November 2013 TDA TODAY

NOVEMBER 2013

CONTENTS

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 11

American Dental Association Holds Annual Meeting in New Orleans Glen D. Hall, DDS, of Abilene Conducts First ADA House of Delegates

American Dental Association (ADA) Speaker of the House Dr Glen D. Hall of Abilene conducted his first ADA House of Delegates at the organization’s 154th annual session in New Orleans on October 31-November 5, 2013.

• ADA Holds Annual Meeting in New Orleans • TDA Publications Win Journalism

Dr Hall was the TDA speaker of the house for 12 years (20002012). This is his first year of a 3-year term as ADA speaker of the house. He contributes his first successful ADA House of Delegates to support from the TDA delegation.

Awards • Texas Dental Program Medicaid/CHIP • TEXAS Meeting Preview

“To all of the TDA delegates and alternates, I thank you and the TDA House for allowing me to serve as long as I did as speaker to better qualify for this new position,” says Dr. Hall.

• TDA Perks

AVAILABLE ON TDA.ORG

- ACA Exchange and Marketplace Plans

• TDA Smiles Foundation

Dr Hall was elected last year to preside over the 473 voting members of the ADA House of Delegates, the ADA’s legislative and governing body and the organization’s supreme authority.

- Holiday Cards • ATDA Volunteers at Dental Clinic • President’s Statement • Evidence-Based Practice Tip of the Month

TDA Publications Win Journalism Awards

• Meet the Staff

- Paul Schlesinger, Systems Administrator

The International College of Dentists–USA Section (ICD-USA) awarded the TDA with 2 journalism awards at the American Association of Dental Editors annual session in New Orleans in late October 2013.

• Member Spotlight

- Dr James F. Helms, Schulenburg

• TSBDE Rule Update • TSBDE Collecting License Information

The Texas Dental Journal received the prestigious Golden Pen award for the May 2012 issue of the Texas Dental Journal. The ICD-USA awards the Golden Pen for a publication that contains an article or series of articles that is of current importance to the dental profession. Journal Associate/Guest Editor Daniel L. Jones, DDS, PhD, coordinated the articles of the May 2012 special issue on oral cancer. Dr Jones is a professor and chair in the Department of Public Health Services at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas.

November Texas Dental Journal 2013 Gold Medal for Distinguished Service, Dr Paul E. Stubbs

Upcoming Events January 26-28 ADA Presidents-elect Conference Chicago

The TDA’s newest publication Smart Mouth™ received the Special Citation award. The ICD-USA presents this award to an editor whose publication demonstrates an unusual concept, presentation, or other distinctive quality. Smart Mouth™ began in 2012 and is a biannual publication mailed as a supplement to the Texas Dental Journal. It is written and produced with the intent to be displayed in dentists’ waiting rooms for patients to read.

Alliance of the TDA Volunteers at Charitable Dental Clinic Mary Coleman, ASADDS President • April Cobb, ATDA Publicity Secretary

Members of the Alliance to the San Antonio District Dental Society (ASADDS) volunteered at the 4th annual Smiles of Hope dental clinic, hosted by the San Antonio District Dental Society, on October 12, 2013. At least 150 patients were treated during the 1-day free dental clinic held at the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic on the public campus of the Haven for Hope facility for the homeless and medically and dentally underserved citizens of San Antonio.

January 30 - February 1 Southwest Dental Conference Dallas

Using your smart phone, scan this QR code to access the TDA Today on TDA.org.

ATDA member and ASADDS President Mary Coleman coordinated food for volunteers and monitored phones to make the Smiles of Hope event a success in October 2013 in San Antonio. Ms Coleman is a regular volunteer at the clinic.

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Smiles of Hope is one of the Alliance’s special civic projects each year. H-E-B, Taco Cabana, Chick-fil-A, and ASADDS generously donated food. Alliance members served breakfast to 125 volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, Christian Dental Clinic staff, and H4H security. If you are a dental spouse and would like to learn more about the Alliance, please contact Publicity Secretary April Cobb at aprilcobb@hotmail.com.

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Texas Dental Program Medicaid/CHIP

If you are looking for something intimate, try a room with a river view, at the historic Omni La Mansion del Rio, or the Westin Riverwalk.

There is nothing more relaxing than the Westin Heavenly Bed® after a day of classes and walking the exhibit hall floor.

The Texas Dental Association (TDA) promotes the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct within the practice of dentistry. As stated within the goals and objectives found in the Association’s strategic planning document — TDA 2014 — the TDA will be the preeminent advocate in the legislative and regulatory arenas on behalf of the public and profession of dentistry.

If you are bringing the dental team and need several affordable and convenient rooms check out the La Quinta Inn & Suites Convention Center. It’s across the street from the Convention Center, has easy parking, free breakfast, and they are pet friendly. Some of our other price friendly downtown hotels are the Downtown Four Points by Sheraton, the Hyatt Place Hotel, and 2 great historic hotels, The Menger Hotel and The Crockett Hotel. There are beautiful rooms reserved on the Riverwalk at the Hilton Palacio del Rio, and the newly renovated Holiday Inn San Antonio Riverwalk. If you need a little more space to spread out, the all-suites Homewood Suites by Hilton might be the perfect fit for your meeting experience. The Homewood Suites have fully equipped kitchens if you need a dietary break from the tourist scene.

The TDA is also committed to providing Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) training opportunities for participating dentists. The 2014 TEXAS Meeting includes two continuing education courses regarding Medicaid/CHIP. The first course will cover program and claims processing and includes representatives from the Health and Human Services Commission and the dental plans. The second course, taught by Dr. Linda Altenhoff, chief dental officer with the OIG, is designed to help participating dentists understand the difference between abuse, waste, and fraud; understand federal and state rules and regulations associated with credible allegations of fraud; and learn about the current processes used by OIG for investigations.

The TDA supports access to oral health care for all Texans and is committed to making access to care a priority for organized dentistry. The TDA supports dentists participating in Medicaid/CHIP and other public health dental programs, and continuously advocates for the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship and preserving the dentist’s ability to make clinical decisions based on the patient’s needs. The TDA believes that most dentists in Texas, in their offices every day, adhere to the highest level of professionalism and ethical conduct while placing patient care above all else. To that end, the TDA promotes the safe and effective delivery of professional, comprehensive, high-quality dental treatment to all Texans, including children enrolled in the Medicaid/CHIP dental programs.

NOVEMBER 2013 • TDA Today • 2

Lisa B. Masters, DDS, MS Council on Annual Session

What kind of Texas Meeting experience are you planning? Fun with friends on the Riverwalk, a class or two, hanging out in the exhibit hall, getting lots of CE and workshop hours for your AGD Master Track, or conducting TDA business in the House of Delegates and Reference Committee meetings? Your hotel choice can greatly enhance your educational and entertainment experience. Housing reservations will open on December 1, 2013, so choose early to get your first choice.

The Texas Meeting headquarters hotel has moved to the Grand Hyatt San Antonio this year! Those who like to hit the snooze one more time and still make it to Ballroom C for a class will love the luxury and convenience of being attached to the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. We know there are lots of loyal Marriott members, so for you, plenty of rooms are still reserved at the Marriott Riverwalk, Rivercenter, and Plaza Hotels.

Whatever your preference, you can certainly find a cozy place to unwind in downtown San Antonio. All of the meeting hotels are within walking distance of the convention center and offer special amenities to make your trip a little more special. Don’t forget! Tell your team to watch for the Texas Meeting housing brochure as part of your December Texas Dental Journal. Pick your place, December 1!

We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio!

happy healthy smiles... that’s our mission!

Share the spirit of the holidays through the generous gift of smiles. Help thousands of Texans in need of life saving dental care while sending season’s greetings to your colleagues and loved ones.

Order your TDASF holiday cards today, and give the gift of healthy smiles this holiday season! With your generous donation, you can help a person like Crystal Contreras whose life was changed after attending a TMOM event. By purchasing just 5 holiday cards, you will help TDASF provide $800 worth of care. That investment increases with each additional card you purchase! Give someone their smile back this holiday season. Please visit tdasf.org or call 512-448-2441 to order yours today.

Cards are $25 each. Purchase 5 or more for $20 each. Choose between Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

“

I cried, not because of the pain, but because these people took time out of their day to help me. I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you! You changed my life. I can conquer the world now! I am a new person, a more beautiful confident person. Everyone can notice the difference in me. I get told daily that I glow. Thank you for reading that one lonely email from a desperate young woman. I will never forget you. I am truly eternally grateful. God Bless.

“

The Association’s advocacy efforts, regardless of the subject, are varied and include meetings with legislators and state agency officials, legislative briefings, testifying before the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, and analyzing and commenting upon federal and state regulations. For example, during the 83rd legislative session, the TDA worked closely with Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) on SB 1803 which balances the state’s obligation to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid by instituting much needed comprehensive safeguards to protect Medicaid providers subject to Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation and enforcement. The bill establishes clear definitive timelines for the OIG’s investigation and enforcement proceedings and provides transparency to the overall process. The administrative rules governing OIG procedures for disclosure/screening and procedures for combating waste, fraud, and abuse may be found at 1 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 371, Subchapter G and Subchapter E. HHSC is in the early rule development process for 1 TAC 371 Subchapter F governing OIG investigations. The TDA is currently reviewing and developing comments regarding the draft rule.

Texas Meeting Preview

- Crystal Contreras Former TMOM Patient

Evidence-Based Practice Tip of the Month Stephen R. Matteson, DDS, FICD, TDA Editor

Root Resorption of Lateral Incisors by Impacted Maxillary Canines Use the link below to read a literature review on root resorption of maxillary lateral incisors by impacted canines. Timely and carefully planned treatment of impacted maxillary canines provides a valuable service to patients with this condition. Activate “Download PDF” on this site to see the entire article and illustrations: tinyurl.com/rootresorp.

Reference Jacobs R, Lambrechts P, Loozen G, Willems G and Algerban A. Root resorption of the maxillary lateral incisor caused by impacted canine: a literature review. Clinical Oral Investigations.

September 2009, Volume 13, Issue 3, pp. 247-255.

ACA Exchange and Marketplace Plans: Important Dates to Know A convenient portal available at TDAmemberinsure.com makes it easy for all TDA members and their staff to sign up for health insurance coverage (ACA Exchange/Marketplace plans) on a guaranteed issue basis, with no pre-existing condition riders or exclusions. Individuals purchasing insurance through TDA Perks Program’s TDA Financial Services Insurance Program will receive attentive customer service from a team dedicated to TDA members and staff.

Following are important dates to keep in mind: • December 15, 2013, is the last day one can sign up for insurance with a January 1, 2014, effective date.

• A new portal will open on December 16, 2013, and remain open through January 30. Through it, TDA members and staff can sign up for coverage with a February 1, 2014, effective date.

• New health insurance coverage purchased on the exchange is effective January 1, 2014.

• March 31, 2014, is the last day one can sign up for health care insurance for 2014.

Watch for more information from TDA Financial Services Insurance Program in emails, Texas Dental Journal, and TDA Today. Do not forget to check TDAmemberinsure.com or call 800-677-8644 for more information or if you have questions.

President’s Statement David A. Duncan, DDS, TDA President

Most Thankful It’s November, and I would be remiss if I did not recognize it as a month of thankfulness. If you are on Facebook, your feeds are probably flooded with your friends’ “ am thankful for …” posts. They include everything from gratitude for life’s circumstances to thanks for everyday opportunities.

While these are a great effort to reflect on our good fortunes, I must remember a quote by Woody Allen: “I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”

TDA MEMBER

SPOTLIGHT James F. Helms, DDS • Schulenburg For past Thanksgivings, Dr James “Jimmy” F. Helms of Schulenburg and his family have gathered at a small church on his ranch to sing Christmas songs and prepare for the season. However, it is not just any church. It’s among 22 other buildings in his very own old western town, New Dubina.

Taken literally, I would imagine we have all experienced this milky mistake. Taken figuratively, I believe he means that laughter is life’s greatest medicine, especially when life really hands it to you…

So, this month, I’ll remember some of the reasons that I am most thankful. Needless to say I am most thankful for my family and my health. However, I am “almost” as thankful for the profession we are all entitled to practice on a daily basis and the multitude of good friends that I have been blessed with through the members and staff of TDA. So, even if I do not include an “I am thankful for …” post each (or any) day for all to read on the world wide web, I am thankful. Dentistry and the association have provided me with unexpected blessings that I hope each and every one of you are experiencing also.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving season.

MEETYOURSTAFF Paul joined the TDA in 1994. If you have been a member long enough or served Paul S in the leadership, chances are you have c S y met, talked to, or have been stems hlesinger A dminis photographed by Paul over the years. trator He is the Association’s on-site source for answers pertaining to TDA history and is the longest currently serving employee. Paul brings a variety of important skills with him. He served as the publications coordinator and staff photojournalist for 13 years before transitioning to the IT systems administrator in 2007.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Taylor, which is about 35 miles northeast of Austin. My family moved there from Bartlett in 1971 when I was about 6 months old. In the past, Taylor was known as the Cotton King of Texas and home of Morning Glory mattresses. Everyone from Elvis to Slim Whitman performed on Taylor’s now-defunct KTAE radio. Today, Louie Mueller BBQ seems to be the main attraction.

I still live there and commute to and from Austin every day. No, the toll roads don’t help with traffic and the gas prices stink. However, the monthly mortgage payment on my all-brick home is cheaper than an entry-level, 1-room apartment Austin!

Where did you go to school and what did you do before you came here?

I attended Taylor ISD for grades K-12. I was fortunate to be in the top 10% of my graduating class which meant automatic acceptance into UT Austin without having to take an SAT exam. I graduated from UT in 1995 with a degree in journalism, specializing in photojournalism. While in high school and most of college I worked part time at Quick-Way Grocery in Taylor, a familyowned convenience store that sold everything from Blue Bell ice cream to Hohner harmonicas.

Why did you decide to come to the Texas Dental Association?

While working on my photojournalism degree at UT, I took a class in magazine design. A requirement of that class was to work with an established local organization to either improve their newsletter, or create one. I picked TDA out of a directory of local associations, thinking there were a lot of dentists and they probably had some kind of magazine. I met with the TDA’s communications director and completed the project, which was revamping the Texas Dental Journal. My personal dentist, Dr William Cabaniss (Taylor, Capital Area) helped out by posing for a fictitious front cover photo. Even though the communications director never adopted any of my design “improvements,” she called later that summer and offered me a part-time job working on the magazine. Since the job matched my part of my degree plan, I thought it was a great opportunity and accepted the offer. After I graduated college, one of Mary Kay Linn’s first acts as executive director was to make my position full-time.

What is your favorite thing about the job?

For me, it is the familiarity with the job, organization, and its members. I never dreamt that I would be hanging out at the State Capitol during TDA Legislative Day with my childhood orthodontist, Dr Jeran Hooten (Austin, Capital Area), 30 years after getting my braces removed!

I am proud to be part of this organization, and I take pride in its history and accomplishments.

Although it has nothing to do with my IT work, my favorite part of the job is putting on the annual 50 Year and Life Awards Luncheon at annual session, which is something I have done since 1996.

You get to meet members and families, and often get to know them on a more personal level. It is rewarding to be able to share milestones in someone’s life, especially if it is someone you have interacted with for nearly two decades.

What is one thing about you that might surprise people?

There are several facets of my life that might surprise folks. In 2001 I became the first non-dentist to receive the International College of Dentists’ Literary Award. I am the 2005 state champion of Tarock, the oldest card game in existence that was invented by the Anglo European and still enjoyed in the States today by people of primarily Czech and German descent. I have played in Tarock tournaments with Dr Bill Pavlat (Granger, Capital Area) and the parents of Dr Brian Scaff (Austin, Capital Area). Some of my photographs of famous Texas western swing musicians have been published in books, magazines, CDs, and have appeared in gallery exhibitions. I am also a traditional country and western fiddle player and band leader, and was inducted in 2012 into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Gatesville. The late Perk Williams, who in 1954 sang the original Billboard Top 10 hit recording of “Release Me” on Capitol Records, taught me to play the fiddle in 1993. This past April I was been featured on a syndicated TV show, “Songwriters Across Texas,” playing fiddle as a member of Glen Collins and the Alibis. Feel free to visit my website, paulschlesinger.com, or www.facebook.com/schlesinger.paul.

New Dubina is not on the Texas map, and it is not incorporated or registered, but Dr Helms built the old western town from the ground up. Located on his 105acre ranch outside Houston, New Dubina is complete with a sheriff’s office, blacksmith shop, bank, general store, jail, a 1-room schoolhouse, a dentist’s office, and saloon. It has everything you can imagine seeing in a gunslinging, cattle-raising, pioneering Texas town in 1865.

New Dubina includes a general store, stocked with 6 varieties of mid-19th-century apple peelers, as well as a bank with a teller’s cage and a 4,000-pound safe, circa 1876. Credit: Megan Thompson for The New York Times.

“I guess I watched too many cowboy movies,” says Dr Helms, explaining that he decided in 1982 to begin outfitting the town, first starting with store fronts, then filling the insides of the buildings with pieces he found at estate sales and auctions. He has always been interested in the history of America between 1865 and 1900.

Dr Helms, a retired life member of TDA, graduated from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston (UTSD), formerly the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston (UTDB), in 1965. He and his wife Carol, an Alliance of the TDA member, have 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren, ranging in age from 12 to 17. Dr Helms made each grandchild his or her own antique store in New Dubina. “When they were little, they would sell to each other, and to me mostly. I would just buy my own things back,” he laughs.

Dr Helms named the town New Dubina after the real neighboring town Dubina, which was destroyed by fire in 1907. “I figure if I built it, I wouldn’t get lonesome out here.”

In a YouTube video, Dr Jimmy Helms displays his antique dental instruments in the dental office at New Dubina, the old western town he built.

He conducts free-of-charge tours almost weekly for various civic and professional groups.

He hosted the UTSD faculty several years ago and says the town is his own little world of fun. “I’m sure someone could make it a business. I never have. I don’t need to make any money (from it), but I like to share it with other people.”

So, day after day, he leaves his sprawling home on the property to care for his ranch, then slips into New Dubina to trade the stock market at the mayor’s office, which is a restored log cabin. “I haven’t had a good year this year,” he laughs. “But last year, I did well enough to build a hotel … you know, like Lonesome Dove.”

He has only had one guest stay overnight at his new hotel, which is not air conditioned.

And, he and his grandson spent the night in the jail, sleeping with the heat of the potbelly stove. “It’s an eerie feeling to have that cell door lock behind you in the jail, but you’re locked in.”

Not a rock’s throw from the jail are the foreboding hanging gallows, which he says are completely operational. “They have 13 steps and the noose has 13 coils … the unlucky 13,” he explains. “But I keep the ropes off … it makes me nervous with the kids.”

He recreated a dentist’s office — the first UTDB, he says. It has a real human skeleton (a 21-year-old with unerupted third molars), a traveling dentist kit with an ivory-handled mirror, and a pedal drill. “A lot of our instruments haven’t changed, but technology sure has.”

Each building has its own uniqueness, he says. “I don’t really have a favorite. It’s kind of like art … you couldn’t say which part of the painting you like best.”

The best part about his quiet endeavor is the chance to share it with other people, whether it is a wedding in the chapel, or artists visiting to paint the scene, or a movie company filming an old western documentary. “I’m just an old dentist having fun. I’d love to share it with anyone. No cost!”

For more information on New Dubina, watch 3 YouTube videos produced by Dr Helms: tinyurl.com/newdubina1, tinyurl.com/newdubina2, tinyurl.com/newdubina3.

This recurring section highlights the lives of TDA members outside of the office. If you have an interesting story about yourself, if you are working on a project that your peers might find interesting, or if you have a hobby that keeps you busy, please contact TDA Managing Editor Nicole Scott, nicole@tda.org, 512-443-3675.

NOVEMBER 2013 • TDA Today • 3

TSBDE Rule Update

This recurring section is designed to help TDA members keep up with important Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) rules, other regulations, and state law affecting their practices.

The September update addressed the use of patient photographs in advertisements. Dentists must obtain written consent from patients before communicating photographs, facts, data, or information which may identify the patient. Also, photographs or other representations used in advertisements must be from actual patients of record. For example, “before” and “after” photographs intended to demonstrate a dentist’s services should be from actual patients of record.

Following publication of the update, the TDA’s central office received numerous questions about the use of “stock photos” in advertisements. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) clarified that dentists can use stock photos in advertisements as long as the advertisement is not false, misleading, or deceptive (1). In order to avoid any false, misleading, or deceptive advertising, the TSBDE recommends that dentists disclose that the stock photograph is not an actual patient of record. For more information, please contact TDA Policy Manager Diane Rhodes at 512-443-3675, diane@tda.org.

Reference 1. 22 Texas Administrative Code §108.57.

TSBDE Collecting License Information Texas lawmakers passed legislation this past session (HB 3201) that requires dentists to submit certain information to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). Starting November 1, 2013, an electronic questionnaire form will be on the SBDE website to collect the required information for all dentists applying for an initial dental license or renewing a dental license.

HB 3201 by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R – Brenham) requires dentists (licensees) to submit the following information to the TSBDE: • • • • • • • •

The number and type of dentists employed by the license holder, if any; The name under which the license holder provides dental services and each location where those services are provided; Whether the license holder participates in the Medicaid program; Whether the license holder is employed by or contracts with a Dental Service Organization (DSO) and, if so, the name and address of the DSO; Whether the license holder owns all or part of a DSO and, if so, the name and address of the DSO and the location of each office; Whether the license holder is party to a dental service agreement and, if so, the name and address of the DSO that provides services under the agreement; If the license holder owns all or part if a DSO, whether that practice is a party to a dental service agreement, and, if so, the name and address of the DSO that provides services under the agreement.

In addition, the TSBDE may request that a DSO provide to the TSBDE the address of the locations where the organization provides dental services and the name of each dentist providing dental services at each location.

NOVEMBER 2013

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 11

AVAILABLE ON TDA.ORG

EDITORIAL STAFF Stephen R. Matteson, DDS, Editor Nicole Scott, Managing Editor Lauren Oakley, Publications Coordinator Paul H. Schlesinger, Consultant Board of Directors David A. Duncan, DDS, DDS, President David H. McCarley, DDS , President-elect Michael L. Stuart, DDS, Immediate Past President Vice Presidents Jean E. Bainbridge, DDS, Northeast Gregory K. Oelfke, DDS, Southeast Yvonne E. Maldonado, DDS, Southwest David C. Woodburn, DDS, Northwest Senior Directors Jerry J. Hopson, DDS, Northeast William S. Nantz , DDS, Southeast Joshua A. Austin, DDS, Southwest Steven J. Hill, DDS, Northwest Directors William H. Gerlach, DDS, Northeast Karen A. Walters , DDS, Southeast John B. Mason, DDS, Southwest Charles W. Miller, DDS, Northwest Ron Collins, DDS, Secretary-Treasurer John W. Baucum III DDS, Speaker of the House Michael D. Vaclav, DDS, Parliamentarian Stephen R. Matteson, DDS, Editor Michael L. Stuart, DDS, Interim Executive Director William H. Bingham, Legal Counsel TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December by the Texas Dental Association, 1946 S IH-35 Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, 512-443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S IH-35 Ste 400, Austin, TX 78704-3698. Copyright 2013 Texas Dental Journal. All rights reserved.

Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-state American Dental Association (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax.

Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $30.

Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3.

In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6.

Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the Association are solicited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted.

Please refer to Instructions for Contributors in the annual September Directory of the Texas Dental Journal for more information. The Information for Contributors is available at tda.org. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association. Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously. Authors must disclose any financial or other interests they may have in products or services described in their articles.

Advertisements: Publication of advertisements in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement by the Association of the quality of value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.

GET HELP WITH YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE TRANSITION. TDA Financial Services Insurance Program is working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, to make the insurance transition easier for insured TDA members and staff.

SIGN UP FOR COVERAGE ON OUR PORTAL. Use TDA Financial Services Insurance Program’s portal to purchase a guaranteed issue basis policy with no pre-existing condition riders or exclusions and receive attentive customer service from a team dedicated to TDA members.

The portal is available at: tdamemberinsure.com December 15 is the last day to sign up for coverage effective January 1, 2014.

Independent, Authorized Agent for

An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Enroll or learn more at:

For more information, call:

tdamemberinsure.com (800) 677-8644