SFDDA Winter Issue

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Inside this issue:

President’s Message, Dr. John Aylmer, Pg. 3

NewBytes: Good News? Bad News ? You Decide. Dr. Richard Mufson, Editor, Pg. 4

Dr. Cesar Sabates, FDA Dentist of the Year, Pg.6

Important Message

From the SFDDA, Pg. 7

Join the PPC!, Pg. 8

Social Networking EventMay 24 at Top Golf Save the Date!, Pg. 8

Tri-Affiliate Event Re-Cap, Pg. 10

The Seven Habits of the Highly Effective Dentist, Habit No.3 Dr. Mark Limosani, Pg. 11

“Ain’t That the Tooth” Podcast Update, Pg. 13

Classified Ads, Pg. 17

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President’s Message

‐John Aylmer D.M.D.

“Helping Members Succeed”

Renew my membership? What's in it for me? Each year we must answer a fair and common question: Is it worth paying membership dues? Let's dive into why renewing is so essential.

First and foremost, your SFDDA team works endlessly to support YOU, the member, and upholds the FDA's mission statement, "Helping Members Succeed." To me, our experiences at the local level are the most memorable reason to join organized dentistry. The relationships you can develop with your colleagues at in-person meetings or serving as leaders reach beyond dentistry. SFDDA's commitment to providing quality continuing education and meeting experience is always our top priority.

In addition to in-person meetings, all levels work to enhance your career in dentistry. Whether you are just starting a practice or are well into your career, the ADA/FDA/SFDDA tripartite has abundant resources to help your practice and is accessible through any of our websites, or by reaching out to any of our leaders. From learning clinical tips to running your business, organized dentistry constantly works to improve its resources to help you. The ultimate goal is to help make your dental career easier so you can spend more time with friends and family and do what you love.

The most important reason to renew, despite your feelings toward politics, is the ADA/FDA's unwavering commitment to protecting our profession through advocacy, and by lobbying on behalf of us dentists. Our "Tooth Party" supports candidates across the aisle to help keep us practicing in the manner to which we have grown accustomed.

They are our unified voice to promote patient safety and education. Without our political involvement, lawmakers without dental education would dictate how we can perform our daily tasks.

Our efforts would not serve a purpose without YOU, the member, having input. Above all else, our organization is only as strong as our members. So, I thank you for your continued involvement and support in our great organization. And, as always, I thank every one of you who has committed extra time to serve your colleagues in some capacity.

We all hope your year has started well and hope you have had a chance to attend our numerous phenomenal events! Please be in touch if you need anything.

Renew today!

https://www.floridadental.org/member-center/pay-your-dues

‐ Richard A. Mufson, DDS, Editor

A Major Legislative Victory in Massachusetts - Sets the Stage for Entire U.S.: “Medical Loss Ratio”- A “Win-Win” for Dentists and Patients

Wouldn’t it be great if dental insurance companies were required to set aside a certain fixed percentage of all funds collected from premiums (say, 83%) – which would then all go directly into delivering patient benefits and care?

And, rather than limitless profits going into the pockets and bank accounts of company executives, as has been occurring since the beginning of time - “what if” any unused portion of the guaranteed 83% destined for patient benefits and care were refunded back to patients?

And “what if” insurance companies were also compelled to open their books in a transparent effort to demonstrate they were complying with this new fantasy-type law.

Well, for a number of years now, medical carriers have been compelled by statute to do just that - but at an 88% “medical loss ratio” - but not dental insurance carriers.

That is, until this past November 8, 2022, Election Day in Massachusetts, when Question 2 on the ballot, the “Medical Loss Ratio ballot initiative” passed by a landslide with the help of 70% of the voters in the state.

Thanks to the efforts initiated by one passionate dentist, Mouhab Rizfallah, DDS, an orthodontist from Somerville, MA, and subsequently financed by a group of dentists and patients who came together as the Committee on Dental Insurance Quality, and then strongly supported by the Massachusetts Dental Society – this law became a reality.

Not only was this a David-vs-Goliath-like victory against “Big Insurance,” and a major win for dentists and their patients, it has also been referred to as a “watershed moment” that will serve as a precedent and set the stage for other states to follow suit with the same or similar laws.

The ADA also supported the effort to the tune of a $5.5 million donation. This was then followed by sizeable donations from 49 state dental associations (including FDA) and nine specialty organizations.

Starting on January 1, 2024, dental insurance providers in the Commonwealth will be required to: (1) Spend at least 83% of premium dollars on patient care, (2) report to the State Division of Insurance that they meet that percentage, and (3) refund the difference back to their customers, if they don’t meet the percentage.

Dental insurance reform has long been a goal of the ADA and organized dentistry in general.

However, few could have imagined that, through the tireless efforts of so many through advocacy within our profession, a legislative outcome of this magnitude could have resulted in a such a “win-win” for both dentists and, most important, the patients we serve.

The next time someone you know asks the question, “Why should I belong to the ADA tripartite and organized dentistry,” or “what has organized dentistry done for anyone lately,” please share the story of this legislative victory in Massachusetts as but one prime example.

What? A New Dental School in Florida?

As we all know, we can certainly use another dental school (a fourth) in Florida. Or at least, that is what Florida Atlantic University (FAU) would like us to believe, and what they would especially like the Board of Governors/State University Systems to believe, who recently granted their approval. And, FAU has since visited Tallahassee lobbying our state legislators for funding.

Several FAU representatives, including one of their trustees, Barbara Feingold, wife of the now-deceased namesake of the proposed school, Dr. Jeffrey Feingold, were recently in Tallahassee for “FAU Day” at the Capitol. Several of our own Florida Dental Association (FDA) leaders were also in town and met with the FAU reps.

FAU leaders had also been scheduled to meet, greet and share information with the FDA Board of Trustees (BOT) in Tallahassee in December, but had to cancel just prior to the meeting. FDA has also invited their attendance at both the February Mission of Mercy (MOM) in their home county of Palm Beach and again at a Tallahassee BOT meeting in May. (They were a decline/no-go for the MOM event, and we will let you know if they show for the May BOT.)

When asked about FDA’s official position on the dental school, and in the absence of have met with FAU to learn more information and discuss their stated goals – FDA is “neutral” for the time being. However, FDA has taken a position of correcting misinformation thrown about, such as, “there is a shortage of dentists in Florida,” as opposed to the correct fact-checked information that there is not a shortage but rather a maldistribution. Fact checkers have also identified some inconsistencies in other talking points put forth in FAU literature sent out justifying the need for another dental school in Florida.

And now this… Invisalign Files Lawsuit Against SmileDirectClub for False Advertising

Were you waiting for this shoe to drop? As reported by multiple news outlets, the maker of Invisalign, Align Technology, has filed a lawsuit against SmileDirectClub (SDC) alleging their claims of aligner treatment being performed under the care and supervision of dentists and orthodontists is false and misleading advertising.

The lawsuit, filed on January 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges SmileDirectClub is “a company built on a lie,” and that it has promoted its aligners and services with untrue and fraudulent claims. SDC executives, and even investors, are named as defendants in an alleged scheme involving false advertisements, possibly constituting wire and mail fraud, according to the suit.

At issue is also the aspect of SDC’s direct-to-consumer model claiming to be an equivalent product under the remote supervision of its affiliated dentists (as opposed to Invisalign being performed under a dentist’s direct care) and purportedly at “the same level of care as they would receive from inperson visits with clinicians,” according to the suit.

"Regrettably, SDC (SmileDirectClub) founded its business on a ‘dangerous lie’ - telling consumers through television, online, email, print, and retail advertising that they will receive actual medical supervision from actual doctors, responsible for their well-being," Align states in the lawsuit.

However, many SDC patients allegedly tried to confer with or visit with clinicians assigned to oversee their care, the suit claims, but only to face denials by the clinicians involved that they were ever actually a patient. Disgruntled patients or those claiming injury were also allegedly forced to arbitrate disputes and sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in order to receive refunds.

“SDC thus uses lies to get customers and legal tricks to keep them quiet,” according to court documents.

Similar allegations were cited in a separate lawsuit filed in Washington, DC.

Forcing customers to sign NDAs in order to receive refunds was the basis of the lawsuit, filed in December, 2022 in the

Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Attorney General of Washington, DC, Karl Racine. The suit claimed the practice was in violation of DC law and prohibited patients/ customers from writing online reviews and/or filing complaints with regulators and law enforcement.

"These NDAs prohibited consumers from sharing information about the harms caused by SmileDirectClub’s products, under threat of lawsuits and fines," according to the suit. "This stifling of complaints prevented other District consumers from having complete, accurate information about SDC's products when making purchase decisions."

More to come.

And Finally: Massachusetts AG Office Reaches $3.5 Million Settlement with Aspen Dental

This was in response to claims that Aspen Dental engaged in a multi-faceted scheme in Massachusetts to deceive and cheat thousands of patients via a series of bait-and-switch advertising campaigns. According to the AG’s lawsuit, deceptive advertising and marketing practices were utilized, in which patients were charged for services advertised as “free.” Aspen Dental also sent patients to collections over bills for services it had marketed as “free.”

Also in response to advertising by Aspen Dental that it worked with “all insurance,” the suit alleges they did not accept MassHealth nor Medicaid which had dental coverage.

As stated by Acting AG, Bessie Dewar, “Deceptive advertisements like these can harm our most vulnerable patients looking for affordable dental care.” And further, “Today’s settlement prevents misleading advertising by Aspen Dental and puts money back in the hands of impacted patients.”

In addition to the settlement providing funds given back to patients for new patient exams, x-rays and oral cancer screening at Massachusetts Aspen Dental-braded offices, it also prevents Aspen from using false and misleading advertisements for “free” services, or that they work with “all insurance” without adequate disclosures, nor reference any guarantees or denture pricing, nor purport to have “no hidden fees.”

The lawsuit also argued that Aspen failed to adhere to agreements made with the AG’s Office in a prior 2014 settlement alleging similar misconduct.

More to come (or better stated, we hope not).

IMPORTANT Don’t Miss Out!

Activate your SFDDA Tradewing Account Today! You will find posts regarding important information and updates to your membership there. Registration links for affiliate meetings and other events will also appear there from now on.

This is a members-only feature to help build a stronger community! We understand how important it is for you to be able to connect, collaborate, and learn from your peers. To help meet this need, we are thrilled to have this online community exclusively for SFDDA members where you can engage in discussions with each other and learn from your peers in our district anytime. You can even post the fun stuff.

Check your in-box for your invitation, then follow through and activate your account. If you have questions, please call us at (305) 667-3647. You may also email us at admin@sfdda.org.

We are moving away from regular email blasts and doing more on the SFDDA Digest on Tradewing.

Join the SFDDA Party Planning Committee! (P.P.C.)

Cuz, everytime we get together, it’s a PARTY!

We believe you have been enjoying the continuing education lectures that our affiliate presidents have provided. From North Dade - Miami Beach’s “Pop-Up” series to Miami Dade and South Broward’s dinner lectures, the courses throughout have been well-attended, well-received, and we are looking forward to delivering more quality programs in the future.

If you are interested in helping the affiliate societies coordinate these lectures, or if you have ideas for topics, or know of speakers that you would like to see at the meetings, please let us know. If you have ideas for making the events different and even more fun, let us know!

The South Florida District Dental Association is committed to you. The SFDDA board and the boards of the affiliate societies wish to keep the membership flourishing and growing. So if you practice or reside in any of the affiliate society's geographic locations, North Dade - Miami Beach, South Broward, or Greater Miami, we welcome you to become part of the leadership that shapes the organization's future. Please email us at admin@sfdda.org, or call 305-667-3647.

Save the date!

Tri-Affiliate Event 2023

On February 15, 2023, the three affiliate societies of SFDDA joined for a TriAffiliate continuing education dinner meeting. Members from all three affiliate locations attended the event, held at the Aventura Hilton. Dr. Robert Vogel, the guest lecturer, presented a program on state­of­the­art topics and techniques in implant dentistry.

It was a well­attended, great event which may lead to a new annual tradition for the association's members.

“Community, Camaraderie, & Engagement” is this year’s theme.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Dentists Habit 3: Putting First Things First

- Dr. Mark A. Limosani

Dear Colleagues,

First, I would like to take this the opportunity to wish you all a year full of prosperity, health and happiness. As mentioned in the two previous articles I published on this topic, my goal with this series is to share the principles articulated so beautifully by the late Steven Covey in his classic book, the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I will also create points of reference that apply specifically to all of us in the dental and oral health care industry. Part three of our seven-part series is all the more fitting during this time where everyone is interested in adopting new ways of being, or habits for the new year.

The third habit discussed by Covey is related to “putting first things first.” What one can interpret from Covey’s writings would be that one must prioritize what is most important in one’s life and organize time to reflect these values. In a day and age where there is always the next best thing around the corner, this concept really highlights the importance of staying grounded and living in a principle-based life. Conceptually this would seem like a very easily adoptable habit. However, in order to put it into practice, one needs to take inventory of how one spends one’s time.

Taking the time to visualize what one wants out of practice and out of life makes “putting first things first” a possibility. Starting with the end in mind (habit number two) allows one to clarify the priorities one must establish in order to design one’s life. Planning a year, a quarter, a month, a week and a day - all needs to revolve around what we value most and what we want to see grow in our lives. Tony Robbins often says, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” Prioritizing what one chooses to focus on and planning accordingly allows what one focuses on to expand.

In a dental practice this would involve creating a schedule template that is reflective of what we want to prioritize most in our practice. If our goal is to create a relationship-driven practice, then we need to take the time necessary to build

and nurture those relationships with our patients and our practice allies. Conversely, if our goal is to provide as much care to as many patients as possible, the schedule would likely need to reflect this desire. Having clarity on the type of practice one envisions allows for this execution to flow more easily. If there is a specific procedure a doctor wants to perform more frequently, he/she must not only take the time to learn the skill but also schedule time to discuss the benefits of treatment with their patients to create value. One must also allow for more opportunities and availability for the doctor to provide this service. “Putting first things first” is essentially the executional arm of the “starting with the end in mind” principle. Without this prioritization, other commitments tend to take precedence whether one likes it or not.

Creating a fulfilling practice does not happen in a vacuum. Clearly articulating to the entire dental team what the practice owner most values creates alignment and allows for all parties involved to bring up suggestions as to how to bring this vision to life. Putting first things first in one’s practice involves creating systems and processes that highlight what one values most. A reproducible consistent patient experience that highlights and emphasizes what one values most is the end result of careful and deliberate planning and execution. I would love to invite you all to share different processes and/or systems that you have implemented that have allowed for you to put first things first in your practice or your life. Have you ever taken the time to outline what your priorities are and what you can do to bring about more of what you want in life?

The next article will revolve around the concept of thinking “Win-Win.” I look forward to outlining different instances in practice and in life where this principle best applies and how it could help to enrich your life as well as that of your community. I wish you all the best for 2023.

-Mark

We want to hear your story! Be a guest on the podcast!

The South Florida District Dental Association launched “Ain’t That the Tooth” podcast on February 3, 2021. It is available on all podcast streaming platforms, from Apple to Spotify and more.

Since then, the podcast has received more than 2,600 downloads (at the time of this publishing). It has reached countries worldwide, including France, Russia, Poland, Germany, the UK, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico, Australia, Venezuela, Japan, Panama, and Turkey.

In the United States, in addition to Florida, our listenership has reached Ohio, Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, California, Tennessee, Washington, Texas, Illinois, and New Hampshire, to name a few. Not too shabby for the first year!

If you’ve missed an episode, just check our website: www.sfdda.org to catch up on any of them. Let us know your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you and maybe we’ll send you an “Ain’t That the Tooth” Coffee Mug!

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SFDDA

2022-2023 Officers and Executive Council

President

John Aylmer, D.M.D. (954) 349-4004

President Elect

Tim Franklin, D.M.D. Secretary

Maria Alejandra Zambrano, D.D.S. Treasurer

Orlando Dominguez, D.D.S. (305) 386-2766

Immediate Past President

Mariana Velazquez, D.D.S., PA (305) 595-4122

Young Member Francesca Pietri, Trustees

Irene Marron-Tarrazzi, D.M.D.,MS (305) 646-1524

Mark A. Limosani, D.M.D. (954) 800-3453

Alternate Trustees

Elaine deRoode, D.D.S. (305) 373-7799

Richard Mufson, D.D.S. (305) 935-7501

Delegates to the Executive Council from the Affiliates Societies

Miami Dade Dental Society

Alejandro Alvarado, D.D.S.

North Dade/Miami Beach

Dental Society

Bill Abbo, D.D.S

David Garazi, D.M.D.

South Broward Dental Society

Michael D. Eggnatz D.D.S Ross Hauer, D.M.D.

Affiliate Society Presidents

Alejandro Alvarado, D.D.S. (MDDS)

Bill Abbo, D.D.S. (ND/MBDS)

Ross Hauer, D.M.D. (SBDS)

Richard A. Mufson, D.D.S., Editor

Mark A. Limosani, D.M.D., Associate Editor

Yolanda Marrero, Managing Editor

Jackie Quintero, Advertising

Classifieds

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To run classified or display advertising in the SFDDA Newsletter or SFDDA Website, please contact: Jackie Quintero at (305)667-3647 ext 13 or email jackie.sfdda@gmail.com

SEEKING A PEDIATRIC DENTIST: To join a growing orthodontic private practice. The position will begin 1 day/week with the goal of adding more days and a potential partnership opportunity for the right candidate. Please inquire for additional information. Send inquiries to Box#1220, SFDDA 420 S. Dixie Hwy., Ste.2E, Coral Gables, FL 33146

DENTAL PRACTICE FOR SALE

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Yet another of Florida’s dental liability insurers has transitioned from focusing on dentists to focusing on Wall Street. This leaves you with an important question to ask: Do you want an insurer that’s driven by investors? Or do you want an insurer that’s driven to serve you—one that’s already paid $140 million in awards to its members when they retire from practice?

Join us and discover why delivering the best imaginable service and unrivaled rewards is at the core of who we are.