SFDDA
South Florida District Dental Association A Component of the American and Florida Dental Associations Volume 53, No.1 www.sfdda.org Summer 2011
Cesar R. Sabates, D.D.S.
President, Florida Dental Association and members of the 2010-11 SFDDA Executive Council
Who’s who on page 5
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President’s Message Irene Marron-Tarrazi, D.M.D. Each year, following the June meeting of the Florida Dental Association House of Delegates, the South Florida District Dental Association (SFDDA) installs new officers and board members to serve this great organization. This year, I have the honor and privilege of serving as your SFDDA president. During my term as president, I hope to create an ever more active and unified SFDDA. I believe there will be many good years ahead. You have a great team leading the way. Our group of incoming officers is truly dynamic, and I am confident they can and will make a positive difference for the benefit of our association. I also want to thank our officers, executive council and our executive director and staff for their hard work and effort, while ensuring we remain headed in the right direction. As Henry Ford said, "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” We are facing real challenges to how we live and work as dentists. How we choose to deal with these challenges will in turn set the course of our future and determine the direction in which our profession proceeds. The opening of two new dental schools in Florida, the growth of the dental corporate model, and the recent upcoming changes in our licensure examination are among the challenges we are now facing. I very much encourage all of you to get involved with our organization, because we need to be at the table for the discussion or alternatively, be the main course. South Florida is perhaps the most diverse community within our state where, unfortunately, only fifty percent of licensed dentists belong to organized dentistry. There appears to be a gener-
alized apathy among the new and younger practitioners, which has not only resulted in a lack of participation in general, but also a lack of belonging to the tripartite (ADA/FDA/SFDDA). This year, our need to focus and devote our effort toward the goal of member recruitment and retention has never seemed greater. To add value to your membership, we want to create some tangible benefits. Among our ideas for this year include our desire to offer all of you a complete source of dental office forms/templates that you, as members, will be able to download and customize to your liking - for free. As some examples, we would hope to include: * Sample New Patient Welcome Letter * Sample Informed Consents * Sample Insurance Endorsement * Sample Financial Arrangement * Sample Treatment Coordinator Flow Sheet and Scripts Checklist * Sample Employee Manual * New Patient Forms Bundle Introduction * Tips and Sample Letters to Manage Missed Appointments Another idea consists of the creation of a database, which would include practice opportunities, contact information for dental business vendors, emergency contacts, and basically bridging you with other resources, such as a “1800 helpline center.” And, if we cannot provide the information for you, we would like to supply you with the appropriate link. To recruit new members…we need to think into the future. Our membership is significantly down. I am married to a physician. I worry when I think of having to navigate the
waters of the American Medical Association, an organization limited in membership to a mere thirty percent of practicing physicians. This is obviously not enough representation. We must remember that strength is in the numbers. I am a big advocate for our dental students, whom I would like to envision as our future members. It is vitally important to encourage them to join and become active members. They will be the lifeblood of our association. We need to be there for them. We must foster these relationships and provide them with mentorship and leadership skills. We need to be visionaries about this. As your president, I encourage you to motivate and encourage the new generation to be active and to participate. As a friend said to me the other day, “It is like planting a citrus tree. You will not see the results for five years.” We need to start planting citrus trees now. My biggest concern is that a large percentage of our members will retire in the next decade and, when combined with the problemof apathy, I feel it will have a significant social and economic impact on our dental community. Addressing the concerns of current dental students and coordinating services and activities for them is, in my opinion, the only way to encourage early involvement in organized dentistry, while definitively paving the way for our association to continue to thrive in the future. I believe that it is time for change. If you would like to become more involved with SFFDA leadership, please contact me or any other board member, and we would be happy to welcome you. As we move forward, I ask for your candid feedback and suggestions. 3
Rich’s Ramblings “Changing of the Guard” Richard Mufson, D.D.S., Editor
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n behalf of our members, officers, executive council, and staff, I want to extend our congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Orlando Dominguez for serving our district dental association well over the past year as president. Many of you who know Orlando, and some of the challenges brought before him this year, can attest to his patience, professionalism and unique sense of what it takes to keep the South Florida District Dental Association (SFDDA) moving in the right direction. Thank you, Orlando, for a job very well done. This is also the time of year to pass the gavel and welcome a new president and another consummate professional to the helm, Dr. Irene Marron. Many of you already know Dr. Marron, and of her involvement and dedication to organized dentistry. For those of you who do not, I want to share with you some history and other interesting aspects about our newly installed 2011-12 president. Dr. Marron comes to us from Caracas, Venezuela. Born in 1974, dentistry would be a part of her life from an early age, as her mother graduated from dental school a year later, practiced general dentistry in Caracas, and was a full time faculty member in the dental school’s operative dentistry department for eight years. Her father was a real estate developer. Dr. Marron graduated from dental school in 1996 at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, and from a class in which ninety percent of the students were women. She was also one of only eight of two hundred students who would graduate early and finish in the top five percent of the class. She then practiced general dentistry with her mother until moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1997, where she began a graduate program in periodontics at the University of North Carolina. She received a certificate in periodontology in 2000, along with a Master of Science degree in oral biology. Her thesis and research project, quite impressive and “cutting edge” for the time period of 1998, was entitled, “Periodontal Infection and the Acute Phase Response in Post-Myocardial Infarction Subjects,” and sought to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease in that population, and whether it was associated with an elevated 4
systemic inflammatory response. Her project earned a First Place Clinical Research Award in 1999 from the Southern Academy of Periodontology, and also won the 2000 New Investigator Award in Inflammation and Myocardial Ischemia at the 73rd Scientific Session of the American Heart Association. Dr. Marron then moved to South Florida and worked as a teaching associate in undergraduate and postgraduate periodontics at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Dental Medicine, where she graduated with an American dental degree in 2003. She then joined a periodontal practice in Plantation, while remaining an adjunct faculty member at NSU and, in 2005, became certified as a diplomate by the American Board of Periodontology. She is also opening her own practice in the Brickell area. Dr. Marron’s interest and involvement in organized dentistry began with her serving as a line officer and president (20072008) of the Greater Miami Dental Association, and beginning in 2008, the SFDDA, in which she was recently handed the gavel from Dr. Dominguez and assumed the office of president. She has also served as a delegate from our district to the FDA House, as our representative on the FDA Council on Membership, Leadership Development Committee, as an alternate delegate to the ADA House, and has completed the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership program in 2008. Dr. Marron has also lectured rather extensively, both in the US and in Venezuela, and is a member of a number of dental organizations, including the International Team of Oral Implantology, where she is a study club director. She has also been involved locally at Community Smiles, where she has served as Chair of Periodontics. Dr. Marron is married to Dr. Francisco Tarrazzi, also from her homeland of Venezuela (they met here in Miami), a thoracic surgeon at Memorial Regional. They live in the Brickell area, and have two lovely children, Victoria, who is two years old, and Daniel, born just months ago, in April (congratulations!). On behalf of our entire dental association, please join me in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Irene Marron, as we look forward to a great year ahead under her leadership as our 2011-12 SFDDA President.
SFDDA 2010-2011 Officers and Executive Council President IRENE MARRON, D.M.D. (786) 777-0707 President-Elect BEATRIZ TERRY, D.D.S. (305) 270-1350 Vice President JEANNETTE PENA-HALL, D.M.D. (305) 667-8766 Secretary MARCOS DIAZ, D.D.S. (954) 659-9990 Treasurer RODRIGO ROMANO, D.D.S. (305) 667-8766 Immediate Past President ORLANDO DOMINGUEZ, D.M.D. 305-386-2766 Young Member Kellie Paxton, D.M.D. (954) 217-3700 Trustees Paul L. Benjamin, D.M.D., Trustee 305-373-1361 FAX: 305-379-6409 Thomas H. Ward.D.M.D., Trustee 305-377-8004 FAX: 305-373-8028 Alternate Trustees Jorge Centurion, D.M.D. 305-662-2216 FAX: 305-663-6647 Michael D. Eggnatz, D.D.S. 954-217-8888 FAX: 954-359-8520 Delegates to the Executive Council from the Affiliates Societies Herb Salguiero, D.D.S. (MDDS) Pablo J. Fonseca, D.M.D. (MDDS) Richard Mufson D.D.S (ND/MBDS) Isaac Garazi, D.M.D. (ND/MBDS) Barry Bluth, D.M.D. (SBDS) Leonardo Frydman, D.M.D. (SBDS) Affiliate Societiy Presidents Piero G. Palacios, D.M.D. (MDDS) Danni Sayman D.D.S.(ND/MBDS) Leonardo Frydman, D.M.D. (SBDS)
It’s time to Volunteer at the South Florida Mobil Dental Unit This outreach has been made possible through the Florida Baptist Convention Mobile Dental U nit. It is one of the “ Project Dentist Care” affiliates associated with the Florida Dental Association that helps access to dental care for low income Florida residents. Dentists who volunteer may receive up to a maximum of five hours of required continuing educationt credit, calculated at one C.E. credit per three hours of patient services. In addition to the great satisfaction you get from helping those in need, you will also receive 2 free movie tickets to your choice of Regal, AMC or Cobb theatres. This is a great opporunity to volunteer and make a difference. Call us at (305) 667-3647 to register.
Mobile Dental Unit will be at the following locations: Oct 10-14, 2011 New Life Baptist Church of Carol City 5005 NW 173rd Drive Miami Gardens, Florida 33055 October 17-21,2011 1st Spanish Baptist Church of Miami 1790 NE 2nd Court, Miami, Florida 33132
Featured, Dr. Cesar Sabates (pictured center) and friends: Top Row: Drs. Thomas Ward, Paul Benjamin, Elaine DeRoode and Richard Mufson. 2nd.Row: Drs. Jorge Centurion, Orlando Dominguez, Rodrigo Romano and Beatriz Terry; 3rd Row; Drs.Marcos Dias and Barry Bluth; 4th Row: Drs. Isaac Garazi and Michael Eggnatz; 5th Row: Drs. Carlos Sanchez, Leonardo Frydman, Jeannette Peña Hall and Herb Salgueiro; Bottom Row: Drs. Joseph Gay, Vanesa Ruiz, Pablo Fonseca and Irene Marron. Cover Photos by Victoria N. Marrero
Yolanda Marrero, Managing Editor Richard A. Mufson, D.D.S., Editor Jackie Quintero, Advertising Manager SFDDA NEWSLETTER Copyright: © SFDDA 1996 Published by the South Florida District Dental Association 420 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 2E Coral Gables, FL 33146 Send announcements and correspondence to the Editor: 420 S. Dixie Hwy, 2-E Coral Gables, FL, 33146-2271 Phone: (305) 667-3647 FAX: (305) 665-7059 or email to: ymarrero@sfdda.org Disclaimer: Opinions stated in the SFDDA Newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the South Florida District Dental Association, its Executive Council or Committees. Advertisements printed should not be construed as an endorsement by the Association of the company, product or service.
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5 Hollywood
Hail Cesar!
We Salute You As Our 2011-12 FDA President! by: Richard Mufson,D.D.S.
To many or most of us who have been around the rank and file of the South Florida District Dental Association for a number of years, Cesar is known as tireless, devoted, and as someone who has literally “done it all” for our association. Do you need someone to manage the complex finances of our association? No problem. Cesar has been there, done that. Do you need someone to step in at the eleventh hour to fill an unforeseen void as president? No problem, Cesar has done that too. Do you need someone to help keep our association afloat when our then-executive director suddenly bailed on us after a short stint back in 1999? No problem, Cesar responded to that calling as well. That was when our then-president, Dr. Georgina Garcia was forced into a much more demanding and time consuming role, along with Dr. Jorge Centurion, to take on the mammoth job of running our association and Miami Winter Meeting respectively (as if they did not have their own practices to run?), while Cesar stepped in to manage all of our finances. “We could not have done this without him,” Dr. Garcia said of Dr. Sabates, upon reflecting on this extremely challenging and tenuous period in our association’s history. Most of you who know this gentle giant of a person, also picture him with an “S” on his shirt, appreciating that he is an individual who has seemingly put forth a Superman or Herculean-like effort at every turn when called upon. And now, following many years of service and accomplishment as a dentist, as a pillar of organized dentistry, as a devoted family man, we – the members, officers, executive council, and staff – have the great pleasure of welcoming and honoring Dr. Cesar R. Sabates as the 67th president (and the first Cuban-American president) of the Florida Dental Association for the year 2011-12. As many of us can appreciate, Cesar has some large shoes to fill considering the caliber of those from our district who have served before him – as in the likes of Dr.’s Clifford Marks, Edmund Parnes, and Alan Friedel. However, those of us who
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know Cesar also know he has the dedication and ability to fill those shoes in a very competent and meaningful way. Cesar was born in Camaguey, Cuba in 1960, and moved with his family to the US in 1967. After living in Kansas City, MO, so that his father, Cesar L. Sabates, could complete his second (American) dental school education, the Sabates family would move to Bloomfield Hills for his father’s residency training program in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Henry Ford Hospital. Upon moving to Miami in 1972, and living in what is now known as the Pinecrest area, Cesar attended Christopher Columbus High, and then earned a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Miami. During his high school and early college days, he also played soccer for the Big Five Club’s traveling team. Cesar would then go on to earn a DDS degree and Advanced Education in General Dentistry certificate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. As a general dentist in Coral Gables, Cesar claims to have had many role models, and among them, his mother, Angela, and father, Cesar Sabates, Sr., whose values and lessons of life instilled upon him included, “follow your dreams,” “work hard at what you love,” and “always tell the truth.” Cesar also recalls being taught the value of an education. His grandfather, Francisco Cabeza, a hard-working and successful businessman, who emigrated to Cuba from Spain, taught him another valued pearl: “A man’s worth is not measured by money he has in the bank, but by the strength of his character.” He also attributes as role models for the structure of his own professional life, the lives of his father, a very talented oral and maxillofacial surgeon and founder of several Hispanic dental organizations, including HELO and LAODI, and his uncle Felix, a renowned ophthalmologist, founding chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, and founder of the Eye Foundation of Kansas City. Uncle Felix loves his pro-
“Speak!
Speak oh Oh glorious Glorious Cesar...
Cesar… Speak! speak!”
– from the Mel Brooks film, History of the World Part 1 Pictured Above: Dom DeLuise; Left: Howard Morris
fession, his role as an educator, and along with his wife, Carmen, believes in giving back to their community. Cesar also considers them both his “second set of parents.” Cesar recalls that his introduction to organized dentistry began when Dr. Arturo Mosquera suggested he attend a South Florida (then East Coast) District council meeting as a delegate from HELO. The rest, as they say, is history. Cesar’s interest and commitment to organized dentistry would then grow in an exponential fashion. He would move up the ranks of his West Dade Dental Society affiliate, followed by serving as an officer and president of our district dental association. In addition to his tenure as treasurer for a number of years, he would also serve as chairman of the Miami Winter Meeting, as chair of our delegation to the FDA House of Delegates, as a member of the Florida delegation to the ADA House of Delegates, as Vice-chair of the FDA Council of Financial Affairs, as Florida chairperson for Donated Dental Services, and as a founding board member of the US National Oral Health Alliance. He would also serve as past president of the Latin American Academy of Osseointegrated Dental Implants and the American Brotherhood of Latin Dentists, as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American Colleges of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He would also receive the SFDDA “Dentist of the Year Award” in 2003.
Cesar is currently an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry-Hialeah Dental Clinic, has lectured both nationally and internationally on implant dentistry, aesthetics, complex restorative issues and on the relationship of eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia on oral health, and is the author or co-author of several scientific articles. Cesar’s story would not be complete without also mentioning his lovely and supportive wife, Lydia, and their two children, Cesar III and Albert, who married a lovely young lady, Leysi, just two months ago (congratulations!). Finally, several of Cesar’s fellow colleagues wanted to share some of their own sentiments and reflections about their esteemed friend and his contributions: “I have known Cesar for years and my respect for him has grown over time. He always aims high, pushes himself and expects others to do the same. I know this from personal experience, because he prepared me to be Delegation Chair for the SFDDA and passed on the torch when he began his service as FDA line officer. Cesar also had me fill out a detailed CV, which I had no idea was an application for American College of Dentists. When I was fortunate enough to be accepted, it was Cesar who walked with me for the induction ceremony, a high honor, indeed.” – Dr. Carlos Sanchez “My overriding impression of Cesar, having worked more closely with him within the FDA for the past five years, is that Cont. on page 9
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Hail Cesar, cont. from pg .7
he is driven to do the best for his fellow dentist. He really takes his dedication to the extreme, even sacrificing his health to get something done for us. On more than one occasion, even though he was not feeling well (i.e., should have been in the hospital, and not just at home in bed), he kept at it. I am amazed at his forbearance. We are, and will continue to be, a better society thanks in large measure to Cesar.” – Dr. Paul Benjamin “I have always had the utmost respect for Cesar. I have seen him mature since his early days at “East Coast.” He has, at times, made us see things that sometimes we would rather not see or feel uncomfortable about. Yet, he knows a given issue needs to be addressed for the benefit and growth of our society. He is a tremendously hard worker and is very proud of all of us that assist him in the SFDDA. My favorite story is my thought that he must be on some airport screening “hit list.” There has not been one flight that we have been on together where he has not been pulled aside for a “pat down” search. I asked him about it, and he says it occurs every time! With his amount of travel, one can only imagine. Yet, with all his experience, he still cannot unbuckle his belt and spread his arms without his pants falling down!” - Dr. Jorge Centurion
cils, study groups and associations. Although I was a late bloomer in organized dentistry, Cesar hit the ground running from early on in his practice, and he has since been a contributing leader in dentistry. Some in leadership enjoy the competitive rumble of politics, others want to give back and help the profession, and some do it for altruistic purposes, wanting to help patients and the public. Cesar, in my opinion, does it for all of these reasons. Being from South Florida, I not only feel proud to have Cesar as the new FDA President, but as a dentist and a friend, I can honestly say we have chosen the right man for the job.” - Dr. Orlando Dominguez I have known and worked with Cesar for over twenty years, and can honestly say there are very few others among us as committed and dedicated to the SFDDA and organized dentistry. He has sacrificed much of his own time and practice to represent our association. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for all he has done for us in South Florida and at the Florida Dental Association. – Dr. Michael Eggnatz After all is said and done about Cesar, and in commemorating his rise to the office of FDA President, the one thought which comes to my own mind at such a momentous occasion is none other than:
“I have known Cesar since the mid to late 1980’s, when he began practicing dentistry in South Florida. Throughout the years, Cesar and I have served together on numerous coun-
“Speak! Oh glorious Cesar… speak!”
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On May 12, 2011, the women dentists of the South Florida District Dental Association attended the Annual Women Dentists’ Reception. The event, which is now in its 11th year, was chaired by Dr. Marina Blay and Dr. Jeannette Peña Hall and held at the newly renovated Coral Gables Country Club. Guests were treated to the sounds of Latin Grove as they enjoyed a host of appetizers, followed by a delicious buffet of pastas and salads, baked ham and tasty desserts. Throughout the evening, the ladies made new friends, caught up with old ones and had an opportunity to talk to the event sponsors. A very special thanks goes to our sponsors:Patterson Dental Supply, Dentsply Caulk, Bank of America and Sunstar America, who made the event possible and also provided some of
the fabulous door prizes that were given out at the end of the evening. Among the many prizes given away were gift certificates for music concerts, hair styling, and ballet and opera performances. Other prizes included a candle gift set, jewelry, fragrance, old world cruet set, gift baskets of dental products. and Desperate Housewives’ Eva Longoria’s new cookbook, autographed by the actress herself. Contributing door prize sponsors included Fairchild Tropical Garden, Florida Marlins Baseball, Florida Grand Opera, Yanko Jewelers, Actors Playhouses,Vanguard,Scentsy, Cuban Classical Ballet, Brasseler, Coral Gables Congregational Church Summer Concerts, Mirabella Day Spa, Gaby’s Creations, Insurance Credentialing Specialists, Styles by Keysa and Saks. Bank of America Practice Solutions
Pictured left: Co-Chairs, Dr. Jeannette Peña Hall and Dr. Marina Blay. Pictured Below: 1st Row: Ileana Cruz, Dr. Marcela Newman, Dr. Lina MIranda, Dr. Judy Mejido. Dr. Marina Blay and Dr. Beatriz Terry. 2nd Row: Dr. Marina Blay, Dr. Jeannette Peña Hall, winner, Alain Carles; Dr. Cesar Sabates with guests; Alexandra Dominguez, Dr. Marina Blay, Dr. Rita Echevarria and Dr. Orlando Dominguez. Third Row: Dr. Marta Gainza, Dr. Daniela Modesto, Dr. Susan Socas and Dr. Teresa Lozano; Dr. Beatriz Fraga Davidson, Dr. Linda Yusman-Worth and guests with Dr. Carol Horkowitz; Dr. Marina Blay, Dr. Jeannette Peña Hall and Dr. Kellie Paxton.
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2011 June FDA House of Delegates by Carlos Sanchez, D.D.S., Delegation Chairman
The June, 2011 sessions of the Florida Dental Association (FDA) House of Delegates (HOD) took place on Thursday, June 9 and Saturday, June 11 at the annual meeting of the Florida National Dental Convention (FNDC) at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando. While there was a noticeable lack of big, controversial issues, a number of resolutions, which stand to have long term effects of importance, were brought before theHouse. There were resolutions to allow for student delegates to participate on FDA councils. We also ensured the FDA maintains financial stability via another resolution dealing with the budget.
a service award for her tireless hours of work and innovative approach to problem solving. It is very difficult to run our district with only two people, and Yolanda, with the help of Jackie Quintero, does just that. We also take great pride in announcing that another award, perhaps among the most prestigious given by the FDA, the Leon Schwartz Lifetime Achievement Award, was bestowed upon our own Dr. Alan Friedel, for his years of service, vision and accomplishment in organized dentistry. This HOD also witnessed yet another historic event. Our own SFDDA-nominated line officer was not only sworn in as FDA President, but also as the first Cuban-born dentist to achieve that honor. As a surprise to Cesar, all of the SFDDA delegates dressed in guayaberas (even the ladies), and we passed out chocolate cigars, with our logo and his initials, to the entire FDA delegation.
For the first time (and possibly the last), a new scheduling format for the two FDA House sessions was put into place on a trial basis. Rather than the usual Members of the South Florida District Dental Association Delegation decked out in Wednesday afternoon traditional Guayabera dress to honor Cuban-born, FDA President, Dr. Cesar Sabates. and Thursday morning Back Row: Drs. Orlando Dominguez, Stephen Kotkis, Thomas Ward, Carlos Sanchez, Michael Eggnatz, Joseph Gay and Arturo Mosquera. Middle Row: Drs. Georgie Garcia, Jeannette Pe単a sessions, the two were Hall, Paul Benjamin, Cesar Sabates, Ms. Yolanda Marrero, Drs. Elaine DeRoode and Beatriz Terry. instead divided and Kneeling: Drs. Herb Salguiero, Rodrigo Romano, Jorge Centurion and Richard Mufson. separated by holding Other events at the Thursday and Saturday meeting included the sessions. The thinking behind this was to encourage dele- DENTPAC reception, where we met with our resident dentist gates to stay and participate in the FNDC general meeting in the Senate, Dr. Alan Hays, and Senator Joe Negron, both and associated exhibits. Many felt the effect may have been of whom helped advance issues of importance to dentistry positive, as the FNDC attendance was excellent, and up from during the recent legislative session. Due to the anticipated previous years. Others felt it may have had the effect of re- redistricting that will come into play next year, the legislative sulting in more time spent volunteering as a delegate than session will begin two months earlier than usual. We will also some may have wanted, as well as more expense to some therefore need to begin fundraising sooner. of the districts who substantially reimburse their delegates. If any of you would like to participate in this interesting and In any case, a decision on keeping the new, versus reverting rewarding process on behalf your fellow members and organto the previous, format will be reported on and decided at the ized dentistry, please contact your local affiliate president or January, 2012 HOD in Tampa. Yolanda Marrero at our district office (at 305.667.3647). Our own executive director, Yolanda Marrero, was presented 12
Dr. Alan Freidel brings the meeting to order. Many events are held at the FNDC... Dr. Sabates receives his pin.
Dr. Alan Friedel receiving the Leon Schwartz Lifetime Achievement Award from Dr. Larry Nissen
Dr. Cesar Sabates’ family at the HOD ...including fancy receptions and even Casino Night
Pictured top left: Dr. Cesar Sabates and Dr. Larry Nissen; Top Right: Dr. Alan Friedel. Pictured 2nd row, 1st picture: Dr. Larry Nissen and Dr. Alan Friedel. 2nd Picture: Drs. Paul Benjamin and Thomas Ward. 3rd Picture: FDA Line Officers: Drs. Cesar Sabates, Kim Jernigan, Terry Buckenheimer and Richard Stevenson. Pictured 3rd row: Leysi and Albert Sabates along with Cesar Sabates Jr. and Lydia Sabates. 2nd picture: Dr. Idalia Lastra (middle) and friends. Bottom row (both pictures): Drs. Susan Socas and Roberta Diehl with students from the University of Florida Hialeah Campus at the House of Delegates and enjoying lunch at the atrium.
Dr. Roberta Diehl and Dr. Susan Socas bussed students from the UF Hialeah Campus to the HOD in Orlando to witness the installation of their professor and mentor Dr. Cesar Sabates as President of the FDA for 2011-12.
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305.271.9914
8700-8740 N. Kendall Drive MCH Medical Center
DENTAL OFFICE FOR IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY ●
1791 Rentable Square Feet
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4 Exam Rooms with plumbing for dental chairs
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Large private doctor’s office
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Staff lounge
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Laboratory
SFDDA Calendar July 2011 4th - Independence Day - Office is closed 20th - Executive Council Meeting
September 2011 5th - Labor Day - Office Closed 7th - Steering Committee Meeting 13th - MDDS Meeting 14th - CPR Class A.M. 21st - Executive Council 28th - CPR Class P.M. 29th - Rosh Hashanah
August 2011 20th - Temporary Fabrication Workshop Although every effort is made to not alter the calendar, dates are subject to change.
We Sell Discount Movie Tickets! Regal Cinemas AMC Theatres Cobb Theatres Call the SFDDA (305) 667-3647 for an order form
October 2011 1st - OSHA Updates - Spanish 5th - Mandatory Session North 8th - Yom Kippur 10th - 21st - S. Fl. Baptist Mobil Dental Unit 11th - Mandatory Session South 19th - CPR Class A.M. 26th - CPR Class P.M. 31st - Halloween
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News from the Florida Dental Association NEW DENTAL SCHOOLS ARE NOT THE ANSWER TO FLORIDA’S ACCESS-TO-CARE PROBLEM TALLAHASSEE – Several universities are exploring plans to build new dental schools in Florida with the idea that these new schools will bring new revenue and access to dental care to a community. FDA President Dr. Cesar Sabates explains that, “while a dental school can provide care to needy citizens – and accept Medicaid fees for doing so – forming a dental school for this purpose may be a very costly way to provide such care and ignores the fact that graduates of these schools will, by necessity, need to practice in more affluent areas of the state in order to pay back their student debts.” Dr. Sabates emphasizes that, “Florida’s challenges with extending affordable dental care to more people will not be solved by graduating more highly-indebted dentists. He also cites recent findings of the Department of Health in its Report on the 2009-2010 Workforce Survey of Dentists which finds Florida suffers from a maldistribution of dentists, not a shortage of dentists. The report states that “dentists are disproportionately concentrated in the more populous areas of the state, particularly the coastal counties of southern Florida.” Indeed these may not be areas where many of Florida’s most needy reside. Dr. Sabates cautions that “more needs to be known about how a proposed dental school will operate and the degree to which a school will depend upon public funds. The question of who will pay for the school’s ongoing operation, and at what net expense to the community, needs to be answered. Until the degree to which a new dental school can operate
without public assistance is known, the school’s net contribution to improving access to dental care cannot be determined. It might be far less expensive for a community to utilize its existing capacity to improve care through county public health departments, community health centers and private dental offices. Yet these new dental schools are being sold as a source of new revenue to a community without regard to how and where the schools revenues will originate and whether these revenues are being generated in the most efficient way possible.” From an access-to-care perspective, Dr. Sabates notes that, “whether or not a new dental school comes to Florida, we must develop an incentive for licensed dentists to practice in underserved areas. These areas are generally populated with a high percentage of Medicaid-eligible recipients. Financial incentives such as increasing Medicaid dental reimbursement rates and revitalizing Florida’s dental student loan re-payment program must be a priority of the legislature and will prove to be far less expensive than forming new dental schools.” Florida currently has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation, providing dentists with only 25 cents for every $1 of services performed. “Often, reimbursement is far less than what it costs the dentist to perform the procedure,” said Dr. Sabates. “Economic realities create insurmountable hurdles for a new dentist to establish a practice in many rural areas. Not only is the Medicaid reimbursement rate insufficient, but many dental students graduate with student loan debt exceeding $200,000. Couple this with the financial aspects of opening a dental practice, and one easily can calculate that the math does not add up,” explained Dr. Sabates. The FDA applauds the Florida House, Senate and Gov. Rick Scott for providing an additional $56.2 million fee increase for Medicaid dental children’s services. Depending on how cont. on page 19
DOH Allows Use of Approved Printer Paper for Prescriptions
list of vendors that offer such paper with specified tamper-resistant characteristics.
At the outset of the Department of Health’s (DOH) announcement that, beginning July 1, it would enforce the statutory requirement that all prescriptions for controlled substances be written on a counterfeit-resistant prescription pads, the Florida Dental Association (FDA) quickly informed the DOH of the efficient method of computer generated prescriptions commonly used by most dentists. This process allows for prescriptions to be generated electronically and then printed, which falls in line with the goal of the state to have all health care practitioners move toward electronic medical records.
The DOH clarification noted that printer paper procured from an approved provider must meet the following tamper-resistant characteristics:
As a result of the FDA’s advocacy efforts and those of other similarly-situated groups, the DOH released clarification allowing the procurement of printer paper from an approved
4.
The list of approved vendors can be found at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/counterfeit-proof.html.
1. 2.
3.
be printed on watermarked paper and shall be 50# white or other quality approved by the department. contain blue or green background ink that resists reproduction. The color must be consistent on every blank and listed on the blank as a security feature. display the word “VOID” or “ILLEGAL” if the prescription pad is copied. list security features and descriptions on the prescription blanks, preferably on the reverse side, to assist dispensing pharmacists in detecting forgeries. cont. on page 21
Classifieds... OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FORTIS COLLEGE IS GROWING!: Dental Assisting Adjunct Instructor positions are now available at our Miami Campus for 25-30 hours/wk M-Th for well qualified dental assisting faculty members. The positions require the candidates to meet the following criteria: Dental Assisting Experience, Certified Dental Assistant credential (CDA, even if RDH), Minimum of AA/AS degree. Baccalaureate degree is preferred (or the ability for the candidate to enroll in a BS Program in a related discipline), Expanded Functions and Dental Radiology Certification in the State of Florida from a Board of Dentistry approved source, If the candidate is a DDS or DMD, these requirements will be waived but must have current dental license in the State of Florida, Teaching experience preferred but will train the right candidate, Proficient in Microsoft Software Systems, Mastery of the English Language, Excellent presentation and influential communication skills, Equal Opportunity Employer. Interested parties, please submit resume to Adela Mills, Program Director at amills@fortiscollege.edu ENDODONTIST AND ORTHODONTIST NEEDED: Kendall and Miami area. Email resume to mdcare1@bellsouth.net GREAT AND UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO: Join our multi-dentist established practices since 1993. Great benefits. Fax your resume to 866-308-0869. LOOKING FOR A CAREER AND NOT A JOB? Are you outgoing with a great chairside manner? Then we encourage you to call and take a closer look at the opportunities we offer our doctors at Towncare Dental. We provide cutting edge continuing education from nationally recognized leaders in their fields. We also provide training on how to manage and lead a successful dental team or you can leave the business of managing to us. Call or email Pat Parnell today at 305-274-2499x2041, or, pparnell @towncaredental.com, to learn more about the Towncare Family. Offices in Central, South, West & East Coasts of Florida. A great career awaits you! ORTHODONTIST WANTED: For part-time position in South West Miami office. Call Dr. Steven Nadel (305) 271-4851 or email to stevennadel@yahoo.com
FLORIDA: Large, well established General and Multi-Specialty Group Practice seeks F/T or P/T GENERAL DENTISTS, ENDODONTISTS, ORAL SURGEONS, PERIODONTISTS, PEDIATRIC DENTISTS, ORTHODONIST for multiple offices in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Guaranteed referrals; beautiful, modern facilities; great staff; professional management; quality care; lots of patients. Top percentage compensation with daily guarantee, health insurance, malpractice insurance. Contact Maddi Kantor Fax CV 561-5262576 or e-mail mkantor@northwesternmanagement.com . PEDODONTIST, GENERAL DENTIST: Excellent opportunity for pedo or associate dentist position available. FT or PT, could lead to partnership. Start working immediately, Homestead area, state-of-the-art new office. Please call 305-246-5444 or/ and send resume to 305-246-5406, or email to olidentalcenter@bellsouth.net WANTED P/T ENDO / PERIO/ ORAL SURGEON: For Hollywood General Dentist office. Flexible hours. Call Kim 954-981-4404. DENTAL HEALTH GROUP (DHG), together with GREAT EXPRESSIONS DENTAL CENTERS: is a patient-focused organization that operates over 130 individual practices in 7 states (MI, FL, GA, VA, OH, CT, MA). Our dentists and specialists have the clinical freedom and autonomy enjoyed in a traditional private practice without the additional financial or administrative burdens associated with practice management. When considering a career with DHG, new dental professionals can expect unlimited income, a solid benefits package, a stable patient base, training opportunities, and long-term practice or regional career growth. To learn more please call Todd Gustke at 248-2031117 or visit us on the web at www.greatexpressions.com SHARE OVERHEAD OR EXPERIENCED ASSOCIATE AND OR START OWN PRACTICE IN SHARED OFFICE: Hollywood dentist looking to bring in another experienced dentist(s). To share overhead expenses in a well established Hollywood Dental Practice. Call Kim (954) 981-4500. DENTISTS WANTED-GENERAL, PEDO, ENDO, PERIO, ORTHO, ORAL SURGEONS: FT/PT for quality group practices in Aventura, Coral Springs, Delray, Boynton Beach, Port St Lucie, Ft Pierce & Melbourne. Call Dr. Feingold (561) 665-0991
The SFDDA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for the following: SFDDA Secretary SFDDA Treasurer - Incumbent is Dr. Rodrigo Romano FDA Trustee - Incumbent is Dr. Paul Benjamin FDA Alternate Trustee - Incumbent is Dr. Michael D. Eggnatz FDA Secretary
GENERAL / SPECIALIST: Ft/Pt Great opportunity for General Dentist / Specialist. Excellent compensation, bonus and partnership positions. Multiple locations in South Florida. Please fax resume to (305) 770-1232 or call Kathy (954) 430-2188 or email to haroldhui@aol.com FORT LAUDERDALE: A good opportunity for GENERAL DENTIST, ORAL SURGEONS and ENDODONTISTS. Excellent guaranteed weekly salary and bonus. Paid vacation and PAID LAB FEES (fixed and removable). Very experienced staff. Fax resume to (954) 485-5820, attention Dr. Martin. GENERAL DENTIST WANTED: Hialeah, Pembroke Pines or Kendall area, excellent compensation and bonus with guarantee income. Professional training available Eng/Spanish required. Call Manuel 305.915.2953 PERIODONTIST WANTED: We are a growing dental group looking for a Periodontist to join our dental team. Excellent compensation, Eng/Spanish required. Call Manuel (305) 915-2953. BDC DENTAL HEALTH: North Miami Beach; Interesting percentage. Looks for General Dentist. Call Lydia 305-949-2766 Email pms161@yahoo.coo
OFFICE SPACE - SALE OR RENT: DENTAL OFFICE SPACE: for rent in Pembroke Pines. 954-433-8880 FOR RENT: EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY IN SOUTH MIAMI: Share office, reduce overhead, modern office, already built out. Call Dr. Whiting 305-669-8700. Location: 6701 Sunset Drive. LOOKING FOR: GP dentist or specialist to share office space with existing general practice. Located in large 8 operatory facility located at SW 56 St. and SW 107 Ave. Call 305-271-4851 OFFICE FOR RENT OR SALE: Fully equipped; 6 chairs; x-rays; built in units; fully furnished waiting room; very visible US1 location: priced right for rent or sale: Hollywood call Dr. at 305-778-0060
Candidate Applications available by calling SFDDA office at (305) 667-3647. Deadline to submit application is, November 1, 2011. Submit applications to: Ms. Yolanda Marrero SFDDA, 420 South Dixie Highway, Suite 2E Coral Gables, FL 33146 or by fax: (305) 665-7059
Welcome New and Returning Members! Tatiana Santiago-Herzog, DMD Fitz-Herbert M. Harris, DDS Join your local affiliate society... At the SFDDA, there are three affiliate societies: North Dade Miami Beach Dental Society, South Broward Dental Society and the Miami Dade Dental Society. Each one is located in an area near your practice or your home, making it easy for you to attend meetings. Call and join one today. 2011 -2012 SFDDA Affiliate Societies Miami Dade Dental Society Piero Palacios, (305) 274-3113
South Broward Dental Society Leonardo Frydman, D.M.D. (954) 966-6410
Practice Made Perfect s Tremendous Ear s Tremendous Earning ning Potential s Proven s Proven Practice Model s DeďŹ ned s DeďŹ ned Car Career eer Path to Ownership s ro ofessional Development s Ongoing Ongoing Pr Professional s s Comprehensive Comprehensive Marketing & Business Support
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North Dade - Miami Beach Dental Society Danni Sayman, D (305) 604-8876 Dental Schools, cont. from pg 17
this increase is spent, it could go far to helping provide dental services to Florida’s most vulnerable residents – our children. The FDA is working with the Agency for Health Care Administration and key legislative leaders to ensure this increase is used for its intended purpose to provide dental care rather than go to increased profits for managed care companies. “It will take a series of coordinated public policy initiatives including real incentives for dentists to practice in these underserved areas to resolve dental access to care issues in Florida. Simply graduating more dentists with more student loan debt and hoping that additional dental schools can make up the difference in operating costs through low Medicaid reimbursement rates is a very convoluted and inefficient strategy for improving public access to dental care,� concludes Dr. Sabates. The FDA is a Tallahassee-based, statewide, professional association representing member-dentists in Florida. Founded in 1884 by 12 dentists, the FDA now represents more than 65 percent of all Florida-licensed dentists. The FDA maintains two offices in Tallahassee and employs more than 50 staff members. A constituent society of the ADA, the FDA’s mission is to improve the oral health of Florida residents, promote ethical practice standards, and direct the evolution of the practice environment through continuous education and advocacy for the profession and the public. For more information about organized dentistry, visit the FDA’s website at www.floridadental.org. Or, visit the FDA public information website, www.SmileFlorida.org.
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South Florida District Dental Association Members your local FDAS Representative is Joseph Perretti (305) 665-0455
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Prescriptions, cont. from pg 17
Examples of such feature listings are: the blank resist erasures and alterations, the background color must appear blue (if blue) or green (if green), the words VOID (if void) or ILLEGAL (if illegal) will appear when copied. 5. list a unique tracking identification number for each order, which is printed on the front of the blank and readily visible. A unique tracking identification number and the name of the authorized prescriber or health-care facility that purchased the prescription blank must be maintained by the vendor and available to the department upon request. The unique tracking identification number must consist of three subsets: (1) a unique alphabetic prefix that readily identifies the vendor, (2) the date of printing, and (3) a batch number. The alpha characters used to identify the vendor will be assigned by the department and must appear first in the tracking identification number in upper case. The date the blank was printed must immediately follow the vendor’s unique alpha identifier and must be presented in six character numerical field using the format YRMODY (for example, June 3, 2011 would be coded as 110603). The batch number assigned by the vendor must immediately follow the print date. From left to right, the tracking identification number must appear as alpha prefix, print date, and then batch number, with no blank spaces between subsets. For example, ABC1106030001. The FDA continues to work with both the DOH and the Board of Dentistry to clarify many outstanding issues. If you have a question resulting from this letter, please email the FDA at: questions@floridadental.org. The FDA will categorize the questions and forward them, by category, to the DOH and BOD for a response. Responses to the questions will then be posted on FDA and BOD websites and other resources. Stay tuned to FDA for more details as they are made available.
As a member of the South Florida District Dental Association, you receive the benefit of being included in Solid Referral.com. Please visit the website and make sure that your information is correct and up to date. If you are a member and you aren’t listed or if your information needs to be updated, please call us at (305) 667-3647.
WWW.SOLIDREFERRAL.COM T HIS
IS A C OMPLIMENTARY
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SFDDA
It’s Where You Want To Be! January 27-28, 2012 Jungle Island,Miami, Florida
Winter Meeting
David Clark , D.D.S.
Roger Levin , D.D.S.
Hal Crossley, D.D.S. PhD
www.miamiwintermeeting.org The 2012 Miami Winter Meeting promises to deliver an excellent program for all attending. Speakers include Dr. David Clark, Dr. Hal Crossley and Dr. Roger Levin . All of the programs will offer opportunities for both doctors and their staff to come away with practical put-touse right away knowledge. Those of you who have attended the Miami Winter Meeting know how convenient it was to have everything taken care of for you through out the day. When you purchase your ticket to any of the lectures or for the expo
only, your food, beverage and park- activities taking place through out ing are all included for that day. the day in the expo hall, that you won’t want to miss. The President’s Reception on Friday night will take on a Latin flair live Make sure that you save the date on entertainment that will make you your calendar to attend the 2012 want to dance. We will once again Miami Winter Meeting, January 27present a sumptous buffet and an 28, 2012 at Jungle Island in Miami. open bar. Anyone who was at the re- Registration will soon be available ception last year will tell you that it on line at: was the perfect ending to a great day and this year it will be even better. www.miamiwintermeeting.org Some of your favorite dental companies will be exhibiting at the expo, and for the first time, we will have