following categories: –Unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits –Completely repaired congenital heart disease with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure*

All dental procedures that involve manipulation of gingival tissue or the periapical region of teeth, or perforation of the oral mucosa* *Antibiotic prophylaxis is NOT recommended for the following dental procedures or events: routine anesthetic injections through noninfected tissue; taking dental radiographs; placement of removable prosthodontic or orthodontic appliances; adjustment of orthodontic appliances; placement of orthodontic brackets; and shedding of deciduous teeth and bleeding from trauma to the lips or oral mucosa.

Antibiotic Prophylactic Regimens for Dental Procedures Situation

Agent

Oral

Amoxicillin

Unable to take oral medication

Allergic to penicillins or ampicillin— Oral regimen

Allergic to penicillins or ampicillin and unable to take oral medication

Regimen—Single Dose 30-60 minutes before procedure Adults Children 2g

50 mg/kg

Ampicillin OR

2 g IM or IV*

50 mg/kg IM or IV

Cefazolin or ceftriaxone

1 g IM or IV

50 mg/kg IM or IV

Cephalexin**†

50 mg/kg

600 mg

20 mg/kg

Azithromycin or clarithromycin

500 mg

15 mg/kg

Cefazolin or ceftriaxone†

1 g IM or IV

50 mg/kg IM or IV

OR Clindamycin

600 mg IM or IV

20 mg/kg IM or IV

OR Clindamycin OR

*IM—intramuscular; IV—intravenous **Or other first or second generation oral cephalosporin in equivalent adult or pediatric dosage. †Cephalosporins should not be used in an individual with a history of anaphylaxis, angioedema or urticaria with penicillins or ampicillin. Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary Procedures: Antibiotic prophylaxis solely to prevent IE is no longer recommended for patients who undergo a GI or GU tract procedure, including patients with the highest risk of adverse outcomes due to IE. Other Procedures: Procedures involving the respiratory tract or infected skin, tissues just under the skin, or musculoskeletal tissue for which prophylaxis is reasonable are discussed in the updated document (reference below). Adapted from Prevention of Infective Endocarditis: Guidelines From the American Heart Association, by the Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease. Circulation, 2007; 116: 1736-1754. Accessible at http://circ. ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.183095.

Healthcare Professionals—Please refer to these recommendations for more complete information as to which patients and which procedures need prophylaxis.

–Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device (which inhibit endothelialization) • Cardiac transplantation recipients with cardiac valvular disease *Prophylaxis is reasonable because endothelialization of prosthetic material occurs within six months after the procedure.

Dental procedures for which prophylaxis is reasonable in patients with cardiac conditions listed above.

28 • February/March 2016

The Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Dental Association has approved this statement as it relates to dentistry.

National Center 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75231-4596 americanheart.org

50-1605 0805

PRACTICE

Continued from page 13 • Renewable at company’s option. This policy places you in a vulnerable position because the company has the right to discontinue your policy. • Guaranteed renewable. This policy is guaranteed renewable until age 65; however, the insurance company retains the right to increase your premiums if it does the same for everyone in your class. What a class is varies from carrier to carrier. Generally, a class has a common characteristic such as state residency. You should exercise caution in buying guaranteed renewable insurance. • Noncancellable and guaranteed renewable. This policy is noncancellable and guaranteed renewable up to a specified age. Most importantly, the company does not have the right to increase the premium above that stated in the policy, nor can it cancel your policy. This is the best type of policy because it guarantees renewal and freezes the premium at its original level for as long

as you hold the policy. These are expensive to purchase but, in the end, they are the cheapest of all. Disability Overhead: A Valuable Partner Coverage A disability overhead or business overhead expense policy works with an individual disability plan to keep a dental practice open until the dentist can return to work or sell the practice to another dentist. Generally, disability overhead or business overhead policies only pay benefits for a period of 12 or 18 months. Within the benefit period a dentist should have a good idea if a disability is going to be permanent, and the dentist could find someone to purchase their practice while it still has value. Georgia Dental Insurance Services: If It Matters to You, It Matters to Us Georgia Dental Insurance Services (GDIS) provides GDA member dentists with a full range of insurance services and products.

The GDIS team works for the members, not the insurance companies, and works hard to find the best coverage for every individual’s particular needs. GDIS is a partner with Guardian to provide disability coverage to GDA members. Please contact GDIS at (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553, or support@ gadental.org to ask about finding the right disability coverage. You can also visit www. MyGDIS.com to request a free disability coverage quote from Guardian. Michele Amatulli is the Business Insurance Department Manager for Georgia Dental Insurance Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Georgia Dental Association. Michele and her team are ready to provide you with guidance on choosing the best in medical, property, casualty, malpractice, overhead, disability, data breach, workers’ compensation, and other coverages vital to the operation of your dental practice.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Continued from page 9

end of the day, despite numerous goodfaith attempts to find a way forward, we believed that this bill ultimately failed to ensure proper safeguards for Georgia’s most vulnerable patients. When we reached that realization, at the direction of our House of Delegates and Board of Trustees, the governmental affairs team utilized every resource at our disposal to defeat the bill. One result: the House bill did not make it out of the Rules Committee and on to the floor of the House for a vote. However, NO bill is dead until the session ends. Therefore, the GDA is monitoring to see if elements of this bill end up attached in any form to a bill that remains active. We need to tip our hat to another legislative activity. Our team convinced representatives to add a $200,000 appropriation to support the Rural Dental Student Loan Forgiveness Program back into the House version of the Fiscal Year 2017 budget. The original proposed budget did not include this funding. Our team lobbied to include this funding in the budget so that this program, which is proven to break down barriers to oral health care for rural Georgians, can thrive for a second year and beyond. In the first year of the program, this year, there are eight dentists who are situated in rural areas of Georgia helping underserved patients. As of this writing, the budget is with the Senate Appropriations Committee. We are also monitoring and supporting the progress of House Bill 537, which seeks to create a single dental administrator for Medicaid billing purposes, and Senate Bill 158, which regulates the practice of Silent PPOs and Rental Networks. Every LAW Day attendee, every Contact Dentist, every member who called their legislator, every member of the Governmental Affairs Committee, every GDA staff member, every Alliance member who handed out a dental kit, our allies at the Capitol—everyone had a hand in the monumental effort expended thus far under the Gold Dome. Georgia’s Action for Dental Health: This action plan outlines the GDA’s goals for maintaining and enhancing the oral health 30 • February/March 2016

and overall health of all Georgians. We circulated this plan during our district legislative receptions and to legislators during the session. Our goal with this plan is to advance comprehensive solutions to prevent dental disease before it starts and ensure that all Georgians can obtain treatment by a dentist. The GDA is all about YES when it comes to finding common sense ways to knock down barriers to oral health care for all Georgians. Consumer and Provider Protection Act Study Committee: Thank you to Dr. Richard A. Smith and Angela Waller, practice administrator for Dr. Jay Phillips and Dr. Chris Hasty, for serving on the Consumer and Provider Protection Act Study Committee that met several times before the session started. Their work helped Senate Bill 158 on Silent PPOs and Rental Networks move forward and we anticipate that the testimony the committee gathered could help move similar legislation in 2017. Dental Economic Impact Study: Senior Director of Health Policy Stephanie Lotti and other staff members gathered preliminary data for the economic impact of dentistry in Georgia. We created a powerful infographic to share with policy makers and legislators. Georgia dentists make the economy smile to the tune of $2,864,703,885, thanks to the value of patient care provided, licensure fees, and employment of staff. GADPAC: The GDA Political Action Committee board, chaired by Dr. Richard Weinman, created new giving levels that will drive this organization toward becoming an even more powerful force for dentistry at the Capitol. GDA members will be hearing about GADPAC in the months to come. Giving levels must increase if 2016 is any indication of the activity we will face in the next session. Future Initiatives: After the session ends on March 24, we must immediately take up four initiatives as stated under the legislative objectives of our Strategic Plan, and: (1.) Continue to build our political capital via renewed relationships under the Dome,

and continue to grow our PAC dollars. (2.) Revitalize our Contact Dentist Program with training and contact information. (3.) Identify member dentists who want to run for office and actualize their candidacies. (4.) Formulate GDA legislation that appropriately addresses ways to break down barriers to oral health care for all Georgians well ahead of the 2017 session. In addition, we need to: (5.) Collect and quantify all of the donated/gifted dental services that our members provide in the state. (6.) Work with Dental Public Health to name a dentist as Dental Director, drive our emergency room diversion and volunteer/ adjunct dentist programs forward, and work to add preventive codes to the existing dental Medicaid program as a first step toward future expansion.

PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS Positive Media Stories: Our public relations team led by PR Committee Chairman Dr. Robin Reich and Senior Director of Public Relations and Marketing Carol Galbreath has worked overtime to generate positive press for dentistry. Our efforts generated 700+ positive stories in Georgia in just the past few months. The value of dentistry was highlighted in a high-profile story in Georgia Trend magazine that featured President Tom Broderick and Dr. Richard A. Smith. In addition, the GDA responded nearly a dozen times with forceful positions after we identified misinformation in printed publications and online. Media Spokesperson Training for Members: Thank you to the GDA dentists who took part in our spokesperson training program conducted by Golin. These dentists walked in-depth through our position papers and learned how to speak knowledgeably about dental issues to print reporters, and how to respond appropriately in front of a camera. This was far from easy, but incredibly important. It matters when legislators and reporters hear from a dentist. We are proud of our capable stable of media spokes-dentists.

Public Relations Campaign: This spring we will launch a multi-year communications program that promotes the value of dentistry and drives patients to seek a dental home with a GDA dentist. The campaign, “Because I Saw My Dentist,” features moving testimonials from several patients of GDA members. Every member will receive a “toolkit” so that they can add materials from the campaign, such as videos and brochures, to their social media accounts, practice websites, and office waiting areas. Website: By the annual convention, the GDA website gadental.org will have a new look and increased ease of use. The information you need is going to be at your fingertips whether you are on a desktop or mobile device. The American Dental Association is making website redesign available at no charge to the states, but the states will retain their power over the content of the website. This is a true example of how a national organization is supposed to leverage its strengths to allow all levels of the tripartite to provide better member services. Weekly E-Connect: If you are not receiving the weekly GDA email from President Tom Broderick, contact Delaine Hall at the

GDA office at delaine@gadental.org. This valuable email goes out on Thursdays packed with news, product information, and event dates—everything you need to know about how to access the membership services you are entitled to enjoy. New Dentist and Student Outreach: The New Dentist Task Force, headed by Dr. Katie Garvin and Dr. Erin Pickwick is working with GDA and ADA staff to identify the keys to retaining new dentists in the association and communicate value to this group. GDA and GDIS staff members have a nearconstant presence at The Dental College of Georgia, talking with dental students and faculty about the value of membership. We appreciate the efforts of Dean Dr. Carol Lefebvre to involve the association at the college, and are exploring ways to encourage faculty members and students to write for association publications and provide their valued perspectives. Future Initiatives: Our association will implement a measurement and monitoring instrument to benchmark results and quantify the return on investment associated with our public relations campaign.

MEMBER PRACTICE SERVICES & EDUCATION Dental Forum: We hosted our inaugural Dental Forum in November in partnership with UBS and Bank of America. Our offerings included practice management and clinical CE courses presented by top-notch speakers. The GDA is planning to increase the number of courses we offer to our members throughout the year, especially on the business and financial management side. Convention & Expo: The 2016 GDA Convention & Expo is July 14-17 at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Florida. The keynote speaker is the “Ragin’ Cajun” James Carville. We are offering CE for the entire dental team featuring nationally known speakers, and an educational track for spouses. Once again we have listened to you and added more free time for you and your family. Register and book your hotel room all at once online at www.GDAconvention. com. If you are a first-time attendee you will receive a 50% discount on your registration.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Continued on page 33

Joining GDA Executive Director Frank Capaldo (second from left) at a GDA LAW Day are Ruthie Barden and Dr. Jon Barden of Central District, and Dr. Joe Peluso of Northwestern District. The Bardens were first-time LAW Day attendees. (Photo: Sheila Watson.)

February/March 2016 • 31

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Continued from page 31

Leadership GDA: Dr. Christopher DeLeon has re-energized this program. Participants this year will hear from a top management consultant on how to lead in the dental practice, receive a Myers-Briggs personality assessment and a custom guide reviewing their strengths and weaknesses, and make a presentation to the Board of Trustees about a challenge facing the association and offering a solution. We look forward to seeing what this year’s participants have in store for us. Future Initiatives: As one way of carrying out the goals and objectives of the new Strategic Plan, we are adding a full education and training department to our member service offerings. This will allow your association to provide year-round a full complement of CE and business training programs for you and your office manager.

BUSINESS SERVICES & NON-DUES REVENUE Benefits Plus+ Partners: The GDA has vetted and selected several new business partners to join the Benefits+ Program that offers value and services to members. The latest addition: iMedicor. Did you know that dentists are breaking the law when they transmit patient records and x-rays through their personal email even if encrypted? The GDA endorsed the iMedicor HIPAA-compliant messaging system to help members comply with federal regulations. GDA members get a discounted rate of $22.50 per month. There is a national competitor that tells you they only cost $10.00 a month, but their fee doesn’t include services like HIPAA-required file storage. They charge extra for those requirements and their cost will soar past the $22.50 price with fewer services. Georgia Dental Insurance Services (GDIS): In the last six months we have completely turned this GDA subsidiary around. I encourage you to reach out to the GDIS team that includes Business Insurance Department Manager Michele Amatulli, Inside Business Salesperson Denise Moya, Inside Business Salesperson Torin Nickens, and Health Department Insurance Manager Christy

Biddy. They, along with Chief Operating Officer Lisa VanZandt, have re-energized our in-house insurance agency. We are operating like a tried and true agency now with you our members as our only valued customers. The GDIS team has saved your colleagues tens of thousands of dollars, found them coverage they needed and didn’t know they needed, and saved practices from operating unprotected and even from being forced to close. Michele and her team are providing copies of new business policies to every client, and are hand-delivering as many as possible, adding a new, tightly focused customer service dimension. This is the agency you need in your corner. GDA Medical Plan: This is another program we have turned around both internally as well as with competitive plans that meet your budget and lifestyle. There are NO narrow networks in our plans!

Our medical plan was in disarray only two short years ago. In that time, we have created extremely competitive plans with outstanding coverage. Other health plans offer narrow networks with limited providers and facilities or higher out-of-network rates. The GDA’s broad network health plans give you greater control over your health care choices with access to 15,000 of your desired doctors, specialists, and hospitals. Your health history or age is not a rate variable when you join your association group plan. To sign up, simply complete an enrollment form. You can visit any doctor or specialist. You get a vision benefit and $10,000 of term life insurance for a low $1.90/month. This is a plan that I am proud to say I can trust with my family’s medical coverage and I could not say that before. Contact Christy Biddy for more information at christy@gadental.org.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Continued on page 35

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Practice sales in excess of $2,000,000,000 February/March 2016 • 33

SUCCESS

Continued from page 15 employee doesn’t support the practice’s goals, they can be fired and everyone goes their own way. If a spouse doesn’t support the practice’s goals, they can be fired but you’re going home together! In family businesses, separating personal and professional lives and adhering to healthy boundaries can be difficult under the best of situations, and even more difficult for spouses who work together. Strategies should be used to separate the two as much as possible and designate safe times and places to deal with problems and disagreements. It’s not appropriate to fight in front of the employees! You wouldn’t want your employees’ wives and husbands to show up in the reception room and start fighting, so don’t model that behavior yourself. Spouse Interactions with Employees Employees hear what you say and see how you behave. Communication is critical in any business and especially in small family businesses. While you may say one thing, if your behavior tells a different story, employees will believe what you do,

not what you say. Most complaints about spouses working in dental practices stem from the spouses’ interactions with the other employees. Negotiating roles, goals, boundaries, and then communicating these clearly to the other employees will reduce or eliminate a lot of those complaints. As the boss, the dentist must take the lead in this process, but everyone needs to participate. Conclusion Negotiating roles, goals, and boundaries with employees can be challenging enough. Negotiating roles, goals, and boundaries with a spouse working in the practice may require some outside help. Most of us need clarification ourselves when it comes to setting goals and boundaries. Add to the process negotiating through conflict with a spouse and it’s safer to have a referee! Don’t hesitate to seek help from a mediator, marriage and family therapist, business consultant or trusted attorney, accountant, or pastor. While a successful family business and dental practice are important, a successful family is even more important.

Wendy Cassidy is the spouse of GDA member dentist Dr. Jimmy Cassidy of Macon. She is retired as a family therapist and domestic mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and the Third Judicial District. She received her mediation training from the Settlement Institute and Atlanta Divorce Mediators, Inc. and maintained a membership with the Academy of Family Mediators.

Calling all authors! Do you have a letter to the editor, member commentary on a dental topic, dental award, charitable event, mission trip, staff milestone or anniversary, or other interesting dental news to share? Reach out to GDA Action! Email Delaine Hall at delaine@gadental.org.

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John Dryman 404-832-5000 John@dryman.com THE DRYMAN TEAM 750 HAMMOND DRIVE, SUITE 300, ATLANTA, GA 30328 34 • February/March 2016

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Continued from page 33

Property & Casualty Coverage: Our GDIS team sees to it that our property and casualty clients stay with us. Our retention rate is in the high 90 percent rangeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an astounding testament to what we offer. When you become a client you stay a client thanks to our excellent products and service. In February, a Hartford representative paid a personal visit to the GDA office to present Michele Amatulli with a bonus check recognizing our retention rate. That is revenue that goes back into the agency and allows us to continue to offer great products and services to you. Integrity Dental Buyers Group: The board of the GDA Integrity Dental Buyers Group recently met with senior management from Premier, our selected Group Purchasing Organization. IDBG Chair Dr. Jim Hall is pleased to announce that the first buy for products will take place by June 1. Dentists who are already committed to the IDBG program will begin to receive their participation fee invoices in March. For dentists who have already remitted a check or credit card, those will be processed by the end of March. Become a part of IDBG and start saving 30 to 60 percent on dental products you use every day. No matter how unique someone tells you the dental supply industry is, you can rest assured that the naysayers in other industries said the same thing about group buying and most of them who did not adapt are gone baby gone! Whether the GDA does this our way, or the way it is happening in other states and within DSOs, be absolutely certain, it will happen (and is happening) in dental, as it did in medical supply and almost every other industry and profession. Find out more at www.dentalbuyersgroup.com In closing, I want to thank you for your support and encourage you to call me at any time to discuss this report or any other question or idea you may have. Best regards,

Frank

Frank J. Capaldo Executive Director February/March 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ 35

GDACLASSIFIEDS DENTISTS AVAILABLE Dentist TLC part time fill in available: North Metro Atlanta and North. Sold solo practice of 31 years. Part-time fill in. Sold solo practice of 31 years. GA and DEA license, insured. Lots of TLC with patients. Please contact Dr. Pam at wdtroll1982@gmail.com or call (770) 653-8412. Life GDA, Hinman and Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry Member located in Sandy Springs needs a new place to part-time practice, brings 250 fee for service patients at this time. Flexible terms, would prefer to be an employee in practice. Insured. Interested parties please call William H. Brinkman DDS. FAGD at cell (404) 862-3795. Dentist available for long or short term temp fill in. I will fill in for illness, vacation, or CE. In practice for over 31 years. Recently sold private practice. Extensive solo, group, and government practice experience. Ga. License, DEA#, insured. General dentistry. I will treat your patients like my own! Call cell (678) 373-6286. pkwaters57@gmail.com. Paul Waters DDS. Dentist (Temp Fill In). Current GA, FL, AL licenses. Sold 22 year solo private practice. Also group and military practice experience. DEA# and insured. Email drglassdmd@yahoo.com or call cell (770) 656-5269 or (770) 380-7487. Need an experienced dentist to cover your office in case of personal emergency, CE courses, or just a well-deserved day off? I am licensed, insured and DEA registered. Examine hygiene patients, triage emergencies, and generally keep things running smoothly. Call Jay Auerbach at (404) 272-1069. Dentist will fill in for illness, vacation, or CE. Licensed, insured, DEA #. Call (404) 7860229 or email breighard@gmail.com. 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. Temporary Dental Office Coverage: Cover Your Hygiene Department and Emergencies. Licensed, Insured, DEA Registered. Call Dr. Norman Busch at (678) 406-0555.

36 â&#x20AC;˘ February/March 2016

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.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE North A-Dec LED post mount light Model 573L. 1 year old perfect condition $2500. A-Dec standard post mount light Model 6300. Arm end caps damaged, works. $200. Soredex Cranex 3+ standard PAN. Can be upgraded to digital. Works great $2500. Gendex, Acuray and Heliodent wall mounted xray units. Serviced and working fine. $500 each. Contact Matt Grill, mtgrilldds@gmail.com or (912) 598-8111. Can provide pictures. Planmeca PM2002EC Proline x-ray unit for sale with A/T2000 Auto Film Processor. Panoramic X-ray unit works great. We upgraded to digital and no longer need the unit. $900.00 Contact us at (678) 318-3353. Operatory cabinetry and related equipment. Three Adec cherry Central console Cabinets with matching 5580 Rear Treatment Cabinets, 545 Assistant Instrumentation, and a 5531 Side Cabinet. Two Planmeca X Rays with Sensors. Adec wall and cabinet mounts for monitors and lights. Ivoclar CS oven w/pump. Excellent condition. Email Alan Brown at abrown@oconeestatebank.com for pictures/prices.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Multi-Location Dental Group north of Atlanta seeks General Dentists for our pediatric and teen practices in Lilburn, Dacula, Marietta, and Gainesville, GA. We have both part-time and full-time opportunities available immediately! Whether you are a new grad or a seasoned professional, we are looking for goal-oriented and motivated team players with terrific communication skills and a positive attitude. Our benefits package and compensation are extremely generous and competitive, which include: up to a $20,000 Sign-On Bonus with Standard Contract, Referral-Bonus Program, Compensation Package, 401(k), Health & Dental Insurance, LTD, PTO, CE Course & Malpractice Reimbursement. How Is Our Company Different? Family Owned & Operated for

Over 30 Years, Mentorship and One-OnOne Training of Pediatric Dentistry by the Board Certified President & Owner, Ongoing Residency-Style Doctor Forums & Panels To Broaden Your Scope of Dentistry, Unparalleled Marketing & Branding Concepts Geared Towards Educating Thousands of Children Annually In Georgia, First In-House IV Sedation Facility in the State of Georgia with On-Site Anesthesiologists. If interested, please send your cover letter, CV, and references to HR@TeboDental.com. General Dentists Needed: We would like to offer you a unique opportunity to do the work you love without having to worry about the non-clinical aspects of running a practice. We take pride in knowing that our experienced team of professionals offer the highest standard of care by enriching the lives of our patients and the community. In addition to offering top compensation, we offer a very competitive benefits package. Current opportunities available at our Hiram, McDonough, Alpharetta, Covington, Acworth, and Atlanta locations. Please contact us at (717) 590-1500 or email your CV to christa.barnett@ blackforddental.com. Orthodontist Needed: Our state of the art multi-specialty practice is seeking an orthodontist to join our team. We are looking for an orthodontist with a great attitude, excellent communication skills and good work ethic. This is a part time position; however, the individual will be the primary orthodontist in our office. We offer a friendly and professional working environment and we have a experienced group auxiliary staff to work with. Days are flexible. Candidate must have invisalign experience and be comfortable working with patients of all ages. Interested persons should submit resume to: drnath@ kidshappyteeth.com. Bryant Family Dental is interested in an associate, GPR experience, to turn into a 50% owner in next 18 months with full transition in 5 years. Interested in like-minded, patient-oriented individual with aspirations of ownership. Base + bonus structure with transition planning beginning immediately. ADEC equipment, Digital Panorex Softdent Operating System. Building 12 years old. Over $12M collections with fantastic overhead. Call (803) 279-1880 or visit www. bryantfamilydental.com for details. No Brokers.

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, endodontics, reconstructive, family and cosmetic procedures. General practice residency a plus. Please send your CVs to: piedmontdentists@yahoo.com.

Need a dentist! Howard Family Dental is an established dental group consisting of 13 offices in the Coastal Georgia region. In order to continue offering compassionate care to our growing patient base, we are seeking an enthusiastic dentist to join our team! To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Nick Cease, (502) 254-8514, ncease@mfdc.net.

Part-Time Associate Dentist Needed: We have an outstanding part time opportunity for a general dentist in our successful, well-respected, quality-oriented private dental practice in the Metro Atlanta Area. We are seeking a special, motivated, enthusiastic, personable general dentist with some pediatric experience to join our practice. This opportunity can transition into a full time position with potential partnership opportunities for the right candidate. We offer excellent compensation and benefits. For additional information, please send CV to drnath@kidshappyteeth.com.

Simple Smiles is currently seeking a Full Time Associate Dentist in Atlanta, Georgia: We are looking for a patient centered motivated doctor to become part of our team. We operate a Family Practice focused on providing excellent patient care in a decentralized environment. Opportunity for ownership open for discussion. Full details given during the interview. We offer: The higher of a guaranteed daily rate or 32% of adjusted production. Business training. Annual CE allowance. Benefit package. Interested parties may contact simplesmilesdentistry@gmail.com.

New family dental practice in the Dacula area has opening for experienced, full-time general dentist to help grow the practice. We are seeking a personable, motivated individual to join our dedicated team. Our office is located in a beautiful, very well-appointed new facility in an established and growing area. Please email CV to wecreatesmiles1@gmail.com.

General Dentist Needed: We have a wonderful opportunity for a General Dentist to join our successful private practice in the Marietta/Acworth area. Prefer someone with a minimum of 1 year experience OR a GPR. Great working environment, high tech office, good systems in place, and a friendly and well trained team. High income potential for the right person. Please email your resume to: lakepointe@gmail.com.

Seeking Dentist to utilize teledentistry to provide clinical services to children in underserved rural areas. Are you a dentist with a passion for treating the underserved community? If so, you may be interested in our Dental Director position in our Teledentistry Program. We offer a benefits package, paid holidays, and annual/sick leave. For more information and to apply go to: www.sehdph. org. Click the blue JOBS button, then select SEDH Positions from the drop down menu. Fulton County expanding cosmetic and family practice seeking full time general dentist for well established 30 year practice with growing patient base. Our practice is renown for it’s crown and bridge so must have proven skills and interest in this area of dentistry however additionally be proficient in all other areas of general dentistry. CEREC knowledge a plus. Ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, outstanding work ethic and strive to provide the highest standards of dental care. Interested parties can apply by emailing CV to dr.mastro@mindspring.com, attention DIANE.

MOTIVATED DENTIST/ASSOCIATE — NEWNAN, GA. We are looking for an associate dentist to join our thriving practice in Newnan, GA as soon as possible. This is a GREAT opportunity for a motivated clinician. We have a great team and a steady flow of new patients in a non-corporate environment. Experience placing implants would be a plus but not necessary. Please check out our website: www. StiehlDental.com and send your resume to: DentalOffice10@yahoo.com. Successful, busy, and rapidly growing established private practice in Johns Creek seeking an easy going, personable and capable full time dentist. Our office has modern equipment and technology and we use Eaglesoft software. We provide comprehensive dental care including endo, ortho, implants and all restorative treatment which results in a very fast paced office. I am looking for someone who will work with us long term and become a part of our family. For more information, please email drgrady1@gmail.com.

NEWNAN, GA. We are looking for an associate dentist to join our thriving practice in Newnan, GA as soon as possible. This is a GREAT opportunity for a motivated clinician. We have a great team and a steady flow of new patients in a non-corporate environment. Experience placing implants would be a plus but not necessary. Please check out our website: www. StiehlDental.com and send your resume to: DentalOffice10@yahoo.com. Great Expressions Dental Centers has immediate openings for full-time Associate/ Lead Dentist(s) in: Savannah, GA (digital and high production setting); Douglasville,GA (established office) and in Marietta, GA (highly coveted area). Doctors can expect unlimited production based earnings, full benefits, CE, time-off, Invisalign training, malpractice coverage, stable patient base, and long-term practice career growth with possible investment opportunity. Aggressive sign-on bonus or relocation assistance possible as well! Please reach out to Ross Shoemaker @ (678) 836-2226 or ross.shoemaker@greatexpressions to learn more!

SPACE AVAILABLE PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE FOR SALE in SW GEORGIA. Terrific pediatric practice for sale in Southwest GA! $1 million in revenue, all FFS. 6 ops, 3,500 Sq Ft stand-alone building in a great suburban area. Experienced, energetic staff. Real estate is for sale as well. Contact us at (678) 482-7305 or info@ southeasttransitions.com. Listing ID #GA-1085. www.southeasttransitions.com. Dental Practice for Sale in Gwinnett County. #GA-1088. Well-established family practice with 2 locations collecting over $1 million annually. All FFS with strong hygiene department. Huge growth potential! Many procedures referred out. Please call (678) 482-7305 or email info@southeasttransitions. com using listing ID #GA-1088 for more information. www.southeasttransitions.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

Continued on page 38

February/March 2016 • 37

CLASSIFIEDS

Continued from page 37 DENTAL PRACTICE FOR SALE in DULUTH, GEORGIA. Fabulous 6 operatories (4 equipped) dental practice for sale in great location in Duluth, GA. All new equipment, Adec chairs, and delivery systems. Digital pan and X-Rays. All PPO and FFS. Doctor is selling to pursue other interests. Collecting $500K. Great practice, wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last long. Contact (678) 482-7305 or info@southeasttransitions.com for details. Listing ID #GA-1084. Visit www. southeasttransitions.com. BUCKHEAD: Rare opportunity in desirable Buckhead with 2015 revenues of $647K. Boutique practice with 6 operatories, freestanding building. Well established practice of over 30 years. All fee-for-service patient base (no PPOs). Loyal staff of 15 years+. New South Dental Transitions, www.newsouthdental.com. Call or text (770) 630-0436. PEDIATRIC PRACTICE FOR SALE EAST CENTRAL GEORGIA: #GA1091. All FFS, pediatric practice collecting $1M plus in

a stunning facility, with a strong hygiene department and superb staff. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass you by. Current preference is to sell to an individual buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not a DSO. Please call (678) 482-7305 or email info@southeasttransitions.com for more details using Listing ID #GA-1091. Visit www. southeasttransitions.com Dental Practice for Sale in Central GA: #GA1092. Well established, highly profitable FFS dental practice for sale in Central GA. Excellent cash flow and low overhead. Gross collections $600,000 and production $600K/ year for the past 4 years, working only 3 days/ week. Perfect opportunity for start-up or satellite office. Many procedures currently referred out; ample opportunity to increase gross collections. Building available for sale or lease. Contact us at (678) 482-7305 or info@southeasttransitions.com for details using Listing ID GA1092. Visit us at www. southeasttransitions.com.

Dental Practice for Sale in Atlanta Suburb. Terrific partnership opportunity in a growing suburb of south Atlanta. Well established family practice, refers out all specialty procedures, all FFS w/high revenue from hygiene. Collecting $2 million annually. 8 ops, long term staff members to stay. Projected ownership income of $350,000 after debt service. Once in a lifetime opportunity. Must provide a financial pre-qualification letter. Contact us at info@ southeasttransitions.com or (678) 482-7305. Listing ID GA1097. Visit us online at www. southeasttransitions.com Dental Practice for Sale in Conyers, GA. Well established family practice, chartless/ digital, 5 ops, existing staff to stay on. Practice collecting an average of $500,000 with strong hygiene revenue. Please call (678) 482-7305 or email info@southeasttransitions.com for details using listing ID #GA1093. Visit us online at www.southeasttransitions.com.

Health. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what matters most. Ana Casas M.D. offers the most advanced, cutting edge programs for: * Women * Men * Couples She uses the latest advances in: t OVUSJUJPO t TVQQMFNFOUBUJPO t FYFSDJTF t CJP JEFOUJDBM IPSNPOFT UP IFMQ IFS QBUJFOUT MPPL BOE GFFM ZFBST ZPVOHFS Ana Casas M.D., Board Certified, "OUJ "HJOH BOE 3FHFOFSBUJWF .FEJDJOF

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FEB/MARCHADS AFTCO Transition Consultants........................... 33 Atlanta Age Management Medicine................. 38 Bank of America.......................................................8 Center for TMJ Therapy....................................... 14 Craniofacial Pain Center of Georgia.................. 12 Dental Management Advisors........................... 35 Department of Community Health................... 11 DMA Cares.............................................................. 39 Dr. Mark Padolsky—TMD Dentist...................... 39 GDA Dental Recovery Network.......................... 14 Georgia Dental Insurance Services................... 40 Georgia Dental Law.............................................. 35 Henry Schein Practice Transitions..................... 32 Hospital Dentistry—Dr. Kurtzman.................... 12 iMedicor....................................................................6 Oberman Law Firm..................................................2 Paragon Practice Transitions.............................. 14 Southeast Transitions.......................................... 29 The Dryman Team................................................ 34

April is National Facial Protection Month. Practice Promotion Ideas! 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. Approximately 2 percent of all children or teens who participate in sports eventually will suffer a facial injury severe enough to require medical attention. Plan for This Promotion: 1) Visit the GDA website www.gadental.org. 2) Click the green “GDA Services” navigation button. 3) Click “Practice Promotions” in the drop down menu. 4) Review the information and download materials. February/March 2016 • 39

Journal of the Georgia Dental Association 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 200, Building 17, Atlanta, GA 30328

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: GDA Executive Director Semi-Annual Report 2016 GDA Convention & Expo Handbook GDA Medicare Opt In/Out Decision Guide Working with Your Spouse? How to Succeed Disability Coverage: Choosing a Policy

Get Covered Before Water Comes to Your Door Georgia Dental Insurance Services (GDIS) offers comprehensive flood coverage through The Hartford. With our flood policy, you can protect against damage to any building, its contents, or both. Don’t wait until water is at your door. If you haven’t done so already, consider a flood insurance policy from The Hartford to protect your valuables and property. Contact your Hartford agent at GDIS, a wholly owned GDA subsidiary at (404) 636-7553 or (800) 432-4357 for a flood insurance quote.

40 • February/March 2016