JUNE 2009 JUNE, 2008
VOLUME ISSUE 66 VOLUME10, 9, ISSUE
AVAILABLE ONLINE ATAT TDA.ORG AVAILABLE ONLINE TDA.ORG
Every Member Matters 81st Legislative Session — Rise’ Lyman, DDS, TDA Future Focus Committee
A Victory for Texas Dentists
Membership growth is vital to any thriving organization. The Texas Dental Association (TDA) Board is strongly committed to the Membership goal within the “TDA 2009” strategic plan, which addresses continued growth. I am proud to report that, as evidence of that commitment and for the second year in a row, the TDA received the following ADA awards in 2008: Richard C. Black, DDS, t Greatest Chair, Council on Legislative Regulatory Percentage Membership&Net Gain: Texas Affairs had a net(CLRA) gain of 198 members in the year 2007. t Top Constituent Dental Society with Greatest Percentage of Non-Members to Membership: in another bill that increases theofstate tax on certain Now that the 81st Texas Legislature adjourned sine diepercent and, ofa provision Representshas a conversion of 4.7 non-members into membership at end yearsales 2007. smokeless tobacco products. thanks to outstandingt Top work byConstituent the TDA leadership, members Dental Society to Improve Retention Rate Percentage in 2007: Represents a 97 of the Council on Legislative and Regulatory (CLRA), percent AssociationAffairs retention rate, whichInisaddition, an increase of helped 7 percent from previous TDA defeat HBthe 3690 by Rep.year. Jim Jackson (RTDA staff, and our contract lobbyists, the TDA was very successful in t Greatest Percentage of New Dentist Members: Represents a gain of 111 newsales dentist (those Carrollton), which would have imposed taxesmembers on “elective cosmetic achieving its goals. Governor Perry dentists has untilwho Sunday, Juneyears 21, toout sign, are 1-9 of school).procedure[s],” including certain dental procedures. veto, or allow those bills to become law without his signature. Once Another thetake commitment to the growth of our AssociationScope is theofTDA Externship which builds student awareness signed, most ofexample the newofbills effect on September 1, 2009. Practice — TDAProgram, worked diligently to defeat SB 168 by of organized dentistry. This innovative program, created in 2007, offers students the opportunity to gain insight into the different components Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton) and SB 536 by Sen. Leticia Van de Dental Assistant Dutiesincluding — I am excited to report that TDA’saffairs, dental membership, of organized dentistry legislative and regulatory continuing and charitable dentistry and Puttegovernance, (D-San Antonio). Those education, two bills, initiated by the Texas Dental assistant SB understanding 455 by Sen. Florence Shapiro and Rep. to gain abill, better of their role as(R-Plano) future leaders of the dental team. The program is open to dental students from each of the three Hygienists’ Association (TDHA), would have authorized dental hygienists Chuck schools Hopsonin(D-Jacksonville), both the House and will Senate and dental Texas. This yearpassed the externship program take place June 20 – June local 27 inanesthetic. Austin at the TDA central office. to administer has been to Governor Perry for histhe signature. TDA and theAssociation, Texas As ansent ongoing effort to enhance value andThe benefits of the the TDA Council on Membership developed a survey that was sent At the direction Rep.benefits Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), chair of the House Academy of Pediatric Dentistry worked veryshowed closelythat together in passing to all members in 2006. The results clearly members have a high satisfaction ratingofwith such as the TEXAS Meeting, TDA onAPublic Health, we worked with TDHA to reach an to this importantand legislation. The Academy of General Dentistry and SmilesCommittee publications, the ability to Texas participate philanthropically in the TDA Foundation. great number of the discounted programs offered agreement on SB 97 by the Sen.strategic Leticia Van and Rep. Mike Villarreal the Texas through Dental Assistants alsoalso supported effort. members the TDAAssociation Perks Program receivedthis a high satisfaction rating. In accordance with plan,dethePutte Council on Membership, (both D-San Antonio). The agreed version of SB 97 will add community will survey members again in In addition to authorizing all 2009. Texas dentists to delegate the placement thelocal list ofcomponent settings where dentalare hygienists fromtoalla dental members and awho collaborative thehealth ADA,centers TDA,toand societies the keysaretoauthorized of pitParticipation & fissure sealants assistant is certified effort to do between so, to treattopatients prior towhether a dentist’s examination. Treatment by hygienists successful membership recruitment and retention. We encourage every member get involved it is by attending local meetings, SB 455 will allow dental assistants to apply fluoride varnish and obtain at suchof settings (which include nursing homes and school-based clinics as taking part in Give Kids a Smile! Day activities, volunteering at a Texas Mission Mercy, or participating in TDA Legislative Day activities certification to perform coronal polishing. The bill will also reduce the well as community health centers) willdentistry. be limited to a maximum period of in Austin. Each member matters and is essential to the continued growth of our Association and of organized amount of coursework required to obtain a sealant certificate from 16 6 months. SB 97guided has already by Governor Perry and plan, will take the seventh and final in a series of will articles theand TDA’s accomplishments by thebeensigned strategic plan. To view the entire hoursThis to 8ishours (the coronal polishing course be 8focused hours, on too) effect on September 1, 2009. log in at www.tda.org and clickcontinuing on “TDA education 2009” under “Currentfor Issues” on the member homepage. For more information, please contact Lyda Creus establish a 12-hour maximum requirement Molanphy, staff liaison to the Future Focus Committee, at the TDA (512) 443-3675. dental assistants who hold certificates of registration, regardless of thecentral office, “Dental Support” for Children in Divorce Cases — Despite strong number of certificates they hold.
support from TDA, SB 1048 by Sen. Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) and Alonzo (D-Dallas), which would have required that dental As required by the 2008 House of M Delegates workforce ission : To resolutions, be The Voice Rep. of Roberto DenTisTry in Texas insurance be included with health insurance in a child support order, TDA ensured that SB 455 included provisions allowing dental assistants failed to pass. Like many of bills this session, SB 1048 died on the House to make dental radiographs and provide interim treatment for minor Calendar after House members engaged in lengthy debate (or “chubbed”) emergencies under general supervision. Organizational Development Manpower duringPublic consideration of certain non-controversial bills inMembership order to delay Advocacy Image Excellence action on other, unrelated legislation (Voter ID). Although Sen. Uresti TSBDE “Housekeeping” Bill — The TDA worked closely with the added the text of SB 1048 as an amendment to another bill, the House Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) to pass SB 887 by Sen. Membership parliamentarian determined that the amendment was not germane to the JaneDentists Nelson (R-Denton) and Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond). This bill, will value membership and participation in the TDA. original bill, thus was removed. which has also been sent to Governor Perry, makes various technical and Objectives clarifying amendments to the Dental Practice Act. Most importantly, and perceived benefitsit of membership in TDA. CHIP Expansion — Efforts to increase the number of children eligible what1.willImprove be of great benefit tovalue TDAand members, authorizes the TSBDE the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) did not succeed. a. Increase members’ knowledge about the impact and of TDA membership. to establish procedures to informally assess administrative penalties for benefitsfor Bills filed by Sen. Kip Averitt (R-Waco) and Rep. Garnet Coleman (Db. Ensure that components are an integral aspect of the membership process. violations of the Dental Practice Act (DPA) and TSBDE Rules. Houston) would have and increased the income eligibility level for CHIP c. Create greater awareness of the availability of the Peer Review, Ethics & Judicial, Risk Management benefits. to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and establish a CHIP State Budget/TSBDE Legislatorstoapproved billion d. Actively Funding promote— adherence the Codea $183 of Ethics. buy-in program for certain children whose net family incomes were greater state budget Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012, including $12.1 from e. forEnhance communication with members andbillion non-members. than percent butindid not exceed 400 percent of FPL. Although Sen. the federal TDAawareness strongly supported the TSBDE’s efforts todentistry f. stimulus Buildact. student of and interest in organized and300 membership TDA. Averitt added the text of his CHIP legislation as an amendment to another obtain “exceptional item” funding for a new database and fordental school. g. Ensure ongoing contact withlicensing students throughout bill, the House parliamentarian determined that the amendment was not merit raises salaryclosely reclassifications needed to help reduce staff turnover. h. and Work with dental school faculty. germane to original bill, (TEXAS thus was removed. TDA activities Meeting, TDA Smiles i. Evaluate number of nonmember dentists who attend and participate in the TDA’s legislative team can take well deserved credit for a more Foundation programs, etc.). experienced and effective TSBDE in the future. Dental Insurance — Although TDA tracked a large number of insuranceMetrics related bills this session, none became law. Significantly, those bills included Taxation of Dental Practices — Welicensed also have great news forwill those 1. Seventy percent of active dentists in TX be members of TDA by 2009 (baseline of 68.5% in January 2007); increase the Sunset legislation for the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). dentists whose practicesretention are subject toto the97state franchise tax. Working membership rate percent by April 2007 (baseline 96% in 2006). Governor Perry has indicated that he will call the legislature back for a special alongsidea-d. otherIncrease key stakeholder groups, the TDAserving successfully pushed peer review and ethics and judicial affairs committees to attain a the number of dentists on component session to address agencies that will be sunset without legislative action. for passage of HB 4765rate by Rep. Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville) and Sen. of component society members by August 2009. participation of 2-5 percent relative to the total number despite a great dealfive of turmoil and graduation sporadic partisan Dan2.Patrick (R-Houston). will help dentalactively practiceslicensed and in In Ninety percent ofThis TX legislation dental school graduates TXsummary, will be members of TDA years after (89% strife, this was an outstanding legislative session for the TDA. The other small businesses that are subjectfrom to the tax by amending dental student conversion thefranchise graduating class of 2005 in Texas). brief summaries above simply do not do by justice to all of of means the hard work Section the Tax Code to increase the total exemption Increase theofnumber of member dentists actively participating in TDA by 1 percent a year (as measured a variety 3. 171.002(d) performed by our legislative team, which overcame numerous from the–franchise tax from a revenue ceiling of $300,000 to $1 million. participation at TX Meeting, TMOM, TXDDS, FSI programs, DENPAC participations, TDA legislative day) with annualclerical and logistical challenges throughout the process. The results speak for Under the version of the Board bill sentbytothe Governor the $1 million report to TDA CouncilPerry, on Membership. themselves: of a Foundation, total of 7,621Membership) bills filed this session, SB 455 was exemption takes effect on January 1, 2010, but reverts to $600,000 4. Establish baseline of nonmember participation at TDA activities (CAS, TDAOut Smiles among 1,476 bills that passed. on January 1, 2012. The increased exemptionunderstanding was funded through 5. Established baseline of members’ of and satisfaction with only the benefits of their TDA membership through Member Benefits and Services Survey (completed Nov 2006), re-evaluate % increase at that time for 2009. 6. Sixty-five percent of all full-time faculty will be TDA members by 2009 (2006 baseline = 63%).
Dr. Stephen Schwartz Receives TDA’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Service Award
The TDA will update it’s strategic plan with another statewide retreat in August of 2008. Dr. Stephen F. Schwartz of Houston is this year’s recipient of TDA’s highest honor. Dr. Schwartz, an endodontist, has held countless leadership positions throughout his career, including TDA president and ADA vice president. He currently serves as an adjunct clinical professor and special advisor to the dean at UTDB-Houston, and as a clinical professor at UTHSC – San Antonio Dental School. Please see a complete Gold Medal feature article in the November 2009 Texas Dental Journal. See the photo spread on pages 2 and 3 of this newsletter for other 2009 TDA award winners. Dr.Dental StephenAssociation F. Schwartz ofmembers Houston receives the TDA’s honor, theTDA’s 2009 Gold Medal for plan, Distinguished Service Award. In 2003, Texas from across the highest state develop first strategic TDA 2009.
TDAT June 09.indd 1
Inside Inside TDA Smiles Foundation Medicaid in My Office? FallsI County Smiles on Wheels in Marlin Yes, Think So! Richard M. Smith, DDS 2009 Annual Session Award Highlights TDA Smiles Foundation TMOM gains Board ardentof advocate Texas State Dental Examiners Ask the President Renewal Cards Update Incoming President’s message Hilton In theIsraelson, News DDS TDA Members Named Officers of Let’s Talk Academy of Pediatric American Outgoing Dentistry President’s message A.Healthcare David May, Jr., DDS Heroes Awards to TDA Members 2008-2009 TDA Board of Directors Meet JulyYour TDA Staff TDA’s new Finance Director Journal News Dee Dee Delagarza Geriatrics and Dentistry Congratulations to TDA Informed Consent Component Societies Diagnosing Oral Lesions in Older Adults Streamline YourAbuse Insurance Claims Assessing Elder and Neglect Speeding up confirmation of benefits Bisphosphonate Medications and eligibility Dental Management of Patients TakingRule Antiplatelet TSBDE UpdateMedications Requirements for dental office radiograph Aroundmachines the State In the News July 25 TDA members in the news Smiles on Wheels, Rocksprings, Edwards County
July Journal News
August 14 & 15 Tooth Whitening: A Conference, Clinical Review Dentists Who Care South Padre Island TDA Historical Perspectives Dentists, dental hygienists, and the August 15 dental Smilesteam on Wheels, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County The 2007 C.T. Rowland Award Orthodontic August 21 case report TDA Board of Directors Meeting, The El Paso Dental Conference Austin August 22 the State Around TDA Strategic Planning, Austin August August 14: 29 TDA MeetingDistrict ADABoard 15th Trustee Austin, Texas Delegation Golf Tournament, Dallas October 15-19: August 30 ADA Annual SessionDistrict ADA 15th Trustee San Antonio,First TexasCaucus, Dallas Delegation
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