TDA Today January 2007

TDA

A publication of the Texas Dental Association

January 2007 • Volume 8, Issue 1 TDA Today is available online at www.tda.org

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Remembering Dr. Robert B. Dixon TDA President, 1970–1971

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n October 2006, Dr. Paul E. Stubbs of Georgetown planted a yaupon tree near the front door of the Texas Dental Association (TDA) central office to honor Dr. Robert B. Dixon, who passed away in 2004. Dr. Stubbs serves as chair of the TDA Building Committee. His mentor Dr. Dixon was a charter member of that committee and served faithfully on it until he died. On a sunny day in November 2006, a small group of TDA dentists and staff and Dr. Dixon’s son Bobby assembled to dedicate that tree as a living memorial to Dr. Robert B. Dixon. Dr. Stubbs remarks follow.

“Welcome to the dedication of this tree in memory of Dr. Robert B. Dixon. As we pause to commemorate this man by dedicating this tree, let us turn our thoughts not to death but to life, and to the contributions of Bob and his influence on us and this Association. May we realize that all lives which relate to us are important, and that those friends we make are vital to our understanding of life and life’s purposes. This particular tree is a Yaupon, and it is significant because of the parallels to Bob Dixon: •

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the Yaupon is found primarily in the Hill Country of Texas — where Bob spent almost all of his life. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he could claim two states and was easily elected American Dental Association Trustee for District 12, which at the time he held that office, was made up of 5 states, including Texas and Oklahoma; the Yaupon is hearty and enduring. Bob’s active career in dentistry spanned 58 years, from 1946 to 2002. He was active in all phases of organized dentistry, including his terms as president of the Tenth (Capital Area) District Dental Society, president of the Texas Dental Association in 1970, and as ADA trustee from 1975 to 1981; the Yaupon is giving — its berries provide beauty to us who behold it and food and protection to the birds who nest here. My personal benefits from Bob’s generous nature began in 1970, when he was my mentor and TDA’s president.

Bob and Dorothy and Peggy and Jack Moore were “assigned” to me, a new dentist, and my wife as escorts to the August district dental society meeting. Little did I comprehend the significance of that evening. These four became our constant friends since that first evening together. Bob fostered me through committees of the local and state associations, introduced me to State Board members, encouraged me to serve in the TDA House of Delegates, and sponsored me as a Fellow in both the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. Bob was my confidant in becoming TDA president in 1990–1991; and the Yaupon is strong — Bob never backed away from duty or responsibility. In fact, it was Bob (and a few other “heavies” of the TDA) who literally went to Dallas, took the TDA office trappings and the one staff person (Beverly Bane) and moved the TDA headquarters from Dallas to its rightful home in the Capitol city. He continued to exercise his strength and influence in the purchase of the TDA building and adjacent land on which this marvelous building stands today. He served on the TDA Building Committee, which oversees the maintenance of the building and grounds, until the time of his death.

From left: Dr. Paul Stubbs, nursery employees, and Bill Carson, Native Texas Nursery owner, plant the yaupon in October 2006.

I am quite sure we all have stories of Bob’s influence upon us. It is therefore fitting to dedicate this tree to the living and loving memory of one of Texas’ dental patriarchs, Dr. Robert B. Dixon.

In closing, I will read for you the words from “For Good,” a song in a relatively new Broadway musical. I believe it is appropriate in that Bob had an affinity for all kinds of music, and it speaks my thoughts for this good friend.

I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, Bringing something we must learn.

And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them And we help them in return.

Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true, But I know I’m who I am today — because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun, Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood, Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, So let me say before we part, So much of me is made of what I learned from you.

You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart.

And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend.

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea, Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood, Who can say if I’ve changed for the better?

But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

(Back row from left) Dr. Alan Moore, Jay Bond, Dr. Tommy Harrison. (Front row from left) Dr. Jerran Hooten, Lyda Molanphy, Mary Kay Linn, Dr. Paul and Jena Stubbs, Lee Ann Johnson, and Bobby Dixon fondly remember Dr. Robert B. Dixon during the tree dedication in November 2006.

On The Road Again

By Thomas C. Harrison, DDS, TDA President, 2006–2007

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anuary is a great month for renewal and goal setting. This past year was a banner year for the Texas Dental Association with our Council on Membership reporting a full percentage increase in membership among active licensed dentists. As we begin 2007, the TDA Strategic Plan continues to be our road map to success.

Speaking of road maps, I’ve been busy the past few weeks working on my goal to visit all 26 component dental societies before May 13, 2007. I made my second visit to the 9th District Dental Society in Galveston on Tuesday, January 2. Their president, Dr. David Boyles, Jr., announced the beginning of a faith-based, free dental clinic that would be opening soon in Galveston. Although it isn’t a project sponsored by the dental society, many of the members will donate their time and talents to provide care for needy patients. One week later on January 9, my wife and I attended the 20th (San Antonio) District Dental Society meeting, along with Mary Kay Linn, TDA executive director, and Lisa Barsumian, TDA director of public affairs. I was pleased that their society will have one more delegate in the TDA House of Delegates in 2007, due to an increase in active licensed dentists joining their society. San Antonio president Dr. Robbie Henwood provides excellent leadership and Evelina Stephenson, executive director, provides great organizational skills.

I attended an all-day continuing education seminar in Tyler on Friday, January 12. The speaker was Dr. Karl Keiser, an endodontist and faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School. The meeting was well attended and I spoke during lunch.

In an adjacent room, Dr. F. Dee Rhea, northeast director on the TDA Board, was the instructor for the TDA Dental Assistant Registration Course. About 100 dental assistants took the course and the pass rate was 93 percent. For more information regarding the TDA Dental Assistant Registration Course, check the tda.org website for a listing of seminar dates.

On Friday, January 4, 2007, I attended a meeting about a Texas Head Start “Save Our Smiles” event. Participants included the representatives of the Texas Head Start Program, the Texas Dental Hygienists Association, and the Texas Dental Association. Linda M. Altenhoff, DDS, manager of the Oral Health Group of the Texas Department of State Health Services, served as moderator.

To date, I’ve made my “official visit” to 18 of the 26 TDA component dental societies throughout the state. The other eight components are scheduled. I love going “On the Road Again” and hope to be coming to a meeting near you real soon. Happy New Year! ★

A Texas State of Mind

By Dr. Andy Doerfler, Chair, TDA Council on Annual Session

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our 137th Annual Session of the Texas Dental Association promises to be one of the most exciting, inspiring, and unique meetings ever presented for you. The Council on Annual Session and TDA staff worked diligently to produce a top notch, world class meeting in your own backyard! Your 2007 TEXAS Meeting will definitely be one for the record books.

It will be exciting because of the 81 clinicians, only 6 speakers are returning from our awesome 2006 meeting. What that means in common terms is that you have a chance to choose your courses from a fresh and stimulating group of speakers and topics. A seasoned veteran (absent from the 2006 roster) is hygienist Karen Davis. She created a new course titled “From Bugs and Drugs to Hugs” just for your 2007 meeting. So did Linda Miles! Linda will present for the very first time ever, “No One Clinical is Identical: The Awesome Dental Assistant.” Now THAT is exciting!

Dr. Michael Miller (Reality Publishing) travels the world lecturing. An international star, he has never lectured at the TDA Meeting. Mike will absolutely inspire you with his unbiased discussion on up-to-date products and services in the dental marketplace. Katherine Eitel (“The Lioness Principle”) and Gary Zelesky (“Naked in Paradise”) both have programs that will lift you up and bring tears to your eyes at the same time. You want to laugh while you learn? Don’t miss Jeff Blank’s awesome cosmetics courses. So you like “CSI” stuff? Rick Cordoza will bring levity to his incredible dental forensics course. Please note that all five of these speakers are firsttimers at the TEXAS Meeting.

What will make this meeting unique? We have a New York Times best-selling author, a health spa director and author, an alternative medicine MD, an Aussie, four Canadians, a Spanish professor, and the world expert on street drugs. William Danko will talk about his book titled “The Millionaire Next Door.” The world-famous Canyon Ranch Spa codirector Mark Liponis, MD, will share nutrition expertise. Native American Tieraona Low Dog, MD discusses herbs and holistic value in treating our patients and ourselves.

Practice management expert Kathy Metaxas will travel from Perth, Australia to WOW you. Our neighbors to the north presenting are Uche and Kary Odiatu, Gary Glassman, and Mel Hawkins. Orlando Martinez will teach conversational Spanish for dental teams (an inaugural presentation). Known across the globe for his pharmacological knowledge is professor/author/Hollywood consultant — Hal Crossley.

Of the 81 total speakers, Liponis and Martinez are presenting their programs for the very first time to a dental audience. There are 44 new faces at the TEXAS Meeting.

These clinicians are lecturing at your meeting for the very first time. Almost half of the 2007 TEXAS Meeting speakers are sharing their knowledge and expertise for the first time ever at a major Texas meeting venue.

So make plans to bring the entire dental team. There are many exciting, inspiring, and absolutely unique choices for everyone. May 10–13, 2007 is the time for the 2007 TEXAS Meeting: A Texas State of Mind. ★

Components Corner

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CE for “My Hometown’s Dentists”

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he March 2006 Dr. John Hackbarth TDA Today welcomes Dr. Ellen Hall. reported a no-cost continuing education course (presented by Dr. Frank L. Higginbottom of Dallas) for members of the Southeast Texas / 2nd District Dental Society in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita.

Somebody read that article and took it to heart. TDA staff received the following email: My name is Dr. Ellen Hall and I am a periodontist is Plano, Texas. My home town is Beaumont, Texas, and when I read in TDA Today several months ago that the Dental Society of Southeast Texas had trouble getting speakers for CE meetings because of Hurricane Rita, I wanted to help.

Because of this article, I contacted the society and volunteered my time and travel at no cost.

On September 14, 2006, I gave a lecture on "Anterior Esthetics" in Beaumont for the Southeast Texas Dental Society. I thought you might want to know that the article in the TDA Today inspired me to help out my hometown!

In addition to Dr. Hall's generosity, 2nd District president Dr. Joel Smith reported yet another gesture. The Las Vegas Institute was scheduled to present a 2-day seminar on occlusion aesthetics before Rita struck. After the hurricane, the Institute presented that seminar and charged no honoraria. Kindness is contagious! ★

CODE: Dental Practice Management

The Dental Practice Act and the Paperless Office Compiled by the Council on Dental Economics (Council on Dental Care Programs and Community Oral Health)

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TDA

or those of you who strive to be on the cutting edge of technology, the question of compatibility of the paperless office with regard to state regulation has probably crossed your mind at one time or another.

In practice, actually achieving a paperless office today is questionable, as fear of losing virtual records in cyberspace keeps most practitioners still grabbing for paper. However, the incorporation of new concepts in our offices necessitates the need to evaluate how old rules apply to new technology. This article will not attempt to address the medico-legal issues of the paperless office, but rather bring to light those issues that relate to compliance of the digital record with the Dental Practice Act and the rules of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE).

According to TSBDE officials, the Dental Practice Act and TSBDE rules do not prevent the use of digital records, nor do they specifically address their use. This means that the requirements of TSBDE Rule 108.8 that apply to paper records also apply to digital records. In effect, the method of documentation between the two types of records should be no different. The litmus test, however, occurs when TSBDE requests records from a practitioner who uses digital records. State law and TSBDE rules require a dentist to furnish all parts of a patient’s record to TSBDE when requested.

In a recent interview with Lisa Jones, the TSBDE’s Director of Enforcement, I asked for clarification of what was required of a dentist who uses digital records who is instructed to forward patient records to TSBDE. She simply stated “If you turn the chart upside down, anything that falls to the floor is required to be sent, even sticky notes.” What does that mean for the digital record? Every screen that includes patient information will need to be printed. Some practice management software currently provides a feature for printing all aspects of the record. If yours does not, or you are unaware of this feature, contact your software provider.

Ms. Jones reports that the most common problem experienced by investigators is the failure of dental offices to provide all available documentation on the first request, whether the practice maintains paper or digital records. When I asked specifically about digital records, she shared no concerns about their use. She did remind me, however, that Rule 108.8 requires dentists to maintain patient records for a minimum of five years.

This requires practitioners to maintain paper or digital records in a way that facilitates easy access.

Digital records are easier and less expensive to maintain. Many practitioners maintain both written records and digital records. This requires that you perform computer backups on a routine basis. In the event of a catastrophe, local backups may no longer be adequate. Online data storage, which requires a broadband Internet connection and is typically performed after hours, can provide a safe and affordable means of storing data while avoiding the risk of losing patient information.

A recent article from the Dallas Morning News compared five companies that provide online storage: AOL Xdrive, AT&T Online Vault, Carbonite, Mozy, and Spare Backup. In that article, Michael Cai of Parks Associates observed, “Online storage doesn’t have to replace local storage but rather the two methods compliment each other.” If you are interested in online backup for digital records, I would encourage you to research the aforementioned companies to evaluate the solutions that might be best for your situation.

In summary, digital records have become an everyday practice for most dentists. Since the same regulatory requirements apply to both paper and digital records, you must ensure that your digital records are consistent and easily accessible.

If you have issues or questions you would like the Council to address please contact Cassidy Neal at cassidy@tda.org or call at (800) 832-1145 ext. 152. ★

January 2007 • Volume 8 Issue 1 www.tda.org Editorial Staff: Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Editor Edwina J. Shires, Managing Editor Paul H. Schlesinger, Communications Coordinator Stefanie Clegg, Website Manager Barbara S. Donovan, Art Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS TEXAS DENTAL ASSOCIATION President THOMAS C. HARRISON, D.D.S.; President-elect A. DAVID MAY, JR., D.D.S.; Past President RICHARD C. BLACK, D.D.S.; Vice President, Southeast R. RONALD COLLINS, D.D.S.; Vice President, Southwest FREDERICK T. PHILIPS, JR., D.D.S.; Vice President, Northwest DAVID R. COX, D.D.S.; Vice President, Northeast JENNIFER J. BARRINGTON, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Southeast DOUGLAS W. BOGAN, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Southwest JOSE L. CAZARES, JR., D.D.S.; Senior Director, Northwest V. WAYNE MCENTIRE, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Northeast LEE P. ONEACRE, D.D.S.; Director, Southeast R. MARK PEPPARD, D.D.S.; Director, Southwest RISE’ L. LYMAN, D.D.S.; Director, Northwest WILLIAM M. WALTON, D.D.S.; Director, Northeast F. DEE REA, D.D.S.; SecretaryTreasurer J. PRESTON COLEMAN, D.D.S.; Speaker of the House GLEN D. HALL, D.D.S.; Parliamentarian MICHAEL L. STUART, D.D.S.;Editor CHRISTOPHER F. ANDERSON, D.D.S.; Executive Director MARY KAY LINN; Legal Counsel WILLIAM H. BINGHAM 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.

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 August Directory of the Texas Dental Journal for more information. Every effort will be made to return unused manuscripts if a request is made but no responsibility can be accepted for failure to do so. Anonymous communications will receive no consideration whatsoever. 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.

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ADA 15th District Delegation Meets at SWDC in Dallas

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he American Dental Association 15th District (Texas Delegation) met January 19, 2007, at the Southwest Dental Conference in Dallas. Bad weather did not dampen spirits or attendance! The delegation received an update from 15th district trustee Dr. John Findley on the most recent ADA Board of Trustees meeting held in Chicago in December. TDA president Dr. Thomas C. Harrison provided an update on issues regarding the Texas Legislative Session and the upcoming meeting in February of the TDA’s Board of Directors. Finally, the delegation heard presentations from the following members serving on ADA councils and committees (in order of presentations) — Dr. S. Jerry Long (Council on Governmental Affairs); Dr. David A. Duncan (Council on Dental Practice); Dr. Matthew B. Roberts (Commission on Dental Accreditation); Dr. Richard C. Black (Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs); Dr. Alan B. Moore (Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs); Dr. Jennifer J. Barrington (Committee on the New Dentist); Dr. Rise L. Lyman (Council on ADA Sessions); and Dr. Ralph A. Cooley (Council on Dental Benefit Programs). The next official meeting of the Texas Delegation will be Sunday, August 26, 2007, at The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. The 148th Annual Session of the ADA is September 27–October 2, 2007, in San Francisco, California.

Update: January 2007

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he campaign of Dr. John S. Findley for ADA president-elect in 2007 is in full-swing! Following the official campaign announcement in Las Vegas after the last meeting of the ADA’s House of Delegates, the FINDLEY FOR OUR FUTURE campaign has been busy with successful fundraisers and steering committee meetings across the state as well as preparations for meetings with the other delegations around the country. For more information on the campaign, copies of brochures or lapel pins, or to host a fundraiser in your area, please contact the campaign chairman Dr. Michael Stuart at mstuartdds@ sbcglobal.net or TDA staff liaison Lyda Creus Molanphy at lyda@tda.org, (512)443-3675. ★

January 2007 / TDA Today / 2

Update: Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP Claims Processing … Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Is Coming!

Q. May a dental office submit CHIP claims electronically?

A. Yes. Electronic claims submission became available in August 2006. Contracting dental offices interested in submitting claims electronically should contact the Delta Dental Provider Services Department at (866) 561-5891 to obtain a copy of Delta Dental’s Electronic Document Interchange (EDI) Companion Guide. Delta Dental’s IT department will work with the dental office to set up electronic claims submission capability.

You may also contact Delta Dental’s Provider Call Center for an EDI enrollment packet or access forms directly from the website (http://www.deltadentalca.org/tchip/). The enrollment packet consists of the following: • • • • •

Delta Dental State Government Programs (DDSGP); Telecommunications Provider and Biller Application/Agreement; Provider Service Office Electronic Data Interchange Option Selection Form; EDI Supply Request Form; and EDI How-to Guide.

To submit your TX CHIP Dental Services claims electronically: • Contact practice management system vendor to verify that your software is compatible to DDSGP EDI specifications.

• Complete the Provider and Biller Application and Option Selection Form.

• Delta will confirm receipt of your enrollment letter.

• Your claims will be rejected if you are not enrolled as a Texas CHIP Dental Services EDI provider prior to submitting claims electronically.

Challenge to House Speaker Fails; TDA Moves Forward with Legislative Agenda

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ouse speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) prevailed against a late-breaking challenge from a member of his own leadership team. House Appropriations Committee chair Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), a top lieutenant in the Speaker’s leadership team, withdrew his challenge just before he could be nominated as a candidate. In response to a call for secret ballots, the Speaker’s supporters proposed a revised voting method using ballots instead of the electronic voting board, signed by each House member, and releasing the members’ votes immediately. Secret ballot advocates offered two alternative proposals. The failure of the first of the two alternative proposals by a vote of 68-80 caused Pitts to withdraw his challenge to spare the House any further rancor.

The 2007 TDA legislative agenda is focused on improving access to dental care.

TDA initiatives include: • • •

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For more information, please contact Diane Rhodes at the TDA central office: (512) 443-3675 or drhodes@tda.org.

CHIP Tier Benefits Explained The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides medical and dental benefits to children in Texas, whose family’s income is above the federal poverty level but does not qualify for Medicaid and cannot afford private insurance. The dental portion of the program covers diagnostic and preventive care, as well as therapeutic services such as fillings, laboratory processed crowns, root canals, and extractions.

TIER HISTORY Program benefits are divided into tiers. Preventive benefits have a $175 maximum reimbursement for a 12-month period. The annual maximum for therapeutic services is administered in a three-tiered progressive approach. The three tiers are: • • •

Tier I: Preventive services plus up to $200 of therapeutic services Tier II: Preventive services plus up to $300 of therapeutic services Tier III: Preventive services plus up to $400 of therapeutic services

For more information, please contact Lisa Barsumian, TDA director of public affairs, lisab@tda.org, or (512 443-3675. ★

Awards and Recognition

Tiers are based on a child’s eligibility history for CHIP medical coverage and not the number of months the child was eligible for CHIP dental as some providers believe.

A child’s tier level depends on many factors, such as renewing on time, the amount of time a child has been enrolled in CHIP and recent gaps in coverage.

INCREASING A CHILD’S DENTAL BENEFITS Starting November 1, 2006, some children became eligible for a tier increase and therefore start with a new, 12-month benefit period. Another group of children became eligible for a tier increase in December, and monthly increases will follow.

Each child in CHIP will receive additional dental coverage each year until the maximum benefit is reached. These extra dental benefits are a bonus when the child’s CHIP medical coverage is renewed on time. CHIP members must: 1.

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appropriating additional funds to the Dental Loan Repayment Program to encourage more new dentists to practice in underserved areas; increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates; reinstating emergency dental services voucher program where school nurses provide vouchers to public school students with dental emergencies ($700,000); reinstating five dental hygiene positions so each state Public Health District dental health team can be fully staffed with one dentist and two dental hygienists ($500,000); and expanding Medicaid coverage to dental services for pregnant women.

Make sure to fill out the CHIP renewal form.

Mail the renewal form on time.

Pay the enrollment fee promptly, if required.

Texas Dental Journal Recognized In 2006, Dr. Christopher F. Anderson, editor, accepted a special citation award from the International College of Dentists recognizing the many outstanding theme issues of the Texas Dental Journal in 2005, including: • • • • • • • •

January: The TEXAS Meeting March: UT Dental Branch at Houston, 1905-2005, 100 Years in the Making April: Implants May: Baylor College of Dentistry: The First 100 Years June: Tobacco Cessation July: El Paso Dental Conference September: Special Legislative Issue October: TDA 2005 Gold Medal for Distinguished Service: Dr. Robert Anderton November: Fulfilling the Vision: Special Membership Issue December: Star of the South Dental Meeting, Houston

Although dental benefits cover a 12-month period, in order to maintain a child’s dental coverage, the CHIP members must renew their CHIP medical coverage every 6 months.

For more information, please contact Diane Rhodes at the TDA central office: (512)-443-3675 or drhodes@tda.org. ★

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Good News: Paid Dental

In October 2006, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, the following Texas dentists were inducted to Fellowship in the International College of Dentists (ICD):

By Dr. Edward H. Sauer, President, Paid Dental Benefits, Inc.

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fter 20 years of setting industry standards for quality, simplicity, and flexibility, the Texas Dental Association’s (TDA) freedom-of-choice dental plan, Paid Dental, is now partnered with underwriter Lincoln Financial Group, and United Benefit Advisors, a nationwide benefits brokerage firm.

These partnerships set Paid Dental on course to become more innovative and service-oriented than ever. Bringing a history of financial strength and commitment to product enhancements, the A+ rated Lincoln Financial Group offers group dental insurance through the reputable Jefferson Pilot Financial Insurance Company.

To gain marketing and sales momentum for this unique plan, Paid Dental has chosen United Benefit Advisors (UBA). UBA is a unique national organization that brings together the expertise, products, and services of many of the country’s most successful and respected independent employee benefits firms. These select brokers are well-equipped to spread the freedom-of-choice message nationwide. Historically, Paid Dental has only found a presence here in Texas along with New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Through licensing agreements with other state dental associations, Paid Dental is planning a national expansion.

TDA member dentists can be proud of their freedom-of-choice dental plan, Paid Dental.

Not only do we promote fee-for-service dentistry, quality and access to oral healthcare, and the freedom to choose any licensed dentist, Paid Dental also contributes non-dues income to the TDA. At your next district society meeting, please announce the good news that Paid Dental is set to be the best plan for dentistry in Texas. If you have a patient who is a decision-maker in their company, contact General Manager David Baker, david@tda.org, (512) 443-3675. He will introduce them to the nearest UBA member. ★

Texas Dentists: ICD Fellows and Officers

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Dr. Jose Luis Cazares, Jr., McAllen Dr. Gilbert F. Coats, Fort Worth Dr. Brian D. Collins, Dallas Dr. William H. Gerlach, Plano Dr. Michael L. Giesler, Atlanta Dr. David M. Grogan, Waco Dr. Robbie W. Henwood, San Antonio Dr. James Dean Jensen, Plano Dr. Gary Lionel Koehl, San Antonio Dr. Gordon A. Pratt, Jr., Bryan Dr. Kathleen Vendrell Rankin, Dallas

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Dr. Matthew B. Roberts, Crockett Dr. Janis M. Rollow, Dallas Dr. Tommy L. Russell, Winters Dr. Alex C. Salinas, San Antonio Dr. David R. Senn, San Antonio Dr. Jack I. Shirley, San Antonio Dr. William Benjamin Taylor, San Antonio Dr. David H. Wilhite, Plano Dr. Debrah J. Worsham, Center

USA Section of ICD Dr. Leighton A. Wier of San Antonio was elected vice president of the USA Section of the International College of Dentists. Dr. William R. Clitheroe of Sugar Land was elected treasurer of the USA Section Foundation, as well as treasurer of the worldwide International College of Dentists.

Texas Section (District 15), USA Section of ICD New officers for the Texas Section (District 15) of the USA Section of the International College of Dentists are: • • •

Regent: Dr. Paul Stubbs of Georgetown Vice Regent: Dr. William R. Birdwell of Bryan Deputy Regent: Dr. Richard M. Smith of Amarillo ★

January 2007 / TDA Today / 3