GDA Action June 2012 by Delaine Hall

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ACT ION

THE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

JUNE 2012

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VOLUME 31, NUMBER 6 • JUNE 2012

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. Jonathan Dubin GDA Editor 2970 Clairmont Rd Suite 195 Atlanta, GA 30329

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

2011-2012 Georgia Dental Association Officers Michael O. Vernon, DMD, President Sidney R. Tourial, DDS, President Elect Marshall H. Mann, DDS, Vice President James B. Hall III, DDS, MS, Secretary/Treasurer Jonathan S. Dubin, 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 Patrice Williams, Administrative Assistant Phyllis Willich, Administrative Assistant Pamela Yungk, Director of Membership & Finance 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 2012 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.

JUNE 2012

The GDA Committee for Oral Health in Institutional Settings has a plan to reach out to every nursing home facility in Georgia and give facility staff members tools they can use to provide daily oral health care to residents and know when to seek professional dental care. The key is involving GDA dentists as effective trainers to deliver those tools to nursing home facilities and help the staff create an environment where residents can enjoy optimal oral health. Learn how GDA dentists can motivate nursing home staff to make oral health a priority on page 15.

other features

sections

Georgia Dentists Visit DC to Lobby on Dental Issues

Parting Shots

Editorial

Complying with OSHA’s Revised Hazard Communication Standard

News and Views

Upcoming Events

Board Minutes

Classifieds

12 16

Georgia Mission of Mercy 2013: We Have News For You!

Georgia Presence Makes Impact at National Alliance Conference

Registration Guide to the 145th GDA Annual Meeting

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 AA Anesthesia, P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 AFTCO Transition Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 American Academy of Facial Esthetics . . . . . .13 Aspen Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Center for TMJ Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Civilian Corps USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 DDD Foundation, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Dental Care Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

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

The Doctor’s Safety Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 GDA Dental Recovery Network . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Georgia Dental Insurance Services . . . . . . . . .36 Great Expressions Dental Centers . . . . . . . . . .28 Law Office of Stuart J. Oberman . . . . . . . . . . .30 MobileCat, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 National Practice Transitions, LLC . . . . . . . . . .32 PDQ Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Dr. Mark Padolsky—TMD Dentist . . . . . . . . . .12 Paragon Dental Practice Transitions . . . . . . . .30 PPM / Revenue Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Professional Practice Management . . . . . . . . .33 Solstice Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Southeast Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 UBS Financial Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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editorial perspective Lots of Questions

Jonathan S. Dubin, DMD

What could be simpler than a person seeking oral health care and a dentist providing that care for a fair fee? The answer is easy—unless you add complicating factors. Can third party payers, such as insurance companies, mess up simplicity? You bet! When a third party places restrictions on benefits that can mean a patient will seek less care. Think minimal instead of optimal. That can mean damages to the doctor-patient relationship. Speaking of third parties becoming involved in patient care, ask the physician community how Medicare reimbursement is working for them. Many physicians I know will not take new Medicare patients because of 1) governmental red tape and 2) low reimbursement rates. The same could be said for Medicaid with the addition of more red tape (think eligibility requirements) and even poorer reimbursement rates. In my opinion, governmental systems of care have trumped even the private insurance industry’s follies in their efforts to “improve” care. With the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act looming for medicine and dentistry, one can wonder what new, forced bureaucratic additions and controls will do to our current situation. This country has the finest medical and dental care in the world. There is a cost attached to the availability of that care. Is that a bad thing? Look at some of what has occurred within the medical community: Huge group practices have driven out solo practitioners. There are blizzards of third party contracts those practices must monitor, limited provider networks, and ranks upon ranks of midlevel providers. Many of these systems were put into place to improve efficiency and control costs. Have these systems reduced costs? Or have additional layers of personnel, more paperwork, and higher insurance rates increased the cost of care? Dentistry remains a model for efficient and personalized quality care in our country. If a state adds another layer of provider to the

dental team, such as a mid-level provider tasked with providing irreversible and surgical procedures without being trained as a dentist, I don’t see how that could do anything but drive up costs and affect the quality of care. Several states are likely to test what happens when a mid-level provider is added to the mix in the coming years. My hope is that this experiment will be limited to only a few states and that data comes out of those states disproving the effectiveness of such personnel additions. That way, other states will not make that same blunder. Speaking of poor outcomes, let’s look at the poster child country for dental mid-level providers. Has their use raised the quality of dental care in New Zealand? Pockets of terrible oral disease remain within populations of children and Maori tribes—groups where mid-level providers were directly meant to make a difference. Addressing access by creating different types of lesser educated mid-level providers is not effective in my book. Sometimes change is less of an improvement and more of a complication. Complications don’t equal savings. Ever. I met a young dentist the other day. He is not a member of the GDA and ADA. He couldn’t justify the cost, he said. I told him that he couldn’t afford not to join. Does he have a voice defending his right to practice optimal dentistry for his patients for a fair fee without the GDA and ADA speaking for him? If enough dentists decide they can’t afford our organization, our voice will only be a whisper. Then who will decide our fate? If government changes our health care delivery system, it will take a generation or two to realize the folly of the change. Can that change be undone? What is the cost of a generation or two’s oral health? I have all these questions. I fear the answers.

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general news SWDDS Service Award

Kudos to Southwestern District service honoree Dr. Broadfoot. The Southwestern District Dental Society awarded William W. Broadfoot Jr., DDS, with the Dr. Mark Ritz Service Award at the district’s meeting in May. The award is the highest honor that the district can bestow, and recognizes members for outstanding service to the dental profession.

(L to r): Dr. Bo Broadfoot, Dee Broadfoot, Dr. Bill Broadfoot, and Southwestern District President Elect Dr. Keith Crummey. Dr. Bill Broadfoot is the 2012 Southwestern District Mark Ritz Service Award honoree.

Dr. Broadfoot practices dentistry in Valdosta with his son, Dr. Bo Broadfoot. His wife Dee and their daughter, Rebecca Bynum, RDH, also work in the practice. Mrs. Bynum is a current member of the Georgia Board of Dentistry, following in her father’s footsteps—he served on the Board in the early 2000s. Dr. Broadfoot served as president of the Georgia Dental Association in 1997-98, where he emphasized his interest in improving access for dental care among special needs patients. He is a 1971 graduate of

GDA ACTION JUNE 2012

the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry, and has numerous honors and professional memberships to his credit. The Mark Ritz Service Award was inaugurated in 2011 in honor of GDA Past President Dr. Mark Ritz of Homerville in Southwestern District. He was a dynamic figure with nationwide respect in the dental advocacy field who passed away in 2010 at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer. GDA Past President Dr. Ed Green of Albany received the initial service award.

Brighter Smiles

The campaign helps the Gwinnett Medical Center in metro Atlanta raise funds for breast cancer research, imaging equipment, and facilities improvement. Now in its seventh year, the Brighter Smiles program, which runs from October 1 until January 31 each year, is less than $40,000 away from reaching the $1 million fundraising mark. The program raised $67,000 in 2012, so Dr. Carter and the Gwinnett Medical Center are eagerly anticipating what 2013 will bring. For information on becoming a participating dentist with the program, and helping them push past the $1 million milestone, visit http://brightersmiles.org.

Dr. Carter’s charitable program nears $1 million in funds raised.

Inside Politics

NDDS

Brighter Smiles for Brighter Futures is a charitable fundraising program created by Bruce Carter, DMD, a dentist in Lawrenceville. In the program, dental patients who have been examined by a volunteer dentist and found suitable for the tooth whitening process make a $199 donation to the “Time Matters in the Fight Against Breast Cancer Campaign.” The patient also pays a $50 kit fee. The dental office then provides a tray bleaching system to the patient at no further charge.

DENTISTS

Retiring Goggans honored for service; Hawkins runs for State House. Lee Hawkins, DDS, a dentist in Gainesville and a past GDA president and former state senator, is running for the Georgia House of Representatives in District 27. The seat is presently held by Rep. Doug Collins, who left the State House after the 2012 session to run for

Celebrating raising $67,000 to defeat breast cancer in partnership with the Gwinnett Medical Center are Dr. Bruce Carter and Brighter Smiles for Brighter Futures sponsors and volunteers. The charitable organization is nearing the $1 million fundraising milestone.

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Congress. The district covers northern Hall County and parts of White and Forsyth counties. “I am excited to once again have the opportunity to represent the people of this district,” Dr. Hawkins said in a statement. “We all know that small businesses create and provide the majority of jobs in this country. The health of our economy is also directly dependent upon these businesses. I have supported and will continue to support legislation that represents our conservative values and fiscal responsibility by promoting spending cuts rather than tax increases.” State Sen. Greg Goggans, who announced at the end of the 2012 legislative session that he would not run for re-election, has since received the highest ranking given on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Honor Roll. The Chamber’s Honor Roll recognizes legislators that were most supportive of the business community during the 2012 session. “The A+ grade given by the Georgia Chamber to Senator Goggans reflects an unwavering commitment to bringing jobs, investment and long-term economic growth to Georgia,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “Without question, he is a true champion of the state’s business community.” Sen. Goggans formerly served as the Chair of the Insurance and Labor committee. He plans to return to full-time orthodontic practice in the southwestern Georgia offices he heads with business partner Dr. Dana Fender.

PFA

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Georgia Section PFA Class of 2012 inductees, guests, and dignitaries. (L to r, front row): Drs. David Bordeaux, Evis Babo, Karyn Stockwell, Amanda Merritt, Joe Harris, Holland Maness, Ken McMillan, Alfred Peters, Robin Reich. (L to r, back row): Drs. Neal Morgan, Eddie Pafford, Matt Adams, Seth Stewart, Jim Lewis, and Katie Fry.

to Georgia’s PFA Fellowship Class of 2012: Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.

Matthew Adams Evis Babo David Bordeaux Katherine Fry Holland Maness Ken McMillan Amanda Merritt Neal Morgan Edward Pafford Alfred Peters Seth Stewart

GMOM Health Hero

Georgia Mission of Mercy is an Atlanta Business Chronicle Community Outreach Winner. The inaugural Georgia Mission of Mercy (GMOM), held in August 2011, was a

blockbuster community service endeavor. After 15 months of planning, co-chairs Jonathan Dubin, DMD, and Karyn Stockwell, DMD, along with 1,383 volunteers, provided numerous dental treatments and oral health education for 2,179 indigent patients. The event received widespread media coverage and made a tremendous impression on caregivers, patients, and policymakers alike. In May 2012, the event was honored as the Community Outreach Health Care Hero by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of a chain of weekly business journals owned by conglomerate American City Business Journals. The Health Care Hero awards honor individuals and entities that selflessly and devotedly give back to the less fortunate and research innovative ways to deliver health care.

NEWS Continued on page 8

Dental Honors

PFA Fellows inducted at 10th Annual Leadership Conference. The Georgia Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy recently celebrated its 10th annual Leadership Conference and Convocation at Chateau Elan in Braselton. One highlight—the induction of PFA Fellows by International PFA President Dr. Joe Harris, PFA Trustee Dr. Karyn Stockwell, and Georgia Section Chair Dr. Robin Reich. Kudos

GDA and Alliance attendees at the Atlanta Business Chronicle Health Care Heroes awards banquet were Associate Executive Director Nelda Greene, President Elect Dr. Sidney Tourial, Susan Tourial, Jean Harrington, Past President Dr. Jay Harrington, Dr. Karyn Stockwell, Dr. Jonathan Dubin, Dr. Traci Leong, President Michael Vernon, and Debbie Vernon.

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NEWS Continued from page 7

“The Atlanta Business Chronicle screens hundreds of nominations every year,” said Dr. Dubin, the individual who nominated GMOM. “I know the individuals who select the winners consider it an accomplishment [for an organization] to even be in the finals. The fact that GMOM won is a testament to the tremendous support and joy we had from every volunteer.” The next GMOM event will take place in June 2013. Negotiations are being completed with the host venue, the North Atlanta Trade Center, Gwinnett County. The first GMOM was held on the campus of The First Baptist Church of Woodstock in Cherokee County. Dr. Dubin and Dr. Stockwell have agreed to return as event co-chairs. The GDA looks forward to sharing more about GMOM 2013 in future issues.

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SEDDS Clinic Donation

Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic benefits from GDA dentist donations. Felix Maher, DMD, the president and chairman of Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic, Inc., thanks GDA member dentists for their recent donation of $2,100 via their GDA dues statements. “I am honored that my fellow colleagues support the effort to provide oral health care to the needy children in this community,” he wrote to the GDA office. “This children’s clinic depends largely upon gifts in kind, and this donation will be used to service children at the clinic and purchase much needed supplies. Through this generous contribution, you have helped ensure that the children of the underserved populations in this community receive some access to oral health care.” GDA dentists can make a variety of donations to charitable and other dental

causes via their dues statements, including to the GDA Political Action Committee, Relief Fund, Fisher Dental Education Foundation, Georgia Mission of Mercy, Rehoboth Life Care Ministry Dental Clinic, Give Kids A Smile Day Program, Ben Massell Dental Clinic, Greater Atlanta Dental Foundation, Dentistry for Developmentally Disabled Foundation, Good Samaritan Dental Clinic, Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic, Coastal Medical Access Project Dental Clinic, Kingdom Care Dental Clinic, Columbus Community Dental Clinic, and LaGrange Free Dental Clinic.

ADA Find-A-Dentist

New ADA consumer web site should boost referrals to member dentists. ADA Find-a-Dentist, with nearly 20,000 unique searches per month, will be moving from ADA.org to MouthHealthy.org, the

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ADAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new consumer-oriented web site launching June 25, 2012. The new ADA Find-a-Dentist profile page on MouthHealthy.org features an enhanced view of your credentials and contact information, including social media. In the ADAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consumer research for MouthHealthy.org, finding a dentist was one of the top three most requested features, and consumer traffic is projected to grow exponentially on the new site. This is a great opportunity to help build visibility for your practice, so make sure your profile is up-to-date. Allow potential patients to view information only you can provide including a profile photo, a brief description of your practice, office hours, payment accepted, languages spoken, and social media links. Access ADA.org/memberprofile to customize the information you would wish to share with members as part of the Member Directory on ADA.org, and the information you wish to share with potential patients as part of ADA Find-a-Dentist on MouthHealthy.org.

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Upcoming GDA / District Events JULY 2012

SEPTEMBER 2012

Wed, July 4: GDA Office Closed for July Fourth Holiday.

Mon, Sept 3: GDA Office Closed for Labor Day Holiday.

Thurs, July 19: GDA House of Delegates, Amelia Island, Florida.

Mon, Sept 10: Northern District Executive Council Meeting, Atlanta.

Thurs-Sun, July 19-22: GDA Annual Meeting, Amelia Island, Florida.

Thurs, Sept 13: Northern District CE, Villa Christina, Atlanta.

AUGUST 2012

Thurs, Sept 13: GDA Officers Visit Central District, Riverside Golf Club.

Sat, Aug 11: GDA Board of Trustees Meeting, Atlanta. Thurs, Aug 16: Northern District CE, Villa Christina, Atlanta. Sat, Aug 25: Northern District Gala for Smiles, Druid Hills Golf Club. Sat, Aug 25: Special Olympics Dental Screenings, Warner Robins. Tues, Aug 28: GDA Officers Visit Western District, Green Island Country Club.

Fri-Sat, Sept 28-29: ADA Fifth District (GA, AL, MS) Meeting, Atlanta. Thurs, Oct 11: Northern District CE, Villa Christina, Atlanta. Thurs-Sun, Oct 18-21: ADA Annual Session, San Francisco. Mon, Oct 29: GDA Officers Visit Northern District, Villa Christina.

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Georgia Dentists Among Hundreds to Visit DC and Lobby on Dental Issues More than 300 dentists, Alliance dental spouses, and dental association executives visited the U.S. capital in May for the American Dental Association Washington Leadership Conference (WLC). Attendees took part in policy discussions with members of Congress and Congressional staff, and heard political perspectives from a variety of speakers. “This event requires a lot of effort from the dentists who take part,” said GDA President Dr. Michael Vernon. “You must know the issues, know the legislators, and be persuasive in carrying your argument. Moving any legislation at the national level is an incredibly difficult process. But the process could not go forward without personal contact between legislators and concerned voters.” According to the ADA News, the messages taken to Capitol Hill varied among state delegations but included discussion of access to care, dental benefits, fluoridation, Medicaid, medically recommended dental care, taxation of dental devices, volunteer and charitable dentistry, and pending House and Senate legislation. Georgia’s team, listed on page 11, specifically addressed the following issues with the state’s Congressional Delegation by asking for: • Support of the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2011 and the Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act. Both bills would repeal the excise tax on medical devices, which is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Medical device manufacturers, producers, and importers are likely to pass on to providers and ultimately consumers any costs imposed by excise taxes, in the form of higher prices. The dental industry estimates that the excise tax will increase the cost of dental care by $160 million annually. • Co-sponsors of the Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act. The legislation creates a grant program ($2 million per year for five years) that will support the coordination of med-

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ically recommended dental care for low income individuals. The dental care will be provided by volunteer dentists at no cost to patients who have medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disease, kidney disease or those who need heart or joint replacements or transplants. The $10 million grant investment in this bill could return roughly $65 million in medically-necessary, pro bono dental treatment and help 25,000 Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

paying for coverage that is not there when they may need it. In addition, plans that prohibit beneficiaries from assigning payment for dental services directly to non-participating dentists are unfairly and unnecessarily penalizing patients who choose to go outside a network to receive care. If patients can’t assign benefits, they are forced to pay the dentist themselves and then file paperwork and wait for their dental plans to reimburse them.

• Co-sponsors for the Dental Insurance Fairness Act of 2012. This bill addresses unfair practices of dental benefit plans, such as when a family pays premiums for coverage under two separate dental plans but the plans’ practices prohibit a secondary plan from paying any of the cost of care. As a result, a family is

• Help opposing Section 502 of H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, which provides for the reduction in rank for the Chief Dental Officers of the U.S. Army Dental Corps and the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps from the current statutory grade of Major General to the grade

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of Brigadier General. While the ADA supports Defense Department goals to reduce duplication and instill cost accountability, the ADA believes reducing the chief dentist rank from 2-stars to 1-star will only achieve miniscule savings in the defense budget and have an untold negative impact on military dentistry and on the oral health of soldiers and airmen. • Support in repealing the McCarranFerguson Act, which adversely affects the public by exempting insurers from some federal antitrust laws. • Help in setting the record straight on the benefits of fluoride with Congressional constituents. Research shows that drinking optimally fluoridated water is one of the safest and most cost-effective public health measures for preventing, controlling, and, in some cases, reversing tooth decay. Several lawmakers spoke to the dental attendees about current issues at lecture sessions planned in and around visits to Capitol Hill. In one session, Rep. Michael

Rep. Phil Gingrey (third from right) hosts a GDA and Alliance delegation. (L to r): Dr. James Hutson, President Michael Vernon, Alliance of the ADA representative to the ADA Council on Government Affairs Gigi Kudyba, Dr. Janine Bethea, and Dr. Richard Weinman. (Photo: Stan Barouh for ADA News.)

Burgess, MD, and Rep. Diana DeGette (co-sponsor of the Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act) spoke of their advocacy on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and in congressional leadership. As reported in the ADA News, Rep. Burgess told of his “cordial disagreement” with the Federal Trade Commission over “some activities that I thought were direct interference with state regulation of the

practice of medicine and dentistry,” including an FTC complaint against the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners over teeth whitening services provided in shopping malls by non-dentists. Kudos to Georgia’s WLC delegation for taking time away from practice and family to tackle the lawmaking process on a national scale: GDA / Alliance WLC Delegation Dr. Matt Adams Dr. Janine Bethea Dr. Stan Halpern Dr. Jay Harrington Dr. Chris Hasty Dr. Jim Hutson Dr. Tom Jagor Dr. Kara Moore Dr. Kent Percy Dr. Robin Reich Dr. Doug Torbush Dr. Sidney Tourial Dr. Mike Vernon Dr. Richard Weinman GDA Executive Director Martha Phillips Alliance of the ADA President Debbie Torbush Alliance of the ADA Council on Government Affairs Representative Gigi Kudyba

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How GDA Dentists Can Comply with OSHA’s Revised Hazard Communication Standard Laney Kay, JD

On March 26, 2012, a newly revised Hazard Communication Standard was published in the Federal Register. The bad news is that the new standard is hundreds of pages long, it’s not fun to read, and includes technical information about revisions of chemical classifications and redefines standards such as flammability and combustibility. The good news is that there are not many changes that will specifically affect dentistry. In dentistry, we deal with potentially hazardous chemicals every day, and it’s important to recognize potential hazards and know how to avoid them. Dentists use most chemicals in very small amounts, so large exposures are unlikely. In addition, the personal protective equipment we wear to protect us from potentially infectious materials also helps protect us from chemical exposure, so the likelihood of serious injury is lessened. The goal of the new revised standard is to further reduce the likelihood of injury by making sure that employees can easily determine existing hazards posed by a specific chemical. The new standard includes portions of the old standard, specifically those sections dealing with employee training and workplace documentation, but it also incorporates sections of the “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals” (GHS), which standardizes the way that hazards are communicated in the workplace. Here’s a quick overview of the new requirements.

Material Safety Data Sheets Become Safety Data Sheets (But There is More to It Than That) In the past, the most difficult part of dealing with hazardous chemicals was dealing with the MSDS forms. Chemical manufacturers have always had to disclose any hazards and health risks posed by their prod-

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ucts, but in the past, there was no requirement for how the information was to be conveyed. As a result, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) were often confusing and difficult to understand, so making labels and organizing the forms was a nightmare. Under the new Global Harmonized System, Material Safety Data Sheets are now known as Safety Data Sheets (SDS). They must be in a standardized format and use specific words and symbols to convey hazards and dangers. Safety Data Sheets must be written in a specific format that is divided into 16 sections with uniform headings such as “first aid measures,” “fire-fighting measures,” “accidental

release measures,” “handling and storage,” “exposure controls / personal protection,” “toxicological information,” and onward. The manufacturers must provide labels that use standard pictograms and specific “signal words,” such as “DANGER” to easily convey chemical hazards to the user. The standard pictograms are specific symbols to convey a hazard, such as a flame to show flammability, a skull-and-crossbones to show that a chemical is extremely toxic, and an exploding bomb to show that a chemical is an explosive or is very reactive. Visit the OSHA web site to see the specific requirements for Safety Data Sheets, labels, and pictograms: www.osha.gov/ dsg/hazcom/ghsquickcards.html.

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Written Hazard Communication Plan Requirements Remain the Same Most of the other requirements remain the same within the revised standard. The written hazard communication plan must be current and available to all dental office employees upon request. All employees must be trained on existing hazards in the dental workplace at the time of initial employment and any time additional hazards are added to the workplace. Dentists must maintain a current chemical inventory and the corresponding Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals, and the materials must be organized in a usable form. Any chemicals that are used out of their original container must be labeled using the new label format. Although the new standard will not be fully implemented until June 1, 2016, employees must be trained on the new labels, pictograms, and SDS by December 1, 2013. Some chemical manufacturers have already started the process

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of changing their labeling and SDS formats, so dentists should start to see some of the new materials in the next several months. As the new Safety Data Sheets come in, dentists should replace the old forms with the new ones so the practiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s information stays as current as possible. By June 1, 2016, all labels made in the workplace and the written hazard communication plan must be updated and provisions made for future employee training when the standard is updated and / or when new hazards are identified. As of now, there is no specific new Model Hazard Communication Plan provided by OSHA, so until such time as they may issue one, keep your existing written office plan. If you would prefer to go to an electronic-based SDS notebook instead of the big, annoying notebook, there are web sites that can help you organize one. (One such site where you can set up a free MSDS / SDS binder online is www.msdsxchange.com, but this is not an endorsement of that site. There may be others more suited to your practice needs.) Just

make sure you have a current chemical inventory, and make sure that everyone in the office knows how to get on the web site you choose and access the forms in the event of a problem or if someone needs to make a new label. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it for now. Take the time to get your Hazard Communication Plan in order and that will be one less thing to worry about. Good luck! About the Author: Laney Kay, JD, of Entertaining Training, LLC, has written and spoken on technical and regulatory topics since 1989. Her expertise is in taking very complex, and / or incredibly boring, topics and making them both fun and informative. She has written many articles for state and national journals and has taught courses at multiple American Dental Association and Hinman Dental Society meetings, as well as at other national, state, and district meetings and study clubs, and in individual offices all over the country. Find information about her courses at www.laneykay.com.

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Dentists Needed Now to Impact Oral Health in Nursing Homes The GDA Committee for Oral Health in Institutional Settings has a plan to reach out to every nursing home facility in Georgia and give facility staff members tools they can use to provide daily oral health care to residents and know when to seek professional dental care. The key is involving GDA dentists as effective trainers to deliver those tools to nursing home facilities and help the staff create an environment where residents can enjoy optimal oral health. “Our committee endorses the use of Overcoming Obstacles to Oral Health,” said Chairman Dr. Jonathan Dubin, referring to an educational program developed by the University of the Pacific and endorsed by the American Dental Association. “Our goal is to train dentists to present the program in Georgia nursing homes, and hope that every nursing home in the state will purchase a program kit for their facilities and use them for reference.” The committee has purchased a handful of program kits for use in training dentists on how to carry the program’s message into nursing homes. The committee also mailed a letter to 402 nursing home facilities in late May encouraging the facilities to purchase their own Overcoming Obstacles to Oral Health program kit. The letter informed facility administrators about the availability of GDA trainers who can visit and conduct the program onsite. As responses and requests come in as expected from the nursing homes, the GDA does have a “shortlist” of dentists on file who are available and willing to conduct trainings. However, more dentist volunteers are needed in every GDA district to carry dentistry’s message into nursing homes. “We have this great program and now we need some of our great GDA dentists to step forward,” said Dr. Dubin. “The training process is very easy and straightforward. Once you as a dentist are comfortable and ready to present the information, your time commitment at an interested facility would be approximately

one-half hour for the presentation and then answering whatever questions are asked. “Many older Americans can provide for their own home care, but we do have more than 400 Georgia institutional facilities with long-term residents, and many of them are elderly,” said Dr. Dubin. “Too often, nursing home staff members receive very basic training or no training at all when it comes to oral health care provisions for these residents. There are obstacles to providing good oral care in an institutional setting, but those obstacles are easily overcome if a proper training program is initiated.” Overcoming Obstacles to Oral Health presents information for training key facility staff. But primary author Dr. Paul Glassman of the University of the Pacific told the ADA News that the program also provides solutions to key challenges that can undermine a successful oral health program. “The literature is clear that if you just do training for direct caregivers, it often does not result in behavior change,” Dr. Glassman said in the December 12, 2011, ADA News. “So we have information in [the kit] about how to set up an environment where there is the right kind of emphasis placed on daily mouth care.” The program kit contains a CD-Rom filled with printable forms, tests, manuals, and workbooks that can be used by either direct caregivers or trainers of direct caregivers. The DVD features videos for both audiences. “We want nursing homes to be aware of how fast a resident’s condition can go downhill without the delivery of consistent daily oral care,” said Dr. Dubin. “So many residents are on medications that can affect the oral cavity, and may not be able to provide for their own daily care. We want to partner with the nursing homes to ensure that these vulnerable individuals obtain the oral care they need. We also want staff to learn how to recognize when a dentist needs to be called and that GDA dentists are a local resource for these homes when professional care is needed.”

To volunteer your time, or simply find out more about the program, contact a member of the GDA Committee for Oral Health in Institutional Settings. Your time and help are appreciated.

Committee for Oral Health in Institutional Settings Chairman: Dr. Jonathan Dubin, (404) 636-2763 / jsdubin@aol.com Central: Dr. Grier Godfrey, (478) 749-0109 / griergodfrey17@hotmail.com Eastern: Dr. Celia Dunn, (706) 650-9700 / celia.dunn@comcast.net Northern: Dr. Kevin Hendler, (404) 728-6432 / kevin.hendler@emoryhealthcare.org Northern: Dr. Deidra Rondeno, (404) 942-0086 / dddfound@aol.com Northwestern: Dr. David Kurtzman, (770) 980-6336 / dkdds@drkurtzman.com Northwestern: Dr. Jimmy Talbot, (706) 635-5878 / talbotdental@ellijay.com Southeastern: Dr. Felix Maher, (912) 352-0546 / maherdmd@aol.com Southwestern: Dr. Bo Broadfoot, (229) 244-3700 / jcbdmd@acfd.com Western: Dr. Nancy Gallagher (706) 544-4990 / mn_gallagher@yahoo.com

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alliance Georgia Presence Makes Impact at National Alliance Conference Emily Vagts AADA Communications Coordinator

This year at the Alliance of the American Dental Association (AADA) Annual Conference we spent an amazing April weekend in Stone Mountain, Georgia, renewing friendships, learning, and giving back to the community. The first day of the conference saw 50 Alliance members gather to organize and package hundreds of toothbrush, toothpaste tube, sock, and hat donations they received for their “Head to Toe” initiative. The first ever “Head to Toe” packaging event took place in 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the ADA held their Annual Session. We decided to take on this project once again at the Conference in Stone Mountain. Alliance members packaged 360 kits that will be donated to Senior Connections and the International Women’s House in Atlanta.

(L to r): Gigi Kudyba, AADA Council on Governmental Affairs representative; Martha Phillips, GDA Executive Director; Dr. Richard Weinman, ADA Council on Governmental Affairs Chair; Dr. Gordon Isbell, ADA ADPAC District 5 representative; and Connie Karlowicz, AADA ADPAC representative at the AADA Legislative Breakfast.

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Some GDA and Georgia Alliance members who attended the Conference, including AADA President Debbie Torbush and Georgia Alliance President Helaine Sugarman.

The Alliance’s Foundation for Dental Health Education also held a silent auction at the Stone Mountain Conference. Members of the Alliance both donated items and bid on them in support of dental health for kids! The Foundation auctioned off 75 items and raised an astounding $3,972 in one hour. Thank you to everyone (including our many Georgia friends) who donated and purchased items! Your generosity helps make programs like “Head to Toe” and Alliance Give Kids A Smile Day projects a reality. Dentists who attended the Conference enjoyed a continuing education course, “New Advances in Oral Pathology,” conducted by Georgia’s own Dr. Ronnie Weathers. Everyone also enjoyed the Drum Cafe, visiting the Carlos Museum in Atlanta, and touring some beautiful Southern homes. On Legislative Day, Dr. Gordon Isbell provided guidance on the American Dental Association Political Action Committee, Dr. Richard Weinman of Atlanta (Chair of the ADA Council on Governmental Affairs) outlined the latest legislative issues concerning dentistry at the federal level, and GDA Executive Director Martha Phillips offered tips on running a successful Legislative Awareness (LAW) Day. For photos of all of these Alliance events and more please visit the AADA Facebook.com group page. A special thanks to AADA President Debbie Torbush of Conyers, Georgia, GDA Alliance President Helaine Sugarman, all the amazing Georgia Alliance members and dentists who took part, and all the others that helped make this Conference possible!

Georgia’s own Debbie Torbush, president of the national Alliance, enjoys an Alliance Conference speaker with her husband Dr. Doug Torbush. Dr. Torbush is speaker of the GDA House of Delegates and Northern District president. Thank you both!

Alliance volunteers, including Mary Percy of Georgia (right), assemble “Head to Toe” care kits at the national Alliance Conference in Stone Mountain.

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board minutes Unofficial Actions of the April 2012 Board of Trustees Only the persons present, resolutions passed, and key issues discussed at this meeting are printed in this journal. For full minutes, visit www.gadental.org. If you do not have Internet access, contact Phyllis Willich at (800) 432-4357 for a copy of the minutes. President Mike Vernon called the meeting to order on April 21, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. After the invocation and pledge of allegiance to the flag led by Dr. Robin Reich, Secretary / Treasurer Dr. Jim Hall called the roll and declared a quorum. Present: Dr. Mike Vernon, presiding; Drs. Robert Carpenter, Byron Colley, Keith Crummey, Jonathan Dubin, Jim Hall, Jay Harrington, Stan Halpern (for Jim Hutson), Tom Jagor, Ben Jernigan, Mike Loden, Jim Lopez, Marshall Mann, Donald Nelson, Robin Reich, Steve Sample, Craig Taylor, Doug Torbush, Sidney Tourial, Erik Wells, Michael Wright. Visitors: Drs. Evis Babo, Sarabess Baumrind, Jack Bickford, Hank Bradford, Bruce Camp, Elizabeth Lewis, Jason Mann, Kent Percy, Jim Reynierson, Ryan Vaughn, Becky Weinman, Richard Weinman, Lee Whitesides. GDA staff: Martha Phillips, Nelda Greene, Delaine Hall, Skip Jones, Courtney Layfield, Melana McClatchey, Denis Mucha, Patrice Williams, Pam Yungk.

President’s Report (Dr. Vernon) • Update on the Workforce Census: Market Decisions has obtained responses from approximately two-thirds of Georgia’s dentists. The project is on schedule as planned. • Public health: The GDA is working on an informal meeting with Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald to discuss dental public health matters. • An Oral Health Summit is being planned by Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) for August 13, 2012, in Macon. The GDA is part of the planning committee and information will be shared as it becomes available.

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• Regarding an op-ed in The New York Times about dental therapists and the American Cancer Society’s study about the possible connection between dental xrays and a specific type of brain cancer, Dr. Vernon lauded the GDA’s timely response in providing talking points to members.

Public Relations Committee Dr. Robin Reich provided highlights from her extensive written report. She updated the Board on the meetings and discussions of the full Committee and Web Site Subcommittee. She stated that the committee believes that the duties and responsibilities of the Information Technology Committee fall within the purview and coordination of the Public Relations Committee. Therefore:

[12-4.01] Dr. Robin Reich moved for the BOT to recommend that the IT Committee no longer be a separate standing committee and that an IT Liaison be placed within the GDA Public Relations Committee with the understanding that the IT Liaison can utilize district representatives as needed for IT duties and responsibilities. The motion passed unanimously. This recommendation will be forwarded to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee since this necessitates a GDA Bylaws and Policy Manual change. Dr. Reich further reported that members of the Public Relations Committee felt that the approximately $42,000 being spent on the GAB-Time radio spot could be utilized in more effective public relations activities. Dr. Reich, Dr. Richard Smith, and Ms. Nelda Greene recently met with an agency

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to discuss their assistance with a comprehensive GDA public relations plan. Therefore: [12-4.02] Dr. Robin Reich moved that the BOT approve redirecting the funds being currently spent on the GAB-Time radio buy to other public relations efforts. [12-4.03] Dr. Marshall Mann moved for the BOT to table motion 12-4.02 concerning the redirection of the GAB-Time funds until the June 2012 BOT meeting so that specific recommendations for redirecting these funds could be reviewed. The motion to table passed unanimously.

Patient Protection Task Force Dr. Ty Ivey provided a written update on the activities of the task force. Dr. Sidney Tourial stated that he felt the charge to the task force was completed and that the charge to the task force should be broadened to include other areas of concern to dentistry that can impact the delivery of care to patients. [12-4.04] Dr. Sidney Tourial moved for the GDA to appoint a new task force to address

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issues related to midlevel providers, public health, Medicaid, teledentistry and other issues facing the profession. The motion passed. (Parliamentary note: after further review of previous motion related to the Patient Protection Task Force, motion 12-4.07 was ruled in conflict with previous motion [1011.03] and is therefore moot. See the following from the November 2010 BOT minutes: Dr. Harrington presented a document that referred the recommendations from the GDA White Paper to various GDA committees for study and implementation. The group determined that it is critical to notify key stakeholders of the activities being performed by Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dentists related to access to dental care. [10-11.03] Dr. Erik Wells moved to refer the GDA White Paper recommendations and implementation document to the Patient Protection Task Force for review and for formulation of a strategy for coordinating the implementation of the recommendations. He also moved for the President to appoint a Public Relations Committee liaison to the task force to assist

in this assignment. The motion passed unanimously.)

Oral Health in Institutional Settings Dr. Dubin stated that he had not received enough volunteers from the districts to serve as a resource for nursing home training. He stated that letters are being sent soon to 400 nursing homes offering this service and dentists will be needed to provide the nursing home staff training. Each district was charged with recruiting at least five dentists in their district that would assist with this service. In addition, Ms. Phillips stated that a webinar approach could be utilized for numerous nursing homes and the GDA could possibly utilize a dentist to provide the training via a webinar. GDA staff will investigate that option for additional training modes.

Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

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classified ads Dental Related Services 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.

For Sale: CEREC—practically brand new—just 18 months old; AC Blue Cam updated with 4.0 software. Milling Unit and Ivoclar Oven also included in this amazing package! Excellent condition; will listen to reasonable offers. Please call (912) 580-8876.

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. 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 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—Dental Associate Opportunity in SE Georgia within close proximity to the Georgia coast, Brunswick, SSI areas. Open to New graduates or early retired doctors, FT or PT. Nice staff, pleasant office, good income and an amazing lifestyle. Please fax resume to (912) 638-0990.

Full-Time General Dentist needed to work in Acworth and Marietta. Minimum of 2 years’ experience OR GPR and one year experience. Great working environment, high tech office, with a friendly and very well trained team. A great opportunity for the right person. Please email resume to: Lakepointe@gmail.com WANTED: Full-Time Periodontist. Are you ready to have fun and make a living? Our busy, multi doc, general practice in Sandy Springs is looking for a Periodontist to join our practice. We offer a GREAT working environment, with a highly trained staff, in-house lab, and the latest technology. Excellent marketing in place. We see 250+ new patients / month; our patients are raving fans! Visit our web site at dentaltlc.com and check us out on kudzu.com. Why is Dental TLC the largest, most profitable dental practice in Atlanta? You will need to come and see for yourself! Opportunities like this are scarce! Contact: Roger Abbott at (404) 441-8805 or rogerwabbott@comcast.net. Immediate openings available for recent grads, general dentists, or pediatric dentists in our expanding Lilburn and Dacula pedo practices. FT / PT positions available. Applicants must possess great people skills, enthusiasm, and willingness to embrace new technology. Use of new ideas and continuing education is a must in the treatment of our patients. Must be flexible and want to work in a team environment. Competitive compensation. Please email cover letters and CVs to resumes@tebodental.com. For more information, please visit us at www.tebodental.com or www.youtube.com/tebothetooth.

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Full time associate dentist wanted to join our team in a thriving general dentistry practice in Northwest Georgia. We are looking for a well rounded individual with an interest in all aspects of general dentistry. We have a friendly, well trained, outgoing staff that enjoys taking care of patients. Please call (404) 408-0078 or email: gandydds@comcast.net. Fast growing, busy general practice looking for an associate dentist. We provide general dentistry for patients of all ages offering pediatric conscious sedation and will soon offer adult sedation dentistry. Our doctor and staff are very dedicated and work extraordinarily well together. Caring for our patients is our primary goal so a good chair side manner is a must as well as a positive and motivated personality. If you are interested, please forward resume to jesslong30@yahoo.com or fax to (770) 456-7103.

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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) or visit coastalkidsdental.com. Georgia: Cartersville, Hiram, and East Point—Opportunity available for a general dentist in an established family practice. We are a multi-specialty group providing quality patient care. Locations in the Atlanta area. State-of-the-art office. Excellent incentive packages. Positions include FT / PT. Email resume to HR@asmile4u.com or call (678) 387-2783 ext 1204.

We have an outstanding full time opportunity in our successful, wellrespected, quality oriented private pediatric dental practice for the right candidate. We are seeking a special, motivated, personable individual to join in our success. General dentists would require a minimum of at least 2 years’ experience in pediatric dentistry. 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 Moseley at amanda@kidshappyteeth.com or (678) 352-1090 / (678) 429-9931. Dentist Jobs: Aspen Dental offers tremendous earning potential and a practice support model that empowers dentists to achieve goals. We eliminate obstacles for dentists to own their own practice. To learn more about our compelling proposition and to apply, please call (877) 332-9154 or visit www.AspenDentalJobs.com. EOE.

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Positions Available— Dental Staff Seeking experienced, licensed, and motivated dental hygienist to fill second full-time Hygiene Position in a thriving and growing dental practice in Columbus, GA. Forward resume, license, and 2 reference letters to fax no. (706) 689-7490.

Practices/ Office Space Available Office available immediately: Brunswick, Georgia, in beautiful Golden Isles on the coast. Ideal location near the Hospital. Dental specialist nearby in the area. 2075 sq. ft, some equipment included. Two office buildings with Periodontist in adjacent office. Nitrous oxide, oxygen included. Four operatories, consultant room, private office. For lease or sale. Contact Dr. Mac Buntin at (912) 6384802.

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Located on Main Highway—Nelson Brogdon Blvd in Buford / Sugar Hill. 1.5 miles from Mall of Georgia. 3,500 sq feet—last used as Ortho. Also 1,200 sq feet previously used as Perio. Free standing building with over 50 general dentists nearby. Email cherdavis@bellsouth.net or call (770) 845-9159. I-985 / Sugar Hill—Seeking PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE to locate next door to oral surgeon, endodontist, and family dentist in new office park with established family medicine and cardiology practices. New space for sale or lease, will built to suit. Call Matthew Levin (678) 467-9658. Practice for sale due to health reasons and it’s time (forty-two years). Located in south-central GA. Great place to raise a family with good hunting and fishing. Will continue working during transition period. Practice now limited to surgery, extractions, and prosthetics. Call (229) 424-5888 Fri, Sat. or Mon before 6pm.

Available: SAVANNAH AREA #8779— Gross Collections $1.05M; 4 days; 5 operatories; 2660 sq. ft. office space. ATLANTA PERIO #5241—Gross Collections $1.32M, 3 days, 4 ops; 2400 sq. ft. office space NORTH ATLANTA PERIO #5241—Associate needed for high tech perio practice. All phases of perio performed. PAULDING COUNTY #8799—Gross Collections $653K, 4.5 days, 6 ops, 3600 sq. ft. office space. NW GA #8816—Gross Collections $1.09M; 4 days; 5 ops; 2450 sq. ft. office space. COLUMBUS AREA #8824—Gross Collections $310K; 4 days, 6 ops; 3000 sq. ft. office space. NORCROSS OFFICE SPACE #8834—1750 sq. ft. office space and dental equipment for lease. Two fully equipped and 2 unequipped operatories. $3500 a month. For information, call Dr. Earl Douglas, (770) 664-1982 or email Earl@adssouth.com.

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CLASSIFIEDS Continued from page 33 Available: BUCKHEAD: Beautiful, prime location, 4 operatories. DECATUR: Grossing $1.8 million, multi-doctor. GWINNETT: Grossing $550,000, 4 operatories. GWINNETT: Grossing $210,000, 4 operatories, great merger. TUCKER: Grossing $350,000, 5 operatories. MERGERS: Buckhead, Duluth, Mid-Town, Peachtree City. Contact Richane Swedenburg, New South Dental Transitions: (770) 630-0436, Check new listings, www.newsouthdental.com; info@newsouthdental.com. *REDUCED* CUMMING: Excellent opportunity, accelerated start up. The rent is $1,400 per month 2 equipped / 4 plumbed. $125K or best offer. Great location and any other pertinent details. For more information call (678) 82-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com, or visit www.southeasttransitions.com.

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FLOWERY BRANCH / HOSCHTON/ BRASELTON, GA: 20,000 square foot dental office building for lease in the #4 most economically developing area in the country! Now Leasing and Interior Build Out Can Begin Immediately! Great lease rates & TI allowance available. Looking for PERIO, ENDO & ORAL SURGEON. In a highly visible area where NO specialists are located at this time! Be the first in the area for a promising long term career location. Whether you want 1,500 or 5,000 square feet, space will be tailored to each individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. Perfect location for a new practice startup or a 2nd satellite location! Close to the newly approved satellite location for Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Demographics are off the charts and schools are unbelievable â&#x20AC;Ś literally one of the most sought after locations around! Priority will be given on a first come / first serve basis. Please email: SpoutSpringsProfessionalPark@gmail.com for more information or call (678) 612-2277.

Savannah: Successful, turnkey ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY practice. Doctor retiring. Two surgical suites. Great staff. Electric hand pieces. Plumbed for dry air pneumatic hand pieces. Excellent location in modern professional building. $300K+ at 3 1/2 days / week. Great place to live and play. Priced to sell at $190K. Contact Dean Cox @ (678) 584-4855. *NEW* DEKALB COUNTY: Pedo Practice for Sale. Thriving pediatric practice with 8 operatories for sale in Dekalb County! This all digital and paperless practice collected $780K in 2011 and is open 3 days a week. There is room for growth for multiple providers. Practice is located in a beautiful, free standing building; real estate is also for sale! For more information call (678) 482-7305, email amanda@southeasttransitions.com, or visit www.southeasttransitions.com.

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Inside This Issue • Georgia Dentists Visit Capitol Hill to Lobby on Dental Issues • Georgia Mission of Mercy 2013: We Have News for You

DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

ACTION

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