GDA Action March 2012 by Delaine Hall

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ACT ION

THE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

MARCH 2012

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VOLUME 31, NUMBER 3 • MARCH 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

Be counted—complete the GDA dental workforce census. The way you practice dentistry is at stake. Government officials and private foundations trumpet that there is a shortage of dentists in Georgia. This can lead to support of workforce initiatives like mid-level providers for which there is no proven need. The GDA needs accurate information to determine the true dental workforce in our state. If you have not taken the survey, visit http://www.marketdecisions.com/GDAsurvey (case sensitive; type carefully) as soon as possible. See page 4 for a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding the survey, and thank you for participating.

other features

sections

Dentists Care: Dentistry from the Heart

Parting Shots

Editorial

Inaugural Leadership GDA Class Blazes Trail

News and Views

Minutes

Classifieds

GDA and UBS Celebrate Ten Years of Benefits

GDA Responds to State’s Medicaid Re-Design Proposals

GDA Annual Meeting Preview: Amazing in Amelia

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.

MARCH 2012

Member Publication American Association of Dental Editors

See page 30 for President’s Cruise, Annual Meeting hotel room, Orthodontic Assistant Certification, and calendar updates!

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 AFTCO Transition Consultants . . . . . . . . . . .31 Atlanta Age Management Medicine / Dr. Ana Casas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Center for TMJ Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Civilian Corps USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Dr. Ruth Clemans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Crye-Leike Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Dental Care Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

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

The Doctor’s Safety Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 EC Price General Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Frances Cullen PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 GDA Dental Recovery Network . . . . . . . . . . .22 GDIS / UBS Financial Services . . . . . . . . . . .32 Great Expressions Dental Centers . . . . . . . . .8 Law Office of Stuart J. Oberman . . . . . . . . . .9 Louisiana Dental Association . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Medical Protective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

MobileCat, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 National Practice Transitions, LLC . . . . . . . .27 Officite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 PDQ Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Dr. Mark Padolsky—TMD Dentist . . . . . . . . .21 Paragon Dental Practice Transitions . . . . . .26 Professional Practice Management . . . . . . .26 Shaul Beckman Paige, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Southeast Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

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editorial perspective Teaching Nursing Care Facilities That Teeth Count

Jonathan S. Dubin, DMD

Committee for Oral Health in Institutional Settings 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

Last year I wrote about how the first Baby Boomers* are turning 65, and how the aging of this diverse group signals not only the graying of America, but also the need for our oral health care services to cater to an older population’s needs and desires. Most older Americans will be able to provide for their own home care, but there is now (and will be for the foreseeable future) a percentage of our population who will be bound to institutional living. Because of their dependence, due to natural biological aging and / or dementia, these individuals will need the daily help of others to assist with or provide 100 percent of the daily routine of cleansing of the mouth. Residents of institutional facilities may be on numerous medications that cause xerostomia, and may have physical disabilities limiting their dexterity. In a short period of time that combination along with a lack of good oral hygiene can have a devastating effect on the condition of the dentition and peridontium. This virtually guarantees a downward spiral in a resident’s health considering the demonstrated negative impact that oral infection has on an individual’s systemic health and well-being. This problem makes oral health prevention and referral for professional care when necessary imperative. Too often, caretakers of this often forgotten and neglected population receive improper training or no training at all when it comes to oral health care provisions. 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. We in Georgia are uniquely qualified now to help stem the deterioration of the oral health of institutional residents. Our GDA President Dr. Mike Vernon told us in his inaugural speech last summer to do something amazing. I think something amazing

would be for Georgia dentists to teach all staff members at all institutional care facilities to provide amazingly good oral health care to their residents. The GDA Committee for Oral Health in Institutional Settings (which I chair) has a plan to make that amazing goal happen. Our Committee now owns an extremely well laid out workbook, PowerPoint presentation, and video series called “Overcoming Obstacles for Oral Health.” This program, developed by the University of the Pacific and adopted by the American Dental Association, specifically targets caregivers of persons with disabilities and frail elders and instructs them on how to provide daily oral health care and when to seek professional care. What we need now are dentists who are willing to take the PowerPoint presentation into facilities upon request of the institution’s staff in order to effectively transfer our knowledge to the caretakers. Your time commitment at the facility would be approximately one-half hour for the presentation and then time for questions. Each GDA district has a Committee member coordinating requests for help from nursing facilities and connecting facilities with volunteers. All we need is you. Make an amazing difference and contact your district’s Committee chair and offer your time. Thank you.

* The U.S. Census Bureau defines Baby Boomer as a person who was born between the years 1946 and 1964. There were approximately 76 million American children born during that time period.

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general news GDA Suite Dedication The Georgia Dental Association is a booster of the Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU) College of Dental Medicine in a number of ways. GDA dentist leaders and staff members host events at the school. The GDA financially supports several activities. And the Association was a major contributor to the fund that helped create the new dental building in Augusta. “I am proud I was president during the grand opening of the most amazing dental school anywhere at Georgia Health Sciences University,” said GDA President Dr. Michael Vernon, an alumnus of the school. “Many dentists around the state were inspired to do something when asked to help raise the private money needed to make it possible for the building to happen, and our Association as an organization was as well. The results are amazing.”

The GDA contributed $76,000 to the building fund over the course of three years, earning a place in the top four tiers of donors. In recognition of the GDA’s contributions, the school named a suite in honor of the Association. “The plaque is mounted in the reception area, adjacent to the office of Associate Dean and GDA member and outstanding supporter Dr. Carole Hanes,” said Dr. Vernon. “The visibility is tremendous. I was happy to attend a dedication for the plaque and suite on behalf of all members who contributed.”

DONORS SPOTLIGHT Dr. Robert McGuinn Kudos to Dr. Robert McGuinn of Northern District. He was selected by the University of Louisville as the 2011 Alumni Fellow for the School of Dentistry. Dr. McGuinn graduated from the Louisville dental school in 1974. Dr. McGuinn and his wife Penny were stalwart supporters of the development and construction of the dental school’s Innovative Simulation Clinic. The McGuinns have also created and are funding: • Endowments to provide scholarships for Louisville students from Georgia,

(L to r): GHSU American Student Dental Association representative Bob Wilson, GHSU Dental Dean Dr. Connie Drisko, and GDA President Dr. Michael Vernon at a dedication ceremony honoring the GDA’s contributions to GHSU’s new dental school building. The plaque reads “Student Affairs Suite provided by the generosity of the GDA and its many dedicated members. Their support and advocacy for the dental profession, commitment to educational excellence at the College of Dental Medicine, and generosity to students, faculty, staff, and alumni is unwavering.” (Photo: Mr. Dale Crail.)

• An annual cash award to a faculty member who has excelled in teaching, and • Annual support for senior students traveling to Atlanta for the Hinman Dental Meeting. Dr. McGuinn is also valued as a key member and advocate of the committee to support renovation and renewal of the dental school facility in general. In bestowing the award, the school noted Dr. McGuinn’s multiple international (both as part of the armed services and private) and domestic charitable dental efforts. While still active in the military reserves, Dr. McGuinn started the joint Army Indian Reservation Dental Programs. Furthermore, he is a strong supporter and participant along with the 2010 Alumni Fellow, Dr. William Collins, in outreach programs within Kentucky and other venues in Appalachia. (www.uoflalumni.org)

SWDDS Southwestern District The district welcomed 250 dentists and staff members to hear Dr. Rhonda Savage during its Winter Meeting in January. Dr. Savage is the CEO of Miles Global and spoke on “Excellence in Dentistry.”

Louisville Dental School Alumni Fellow Dr. Robert McGuinn during a four-month term of service in Kosovo in 2005 (after a tour in Iraq in 2004). Part of his time in Kosovo was devoted to humanitarian efforts. GDA ACTION MARCH 2012

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“Her talk was terrific,” said First Vice President Dr. Greg Morris. “The presentation was extremely entertaining as well as informative.” The district thanks all dentists and staff who supported the event and turned out to support the officers and speaker.

GDIS Director of Marketing Skip Jones and GDA Director of Membership Pam Yungk talk with dental students during the GHSU clinic day. (Photo: Michael Winstead.)

SWDDS speaker Dr. Rhonda Savage with district First Vice President Dr. Greg Morris. (Photo: Dr. Keith Crummey.)

District President Amanda Merritt honored district Immediate Past President Dr. Jeff Singleton with a plaque during the Southwestern Winter Meeting. (Photo: Dr. Keith Crummey.)

GHSU Clinic Day Report The Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine held its annual Clinic Day on February 8. While the students took part in many activities, including clinic games (taking alginate impressions of random items, building structures out of wax, and participating in relays) GDA Director of Membership Pam Yungk and Georgia Dental Insurance Services Director of Marketing Skip Jones staffed an Association information booth. “The booth was busy all day,” said Ms. Yungk, who has visited the school on Clinic Day for 15 years. “This is a great opportu-

GDA ACTION MARCH 2012

nity to promote Association and insurance services to students, make contacts, answer questions, and start becoming a resource for them to count on.” Attending Clinic Day is one of a number of ways that GDA staff and leadership reach out to the dental students and school. Staff members and GDA officers conduct a Senior Transition Program, and attend and often speak at

governmental affairs lectures, risk management lectures, sporting events, and investment seminars. The GDA and GDIS also financially sponsor a number of student activities including the Awards Luncheon each spring. Thanks to all of the students who stopped by to say ‘hi’ and learn about the GDA.

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LEGIONNAIRE’S Dental Waterlines ABCNews.com posted a story in February regarding an 82-year-old woman who died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease from an Italian dental office. Investigators determined that the woman died from the severe, pneumonia-like illness after being exposed to contaminants in the waterlines in her dentist’s office. The story was based on a case report published in the February 18 issue of the medical journal The Lancet. ABC News contacted the American Dental Association (ADA) about the story and interviewed ADA expert spokesperson on infectious diseases, Dr. John Molinari, who was quoted in the ABC article. ADA information issued on the story states that infection control standards in the United States are stringent. In 1995, the American Dental Association Board of Trustees and ADA Council on Scientific Affairs first adopted a statement on dental unit waterlines. The ADA has also developed resources to assist dental offices in maintaining dental unit waterlines. Proper

maintenance of dental unit waterlines ensures the delivery of water of an optimal microbiological quality to the dental patient. For more information on this story or dental unit waterlines, visit www.ada.org.

ADA

required to submit an original research report that could be published and must submit an explanation of how the research incorporates current dental standards and / or contributes to the development of dental standards by August 31, 2012. For more information, visit: www.ada.org/dentalstandards.

SURVEY

Investigator Award

Dental Trivia

The American Dental Association (ADA) is accepting applications for the new John W. Stanford New Investigator Award. The award highlights the crucial role dental standards play in assuring patient health and safety and the efficacy of dental products. Dental standards are developed by dental professionals to establish specific technical, performance and / or safety requirements for dental products. The Stanford Award was designed to encourage dentists and dental students to conduct standards-based research and standards development. Dental students and dentists who have earned their dental degree no earlier than 2007 are eligible to apply. Applicants are

In preparation for the Chicago Dental Society’s 147th annual Midwinter Meeting, CDS members were asked in Fall 2011 about current trends and dental care tips. More than 100 CDS members responded: • What can’t a castaway dentist do without? If stranded on a deserted island, more than half of dentists surveyed chose an unlimited supply of toothbrushes over toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash. • Nearly 89 percent of dentists surveyed say they have a personal Facebook account, which is up from a 60 percent response from last year’s survey. Twitter is also on the rise, with more than 16 per-

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cent of dentists on the social networking site, up from only an 8 percent response last year. • Social media for dental offices picks up steam. More than 67 percent of dentists surveyed say that their practice has a Facebook page, which is up from a 17 percent response last year. Nearly 24 percent say their practice uses Twitter, up from 6 percent, and 14 percent are using YouTube, up from 4 percent. • More than half of the dentists surveyed say that their patients’ number-one excuse for not brushing or flossing their teeth is they don’t have enough time. When it comes to the most interesting explanation, we found out that pets don’t just eat homework—they crave toothbrushes, as well! • Dentists have hearts. Almost 70 percent of the dentists surveyed say they volunteer their services to dental charities. More than 80 percent say they provide discounted services at their practice,

GDA ACTION MARCH 2012

while over 70 percent say they donate supplies. Others provide financially to charities or volunteer at dental clinics.

CONNECTED

larger level it could mean organizations studying aggregated data from millions of Beam Brush users, looking for patterns or shifts in how oral care is handled. (From gigaom.com)

Bluetooth Brush

FDA

Beam Technologies is set to introduce a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush and app in March. The toothbrush, which will retail for $50 for the base and $3 per brush head, contains a sensor and Bluetooth radio that will send brushing information to a smartphone app. The first generation toothbrush will track how long and when a person brushes their teeth. The app will play songs during the process. Future brushes are slated to show how long a user spends brushing in certain areas of the mouth. The developer, Beam CEO Alex Frommeyer, would eventually like patients to share their brushing data with their dentists. On an individual level that could mean more detailed patient information being available to dental offices. On a

Toothbrush Alert On February 16, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted information alerting the public about the potential for injury while using the following models of Spinbrush manufactured by Church & Dwight Co. Inc.: ProClean, ProClean Recharge, Pro Whitening, SONIC, SONIC Recharge, Swirl, Classic Clean, For Kids, and Replacement Heads. An FDA inspection last year of Church & Dwight uncovered evidence that there had been numerous consumer complaints that had not been reported to the agency. On May 16, 2011, FDA warned the company of its violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including failure to report—within a reasonable time

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frame—serious injuries. After further discussions with Church & Dwight about the risks of the battery-powered Spinbrush, the company has improved brush labeling about changing brush heads, added bristles that change color with wear to give consumers a visual reminder of when to replace the brush head, and issued safety notices about Spinbrush. The FDA regulates toothbrushes— whether manual or electric—as medical devices that are intended to help prevent tooth decay. “Electric toothbrushes can be very effective in removing dental plaque, and so they can help prevent dental decay and gum disease,” says Susan Runner, DDS, chief of FDA’s dental devices branch. “At the same time, it’s important to supervise children when they use these brushes, and to look out for any malfunctions of the toothbrush that might cause an injury.” Injuries reported from using the Spinbrush powered toothbrush include chipped or broken teeth, cuts to the mouth and gums, swallowing and choking on broken pieces, and injury to the face and eyes.

For more information, dentists and consumers should visit www.fda.gov.

DENTISTS

CORRECTION

The GDA remembers these dentists who made significant contributions to the profession, patients, families, and communities and whose information was recently forwarded to the GDA office.

Names and Faces In the November 2011 GDA Action, Dr. Brent Herrin of Savannah was misidentified in a photo on page 14. The GDA managing editor regrets this error.

(L to r): Welcoming then-ADA President Gist to Savannah are Dr. Robert Simmons, Dr. Billy Jamerson, Sen. Lester Jackson, DDS, Dr. Alda Underwood-Hall, Dr. Raymond Gist, Dr. Carole Hanes, Dr. Jay McCaslin VI, Dr. Brent Herrin, Dr. Tom Broderick, and Dr. Ann Linton.

In Memoriam

Stephen S. Fennell, DDS, who died May 31, 2011, at the age of 71. Dr. Fennell was a 1964 Loyola University School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the GDA through the Eastern District. He was an oral surgeon and an American Dental Association Life Member. Charles O. McCrory, DDS, who died January 10, 2012, at the age of 72. Dr. McCrory was a 1965 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the GDA through the Northern District. The general dentist was a GDA Honorable Fellow and an American Dental Association Life Member.

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Marshall M. Parks Jr., DDS, who died April 25, 2010, at the age of 83. Dr. Parks was a 1955 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the GDA through the Southwestern District. He was a general dentist and an American Dental Association Life Member. Doyle R. Pratt, DDS, who died December 10, 2011, at the age of 83. Dr. Pratt was a 1957 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the GDA through the Central District. He was a general dentist and an American Dental Association Life Member. William D. Roberts, DDS, who died January 30, 2012, at the age of 68. Dr. Roberts was a 1966 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the GDA through the Northern District. He was a general dentist and an American Dental Association Life Member. Albion Smith Jr., DDS, who died February 3, 2012, at the age of 90. Dr. Smith was a 1954 Emory University School of Dentistry graduate and a member of the GDA through the Northern District. He was a general dentist and an American Dental Association Life Member.

GDA Staff Members Answer Dentist Questions: Q: How often are dentists required to perform spore testing for autoclaves? A: From Nelda Greene, Associate Executive Director: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the correct functioning of sterilization cycles should be verified for each sterilizer weekly. Biological indicators (i.e.; spore tests) are the most accepted method for monitoring the sterilization process because they assess it directly by killing known highly resistant microorganisms. The rules of the Georgia Board of Dentistry require dentists to conform to the infection control guidelines of the CDC. For a copy of the Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settingsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;2003, visit www.cdc.gov and download your copy.

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dentists care Cobb Practice’s “Dentistry from the Heart” Event Draws Hundreds of Patients The Dentists Care column features charitable dental efforts created or supported by GDA member dentists. If you would like to suggest a charitable dental event or organization, email Delaine Hall at hall@gadental.org.

What the Charitable Effort Involved Dr. Michael Mansouri and Dr. Azita Mansouri, married GDA member general dentists with practices in Gwinnett and Cobb counties, conducted a Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH) charitable care event for individuals age 18 and older at their Cobb office in November 2011. The practice advertised the availability of the firstcome, first served, one-day, free care event in local media outlets, and worked with community and dental sponsors to ensure that enough dental, volunteer, and patient supplies were on hand. The doctors were overwhelmed by both the numbers of patients who lined up to receive care, and the outpouring of support from their community and vendors. DFTH is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free dental care to those who need it. Every year, indi-

vidual dentists and practices across the country donate their time and resources to host their own DFTH events. The organization promotes and unifies events on a national level. DFTH was founded by Dr. Vincent Monticciolo in 2001 when he offered a full day of free dental care from his New Port Richey, Florida office. The organization has grown to include hundreds of hosts across the nation, and Dr. Monticciolo continues to provide free care in his office.

The Volunteers Who Made a Difference By 3:30 a.m. on the Saturday of the dental charitable event, there were more than 400 prospective patients in line. Initially, Dr. Azita and Dr. Michael expected to be able to treat 150 patients, but with a total volunteer turnout of 11 doctors and approximately 70 dental staff members, 217 patients were provided with muchneeded care. Kudos to Drs. Grace Bae, Shahrokh Bagheri (oral surgeon), Nadia Esfandiarinia, Ami Majmundar, Ali Makhmalbaf, Azita Mansouri, Michael Mansouri, Farid Moghaddam, Thuc

Nguyen, Abtin Shahriari (oral surgeon), and Robert Wunderle (oral surgeon) for their efforts. Both Dr. Azita and Dr. Michael are exceedingly grateful to their sponsors, who covered the approximately $20,000 cost of hosting the event. The four primary sponsors were KeyWorth Bank, Willeford Group, United Concordia Dental, and MICROCOPY. Others contributing were Pure Life, 3M ESPE, Premier Dental, Oral-B, Henry Schein, Peacock Partnership, Discus Dental, Switzer Medical, Chick-Fil-A Johnson Ferry, McDonald’s Lower Roswell Road, Dunkin Donuts, Longhorn Lower Roswell Road, Papa John’s Lower Roswell Road, Suburban Rental Lower Roswell Road, and Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Many area residents also turned out to provide patients waiting overnight with warm food.

DENTISTS CARE Continued on page 17

Some of the nearly 100 volunteers who turned out in support of a Dentistry From The Heart charitable dental care event conducted by Dr. Azita Mansouri and Dr. Michael Mansouri of Northern District.

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Inaugural Leadership GDA Class Completes Initial Slate of Activities Dr. Bruce Camp Leadership GDA Chairman

President Mike Vernon came into office last summer with several projects he was eager to tackle. One was creating a Leadership GDA program to identify and train future Association leaders. His goal was to give these potential leaders a better understanding of organized dentistry and to prepare them for a leadership role within the GDA. I was honored that he selected me to chair this important program. We had an amazing inaugural class! Thanks to the following doctors who took part in a GDA Board of Trustees meeting, a GDIS / GDHC Stakeholder board meeting, the Winter 2012 House of Delegates, and a Legislative Awareness (LAW) Day:

Central District Dr. Jason Mann

Eastern District Dr. Brad Hall

Northern District Dr. Evis Babo Dr. Sarabess Baumrind Dr. Brook Corbett Dr. Ron Cavola Dr. Ryan Vaughn Dr. Lee Whitesides

Northwestern District Dr. Hank Bradford Dr. Casey Hart Dr. Elizabeth Lewis Dr. Freddie Padilla Dr. Kumar Patel

Southeastern District Dr. Cara DeLeon Dr. Matt Rosenthal

Southwestern District Dr. Bo Broadfoot We are also inviting this year’s class members to attend the GDA Annual Meeting this summer, take part in the GDA Spokesperson Training program this

GDA ACTION MARCH 2012

Kudos to the Leadership GDA class members who attended the Winter House of Delegates meeting in Atlanta: (l to r) GDA President Dr. Mike Vernon, Dr. Hank Bradford, Dr. Jason Mann, Dr. Freddy Padilla, Dr. Lee Whitesides, Dr. Casey Hart, Dr. Cara DeLeon, Dr. Ron Cavola, Dr. Evis Babo, Dr. Bo Broadfoot, Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, Dr. Kumar Patel, GDA Associate Executive Director Nelda Greene, and Leadership GDA Chair Dr. Bruce Camp.

fall, and complete the American Dental Association “Understanding the Association” online training modules. Candidates were selected based on an interest in learning more about organized dentistry (specifically the GDA) and the Association’s governance structure, as well as the political process, community service opportunities, and public relations activities. Candidates could self-select with district approval or be nominated by their district. There were not a set number of candidates required to be chosen from each district, although all districts were encouraged to identify candidates. Here are some of the comments shared by this year’s participants about the value of the program. If you have questions about the program, or want to know how you can participate, email me at voncamps@comcast.net. “This leadership program is an excellent opportunity to learn about the mission of GDA, ongoing issues facing our profession, and our collective efforts to preserve our freedom to practice and improve care for our patients. I am sure it will encourage me to be actively involved in shaping the future of our profession.” Dr. Kumar Patel, Marietta, Georgia. “I am happy to be a part of the inaugural class of the Leadership GDA program. Previously I was part of the ADA Institute

for Diversity in Leadership which provided me a greater understanding of the need for more participation by all dentists in organized dentistry. The Georgia program is bringing the current and past administration of the GDA together with the future administration. I enjoyed participating in this program.” Dr. Evis Babo, Atlanta, Georgia. “A sincere ‘thank you’ to the GDA leadership, GDA staff, and all the rest of the Class of 2012 Leadership GDA for an enlightening and thought provoking House of Delegates weekend. All of us in the dental profession in Georgia are fortunate to have wonderful and talented leaders who help guide this profession and protect our patients from undue influence through outside sources. We are blessed with such a great group of people looking out for our best interest now, as in the past. Hopefully with the inception of this GDA Leadership program and other programs, future leaders are being groomed to fill leadership positions later on. There is much to know besides practicing dentistry, and there is much to learn. I look forward to more opportunities to increase my knowledge within the GDA organization itself. Thank you for this opportunity.” Dr. Ron Cavola, Conyers, Georgia.

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Ten Years of Partnership with UBS Produces Rewards for GDA Dentists How do you ascertain the success of an Association endorsement partnership? You can look at the numbers of members who have benefitted from the endorsed service or product, the level of benefit they enjoyed, and the overall return to the Association. Any way you examine the 10year-old partnership between the Georgia Dental Association (GDA) and UBS Financial Services, Inc., both members and the Association are seeing success. The Partnership The GDA Finance Committee, then-Executive Committee, and House of Delegates voted to endorse UBS Financial Services (then UBS PaineWebber) in 2002 initially for a customized retirement platform for dental practices. After the endorsement was in place, a dedicated team, the Wile Consulting Group, visited dental offices and conducted seminars at district and

“I have taken advantage of the partnership between the GDA and UBS since its inception in 2002. Previously, I always felt that financial services that I employed primarily were interested in their own bottom line and mine was secondary. With UBS I am comfortable that my financial health is their main concern. We have been delighted with the service and with our results.” Dr. Doug and Patty Giorgio, Savannah, Georgia

GDA state meetings to communicate the benefits of the retirement plan. The team also reached out to the students at nowGeorgia Health Sciences University to help them begin thinking about planning for the future. “Finding a firm you can trust with building a basis not only for your retirement, but for your family’s future, your practice’s future—this is not a choice people take lightly,” said GDA Executive Director Martha Phillips. “And they shouldn’t. But the dentists in the more than 100 practices who have chosen UBS as an investment partner have been pleased with the results and service they have experienced. Believe me, the GDA office hears about it when dentists are unhappy. We have heard many positive reactions, so we believe this relationship is a success. “We know UBS promised the GDA that this partnership would be a commitment for the long haul,” Mrs. Phillips said. “I think our dentists have seen and responded to that commitment.”

• Model 1 (Conservative): A cumulative return of 45.7% would have grown a dentist’s investment to $145,683.

The Payoff Georgia Dental Insurance Services (GDIS) Board of Directors Chairman Dr. John Ferguson, who helped introduce UBS services to the membership, continues to be impressed with the tremendous benefit that UBS offers exclusively to dentists. “We have a great bargain in UBS that every dentist should consider,” said the Milledgeville dentist. “You cannot get the UBS level of service and pricing from any firm on the street.” When the GDA / UBS plan rolled out, only 5 percent of 401K plans offered asset allocation modeling. UBS was a trendsetter—an estimated 55 percent of 401K plans now offer models. From the beginning of the partnership, the GDA / UBS plan offered six, one for practically every level of investing need from conservative to aggressive. The results of this modelbased planning speak volumes. For instance, if a GDA dentist had invested $100,000 in November 2002 with UBS, here are the results the dentist would have realized by November 2011:

Although the GDA / UBS plan started with a focus on a retirement plan customized for dentists that featured exclusivity to funds and managers and special plan pricing, and has produced obviously successful results for clients utilizing that plan, the UBS slate of services has grown significantly. GDA members can also now enjoy access to financial goal analysis, education funding, estate planning, tax planning, securities-backed lending, life documents review, insurance reviews, income replacement during retirement, and SEPs. A customized GDA / UBS “Financial Goal Analysis” serves as a financial roadmap and is the foundation and first step UBS takes to build a relationship with a GDA dentist. The GDA / UBS team will define a dentist’s long-term goals and objectives, analyze the dentist’s current situation, and make appropriate recommendations to ensure a dentist’s goals will be met.

• Model 2 (Moderately Conservative): A cumulative return of 53.3% would have grown a dentist’s investment to $153,345. • Model 3 (Moderate): A cumulative return of 61.3% would have grown a dentist’s investment to $161,309. • Model 4 (Moderately Aggressive): A cumulative return of 67.8% would have grown a dentist’s investment to $167,848. • Model 5 (Aggressive): A cumulative return of 75.5% would have grown a dentist’s investment to $175,481. • Model 6 (Very Aggressive): A cumulative return of 82.2% would have grown a dentist’s investment to $182,167.

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“I’ve been using UBS since 2003. Harris is very accessible and makes a point to meet with me regularly. I’ve been very happy with his very professional and friendly help.” Dr. David Perry, Augusta, Georgia

UBS PARTNERSHIP Continued from page 15

One service that has been added combines information and fun—the educational events hosted by UBS for current and potential clients. UBS has hosted functions at The High Museum of Art and Atlanta International Raceway, held private movie screenings, and given receptions at events like the GDA Annual Meeting. UBS wants all dentist clients to understand the complicated world of investments and funds, and feel comfortable with the decisions they make in concert with UBS.

The Potential The number of dentists who have signed on with UBS Financial Services has grown steadily. UBS has likewise added more qualified team members who can personally serve and connect with dentists. Currently, the team features the talents of Senior Vice President-Investments Edward Wile, Vice President-Investments Harris Gignilliat, Account Vice President Laura Wellon, Senior Wealth Strategy Associate Paul Stephans, Assistant Vice President Patrice Brisse, Wealth Strategy Associate Justin Patteson, and Client Service Associates Elizabeth Foster and Betsy Currie.

Results from the American Dental Association 2010 Survey on Retirement and Investment • Age 65.5: The average age that dentists stated they planned to retire from dental practice. (Dentists under the age of 40 answered that they planned to retire at the age of 60.8). • 39.2 percent of dentists reported that the recent economic downtown had delayed their retirement plans. • The age groups most likely to have delayed retirement plans were ages 55 to 64 (52.2 percent) and age 65 and older (49.7 percent). • 62.4 percent of dentists stated they counted on family retirement savings to provide the largest share of retirement income. • Some 13 percent of dentists stated they were counting on Social Security benefits to be a source of retirement income, while 12.7 percent stated they were counting on the sale of their dental practice to support their golden years. • Among dentists age 40 and younger, only 8.6 percent expect to receive retirement income from Social Security. • The average percentage of family net income dentists had saved specifically for retirement at the time of the survey was 17.3 percent. • 75.3 percent of dentists expect to practice regular part-time hours one to three days per week as they neared retirement, while 10.9 percent expect to go directly from full-time practice to retirement. • Dentists overall estimated they would need approximately $2.8 million in total assets in order to be able to retire.

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Over the past several months, the market has become more positive overall. UBS was ahead of that curve on behalf of GDA clients. “By the first quarter of 2010, every GDA / UBS plan model was back to making GDA clients money thanks to smart wealth management strategies,” said Mrs. Phillips. “We hope that all dentists will look to UBS to produce similar successful results for them as the market hopefully continues to move forward.” “We invite all GDA members to at least investigate the services that UBS can offer them, and hopefully become happy clients,” said Dr. Ferguson. “Their level of service is remarkable, and the financial results are positive. See their web site at http://financialservicesinc.ubs.com/team/wile, call them at (404) 760-3000 ext. 3094, or email edward.wile@ubs.com. You can also call the GDA Office at (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553 if you want to talk to the office first about the GDA / UBS plan. I believe the next 10 years are going to bring great things for UBS clients.”

DENTISTS CARE Continued from page 13

More information on the event, including links to news videos, may be found at www.naturalsmile.biz.

The Impact of Dentists’ Giving The Marietta Family Dental Care event was a great success according to Dr. Azita and Dr. Michael. The first treatment began at 4 a.m. on November 11. By 4 p.m., volunteers had performed 155 extractions, completed 91 fillings, and provided 42 cleanings. Altogether, the volunteers provided free dental care with a value of $122,978 and completed 288 treatments, not including x-rays and exams. Each patient also left with a goody bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and educational materials. The Marietta Daily Journal reported extensively on the event (as did 11Alive television out of Atlanta and the Atlanta Journal Constitution). They quoted care

recipient Althea Dillard, 54, as saying “I feel blessed that a group of people wanted to do something like this.” Ms. Dillard stated that she had not worked since January 2011 due to complications of a stroke. She and her husband arrived at the dental office early Friday evening and left with their teeth cleaned some 16 hours later. Other patients quoted in the Marietta newspaper stated that layoffs and part-time jobs with no benefits contributed to their lack of funds to pay for dental care.

How You Can Become Involved Dr. Azita Mansouri and Dr. Michael Mansouri plan to conduct another DFTH event in November 2012. There are two other Georgia dental practices—Lake Oconee Dentistry in Greensboro (Drs. David Bradley, Patti Bradley, and Phil Boswell) and Godley Station Dental in Pooler (Drs. Matthew Allen and Tait Carpenter)—who will also conduct DFTH events in 2012. To find out more on the program, visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org.

“I had been using a friend who was qualified but not organized. UBS helped me to consolidate and organize all of my assets and set a plan to help me see where I was headed long term. Their disciplined approach keeps me on track. I finally feel like all my finances are organized and I can confidently answer my own question: ‘How I am going to retire?’ Dr. Cecil Myers, Americus, Georgia

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Update on Medicaid Re-Design; EHRs GDA Forcefully Responds to State’s Medicaid Re-Design Proposal In January, Navigant, the company commissioned by the Department of Community Health (DCH) to analyze Georgia’s Medicaid program, released “Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® Design Strategy Report.” The GDA quickly responded to DCH regarding the Navigant report. The response expressed the GDA’s disappointment that oral health care received limited attention in the Navigant report, outlined dentistry’s concerns with the Medicaid program, and discussed how a dental carve-out would provide a long-term, fiscally-responsible solution to pay for, and ensure access to, dental services for at-risk children in Georgia. Dentists may read the full GDA response at www.gadental.org. Some of

the key points made in the GDA response are as follows: • [The GDA] went into [this] global analysis of the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids program with high hopes and an expectation that this examination of Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare programs would provide some innovative recommendations to improve what we believe for dental care to be a broken system. • During [Navigant’s] focus groups, practicing dentists and GDA staff provided Navigant with several specific concerns that are unique to dentistry and offered factual information on issues related to the current managed care program. Therefore, we were disappointed that the Navigant study did not discuss those key and critical dental issues brought forward.

Director of Membership Services Courtney Layfield (l) and Associate Executive Director Nelda Greene at the State Capitol on Children’s Day, February 28. GDA staff regularly participate in advocacy activities and relate dentistry’s message—the duo spoke to legislators and advocates about the dental Medicaid carve out on this day.

• Specifically, [the GDA] expected the report to contain information on the other states that have taken steps to carve out or separate dental from the medical Medicaid program. Many of these states have realized cost savings and have provided more access to dental care to their Medicaid and CHIP members. • By creating a funding carve out for dentistry, the state will signal to parents and families its commitment to ensuring the dental health of low-income children. • The managed care companies (CMOs) promote treating the entire patient’s health and tout coordination of care giving the rationale that patients will have better overall health outcomes. In the almost six years that the CMOs have managed Georgia’s Medicaid and CHIP programs, we are unaware of any documentation that they have achieved this objective. • While the options presented by Navigant may work well for medical care, they do not work well for dental care.

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Maintaining the status quo may lead to the total unraveling of the oral health infrastructure. • In the six years since the CMOs have managed dental Medicaid, dentists have experienced fee reductions from 15% to 59% on various codes. Several dentists whose practices are predominantly Medicaid or PeachCare have closed their doors or filed for bankruptcy. It is difficult to stay in business when the reimbursement for the service provided is anywhere from 35% less to 76% less than the regional average fees charged for the same procedure. • The number of dental Medicaid providers in Georgia has declined in recent years from 1,800 in 2006 to approximately 600 actively providing the majority of care. Numerous dentists have expressed their concerns about the CMOs reducing fees, making numerous contractual changes, and placing admin-

istrative burdens required for participation in the plans. • A single administrator for the dental Medicaid program will eliminate the current multiple layers of administrative costs and profits which are significantly higher than commercial norms. • Whichever option is ultimately selected by DCH, the GDA strongly urges the Department to make the decision to carve out dental outside of the other health options they provide to the Medicaid and PeachCare populations.

Electronic Health Records Incentives Through December 2011, Georgia’s Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program issued more than $26 million to eligible hospitals and professionals. Dentists who have a minimum 30% Medicaid (not including PeachCare) patient base may be eligible to

receive incentive payments under this program within certain guidelines. To the GDA’s knowledge, no individual dentist has yet been certified. To participate in the program, an eligible dentist must adopt, implement, or upgrade to an EHR technology certified through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Based on GDA research, there are two dental-certified EHR products currently available—a MacPractice product and an Open Dental product. Check at http://healthit.hhs.gov/CHPL to see if your software is certified. Dentists may learn more about the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program at these web sites:

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board minutes Unofficial Minutes of the January 7, 2012, Board of Trustees Please note: This report includes persons present, all resolutions considered, and key actions taken. The full minutes may be found at www.gadental.org in the Member’s Only section.

Persons Present Board Members: Dr. Mike Vernon, presiding; Drs. Robert Carpenter, Byron Colley, Keith Crummey, Jonathan Dubin, Jim Hall, Jay Harrington, Mike Loden, Jim Hutson, Tom Jagor, Ben Jernigan, Jim Lopez, Marshall Mann, Donald Nelson, Robin Reich, Craig Taylor, Doug Torbush, Sidney Tourial, Erik Wells, Steve Sample, Michael Wright. Visitors: Drs. Jack Bickford, Celeste Coggin, Ty Ivey, Tom Jagor, Jason Oyler, Kent Percy, Jay Phillips, Jim Reynierson, Peter Shatz and the Leadership GDA Class—Dr. Evis Babo, Sarabess Baumrind, Hank Bradford, Bo Broadfoot, Ron Cavola, Brook Corbett, Cara DeLeon, Brad Hall, Casey Hart, Elizabeth Lewis, Jason Mann, Kumar Patel, Matt Rosenthal, 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 GMOM: Dr. Vernon asked Dr. Jonathan Dubin to update the Board on the proposals for the 2013 Georgia Mission of Mercy (GMOM) event. Dr. Dubin stated that the Gwinnett Center had made several concessions concerning food and were only requesting payment for direct services, such as security, cleanup, and event supervisors. [12-1.01] Dr. Jonathan Dubin moved for the GDA to recommend that the GDA Foundation for Oral Health con-

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tract with the Gwinnett Center at a cost not to exceed $25,000 for a June 13-16, 2013 Georgia Mission of Mercy event. The motion passed unanimously. Leadership GDA: Dr. Vernon recognized the inaugural class of Leadership GDA and charged them with two things: recruit their replacement for next year and help the GDA to refine the program.

Legislative Issues Mandatory Licensure: Dr. Vernon and Ms. Phillips explained the proposal to introduce legislation concerning physician and dentist autonomy. The Medical Association of Georgia will be the lead on this legislation. [12-1.02] Dr. Steve Sample moved for the Board of Trustees to approve the “Mandatory Provider Participation in Health Insurance Program as a Condition of Licensure” position paper. The motion passed unanimously. Dental Labs: Dr. Vernon and Ms. Martha Phillips presented proposed legislation titled “Georgia Dental Consumer Protection Act” that is slated to be introduced by Sen. Frank Ginn that would require dental labs to disclose in writing at the time of delivery of certain dental devices the materials and certificates of authenticity. Sen. Ginn is promoting the legislation as a tool to create “American Jobs” and as “Consumer Protection” and asked the GDA for its support. The Board discussed the possible unintended consequences of the legislation and the problems with failing to support the legislation and determined that the GDA would support the legislation with reservations. [121.03] Dr. Steve Sample moved for the

GDA to support the legislation titled “Georgia Dental Consumer Protection Act” as discussed by the Board of Trustees and to approve the position paper associated with that legislation titled “Notifying Dentists and Their Patients About the Origin of Dental Prosthetic Devices and Appliances.” The motion passed unanimously. (NOTE: With the approval of this position paper, the current “Dental Labs” position paper found on page 76 of the January 2012 House of Delegates manual will be rescinded.) Medicaid Carve Out: The Board reviewed the new Medicaid position paper concerning a dental carve-out. [12-1.04] Dr. Jonathan Dubin moved for the Board of Trustees to approve the “Medicaid and PeachCare Services Carve-Out” position paper as a replacement for the current “Single Administrator for Dental Medicaid and PeachCare” position paper (page 70 of the January 2012 House of Delegates manual). The motion passed unanimously.

Committee Reports Membership Services Dr. Becky Weinman made a request concerning providing an Expanded Duties Course VI (for pediatric assistants). [121.05] Dr. Sidney Tourial moved for the GDA to approve the request from the Membership Services Committee Chair for Dr. Becky Weinman to offer at least one Course VI Expanded Duties session at her private office for pediatric assistants and for the GDA to approve instructor and instructor assistant fees of $510.00 The motion passed unanimously.

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Finance Committee [12-1.06] Dr. Jim Hall moved for the Board of Trustees to accept the Finance Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendation to approve the audit. The motion passed unanimously. Nominating Committee Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: All of the nominations as reported below unless otherwise noted were approved by the January 2012 GDA House of Delegates. Dr. Vernon reported on the following slate from the Nominating Committee. The committee offered the nomination of Dr. Doug Torbush for GDA vice president, which will be voted on at the GDA Business Meeting on July 20, 2012. The Nominating Committee received the nomination for the ADA At-large delegate position (term expires 1/16) and accompanying CV from Dr. Ed Green. The [January 2012] House of Delegates will elect from this slate and any appropriate nominations from the floor if CVs were received by the December 20, 2011 deadline. The following nominations were submitted to the [January 2012] House of Delegates for approval for a three-year term as trustees on the GDA Board of Trustees effective July 22, 2012: Dr. Mike Loden, Central District (term expires 7/15); Dr. Ben Jernigan, Northern District (term expires 7/15); Dr. Steve Sample, Southwestern District (term expires 7/15). The following nomination for the ADA Delegation was sent to the [January 2012] House of Delegates for approval: Dr. Robin Reich (Northwestern District Alternate Delegate, filling the unexpired term of Dr. Marshall Mann, term expires 1/14). The following candidates for the Georgia Board of Dentistry were forwarded to the House of Delegates for approval before sending to the Governor for his consideration: Southeastern District (term expires 8/1/12, held by Dr. Clyde Andrews): Drs. Julie Ann Routhier, William Clance, Thomas Broderick, Jay McCaslin VI.

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MEDICAID Continued from page 19 • Georgia Department of Community Health, www.dch.georgia.gov. Click on the link for the Medicaid EHR Incentives Program. Here you will find FAQs, a Toolkit for Eligible Professionals, a Quick Start Guide, and more. • ADA’s Dental Practice Hub, Electronic Health Records section (member log in required). Visit www.ada.org, under Professional Resources, Member Center/Practice Resources links. PeachCare for Kids® State Health Benefit Plan Enrollment As of mid-January, 4,205 dependents from 2,465 State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) families had enrolled in the PeachCare for Kids program. This voluntary option is a new part of the SHBP for 2012. SHBP will reach out to members about this option to enroll their dependents in PeachCare for Kids through June 30, 2012.

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Get Up to Date Information on Medicaid Activities DCH and HP Enterprises publish a quarterly newsletter, Provider Focus. A link to the newsletter is posted at www.mmis.georgia.gov. The most recent edition was posted on January 30, 2012, and can be found under the Provider Information tab under Provider Notices. This newsletter contains important information regarding 5010 compliance for electronic claims, requirements for enrollment, instructions on how to upload certain attachments to claims, and field representatives for HP, among other important items. The GDA encourages all Medicaid providers to read this newsletter. Please also look for the “Banner Messages” that are printed on or posted with your Remittance Advice (RA). RAs are also available on the mmis.georgia.gov web portal under Provider Information and then Provider Messages.

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classified ads How GDA members can place classified ads AD FORM: Submit all ads on a GDA Classified Advertisement Form. To obtain a form, call Skip Jones at (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553, or email jones@gadental.org. (Note: The GDA may accept or reject any ad for any reason and in its sole discretion.)

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

AD RATES: ADA member dentists pay $75.00 per 60-word ad per month. There is a 25 cents per-word charge for each word over 60. Non-dentist-owned companies (real estate firms, etc.) pay $195 per 60-word ad per month (additional word charges as above). Non-member dentists may not place ads.

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

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

Dental Related Services

Positions Available—Dental

X-RAY SAFETY CERTIFICATION for assistants is required by Georgia law. This up-to-date take-home course has effectively certified thousands of x-ray machine operators. Send $149.99 per registrant with name(s) to: Dr. Rick Waters, 385 Pinewood Circle, Athens, GA 30606. Visit www.gaxray.com for credit card payment or to use the immediate-access online version. Call (706) 255-4499 for more information.

Full Time Associate Wanted: State-ofthe-art private practice located in Marietta & Lawrenceville is looking for an experienced, proficient and energetic doctor to join our team. We are a family oriented dental practice with a large active patient base. Rewarding compensation package with additional pay as you grow the practice. Feel free to contact Dr. Mansouri if you have any further questions at (267) 441-2565 or email MansouriDMD@comcast.net. Please visit our web site to see both of our office locations at www.NaturalSmile.biz.

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.

Associate Dentist Buford - Sugar Hill. State of the Art digital practice in busy Gwinnett County. Full-time. Fax resume to (770) 945-1449 or email info@dentistgwinnett.com or call (770) 845-9159. Busy Pediatric Practice seeking Associate Dentist: Pediatric Dentist or General Dentist that specializes in children. We are seeking a dentist with superior clinical skills and a chair side manner that makes every patient feel comfortable. Contact Cheryl Glaze at kidsdental@aol.com, call (678) 851-5912, or fax resume to (678) 479-7007. Two Associate Positions from ADS SOUTH: ASSOCIATE NEEDED IN EAST ATLANTA SUBURB—Potential $600K production per year. NORTH ATLANTA PERIO #5241—Associate needed for high tech perio practice. All phases of perio performed. For information on either position, call Dr. Earl Douglas, (770) 664-1982 or email Earl@adssouth.com.

Equipment for Sale 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: Sirona Orthophos 3NS Digital Panorex, $5000.00, Contact Chris at (404) 329-0000.

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information please contact Amanda Moseley at Amanda@kidshappyteeth.com or call (678) 352-1090 or (678) 429-9931.

Multi-location General Dental practice providing high quality care is looking for an Associate Dentist on a part-time basis to join our team of highly skilled professionals. The candidate must be willing to travel between our Woodstock & Fairmont GA locations. New Grads are welcome to apply. Great opportunity as our offices are expanding. Please email resume to HR@metropolitandentalassociates.com.

Full time associate dentist wanted for a multi-dentist, fee for service, high tech cosmetic restorative general practice located in Midtown Atlanta. We are a dental team dedicated to helping patients get healthy aesthetic dentitions through the use of the latest dental technology and quality dental labs. Our office is a Premier Preferred Provider of Invisalign. CEREC and all ceramic restorations are the dominant restoration produced in our practice. We are completely digital and approaching paperless. All doctor operatories are equipped with the latest ADEC equipment, W&H electric hand-pieces, digital xrays, LED lights, computers with CAESY patient educational systems in all 10 operatories. We use Cone Beam technology to help diagnose and treatment plan dental implant surgeries. The incoming new dentist associate will be taught how to use the CEREC CAD / CAM computer by a certified CEREC trainer along with how to incorporate digital extra-oral photography

We have an outstanding opportunity in our successful well-respected, quality oriented private pediatric dental practice for the right candidate. We are seeking special, motivated, personable individual to join our success. General dentist 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 house sedation. We offer excellent compensation and benefits. For more

when presenting treatment plans. This is an excellent opportunity for a FT dentist to experience the clinical integration of the latest technology in dentistry. One of the dentists working a FT schedule is moving to Florida and someone is needed to take over his patient load which averages 30-40 fee-for-service new patients per month. We do not participate in any PPO or HMO dental plans. Interested parties email Sheila Miranda; om.dds11@gmail.com or call her at (404) 671-2890. 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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Practices/ Office Space Available

Volunteer Specialist Needed: Good Samaritan Health Center is a healthcare ministry to uninsured, low-income families in greater Atlanta. GSHC needs volunteer specialists including (but not limited to): Periodontists, orthodontists, endodontists, prosthodontists, and oral surgeons. Doctors can earn up to 10 CE hours by providing uncompensated care in Georgia! Contact Crystal Harris at (678) 553-4937 or specialtycare@goodsamatlanta.org.

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+ a 3 1/2 days / week. Great place to live and play. Priced to sell at $190K. Contact Dean Cox @ (678) 584-4855.

Positions Available—Staff Seeking experienced, licensed, and motivated hygienist to fill second fulltime 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.

Fully equipped dental office for lease in the heart of Norcross. Just bring your patients and start practicing. Two chairs, Pan, X-ray units all new. Modern, well-decorated reception room, four operatories, two bathrooms, doc’s office, dark room, and break room. Located just minutes from old town Norcross. Affluent, well populated suburbs close by. Call Sean @ (678) 877-5438. seanatighi@yahoo.com.

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 individual’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 … literally one of the most sought after locations around! Priority will be given on a first come / first serve basis. Please e-mail: SpoutSpringsProfessionalPark@gmail.com for more information or call (678) 612-2277.

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CLASSIFIEDS Continued from page 28 NORTH EAST GEORGIA Excellent opportunity for sale! Practice has consistently collected over $600K the last three years. Free standing building that is also for sale houses 4 operatories loaded with technology including CEREC. The practice has a strong hygiene department and lots of patients! All FFS / PPO. Seller is moving out of state. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email michelle@southeasttransitions.com or visit www.southeasttransitions.com. POWDER SPRINGS AREA Great opportunity west of Atlanta in a growing area. There is plenty of room in this 2000 sq ft space with 5 equipped operatories. The practice is located on a busy road and is loaded with technology. Practice collects $330K annually. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email michelle@southeasttransitions.com or visit www.southeasttransitions.com.

GDA ACTION MARCH 2012

GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY in beautiful north Georgia. Ten year old 10,000 sq ft high image glass building well located for public awareness along with dental practice in this same location for 39 years. State Agency also renting with the building, some vacant space available for rent to dental specialist, physicians or other professional businesses. Close to hospital. Motivated cross-trained staff. Friendly patients who appreciate what you do for them. Modern equipment. Computers in all operatories. Ideal for solo or group practice. Growing community with excellent school system. Low crime rate. Tons of family / sportsman outdoor recreation. Call soon to arrange a convenient time to meet us and see our facility. (706) 745-6848. STOCKBRIDGE DON’T WAIT! Beautiful, five operatory, bread-and-butter general dentistry practice for sale. This practice is loaded with technology and has plenty of room. Gross collections for 2011 was $590K. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email michelle@southeasttransitions.com, or visit www.southeasttransitions.com.

Available: BUCKHEAD: Beautiful, prime location. GAINESVILLE: Grossing $600,000, 3 operatories. GWINNETT: Grossing $550,000, 4 operatories. SNELLVILLE: Grossing $580,000, 5 operatories. TUCKER: Grossing $350,000, 5 operatories. MERGERS: Buckhead, Duluth, Peachtree City. Contact Richane Swedenburg, New South Dental Transitions: (770) 630-0436 or info@newsouthdental.com; check new listings at www.newsouthdental.com. Available: ATLANTA #8490—Gross Collections $1.08M; 4 days; 5 operatories; 3850 sq. ft. office space. 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. 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. For information, call Dr. Earl Douglas, (770) 664-1982 or email Earl@adssouth.com.

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Inside This Issue • Volunteers Needed for Nursing Home Instructional Project - Page 5 • GDA Responds to State Medicaid Re-Design Proposals DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

ACTION

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