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Association Activities
Making Our Voices Heard
ADVOCATING FOR THE PROFESSION is one of the most important services the ADA provides for its members. This benefit was in full force Mar. 30 to April 1 when the American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC) appeared in Washington, DC, for its annual Dentist and Student Lobby Day. Among the over 1,100 assembled from around the country, was a delegation of 63 from New York State that included 24 member dentists, 36 students from all five dental schools in the state and 3 NYSDA staff. It was led by the Second District’s ADPAC Board Representative Dr. Michael Shreck. He was assisted by Dr. Vera Tang, American Academy of Periodontics Board Representative.
While in Washington, ADPAC hosted a very successful fundraiser at the ADA townhouse on the House side of Congress for GOP Representative Dr. Brian Babin of Texas, one of three ADA members in Congress and a sponsor of the bipartisan Resident Education Deferred Interest Act.
During their stay in the nation’s capital, members of the New York delegation visited with their state’s senators and almost every New York Representative in Congress. They were advocating for three measures that directly affect practicing dentists, dental students and the public. They include the following.
• The Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Act. Would prevent dental and vision plans from requiring providers to accept fees for non-covered services. Would also prevent insurance plans from classifying non-covered services as “covered,” allow contract extensions beyond two years only with the provider permission and prohibit restricting providers’ choice of labs or suppliers.
• The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Would ensure medical and dental residents qualify for an interest-free deferment on payment for their government student loans until after residency is completed.
• Community Water Fluoridation: The Importance of Rigorous Research. An appropriations measure asking the National Institutes of Health to conduct a study regarding low levels of fluoride exposure and IQ. Aimed at combatting the flawed 2024 National Toxicology Program report that has created many false and misleading claims about fluoride.
Team NYSDA
In what has become an annual tradition, NYSDA fielded a group of runners/walkers in the CDPHP Workplace Team Challenge on May 15 in downtown Albany. The 3.5-mile challenge, now in its 45th year, attracts more than 8,000 participants, making it the largest running event in the Capital Region. Proceeds go to support the philanthropic and community projects of the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club. Assembled at the starting point are, from left, Peter Lacijan, Lauren Heisinger, Kasey Bennett, Katie Rothas, Heather Relation, Stacy McIlduff, Patty Marcucia. Amanda Armao, at far right, participated virtually.
State Board Appointments Announced
TWO NYSDA MEMBERS are among those tapped by the New York State Board of Regents to serve on state professional boards. Dr. Patricia Haberman of the Eighth District was appointed to a five-year term as an extended member of the New York State Board for Dentistry, and Dr. Richard Goliber of the Third District was reappointed to a five-year term on the Professional Assistance Program (PAP).
Dr. Haberman of Williamsville is on the faculty of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. As an extended member of the Board for Dentistry, she will serve on licensure disciplinary and/or licensure restoration and moral character panels. Dr. Goliber is retired and lives in Albany.
ETHICS COUNCIL ISSUES RULINGS
ON APRIL 8, 2025, the NYSDA Council on Ethics issued an order to suspend Dr. Peter Salvatore Felpo (License No. 034250) from membership for two (2) years; execution of said suspension be stayed; and respondent be placed on a two (2) year probation to include continuing education.
After a full hearing on March 21, 2025, the Council on Ethics found that Dr. Felpo had been disciplined for professional misconduct by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents and, as such, was in violation of Paragraph B of Section 20 Chapter X of the NYSDA Bylaws. Dr. Felpo did not appeal the Council’s decision within the requisite 30-day timeframe to the American Dental Association (ADA). The decision of the NYSDA Council on Ethics thereby became final and effective as of May 8, 2025.
ON APRIL 8, 2025, the NYSDA Council on Ethics issued an order to suspend Dr. Marshall Steven Skopp (License No. 045275) from membership for two (2) years; execution of said suspension be stayed; and respondent be placed on a two (2) year probation.
After a full hearing on March 21, 2025, the Council on Ethics found that Dr. Skopp had been disciplined for professional misconduct by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents and, as such, was in violation of Paragraph B of Section 20 Chapter X of the NYSDA Bylaws. Dr. Skopp did not appeal the Council’s decision within the requisite 30-day timeframe to the American Dental Association (ADA). The decision of the NYSDA Council on Ethics thereby became final and effective as of May 8, 2025.
House of Delegates Annual Session
May 30-31Long Island Marriott, Uniondale, NY
In Memoriam
SECOND DISTRICTStephen CohenTemple University ‘7275 Riverside Dr., Apt 5FNew York, NY 10024May 2, 2025
FIFTH DISTRICTHoward BergUniversity of Pennsylvania ‘631660 Gaton Dr., Apt SQ25San Jose, CA 95125October 18, 2024
SIXTH DISTRICTJames FarrellUniversity of Pennsylvania ‘59 2423 Donlon RdWilmington, DE 19803May 2, 2025
EIGHTH DISTRICTWilliam MaherUniversity at Buffalo ‘63 5238 Lake Shore Rd. Hamburg, NY 14075May 23, 2025
NINTH DISTRICTStephen OustatcherNew York University ‘70 21 Dads Ln.Stamford, CT 06903May 16, 2025
