TDA Today July 2008

JULY 2008 JUNE, 2008

VOLUME VOLUME 9, 9, ISSUE ISSUE 76

AVAILABLE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLINEAT AT TDA.ORG TDA.ORG

Every MemberFund Matters TDA Helps Community Non-Profits Rise’ Lyman, DDS, TDA Future Focus Committee

Using interest earned from its relief fund, your Texas Dental Association offers financial assistance to 501(c)(3) Membership is vital to anyPotential thriving organization.

Texas Dental (TDA) non-profit organizations affiliatedgrowth with dentistry. applicantsThe submit lettersAssociation of interest andBoard an is strongly committed to the Membership goal within the “TDA 2009” strategic plan, which addresses continued growth. associated budget to theI am TDA Board of Directors each year. Below are this fiscal year’s successful applicants. 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: t Greatest Percentage Membership Net Gain: Texas had a net gain of 198 members in the year 2007.

Cook Children’s t Top Constituent Dental Society with Greatest Percentage of Non-Members to Membership: Represents a conversion of 4.7 percent of non-members into membership at end of year 2007.

Health Care System’s t Top Constituent Dental Society to Improve Retention Rate Percentage in 2007: Represents a 97 “Save a Smile percent Association retention rate, which is an increase of 7 percent from the previous year. t Greatest Percentage of New Dentist Members: Represents a gain of 111 new dentist members (those Program,” dentists who are 1-9 years out of school).

Fort Worth Another example of the commitment to the growth of our Association is the TDA Externship Program, which builds student awareness

of organized dentistry.

This innovative program, created in 2007, offers students the opportunity to gain insight into the different components The Save a Smile community of organized dentistry including legislative and regulatory affairs, membership, governance, continuing education, and charitable dentistry and health program provides to gain outreach a better understanding of their role as future leaders of the dental team. The program is open to dental students from each of the three screenings for elementary dental schools in Texas. Thisschool year the externship program will take place June 20 – June 27 in Austin at the TDA central office.

As an Volunteer ongoing effort to enhance students. dentists give the value and benefits of the Association, the TDA Council on Membership developed a survey that was sent to all members in 2006.

The results clearly showed that members have a high satisfaction rating with benefits such as the TEXAS Meeting, TDA their time, staff, offices, and publications, and the ability to participate philanthropically in the TDA Smiles Foundation. A great number of the discounted programs offered to treatment. To date, Save a Smile members through the TDA Perks Program also received a high satisfaction rating. In accordance with the strategic plan, the Council on Membership, has survey provided up toagain $2.9inmillion will members 2009. in Participation dental services. from all members and a collaborative effort between the ADA, TDA, and local component societies are the keys to successful membership recruitment and retention. We encourage every member to get involved whether it is by attending local meetings, taking part in Give Kids a Smile! Day activities, volunteering at a Texas Mission of Mercy, or participating in TDA Legislative Day activities Dentists in Austin. Each member matters and is essential to the continued growth of our Association and of organized dentistry. Who Care, This is the seventh and final in a series of articles focused on the TDA’s accomplishments guided by the strategic To view the entire plan, Rio plan.

Grande log in at www.tda.org and click on “TDA 2009” under “Current Issues” on the member homepage. For more information, please contact Lyda Creus Valley Molanphy, staff liaison to the Future Focus Committee, at the TDA central office, (512) 443-3675.

Dentists Who Care help improve

MISSION: TO BE THE VOICE OF DENTISTRY IN TEXAS and enhance the quality of life Manpower

Membership

Advocacy

Organizational Excellence

Dentists will value membership and participation in the TDA.

Public Image

for low-income children through access to free oral health care via Development a mobile dental unit,Membership 130 volunteer dentists, and Valley Smiles coupons provided to children who have a dental emergency and no dental insurance coverage.

Objectives 1. Improve perceived value and benefits of membership in TDA. a. Increase members’ knowledge about the impact and benefits of TDA membership. b. Ensure that components are an integral aspect of the membership process. c. Create greater awareness of the availability of the Peer Review, Ethics & Judicial, and Risk Management benefits.

CANHelp, d. Actively promote adherence to the Code of Ethics.

Sulphur Springs e. Enhance communication with members and non-members. f. Build student awareness of and interest in organized dentistry and membership in TDA. g. Ensure ongoing contact with students throughout dental school.

Trisha Metrolis, grants coordinator, h.

Work closely with credits Dr. Robert Parker, (L) dental school faculty. i. Evaluate number of nonmember dentists who attend and participate in TDA activities (TEXAS Meeting, TDA Smiles and Dr. MattFoundation Johnson, (R) programs, etc.). for Metrics donating equipment and 1. Seventy percentDawn of active licensed dentists in TX will be members of TDA by 2009 (baseline of 68.5% in January 2007); increase developing the clinic. retention rate to 97 percent by April 2007 (baseline 96% in 2006).

Sheffieldmembership (not in photo) is executive a-d. Increase the number of dentists serving on component peer review and ethics and judicial affairs committees to attain a director and founder of the participation rate of 2-5 percent relative to the total number of component society members by August 2009. organization.

2. Ninety percent of TX dental school graduates actively licensed in TX will be members of TDA five years after graduation (89% dental student conversion from the graduating class of 2005 in Texas).

3. Increase the number of member dentists actively participating in TDA by 1 percent a year (as measured by a variety of means – participation at TX Meeting, TMOM, TXDDS, FSI programs, DENPAC participations, TDA legislative day) with annual report to TDA Board by the Council on Membership.

4. Establish baseline of nonmember participation at TDA activities (CAS, TDA Smiles Foundation, Membership) 5. Established baseline of members’ understanding of and satisfaction with the benefits of their TDA membership through Member Vida y Salud 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%). Health Systems, Inc.,

Zavala County

The TDA will update it’s strategic plan with another statewide retreat in August of 2008.

Dr. Ahmad El-Bjeirami explains that VSHI, Inc. is a combined community and migrant health center model operating year round since 1972. The dental clinic provides comprehensive and preventive services to all patients of all ages in the In 2003, Texas Dental Association members from across the state develop TDA’s first strategic plan, TDA 2009.Zavala County area.

Inside TDA Past President Honored Medicaid in My Office?

Dr. Patricia receives Yes, I Think Blanton So! prestigious award Richard M. Smith, DDS TDA Smiles TestifiesFoundation at Texas House of TMOM gains ardent advocate Representatives Dr. Matthew B. Roberts represents Ask the President Association Incoming President’s message Hilton Israelson, DDS TDA Leadership Conference New component society presidents Let’s Talk and presidents-elect attend Outgoing inauguralPresident’s meeting message A. David May, Jr., DDS TDA Smiles Foundation 2008-2009 TDA Board of Directors SmilEmail Campaign Meet Your TDA Staff TDA Extern Program TDA’s new Finance Director Students Represent Dee Dee Delagarza Future of TDA Ask the Presidentto TDA Congratulations President Hilton Israelson explains Component Societies TDA’s future path to success Streamline Your Insurance Claims TSBDE Rule and of benefits Speeding up Update confirmation Appointments and eligibility TSBDE Rule Journal Update August News Requirements for dental office radiograph machines Dr. Alexander Archer Beville: Waco’s First Dentist In the News TDA members in the news The Texas Dental Association and Advocacy: A TDA President’s July Journal News Perspective Dr. Frank K. Eggleston, 1994-95 TDA Tooth Whitening: A Clinical Review President TDA Historical Perspectives Taste Change a Dentists, dentalAssociated hygienists,with and the Dental Procedure: Case Report and dental team Review The 2007 C.T. Rowland Award Orthodontic Around case thereport State The El Paso Dental Conference August 8-9: Dentists Who Care Conference, South Padre Island Around theBoard State August 14: TDA Meeting, Austin August 14: 4-5: El Paso Dental September TDA Board Meeting Conference, El Paso Austin, Texas September 12-13: LEAD TDA Workshop, Austin October 15-19: September 26-27: Williamson ADA Annual Session County TMOM, Leander San Antonio, Texas October 15-19: ADA Annual Session, San Antonio

Click & Connect Click & Connect Update Profile

tda.org – Membership LEAD TDA — RegisterInfo Today tda.org Current Issues Ask a Colleague tda.org – Features Volunteer for ADA ‘08 tda.orgMeeting – Volunteer ADA ‘08 TEXAS Photos texasmeeting.com/estore Update Profile Volunteer for ‘08 ADA Info tda.org – Membership tda.org/volunteerada08

Happy, Healthy Smiles … That’s Our Mission!

SmilEmail

Just 12 months ago, the SmilEmail began delivering TDA Smiles Foundation news and updates to its volunteers and contributors. Since then we have had more than 1,000 new e-mail subscribers to the bi-monthly e-zine, and we are adding new Texas Mission of Mercy volunteers each week.

With such a demand for information about the Foundation, and with the impetus of the new TDA family of logos, the SmilEmail has been redesigned.

For those of you who did not receive your copy of this exciting new communication piece, we have included a part of the e-zine for you in this section of the TDA Today.

Foundation donors and volunteers will automatically receive the SmilEmail, but if you would like to add your name to the subscription list, please visit tdasmiles.org and sign up at the section on the left column of every page.

Thank you for your support of our mission!

See you online!

Tyler Texas Mission of Mercy

On April 12 and 19, a large group of volunteers gathered at the Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler, in private dental offices in Tyler and Lindale, and in East Texas eye care clinics to provide free medical, dental, and eye care to hundreds of patients unable to afford care. Women’s diagnostics, optometry, and dental care were provided to more than 550 patients. The total value of this care provided during the 2-day period exceeds $250,000.

Delivering charitable services at this level depends on the cooperation of medical, governmental, charity, religious, business, and service organizations. Representing these organizations, more than 700 extraordinary volunteers worked together to make another East Texas “Texas Mission of Mercy” (TMOM) a reality.

Thank you to the organizers and the providers. For more information on volunteering for the next TMOM, visit tdasmiles.org.

Upcoming TMOMs

Sept. 26-27, 2008: Williamson County TMOM, Leander Nov. 14-15, 2008: Coastal Bend TMOM, Corpus Christi

2008 Memorials & Honorariums

Wonderful people remember TDA Smiles Foundation when honoring special life events or memorializing an extraordinary individual. Below are individuals who have been honored or memorialized with a contribution in their name from March 1 to May 31, 2008: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gilbert Harris by Dr. Robert Cody Marty Martin by Dr. Robert Cody Robert Rios by Dr. Robert Cody Jean Weymer by Dr. Robert Cody Gena Wilmeth by Dr. Kurt Loveless Tom Ed Wells by Dr. Kurt Loveless JC Byrd by Mr. Dean Cleveland JC Byrd by Dr. Kent Macaulay Helen Louise Perkins by Dr. Kurt Loveless Mondonna Stone by Dr. Robert Cody Rita DuPont by Dr. Don Lutes Dr. Hilton Israelson by Esme Jacobson Dr. Griffin B. Howard by Russell Durant Dr. Roy L. Tiemeyer by Dr. Donald O’Neal JC Byrd by Rita Wolf JC Byrd by Ms. Christine Kutnick, CFRE

TDA Past President Honored by American Association of Women Dentists Dr. John D. Wilbanks, TDA President, 1971–1972 Dr. Patricia L. Blanton of Dallas, TDA president, 2003–2004, received the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Woman Dentist of the Year Award on June 20, 2008, at the annual meeting of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) in Chicago, IL. This award is the AAWD’s highest honor, which recognizes significant service to dentistry on the basis of achievement in civic, cultural, humanitarian and academic areas. It honors women who promote a positive image for women in dentistry and those who help to advance AAWD’s mission to be the recognized resource for connecting and enriching lives of women dentists.

Dr. Blanton is professor emeritus, Department of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Dentistry, and also has a full-time periodontal practice in Dallas. Dr. Blanton has many accomplishments. Among them are: • • • •

In 2005, Dr. Blanton was named Distinguished Alumna of Baylor College of Dentistry/Texas A&M Medical University.

In 2003, Dr. Blanton became the first woman president of the Texas Dental Association.

In 2001, Dr. Blanton was recognized by the Dallas County Dental Society as Dentist of the Year, the first woman to hold this honor.

In 1998, the Baylor College of Dentistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences established the Patricia L. Blanton Library.

Dr. Blanton has served on the Editorial Review Board of the Texas Dental Journal (2000–present), the Journal of Periodontology (1979–1983), the Journal of Dental Education (1982–1985 and 2002–present), and has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and one textbook.

She currently serves as a regent of the American College of Dentists.

Leadership Conference Orients New Officers Component Society Presidents and Presidents-Elect On Saturday, June 21, 2008, 37 officers and staff representing 21 component dental societies across the state participated in a leadership conference in Austin, hosted by TDA president Dr. Hilton Israelson.

Dr. Jerry Long of Houston, trustee of the American Dental Association’s 15th District (Texas delegation), brought everyone up to date on national level activities. Dr. Kurt Loveless, vice chair of the TDA Smiles Foundation, reported on philanthropic activities and encouraged participation in the Texas Missions of Mercy and Donated Dental Services programs.

In a series of briefings, TDA officers, the speaker of the house, and staff directors presented overviews of strategic planning, finances, resolutions for the House of Delegates, annual session, publications, member services, and the TDA’s political action committee, DENPAC. Dr. Richard Black, chair of TDA’s Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, moderated a panel discussion featuring lead lobbyist Dr. David Sibley and TDA staff and fielded questions from the audience.

Dr. Kenneth Horwitz, president of TDA Financial Services, Inc. (the for-profit affiliate of the TDA) outlined the TDA Perks Program, explained how it benefits TDA members by supplementing annual dues, and encouraged all member dentists to participate.

July 2008 / TDA Today / 2

Dr. Patricia L. Blanton

Component Society Presidents Committee In the afternoon of June 21, TDA president-elect Dr. Matt Roberts convened the TDA Component Society Presidents Committee in the TDA central office board room.

A total of 26 officers and executive office staff members representing 15 component societies across the state attended.

In roundtable format, component officers reported local society news, activities, and issues. Dr. Roberts facilitated an interactive discussion addressing such topics as member recruitment efforts, local and state leadership programs, mobile dental van operations, changes in Medicaid related to the Frew lawsuit, the Lighthouse Project, and changes to the Dental Practice Act necessary to enact dental workforce decisions from the TDA House of Delegates in May. Guest participants at the meeting included TDA President Dr. Hilton Israelson, Executive Director Mary Kay Linn, several TDA central office staff members, and Texas dental school students participating in the TDA’s extern program.

LEAD TDA Workshop September 12-13, 2008 This program is designed for the dentist who is committed to leading the way to hire and retain an exceptional team to create their ideal practice. The atmosphere is casual and conducive to dialogue and mastermind. You will leave the two day workshop with the following in hand: your vision, core values, team development plans and tough conversation coaching notes ... plus much more!

Tuition: $800 per Dentist Fee includes one night hotel stay; Friday lunch and snacks/break; Saturday breakfast/lunch and snacks/ break.

Limited Attendance!

Space is limited, so sign up by August 1, 2008.

In order to allow participation in each component society, attendance must be limited — so enroll today! One participant spot is reserved for each local component society. Additional registrants will be put on a wait list and TDA will fill available spaces after August 15, 2008.

For More Information Contact Lee Ann Johnson, (512) 443-3675, leeann@tda.org.

Information About the Dental Record

Ask the President

Compiled by the Council on Dental Economics

Dr. Hilton Israelson, TDA President, 2008-2009

How does the Texas Dental Association prepare ”To be the Voice of Dentistry” for the next 5 years?

The TDA’s mission is “To be the Voice of Dentistry in Texas.” This vision is long-range and is achieved by building small blocks at a time.

In order to help build this vision over the next 5 years, one has to rely on the TDA Strategic Plan. The initial plan, TDA 2009, was developed and instituted in 2004 and expires next year. The second strategic plan for the TDA, TDA 2014, is currently in the planning stages and will be completed for review and approval by the 2009 House of Delegates.

The process for developing TDA 2014 once again includes a non-bias approach guided by a neutral non-dentist facilitator. We have already begun the process by sending out a survey to our membership asking for feedback. This survey results will be used to direct the upcoming strategic planning session involving approximately 71 diverse individuals. The session includes both young and old dentists, male and female dentists, different ethnicities and representatives from all the affiliated dental groups and TDA staff. The TDA staff members are essential to the process as they are constantly involved with it. Following the survey and strategic planning session, the Future Focus Committee, together with the facilitator, will then collate TDA 2014 so that it can be approved by the House of Delegates in May 2009 with immediate effect.

One example of the success of TDA 2009 is the Manpower goal in which one key objective directed the TDA to evaluate different practice models for the future maintaining the dentist as the team leader at all times. This objective was modified over the last 4 years as it reached its stated requirement. The Council on Dental Education, Trade and Ancillaries was responsible for this objective and their final recommendation was four dental assisting workforce resolutions, which were overwhelmingly approved by the TDA House of Delegates in May 2008. The final part to this objective is successful passage of a bill in the 2009 Legislative Session that would incorporate these four dental assisting workforce changes into the Dental Practice Act. With input and direction from our membership into our strategic plan, the TDA can and will continue to be “the Voice of Dentistry in Texas.”

TDA Student Externship Program The TDA held its second annual externship program June 20-27, 2008 at TDA headquarters in Austin. The program offers dental students the opportunity to gain insight into different components of organized dentistry including legislative and regulatory affairs, membership, governance, continuing education and charitable dentistry, and to gain a better understanding of their role as future leaders of the dental team.

The students participated in leadership training for local society presidents and presidents-elect and attended the Board of Directors meeting last month.

The externs learned about the role of TDA’s public affairs department and the essential charitable component of organized dentistry through meeting with the TDA Smiles Foundation. They also provided input in council activities related to the promotion of organized dentistry at the student level and market specific recruitment efforts.

TDA Externs (L-R): Tiffany Tredway-Ransom, Dwight Peccora, and Ashley DeMarco.

Please look for future articles written by TDA externs, Tiffany TredwayRansom, and Dwight Peccora, fourth and third year students at University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, respectively; and Ashley DeMarco, second year student at Baylor College of Dentistry.

The dental record* is the official document that logs a patient’s visit to the dental office. It includes, but is not limited to — medical and dental history, dental and periodontal charting, diagnosis, treatments, informed consent, models, lab reports and prescriptions, billing and payment records, referrals, and other patient information.

Who may make entries in the dental record?

• •

•

Administrative staff may record phone calls, prescription changes, and canceled, changed or missed appointments, and billing information.

Dental assistants may record the patient’s comments, concerns and disposition, vital signs, medical history, radiographs and other diagnostic tools used, and instructions given to the patient.

Dentists add clinical impressions, treatments performed, and any other pertinent information.

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) states that dental office staff is permitted to make entries in the dental record; however confirmable identification is required of the person making the recorded entries.

Confirmable identification may be initials, a signature, and/or an employee number. If staff other than the dentist is making entries regarding clinical impressions, treatments and similar medical information, the dentist should review the contents of the entry and then sign or initial it themselves.

Quick Facts • • • • •

Records must be kept for no less than 5 years.

Dentists must furnish copies of records to a patient within 30 days of the date a patient makes a request.

Records may not be withheld based on a past due account.

Dentists may charge a reasonable copying fee for copying which shall be no more than $25 for the first 20 pages and $.15 per page for every page thereafter.

Do not rely on different colored ink as a reliable indicator of who makes the entries; confirmable identification is required.

Specific requirements regarding the dental record are addressed by TSBDE Rule 108.8. You may access this rule by visiting tsbde.state.tx.us. Click on Agency Publications, then click on SBDE Rules and Regulations.

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. * ADA, Council on Dental Practice Division of Legal Affairs.

Report on Dental Records, pg. 12. Chicago: ADA.

Teamwork … Working Together to Achieve the Extraordinary!

Janet Hooten, ATDA President, 2008-2009 This year, the members of the Alliance of the Texas Dental Association (ATDA) are “playing” together to achieve our mission: to support the TDA through education, fellowship, and service and to foster the positive image of organized dentistry.

Topics for two of our goals for the coming year are: • •

Communication: to be better informed, enabling us to serve more effectively Membership: to enlist new members by making them aware of the value of belonging to an Alliance that fosters friendship and support for organized dentistry.

As members of the ATDA, we are each a vital link to our local district organizations. Our challenge is to offer opportunities for volunteer service, such as Texas Missions of Mercy; to provide updates on dental health issues and projects; and to keep informed about legislation affecting dentistry.

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the ATDA team as president. With privilege comes responsibility. To the best of my ability, I will serve with enthusiasm, focus, and integrity. Together, we can achieve the extraordinary.

ATDA Officers, 2008–2009 Janet Hooten, President Bertha Nell Barth, President-elect Jill Kralicke, 1st Vice President Marcella Lovett, 2nd Vice President Julia Martin, 3rd Vice President Barbara Coats, 4th Vice President Diane Bogan, Recording Secretary Ruth Ault, Corresponding Secretary Alys Richards, Publicity Secretary Suzanne Bowden, Treasurer Gitta Morris, Historian Marthiel Russell, Parliamentarian Conni Durbin, Immediate Past President

July 2008 / 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.

Question: Does state law or the rules of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) provide dentists with any guidance on the proper disposal of dental records?

Answer: Although TSBDE Rule 108.8 (22 TAC 108.8) addresses a wide range of issues associated with dental records, both the Dental Board rules and the Dental Practice Act are silent on how to properly dispose of old dental records.

Instead, Texas dentists can look to other laws and regulations for guidance.

For example, federal regulations associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA) effectively require dentists and other health care professionals to adopt reasonable procedures to prevent the disclosure of documents containing individually identifiable health information [45 C.F.R. pts. 160.410(b)(2), (3), 164.316(a)].

Similarly, Section 35.48 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code requires dentists and other business operators who dispose of business records required by state law to modify, by shredding, erasing, or other means, the personal identifying information in those records to make it unreadable or indecipherable.

Finally, the Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act (Chapter 48, Business and Commerce Code) requires dentists to implement and maintain reasonable procedures to prevent disclosure of any sensitive personal information collected or maintained by the dentist in the regular course of business. This law also requires dentists to destroy or arrange for the destruction of records containing sensitive personal information within the dentist’s custody or control that are not to be retained by the dentist by shredding, erasing, or otherwise modifying the sensitive personal information in the records to make the information unreadable or undecipherable through any means.

Research assistance provided by TDA General Counsel William H. Bingham and McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore.

Governor Appoints New Dental Board Members

TDA Testifies at Texas House

Replacing five members whose terms have expired, Texas Governor Rick Perry recently appointed four new members and reappointed one current member to the 15-member Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). The four new members are: Dr. Maxwell D. Finn, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Cedar Hill; Dr. Steven J. Austin, a general dentist from Amarillo; Ms. Alicia A. Grant, RDH, a dental hygienist from Garland; and Mr. Arthur Troilo III, JD, an attorney and public member from Austin. Governor Perry reappointed Ms. Phyllis Stine, a public member from Midland.

The five appointees must be confirmed by the Texas Senate when the legislature convenes next year, but will begin serving their 6-year terms immediately. The new appointees replace four members whose terms expired on February 1, 2007: Dr. Paul Stubbs, a general dentist from Austin; Dr. Juan Villarreal, a general dentist from McAllen; Mr. Oscar X. Garcia, a public member from Brownsville; and Ms. Tammy Allen, a dental hygienist from Ft. Worth. After their terms expired, those members continued to serve until the Governor named their replacements.

On June 30 a joint Texas House of Representatives committee — made up of Border and International Affairs, Appropriations, and Public Health interim committee members — held a hearing to discuss the state’s current and long-range need for dentists, physicians, nurses and other allied health and longterm care professionals, and to make recommendations regarding strategies related to geographic distribution and barriers to recruitment of high-need professionals.

TDA President-elect Dr. Matthew B. Roberts of Crockett testified on behalf of TDA at the hearing.

His testimony focused on the maldistribution of dentists across the state, recommendations to improve that distribution such as loan repayment/stipend programs, increased funding for the state’s public oral health program, and continued support and increases in Medicaid funding.

JULY 2008

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7

Editorial Staff Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Editor Edwina J. Shires, Director of Publications Nicole Scott, Publications Coordinator Barbara S. Donovan, Art Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hilton Israelson, D.D.S., President Matthew B. Roberts, D.D.S., President-Elect A. David May, Jr., D.D.S., Immediate Past President Vice Presidents F. Dee Rea, D.D.S., Northeast William M. Walton, D.D.S., Northwest Mark Peppard, D.D.S., Southeast Rise’ L. Lyman, D.D.S., Southwest Senior Directors Arlet R. Dunsworth, D.D.S., Northeast J. Brad Loeffelholz, D.D.S., Northwest Craig S. Armstrong, D.D.S., Southeast Johnny G. Cailleteau, D.D.S., Southwest Directors Donna G. Miller, D.D.S., Northeast Kathleen Nichols, D.D.S., Northwest R. Lee Clitheroe, D.D.S., Southeast John W. Baucum III, D.D.S., Southwest J. Preston Coleman, D.D.S., Secretary-Treasurer Glen D. Hall, D.D.S., Speaker of the House Michael L. Stuart, D.D.S., Parliamentarian Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., Editor Mary Kay Linn, 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.

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. 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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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG

Free Samples Offer is Back!

Place your first Office Depot order of $50 or more with Elena Garza, TDA’s Office Depot contact, by September 25th, 2008, and you’ll receive a FREE sample pack of Office Depot brand products worth $25.

Everyday Savings Don’t forget that you can save 10% off Office Depot’s already-low prices every day through TDA Perks Program. The discount will be applied whether you shop at stores or online.

To register for the discount program, visit tdaperks.com, contact Elena via Email (elena.garza@officedepot.com) or at the number below.

(512) 837-8999 x 103 www.tdaperks.com