F EB RU ARY 2 0 2 4
Volume 37 • Issue 1
Most Famous Dentist You Never Heard Of You know his face, but probably not his name. He’s the dentist immortalized by Grant Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
NEWS AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE DENTAL ASSOCIATION
Fierce advocate for dentistry and NYS Action Team Leader, Dr. Edwards takes part in ADA Washington Leadership Conference.
Smiles to Go University at Buffalo mobile dental vans will be on the road again this year, thanks to generous grant from Cabrini Health Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Can Your Dental Practice withstand a Recession? Building a solid foundation is key to keeping your practice afloat during economic turbulences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Edwards family at home. From left, daughter Keanna; son, Christian; wife, Michelle; Maurice; daughter Brianna. Completing family circle are grandsons Kyrie and Kaleed, Keanna’s children.
Baby boy Edwards, son of Diann and Edward.
Maurice L. Edwards, D.M.D.
In His Own Words
In search of company to join him at the top
We asked Dr. Maurice Edwards to weigh in on the state of diversity programs today and in the future and their impact on the dental profession.
For NYSDA’s vice president, dentistry was an easy and early choice. Now he is hopeful, he won’t be alone much longer.
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t can be lonely at the top, especially if you are a Black male and your profession is dentistry. Maurice Edwards must have had an inkling of that back in 1991 when he enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and discovered only one other Black man in the school. Even today, an oral surgeon practicing in New York City and vice president of the New York State Dental Association, Dr. Edwards is an anomaly—the only Black officer and currently on track to become the first person of color to hold the top elected post. “One doesn’t have to look far to see that there are still disparities in both the profession of dentistry and in patient care,” Dr. Edwards said. “For as long as I have been involved in organized dentistry, almost 25 years, I still search to find others that look like me. Yes, there has been significant improvement in numbers, especially for women, but the largest disparity is seen with the number of Black men in dentistry. In three of the four
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Q: Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are under attack across the country. Can NYSDA’s DEI initiatives survive? A: Simple answer, yes. One of the greatest strengths of NYSDA is its diversity. NYSDA’s member dentists comprise the full spectrum of nationalities, ethnicities and religions found across New York State and around the world. Because of the state’s rich history of welcoming immigrants, I am confident that both our political leaders and NYSDA’s leadership will not blunt the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs by letting them fall by the wayside.
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American Gothic Dr. Byron H. McKeeby: Dentist and Reluctant subject of American Art William J, Maloney, D.D.S.
“N
ighthawks” by Edward Hopper, “Campbell’s Soup Cans” by Andy Warhol and “Whistler’s Mother” by James Whistler are among the most celebrated works of art in America. However, the most iconic of acclaimed pieces of American art is “American Gothic” by Grant Wood.
American Gothic became synonymous with the steadfastness and determination of America’s heartland, which would lead America through the trials and tribulations of the Great Depression. These qualities were personified by a male and a female at the center of the painting. The male model with the determined gaze grasping a pitchfork was Dr. Byron Henry McKeeby, a dentist.
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Artist Grant Wood offered few details about his iconic painting American Gothic, adding to the mystery that has surrounded it.
F E BRUARY 2 024
NEWS EDITOR
NYSDA OFFICERS
Chester J. Gary, D.D.S., J.D.
Anthony M. Cuomo, President Prabha Krishnan, President-Elect Maurice Edwards, Vice President Paul Leary, Secretary-Treasurer William Karp, Speaker of the House Gregory D. Hill, Executive Director
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Stuart L. Segelnick, D.D.S., M.S.
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Grates Stoll
ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Jeanne DeGuire
ART DIRECTOR Ed Stevens
NEWS
Editorial and advertising offices are at Suite 602, 20 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211-2370. Telephone (518) 465-0044. Fax (518) 465-3219. Email info@nysdental.org. Website www.nysdental.org.
Volume 37 • Issue 1
The NYSDA News (ISSN 1531684X) is published quarterly, in February, May, October and December, by the New York State Dental Association, Suite 602, 20 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211-2370. It is available in digital form only and accessible online in the members-only section of the NYSDA website, www.nysdental.org, under publications.
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Prabha Krishnan Honored for Distinguished Service
ew York State Dental Association PresidentElect Prabha Krishnan was honored by her component society, Queens County, in January, when she was presented with the society’s highest honor, the Emil Lentchner Distinguished Service Award. The presentation was made at QCDS’s Installation of Officers, DinnerDance Gala, held at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck. Among the 240 guests present at the gala were: ADA President Linda Edgar; QCDS Executive Director and past ADA and NYSDA President Chad Gehani; Congressman Adriano Espaillat; Congresswoman Grace Meng; NYSDA President Anthony Cuomo, Executive Director Greg Hill and Vice President Maurice Edwards; several NYSDA Trustees, local component presidents and executive directors.
Emil Lentchner Award winner Prabha Krishan, second from left, was further recognized in Congressional proclamations presented by Rep. Grace Meng and Rep. Adriano Espaillat. QCDS Executive Director Chad Gehani is at far right.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
NEWS
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Is a Potential Email Breach Among Your Biggest HIPAA Vulnerabilities? A five-step plan for minimizing risk. Robert McDermott IF YOU KNEW several of your neighbors were victims of theft, from homes or cars in your neighborhood, you’d likely take initiative to safeguard your property before you become the next target. When it comes to the security of your practice, the alarm bells are ringing. Security experts and agencies are warning the healthcare industry that their data, their patients and their practices are at risk. Perhaps more importantly, they’re also letting healthcare leaders, practice managers and those in private practice know that there are ways to mitigate security risks and protect patients and their data. However, despite breaches being a significant threat, email security is often overlooked when it comes to practice security protocols. However, for the time being, the rules regarding HIPAA compliance specific to email aren’t always immediately clear, so let’s quickly key in on the basics. There are five technical safeguards required for HIPAA-compliant email: 1.
Access Controls. Access to PHI must be restricted to authorized individuals only
2.
Audit Controls. Email history and transmissions must be monitored and an auditable trail maintained
3.
Integrity Controls. Practices must employ policies and procedures to ensure ePHI is not improperly destroyed or altered
4.
Authentication. Security measures must verify an individual’s identity prior to granting them access to electronic-protected health information
5.
Transmission Security. Transmitted PHI must be encrypted
What is an Email Breach? An email breach is a serious security incident, where a single email, email account or email system has been “impermissibly used or disclosed.” In other words, someone who shouldn’t have access to your email does, and they might be hijacking your data. Here are a few top factors for breaches: 1. Human error and poor training. 61% of healthcare security breaches involve human error, much of which could be prevented with proper and complete security training for your staff.
NEWS
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Students from Touro College of Dental Medicine made sure Give Kids A Smile event they staged at Lawrence School District was healthful and educational but most of all entertaining.
Youngsters and Veterans Offered Free Care At Separate Events Hosted by Westchester Dental College
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rom the very young to the considerably older, children and adults in need of dental care were treated at no cost to them by students from Touro College of Dental Medicine.
The first outing occurred in the fall, when 17 dental students traveled to the Lawrence School District on Long Island. There they screened, educated and entertained 150 4- and 5-yearolds during a three-hour Give Kids A Smile program. The event was organized by fourth-year dental student Dovi Grosser, who said he wanted to give the youngsters a positive dental experience, to get them started in life with the feeling that dentists are friendly and that maintaining oral health is a good thing. This was the first time Touro brought a GKAS event to a local community school. All previous events were staged at the dental school. The college hopes to bring the program to other schools in different locations over the next year believing it is a first step in making sure more children have access to dental care. Then, on Nov. 14, Touro College of Dental Medicine hosted its Sixth annual Smiles for Veterans at the college in Hawthorne. Third- and fourth-year dental students and TCDM faculty provided comprehensive dental screenings, X-rays, cleanings and fillings at no cost to some 20 veterans, military personnel and their spouses in honor of Veterans Day. Free and discounted dental services were made available throughout the month of November for any veteran who could not attend the event. According to TCDM administrators, Smiles for Veterans serves two purposes: it provides care for veterans and their family members who put off routine dental visits and necessary treatment because of the financial burden, and it presents an opportunity for the college to instill the importance of community service in future dentists. z Read full story here
NEWS
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UB Dental Mobile Dental Clinics Benefit from Cabrini Health Foundation Grant
Buying or Selling a Practice? EXPERIENCE MATTERS
FACULTY AND STAFF within the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (SDM) say they are acutely aware of disparities in oral healthcare, which particularly affect low-income children, rural residents and individuals who struggle with mental health, disabilities and housing. The dental school has been making strides over the past two decades to rectify some of these disparities through its S-miles To Go program, which provides dental care through two state-of-the-art mobile dental clinics in rural and urban communities in Western New York. Services include exams, cleanings, fillings, sealants, fluoride treatments and extractions. “Our dental vans provide very necessary services to people who don’t have access to care for multiple reasons, including finances and transportation,” said Paula Fischer, director of school-based and outreach dental programs in the SDM. “When you get into the rural areas, they may only have one pediatric dentist who takes state insurance.” Funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has made much of this work possible. Over the past four years, the foundation has provided the dental school with more than $2.1 million in grants. Most recently, it awarded $350,000 to the school for the 2024 calendar year to cover the cost of maintaining the state-of-the-art equipment within the units, contributing to salaries and expanding outreach. SDM Dean Marcelo Araujo, D.D.S., Ph.D., said the grant will allow the dental school to continue its outreach to underserved populations throughout Western New York. In calendar year 2022, that outreach totaled 11,194 procedures performed on more than 1,483 patients at 22 different sites. Altogether, the mobile units for the coming year will provide dental care to: •
Children in rural communities attending Title 1 schools.
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Parents and children living on Buffalo’s East Side.
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Low-income older adults.
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Homeless individuals.
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People with disabilities.
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NEWS
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973-744-4747 212-233-7300 www.practice-broker.com Let our 30+ years of experience guide you through your transition. If you are are Buying or Selling a dental practice in New York or New Jersey, contact us for a free phone consultation. THE ENDORSED BROKER OF THE NEW YORK COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY
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Sustainable Dentistry A Two-fold Strategy to Recession Proofing your Dental Practice Ashli Klingaman
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ong-term success for a dental practice is centered around the ability to be adaptable, innovative and apply tools that can weather the storm. In a rocky economy, it becomes even more necessary for practice owners to be adaptable, not just for survival but to ensure growth and stability during those times.
Let’s look at a practical plan to build a solid foundation for your practice that can weather economic turbulence. These are functional tools and tips you can use both inside and outside your dental office that will help you run things better, keep your money in good shape and build strong connections with your patients that last. Internal Tools for Dental Practice Resilience Practice Management Systems and Supporting Practice Automation Using a robust practice management system, combined with a supporting practice automation solution, can assist in the efficiency of a dental practice and its sustainability during economic downturns. Having a state-of-the-art practice management system that integrates electronic health records and a supporting HIPAA-compliant portal with online patient forms can streamline administrative processes that significantly enhance the operational efficiency of a dental practice. According to a study by the American Dental Association, practices with integrated PMS reported a 20% increase in operational efficiency, allowing staff to focus more on patient care. Automated features practices reported being the most impactful include: •
Automated appointment scheduling
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Online bill pay
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Automated billing requests and record-keeping
These features not only reduce the administrative burden, they also contribute to a more seamless patient experience. By optimizing workflow and improving team collaboration, a well-implemented PMS, combined with automation solutions, contributes to cost-effectiveness and better use of resources, key factors in maintaining the financial growth of a dental practice during a recession. Additionally, the integration of EHR systems can improve communication and collaboration among dental team members. Real-time access to patient records allows for more informed deci-
NEWS
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Maurice L. Edwards, D.M.D. continued from page 1 years I spent at Penn Dental, I was one of only two Black men in the entire school. In my final year, there was one additional Black male in attendance at the school. During the four years I was involved with the ADA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, studies showed that the majority of dental schools didn’t have a single Black male in any of their four-year classes.”
Dr. Edwards at ceremony marking appointment as NYPD police surgeon.
In the Beginning Maurice Luther Edwards, D.M.D., grew up in Freeport, Long Island. A University of Rochester graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology, he enrolled in an emergency medical technician training program. While becoming certified, he studied for and passed the Dental Admission Test, applied to dental school, and got accepted into just about every school he applied to.
But his decision to pursue dentistry had been made years before, when in high school and playing football, he broke his front tooth right before a scheduled family vacation. “I was embarrassed,” he recalled, “and didn’t want to go. My mother took me to our family dentist, who in less than an hour, fixed my broken tooth and as far as I was concerned, saved both me and my family vacation. The pride he had in his work and the feeling of completeness he gave back to me by restoring my smile were probably the biggest draws into dentistry for me. His name was Dr. Shack and that one positive experience is what put the medical profession on my radar. “ Following dental school, Dr. Edwards completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Bellevue Hospital Center/NYU Medical Center. Today, in addition to running his private OMS practice, Dr. Edwards is associate clinical professor, New York University College of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; attending physician, Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology/Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; and associate attending physician, Mount Sinai and Mount Sinai West/Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, Department of Otolaryngology/Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. And last year, following a rigorous review process, he was appointed a police surgeon by the New York Police Department, placing him on call for emergency and nonemergency consultations for procedures for NYPD officers hurt in the line of duty and for their families. Ask a Busy Person You wouldn’t think Dr. Edwards could take on any more responsibility, but he has, as an active member of organized dentistry. The NYSDA Vice President has been a presence on the State Association Board of Trustees, as a delegate or alternate delegate to the ADA House of Delegates, as 2015 president of the New York County Dental Society, and as a member and then chair of the NYSDA Council on Communications and Membership. He is a graduate of the ADA Institute for Diversity and Leadership, with a subsequent appointment to a four-year term on the ADA Diversity and In- Dr. Edwards’ s family accompanied him to Troy to volunteer at Capital Region Community clusion Committee. He has participated in New York County Give Kids A Dental Event in October. Smile programs numerous times, NYCDS’s annual charity Golf Outing and has volunteered at NYSDA’s Mission of Mercy event in Troy, Capital Region Community Health Event at Hudson Valley Community College, as well as provided oral cancer screenings, COVID-19 testings, prostate cancer screenings and took part in blood drives. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and alongside residents from Interfaith Medical Center, he was involved with efforts to feed and clothe residents of homeless shelters in Brooklyn. z
NEWS
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In his own words continued from page 1
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Q: You have indicated that you believe diversity disparities still exist in the profession and in patient care. Is organized dentistry doing enough to correct these inequities? What more could be done? It’s not hard to conclude that if a certain group of people isn’t represented in a specific profession, the neighborhoods from which they came probably lacked access to care from that specific profession. Is organized dentistry doing enough to correct the problem? No. We could always be doing more. We could partner with different organizations that already have established programs in the Black and brown communities and expose kids at the elementary level to a career in dentistry. We could establish mentorship programs to incentivize children from these communities to shadow/intern at schools and offices, to help them start on a path geared toward dentistry, and establish scholarships in the field of dentistry to relieve some of the financial burden.
Dr. Edwards on Capitol Hill in Washington with members of his NYS Action team for ADA and Student Lobby Day.
Q: If you could do one thing to enhance the dental profession, what would it be? A: I would like to find a way to allow all the different dental groups to speak with one voice. Although I understand that specialists have different concerns than general dentists, we all advocate for fairness in reimbursement fees, as well as for the benefit of our patients. However, because we all belong to different groups with different group interests, we fragment the profession, thereby getting only small pieces of what each group wants instead of one large gain for the profession as a whole. z
NEWS
Dentists from New York County in Orlando, FL, for ADA Annual Session gather around Dr. Edwards for group photo.
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American Gothic continued from page 2
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Grant Wood was born in 1891 and is considered to have been a Midwestern Regionalist painter. European artists, at the time, favored abstraction and modernism. Wood’s style was realistic, with recognizable, yet common subjects, as is evident in American Gothic.[1] Wood celebrated Midwestern values in this painting while imbuing it with subtle ambiguities, which he refused to ever address directly and most likely contributed to it achieving iconic status. Wood passed away one day shy of his 51st birthday due to pancreatic cancer. Right Time, Right Place Grant Wood Wood had intended for some time to do a portrait exemplifying life in the rural Midwest. In the summer of 1930, he found himself in Eldon, Iowa, for an art exhibit. Edward Rowan, the director of the Cedar Rapids Little Art Gallery, was conducting a form of experiment, bringing art to remote rural areas and thought Eldon would be the perfect location. Wood became enchanted by a house in Eldon that had been built in 1881 by Catherine and Charles Dibble, a livery stable owner.[2] Wood imagined that “Gothic people” must live in such a house, which had two Gothic windows (one on the front and one on the back). The large and fanciful windows were very out of place—usually reserved for a house of worship. It is thought that the original owners installed these ornate windows in their simple dwelling to enjoy an inspirational beauty usually reserved for Sundays. Wood had the physical structure for his painting. Now, he needed a man and a woman to serve as models. The choice of the female model was fairly simple. The artist chose his sister, Nan, who had been born in Anamosa, Iowa, and was 31 years old when Wood created American Gothic. Although Wood favored realism in his work, he exaggerated certain features of his sister, such as elongating her face and making her hair less attractive than it truly was. Now the artist only had to find a suitable male model. Wood soon found his model: his dentist, Dr. Byron H. McKeeby.[3] McKeeby initially turned down Wood’s offer, but, eventually, relented. Forever Famous McKeeby was 62 years old when he agreed to be the subject of Wood’s painting.[3] He was not interested in fame or recognition—ironic considering that he would become one of the most recognizable subjects in the history of art. McKeeby only agreed to pose because Wood promised his dentist that he would exaggerate his features to keep anyone recognizing him.[4] This promise, which Wood would not keep, persuaded McKeeby to pose for the painting. Dr. McKeeby graduated from dental school at the University of Iowa in 1894 and practiced dentistry in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was not a native of Iowa, as he was born in Pennsylvania. Wood painted McKeeby in his dental office in the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank Building. McKeeby and Nan Wood never actually posed together for the painting. The painting was entered in an art contest and won a $300 prize. It became immensely popular, and McKeeby denied that he was the man in the painting for the next five years. But friends knew it was him and teased him about the pitchfork’s role in his practice of dentistry, which McKeeby did not appreciate. In real life, McKeeby was friendly and outgoing, quite different from the solemn farmer in Wood’s painting. It became national news when McKeeby, in 1935, finally admitted that he was the man with the pitchfork. In 1947, McKeeby sold his dental practice to Dr. Justin Dunn for $1,500. McKeeby soon found out that Dr. Dunn, his wife and newborn child were living in the one room adjacent to the dental office. McKeeby promptly made a down payment on a proper home for the Dunn family.[5] An Air of Mystery Throughout its near century of existence, there have been many speculations and false assumptions about American Gothic. Firstly, many observers incorrectly assume that the two individuals were hus-
NEWS
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American Gothic continued from page 13
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band and wife. Wood said they were supposed to represent a father and daughter. Wood wisely did not address many other questions about the painting, which added to its mystique. Wood also did not live many years after his newly gained fame, so the public was left to form their own opinions and beliefs concerning the painting, which is probably better. Today, satirical images of American Gothic are ubiquitous, so much so that some people forget that it is an actual painting, on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, and that the original house which served as the backdrop still exists in Eldon, Iowa. McKeeby, pitchfork in hand, will forever be remembered as the severe-looking man in the painting, but he should also be remembered as the real-life, affable and giving man who stood steadfast in providing dental care to generations of Midwestern residents. z Dr. Maloney is clinical associate professor, New York University. He holds a postgraduate certificate in healthcare writing from Harvard Medical School, is a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and a member of The Explorers Club. Queries about his article can be sent to Dr. Maloney at wjm10@nyu.edu.
REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Art Institute of Chicago. Grant Wood. Accessed on 12/5/23. Available at: https:/www.artic.edu/artists137343/grant-wood. American Gothic House Center. The House. Accessed on 12/5/23. Available at: https://americangothichouse.org/house. Tennessee Art Commission. Byron McKeeby. Accessed on 12/5/23. Available at: https://tnartscommission.org/permanentcollection/byron-mckeeby/. Gaffee J. The Gazette. Who was the farmer in Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’? A Cedar Rapids dentist. July 25, 2019. Westrom J. Small world. Accessed on 12/5/23. Available at: https://wmorton.com/company-announcements/american-gothic-parody/.
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Prabha Krishnan continued from page 4
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In presenting the award, Dr. Gehani said Dr. Krishnan was being recognized for “her many years of distinguished service to the dental profession locally, on the state level and nationally, and to our organization and community in particular.” In accepting the award, Dr. Krishnan spoke about the importance of the tripartite and the core values of the organization. She encouraged everyone to get involved, work together and help make the dental profession strong. The Forest Hills periodontist has been involved with organized dentistry since she opened her practice more than 30 years ago. As a member of QCDS, she served on many committees before being elected president of the society in 2009. While president, she spearheaded the movement to create a Women in Dentistry Conference, the first meeting of its kind and winner of an ADA Golden Apple Award. At the conclusion of her presidential term, Dr. Krishnan became more involved in NYSDA leadership and served on the State Association Board of Trustees from 2015-2019. She was elected vice president in 2022 and is slated to be installed as president later this year. Among the other roles she has held, Dr. Krishnan was a member of the NYSDA Council on Membership and Communications, Council on Dental Benefits and chaired the Council on Governmental Affairs. She is immediate past chair of the ADA Council on Communications, was a member of the ADA Diversity and Inclusion Committee and an ADA delegate. In addition to her practice, Dr. Krishnan has been an attending and chief of periodontics at the Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Dentistry, since 1995 and has served as an associate clinical professor at New York University College of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics. She also volunteers with several community organizations. z
Email Breach continued from page 6 2. Phishing attacks are prevalent. Phishing attempts replicate the look and feel of emails from known vendors or partners (e.g., Amazon or your bank) so that recipients who are unaware, untrained or simply overwhelmed by email volume may be vulnerable to making mistakes. 3. Lack of encryption or appropriate security. If you aren’t sure your email service is 100% HIPAAcompliant (beyond just encryption), then it probably isn’t. So what can you do to improve your email security? 1.
Create, update or enhance your security protocols and policies to include email security.
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Train your staff in all security risks and concerns, especially in recognizing suspicious emails and the proper actions to take.
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Employ vendor risk management strategies, such as Business Associate Agreements (BAA).
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Consider a full HIPAA risk assessment that includes email.
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Employ a secure, HIPAA-compliant, email solution that protects your email with end-to-end encryption and safeguards storage.
While email security is a vital component of practice and patient data security, it’s often overlooked. Regardless of the reasons, hackers and bad actors are aware of the vulnerabilities and have increased efforts to access data and networks through email. In response, dental practices, regardless of their size, must take sufficient steps to safeguard what could be an open window into their practice. z Mr. McDermott is president and CEO of iCoreConnect, a NYSDA-endorsed partner. Book a demo today to see how iCoreExchange encrypted HIPAA email can protect your patient data and your practice, while creating a simpler workflow for your staff. Or call (888) 810-7706 to talk with an iCoreConnect sales rep about iCoreExchange. Book a demo link: HERE
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UB Dental Mobile continued from page 9
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“In the rural areas we serve, our dental students gain a true understanding of the barriers to healthcare, including lack of transportation, providers not accepting state insurance and low health literacy, not to mention lack of fluoridation in the water,” Ms. Fischer said. “Lack of community water fluoridation leads to higher rates of the infectious disease, dental caries, resulting in more cavities, in children and adults.” One of the newer S-miles To Go outreach programs stems from a collaboration with Hispanics United of Buffalo (HUB). Faculty and students who participate in UB’s Hispanic Dental Association provide care to more than 200 Hispanic seniors, offering culturally sensitive services. Another newer program is through Arc GLOW, which provides residential and programming services for up to 2,000 individuals of all ages with intellectual or development disabilities living in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. “UB has an annual requirement for our dental students to provide care to people with disabilities,” Ms. Fischer said. “Through this outreach effort, they learn how to respectfully and confidently work with people with disabilities in underserved areas.” A new partnership this year is with Gerard Place, a nonprofit facility in Buffalo that provides support programs for single-parent families and individuals experiencing homelessness. This outreach program is in addition to onsite dental care provided at Buffalo City Mission. “We’re so grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation,” Fischer said. “They’ve been pleased with the work we’re doing at the dental school and the concrete results of our mission: helping the underserved.” z
Sustainable Dentistry continued from page 10 sion-making and ensures that all members of the dental team are on the same page, ultimately contributing to enhanced patient care. Cost-effective Supply Chain Management Disruptions in the supply chain can have a considerable impact on practice revenue during unstable economic times. Delays, shortages and increased costs for essential dental supplies can lead to operational challenges and financial strain for dental practices. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, dental practices faced challenges with the availability and accessibility of personal protective equipment (PPE). This didn’t just negatively impact the ability of practices to do procedures safely, it also led to increased costs due to the high demand for PPE globally. Managing the dental supply chain is a critical part of a practice’s day-to-day operations and plays an important role in keeping the money side of things steady. It’s all about talking to suppliers, finding smart ways to manage costs, and making sure you’re not drowning in too much of what you don’t need or running out of what you do need. By conducting a thorough analysis of supply needs and consumption patterns, dental practices can identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising the quality of patient care. This strategic approach to supply chain management minimizes financial risks and positions the practice for sustainable growth. External Tools for Dental Practice Resilience Marketing and Online Presence In today’s tech-savvy environment, being online is a big deal for bringing in and keeping patients. BrightEdge found that more than half of a business’s online visitors come from people searching online. So, having a solid plan for digital marketing—like being easy to find online and using ads that reach the right people—can really make your dental practice stand out and connect with more patients in your area.
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Sustainable Dentistry continued from page 16 Especially when the economy is uncertain, many businesses tend to reduce their spending on advertising. Surprisingly, the right move is the opposite—increasing marketing efforts into channels that align with your practice goals can help keep a steady stream of patients. Creating a professional website, staying active on social media and using online ads can all play a part in making your practice more visible online. Telehealth and Virtual Consultations Bringing telehealth services into dental practices is like having an extra tool to keep patient care going strong, especially when it’s tough for folks to drop by in person. With virtual consultations, dentists can check in on nonemergency cases from afar, giving advice on oral health concerns and freeing up chairs for more revenue-producing services. It’s not just about making it easier for patients, it also shows that the practice can roll with the changes in healthcare. Getting into telehealth means investing in technology that’s both safe and easy to use. Dental offices can use different tools to have online visits, share helpful information and connect with patients from a distance. Some of these features can be integrated into your practice’s website, reducing the initial cost investment and providing a seamless experience for patients. It’s about solving today’s problems and getting ready for innovative new ways of giving dental care down the road. Community Partnerships and Networking Getting involved with the local community and teaming up with nearby businesses and health providers is like building a friendly circle that helps your dental practice get noticed, especially when things are tough economically. When you partner with local organizations, you can refer patients to each other, and it also makes your practice stand out more in the community. The American Dental Association found similar findings in a recent survey. In that survey, dental offices that actively connect with their community saw a 15% boost in new patients. So, by being part of local events, supporting community projects, and reaching out to people, not only do you help the community, you also get more potential patients noticing your practice. Recession-proofing a dental practice requires a dual-focused strategy that combines internal and external tools. By focusing on efficient practice management and supporting practice automation, cost-effective supply chain management and patient retention strategies, dental practices can strengthen the foundation of their operations. At the same time, using things like online advertising, virtual health services and teaming up with the community helps make your dental practice strong and flexible. Keeping up with the changes in dentistry, being ready to adapt, and making strategic moves to withstand tough times ensures your dental practice not only survives but does well in challenging situations. z ProSites has been helping dental practices build the bridge between patient care and practice success for over 20 years. It is endorsed by NYSDA for dental marketing solutions and website design for its members. To learn more and claim exclusive discounts as part of your NYSDA membership, visit ProSites.com/NYSDA. Ashli Klingaman is content marketing manager for ProSites. She arrived at her position with experience in sales, training management, human resources and marketing within the retail and Software as a Service industry. At ProSites, she consistently seeks innovative ways to bridge the gap between human capital development and business success.
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