February 2013 GDA Action

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ACT ION

THE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

FEBRUARY 2013

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VOLUME 32, NUMBER 2 • FEBRUARY 2013

ACTION

on the cover

ACT ION

THE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

GDA ACTION (ISSN 0273-5989) The official publication of the Georgia Dental Association (GDA) is published monthly.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GDA Action at 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N.E., Suite 200, Building 17, Atlanta, GA 30328. Phone numbers in state are (404) 636-7553 and (800) 432-4357. www.gadental.org.

Closing date for copy: first of the month preceding publication month. Subscriptions: $17 of membership dues is for the newsletter; all others, $75 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA. Dr. David Bradberry GDA Editor 1070 Woodlawn Dr NE Suite 250 Marietta, GA 30068

Delaine Hall GDA Managing Editor 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE Suite 200, Building 17 Atlanta, GA 30328

2012-13 Georgia Dental Association Officers Sidney R. Tourial, DDS, President Marshall H. Mann, DDS, President Elect Douglas B. Torbush, DDS, Vice President James B. Hall III, DDS, Secretary / Treasurer R. David Bradberry, DMD, Editor

GDA/GDIS Executive Office Staff Members Martha S. Phillips, Executive Director Nelda Greene, MBA, Associate Executive Director Delaine Hall, Director of Communications Skip Jones, Director of Marketing (GDIS) Courtney Layfield, Director of Member Services Victoria LeMaire, Medical Accounts Manager Judy Lively, Administrative Assistant (PT) Melana Kopman McClatchey, General Counsel Denis Mucha, Director of Operations (GDIS) Margo Null, Property and Casualty Accounts Manager Meg Robinson, Director of Governmental Affairs Patrice Williams, Administrative Assistant Phyllis Willich, Administrative Assistant Pamela Yungk, Director of Membership & Finance

FEBRUARY 2013

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010, and since that time many elements of the legislation have been implemented. You may not know that broad and far-reaching changes will be made when the ACA is fully implemented.

More “little known regulations” are becoming a part of our lives. Read about the implications for dentists as oral health care providers, small business owners, and consumers of health care on page 18.

other features

sections

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Dentists Make Big Decisions During House of Delegates

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Parting Shots

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Editorial

New Web Site Offers Improved Functionality, Sleek Design

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News and Views

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Calendar of Events

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Classifieds

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Make GDA Annual Meeting Room Reservations for July

GDA Action seeks to be an issues-driven journal focusing on current matters affecting Georgia dentists, patients, and their treatment, accomplished through disseminating information and providing a forum for member commentary. © Copyright 2013 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 Association expressly reserves the right to refuse publication of any article, photograph, or advertisement.

Member Publication American Association of Dental Editors

index of advertisers Note: Publication of an advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement or approval by the GDA or any of its subsidiaries, committees, or task forces of the product or service offered in the AFTCO Transition Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Atlanta Dental Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Center for TMJ Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Craniofacial Pain Center of Georgia . . . . . . . . .8 Dental Care Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Fidelity Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Full Spectrum Seminars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

advertisement unless the advertisement specifically includes an authorized statement that such approval or endorsement has been granted.

GDA Dental Recovery Network . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Georgia Dental Insurance Services . . . . . . . . .32 Georgia Mission of Mercy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Great Expressions Dental Centers . . . . . . . . . .16 Hospital Dentistry—Dr. Kurtzman . . . . . . . . . . .9 Law Office of Justin Pawluk PC . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Law Office of Stuart J. Oberman . . . . . . . . . . .21

Miri Trading, LLC (Polaroid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 National Practice Transitions, LLC . . . . . . . . . .31 Dr. Mark Padolsky—TMD Dentist . . . . . . . . . .21 Paragon Dental Practice Transitions . . . . . . . .26 Professional Practice Management . . . . . . . . .25 Southeast Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 UBS Financial Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

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editorial perspective The Affordable Care Act: Is it Affordable for All?

R. David Bradberry, DMD

Ah, the Affordable Care Act—to give the legislation its proper name, “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.” Doesn’t that name inspire you to dream of a utopia where there is all care for all people at all times?

What is in a name anyway? The affordable in affordable care must be readily apparent. And we must be protecting patients from something significant. Let’s take a closer look and see if the legislation lives up to its name.

The law was intended to provide health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured persons. To provide coverage to millions of individuals requires billions of dollars. Where will that money come from? From us, for starters.

You and me. Health care professionals.

You may have noticed recent media coverage about a “medical device tax.” We await specific regulations from the Internal Revenue Service, which is presumably still raking through the ACA’s 2,000+ pages to plot out the full implications, but basically many appliances you prescribe in your practice will have an additional 2.35% tax applied to them somewhere from construction to delivery. The current thinking is that dental laboratories and supply houses will have to deal directly with the tax, not us. Except your cost will likely go up for those appliances, and the cost to your patients may increase as well.

The excise tax is only the top of the heap.

Did you know that starting this year the ACA caps the amount that can be contributed into a Flexible Spending Account for health care expenditures to $2,500 per year? Individuals typically use their FSAs to purchase items that qualify as medical expenses such as medications, glasses, and dental devices. So we have the potential to pay higher prices for dental devices and then have the joy of prescribing them for patients who have less money to pay for them.

We will also see an increase in Medicare taxes this year. For families who make more than $250,000 per year (or individuals who make more than $200,000), the tax will increase from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent. And there is

one other Medicare tax increase—a 3.8% tap on high income earners (defined as Adjusted Gross Income over $200,000; $250,000 for families) on all unearned income such as interest income, dividends, rents, and royalties.

Those are just a few of the “revenue generating” provisions in this “affordable care act.” Now let me get back to the “protecting patient” part.

The ACA mandates that states set up and run health insurance exchanges by October 2013.

States that don’t set up an exchange (Georgia has so far declined to do so) will have an exchange set up for them by the federal government. Every person, with some exceptions, will be required to obtain insurance coverage through either their employer or a state health exchange or pay a fine.

Georgia is far from alone in declining to set up an exchange by the way. As of January, 18 states and the District of Columbia had received conditional approval from the feds for their exchange. Seven states are planning to pursue a state / federal exchange partnership.

The other states—that’s 25—will default to the federally facilitated exchange. Do you think the feds are fiscally and administratively ready to shoulder that sort of burden?

Who wants to bet me some of the money we will save in the affordable end of this legislation that the exchanges will be required to meet minimum numbers of provider levels and also meet “performance quality measures?” Do you want your reimbursements and procedures to be defined by a committee comprised of non-dentists?

(That is, once the federal government decides what sort of dental coverage the exchanges must offer, if any, and to whom.) If you restore too many teeth with alloys or composites ultimately become crowns, and some non-dentist decides your rate of conversion is “too high,” then performance quality measures may dictate that you should be reimbursed less.

EDITORIAL Continued on page 26 GDA ACTION FEBRUARY 2013

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general news LEGISLATIVE Gold Dome Emails Are you receiving the legislative emails that the GDA sends regularly during the session? If you are not, you are missing out on the inside information that only those GDA leaders involved on a day-to-day basis at the State Capitol can provide.

Don’t miss your chance to get information you cannot receive anywhere else! Submit your email address to hall@gadental.org with the subject line “Legislative Email.”

Joining Rep. Lee Hawkins and Rep. Trey Kelley on the speakers’ podium in the House of Representatives are (l to r) Drs. Mike Vernon, Donnie Brown, Sarabess Baumrind, Jack Bickford, Sidney Tourial, Doug Torbush, and Richard Weinman.

DENTAL KITS Volunteers The state legislature “opened for business” on January 14, a date also proclaimed as Dental Health Day by Governor Nathan Deal. In honor of this day, GDA and Alliance volunteers and GDA staff members distributed dental kits to each legislator and legislative staffer at the Capitol. All the kit volunteers then gathered on the Capitol steps for a photo with newly-elected State Representative Lee Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins is a GDA Past President. Kudos to everyone who visited the Capitol to help hand out kits and participate in this timehonored tradition: GDA and Alliance Members Dr. Sarabess Baumrind Dr. Jack Bickford Mrs. Molly Bickford Dr. Janine Bethea Dr. Donnie Brown Mrs. Fran Brown Mrs. Cindy Jernigan Mrs. Janelle Kauffman Dr. Robin Reich Mr. Stephen Reich Dr. Richard Sugarman Dr. Doug Torbush Mrs. Debbie Torbush Dr. Sidney Tourial Mrs. Susan Tourial Dr. Mike Vernon Dr. Richard Weinman

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The session had yet to start on January 14, but GDA Executive Director Martha Phillips (r) was hard at work talking to legislators while coordinating the dental kit distribution.

GDA President Dr. Sidney Tourial joins Representative Dr. Lee Hawkins and the 2013 dental kit volunteers on the Capitol steps on January 14.

Volunteers distributed 950 dental kits to legislators and legislative staff.

These kits are highly sought after and are a great way for the GDA to promote our oral health message with state decision makers.

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GDA Staff Members Martha Phillips Nelda Greene Delaine Hall Skip Jones Courtney Layfield Melana McClatchey Meg Robinson Pam Yungk

2013 CLASS Leadership GDA The Leadership GDA Class of 2013 has been selected! Kudos to: Dr. Henry Benson Jr. (Northern) Dr. Benjamin Blackburn III (Northern) Dr. William Campbell Jr. (Western) Dr. Gregory Clepper (Eastern) Dr. John Crumpton (Eastern) Dr. Cameron Garvin (Central) Dr. James Granade III (Northern) Dr. Erica Greene (Southwestern) Dr. Janet Kearns (Northern) Dr. Linda King Kohl (Northern) Dr. Alex Patrick (Northwestern) Dr. Yadira Cardona-Rohena (Northern) Dr. Aaron Schwartz (Northwestern) Dr. Mark Zwickey (Western)

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The doctors selected for Leadership GDA were invited to share a dinner in January with the GDA Holding Company, Georgia Dental Insurance Services, and Georgia Dental Health Foundation boards; attend the January 12 Board of Trustees meeting; and attend the January 13 House of Delegates.

The Leadership GDA participants have also been invited to the February 13 LAW Day. President Mike Vernon established Leadership GDA in 2011 as a way to help dentists learn more about the workings of the GDA and be prepared to guide others who want to become involved. The program is meant to identify dentists who seek to be in leadership positions and give them the opportunity to grow and have their questions answered.

Dr. Mac Whitesides is the new chairman of the Leadership GDA program, and he looks forward to shepherding this class to new heights of involvement.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bruce Camp, chair of the Leadership GDA program during its first year, congratulates LG alumni Dr. Evis Babo, who was voted in January 2013 as a member of the ADA Delegation; Dr. Cara DeLeon, who was part of the task force that helped create the new GDA web site; Dr. Mac Whitesides, who now chairs Leadership GDA; Dr. Ryan Vaughn, who as part of the Council on Dental Health

is spearheading a Northern District Give Kids A Smile Day event; and the other alumni who are busy making a difference!

ADPAC Board Meeting The board of the American Dental Association Political Action Committee (ADPAC) met in January at the GDA office in Atlanta. President Dr. Sidney Tourial and Executive Director Martha Phillips welcomed the group to the Association offices the morning of Friday, January 25.

ADPAC co-chair Dr. Gordon Isbell of Alabama opened the meeting by complimenting the GDA on the outstanding legislative advocacy efforts that members make during the year. He noted that the GDA was not only a leader in making financial PAC donations, but in taking the lead on issues important to dentistry.

The ADPAC board first met outside of Washington, DC, in 2012, when the group convened in California. The board selected Atlanta as a meeting city in part as a nod to the success the GDA has had in terms of dental advocacy.

NEWS Continued on page 8

(L to r) Members of the Leadership GDA Class of 2013 attending the House of Delegates in January included Drs. Janet Kearns, Cameron Garvin, Benjamin Blackburn, Gregory Clepper, Yadira Cardona-Rohena, Linda King Kohl, Alex Patrick, James Granade, Aaron Schwartz, and Henry Benson. Leadership GDA Program Chair Dr. Mac Whitesides is third from right.

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NEWS Continued from page 7

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Through the financial contributions of member dentists, ADPAC works to elect congressional candidates who understand the importance of dentistry and the link between oral health and overall health.

Regardless of party affiliation, ADPAC supports candidates who will be strong advocates for dentists and the patients they serve. You may read more about ADPAC at www.ada.org.

DENTISTS In Memoriam The GDA extends sympathy to the family and colleagues of the following individuals.

American Dental Association Political Action Committee board co-chairs Dr. Loren Feldner (l) and Dr. Gordon Isbell (r) with GDA President Dr. Sidney Tourial on the opening morning of the three-day ADPAC board meeting held in January. The board selected Atlanta as a meeting city in part as a nod to the success the GDA has had in terms of dental advocacy.

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Richard A. Dooley II, DDS, who died January 13, 2013, at the age of 84. Dr. Dooley was a member of the GDA through the Southeastern District. He was a 1956 University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry graduate and a general dentist. He was an American Dental Association Life Member and Honorable Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association.

Allen Hy Rosenthal, DDS, who died December 10, 2012, at the age of 66. Dr. Rosenthal was a member of the GDA through the Northern District. He was a 1971 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a pediatric dentist.

John Robert Smith, DDS, who died November 24, 2012, at the age of 76. Dr. Smith was a member of the GDA through the Western District. He was a 1960 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a general dentist. He was an American Dental Association Life Member and Honorable Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association.

Carl L. Wilhelm, DDS, who died December 28, 2012, at the age of 91. Dr. Wilhelm was a member of the GDA through the Central District. He was a 1944 Marquette University School of Dentistry graduate and a general dentist.

He was an American Dental Association Life Member.

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Lafayette W. Williams Jr., DDS, who died January 12, 2013, at the age of 76. Dr. Williams was a member of the GDA through the Western District. He was a 1968 Meharry Medical College graduate and a general dentist.

Jim Bob Williamson, DMD, who died January 9, 2013, at the age of 67. Dr. Williamson was a member of the GDA through the Northern District. He was a 1970 University of Alabama School of Dentistry graduate and a general dentist.

He was an American Dental Association Life Member and Honorable Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association.

NEWS Continued on page 10

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Upcoming GDA / Dental Events MARCH 2013

APRIL 2013

Fri, Mar 1: Dental Laboratory / Specialty Group Liaison Meetings, GDA Office.

Fri-Sat, Apr 5-6: ADA Conference on Recruitment & Retention, Chicago.

Tues, Mar 5: Northern District Executive Committee Meeting, GDA Office.

Wed, Mar 6: LAW Day, Northern District (Eastern / Central Branches).

Wed-Sat, Mar 6-9: American Student Dental Association Annual Session, Atlanta.

Wed, Mar 12: LAW Day, Northwestern District.

Wed, Mar 20: LAW Day, Central District.

Thur-Sat, Mar 21-23: Hinman Dental Society Meeting, Atlanta.

Wed, Mar 27: LAW Day, Eastern District.

Fri, Mar 29: GDA Office Closed Half Day for Good Friday.

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Sat, Apr 6: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, GDA Office.

Wed, Apr 17: Northern District CE, Villa Christina, Atlanta.

Fri-Sat, Apr 19-20: GDA Presidents-Elect Conference.

Wed, Apr 24: Transition Day for Seniors, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta.

MAY 2013 Fri, May 3: GDA Officer Visit to Southeastern District Membership Meeting, Savannah.

Mon, May 6: Northern District Executive Committee Meeting, GDA Office.

Thu, May 9: Central District Executive Council Meeting, Macon.

Mon-Wed, May 13-15: ADA Washington Leadership Conference, DC. Sat, May 18: Special Smiles Dental Screenings, Emory Campus.

Mon, May 27: GDA Office Closed for Memorial Day Holiday.

Fri, May 31: GDA Finance Committee Meeting, GDA Office.

JUNE 2013 Thurs-Sun, June 13-16: Georgia Mission of Mercy, North Atlanta Trade Center, Norcross.

Fri, June 21: LEAP Ethics Course, GDA Office.

Sat, June 22: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, GDA Office.

Sat, June 22: Emile T. Fisher Foundation for Dental Education Board Meeting, GDA Office.

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Dentists Make Big Decisions During Winter House of Delegates Weekend More than 130 delegates, alternate delegates, and guests took part in the GDA House of Delegates on Sunday, January 13, in Atlanta. Thanks to these volunteers who attended district caucus meetings starting at 7 a.m. and then took part in the House of Delegates.

Among the topics discussed were the recent Georgia dental workforce census and study; state officer, ADA Delegation, and Board of Trustees candidates; the Georgia Mission of Mercy; new GDA Honorable Fellows; and the 2013 state legislative session. Guest speakers included Board of Dentistry President Dr. Barry Stacey, College of Dental Medicine Dean Dr. Connie Drisko, and Emile T. Fisher Foundation for Dental Education President Mr. Dale Crail.

This article touches on some of the key events of the House of Delegates meeting.

Full minutes of the meeting are posted on the GDA web site www.gadental.org for review (member log in is required).

President Tourial Offers State of the GDA Address President Dr. Sidney Tourial opened the meeting by highlighting GDA activities over the past six months. He noted that the recent census conducted of the state’s dental workforce revealed that Georgia’s supply of dentists was sufficient to meet current dental demand.

Dr. Tourial stated that the GDA fully intended to use the census to direct continued efforts to educate all Georgians on the importance of oral health care and help ensure that dentists and their teams are available to provide that care.

Dr. Tourial welcomed Meg Robinson, the new GDA Director of Governmental Affairs. She will work with Executive Director Martha Phillips during the state legislative session and with General Counsel Melana McClatchey as a staff attorney when the session is completed.

He also encouraged dentists to volunteer as Contact Dentists and to attend a GDA LAW Day, and noted the importance and value of GDA advocacy efforts with legislators.

Dr. Tourial stated the dates and location for the 2013 Georgia Mission of Mercy, June 13-16 at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Gwinnett County, and encouraged dentists to visit www.georgiamissionofmercy.org to volunteer to provide care. Volunteer registration opened February 1. The GMOM event in 2011 benefitted from the volunteer services of 346 dentists, and that many dentists and more will be needed to provide care in 2013.

Executive Director Phillips Talks Advocacy Executive Director Martha Phillips discussed issues related to GDA legislative activity and advocacy, and noted trends in the areas of corporate dentistry, GDA membership, dentistry as a business, taxes, Georgia economic growth, and mid-level providers. She congratulated Dr. Donna Thomas Moses on her appointment to the Department of Community Health Board and Dr. Randy Daniel on his appointment to the state Commission on Mandated Benefits.

(DCH oversees the state Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids plans, as well as the State Health Benefit Plan. The Commission will advise the governor and legislature on the social and financial impact of current and proposed state mandated insurance benefits.)

Mrs. Phillips discussed that dental Medicaid provider fee cuts might be introduced during the legislative session if the so-called “hospital bed tax” was not renewed, and encouraged dentists to attend a LAW Day to speak out for the dental Medicaid program. She also touched on the other legislative goals for the GDA in 2013: creation of an autonomous Board of Dentistry, and establishment of tax credits for dentists who set up practice in underserved areas of the state.

GDA Honorable Fellows Elected Dr. Marvin Winter, chairman of the Awards Committee introduced a slate of candidates for GDA Honorable Fellowship for House of Delegates

consideration. The candidates were unanimously approved. Congratulations to the Class of 2013 Fellows who will be formally recognized during the Annual Meeting this summer: Donald F. Brown, DDS (Northern) Jay A. Harris, DMD (Western) A. Stuart Loos, DDS (Northwestern) Jay McCaslin VI, DMD (Southeastern) John H. Muse, DDS (Northern) Erik H. Wells, DMD (Eastern) Michael M. Wright, DDS (Central)

HOUSE OF DELEGATES Continued on page 12

Georgia Dental Association Political Action Committee Chairman Dr. Richard Weinman with Dr. Deena Smith. GADPAC held a prize drawing from the names of all current PAC donors at the meeting and awarded $50 cash to Dr. Smith and Dr. Victor van Greuningen.

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HOUSE OF DELEGATES Continued from page 11

GDA Community Service Honorees Elected Dr. Marvin Winter also introduced two candidates for the GDA Community Service Award. The candidates were unanimously approved. Congratulations to these individuals who will be recognized for their significant charitable activities.

Richard G. Bennett, DMD (Northern) Nominated for his extensive work with the Good News Clinics / Green Warren Dental Clinic.

John D. Peacock, DDS (Northwestern) Nominated for his work with Woodstock First Baptist Church’s “LoveLoud” health care mission projects, Georgia Baptist Mobile Health Ministry, and numerous overseas mission trips.

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Members of the Northern District delegation seated at the House of Delegates.

Dentists Elected to Various Offices GDA Vice President: The Nominating Committee presented the name of Dr. Greg Goggans (Southwestern) for information only for the position of Vice President. A formal vote for the office of vice president will be held at the GDA

Business Meeting on July 26, 2013, in Hilton Head, South Carolina during the Annual Meeting.

ADA Delegation: The House elected Dr. Jack Bickford (Northwestern) to the position of At-Large Delegate; Dr. Kara Moore (Central) to a second term as a Delegate; Dr. Donna Thomas Moses (Northwestern) to a second term as a

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Delegate; Dr. Jonathan Dubin (Northern) to a second term as an Alternate Delegate; and Dr. Ben Jernigan (Northern) as Alternate Delegate filling the unexpired term of Dr. Tom Field. The House also elected Dr. Evis Babo (Northern) to the position of Alternate Delegate filling the unexpired term of Dr. Doug Torbush who has moved into a GDA Officer Position as Vice President. Dr. Julie Ann Routhier (Southeastern) was elected as a Delegate.

Drs. Jernigan, Babo, and Routhier are new to the Delegation. Kudos to all new and returning delegation members.

Board of Trustees: House members reelected Dr. Robin Reich to the position of Northwestern District Trustee and elected Dr. Jim Lopez as the Trustee for the Western District. Each doctor will serve a three-year term as Trustee.

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Joining Dean Connie Drisko and Associate Dean Carole Hanes are College of Dental Medicine students (l to r, back row) Jason Strever, Ray Wallace, John Ensley, Patrick Barnes, and Ray Cornay and (l to r, front row) Molly Hawkins, Stephanie Silva, Bridget Lyons, Alena Reich, India Lamothe, and Amir Lamei. These students were recognized at the House as recipients of scholarships from the Emile T. Fisher Foundation for Dental Education in Georgia. The scholarships are funded from GDA dentist donations.

Dean Drisko Addresses House for Final Time Dr. Connie Drisko, Dean of the College of Dental Medicine at Georgia Regents University, addressed the House for the final time in her role as dean. Dr. Drisko will step down as dean in June 2013 after 10 years in that role, although she will remain on the dental faculty at the school.

She distributed a flyer informing House members about the January 2013 change of the university’s name from Georgia Health Sciences University to Georgia Regents University.

Dr. Erik Wells, Dr. Annette Rainge, and Dr. Jim Reynierson of Eastern District listen during a House of Delegates presentation.

More than 100 dentists participated in district caucus meetings and the House of Delegates on January 13.

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New GDA Web Site Offers Improved Functionality, Sleek Design The GDA launched a newly revamped web site at www.gadental.org in January.

The brainchild of the Public Relations Committee’s Web Site Subcommittee, the site features streamlined navigation, an enhanced find a GDA dentist search function, and an eye-catching home page.

“We wanted to simplify the site, and make it one that would entice members and consumers to stay,” said Dr. Erik Wells, co-chair of the Subcommittee and Information Technology Liaison to the Public Relations Committee. “Our subcommittee researched and visited the web sites of every other state dental society, and many national dental organizations, and arrived at a wish list of functions that we wanted to see in our site.”

The Home Page: Splashy and Functional The home page’s main attraction is the rotating news header. Four large images, each linked to a pertinent page, rotate on the home page automatically, or may be advanced manually by a site visitor who presses the arrow located on the header’s far right. The images, which currently relate to health care reform, dental Medicaid, the Georgia Mission of Mercy, and LAW Day, will be changed regularly to reflect important issues.

“Having a header that was instantly attractive and served as a way to bring people into the site was on our wish list after visiting so many sites,” said Dr. Wells. “We are very happy with how Officite, the vendor we chose for the re-design, created this part of the site.”

The home page also pulls the top stories from the GDA news blog and posts them, keeping members up to date on GDA activities and events. Links are included in the posts to either take members to the full blog, or to relevant pages on the site. Green buttons across the top of the page, and all internal pages, feature drop down menus when “rolled over” by a mouse or clicked that allow dentists and consumers to find information they need inside the site. A search field at the top of the page allows visitors to type in key words to also easily locate information they need.

“We want visitors to especially note the doctor who is pictured on the Join GDA graphic on the right side of the page,” said Dr. Wells. “The Public Relations Committee decided to feature members of the Leadership GDA Class of 2013 on the graphic. We started with Dr. Janet Kearns, and will add photos of other participants as the year goes on.”

Find a Dentist Search Function The ability to find a GDA member dentist was a much-valued service on the previous GDA site, prized by consumers and dentists. So, the Subcommittee sought to add that functionality to the new site, but make searching easier and more informative.

“The search function on the new site allows visitors to find a dentist using a street address or a partial street address, city, zip code, name, or specialty,” said Dr. Wells. “The search results revealed to a consumer, or anyone on the site who is not logged in as a member, will only show the name, office address, office phone number, office fax number, and web site of dentists in active practice. Once a dentist is logged in as a member, then the search results expand to list more lengthy contact information on all dentists. This is a good way to provide appropriate information about dentists seeking patients to consumers, and more detailed information for colleagues who are seeking out colleagues.”

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One thing to note about the search function: the search button at the end of the form does not become active until the disclaimer box is checked. After the box is checked, visitors may press the button and begin a search.

“On the previous site, once the find a dentist link was selected, the disclaimer appeared on a page of its own,” said Dr. Wells. “The user had to scroll to the bottom of the page, and click another button to find the search form. With this design, we still encourage access to the disclaimer, but make the process more streamlined.”

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Navigation: About GDA The About GDA navigation button at the top left side of the GDA site contains links to various parts of the web site. The About GDA Dentists link contains information about dental education, and why dentists may choose to join the GDA. The advertising and exhibits link is for businesses and organizations seeking information about advertising in the GDA journal or exhibiting at the GDA Annual Meeting.

The Allied Organizations link talks about the GDA Alliance, CORPS Program, Fisher Dental Education Foundation,

Georgia Dental Insurance Services, and the GDA Foundation for Oral Health. A brief look at the association’s formation may be found at the Association History link, and a full listing of GDA staff members and emails may be found at Contact GDA. The Media Relations link encourages news outlets to contact the GDA for dental spokespersons. The Mission and Vision page relays the association’s current

WEB SITE Continued on page 16

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WEB SITE Continued from page 15

mission and vision statements. The Member Benefits page is a great page to share with non-member dentists, as it lists several key tangible and intangible benefits GDA members enjoy.

Navigation: For Members The For Members green navigation button contains links to information of interest for current members. Typically, members would be prompted to log-in to access the information, which includes links to ADA news, a GDA event calendar, current association initiatives (such as monitoring health care reform), listings and contact information for GDA committees and leadership, Board of Trustees and House of Delegates minutes, the legislative advocacy center, answers to the most-frequently-asked legal questions dentists have, regulatory updates, and how to access help with third party issues. There is also a link where dentists may access a digital archive of the GDA Action journal.

To log into the GDA site, dentists should initially enter their nine-digit ADA number into the user name field, and mbrgda (entered in lower case) into the password field. After logging in, dentists may click the “Change Password” link located in the dark blue bar at the very top right side of the page to change their password. Dentists who choose to change their passwords, but then forget how they changed them, may utilize the “Forget Password?” link that may be found on the green member log-in graphic. Please note that while the system will send your password information to the email address you have on file with the GDA, your particular system may see the password email as spam. Please check your spam folder for the email, which should be delivered within minutes of your request.

Dentists should also note there is a “Logout” link located at the top right of the page should you be on a computer where you need to protect the member information on the screen, or remove the extended search results.

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Navigation: GDA Services The GDA Services navigation button links site visitors to GDA information available to dentists, dental team members, and the wider community. Such information includes details about the GDA Annual Meeting, continuing education requirements and course listings, the Dental Recovery Network, GDA endorsed service providers, the GDA Expanded Duties training program for dental assistants, Georgia Dental Insurance Services, the GDA / ASDA mentor program, and the GDA Peer Review process, as well as listings of GDA classified advertisements, and links to practice management and staff development resources. Some links may require dentists to log in; others are open for all visitors to view.

Navigation: Districts Each of the seven GDA districts has a dedicated page on the new site. Currently, the district pages list district officers, district representatives on state committees, and links to publications such as district newsletters. The Public Relations

Committee will work with the districts to add customized content to each district page.

Navigation: For Patients Consumers are the target for this navigation button. Here, Georgians can find information about how to find a dental home, details on careers in dentistry (including links to all state dental hygiene and dental assisting programs), links to state and national dental organizations, answers to frequently asked questions on dental benefits, and answers to other consumeroriented questions (for example, why won’t my dentist just give me my dental records?) Consumers will also find a link to the GDA Find a Dentist search page.

Navigation: GDA Cares Dentists are giving professionals. From providing donated care within their offices, to volunteering in great numbers for Give Kids a Smile Day projects and the Georgia Mission of Mercy, Georgia dentists provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in volunteer care annually. The links under the GDA Cares navigation button

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highlight the charitable activities Georgia dentists are involved with, and informs GDA dentists who want to become involved about pathways they can take.

Look under this button for a listing of state charitable clinics, information about Dental Health Month and Give Kids a Smile Day, information about the Free School Screening program, a link to the Georgia Mission of Mercy web site, details about the GDA nursing home education program, guidance on how to take part in Special Olympics, Special Smiles dental screenings, and profiles about dental volunteers.

Online Payments: Improved Forms As with the old site, the new site allows dentists to securely renew their membership dues, and register for the GDA Annual Meeting, online with a Visa or MasterCard. The GDA is utilizing a new service that creates forms that are much easier for dentists to use. The flexibility of the forms service will allow the creation of forms for each type of renewing dentist, from full active paying member to new graduate, and allow easier access to information by GDA staff.

Members, Go Visit www.gadental.org!

“We anticipate that dentist, dental team, and consumer use of the new web site will grow as users see that the site can easily provide them with information they need,” said Dr. Wells. “We have big plans to grow the information available on the site as we work with other GDA committees and subsidiaries to find out what they want to publicize. This site re-design, the first since 2007, will enable the Association to add valuable information easily and convey that information to members and all Georgians with improved functionality and attractiveness.

“Thanks to the Web Site Subcommittee of Dr. Wade Diab, Dr. Meighan Johnson, Dr. Cara DeLeon, Dr. Jim Hall, and Dr. Robin Reich for their hard work in creating this new site,” continued Dr. Wells. “Now that the site is active, all members are invited to visit www.gadental.org, and provide your feedback on the site. Your ideas are respected and requested. Send them to staff support Delaine Hall at hall@gadental.org.”

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The Affordable Care Act and You The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010, and since that time many elements of the legislation have been implemented. You may not know that broad and far-reaching changes will be made when the ACA is fully implemented. More “little known regulations” are becoming a part of our lives.

The ACA has implications for dentists as oral health care providers, small business owners, and consumers of health care. Many of the regulations contained within the voluminous legislation have yet to be determined. However, there are several changes that are likely to occur.

Specifically, there are changes intended to increase access to dental coverage for children who get health coverage in the individual and small group health insurance markets, including those who will be covered through the new health insurance exchanges. However, the ACA does not address coverage for adult dental benefits.

Potential Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Dentistry Dentists as Health Care Consumers In the individual and small group market insurers cannot impose pre-existing condition limitations, excessive waiting periods, and co-payments or deductibles for defined preventive services. In addition, plans are prohibited from rescinding coverage and must also be guaranteed issue and provide for guaranteed renewability. However, plans can use age, geographic location, tobacco use, and family composition to calculate premiums.

Your medical plan is facing a new, $63-per-person annual fee to cushion the initial cost of covering people with preexisting conditions starting in 2014. The Obama administration says it is a temporary assessment levied for three years starting in 2014, designed to raise $25 billion. It starts at $63 per year

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and then declines. Under the law, insurers will be forbidden from turning away the sick as of January 1, 2014.

This fee is part of a bigger package of taxes and fees to finance the expansion of coverage to the uninsured, which comes to about $700 billion over 10 years, and includes higher Medicare taxes effective January 2013 on individuals making more than $200,000 per year or couples making more than $250,000. People above those threshold amounts also face an additional 3.8 percent tax on their investment income.

Medicaid Expansion Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision last summer, the ACA would have increased the number of Medicaid-eligible adults who received dental coverage. However, the Court ruled that the ACA provides for the optional expansion of Medicaid to cover people with incomes below 133 percent (138 percent, net of income disregards) of the Federal Poverty Level. The federal government picks up 100 percent of the cost to cover this additional population for three years and 90 percent of the cost long term. At this time, Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal has no plans to expand Medicaid in our state.

Health Care Delivery and Financing The ACA also provides for more effective integration of patient care and coordinating health care delivery and financing through Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). To date these programs have been primarily for the Medicare population.

ACOs create financial incentives for health care providers to work together to treat a patient across health care settings and to shift reimbursement from volume of services to health outcomes and quality.

According to the American Dental Association, there are very few ACOtype models of care that include

dental services, except for a proposed Medicaid pilot program in Oregon.

However, the ADA has taken the lead in developing the Dental Quality Alliance to make sure that dentistry’s interests are adequately addressed.

Health Insurance Exchanges One of the key components of the ACA is the health insurance exchanges, which must be in place in time to begin enrolling beneficiaries by October 2013. Initially, the exchange will be available to individuals and small businesses only allowing the purchasers to select from various private health care plans.

Under the ACA, people with incomes between 100-400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible to receive federally subsidized coverage through the exchange. States may set up their own exchange or utilize the Federal exchange, which is the option chosen

by Georgia.

The individual mandate to obtain health insurance coverage was upheld by the Supreme Court. Beginning in 2014, a minimum set of benefits known as Essential Health Benefits (EHBs) will be available for those who buy coverage in the individual and small group markets.

The law includes pediatric dental care in a list of essential health benefits to be provided by small and individual group health plans, but dental care for adults is not included in that essential benefit package.

Stand-alone dental plans must offer the pediatric essential oral health benefit without annual and lifetime limits. Stand-alone dental plans will also likely have to meet certain marketing requirements, ensure a sufficient choice of providers, and perhaps meet performance quality measures. They may be required to use a single enrollment form and a standard format for presenting health benefits plan options.

Some analysts believe the language allowing stand-alone plans to compete creates an unintended loop-

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hole that negates the clear mandate for families with children to purchase the EHB pediatric dental benefit in the exchange if the children do not otherwise have dental coverage. This conclusion is based on the disconnection between the “minimum essential coverage” requirement placed on individuals (known as the “individual mandate”) and the requirement placed on individual and small group plans (both inside and outside the exchange) to meet the “qualified health plan” (QHP) standard. To meet the individual mandate requirement, the individual need only purchase minimum essential coverage, which as defined in the Internal Revenue Code does not include excepted benefits such as dental benefit plans. However, the QHP standard requires all individual and small group plans (both inside and outside the exchange) to offer the total EHB package, including the pediatric oral benefit. The one exception is that medical plans in the exchange do not have to offer the EHB pediatric oral benefit if a separate dental benefit plan option is

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available, and the medical plan will still be deemed a QHP. However, the National Association of Dental Plans recently stated that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has indicated consumers who purchase medical coverage through an exchange will not be required to buy pediatric dental coverage either as part of a medical plan or as a standalone benefit.

The ADA and the AAPD believe the clear intent of Congress is to require the purchase of the entire EHB package, including the pediatric oral health benefit. The ADA and the AAPD sent a letter to Health and Human Services strongly urging the agency to direct officials (federal or state) setting up an exchange to require families with children to verify that they have the children’s EHB dental coverage before they can finalize the QHP purchase in the exchange.

The ADA estimates that 3 million children will gain dental benefits through the health insurance

exchanges by 2018, or roughly a five percent increase over the current number of children with private dental benefits.

Dentists As Employers The ACA does not require small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to provide health insurance. According to the American Dental Association, more than 99 percent of dental practices have 50 or fewer employees. Small business employers who pay at least 50 percent of the premium for employee coverage may qualify for a small business tax credit. To qualify the employer must have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees whose

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average annual wage does not exceed $50,000 per employee. The tax credits, which disappear after 2016, will be available on a sliding scale to assist the purchase of health insurance.

Taxes and Limits on Tax Preferred Accounts The ACA imposes a few new taxes to assist in financing the various programs within health care reform. The tax receiving the most ink in the dental world is the medical and dental devices tax that became effective on January 1, 2013. While dentists will not be responsible for assessing, collecting, or paying the tax, they can expect some modest increase in the cost of materials and finished dental devices as manufacturers adjust their prices to accommodate

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the tax. The ADA along with a coalition of 11 organizations has worked diligently to repeal this tax but their efforts have been unsuccessful so far. Be alert in reviewing manufacturer and vendor price lists and invoices with respect to this tax.

Beginning January 1, 2013, there will be an increase to the Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) tax rate by 0.9 percent on individual taxpayers earning more than $200,000 and married couples filing jointly earning more than $250,000. The tax rate is currently 1.45 percent and will be increased to 2.35 percent. The tax applies to wages received with respect to employment.

Additionally, if you have certain types of investment or passive income, this income may be subject to a new Medicare Surtax of 3.8 percent if you have modified adjusted gross income that exceeds $200,000 for single and $250,000 for joint filers. Investment income includes rents, dividends, interest, royalties, and capital gains on property sales (with a partial exclusion for primary residence sales).

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to set aside tax-free money to pay medical and dental bills.

Starting in 2013, the FSA set-aside will be limited to $2,500 a year and increased annually by a cost-of-living adjustment.

Public Health Infrastructure ACA provisions consistent with Association policy include: • Increased funding for public health infrastructure, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention oral health programs and national oral health surveillance programs; • Additional funding for school-based health center facilities; • Increased grant opportunities for general, pediatric, or public health dentists;

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• Funding for National Health Service Corps loan repayment programs; • CDC initiation, in consultation with professional oral health organizations, of a five-year national public education campaign focused on oral health prevention and education.

Many of these new programs have not been funded. The ACA also authorizes federal spending to support a state alternative provider demonstration project, which is inconsistent with Association policy. Money has not been appropriated by Congress to support the development of these alternative provider demonstration projects.

The primary source for the information contained in this article is the American Dental Association. Member dentists may read more extensive information about the ACA on the ADA’s web site: www.ada.org.

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classified ads How GDA members can place classified ads AD FORM: Submit all ads on a GDA Classified Advertisement Form. To obtain a form, call Skip Jones at (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553, or email jones@gadental.org.

(Note: The GDA may accept or reject any ad for any reason and in its sole discretion.)

AD DEADLINE: Ads and ad check payments are due by the first of the month before the publication month (i.e., Dec. 1 for January).

AD RATES: ADA member dentists pay $75.00 per 60-word ad per month. There is a 25 cents per-word charge for each word over 60.

Non-dentist-owned companies (real estate firms, etc.) pay $195 per 60-word ad per month (additional word charges as above).

Non-member dentists may not place ads.

LATE FEE: Ads for which full prepayment is not received by the first day of the ad’s publication month (i.e.; Nov. 1 for a November ad) will incur a $25 late fee in addition to the ad rate.

FORMS OF PAYMENT: Submit a check or money order with the ad form. (Make checks payable to GDA.) Credit cards are not accepted as payment.

WEB SITE PLACEMENT: Prepaid ads will appear on the GDA Web site www.gadental.org for the month the ad appears in print. Non-prepaid ads will NOT be placed online.

DENTAL RELATED SERVICES Hands On Extraction Class: Saturday August 31, 2013, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Eight hour AGD approved CE class. Taught by Drs. Fletcher and Murph. Participates will learn about crane picks, 301 elevators, extraction techniques, elevating flaps, and suturing. For more information call Dr. Murph at (843) 488-4357 or email drtommymurph@yahoo.com. Also offering 40 hour Hands on Classes in Guatemala.

DENTIST: Need Part Time Fill In? Vacation, Illness, Maternity? GENERAL DENTIST SOLD LONG ESTABLISHED PRACTICE. GA & DEA LICENSED. (Available Expanded Atlanta Area.) Cell: (404) 219-4097. Home: (404) 842-1196. Jesse Hader, DDS. Dentist available daily for illness, CE, etc. to check hygiene and emergencies.

Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, all of North Fulton, Cobb County. Reasonable daily rate. Call PETE TRAGER (404) 303-1204 or (404) 226-6457.

DENTAL EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE DENTAL EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Planmeca EC Panoramic X-ray; 2 – Adec 5580 Rear Cabinets; AirTech Vacstar 50 Evacuator system. Email for pricing & details to admin@westcobbdentalgroup.com.

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For Sale: Panoramic machine, PC-1000 Panoramic Corporation and developer.

Schick Intra Oral sensors with USB connectors (2/4) 3. Ader 3045 Perception Units (2). Apollo Suction 1.5 HP. Call (404) 229-2998 or email: ljmseaside@gmail.com.

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

Dentist Available Daily (DAD): Dentist available during vacations, emergencies, and CE courses. Leave your practice in well-trained hands. I am licensed, insured, and have a DEA registration number so I can write prescriptions. Call Dr. Richard Patrick at (770) 993-8838.

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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.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Primary Healthcare Centers General Dentist Opportunity: DMD or DDS; Licensed in Georgia; Full time or part time. Locations: Rossville, Trenton, Ringgold (Tiger Creek Elementary School). About PHC: PHC accepts privately insured, uninsured, and Medicaid patients. PHC is a non-profit federally qualified community health center and is an approved National Health Service Corps loan repayment site. Locations are Trenton and Rossville, GA. PHC will be opening a School-Based Health Center, which will include dental services, in Ringgold, GA area at Tiger Creek Elementary School in early 2013. Looking for a general dentist serving patients of all ages. Web site: primaryhealthcarecenter.org. Contact info: Please send Resume or CV to Erica Newman newmane@primaryhealthcarecenter.org, fax to (706) 866-5512 or call (423) 4026694 with questions.

Pediatric Dentist needed for a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Site for a scholar HPSA Score 17; practice located in Greensboro, GA which provides full-service pediatric dentistry including hospital and sedation care. Full-time employment is available. Fax resumes to (404) 349-8459 or email resumes to info@familyandchildrensdentistry.com.

For additional information please contact Jackie Williams at (404) 349-7777.

SAVANNAH: General dentist with a caring, patient focused approach to join busy practice. Associate and / or buy-in opportunities are available. Please contact Nick Cease, (502) 254-8514, ncease@mfdc.net.

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Savannah, Georgia: Take advantage of this awesome opportunity! Cutting edge dental practice in Coastal Georgia seeking highly motivated dentist. Our dentists have outstanding clinical skills and a chair side manner that makes every patient feel comfortable. Our dentists are leaders in the office working to develop and foster a team environment so their practice can grow and mature, achieving financial success. Our operating model provides you with great earning potential. In addition, our office offers an outstanding opportunity for growth and the support to make it all happen.

Minimum Education and Experience: *Must hold degree from accredited dental school. *General practice residency experience preferred but not required. *Experience with implant placement, surgical procedures, and / or endodontic procedures strongly desired. *IV sedation certification strongly desired.Contact: rachaeldering@yahoo.com. Please email your resume to the above address in .doc or .pdf format.

Positions Open: We want you to join our growing team and enjoy a large, built-in patient referral base, clinical autonomy, advanced technology, a professional support team, paid time-off and competitive compensation. We even have signing bonuses available, so ask for details! We provide general dentistry to patients of all ages and offer pediatric conscious IV sedation and adult sedation dentistry. Immediate opening for an experienced general dentist in our Gainesville location. PT position available now but potential for FT. Immediate openings available for recent grads, general dentists, and / or pediatric dentists in our expanding Lilburn, Dacula, and Gainesville pedo practices. FT / PT positions available.

Please email cover letters and CVs to hr@tobodental.com. For more information, please visit us at www.tebodental.com.

Associate Opportunities: SAVANNAH— ASSOCIATE NEEDED. AWESOME OPPORTUNITY: #8903. STOCKBRIDGE ASSOCIATE NEEDED: #8894. For more information, call Dr. Earl Douglas (770) 664-1982 or email earl@adssouth.com.

Hiring GPs and Specialists: Coast Dental is one of the largest providers of general and specialty dental care in the United States with practices in California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Texas. Coast Dental is currently looking for General Dentists and Specialists to practice in the greater Atlanta area. We have full and part-time opportunities available for experienced dentists to practice where contributions are valued and the sky is the limit on opportunities to grow. Coast Dental offers competitive wages with sign-on bonuses available for select locations, a great benefits package, and a chance to work with advanced technology and devoted people who take a visionary approach to making every patients smile a work of art. If you are interested in an opportunity in one of our practices, please email psherberg@coastdental.com or apply online at www.coastdental.com/ careers/dentists.

Pediatric Dentist Needed: We have an outstanding full time opportunity for a Pediatric Dentist in our successful, well-respected, quality orientated private pediatric dental practice for the right candidate. We are seeking a special, motivated, personable individual to join our success. We are a booming practice with tremendous growth and earning potential. We offer in office sedation. We offer excellent compensation and benefits. For more information, please contact Amanda Rentschler at amanda@kidshappyteeth.com or (678) 352-1090 / (678) 429-9931.

Pediatric Dentist needed for a busy multi-specialty practice located in Atlanta which provides full-service pediatric dentistry including hospital, and sedation care. Full-time / part-time employment is available with great benefits and monthly bonus. Fax resumes to (404) 349-8459 or email resumes to info@familyandchildrensdentistry.com.

For additional information please contact Jackie Williams at (404) 349-7777.

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Charleston, South Carolina: Join a pediatric practice with multiple offices.

Join a fun, well-respected, paperless pediatric practice and live in a great city on the beach. The position is for someone looking for a great place to work in a friendly and comfortable working environment, competitive salary & benefits. Email CV drisabel@coastalkidsdental.com or call 843.816.KIDS (5437). coastalkidsdental.com

PRACTICES / OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE Dental Space Available! Duluth, GA. Already built-out and plumbed with dental equipment! Convenient location off Sugarloaf Parkway near I-85. Built in 2007, 3-6 operatories, sterilization, consultation room, kitchen. Front office and private doctor office. Split design dental space, perfect for new dentist or specialist satellite office. Upscale building in a high growth area with excellent demographics. Move in ready! Contact Suellyn at (770) 623-4840.

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Practices for Sale: AUGUSTA #8747— Gross collections $1.26 M; COLUMBUS AREA #8824—Gross Collections $389K. NORTH ATLANTA #8880— Gross Collections $554K. NORTH ATLANTA #8902—Associate needed for Norcross general practice. Prefer experienced dentist capable of most skills. Practice is fee for service. Call Dr. Earl Douglas (770) 664-1982 or email earl@adssouth.com.

South Georgia: Excellent Net Income $850,000 gross. 4 ops, turnkey influenced practice, 40% FFS 60% Insurance, High quality life, 2 1/2 hours to Atlanta and GA Coast. Call Dr. John Wagner (636) 517-1136.

AUGUSTA, GA: Growing practice for sale. 4 equipped ops, with 2 additional plumbed. Gross over $500K per year. Please call or email for details using reference # GA1024. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com.

Available: CANTON: Beautiful office grossing $393,000, 4 operatories. LAKE OCONEE AREA: Exceptional opportunity, grossing $823K. NORTH ATLANTA: Gorgeous new facility with 6 operatories, grossing $1.4 with high volume of cosmetics and implants. WOODSTOCK: Beautiful 5 operatory office grossing $400K. Richane Swedenburg, New South Dental Transitions: (770) 630-0436, info@newsouthdental.com. Check new listings: www.newsouthdental.com. *NEW* GWINNETT PERIO PRACTICE FOR SALE! Beautiful, well-established Perio practice for sale in Gwinnett. Collecting $1.2M consistently, 5 operatories, doctor to stay on after transition. Please call or email using reference # GA1026. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com.

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Dental Office Ready for Occupancy in January ‘13. In Lawrenceville just seconds off I-85 with high visibility on a heavily traveled road. Beautiful and modern space with 2160 sq. ft. 6 treatment rooms plumbed and ready for cabinetry, equipment and N2O2. Established dental location for the last 8 years. Dentist moving to larger facility. Elegant reception area with slate floors, tray ceiling, and cove lighting.

Business office with Corian countertops will remain. Would like to see new lease negotiated. Available January 2013.

Contact DentalExcellence4U@Yahoo.com. *NEW* GWINNETT COUNTY: This is the type of practice every dentist dreams of! Excellent location, all FFS practice with very high quality dentistry, 7 operatories, collected $1.3M+ in 2012 with a strong hygiene department.

Please call or email for details using reference # GA1028. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com.

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*NEW* DALTON: If you would like to make some money this is the practice for you. Average annual collections are more than $2 million. 5 total operatories equipped with Adec and all of the best technology. Excellent location! The selling doctor would like to stay for 3 years. Asking price $1.6 million, must be pre-approved with a bank. The real estate is also for sale. Please call or email for details using reference # GA1025. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com. *NEW* PAULDING COUNTY: Well established practice with room to grow! All FFS patients. The practice collected $300K in 2011 with 50% overhead. There are 3 ops with an additional room plumbed. Seller is ready to retire. Please call or email for details using reference # GA1008. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com.

EDITORIAL Continued from page 5 One other thought—technically, the definition of who is a pediatric patient has not changed. However, the federal government continually trumpets its success with the ACA in extending the age that children can remain on their parents’ insurance plans to 26. Did you know there is only a 39-year-spread from age 26 to qualifying for Medicare? The federal government is slowly but surely turning a variety of programs that were intended to provide finite assistance to our most needy individuals into an infinite maze of confusing regulations. They are trying to offer a little bit to everyone at an astronomical cost and lots of question marks.

I am at a loss to see the overall affordability for both patients and providers. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: What’s in a name?

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Inside This Issue • New GDA Web Site: Improved Usability, Sleek Design • GDA Annual Meeting Hotel Accepting Reservations

DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

ACTION

Suite 200, Building 17, 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, Georgia 30328-1655 www.gadental.org