2016 - May/June TFDA

2016 Award Recipients Dentist of the Year The Myth of Philanthropy Volunteering for Your Association

Teamwork adds up to success: Drs. Nolan Allen and Andy Brown at the 2016 FLA-MOM event in Jacksonville.

VOL. 28, NO. 3 • MAY-JUNE

Member Dividend Declared!

Rewarding the Practice of Good Medicine The Doctors Company, the nation’s largest doctor-owned medical malpractice insurer, has declared a premium dividend of approximately $32 million to recognize and reward members for their loyalty and dedication to the practice of good medicine. Eligible Florida members will receive a dividend equal to 5 percent of their earned annual premium that will be applied as a credit to reduce next year’s renewal premium.

July 1, 2016 Florida Dentist 5 percent of your earned annual premium

XXX.00

Rewarding the Practice of Good Medicine

About The Doctors Company

Call us today for a free professional liability quote from The Doctors Company.

800.877.7597 ∞ insurance@fdaservices.com ∞ www.fdaservices.com

y Frida 016 7, 2 1 e Jun 0 PM 7-1 ium r t A l Hote

HEROES & VILLAINS is a family-friendly event featuring entertainment and performances for all ages! We hope you’ll join us! Everyone is invited and tickets are FREE – request your ticket when you register. Name badges will be required for entry for all attendees. Children under 12 years of age do not need a badge.

FDA MEMBER CENTER

BOOTH 815 IN THE EXHIBIT HALL! EXHIBIT HALL HOURS THURSDAY, JUNE 16 FRIDAY, JUNE 17 SATURDAY, JUNE 18

9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 2 PM

JOIN

S U

E H HU T B T !

A

Meet up at the Hub! It’s right in the center of the Hall.

Get FDA, FDAS & FDAPAC gifts

Play the Crown Savings Collect the Gems! game on Friday.

Sit down and relax!

Win a bottle of wine from FDAS.

Meet your local FDAS insurance agent.

FDA Services is a major sponsor of the Florida Dental Convention.

Use the ADA Find-ADentist Photo Booth to update your web listing. Take home your photo on a flash drive.

contents Awards Issue

news

literary

16

news@fda

15

22

Legislative Highlights

f e at u r e s

Letter to the Editor

columns 5

Staff Roster

24

2016 FDA Legislative Awards

7

President’s Message: #upshot

28

Case Study: Process Failures Lead to Patient Harm

8

Legal Notes

32

FDC2016 Speaker Preview — Mr. Imtiaz Manji

13

Information Bytes

36

FDC2016 Speaker Preview — Dr. Stephen Poss

63

Diagnostic Discussion

38

FDA Exhibit Marketplace

88

Off the Cusp

40 Dentist of The Year: Dr. Andy Brown 46

2016 Award Recipients

54 The Myth of Philanthropy

classifieds

57

Alliance Invitation Makes a Difference

82 Listings

58

You Can Be a Leader, Too!

61

Volunteering for Your Association ­—

Another Way to Give Back

68

DDS: Double Down Solution to Florida's Access to Care

74

FLAMOM2016 Highlights

78

The Myth of More

86

Health Care Cyperliability Threats

Read this issue on our website at:

www.floridadental.org.

www.floridadental.org

Today’s FDA is a member publication of the American Association of Dental Editors and the Florida Magazine Association.

May/June 2016

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FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATION MAY/JUNE 2016 VOL. 28, NO. 3

SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2016 12-1:30 P.M.

EDITOR Dr. John Paul, Lakeland, editor

STAFF

2016 FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATION AWARDS FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATION 2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS PRESIDENT’S AWARD Dr. Ralph C. Attanasi Jr. FDA DENTIST OF THE YEAR Dr. Andrew Brown J. LEON SCHWARTZ LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD Dr. Nolan Allen FDA LEADERSHIP AWARDS Dr. Yvette Godet Dr. Steven Bryan NEW DENTAL LEADER AWARD Dr. Brittney Craig DENTAL TEAM MEMBER AWARD Mrs. Cheryl Lopez PRESIDENT'S CHOICE AWARD Dr. Ethan Pansick FDA PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS More Health Inc. Pinellas County Dental Association Mrs. Delores Barr Weaver DANIEL J. BUKER SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Mrs. Carrie Millar

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Jill Runyan, director of communications Jessica Lauria, communications and media coordinator Lynne Knight, marketing coordinator

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Ralph Attanasi, Delray Beach, president Dr. William D’Aiuto, Longwood, president-elect Dr. Michael D. Eggnatz, Weston, first vice president Dr. Jolene Paramore, Panama City, second vice president Dr. Rudy Liddell, Brandon, secretary Dr. Richard Stevenson, Jacksonville, immediate past president Drew Eason, Tallahassee, executive director Dr. James Antoon, Rockledge • Dr. Andrew Brown, Orange Park Dr. Jorge Centurion, Miami • Dr. Robert Churney, Clearwater Dr. Richard Huot, Vero Beach • Dr. George Kolos, Fort Lauderdale Dr. Jeffrey Ottley, Milton • Dr. Howard Pranikoff, Ormond Beach Dr. Barry Setzer, Jacksonville • Dr. Beatriz Terry, Miami Dr. Stephen Zuknick, Brandon Dr. Ethan Pansick, Delray Beach, speaker of the house Dr. Tim Marshall, Weeki Wachee, treasurer • Dr. John Paul, Lakeland, editor

PUBLISHING INFORMATION Today’s FDA (ISSN 1048-5317/USPS 004-666) is published bimonthly, plus one special issue, by the Florida Dental Association, 1111 E. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, Fla. 32308-6914.

FDA membership dues include a $10 subscription to Today’s FDA. Non-member subscriptions are $150 per year; foreign, $188.

Periodical postage paid at Tallahassee, Fla. and additional entry offices. Copyright 2016 Florida Dental Association.

All rights reserved. Today’s FDA is a refereed publication.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 for returns and changes of address to Today’s FDA, 1111 E. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, Fla. 32308-6914.

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING POLICIES Editorial and advertising copy are carefully reviewed, but publication in this journal does not necessarily imply that the Florida Dental Association endorses any products or services that are advertised, unless the advertisement specifically says so. Similarly, views and conclusions expressed in editorials, commentaries and/or news columns or articles that are published in the journal are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editors, staff, officials, Board of Trustees or members of the Florida Dental Association.

EDITORIAL CONTACT INFORMATION All Today’s FDA editorial correspondence should be sent to Dr. John Paul, Today’s FDA Editor, Florida Dental Association, 1111 E. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, Fla. 32308-6914.

FDA office numbers: 800.877.9922, 850. 681.3629; fax 850.681.0116; email address, fda@floridadental.org; website address, www.floridadental.org.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION For display advertising information, contact: Jill Runyan at jrunyan@floridadental.org or 800.877.9922, Ext. 7113.

Advertising must be paid in advance.

For classified advertising information, contact: Jessica Lauria at jlauria@floridadental.org or 800.977.9922, Ext. 7115.

www.floridadental.org

CONTACT THE FDA OFFICE 800.877.9922 or 850.681.3629 1111 E. Tennessee St. • Tallahassee, FL 32308 The last four digits of the telephone number are the extension for that staff member.

FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION

MEMBER RELATIONS

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

(FDAF)

Kerry Gómez-Ríos, Director of Member Relations kgomez-rios@floridadental.org 850.350.7121

Drew Eason, Executive Director deason@floridadental.org 850.350.7109

Meghan Murphy, Program Coordinator mmurphy@floridadental.org 850.350.7161

Kaitlin Walker, Member Access Coordinator kwalker@floridadental.org 850.350.7100

Greg Gruber, Chief Financial Officer ggruber@floridadental.org 850.350.7111 Graham Nicol, Chief Legal Officer gnicol@floridadental.org 850.350.7118 Judy Stone, Leadership Affairs Manager jstone@floridadental.org 850.350.7123

FLORIDA DENTAL CONVENTION (FDC) Crissy Tallman, Director of Conventions and Continuing Education ctallman@floridadental.org 850.350.7105

Alex Lewis, Leadership Concierge alewis@floridadental.org 850.350.7114

Elizabeth Bassett, FDC Exhibits Planner ebassett@floridadental.org 850.350.7108

ACCOUNTING

Brooke Martin, FDC Meeting Coordinator bmartin@floridadental.org 850.350.7103

Jack Moore, Director of Accounting jmoore@floridadental.org 850.350.7137 Leona Boutwell, Finance Services Coordinator Accounts Receivable & Foundation lboutwell@floridadental.org 850.350.7138 Joyce Defibaugh, FDA Membership Dues Assistant jdefibaugh@floridadental.org 850.350.7116 Deanne Foy, Finance Services Coordinator Dues, PAC & Special Projects dfoy@floridadental.org 850.350.7165 Tammy McGhin, Payroll & Property Coordinator tmcghin@floridadental.org 850.350.7139

Jennifer Tedder, FDC Program Coordinator jtedder@floridadental.org 850.350.7106

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Joe Anne Hart, Director of Governmental Affairs jahart@floridadental.org 850.350.7205 Alexandra Abboud, Governmental Affairs Coordinator aabboud@floridadental.org 850.350.7204 Casey Stoutamire, Lobbyist cstoutamire@floridadental.org 850.350.7202

Stephanie Taylor, Membership Dues Coordinator staylor@floridadental.org 850.350.7119

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Larry Darnell, Director of Information Systems ldarnell@floridadental.org 850.350.7102

Jill Runyan, Director of Communications jrunyan@floridadental.org 850.350.7113 Lynne Knight, Marketing Coordinator lknight@floridadental.org 850.350.7112 Jessica Lauria, Communications and Media Coordinator jlauria@floridadental.org 850.350.7115

Will Lewis, Information Systems Helpdesk Technician/ Database Administrator wlewis@floridadental.org 850.350.7153

Ashley Merrill, Member Relations Coordinator amerrill@floridadental.org 850.350.7110 Christine Mortham, Membership Concierge cmortham@floridadental.org 850.350.7136

FDA SERVICES 800.877.7597 or 850.681.2996 1113 E. Tennessee St., Ste. 200 Tallahassee, FL 32308 Group & Individual Health • Medicare Supplement • Life Insurance Disability Income • Long-term Care • Annuities • Professional Liability Office Package • Workers’ Compensation • Auto • Boat Scott Ruthstrom, Chief Operating Officer scott.ruthstrom@fdaservices.com 850.350.7146 Carrie Millar, Agency Manager carrie.millar@fdaservices.com 850.350.7155 Carol Gaskins, Assistant Membership Manager carol.gaskins@fdaservices.com 850.350.7159 Debbie Lane, Assistant Membership Services Manager debbie.lane@fdaservices.com 850.350.7157 Allen Johnson, Support Services Supervisor allen.johnson@fdaservices.com 850.350.7140 Alex del Rey, FDAS Marketing Coordinator arey@fdaservices.com 850.350.7166 Angela Robinson, Customer Service Representative angela.robinson@fdaservices.com 850.350.7156 Jamie Idol, Commissions Coordinator jamie.idol@fdaservices.com 850.350.7142 Marcia Dutton, Administrative Assistant marcia.dutton@fdaservices.com 850.350.7145 Porschie Biggins, North Florida Membership Services Representative pbiggins@fdaservices.com 850-350-7149 Maria Brooks, Membership Services Representative maria.brooks@fdaservices.com 850.350.7144 Eboni Nelson, Central Florida Membership Services Representative eboni.nelson@fdaservices.com 850.350.7151

Melissa Staggers, West Coast District Membership Services Representative melissa.staggers@fdaservices.com 850.350.7154 Suzy Illum, Director of Sales of the Southeast suzy.illum@fdaservices.com 850.350.7141

RISK EXPERTS Dan Zottoli Director of Sales Atlantic Coast 561.791.7744 Cell: 561.601.5363 dan.zottoli@fdaservices.com

Dennis Head Director of Sales Central Florida 877.843.0921 (toll free) Cell: 407.927.5472 dennis.head@fdaservices.com

Mike Trout Director of Sales North Florida 904.249.6985 Cell: 904.254.8927 mike.trout@fdaservices.com

Joseph Perretti Director of Sales South Florida 305.665.0455 Cell: 305.721.9196 joe.perretti@fdaservices.com

Rick D’Angelo Director of Sales West Coast 813.475.6948 Cell: 813.267.2572 rick.dangelo@fdaservices.com

To contact an FDA Board member use the first letter of their first name, then their last name, followed by @bot.floridadental.org. For example, Dr. John Paul: jpaul@bot.floridadental.org.

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Things to Know Before You Go 1. WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR BADGE WHEN YOU ARRIVE Pick up your badge in the Gaylord Palms Resort lobby from 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, or in the City Hall lobby, daily from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. On Thursday, registration will be open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Badges must be worn to all courses and evening events.

Don’t forget that guests, spouses and children over 12 years of age need to be registered to attend events. If you are not registered or not wearing your badge, you will not be able to attend the evening events. Guest badges can be purchased on-site for $20.

2. ROOM FINDER Download the FDC Mobile App to find the most current list of course and event room locations, as well as much more convention information.

Visit www.floridadentalconvention.com and download the App today!

3. NEW! PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT Play the NEW FDC Photo Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win one of three American Express gift cards!

To play, download the FDC Mobile App, click on “scavenger hunt,” and log in using your FDC registration information.

Each day during FDC, photo challenges worth a specific number of points will be added to the game. The top three players with the most points by Saturday at 5 p.m. will win an American Express gift card. Winners will be announced on Saturday, June 18.

4. NEW LOCATION & TIME FOR “SWEET SUCCESS” Thursday evening’s event will be held from 8-11 p.m. in Osceola C Ballroom. This is the Keynote Session room on the convention side of the hotel.

5. EXHIBIT HALL HOURS & INFO THURSDAY, JUNE 16: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Be sure to schedule your one-on-one appointment with exhibitors you want to see while at FDC2016 by Wednesday, June 8.

Once you’re on-site, look inside the Official FDC Program for special exhibitor coupons and show specials available only at FDC2016.

6. LUNCH VOUCHER If you’ve purchased a morning and afternoon course on Thursday, you will receive a $15 lunch voucher for Exhibit Hall concessions. The voucher can be used in $5 increments.

Your lunch voucher will be automatically imbedded into your badge and “lunch” will be printed on the bottom of your badge.

7. PARKING & SHUTTLES Parking is FREE to attendees staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.

Free parking and shuttle service to the Gaylord Palms Resort is available at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Thursday through Saturday. Shuttle service will be extended Thursday and Friday evening for those attending the social events.

8. FOOD OPTIONS Look for monitors throughout the hotel and convention center listing the available food options and wait times for each.

There will be food and drink stations available all day in the Exhibit Hall as well as lunch (Thursday & Friday from 11 a.m.2:30 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.). Additional grab n’ go locations and restaurants also will be open during peak lunch and dinner hours.

9. CE REPORTING To receive CE credit for course attendance, you must scan your badge upon entering and exiting a course. To receive one hour of CE credit, you must be present in a course a minimum of 50 of the 60 minutes.

Your CE certificate will be emailed to you on Monday, June 20. You also can print your CE certificate in the Exhibit Hall through Saturday at 2 p.m. or on the classroom level on Saturday after 2 p.m. If you have any changes to your CE certificate on-site, please stop by the FDC registration desk. CE credit will be reported to CE Broker for all Florida licensed dentists and hygienists on July 16, 2016.

10. VISIT THE FDA MEMBER CENTER Visit the Florida Dental Association and FDA Services Inc. at Booth 815.

Take a photo and update your ADA Find-A-Dentist website photo and profile. FREE for all FDA/ADA members!

Play the FDA Services “Collect the Gems” game on Friday.

Visit the Crown Savings merchants in the Exhibit Hall and play for a chance to win a variety of great prizes.

Interested in becoming an FDA member? Learn about the benefits of being an FDA member at the FDA Member Benefits Center in Booth 815.

@Ralph RALPH C. ATTANASI JR., DDS, MS

#upshot You all are reasonably au fait with the content of this final article. It is the last in a series — my final upshot.

In reviewing what has happened during my year as president of the FDA, I am incredibly proud of how much we, as an organization, have accomplished together.

We increased our membership and were recognized nationally by the ADA for our efforts. We elected Dr. Irene Marron to the office of Second Vice President of the ADA. Our Trustee, Dr. Terry Buckenheimer, currently is running for the office of ADA President-elect. NOVA Southeastern University served as the location for the National GKAS kickoff and we were very honored to be a part of it — more than 900 children were treated during the course of one day.

We had an exceptional Dentist’s Day on the Hill event and were able to have our voices heard throughout the halls of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. We started a dialogue with the Florida Dental Hygiene Association and are working on collaborative efforts to strengthen our mutual goals. We fought and won many fluoridation battles in more than eight municipalities.

We started a public relations program to help our members succeed and we sent

www.floridadental.org

out a survey to our membership regarding the future direction of our organization.

With an eye toward the future, we have addressed licensure issues that the ASDA students (our potential new members) have indicated are important to them. In addition, we started an open discussion forum regarding the examination process and have participated in our first administration of the Curriculum Integrated Format (CIF) licensure examination at Nova Southeastern University this past February.

In April, our Florida Dental Association (FDA) Foundation completed a very successful Mission of Mercy event in Jacksonville that exceeded our previous event in Tampa. Nearly 3,000 patients were treated by 589 volunteer dentists during a two-day period.

We have strengthened the ties between the FDA Board of Trustees, the 17th District Delegation and the FDA Foundation. In an organization with so many moving parts, we have found the ability to embrace our individual unique qualities, respect them and move forward together as a team.

On the home front, we have moved closer to addressing the need for expansion and have submitted proposals for new office space in the Tallahassee area. The growth of FDA Services, Donated Dental Services, and the Foundation all have come to

fruition and need to be tended so that they can continue to flourish. This could not be accomplished without the help of our dynamic Executive Director, Drew Eason.

We renewed Drew’s contract with the FDA and I’m confident that our team, under his watchful eye, will continue to surprise and impress you.

Apperception allows me to realize that none of this could have been accomplished without the unwavering support of Dr. Ethan Pansick and my entire office staff who have dealt with last minute schedule changes, unexpected flights, and more telephone calls and emails than I care to remember with smiles on their faces and pride in their hearts.

Ridendo dicere verum,

Dr. Attanasi is the FDA President. He can be reached at rattanasi@bot.floridadental.org.

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

May/June 2016

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Legal Notes

The Top Five Risk Management Principles for Florida Dentists Graham Nicol, Esq., HEALTH CARE RISK MANAGER, BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST (HEALTH LAW)

There is no way to entirely avoid litigation when performing something as complex as dentistry in a state as litigious as Florida.

Accidents will happen, and you cannot control what others will do. The best you can do is get malpractice coverage and routinely follow your risk management protocols.

What is Risk Management?

Risk management is proactively establishing a culture for your practice where patient safety comes first. Common medical errors include misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose and lack of medical necessity, so focus on risk management to prevent these errors.

But risk management also applies to business and personal risks, not just malpractice risk. In dentistry, prevention is more effective and cheaper than restorative care.

The same is true with regard to legal and risk management issues.

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Effective risk management is 90 percent avoiding a crisis, rather than 10 percent reacting after the fact. Planning ahead might not keep you from being sued, but it will help mitigate problems when they occur. It’s closely and continuously working with your staff to eliminate duplication of effort, waste of time and excessive costs. It is investigating adverse occurrences to determine what caused them and how to eliminate them in the future. It is not about judging or blaming; it is about protecting patient safety and quality of care — which, in turn, protects your reputation and assets.

Rule #1: Create a business plan and get your team together.

As a dentist, you also are a small-business owner and employer. Therefore, you need a plan that keeps you current on changing rules and regulations that affect your business — one of the most highly regulated in the nation. The Florida Board of Dentistry (BOD) rules merely are the start of government oversight of your profession. Health care laws are myriad, at both the state and federal level, and they change often. Violating an applicable regulation may legally amount to negligence per se.

As a member of organized dentistry, you have access to up-to-date dental-specific guidance on HIPAA, OSHA, employment

law, advertising regulations, dealing with managed-care payors, etc. Keep looking to the Florida Dental Association (FDA) to keep you current on new rules and to help with patient relations through peer review.

There is no “one size fits all” compliance product, so always have a plan for how to handle business issues before they arise.

For example, you should have the following: a written records-management plan; a disaster plan; an employee handbook with written job descriptions; and, contracts with associate dentists, etc. Decide whether you want to incorporate or operate as a sole proprietorship. Do you have trade names or business logos you need to protect? Do you need restrictive covenants and confidentiality contracts, etc.? Have you thought about emerging trends like telemedicine, Internet reviews and patient satisfaction surveys?

You need a team of accountants, insurance agents, practice management experts and lawyers familiar with dentistry’s unique challenges. Like an experienced dentist who is better able to diagnose and form a costeffective treatment plan, the same is true of insurance agents and lawyers. Get those on your team who have experience with dentistry in Florida.

As a business owner, make sure you get appropriate insurance coverage. Always keep originals of all insurance policies.

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Legal Notes

What type of insurance should you have?

That’s a great question to ask FDA Services (800.877.7597)! At a minimum, you should have professional liability (covers patients) and general liability, also known as business owner’s (covers visitors for exposures such as slip and fall, and your business for loss of income due to covered events). Also, it’s usually a good idea for Florida dentists to have workers’ compensation; Directors and Officers (D&O) coverage (covers the corporation’s leadership for discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, etc.); employee dishonesty (covers employee embezzlement and improper destruction of documents); and, maybe even auto coverage (if the corporation owns the vehicle) and fiduciary coverage (if you are sponsoring employee retirement benefit plans).

Rule # 2: Be nice! Or, be rude and get sued.

The first impression a patient, a prospective employee, a visitor, or a workers’ compensation, X-ray equipment, BOD investigator or OSHA inspector has of your practice most likely does not even involve you. By the time a patient actually meets the dentist, they already have checked your website, read about an appointment, driven through your parking lot, been checked in at the front desk and waited in the reception area.

Make sure your first impression is warm, welcoming and courteous. Risk management should address front desk etiquette and customer service. For example, always smile; be friendly, don’t be sarcastic; be compassionate; calm patients down, don’t excite them, etc.

One of the biggest complaints patients have with health care professionals is not related

to the actual work done, but the way they were treated by staff and the amount of time they had to wait. Being able to efficiently schedule patients is a valuable skill.

Bad attitudes and poor communication cause more patient complaints than poor clinical outcomes.

a mistake, patients who feel they have a connection with you and have confidence in you are less likely to sue. Patients don’t expect to socialize with you outside the office, but take the time to ask how the kids are doing or about hobbies or interests listed on the intake form.

Rule # 3: Manage expectations and be honest.

Rule # 4: Records, records and more records!

Dentists learn about informed consent in school, but this risk management principle takes it further. Patients often have unrealistic expectations that you need to recognize and manage from the start. It’s better to have an open and honest discussion about outcomes before you start the procedure. Avoid surprises! If you don’t allow mom and dad in your operatory, tell them that before they come in to see you.

Don’t say, “You might feel a pinch,” when you know it will hurt. Never guarantee a procedure’s outcome. Instead, discuss the alternatives and the risks as well as possible outcomes and how likely they are to occur.

Know when you need written informed consent and have forms ready. Talk to patients about gaps in their insurance coverage and what their financial obligations will be before you start the work. More information is always better than less.

Poor recordkeeping is the fastest way to get in trouble with a malpractice jury and the BOD. Failing to maintain records that justify the treatment is almost always a second count to a standard of care violation. Here are some recordkeeping tips: v If it is not in writing in the patient’s record, it is almost impossible to prove it did or did not happen. v Choose one format and stick to it: Most dentists use electronic health care records (EHR). Take care when transitioning from paper records to EHR. If you scan paper records, make sure they remain legible. At a minimum, EHR software must be HIPAA-certified, backed up daily, searchable and restricted in terms of who can access what types of records. You should maintain a data trail of who made corrections and entries and when, and be capable of printing hard copies. v When correcting paper records, never erase, white-out or cover up. Instead, strike through the mistake, write the correction, date it and initial it. v Avoid “cut and paste.” Never speed up the process by copying another patient’s records with similar diagnosis and treatment plan. You will eventually overshoot your highlighting and add inappropriate

Dentists need to communicate effectively in the doctor/patient relationship, but also as human beings. Learn about active listening, body language and conflict resolution techniques. Medical malpractice allegations are far more likely if a patient doesn’t like and trust you as a person. Meet patient expectations. Let them see you putting on a new pair of gloves! Even if you’ve made

Please see LEGAL, 10

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Legal Notes

LEGAL from 9

language that will destroy credibility. v Be consistent and legible. Use standard abbreviations and use them consistently.

If an expert witness has to guess at what a notation means, you are already in trouble. v Know what adverse events need to be reported (e.g., anesthesia-related), to what governmental agency and within what time frame. Reportable events should always be reported, or else liability will be presumed. v Know what conduct almost always will guarantee that your license will be revoked or suspended — improper delegation of duties, sexual misconduct, fraud and scheduled drug mishandling. v Know what to do when you get a request for medical records or a notice of intent to sue. v Know renewal dates of insurance policies and other important contracts (managed care, employment, lease, etc.). These dates almost never dovetail, so maintain a “tickler” system that automatically flags when your action or attention is needed. v Keep it professional. Patient records are crucial as evidence, so keep them credible by never using offensive language or making derogatory comments. v Keep them with as much detail and for at least the minimum period required by the BOD, but realize that managed-care contracts or hospital privileges may obligate you to keep them longer. Always bill using the proper code, even if the payor doesn’t reimburse for that procedure.

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v Never up-code. Know when you can — and cannot — balance bill a patient (if they have PLHSO or HMO coverage, you cannot balance bill!).

Rule # 5: Know your duties.

Malpractice is almost exclusively based on negligent, rather than intentional, actions or inactions. It is not that you meant to hurt the patient, but that you “knew or should have known” that what you did or did not do would “more likely than not” hurt the patient. It can be proved by either commission (action) or omission (a failure to act).

Know the “Four Ds” of a Negligence Cause of Action: You owe a DUTY to the patient. Your duty is not to be perfect in clinical outcome, but to provide care within the norm of what a reasonably prudent, similarly situated dentist would have done (or not done), in light of all the surrounding circumstances.

You cannot be DERELICT in performing your duty. You must never do, or fail to do, what another doctor would have done under the standard of care.

You’re liable if your negligence DIRECTLY resulted in the patient’s harm. If what the patient is complaining about is not, in hindsight, proximately caused by your allegedly negligent behavior, then you are not liable. Proximate cause means the adverse outcome was foreseeable based on what you did. For example, if you did not and could not have known that a new pharmaceutical on the market would have an adverse side

effect, you may avoid liability. As another example, if the patient’s injuries were caused by a subsequent intervening event (e.g., a car accident on the way home from your office or, more likely, negligence of a subsequent treating provider), then there is no proximate cause and no duty has been breached by you.

Your negligence resulted in DAMAGES to the patient or plaintiff. Damages mean emotional, psychological or physical injuries that are compensable in court.

Economic damages include things like loss of wages, past and future medical expenses, and loss of earnings capacity. Non-economic damages include things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium, etc. In Florida, there is a liability cap on non-economic damages, although the Florida Supreme Court is chipping away at it.

One of the best things about being a dentist is being your own boss, but that means you also are an employer with a duty to manage (and be held legally responsible for) the acts/omissions of your employees when acting within the course and scope of their employment. Just as a hospital is liable for the negligent acts of its medical staff, you as the owner of the dental practice can be held vicariously liable under a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior (“let the master answer”) for negligence of your staff.

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Legal Notes

Some Final Thoughts on Risk Management As leader of the dental team, commit to always follow the rules, and hold your staff and yourself accountable. Lead by example.

Put the rules in writing. Get them off the bookshelf and post them where they need to be! Checklists in operatories are great, but don’t forget the front desk, the records room and prescription storage areas. Customize the rules for your practice. Some of the risk management examples given here may not address a problem in your practice.

That’s OK, don’t use them. Write rules that address your business and practice, not

somebody else’s. Keep the rules simple! For example, never disclose records without the doctor’s and the patient’s permission; never refuse to hire or treat based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or national origin; and, always turn on the alarm if you are the last one to leave for the day. Procedures won’t be followed if they are hard to understand or have exceptions.

Get help! Talk to other doctors in your area and please call the FDA/FDAS for any risk management or legal questions you have.

We have experts in health law and licensed risk managers on staff who want to help

members succeed. This is a members-only benefit of belonging to the FDA, so please use it.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. If you have a specific concern or need legal advice regarding your dental practice, you should contact a qualified attorney.

Graham Nicol is the FDA’s Chief Legal Counsel.

What Florida Dentists Need to Know about Prescription, Controlled Substance and Pain Management Laws (LC01) Patient Abandonment (LC02) Take these courses online to earn free CE credit. For links, go to floridadental.org/members. FDA Members Only!

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May/June 2016

Expires 4/1/2017

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Information Bytes

Scandal:

IT Professional Claims Information You Read on the Internet May NOT Be True!

By Larry Darnell DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS

I have noticed an increasing number of fake news sites popping up lately. These purported news websites promote that an upcoming “Star Wars” movie will be filmed in your city or that ISIS has struck with a terrorist attack on your city or hometown. Before you have a chance to breathe, the website has hundreds, if not thousands of visits. I consider many of these websites a personal affront to my intelligence. They fall right in there with the Nigerian prince email scheme. The difference is, many people apparently are buying into the validity of these websites. They have “newsy-sounding” website names like dailyreportingnews.com or news11.com. They certainly look legitimate. A number of reputable news agencies have even fallen for a few of these fake news reports. The desire to be the first out with a story has pushed people to scouring Twitter, Facebook and other sources for news stories. I have to admit, it is challenging to discern what is fake and what is real on the Internet anymore. It used to be just photos and the Photoshop revolution, but now there is so much fake content and so many parody websites out there, it will make your head spin.

So what are we to do? First — and I know this is a shocking revelation — do not just blindly believe everything you see on the Internet. Sacrilege! Before it evokes an emotional response and you send out that information to thousands of friends, step back and think about it rationally. Do some due diligence and verify the information before passing it along. There is a website that serves to help debunk some of the commonly held Internet scams called www.snopes.com. It is having a hard time keeping up with all of these fake websites out there. Sometimes it may require you visiting the website and seeing how legit it appears if you just cannot ignore it. All of the fake news websites I have visited say somewhere on the website that this is a parody or fantasy website. I really hate to say this, but if it sounds too good or too bad to be true, it usually is still the case — even on the Internet.

“

I really hate to say this, but if it sounds too good or too bad to be true, it usually is still the case — even on the Internet.

”

Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/) are two that I use on a regular basis for news. While I admit, social media is a great place to get news out quickly, it is very difficult to trust and depend on its authenticity. I am not suggesting you adopt the old adage of DTA (don’t trust anyone); instead, take a few more minutes to think about it before you click, retweet or share that post.

Mr. Darnell can be reached at ldarnell@ floridadental.org or 850.350.7102.

I also recommend you develop a common list of websites that you regularly check for news. This will help you achieve a balance. The Associated Press (http://www.ap.org/) and

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benefit

NUMBER

11

YOUR FLORIDA DENTAL CONVENTION STAFF IS “HELPING MEMBERS SUCCEED” EVERYDAY!

PROFESSIONAL STAFF I HELP MEMBERS SUCCEED by helping FDA leadership succeed!

I strive to offer efficient assistance and accurate information in a positive and professional manner.

1.

— Alexandra Lewis Leadership Concierge Have a question about leadership?

800.877.9922 • 850.350.7114 • alewis@floridadental.org www.floridadental.org

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

2.

The Florida Dental Association is a major leader in the health care advocacy arena. The FDA Governmental Affairs Office tracks and analyzes legislation affecting dentistry and health care in Florida.

FDA SERVICES INC. WE KNOW INSURANCE. WE KNOW DENTISTS. FDA SERVICES (FDAS) provides members with all of the insurance they need for their practice. Revenue from insurance sales goes directly toward helping FDA programs and lobbying efforts important to members.

TODAY'S FDA The FDA’s award-winning journal offers news, commentary, scientific studies and practice management articles.

The journal keeps members apprised of association news and the latest advances in the dental profession.

CROWN SAVINGS EXCLUSIVE DEALS AND DISCOUNTS — FDA Services has researched and vetted business solutions so FDA members can take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts. Members who participate will save time, money and hassle, putting the focus back on patient care.

CONTINUING EDUCATION YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION! Look to the FDA for the best buy in continuing education in the Southeast: Florida Dental Convention, free online continuing education, and free webinars on practice and risk management.

HELPING MEMBERS SUCCEED QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS? Find more information at www.floridadental.org.

Contact us at membership@floridadental.org or 800.877.9922.

Members‘ Opinion

Letter to the Editor The Florida Dental Association (FDA) welcomes letters from readers on articles that have recently appeared in Today’s FDA (TFDA) and matters of general concern to Florida dentists. The FDA reserves the right to edit all communications and requires that all letters be signed. Letters must be no more than 550 words and may cite no more than five references. Brevity is appreciated. No illustrations will be accepted. You may submit your letter via email to fda@floridadental.org, by fax to 850.561.0504 or by mail to Florida Dental Association, Attn: TFDA Editor, 1111. E Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32308-

or loved ones to try and help the individual get help for his/her illness. Again, this is a disease, and we would not expect someone close to us not to seek help for cancer or heart disease. So why should they not receive help for their addiction?

6914. By sending a “Letter to the Editor,” the author acknowledges and agrees that the letter and all rights of the author in the letter become the property of the FDA. Letter writers are asked to disclose any personal or professional affiliations or conflicts of interest that readers may wish to take into consideration in assessing their stated opinions. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of the editor, staff, officials, Board of Trustees or members of the FDA.

Letter to the Editor Problems with Drugs or Alcohol?

By Dr. Barton R. Blumberg

According to recent statistics from the American Dental Association, 19 percent of all dentists will have problems with drugs or alcohol sometime in their careers. The fallout from this cannot only affect their health and well-being, but also that of their patients, their staff and their families.

Ultimately, they can be in jeopardy of losing their licenses, their health or even their own lives.

Alcoholism and addiction are diseases, just as diabetes and heart disease are. There is good scientific evidence that there is a genetic predisposition for it, and all addictions basically affect the brain in the same

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way in that they stimulate the production of dopamine, which in turns stimulates the pleasure or euphoria centers. This repeated exposure essentially hijacks the brain in the individual with addiction potential and prevents them from making rational choices regarding their ability to avoid using their drug of choice. Part of the disease process is the individual’s strong denial to admit that they have a problem. Sometimes, the first ones to notice that they have a problem are staff or family members. Some warning signs they might see are the doctor showing up late or missing unscheduled days off completely. They also may show physical signs, such as unusual irritability with patients or staff, or slurring of their speech.

However, they are reluctant to confront the individual for fear of repercussions for their actions. This is where a well-being committee becomes a non-threatening way for staff

As someone in recovery, I can tell you that my life is so much better in every way. I have great relationships and joy with my family, patients and staff in ways I could have never dreamed possible — even more so than before I had problems with my addiction. My personal growth, health and peace of mind on a daily basis is incredible and something that I wish everyone could enjoy.

There is no need to suffer the consequences to your health, your patients, family or your license. Help is available now! Complete confidential assistance for dentists, their loved ones and staff is available. Anyone needing information and help can anonymously contact me on my private cell number at 352.446.7910.

Dr. Blumberg is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in The Villages.

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*Please note that FDA members have their names listed in bold.

Thank You to FLA-MOM Volunteers!

On behalf of the Florida Dental Association Foundation and the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) Committee, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your support of the FLA-MOM event that was held in Jacksonville in April. Your drive, energy, time, commitment and professionalism allowed our event to be the most successful MOM held to date in the United States!

The difference that we made in so many lives was abundantly clear to all of us — whether helping patients while waiting in line or providing clinical services. This experience reminded each volunteer how the lives we lead are so blessed and fortunate. The gratitude we received from those who spent hours waiting in the hot sun in order to become pain-free was a humbling experience for us all.

In addition to changing the lives and the smiles of so many deserving patients, almost all of the patients elected to be included in our Impact Study. The sample will provide statistically significant results to do so much more in the near future — not only to help support these events, but possibly to integrate community changes as well.

We are humbled by the accomplishments of such a large group of volunteers who worked together so well, efficiently and with purpose — all with the desire to help our fellow Floridians. Once again, THANK YOU!

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ADA Asks CMS to Exempt Dentistry from Unnecessary Enrollment/Opt-Out Rule The American Dental Association (ADA) has asked that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) exempt dentists from the proposed rule that would require health care providers who order, certify, refer or prescribe any Part A or Part B service to be enrolled in Medicare or opt out.

While the ADA supports efforts to reduce fraud and abuse in federal health programs, it believes that because Medicare pays for very few dental items and services, the Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs; Program Integrity Enhancements to the Provider Enrollment Process rule “will impose an unreasonable burden with negligible corresponding benefit to CMS, and asks CMS to exempt dentists from the scope of the proposed rule.”

ADA President Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays and Executive Director Dr. Kathleen T. O’Loughlin submitted the ADA’s comments to CMS on April 25, and can be found at http://bit.ly/1UwEBMt.

New Dental Graduates Get the Gift of Professional Liability Insurance All new dental graduates who become FDA members and practice in Florida will have their first year of professional liability insurance from The Doctors Company completely paid for by their FDA colleagues!

The Doctors Company is the nation’s largest doctor-owned medical malpractice carrier with a mission to protect, reward and

defend the practice of good medicine. With their valuable dividend programs and unrivaled tribute plan, dental school graduates who join the FDA community will begin their careers feeling secure and supported.

To learn more about this valuable program, go to http://www.fdaservices.com/ insurance-programs/professional-liability/.

Have a question? Contact FDA Services at 800.877.7597 or insurance@fdaservices. com.

Join FDA Services and The Doctors Company for Happy Hour at FDC2016 All dentists and spouses attending the 2016 Florida Dental Convention are invited to join FDA Services and The Doctors Company for happy hour at Wreckers Sports Bar on Thursday, June 16 from 5-6 p.m.

The drinks are on us, so sit back, relax and enjoy the company!

Attend the Awards Luncheon at FDC2016 The 2016 Florida Dental Association (FDA) Awards Luncheon will be held during the Florida Dental Convention (FDC) on Saturday, June 18 from 12-1:30 p.m. Plan to attend this special celebration honoring FDA President Dr. Ralph Attanasi as well as the 2016 award recipients, including the FDA Dentist of the Year and the J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Service Award! Please go to page 46 to see the award winners. Tickets are $35 per person or you can purchase a table of 10 for $300. To attend, add the Awards Luncheon to your FDC2016 registration.

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Welcome New FDA Members

Northwest District Dental Association

These dentists recently joined the FDA. Their membership allows them to develop a strong network of fellow professionals who understand the day-to-day triumphs and tribulations of practicing dentistry.

Charles Faulkner, Pensacola McKinzie Jeffrey, Niceville Kelly LeBeau, Navarre

Atlantic Coast District Dental Association

Yitsy Conde, Miami Lakes Juan Gonzalez, Miami Nestor Guzman, Aventura Bettina Krennerich-Hobeich, Pompano Beach Jonathan Mandel, Bal Harbour Ana Ospina, Davie Osmil Reyes Canals, Miami Dena Riechmann, Miami

Wisdom Akpaka, Fort Lauderdale Adriana Backer, Fishers Gregory Boyajian, Boca Raton Luis Boza, Palm Beach Gardens Domenick Cerullo, Boca Raton Fabrianne Figueroa, Pembroke Pines Peter Fuerst, Delray Beach Olga Galindo, West Palm Beach Michael McCown, Vero Beach Yanelis Perez, Miami Drew Popper, Boca Raton Sean Tomalty, Boynton Beach Marcie Young, Delray Beach

Central Florida District Dental Association Nadya Aldochine, Orlando Stanley Asensio, Kissimmee James Davis, New Smyrna Beach Christopher Escott, Orlando Mariam Habib, Lake Mary Iris Hernandez, Orlando Deeba Kashtwari, Gainesville Marilyn Palacios, Ocala

Northeast District Dental Association

South Florida District Dental Association

West Coast District Dental Association Maan AlShoib, Sarasota Ahmed Alzubaidi, Lakeland Michael Andersen, Fort Myers William Chais, North Fort Myers Joseph Coccaro, Palm Harbor Javier De La Cruz, Fort Myers Thanhphuong Dinh, Lakewood Ranch Andrea Gordillo, Tampa Maryam Habibi, Lutz Priyanka Joshi, Wesley Chapel Pedro Lense, Tampa Benjamin Pass, Brandon Jose Roque, Sarasota Preddis Sullivan, Riverview Susan Yasrebi, Tampa

In Memoriam The FDA honors the memory and passing of the following members: David A. Zabrocki Safety Harbor Died: 3/10/16 Age: 69 Jack H. Brenner Miami 3/10/16 Age: 79 Steven B. Margolin Boynton Beach 3/23/16 Age: 67 Otis G. Beck Tallahassee 4/1/16 Age: 91 Robert E. Watkins Fort Myers 4/1/16 Age: 76 Carlos Mercado Miami Beach 4/4/16 Age: N/A Bruce C. Benedictson Daytona Beach 4/23/16 Age: 64

Christian Berdy, Gainesville Ben Carter, St. Johns Vinice Hutchins, St. Johns Azadeh Yavari, Jacksonville www.floridadental.org

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benefit

Membership NUMBER Concierge

15

Thanks, Christine. You are a very welcoming member of the FDA and made me feel happy to become associated with it. If there is anything I can do to help the FDA, please do not hesitate to ask.

— Dr. Bob Finkelstein Hi Christine, Thank you so much!

CHRISTINE I told the Dr., “I LOVE THE FDA!!”

MORTHAM — Bibiana Escobar Billing Coordinator, Santos Dental Care

WE

OUR MEMBERS!

Your suggestions and comments are welcome.

800.877.9922 or 850.350.7136 cmortham@floridadental.org

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IS YOUR PRACTICE SECURE WHEN SEVERE WEATHER LOOMS?

Make sure your practice’s Business Owners Policy includes the right coverage for hurricane season.

CALL US AT 800.877.7597 FOR A FULL REVIEW OF YOUR BUSINESS OWNERS POLICY.

What to look for...

• Business Income Coverage • Off-premises Power • Updated Building Value

PHONE: 800.877.7597 EMAIL: insurance@fdaservices.com

legislative highlights AN OVERVIEW OF THE 2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION The Florida Dental Association (FDA) would like to highlight a few legislative issues addressed during the 2016 Legislative Session, which concluded on Friday, March 11. For a comprehensive report detailing the results of legislation considered during session, please refer to the SINE DIE 2016 issue of Capital Report, Vol. 23, No. 9. For additional information on legislative initiatives considered during session, please contact the Governmental Affairs Office at 850.224.1089 or gao@floridadental.org.

yo u r p ra c t ice State Financial Assistance for Dental Graduates The FDA successfully advanced legislation sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Destin) and Rep. Travis Cummings (R-Orange Park) that would create dental care access accounts. Funds in these accounts could be used by dentists to repay their student loans if they agree to participate as a Medicaid provider and work in an underserved area for at least two years. Eligible dentists who are able to participate in this program would have to secure local support that could be matched up to three times by the state at a maximum of $100,000 per year for no more than five years. (Vetoed by the governor.)

Regulation of a Dental Office The FDA was able to remove language that would have made it permissible for a dental office to be considered as and regulated under the same laws as an ambulatory surgical center, mobile surgical facility and an abortion clinic. Current law specifically states that an office maintained for the practice of dentistry shall not be construed to be an ambulatory surgical center.

yo u r p rofe s s ion Study on Pediatric Dental Services in Medicaid The FDA advocated for a bill that requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to provide a comprehensive report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2016 on dental services provided under the Medicaid Managed Medical Assistance program. It also requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to implement an independent, statewide Medicaid dental program for children and adults unless the Legislature acts differently during the 2017 Legislative Session.

Clarified Medicaid Reimbursement to Health Access Settings The FDA worked collaboratively with the Florida Dental Hygiene Association (FDHA) to pass legislation that clarifies that health access settings are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement when hygienists administer fluorides and sealants without the supervision of a dentist. This legislation codifies a joint legislative effort between the FDA and the FDHA during the 2011 Legislative Session.

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Maintained Educational Standards The FDA stifled any legislative efforts to bypass the Florida licensure process for graduates of non-accredited dental schools. The FDA supports maintaining quality educational standards for dentistry, and for all Floridians to have access to safe and effective dental care.

Stopped Increase of CE Requirements The FDA stopped legislation that would have increased the continued education requirement for domestic violence and child abuse from two hours to three hours and required it every biennium instead of every third biennium.

Maintained Licensure Standards for Military Spouses Who Are Dentists The FDA successfully maintained current law that requires dentists who are spouses of active military members to apply for a temporary license, and if granted, practice under the indirect supervision of a Florida-licensed dentist.

yo u r p at ie nt s Community Water Fluoridation The FDA championed efforts to get $200,000 in the state budget for community water fluoridation. The funds will be housed in the Department of Health to provide financial assistance to local city and county governments for a variety of issues including start-up efforts, maintenance and upgrades to water fluoridation equipment.

Two Coordinators for Donated Dental Services Funding was approved in the state’s budget for $170,000 to support the hiring of two full-time coordinators for the Donated Dental Services program administered through Dental Lifeline Network. As a result of the advocacy efforts of the volunteer FDA members who participate in the program, the Legislature took the appropriate steps to support a program that has a significant impact on individuals in the community who would otherwise seek care in the emergency room. (Vetoed by the governor.)

Supported Healthy Food Options The FDA supported legislation that would allow certain independent grocery stores and supermarkets to apply for a loan to stock their shelves with fruits, vegetables and other healthy food options. This legislation could help many Floridians who do not have fresh produce readily available to them to improve their dietary habits; thus, leading to an improvement in their oral and overall health.

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Legislative Awards

2016 FDA

Each year, the FDA recognizes members in the Legislature who have been instrumental in advocating for the FDA’s legislative priorities throughout the legislative process. This year, two legislators in particular showed their commitment by filing the dental care access account legislation for a second year.

— Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Travis Cummings are the FDA’s 2016 Legislators of the Year!

During his last year in office, Sen. Gaetz took on a lot of challenging issues that could have taken his focus away from the

Legislative Awards

legislation he filed on behalf of the FDA, but it didn’t. He was able to successfully navigate through the legislative process and move the FDA’s legislation forward. The message was the same as last year and resonated with the Senate the same as before. There was no opposition to the dental care access account legislation and it unanimously passed off the Senate floor.

Sen. Gaetz will not be returning to the Senate since he now is termed out. At this time, we are unaware of what Sen. Gaetz’s plans are after November, but we appreciate his unwavering support throughout his years in the Senate.

Rep. Cummings

Last year, the House bill on the dental care access accounts only made it through one committee. This year, CS/CS/HB 139 made it through all of its committees and unanimously passed the House and Senate. Not only was Rep. Cummings successful in getting the bill passed in the House, he also helped secure $1.2 million to ensure state funds are available to match local support. Rep. Cummings also garnered more than 40 House members who co-sponsored CS/CS/HB 139. The FDA truly appreciates Rep. Cummings’ tireless support for organized dentistry and its goal of improving access to dental care for all Floridians.

Sen. Gaetz

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Legislative Awards

We also would like to congratulate the FDA’s 2016 Champion for Dentistry, Rep. Jose Diaz.

He has committed to making Rep. Diaz sure children in Florida have access to dental care through the best possible means. He has filed legislation to keep dental separate in the Medicaid program for four years in a row! This year, he was successful in getting HB 819 through the Legislature and signed into law by the governor. Despite the opposition from the health plans, Rep. Diaz remained steadfast in his belief that funding allocated for dental care for children would be best used if not comingled with medical funds in the Medicaid program. He truly is a champion for dentistry and we are glad to honor him for his hard work.

The following are legislators who have served over the years as dedicated dental advocates and have gone above and beyond.

Here are the recipients for the FDA’s 2016 Dr. Lewis Earle Legislative Service Award: Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Fort Myers) Rep. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) Rep. Richard Corcoran (R-Lutz) Rep. Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar) Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah) Rep. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) Sen. David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs)

www.floridadental.org

Sen. Benacquisto

Rep. Berman

Rep. Cocoran

Rep. Cruz

Rep. Gaetz

Rep. Garcia

Rep. Harrell

Sen. Simmons

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HURRICANE SEASON

5 Tips to Help your Practice Prevail in a Hurricane

1

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

2

STORM TIME = DOWN TIME

Accept extreme weather as the new reality and have disaster preparation and business continuity plans ready before the weatherman’s forecast.

How long can your practice last with doors closed? Keep an emergency fund to help your practice survive a couple days of business closures.

5

3 4

PROTECT YOUR DATA Back up your data regularly and keep important documents in a weather-proof safe. Also keep copies of important records at a secure offsite location.

MAKE A BACKUP PLAN

Your business continuity plan should include details such as practice location alternatives, out-of-region backup suppliers and employee emergency contacts.

MAKE SURE YOU’RE COVERED Communicate with your insurance agent annually to reveiw your coverage details. Ask about additional coverages that may be right for your practice. Being prepared can make the difference.

Call us at 800.877.7597 to speak to a licensed agent about your practice’s hurricane protection coverage.

TODAY’S FDA CLASSIFIED ADS

benefit

EW !

45

ADVERTISE OR SEARCH! Check out the new FDA classified website!

N

NUMBER

New address: www.floridadental.co/classifieds Postions, equipment, office space available or sought — find it here!

The Florida Dental Association has moved to a more user-friendly classified website!

It’s simple and straightforward, and requires fewer keystrokes to place your ad!

The new website has exciting new features to enhance your ad: � You can upload up to four complimentary images. � You have more control of the layout of your ad: bold, italics, underline, bulleted/numbered lists. � Featured ads! $20 for seven days � Run your ad for 60 days, just $78 � In addition, we publish the basic text of your ad in Today’s FDA — at no additional cost!

Questions about the new classified ad site?

Contact Jessica Lauria at 850.350.7115 or jlauria@floridadental.org

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YOU are NUMBER

1

YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE “HELPING MEMBERS SUCCEED” EVERY DAY!

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS HELP YOU SUCCEED My involvement with organized dentistry began with my associateship with Dr. Sheldon Coe in 1990. Through his presidency in our local dental society, and therefore, my exposure to the issues at the time, I soon recognized the health of our profession can change with the stroke of a legislative pen.

Maintaining the integrity of the profession through changing times has always been a strong motivator for me. Serving on the Council for Dental Benefits and Care has allowed me to work with colleagues from around the state and those who are in leadership positions. While we have had accomplishments and sometimes setbacks, I feel what’s most important is we are in the good fight for our patient’s welfare.

Craig Kara, DMD

— Craig Kara, DMD Member, FDA Council for Dental Benefits and Care (craig@karadmd.com)

Interested in opportunities to get involved? Simply email the FDA’s Membership Concierge and she’ll put you in touch with your local dental society. Contact Christine Mortham at cmortham@floridadental.org.

“New and existing patient phone calls have significantly increased since moving to a mobile responsive site. Thank you, Officite!”

HOLLY WEST, TOWNESQUARE DENTAL

DENTISTS TRUST OFFICITE. Trusted by over 7,000 practices. Chosen by 45 healthcare associations. Proven through 14 years of experience. Despite all this, dentists don’t choose us because of our résumé. Dentists choose us because we bring new patients through their doors.

Call 877.235.1525 to make your practice’s online marketing the best it can be.

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May/June 2016

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Process Failures

Case Study: Process Failures Lead to Patient Harm

By Susan L. Marr, MSA, CPHRM,

When choosing an alternative treatment plan that deviates from the prevailing standard of care, a dentist always should thoroughly document the clinical justification in the dental record.

The patient, a 46-year-old male, contacted his dentist after experiencing severe tooth pain. The dentist’s notes described a “small area of what appears to be infection around tooth No. 18.” No X-rays were obtained.

For unknown reasons not documented in the records, the dentist elected to extract teeth Nos. 19 and 18 in the area of the pain.

He did not have the patient sign a consent form, and he did not prescribe an analgesic or antibiotic. The patient was not given a follow-up appointment and did not receive follow-up instructions from the dentist.

The patient’s pain continued to worsen.

Having lost confidence in the original treating dentist, he elected to see another dentist. X-rays by the subsequent treating dentist revealed that the infection had spread significantly, and teeth Nos. 17 and 20 were now involved. This dentist recommended extracting teeth Nos. 17 and 20, and removing a small portion of gum.

With the patient’s informed consent, he performed the procedures and provided antibiotic therapy and pain control. In the opinion of the second dentist, the successful treatment was initiated “just in time, before the consequences could have been much more serious.”

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The patient pursued a claim against his original dentist. Expert reviewers noted that appropriate care by the original dentist would have included obtaining dental radiographs and placing the patient on antibiotics and pain medication as needed.

Risk Management Discussion Failure to diagnose is a common issue in dental claims. In this case, the original dentist failed to treat the obvious infection and further complicated matters by undertaking a procedure that subsequent experts found to be contraindicated. Reviewers also were critical of the original dentist’s documentation, noting that justification for deviating from the standard of care should be thoroughly documented.

The following strategies can help dentists avoid issues found in this case study: s Adhere to the prevailing standard of care. If an alternative plan of care is chosen, document clinical justification for making that choice. s Obtain informed consent from the patient. Provide descriptions of the procedure, alternative treatments, risks and benefits, expected outcome and the rationale for the proposed treatment using terminology the patient can understand. s Confirm the patient understands by asking him or her to summarize the details of your discussion. Solicit the patient’s expectations of the outcome.

s Address any misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations. Document the discussion in the dental record and note the patient voiced understanding. s Schedule a follow-up appointment at an appropriate time interval to assure the patient is healing appropriately. s Instruct the patient to call the office if the symptoms do not improve or worsen. s Consider having an office staff member make a follow-up phone call the day after the procedure to check on the patient’s condition.

Reprinted with permission. ©2016 The Doctors Company (www.thedoctors.com) Contact the Southeast Region Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management at 800.

742.2368, ext. 3016 or 3035 to speak with a Patient Safety Risk Manager for guidance and assistance to address any patient safety or risk management concerns.

Ms. Marr is the Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management at The Doctors Company.

The guidelines suggested here are not rules, do not constitute legal advice and do not ensure a successful outcome. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each health care provider in light of all circumstances prevailing in the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.

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Taking Ownership for Your Leadership Three Steps to Creating a Culture of Learning in Your Practice

By Imtiaz Manji

“

Dentistry has changed a lot over the last 30 or 40 years. For dentists a generation ago, their professional life mostly was a steady stream of drill-and-fills, extractions and dentures — most of which was covered by patients’ insurance plans. Get them in, move them out. Repeat.

What you want to create is an environment where it is understood that the goal is to constantly change and improve — an environment in which learning and evolution are the natural condition, where new ideas are always welcome.

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Today, of course, is different. Today, dentistry probably is the only health profession that can consistently offer patients restorations that are even better than what nature originally bestowed upon them. The array of options for smile enhancements and overall oral health has never been greater. The technology you use today — CAD/CAM, lasers, intra-oral cameras, digital X-rays — would have seemed like science fiction to the dentist of 40 years ago.

And yet, as the pace of change in discretionary dentistry (and dental technology) continues to rapidly grow, insurance support actually is becoming more restrictive, and this has led to a new paradigm in the whole practice-patient dynamic. Call it the age of the patient as consumer.

Waiting rooms now are reception areas. In many practices, the receptionist is now a “concierge.” Most of all, successful dentists now are realizing that in this competition for discretionary dollars, they also are value-creators. The patient is still a patient when they are in the operatory with their mouth wide open. All other times, they are clients — and the rules of commerce in today’s consumer world apply.

In a world like this, comprised of limited discretionary dollars and boundless discretionary dentistry, the winners are the practices that are nimble enough to help patients get the best possible care at whatever level they end up choosing. That means you and your team need to continually evolve and grow to support your patients in the best way.

And that means overcoming stagnation. Because if you don’t make progress a part of your practice culture, you will slip into some comfortable grooves.

orlando,florida i www.floridadentalconvention.com

And, so will your team. In fact, the greatest obstacle most dentists face when trying to break free of the stagnation trap is resistance from team members, which can be immensely frustrating. Maybe that’s why many dentists try to “legislate” their way past the problem.

They decide that “things are going to be different from now on” and they make a show of laying down the law and instituting new rules for change in the practice. The problem with this approach is you end up with a team that is good at adhering to the letter of the law, but not the spirit of it. They will follow the rules, but you still have to micromanage to ensure compliance.

Instead, what you want to create is an environment where it is understood that the goal is to constantly change and improve — an environment in which learning and evolution are the natural condition, where new ideas are always welcome. Ideally, you want to be able to say, “If we are doing things the same way we were a year ago, we didn’t learn enough this year.”

You want to create a culture of learning.

So how do you create that culture?

1. Be willing to invest the time. I know there are many dentists who, if given the option to write a check that would allow them to create the ideally aligned and enthusiastic team, would not hesitate to pull out a pen. But, of course, it doesn’t work that way. You have to be willing to invest not just money, but time — time for focused team meetings on specific topics, time for team members to study and grow individually, and time for team educational retreats that have the potential to be bonding experiences that redefine their collective mindset in a profound way. And the fact is, it has never been easier to get going on a team education plan — so much is online right now and available for you to access in your office any time. You just have to decide to do it. If you are serious about creating the right culture, you can’t get away with just giving a pep talk; you simply must put in the time.

2. Become an educational advisor. It’s not enough to say, “I want you to spend an hour a week taking online courses.” Be a leader for the process by prioritizing needs and creating a curriculum for each team member based on their specific role. Don’t just give access to information; provide structure that gives guidance. You should be directing them to things that are important — important to the practice right now and to their personal development. Just as you will look at a patient and ask yourself, What is the next step for this individual? you should create a “treatment plan” for each team member’s educational journey, as well as a plan for the next step for your team as a group. See to it that they develop their skills in their particular role, and at the same time, that they are all aligned with the practice’s philosophy on clinical and patient value. Most of all, demonstrate that you are a part of the process by learning with them.

The official meeting of the florida dental association

3. Put it in context. Once the team has been exposed to new ideas, your job is not over. Far from it. This is where you need to be asking more questions such as, “What did you learn from this experience? How does that apply to our practice?” In some cases, you may find that your practice is not ready for a particular innovation. In many cases, you are likely to find new ideas that you should have embraced years ago — in which case, the question becomes how to implement those changes most efficiently. You also can present case studies of your more interesting patient outcomes to your team — cases that illustrate the why and the how of the dentistry you do. Why an implant versus a bridge? Why a particular material or technique? The more they understand, the more they will be able to internalize and communicate that value to patients.

You’ll notice there is a specific brand of leadership required for each of these three points: the leadership to provide the space to grow; leadership to give direction on how and where to grow; and, leadership to apply new knowledge in a way that optimizes that growth.

The great thing is that any dental leader who wants to get past a stagnation point can do this. You don’t have to make a big announcement about it. You don’t have to alert the team about big changes that are coming, which, as we know, may cause

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Take advantage of convention-only offers in the special section of the FDC Official Program.

PICK UP YOUR OFFICIAL PROGRAM ON SITE!

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some of them to reflexively “dig in” and resist. You just have to take these three steps to heart and take ownership of your leadership. Embrace these three objectives consistently and with real passion, and you will see the culture of your practice change.

Mr. Manji is the chair of the SPEAR Education and Scottsdale Center for Dentistry. He can be reached at imanji@speareducation. com.

What you focus on works.

To adopt this strategy is to do a potentially life-changing favor, not only for yourself, but for everyone on your payroll, because doing a job well year after year is rewarding in its own way. And, being able to do a job better year upon year is a truly exhilarating, life-affirming experience.

benefit

NUMBER

He will be speaking at FDC2016 on Friday, June 17. He will be presenting “Driving Team Performance” at 9 a.m. and “Engaging Today’s Dental Patient/Consumer” at 2 p.m.

Helping Members Succeed Other HIPAA products cost more than $400 and don’t comply with Florida law!

Florida and HIPAA Compliant Forms for 2013 Omnibus Rule As an FDA member, you now have access to forms that comply with both federal HIPAA and Florida confidentiality law. All of the documents are available on the FDA website and are free of charge to members only. They are uploaded as Microsoft Word documents, so that you may add your practice information to them.

LINK TO THE FORMS: www.floridadental.org/members/member-resource FOR MORE INFORMATION 800.877.9922 • fda@floridadental.org • www.floridadental.org

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speaker preview

Five Tips to Building a Successful Sleep Practice

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By Dr. Stephen Poss

Every dentist has a different idea of what success in sleep medicine looks like, especially when most dentists already offer so many other services.

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Dental sleep medicine is just beginning its exponential growth that will continue for many years to come. For me, the addition of dental sleep medicine to my practice completes the “triad” of general dentistry, which also includes restorative work and TMJ. I have been practicing dentistry for more than 30 years, and the first half of my career focused primarily on restorative work, especially veneers. When I started to have more patients present with worn teeth, broken veneers and sore joints, I learned more about TMJ treatment. About 10 years ago, it became clear that in some cases, there was a correlation between the bruxism, TMJ and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In 2006, I made an oral appliance for a patient who was intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) that changed his life and my perspective on treating OSA. Every dentist has a different idea of what success in sleep medicine looks like, especially when most dentists already offer so many other services. If you would like to make dental sleep medicine a larger part of your practice, here are five tips and suggestions that will enhance your success.

1. Enlist total team commitment. The dentist and his/her team must all be on board, as there will be many new processes that must be explored and adopted as you begin down the road of sleep medicine. Even if you have all the steps outlined for you, without total commitment, it will be easy to lose focus. This may seem like a simple concept, but it applies to everything we do in life. I have been trying to lose 10 pounds for more than a year. I know what I need to do to make this happen, but obviously, I don’t have the determination and will to make it happen. Dental sleep medicine takes a team effort from the office administrator, hygienist, dental assistant and obviously, the dentist. This requires a vision and specific goals on how to make this happen for your office.

orlando,florida i www.floridadentalconvention.com

2. Change the intake/health questionnaires in your office to include questions about snoring, tiredness, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and a previous diagnosis of OSA and/or use of a CPAP. You will be surprised at the potential number of sleep candidates that you have in your existing practice with no additional marketing.

3. Communicate, communicate and communicate! Your ability to provide referring physicians with a documented and ongoing treatment plan about their patients is critical for long-term success, i.e., more referrals. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, physicians are measured and reimbursed on the positive outcome and experience of their patients. Everything we can do as dentists to support them in this process will serve to strengthen the referral relationship. For best results, you will need to provide written updates not only when treatment has started, but as the patient progresses with their oral appliance. It would be ideal to include the patient’s primary care physician, as well as any referring dentist, in these communications. The task can be made easier with various software programs like TMnDX and Dental Writer.

4. Continuing education is critical. The dynamics of dental sleep medicine are changing so quickly. It is imperative that both the doctor and team are continually updating their knowledge and skills. Belonging to organizations like the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines is an excellent way to stay up to date. Becoming a diplomat will enhance your knowledge and commitment to the profession.

5. Network with the medical community. This probably will take you out of your comfort zone, but it is essential to growing this segment of your practice. This could include offering “lunch and learn” trainings with not only the sleep physicians, but also with the respiratory therapists, ENTs and primary care physicians in your area. In my office, we actually do more “breakfast and learn” sessions because most offices are just too busy once their day gets going. I did learn that it is best to provide a simple handout for these presentations as

The official meeting of the florida dental association

most office break rooms are quite small and will not accommodate a digital presentation. In addition, be sure to address these topics in your handout: how to handle the logistics of a referral, the estimated cost and insurance coverage for treatment, and protocols to verify the effectiveness of the oral appliance. To accomplish this, the sleep physician wants the patient to be referred back to their office for a PSG/HST with the appliance.

Dental sleep medicine is an exciting and rewarding aspect of dentistry that will continue to grow and can be good addition to your dental practice. If the fundamental groundwork is laid, dental sleep medicine can become a major component of your practice.

Dr. Poss has a practice in Brentwood, Tenn., and can be reached at beautifulsmiles@earthlink.net. He will be speaking at FDC2016 on Friday, June 17. His will present his course, “Advanced Anterior Aesthetic Restorations,” at 9 a.m., with a repeat of this course at 2 p.m.

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Exhibit Marketplace EXHIBITORS AS OF 4/22/16

#3D Diagnostix Inc. 3M Oral Care

AA-dec A. Titan Instruments ACCEN Dental Accutron Inc. ACTEON North America

EXHIBIT HALL HOURS THURSDAY, JUNE 16 FRIDAY, JUNE 17 SATURDAY, JUNE 18

9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 6 PM 9 AM - 2 PM

DEDICATED EXHIBIT HALL HOURS: How many times have you felt torn between going to the Exhibit Hall and attending our invaluable CE sessions? To ease that dilemma, we’ve added dedicated Exhibit Hall hours each day from 12-2 PM. During this time no educational sessions will take place.

Start making a list now of what you need in your office. Please support the exhibitors who support the Florida Dental Association!

CHILDREN UNDER 12: Unless attending an educational session, children under 12 do not need to be registered and do not require a badge. Children are only allowed in the Exhibit Hall if accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. Infant strollers and carriages are not allowed in the Exhibit Hall, unless medically necessary. For the safety and convenience of others, the use of baby carriers is strongly encouraged.

EXHIBITORS IN BLUE ARE FDAS CROWN SAVINGS MERCHANTS.

ADA Members Retirement Program Advantage Technologies Advice Media AFTCO Air Techniques Inc. AMD Lasers American Association of Dental Office Management Anutra Medical Inc. Aseptico Aspen Dental Atlanta Dental Supply Atlantic Dental Sales / Brewer Design

B Bank of America Practice Solutions Bankers Healthcare Group BankUnited N.A. Bayshore Dental Studio Belmont Equipment Berryhill, Hoffman, Getsee & DeMeola LLC Bien-Air Dental Bioclear Matrix Systems BioHorizons BIOLASE Biotec Inc. BirdEye Bisco Dental Products Black Tie Digital Marketing Brasseler USA Bright House Networks Business Solutions

C CareCredit Careington International Carestream Dental Carr Healthcare Realty Centrix Inc. Citi Healthcare Practice Finance Classic Craft Dental Laboratory Clear Optix ClearCorrect Coast Dental

Colgate COLTENE Consumer Fusion Inc. Convergent Dental Inc. Cool Jaw Crest + Oral-B CUTCO Cutlery

D Dansereau Health Products Darby Dental Supply LLC Dear Doctor Inc. Delta Dental Insurance Company

Demandforce DenMat Dental Care Alliance Dental Equipment Liquidators Inc. Dental Health & Wellness Dental Medical Sales Dental PC Dental Sleep Solutions Dental USA Inc. DentalEZ Integrated Solutions DentalVibe DentaQuest DentaSpa Seminars Dentegra Insurance Company DENTSPLY Caulk DENTSPLY Implants DENTSPLY International DENTSPLY Maillefer DENTSPLY Professional DENTSPLY Rinn DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties Denttio Inc. Designs For Vision Inc. DEXIS LLC Digital Doc LLC Doctor’s Choice Companies Inc. Doctor.com Doctors Disability Specialists DoctorsInternet.com Doral Refining Corporation Doxa Dental Inc. DrQuickLook Inc. Dynamic Dental Partners Group

E-F eClinicalWorks Elevate Oral Care Elite Dental Lab Co-op Engle Dental / Solmetex Enovative Technologies EOS Dental Marketing Essential Dental Systems

ExtraDent FDASupplies.com Feel Good Inc. Fidelity Bank First Citizens Bank Florida Combined Life Florida Community Bank Florida Dairy Farmers Florida Dental Association Florida Dental Association Services Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance Florida PDMP Foundation Inc. Flossolution Forest Dental Products Inc. Fortis Law P.A. Fortress Insurance Company Fortune Management Fotona / Lasers4Dentistry

G Garfield Refining Company Garrison Dental Solutions GC America Inc. Gendex GlaxoSmithKline Golden Touch Dental Lab Good On Ya Great Expressions Dental Centers Greater New York Dental Meeting Greenberg Dental & Orthodontics

H Hager Worldwide Halyard Health Hawaiian Moon Heartland Dental Henry Schein Dental Henry Schein Practice Solutions Henry Schein Professional Practice Transitions Heraeus Kulzer Hiossen Implant Hu-Friedy

I I.C. System Inc. ICW International iMedicor Implant Direct Implant Educators Infinite Therapeutics Infinite Trading Inc. Instrumentarium

Insurance Credentialing Specialist Ivoclar Vivadent Inc.

K Karl Schumacher Dental KaVo Kenwood / CGX Radios Kerr Corporation Kettenbach LP Knight Dental Group Komet USA Kuraray America Inc.

L Lares Research Lending Club Patient Solutions LIBERTY Dental Plan Lighthouse 360 LumaDent Inc.

M MacPractice Magnified Video Devices Inc. Main Street Hub Mark Enterprises Inc. MCNA Dental Plans Medidenta Meisinger USA LLC Microcopy Microflex / Ansell Midmark Corporation Millennium Dental Technologies Inc. MIS Implant Technologies Modular & Custom Cabinets LLC Myofunctional Research Co.

N-O Nierman Practice Management NOMAD NSK Dental LLC

Officite On Site Rescue OraPharma Inc. Orascoptic

P Pacific Dental Services Panoramic Corporation Patterson Dental PDT Inc. / Paradise Dental Technologies Pelton & Crane PeriOptix by DenMat Peter J. Freuler Jr., CPA / Evershore Financial Philips Sonicare & Zoom Whitening Planmeca USA Inc.

Porter Instrument Co. Inc. PostcardMania Precision Dx / Global Dental Solutions Prestige Products Direct Professional Sales & Consulting Group Professional Sales Associates Inc. Proma Inc. Propel Orthodontics Prophy Magic ProSites Pulpdent Corporation

R Reimbursity Medical Billing RF America IDS RGP Dental Rock Paper Simple Royal Dental Manufacturing Inc.

S Sage Dental SciCan Inc. SDI (North America) Inc. Shamrock Dental Co. Inc. Shofu Dental Corporation Sirona Dental Inc. Smallwood Prison Dental Services Snap on Optics Social Dental Solutionreach SOREDEX Sterisil Inc. Straumann Sun Dental Labs Sunrise Dental Equipment Inc. Sunset Dental Lab Sunshine Health Sunshine State Credit Superior Dental Design Services & Upholstery SurgiTel | General Scientific Corporation

T-U TD Bank

VOCO America Inc. Wand Dental Inc. (Milestone Scientific) Water Pik Inc. WEAVE Wells Fargo Practice Finance West (formerly TeleVox) White Towel Services

X-Y-Z i XPdent Corp.

Yodle YP Zenith Insurance Company Zimmer Biomet ZOLL Medical

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! GET TWICE THE AMOUNT of business done in half the time. Schedule one-on-one appointments with the exhibitors that you want to see at FDC2016. Once appointments are confirmed, you can print your schedule or access them on the mobile app. Slots will fill up quickly, so request your appointment time before you leave for FDC! As an added bonus, attendees that complete six or more appointments over the three days will be entered to win one of five $200 American Express gift cards.

The Doctors Company TriNet Ultradent Products Inc. Ultralight Optics Inc.

V-W Vatech America VIAX Dental Technologies Video Dental Concepts Vitamix

FDA SERVICES INC. IS A MAJOR SPONSOR OF THE FLORIDA DENTAL CONVENTION.

Dentist of the Year

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Dentist of the Year

Tell us about your family.

I was born and raised in Ithaca, NY. My father, John, was Dean of Students at Ithaca College. My mother, Joanne, was an English teacher, and then a district principal. Both were very involved in education. They emphasized and passed it along to all six kids. We, in turn, have passed it along to our whole generation of children as well. I am the oldest of six in six years. My siblings are all very accomplished; perhaps I am the black sheep of the family.

I have three children, Blake, Jennifer and Rachel. Blake, now a dentist for almost three years, is practicing in Alaska, and enjoying the profession while he does his own version of “seeing the world.” Next up is Montana … or New Zealand. Jennifer, is me in a skirt — and of course she hates that analogy! She is very concrete and sequential, but likewise extremely artistic. She is a manager with AT&T in Atlanta and doing wonderfully. Rachel, is a consultant working with Deloitte in Washington, D.C. She spends most of her time traveling, and loving it. Their mother and I are extremely proud of all of them.

How do you spend your leisure time?

Do you even have leisure time?

I travel a lot and I’m lucky that dental trips often coincide with seeing family and friends. My kids like to join me in the places I go.

Angie Sissine is my colleague and significant other, and she has numerous dental acquaintances as well. Most of our good and intimate friends also happen to be dentists, so traveling for dental meetings ends up being a great opportunity to hang out with people we really enjoy. We like to get away to the beach when we can. In fact, we bounce between beach houses with Bill D’Aiuto regularly. Later this year, with FLA-MOM and some American Dental Association (ADA) events out of the way, I am planning on some relaxing travel to Alaska to see my son, and also to Colorado for his wedding in the fall. I also enjoy a game of golf when I can fit it in. Basketball used to be a big part of how I spent my off-time, but the FDA and ADA have put a cramp in my time on the court.

How did you end up in dentistry, and in Jacksonville?

I went to the University of Rochester and planned on medicine in a combination curriculum but got sick of the cold, and decided to do dentistry/oral surgery. I was watching an NCAA basketball game, and remember discussing UNC. I applied early to UNC on an outside chance, got in, and the rest is history. I did well and then decided to do ortho as a specialty rather than surgery and stayed at UNC to complete my studies.

I met a great friend, Dr. Dan Schellhase in my ortho class. He suggested a wonderful opportunity in the Jacksonville area, and my wife was from Florida, and Jax was far enough away from Orlando to not have in-laws show up for lunch. It has been a great place to practice, and raise a family. I’ve been in Orange Park practicing ever since. I had satellites in Jacksonville for a while with Dan, and later opened another satellite in Fleming Island. I am still practicing out of my original office from almost 32 years ago as well. I want to grow up to be like Dan who retired this year!

How did you get involved in the Florida Dental Association (FDA)?

I have wonderful colleagues in the Orange Park area, and have always been involved in the FDA. My generation saw it as “the thing to do.” I also am very involved in my specialty organizations, the Florida Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists. It was our communication avenue then — meetings were a major part of CE acquisition. We received great savings on needed products and services for the practice and life, and we had great camaraderie, and still do! Dan had been a dentist in the Navy in Jacksonville, and he then decided to go back to specialize after general practice for a number of years locally. His contacts in the area were very important to my beginning involvement in the organized dentistry arena after we returned from Chapel Hill.

There is still no substitute for experience and mentors when getting started in dentistry. School can only do so much in your limited time there. Regardless of practice situations or opportunities, folks need to search out someone they can trust. The FDA, and organized dentistry as a whole, provides so many avenues for help and information.

I had such great mentors! Dan and Ted Haeussner were wonderful friends, and obviously great leaders as well. Ted introduced me into the heart of what I am doing now. I had begged off for so many years — with the kids growing up and all — but always stayed active locally. Ted couldn’t wait to get me into the breach with him, and I have enjoyed it as did he. I miss him to this day.

It all started with Governmental Affairs, and the Governmental Action Committee (GAC). That also put me in touch with the Board of Dentistry (BOD) through the GAC oversight of the BOD issues. By happenstance, chronological gifts, or Ron Watson, I met and have become lasting friends with a number of BOD members and the Board of Trustee (BOT) liaisons over this last decade. These BOD members spend an inordinate amount of time, and so much work Please see BROWN, 42

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Dentist of the Year BROWN from 41

is being done there to implement the states’ statutory requirements.

Moving forward, there are so many issues that constant collaboration of ideas, and likewise vigilance, is needed.

Honestly, the busyness of the practice life had allowed me to come in contact with so many dental professionals that the logical extension was to take it statewide. And now, with the ADA delegation duties, etc., I have been given wonderful opportunities to participate at the highest levels of the FDA, and the ADA with wonderful peers like Bill D’Aiuto, Sam Low, Terry Buckenheimer, Jolene Paramore and others — all putting their heads together to suggest the council work at the ADA. It, in turn, has opened so many more doors, and I am grateful for the networking available with so many dedicated individuals and groups that all work in the best interest of the profession. There is SO much going on behind the scenes. I try to give the best input I can as we move forward.

2.

What have you been up to lately?

Currently, my position as chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice brings so many aspects of the everyday dental environment into play.

We deal with the “dental team” and all the working parts and professional job descriptions that make up that team. We look at overarching workforce models, both of the dental team members and dentists themselves. We deal with practice types and styles, currently with some of the ongoing changes in dental service organizations (DSO) models of all shapes and sizes. We also are dealing with: the regulatory environment; all the practice management issues from “cradle to grave” with our Center for Professional Success (CPS); health and wellness, and addiction and recovery issues; all the technical issues of communication standards and implementation of technology in software and machinery we use, through the standards committee on dental informatics (SCDI) — the whole kitchen sink of dentistry! I love every minute of it, and I have some extremely engaged folks from throughout the U.S. to work with in doing it. It also brings the future of dentistry squarely to the forefront in the process. We all want to help support and continue organized dentistry’s importance and relevance for dentists working in every practice style and setting.

The Northeast District Dental Association (NEDDA) was honored to be chosen as the next venue for the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) event following Tampa’s. Rick Stevenson and I were “voluntold” we were running it, and we welcomed the challenge. It was a wonderful experience with a great team around us — our local and statewide dental and community volunteer network. The FDA Foundation (FDAF) really set the bar high for the just completed and upcoming FLA-MOM events. Pensacola hosts the next FLA-MOM in

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4. www.floridadental.org

Dentist of the Year March 2017. The care rendered to so many deserving individuals was exceptional for the “makeshift” quarters we inhabited. The memories of all the volunteers, professional and community, will be everlasting. The FDAF added a wonderful signature event for Florida with FLA-MOM. As it moves around the state, all practitioners, whether FDA members or not, can coalesce their efforts to help those in need. The need for care knows no bounds. I look forward to participating in all future MOM projects.

Tell us about the impact study conducted during the Jacksonville FLA-MOM. 5.

6.

The potential for even longer lasting “results” may be found in the near future as we get feedback from the Impact Study we ran in conjunction with FLA-MOM. We will have so much information about the population in need that frequented our event.

In finding out more information on those without good dental access-to-care options, what avenues they choose for treatment, if any, we do hope to make some community-specific changes that will benefit all in the area. We have been working with all the hospitals in the area, as well as some nonprofit groups. The impetus to the study stemmed directly from my contacts through the levels of organized dentistry and council work, and likewise drew on Dr. Jolene Paramore’s historical knowledge, and on our group’s ADA connections throughout the years. There is so much information compiled, and experiences elsewhere to draw from that it makes putting things like this together in a relatively short time period possible. The power of the organization and knowledge base is impressive.

How has your involvement in organized dentistry influenced your own practice and commitment?

Well, honestly, with all the travel and meetings it has made some changes in my practice, especially this past year with FLA-MOM as well. But, it has made me even more passionate about my profession at the same time. One of the reasons I’m involved is that my son is now a dentist, and I hope he has the same opportunities to deliver care to deserving patients in whatever manifestation that is as the future unfolds. I have a broader view about what is happening in the profession, where the decisions are made at the highest levels, and we want to make sure that there are not capricious changes being made without some input by health care individuals if at all possible.

7. www.floridadental.org

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THE FDA COUNCIL ON THE NEW DENTIST

PRESENTS

THE PARTY DOESN’T HAVE TO END! Join the “New Dentists” at Wreckers on Friday, June 17 at 10 PM-1 AM. Enjoy drinks, dancing and DJ King playing all your favorite hits.

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY DDPGROUPS.COM

Dentist of the Year BROWN from 43

Likewise, the knowledge I have gained along the way gives me no reason to not be “up to snuff ” in my practice because I had the opportunity to be exposed to a lot more about so many issues and regulations. I have no excuse for not knowing what is going on or implementing it. I enjoy helping colleagues understand their options in difficult situations. I don’t mind being a sounding board for them.

Can you make some predictions for dentistry?

Dentistry is in the same ongoing state of flux it has been throughout history — at least my history. Constant research in materials and techniques, business practices and models (yes, this profession is still a business), 24-hour communication and computers, insurance and health access models, demographic changes in workforce — all contribute to ongoing changes in the profession on a regular basis.

Keeping track of legislation and regulatory issues will continue to be the most important thing organized dentistry can do for their constituency.

The profession of dentistry is very sound, and necessary! Utilization of integrated models of care is where I see things heading now.

Efficiencies in size and scope of practices will be morphing. Support systems for those with access-to-care issues will be ever changing their financial support and structure. There are ongoing potential changes of licensing and portability, let alone scope of practices.

All these issues require important support mechanisms to be able to obtain current and germane information with which to make decisions on all sides. Since individuals do not have the means to create or acquire this information, all the more reason for organized dentistry to take the forefront on these issues. The need is still great to help lead this great profession I love.

Photos: 1. Sunrise at the beach.

2. Dr. Brown and his father, John; and his children, Jennifer, Blake and his fiancé Ali Mitchell, and Rachel.

3. NEDDA Leads volunteer at the Missouri MOM event to prepare for the FLA-MOM. 4. Dr. Brown treats a patient in his Fleming Island office.

5. Dr. Brown and his staff: Debbie, Dawn, Lisa, Luanne and Angie.

6. Top to bottom: Susan and Liz (sisters), Joanne and John (parents), and Tad, Dr. Brown, John and Geoff (brothers) 7. Dr. Terry O‘Toole and Dr. Brown at the ADA Council on Dental Practice meeting.

www.floridadental.org

EDUCATION n University of Rochester, BA, Biology: 1978 n University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry, DDS: 1982 n University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Department of Orthodontics, MS: 1984

PROFESSIONAL n Member: American Dental Association (ADA), Florida Dental Association (FDA), Northeast District Dental Association (NEDDA), Clay County Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontics, Southern Association of Orthodontics, Florida Association of Orthodontics (FAO), 1984-present n ADA Council on Dental Practice: 2012-present; Chair 2015-2016 n National Association of Dental Laboratories liaison: 2013-present n 17th District Delegation to the ADA: 2011-present n FDA Trustee: 2014-present n FDA Governmental Affairs Committee: 2008-present n FDA Council on Dental Health, Trustee liaison: 2013-2015 n Clay County Dental Association, Past President: 1998 n NEDDA, past delegate and past alternate n Clay County Peer Review, chair: 1987-2014 n NEDDA Peer review, chair: 2009-2014 n NEDDA Ethics Committee, chair: 2002 n Florida Association of Orthodontists Legislative PAC, director n American College of Dentists: 2011-present n Pierre Fauchard Academy: 2016 n University of Florida Orthodontic Department, clinical associate faculty: 2006-present n Florida Mission of Mercy – Jacksonville, co-chair: 2016

EXTRACURRICULAR n Clay County Soccer Club, director: 1998-2003; Regional team. head coach: 1999-2003 n St. Johns Country Day School, varsity basketball head coach: 2003-2012

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2016 Awards

2016 Award

Recipients J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Nolan Allen Dr. Nolan W. Allen has been involved in organized dentistry in every way for 25+ years. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for two years, and has committed to working within organized dentistry since he started his practice in Clearwater. He has served in leadership offices at the component, state and national levels. He is a past president of the Florida Dental Association (FDA) and

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has gone on to serve on many American Dental Association (ADA) councils and committees, including the ADA House of Delegates for 25 years. Dr. Allen served as the 17th District’s representative on the ADA Council on Access Prevention and Interprofessional Relations (CAPIR) and was the initial CAPIR liaison to the National Elder Care Advisory Committee, where he served for seven years. Dr. Allen has taken elder care in dentistry to a level of involvement and recognition no one ever expected, by developing an initiative for an elder care program at state and national levels.

He continues to serve on the FDA Foundation’s FLA-MOM Statewide Committee to assist in coordinating future FLA-MOM events. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for about 30 years and has been heavily involved in all their service projects. He has served as the president of the local Kiwanis group, as well as the national president. Dr. Allen enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, golfing, cycling, jogging and hiking in the mountains in North Carolina.

In 2014, Dr. Allen served as co-chair of the inaugural Florida Mission of Mercy (FLAMOM) event held in Tampa, where more than 1,600 patients were treated, rendering more than $1.1 million in pro bono care.

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2016 Awards

FDA Dentist of the Year Award Dr. Andrew Brown Dr. Andrew “Andy” Brown has two full time jobs: one as an orthodontist, the other as a dedicated FDA member. He serves on the FDA’s Governmental Action Committee, represents Florida on the ADA delegation and serves as vice chair on the ADA’s Council on Dental Practice. He attends every Board of Dentistry meeting, volunteers at the Clay County Dental Care clinic and was the 2016 Florida Mission of Mercy co-chair. He has been an outstanding orthodontist for many years and is committed to organized dentistry, the FDA’s mission and the success of all dentists. He exemplifies a commitment to his peers, colleagues and the profession.

He is dedicated to raising the level of the profession in the public’s eyes.

FDA Leadership Award Dr. Yvette Godet Dr. Yvette Godet serves on the FDC Committee on Conventions and Continuing Education, that oversees the Florida Dental Convention, the Alachua County Dental Association Board of Directors, the Santa Fe College Dental Program Board

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of Directors and the University of Florida College of Dentistry’s (UFCD) Ethics Panel.

She is past secretary and treasurer for the Suwannee Valley Dental Study Club, and former board member of Santa Fe College Foundation Board of Directors. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and a member of the National Dental Association. She participates in the UFCD’s Summer of Learning Program as a mentor for pre-dental students, and was named a recipient of the UFCD Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award in 2009. In addition, she also oversees the dental assistant interns at Santa Fe College. Dr. Godet actively volunteers her dental services for the We Care Network, ACORN Clinic, Give Kids A Smile, Interfaith Hospitality Network and has gone on dental missions to China. Dr. Godet was born and raised in the Bahamas.

She and her husband, Eric, have two sons.

FDA Leadership Award Dr. Steven Bryan Dr. Steven Bryan served as a dental officer in the U.S. Navy, and then received specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He has contributed many great years of leadership and been involved in the evolution of FDA Services (FDAS). He is the Northwest District Dental Association’s (NWDDA) delegation chair on the FDA House of Delegates, and a past president of the Leon County Dental Association, the NWDDA and FDAS. He served on the FDAS Board of Directors, the FDA Audit Committee and the Council on

Financial Affairs. Dr. Bryan regularly acts as a command pilot, flying medical missions for Mercy Flight Southeast. In addition to flying, he also enjoys running, cycling and scuba diving.

New Dental Leader Award Dr. Brittney Craig Dr. Brittney K. Craig is dedicated to serving her community and treating patients of all ages with restorative and cosmetic dental services. In all of her activities she shows amazing leadership skills. She is the vice president of the Leon County Dental Association (LCDA), and coordinates all of their continuing education. She attends Dentists’ Day on the Hill each year, and encourages her colleagues to join in the effort.

Dr. Craig is a regular practitioner during the LCDA Dentistry From the Heart event and has routinely volunteered for with Project: Dentists Care during the Florida Dental Convention. She always is accommodating when asked to be a spokesperson for the dental profession. Dr. Craig is passionate about serving her community and is active in dental outreach programs and school education. She also is involved in many aspects of organized dentistry in order to preserve the future of quality dental care.

She and her husband, Scott, value family time with their little girl Emilyn. Both Florida State alumni, they enjoy attending university events and participating in other Please see AWARDS, 48

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community activities such as Relay for Life and Springtime Tallahassee.

President’s Choice Award Dr. Ethan Pansick Dr. Ethan Pansick received his doctor of dental surgery degree from New York University. He continued his dental training with a one-year advanced education in general dentistry residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. During this time, Dr. Pansick realized that the intricacies of complex oral rehabilitation demanded further training. He then completed the University of Michigan’s three-year specialty program in prosthodontics, where he received a certificate as well as a Master of Science degree in prosthodontics. Dr. Pansick is a fellow of the American and International College of Dentists, serves as a delegate to the American Dental Association and is the Speaker of the House for the Florida Dental Association. Dr. Pansick has been in private practice in Delray Beach since 1995.

President’s Award Dr. Ralph Attanasi Dr. Ralph Attanasi brings a wealth of experience and leadership in serving organized dentistry. He is a past president and trustee of the Atlantic Coast District Dental Association and currently serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee of Dental Lab Matters,

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a consultant to the Governmental Action Committee, member of the FDA Political Action Committee and is a member of the 17th District Delegation to the American Dental Association. He also is a fellow of the American and International Colleges of Dentistry, member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Florida Prosthetic Association and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

Dr. Attanasi comes from a health care family. His dad is pediatrician; his mother is a nurse; his sister is a veterinarian who specializes in dental work. Dr. Attanasi received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University, completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at Columbia University and received a Master of Science degree in prosthodontics from the University of Michigan.

He and his partner, Dr. Ethan Pansick, own Addison Prosthodontics in Delray Beach.

Daniel J. Buker Special Recognition Award Ms. Carrie Millar Ms. Carrie Millar began her career at FDA Services (FDAS) as an insurance representative in July 2004, and she quickly became one of

FDAS’ top sales people. It wasn’t long until she was managing and growing FDAS’ non-dental association clients. Ms. Millar always has been highly motivated. She earned her MBA in 2008 and her certified association executive designation in 2014. In 2011, she was promoted to agency manager, in charge of new business and service of existing business, overseeing a staff of 14. Since that time, FDAS has seen an increase in new business, a diverse and active marketing program, and expansion into event marketing and involvement with Florida’s three dental schools. Ms. Millar is involved in various organizations in the community. She is a board member of the Catholic Charities of North Florida and the Tallahassee Moms of Multiples, and is a past board member of the Junior League of Tallahassee. She also volunteers for Dress for Success Tallahassee. In her free time, Ms. Millar enjoys spending time with her husband of 10 years, Matt, and their three children, Parker, Ethan and Mackenzie.

Dental Team Member Award Ms. Cheryl Lopez Ms. Cheryl Lopez is a certified dental assistant who works full time in Mt. Dora for FDA member Dr. Jim Flach.

She also works three to four evenings a week for the Catholic Charities at the St. Luke’s Dental and Medical clinic in Eustis. In addition, she volunteers on the Baptist Dental Bus, and also goes on Dr. Flach’s annual mission

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2016 Awards

trips to Belize with a few of the other staff members. Her knowledge of dentistry is superb. She has a love for dentistry, is a team player and is always ready to lend a helping hand. She is an asset to the dental profession and a pleasure to work with.

She goes the extra mile with every patient, which makes patients feel secure under her care. She’s a delight to be around and has wonderful charisma that is contagious. Ms. Lopez exhibits a strong work ethic, and a kind heart toward everyone she meets.

She is a shining example for this inaugural award. When Cheryl is not working, she enjoys the precious time with her husband, René, and their three children, Nicole, Lauren and Phillip.

FDA Public Service Award More Health Inc. More Health Inc. is a nonprofit organization that trains instructors to deliver interactive, exciting health education lessons to students — at no charge to school districts — through funding from local businesses, foundations, and state and federal grants.

More Health Inc. has provided health and safety education to children, teens and adults for more than 26 years. Based in Tampa and partnering with Tampa General Hospital, the More Health educators now reach approximately 200,000 students each year in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. In 2014,

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More Health celebrated teaching its three millionth student. Dental lessons are taught in kindergarten, first and second grades that are fun and demonstrative. Good dental health habits, how to brush and floss, how to identify good snacks, use fluoride and the importance of seeing the dentist regularly are all taught in an age-appropriate manner.

The benefits of More Health’s efforts are significant.

FDA Public Service Award Pinellas County Dental Association

The Pinellas County Dental Association (PCDA) has led outstanding efforts in all facets of organized dentistry. The PCDA fosters partnerships with local community leaders and nonprofit organizations to increase access to care and maintain water fluoridation. These partnerships connect needy citizens with PCDA volunteer dentists at the local dental assisting college, homeless shelters with dental clinics, local nonprofit dental clinics, several Pinellas County Health Department dental clinics and two federally qualified health centers.

The PCDA also has developed a mentorship program with local dental residency programs at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and the Veterans’ Administration at Bay Pines. PCDA members continuously volunteer their time to work hand in hand with residents to provide educational, clinical and organized dentistry information. The PCDA also is in the preliminary stages of developing a countywide emergency room referral program. This program would give the local emergency medical

service personnel, first responders, emergency room nurses and physicians the information they need to refer patients who arrive at area hospitals with nonemergency concerns to the facilities where dentists can best treat them.

FDA Public Service Award Ms. Delores Barr Weaver Ms. Delores Barr Weaver has provided substantial financial support to allow dentists to provide pro bono dental care to indigent and low-income Floridians. In 2013 and 2014, the Weaver Family Foundation issued two matching grants for the Community Health Outreach Clinic, which provides quality emergency dental services as well as primary care medical services for the uninsured residents of Duval County who meet financial criteria. These grants totaled $400,000. Also in 2014, an additional $75,000 to purchase dental cabinets and supplies for the new dental clinic was donated by the Delores Barr Weaver Fund.

Another program, the Barnabas Center (BC), has been providing quality, vital health care services to uninsured, lowincome adult residents of Nassau County since 2005. Quickly recognizing the connection between diminished physical health and poor oral hygiene, the Delores Barr

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Weaver Fund began offering dental services in 2007, and this program remains Nassau’s only low-cost dental program. In 2013, the Delores Barr Weaver Fund provided a grant for $100,000 to the BC's capital campaign.

Ms. Weaver also established an endowment with a grant of $250,000 as a match

online

to raise $500,000. The Delores Barr Weaver match established the Barnabas Endowment Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. The purpose of the Barnabas Endowment Fund is to support ongoing building maintenance of the BC

F REE

C E C RE D ITS FO R F DA M E M B E RS!

clinic. Recently, Mrs. Weaver challenged Florida dentists to give $50,000 in a matching grant to support the 2016 Florida Mission of Mercy in Jacksonville. This grant was matched by Florida dentists and accounted for 25 percent of the original budget.

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FEATURED COURSES Dr. LeeAnn Brady: Today’s Top Clinical Tips (EL66) Dr. Gary DeWood: Functional Aesthetics (EL67) Dr. Cherylle Hayes: HPV and Oral Cancer (EL57) & Micronutrient Impact on the Oral Cavity (EL59) * These courses expire on 1/30/2017.

Contact Brooke Martin at 850.800.877.9922 or bmartin@floridadental.org.

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Philanthropy

The Myth of Philanthropy

By Dr. Robert Ferris

The Myth Once you’ve gifted money or goods, your gift is gone forever.

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The Truth

My only regret is that I didn’t start making these gifts/investments earlier in life.

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We’ve all heard the phrase, “The gift that keeps on giving.” That is exactly what donors and charities experience when a person or a family makes a gift! Yes, your name and your reputation gain currency in your world, and the results of your generosity light the path for others to follow your lead. The purest form of leadership inspires and encourages your peers to contribute. That’s all well and good, but have you ever thought about how much you can benefit now from your legacy? Have you ever realized the benefits that can come back to you, your family and your legacy?

Let me share my happy story with you. By serving on various foundation boards, I learned about the immediate and long-term benefits to my current taxation and my family’s inheritance. I learned about charitable gift annuities (CGA) and charitable remainder trusts (CRT). These financial instruments further your goals for your favorite charities. They provide immediate and long-term tax deductions as well as immediate and/or long-term income streams (think retirement income). And, structured properly, they provide life insurance benefits free of estate and income taxes for your family.

In other words, a well-designed giving program yields your best charitable impact, with lower taxes on your current income, and a steady stream of income for your retirement years. And, when you reach room temperature, your designated heirs win the lottery that you created with your gifts to charity!

Our federal tax code encourages charitable giving by providing all of these incentives and benefits. I like to joke that Congress is a wholly owned subsidiary of the life insurance industry. The more I have worked with dental charities, the more that this truth has impressed me. I have worked with insurance consultants and two of the six largest life insurance companies. The many benefits have been astounding! My only regret is that I didn’t start making these gifts/investments earlier in life.

I know gifting is difficult in the early practice years — it’s not that much easier in our prime practice years. It even may be daunting in our exit strategy years! I understand these challenges. But, if I could do it over, I would start by gifting a CGA or CRT with a few hundred

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Philanthropy

dollars per month. Think of it as a deferred retirement account, if that makes you feel better, because these gifts won’t disappear — they will add up. After five or 10 years, gradually increase the funding of the deferred CGA or CRT by a few hundred or a thousand more each month. Keep adding a little more each year during your practice transition/sale years.

Then, work with your charity and a smart insurance consultant to determine the ideal time for you to activate the deferred accounts. By then, your gifts will have grown with compounding interest and have grown to a much larger base for your desired income stream. And, by properly planning the ownership and beneficiaries

benefit

of the CGA/CRT death benefits, little or no income or estate taxes are due when your family members and charities receive your final generous gift. Talk about a win-winwin legacy!

Seek good advice from competent and experienced consultants. Your favorite dental charities know the best consultants. They have been working with them for years and they know the best partners for your assets, your family and your generous legacy. It has worked for me and I know that it will grow your legacy.

made them great, generosity of spirit and resources always stood out as the gifts of great leaders. They always gave more than they got, and it always seemed to come back to them a hundredfold! My CGA’s to the Florida Dental Association Foundation and the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation opened the door to more friendships, more leadership and more satisfaction with my career. If I can offer advice to my colleagues, it would be to start gifting with a “toe in the water.” You will be amazed at how good the water feels and how many folks will want to swim in your pond!

In my journey, I have been fortunate to work with many of the great leaders in dentistry. Among the features which

Dr. Ferris is a periodontist in Deland, Fla. and can be reached at drroberttferris@hotmail.com.

Helping Members Succeed

NUMBER GET YOUR NEW MEMBER CERTIFICATE!

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ORDER YOUR FREE CERTIFICATE NOW! ■

Email: certificates@floridadental.org

■

Questions? Call the FDA Membership Services Number: 800.877.9922.

THE PERFECT WAY TO LET YOUR PATIENTS KNOW YOU ARE A MEMBER

MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING

FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

Ralph C. Attanasi Jr., DDS 2016 Florida’s Advocate for Oral Health ATLANTIC COAST D I S T R I C T D E N TA L A S S O C I AT I O N A COMPONENT OF THE AMERICAN & FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

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Hands-on business tips

Informed decision-making

Dental health education

Inspirational success stories

Sharing responsibilities to reach common goals

Community service projects

Mentorship and fresh influences

Dental advocacy

Unconditional support

To find out more about the Alliance of the FDA, opportunities to volunteer and support the FDA and your dental partner or spouse, contact Mrs. Jerilyn Bird at JRBird23@aol.com.

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Alliance of the FDA

Alliance Invitation Makes a Difference

By Jerilyn Bird

The Alliance of the Florida Dental Association (FDA) is an organization of men and woman who are spouses and/or significant others of dentists, dental students or are contributing members (dentists, family and friends). The Alliance sponsors Dentist’s Day on the Hill (DDOH), supports the Florida Mission of Mercy event, mentors new dental spouses/significant others and promotes community oral health education.

The FDA wants the Alliance to GROW … but how can we achieve this? The answer is simple: We need YOU — the FDA’s members — to invite your spouse or significant other to join! Their membership in the Alliance matters to the dental profession. In any relationship, it’s important to support each other. If it is important to you, it just might be important to them.

So, why should your spouse/significant other join the Alliance? First and foremost: to support the profession. An Alliance member can do a little or a lot, or they can just support the organization with their membership check. Numbers make a difference — this is especially true in political advocacy. If you bring your spouse/significant other with you to DDOH, legislators take notice. Together you represent two votes, not one. The power of two helps keep them in office and working for your profession.

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Maybe your spouse works in the dental office and would like to network with others who do the same. Why not exchange ideas in areas such as patient service, staff motivation or marketing? Even if your spouse or significant other is in a different field, they should join the Alliance to support you as a dentist. If they attend professional meetings with you, they may want to meet spouses who also are attending. Membership in the Alliance brings many opportunities to make friends from across the country, as well as a wealth of dental health education ideas that may help their own career, the classroom, the community or your practice.

Bottom line: In order to grow the Alliance of the FDA, we need your help. Please ask your spouse/significant other to join the Alliance today! Remember, if it is important to you, it will be important to them. We hope to welcome your special someone as a new member of the Alliance of the FDA soon!

Please join us at the annual Alliance of the FDA membership meeting at the Florida Dental Convention on Friday, June 17 in the Hemingway Boardroom at 1 p.m. Take the Emerald Bay “B” elevators to the fourth floor. Make sure you add Alliance dues of $80 to your FDA membership statement.

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Bottom line: In order to grow the Alliance of the FDA, we need your help.

For more information, please contact Jerilyn Bird at JRBird23@aol.com or go to www.

AllianceADA.org.

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Leadership

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So get involved! Attend your component’s annual meetings, and don’t forget about your local affiliate’s meetings!

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Leadership

By Dr. Suzi Thiems-Heflin

It can be scary to get up in front of your peers to speak to them the very first time.

Some people are naturals, but for some it takes practice. The most important thing is to know your subject well. Then you have the confidence to speak positively about it. It also helps to practice what you are going to say multiple times in front of a mirror or another receptive person who can help you correct mistakes or little habits you may not even know you have.

Once you start, it gets easier each time you stand in front of an audience. I know, because I used to be terrified, and shake — my heart would race so fast I thought I was in cardiac arrest! But, taking deep breaths, knowing your speech/material, looking around at the audience of your peers, realizing that they are there for the same reason as you … to help make the dental profession better for all of us, will get you through that presentation! And, the more you do it, the less terrifying it becomes each time!

Now, the reason I start with this is because being able to speak in front of your peers is important in leadership positions. Standing in front of your peers and speaking to them

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shows dedication and commitment to our profession. And we need good, dedicated leaders in our profession. As our membership grows, we are finding young, talented leaders who will be able to take us into the future with great vision and energy. But there are many more potential leaders who just let others do the work. We need everyone to be involved!

For our profession to stay relevant, we need young and old alike: the older to teach through experience and the younger to bring new ideas and innovation so that our profession and our organizations appeal to those just starting out. The younger members are crucial to keeping us current, such as being active on social media, which the Florida Dental Association (FDA) is doing. Simply go to the FDA’s Facebook page, and you will get all kinds of current information and pictures of members at FDA-related activities! Also, don’t forget about Twitter and the FDA official blog, Beyond the Bite!

Organized dentistry is essential for our survival. Without our lobbyists and our dedicated leaders in all dental organizations, we would be overrun with legislation and regulations that would change our profession forever — and not for the better!

I’m the chair for the FDA Leadership Development Committee, and we are developing several paths to augment your leadership skills, including reviews of the material available on the American Dental Association (ADA) Center for Professional Success/Leadership Institute website and adding educational seminars. We are always looking for new ways to help our members with leadership training.

So get involved! Don’t forget to go to your local affiliate’s meetings and attend your component’s annual meeting as well! Tell your local affiliate president and component president that you want to volunteer and they will guide you in the right direction. Go to the FDA’s annual conference in Orlando, the Florida Dental Convention. Continuing education credits are almost always offered as part of the meetings, but it also gives you the opportunity to meet other members in your profession — the friendships you develop are “priceless!”

Become a leader of your local affiliate, your component, the FDA, the ADA or your general practice/specialty organization! We need your talents and your enthusiasm!

Dr. Thiems-Heflin is a pediatric dentist in Gainesville/Ocala. She is the chair of the Leadership Development Committee and the Central Florida District Dental Association secretary. She also is a member of the FDA House of Delegates and an alternate delegate on the ADA House of Delegates. She can be reached at drsuzi@cox.net.

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Giving Back

Volunteering for Your Association — Another Way to Give Back

By Dr. C.J. Henley

As dentists and health care providers, many of us feel the call to give back to our community. Events like the Mission of Mercy and Give Kids A Smile can make donating your time and resources back to the community easy. Volunteering is mutually beneficial for both the volunteer and the recipient. It provides physical and mental rewards; it brings people together; it promotes personal growth and self-esteem; and, strengthens your community.

However, in order to protect our profession, we need volunteers for the American Dental Association (ADA), the Florida Dental Association (FDA) and our district associations.

Part of what has made our profession so wonderful is the fact that dentists like you have given countless hours to organized dentistry. When we work together serving as representatives for the ADA and the FDA, we, as a group, have a loud and powerful voice in both Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Likewise, our political action committees give the FDA a voice when state representatives are debating legislation that affects our profession.

We all must engage in protecting our profession. By giving your time to the ADA, the FDA and your local delegation, you will have the opportunity to discuss and engage with the issues that are most important to our livelihood. Today, this is even more important than ever, as there are many changes on the horizon for our health care system.

Despite the huge impact the ADA, FDA and local delegations have on your practice, it can be difficult to appreciate how decisions made by our leadership can impact our day-to-day lives. So, how can organized dentistry have an impact on your practice in a very real and tangible way? The majority of dentists today are still solo practitioners. This often can lead to isolation from colleagues and new ideas that can help your practice grow. The camaraderie that can be found in leadership of your local delegation can become an invaluable resource for ideas and advice to help any practice become more profitable and more enjoyable. Playing an active role in my local delegation has helped me quickly grow a large professional network of dentists and specialists in my area. This has proved to be extraordinarily beneficial to my practice, as I have had the opportunity to personally get to know many

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practitioners that I would not have known otherwise. Moreover, I now work with many of the dentists and specialists that I have met. This has been mutually beneficial to all of our practices, as we now refer patients to each other. This has helped my new practice grow. Likewise, and perhaps more importantly, when I refer my patients to other specialists now, I know them both professionally and personally, and I know that our mutual goal is to provide patients with the best possible care.

As a new dentist, the cause to protect our profession is paramount to my longterm success and the continued success of dentistry. All too often, we can look at involvement in organized dentistry as a burden. It is easy to look at member dues as an unnecessary expense, but my dues and the benefits they provide are only a small part of what organized dentistry can do for me and my practice. In order to get all of the added benefits, I have to donate my time, be passionate about the way I want to leave dentistry when I retire and make my mark on this outstanding career by leaving dentistry in a better state than I found it.

Dr. Henley practices cosmetic and family dentistry in Jacksonville and can be reached at DrHenley@HenleyandKelly.com.

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Diagnostic

Diagnostic Discussion

By Drs. Nadim M. Islam and Indraneel Bhattacharyya

A 66-year-old, healthy Caucasian female was referred by her general dentist to Dr. Michael Hashemian, an oral surgeon at the Dentofacial and Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Spring Hill and Lecanto, Fla. The patient had presented to her dentist with a small red/purple-colored mass over her mid-palatine torus. No appreciable previous clinical history was presented. The patient’s medical history was insignificant except for medications to lower blood pressure and was generally, “in a good health condition,” per the oral surgeon. Duration of this pigmented area was unknown and the patient was unsure. The patient notes on a separate referral document mentioned the tendency of some “clicking of the jaw,” which was unrelated. The oral presentation was completely asymptomatic. Patient was allergic to penicillin and codeine as marked per chart notes. Clinical examination revealed a slightly raised area on the distal aspect of the mid-palatal tori and another pigmented area over the bulk surface of the tori and focally ulceration was appreciated (Fig. 1). Dr. Hashemian performed two biopsies on representative areas. The tissues were marked separately and submitted to the University of Florida College of Dentistry Oral Pathology Biopsy Service for histopathologic examination and interpretation.

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A. B.

Fig. 1: Clinical photo with white arrows on the larger image for better identification.

Question: Based on the clinical findings, what is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Ulcerated torus B. Fibroma C. Pyogenic granuloma D. Melanoacanthoma E. Malignant melanoma

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Diagnostic

DIAGNOSTIC from 63

Diagnostic Discussion A. Ulcerated torus Incorrect, but a good guess. Trauma to a torus, especially a large one, can frequently lead to exposure of the underlying bone.

The mucosa is stretched so thin over these large tori that it has a compromised blood supply and, therefore, little ability to heal.

The exposed bone always becomes devitalized. However, most of these exposures are relatively minor and heal within a few weeks. It is rare for these exposures to present with minimal features or pigmentation unless enough bleeding has occurred. These were not reasons for the patient being referred to in our case.

B. Fibroma Incorrect, but a very good guess. Masses on the oral mucosa most frequently are post traumatic and represent fibrous hyperplasia. Lesions such as pyogenic granulomas often fibrose with time and actually turn into fibromas/fibrous hyperplasia.

However, these lesions usually are mucosal-colored and not red, and usually are covered by an intact surface epithelium unless traumatized. Even if traumatized, they usually are only focally ulcerated. They do not bleed or grow large enough to interfere with speech. Fibromas are not more common during pregnancy and usually occur on the lateral borders of the tongue in the plane of occlusion. Histologically, this was ruled out.

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C. Pyogenic granuloma Incorrect. Pyogenic granulomas are considered to be an exuberant healing response most often caused by chronic irritation or trauma. The name “pyogenic granuloma” is incorrect because these lesions are not full of pus (pyogenic) nor true granulomas.

They actually are composed of granulation tissue and eventually mature into a dense fibrous connective tissue mass of fibroma.

About 75 percent of pyogenic granulomas occur on the gingiva most subsequent to chronic irritation from calculus or trauma.

They usually appear as pink exophytic growths that vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Also, 95 percent of pyogenic granulomas are ulcerated and covered by a whitish-yellow fibrino-purulent exudate. Recognizing that the lesion is ulcerated is important in arriving at the correct diagnosis since these lesions almost always are ulcerated.

These lesions are much more common in females and often are associated with hormonal changes that occur with puberty and pregnancy. Elevated levels of estrogen (enhanced production of vascular endothelial growth factor in macrophages) and/or progesterone produce vascular effects and probably augment the healing response to injury or chronic irritation. These lesions are common during pregnancy, especially the second and early third trimesters, and often are called pregnancy tumors. They can occur at any age but are most common in children and young adults. It also is important to note that the lesion is relatively painless and bleeds frequently, as both of these are salient clinical features of pyogenic granulomas. Treatment is complete surgical excision with assured removal of the base. These lesions recur 10-15 percent of the time due to incomplete removal and/

or failure to remove the causative irritant (usually calculus for the common gingival lesions). Removal during pregnancy often is associated with increased likelihood of recurrence. These lesions often regress post-partum, though they still may need to be excised. The above features did not fit our patient profile.

D. Melanoacanthoma Incorrect, but a good differential to consider with an uncommon benign pigmentation of the oral mucosa that typically is noted when the patient notes a history of enlargement and/or increase in intensity of pigmentation. It is considered to be a reactive process that may follow trauma. Consequently, it commonly is seen on areas of the oral mucosa that may be subject to chronic trauma such as the buccal or labial mucosa, or stress-bearing areas such as under a denture on the palate or following toothbrush trauma on the gingiva. It usually presents as a flat zone of pigmentation that may range in size from less than a centimeter to extensive lesions covering large areas of the oral mucosa. Importantly, melanoacanthoma almost exclusively is seen in African-American adults with female predilection — our patient was Caucasian.

The lesions may expand and patients may have multiple areas of involvement. Oral melanoacanthoma appears to be unrelated to the melanoacanthoma of skin. Oral lesions may regress after removal of trauma or occasionally after a biopsy. Some authors have suggested using the term “melanoacanthosis” to emphasize the non-neoplastic nature of the lesions. Oral melanoacanthomas typically are dark brown to black in nature and completely asymptomatic.

Lesions often demonstrate a rapid increase in size, and they occasionally reach a diam-

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Diagnostic

eter of several centimeters within a period of a few weeks. Microscopically, melanoacanthoma is characterized by numerous benign dendritic melanocytes distributed randomly throughout the spinous cell layer, which appears edematous and thickened.

In addition, prominent melanin aggregates may be seen in the basal cell layer and the superficial lamina propria. Typically, no treatment is required once a diagnosis is established following incisional biopsy to rule out other significant pathology such as melanoma. A biopsy is especially important because melanoacanthomas tend to exhibit an alarming increase in size and spontaneous resolution after incisional biopsy has been reported. These lesions do not exhibit malignant transformation.

E. Malignant melanoma Correct! This is an unusual diagnosis, especially in the absence of a known history of a primary melanoma. The lesion was clinically perceived to be a benign entity such as a fibroma or even a benign pigmented macule. Therefore, the diagnosis was important and also unexpected for the pathologists and the oral surgeon as well.

Additionally, primary oral melanomas

benefit

NUMBER

16

ONLINE CE: THE EASY WAY

are rather rare and unusual in the Caucasian population with most cases seen in darkly pigmented races such as in AfricanAmericans. Mucosal melanomas tend to be extensive but rarely, if ever, involve more than one region of the oral cavity or would be completely asymptomatic as in this case.

This case had a more pigmented macular presentation with a fibroma-like lesion on the distal of the tori vicinity. Early on, oral melanomas can be flat, but at a later stage they typically present as slightly raised to nodular to lobulated, exophytic and ulcerated masses that enlarge in size. Though exceedingly rare, oral melanomas have been reported in all races across the world, unlike cutaneous melanoma, which usually is seen in Caucasians. Mucosal melanomas are rare and may involve non-sun exposed tissue such as oral and nasal mucosa, conjunctive, retina, etc. and typically occur on the head and neck region. Oral melanoma in the U.S. comprises much less than 1 percent of all melanomas and is thought to be more frequent in other countries such as Japan and African nations. The mucosal melanoma tends to present at a more advanced stage and is aggressive in clinical behavior with poor survival. The most common location

for oral melanoma is the hard palate and palatal gingiva. It usually affects individuals in their 50s or older. More than 20 percent of oral melanomas may be devoid of pigment and mimic surrounding tissue in color. Bone involvement is common.

Histologically, in our case, the macular lesion exhibited a mildly papillary surface exhibiting melanin pigmentation and melanocytic proliferation, most of which transgressed the epithelium and appeared to move toward the upper surface layer.

Confluence of reteridges with prominent proliferative melanocytes was noted to form “nests” and “theques” within the epithelium as well as in the superficial connective tissue papilla area. Free melanin pigmentation was noted. The other bosselated lesion presented with interlacing fascicles of spindle cells, exhibiting a prominent vesicular basophilic nucleus with large, occasionally eosinophilic nuclei. While most of the cells were spindle-shaped, there was wide variation in size and shape. Scattered mitotic figures are noted throughout this cell mass.

The diagnoses rendered were malignant melanoma, spindle cell type and mucosal Please see DIAGNOSTIC, 66

EARN FREE CE CREDIT TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE!

“DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION”

Visit the FDC & CE page on the FDA website and click the “Online CE” button for this free, members-only benefit. You will be given the opportunity to review this column and its accompanying photos, and will be asked to answer five additional questions.

Questions? Contact FDC Meeting Coordinator, Brooke Martin at bmartin@floridadental.org or 800.877.9922. * These courses expire on 6/30/2017.

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Diagnostic

DIAGNOSTIC from 65

lentiginous melanoma — essentially, the same diagnosis, but with a slight variation in the architecture, distribution of neoplastic cells and cell morphology (Figs. 2 and 3). The patient was referred for appropriate evaluation and management, and has been scheduled for surgery.

References: Chatzistefanou I, Kolokythas A, Vahtsevanos K, Antoniades K. Primary mucosal melanoma of the oral cavity: current therapy and future directions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016 Jan 14. pii: S2212-4403(16)00007-9. doi: 10.1016/j. oooo.2016.01.005.

López F et al. Update on primary head and neck mucosal melanoma. Head Neck. 2016 Jan; 38(1):147-55. doi: 10.1002/hed.23872.

Epub 2015 May 22.

Moreno MA, Hanna EY. Management of mucosal melanomas of the head and neck: did we make any progress? Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Apr; 18(2):101-6. doi: 10.1097/ MOO.0b013e3283374d31.

Mendenhall WM et al. Head and neck mucosal melanoma. Am J Clin Oncol. 2005 Dec; 28(6):626-30.

Diagnostic Discussion is contributed

by UFCD professors, Drs. Indraneel Bhattacharyya, Nadim Islam and Don Cohen, and provides insight and feedback on common, important, new and challenging oral diseases.

Fig 2: Raised lesion with red arrows exhibiting mitoses.

Dr. Bhattacharyya

The dental professors operate a large, multistate biopsy service. The column’s case studies originate from the more than 10,000 specimens the service receives every year from all over the United States.

Clinicians are invited to submit cases from their own practices. Cases may be used in the “Diagnostic Discussion,” with credit given to the submitter.

Dr. Islam

Drs. Bhattacharyya, Islam and Cohen can be reached at ibhattacharyya@dental.ufl.edu, MIslam@dental.ufl.edu and dcohen@dental. ufl.edu, respectively.

Fig. 3: Macular lesion with blue arrows exhibiting atypical melanocytes on the superior part of the epithelium, nesting and melanin pigmentation.

Dr. Cohen

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Try YOUR Agent Don’t just work hard.

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Dental Lifeline

DDS Basics n Number

of people on the waiting list: 547 n Number of patients currently being treated: 176 n Number of active DDS volunteers: 419 n Counties

with few to no volunteers: Citrus, Duval, Flagler, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Martin, Osceola, Polk, St. Lucie, Volusia

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Dental Lifeline

DDS: Double Down Solution to Florida's Access to Care Florida's DDS Coordinator Helps Program Grow

By Jessica Lauria COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA COORDINATOR

A self-proclaimed “bleeding heart,” Megan Manor remembers always wanting to help others. She grew up in Ohio, and volunteered through her church in a soup kitchen and in low-income schools to help those less fortunate. The desire to help others grew stronger as she got older and attended college. She left the freezing, snowy weather for sunny beach days in Pensacola, Fla. to attend the University of West Florida. While obtaining her bachelor’s in psychology, she discovered social work and completed college with two bachelor degrees under her belt. Pursuing social work not only allows her to help people, but to empower them to change their lives. Oftentimes, people simply lack the tools or resources necessary to be successful, and as a social worker, Megan helps connect people with those resources.

Megan has used her expertise in mental health to work with a diverse range of populations. Her experience began with a semester-long internship at the West Florida Community Care Center, a longterm, lock-down psychiatric hospital, where she had her own caseload of patients. After graduation, she worked for a year as a family resource and partnerships coordinator for AmeriCorps in two low-income elementary schools in northwest Florida. Later, she was an admissions specialist at the Friary of

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Lakeview Center, a 30-bed in-patient facility that offers substance abuse treatment, as well as an intensive out-patient program. She worked there for three years before she and her husband, Alex, had to relocate to Tallahassee for his job. Shortly after their move in 2013, Dental Lifeline Network • Florida (DLN) made the decision to expand its flagship program, Donated Dental Services (DDS) and Megan was hired as the full-time Florida coordinator.

The DDS program provides free comprehensive dental care for people with disabilities, or who are medically fragile or elderly, and cannot afford treatment. DDS is made up of a network of volunteer dentists and specialists who provide care for those who truly have nowhere else to turn to get the extensive dental treatment they urgently need. Laboratories, both local and national, also participate in the program and donate the necessary fabricated appliances patients need. The Florida DDS program has received funding in 2015-2016 from the Florida Dental Association Foundation, DLN, the Gloria Estefan Foundation, Sheldon and Kathi Wolf Charitable Fund, The Batchelor Foundation and individual contributions.

What is it that sets DDS apart from other dental charities? Put simply: it’s Megan Manor, your Florida DDS coordinator. Megan coordinates every case from start to finish, including all the paperwork. She screens the patients to determine if they qualify for the program and matches the patient with a volunteer dentist. The dentist has the option to decide to provide treatment through DDS after the initial exam. She also makes the arrangements if a specialist or lab services are needed. When treatment is completed, the dentist reports the procedures performed and the value of the donated care. In addition, DDS offers continuing education credits for time donated on cases. Since Megan began, the value of care provided has increased from $162,579 in the 2013-14 fiscal year to $783,647 in the 2014-15 fiscal year.

This year, Megan’s goal is to help 219 patients receive $807,419 in donated care.

Megan puts an incredible amount of time and effort into her work, and she is invaluable to those without the means to improve their lives and their health. Dedicated and hardworking, she assists you every step of the way and ensures a seamless experience for patient and doctor. The trials and tribulations associated with social work will always be there, but she celebrates every little victory as it happens. In fact, Megan does a little happy dance when things fall into place and she can see positive changes happening for the patients. She’s always in good spirits and talks about how truly wonderful humanity can be. Not only is she Please see DONATED, 71

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L A C LO Y L E V I &L GATHER FOR FUN & CONTINUING EDUCATION IN YOUR DISTRICT.

WCDDA SUMMER MEETING

Aug. 5-7, 2016 • The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Speakers: Dr. DeWitt Wilkerson – Integrative Dental Medicine / The Complete Health Dental Practice; Dr. David Seaman – Nutrition & Inflammation www.wcdental.org • 813.654.2500 • wc.dental@gte.net

VOLUNTEER TO BECOME AN EXAMINER FOR THE FLORIDA DENTAL LICENSURE EXAM ARE YOU: • actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in Florida for five years; • interested in continuing dental education; • and, not connected in any way with any medical or dental college?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES!

Contact the Board of Dentistry office at 850.245.4474 and tell them you want to volunteer as an examiner for the Florida dental licensure exam.

WCDDA ANNUAL MEETING

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH USES THE LIST FROM THE BOARD OF DENTISTRY TO FORM A POOL OF ELIGIBLE EXAMINERS

FRIDAY, FEB. 3, 2017 • CAMLS, Tampa

Speakers: Dr. John Burgess — Dental Materials & Current Restorative Techniques; Dr. John Kalmar – Topic-TBD www.wcdental.org • 813.654.2500 • wc.dental@gte.net

NWDDA ANNUAL MEETING

Friday & Saturday, Feb. 17-18, 2017 The Grand Sandestin Speakers: Dr. Tarun Agarwal, Dr. John C. Flucke, Ms. Pamela Smith www.nwdda.org • 850.391.9310 • nwdda@nwdda.org

For a complete listing: www.trumba.com/calendars/fda-member.

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IF SELECTED TO SERVE AS AN EXAMINER you must attend every session of the pre-examination standardization exercise conducted by the Department of Health.

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EXAMINERS MAY SERVE FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

For additional information, contact Casey Stoutamire: 800.326.0051 • 850.224.1089 cstoutamire@floridadental.org

HELPING MEMBERS SUCCEED

Dental Lifeline

DONATED from 69

in awe of the volunteer dentists who take on cases and help transform the lives of strangers, but also is in awe of the patients who — often with little knowledge or income — are fighting hard to make a better life for themselves.

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) advocates for DDS, and supports any efforts to get our members involved, especially since Florida’s access-to-care issues create such a burden for patients. Although Megan is not an FDA employee, we have adopted her as an honorary staff member — anything the FDA can do to help make the Florida DDS program succeed is a win for everyone involved. Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the bill that would have increased access to care by funding two DDS staff positions, which makes it even more critical to have volunteers to care for those who desperately need help. The DDS program is a great part of Florida’s Action for Dental Health — it’s a piece of the access puzzle. Florida DDS volunteers provide life-enhancing — and in some cases — lifesaving dental care.

There is a long waiting list and not enough volunteers — and in some counties, none at all. While most DDS volunteers are FDA members, the majority of FDA members are not DDS volunteers. Maybe you want to volunteer, but are unsure of where to start or are overwhelmed by the idea of planning and coordinating everything on top of your regular patient caseload. The easiest and most beneficial thing you can do is sign up to become a DDS volunteer. You will have the ability to donate your time and expertise to help those who truly need your help, without the hassle of finding the appropriate patient or avenue to volunteer, or filling out any paperwork. You are able to simply

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focus on patient care, and restore health, hope and dignity. All it takes is every dentist taking on just one case — the impact would be monumental.

Knowing the person behind the curtain helps give a better perspective on the way the program is run. It makes it easier for you to say, “Yes!” Contact Megan today to see how you can become a part of something greater. She can be reached at 850.577.1466 or mmanor@dentallifeline. org, or go to http://dentallifeline.org/ourvolunteers/. Floridians need your help — volunteering through DDS is one of the most effective ways we can collectively remedy the problem.

Please Volunteer!

Change a life with Donated Dental Services.

To learn more, contact Florida Program Coordinator Megan Manor at mmanor@ DentalLifeline.org or 850.577.1466.

Volunteer Today!

Try one case: n Review the patient profile in advance.

Ms. Lauria is the FDA Communications and Media Coordinator and can be reached at jlauria@floridadental.org or 850.350.7115.

n Choose to see or decline any patient.

Photos: 1. Wonderful DDS patients show their appreciation for the program.

2. FDA member and DDS volunteer Dr. Robert Churney meets with Megan at the FLA-MOM.

n Never pay lab costs.

You Can Support Donated Dental Services With a Gift to the FDA Foundation!

Your donation to the Foundation is an investment in our mission to promote dental health for all Floridians. It also helps the Foundation continue important programs like Donated Dental Services and FLAMOM.

n Determine the treatment plan. n See patients in your office. n No paperwork for office staff.

DDS will: n ensure that patients arrive on time to appointments. n be the liaison between your office staff and patient to facilitate everything. n arrange for assistance from specialists and laboratories.

You treat the patient.

DDS does everything else.

It’s easy to make a donation and every bit counts!

Visit floridadental.org/foundation to learn how.

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FDAF Fundraising Disclosure Statement: All contributions to the FDA Foundation are tax deductible. All contributions, including those to named funds, are considered unrestricted unless a specific purpose is designated by the donor. The FDA Foundation Inc. is a tax-exempt organization under s. 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code, soliciting tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of the public. The Foundation is registered to solicit charitable contributions with the appropriate governing authorities. The organization is located at 1111 E. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Financial and other information about the Foundation’s purpose, programs and activities can be obtained by contacting the Director of Foundation Affairs, 1111 E. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or by calling 800.877.9922. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 800.HELP.FLA OR VIA THE INTERNET AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. SPONSOR’S REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH2435. NO CONTRIBUTIONS ARE RETAINED BY PROFESSIONAL SOLICI-TORS; THEREFORE, 100 PERECENT OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE RECEIVED BY FDAF.

DONATE!

Your donations support these programs: Florida Mission of Mercy, Project: Dentists Care, Donated Dental Services To make a donation, go to www.floridadental.org/foundation

Florida Mission of Mercy April 22-23, 2016 Jacksonville, Fla.

2,930 PATIENTS RECEIVED CARE

VOLUNTEERS

2,465 589 70 250 432 21 115 988

Dentists Dental Students & Faculty Hygienists & Students Dental Assistants & Students Lab Techs Medical Professionals & Students Community Volunteers

$2.7 MILLION in oral health care services provided at no charge to patients who experience barriers to care.

16,000

TOTAL NUMBER OF PROCEDURES

Compleat Dentistry

The Myth of More Compleat dentistry is a slower-paced, deliberate style of dentistry, espoused by Pankey, Dawson and so many others, in which the dentist knows the patient well, knows the work, knows their own abilities and limitations, and uses this knowledge to take care of the patients who trust them with their care. The world will change, but the principles of compleat dentistry will remain the foundation of an exceptional practice. The spelling is an homage to Isaak Walton, whose book, “The Compleat Angler,” was about so much more than fishing.

By Dr. Edward Hopwood

If you ask any dentist if they want more new patients, they usually will say, “Yes!” And if you ask how many more, they will simply say, “More.” That is why every couple of weeks, I get a flier in the mail promising me more new patients.

These advertisements used to promise me 30 new patients per month; lately, they have been promising 50 or 60. As dentists, we are very susceptible to falling prey to these promises. We think how many new patients we averaged last year, how much money we made, then we double or triple that number and want to sign up for this barrage of new patients.

We are told that every dentist should have a Facebook presence, so we set up our practice with its own page and rush to take pictures of our food or express how humbled we are to be named a top dentist on our block. We take pictures of our staff having a great time at the office and tag all

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of our friends in hopes that someone will see the picture of the steak we are going to eat, recognize us as a top dentist, then call and set up an appointment as a new patient.

Somehow, this effort for new patients is misguided. I think it would be better for us to direct our energy and money elsewhere.

First of all, we need to do the math on how many new patients we really need per month. This boils down to a two-part equation. In part one, we need to know how much time we have available or are willing to make available to new patients. For example: If a comprehensive exam takes one hour, the treatment planning takes 30 minutes and the appointment to review the findings takes another 30 minutes, each new patient will use two hours of our time.

Therefore, if we hope to see 30 new patients per month, then we would need 60 hours of time. In a well-established practice working four days per week that would amount to two weeks of new patients alone — leaving only two weeks for treatment. It seems impossible to effectively complete 30 new patient exams per month.

The other part of the equation is based on how much money we want to make per year. Each new patient will need a certain

amount of dental work, which will have a certain value. Some will need more than others, but it will average out to an amount we can call “new patient value.” Depending on the area and patient pool, the new patient value will vary. Let’s assume that each new patient needs $5,000 worth of treatment, so 30 new patients per month would require $150,000 worth of treatment. It is extremely difficult to fit $150,000 worth of treatment into two weeks’ worth of work.

Second, these mass marketing efforts are misdirected. Even the most ambitious direct mail marketer would cite abysmal rates of response. When you have a dentist and you are happy with that dentist, any piece of direct mail advertising another office is simply an annoyance. The direct mail pieces being sent to my house are a huge waste of money. I have a close relationship with my family — they are unlikely to switch dentists even if you have a new patient exam special (for this month only!).

When marketing, we need to identify our target audience and then work to reach them. Mass mailers are annoying and usually thrown away almost immediately. TV used to be a great way to advertise when there were only four channels — my kids don’t even watch TV anymore — so how do you decide which of the hundreds of channels best suits your target audience?

Newspapers are shrinking in size and circulation. Does anyone even have a phone book anymore?

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Compleat Dentistry

To me, the best marketing plan has been the purple cow method espoused by Seth Godin. He writes that in the modern age, the best marketing is to simply be remarkable.

Be the kind of business that people talk about when they are not at your business.

This works exceptionally well because they are most likely to talk about your dental office to people who are inquiring about it and looking for a new dentist (that is your target audience). If you are passionate about your profession and your work, then people will talk about it — a compleat dentist is passionate and remarkable.

Finally, the biggest problem with our quest for more patients is the simple fact that most of us are working in practices with all the patients we need — we just need to spend time with them, form a relationship and develop a proper treatment plan.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recently published a graph showing that there are 60.9 working dentists per 100,000 people (ADA News, April 4, 2016). The math amounts to 1,642 people per dentist.

If about half visit the dentist each year, you probably already have your share of patients who are currently coming to your office — you just need to take care of them.

A missing tooth means an implant/bridge/ partial or to leave the space. But, it really means so much more. There is a reason why that tooth is missing. If we take the time to ask why that tooth needed to be extracted, then we can better serve our patients.

Teeth are lost because of decay, periodontal disease, occlusal disease or trauma.

Simply replacing the missing tooth only is appropriate for traumatic tooth loss. Each of those other problems requires correction and that is beyond an implant/bridge/

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partial treatment plan. When we understand why a tooth was lost, we are making a diagnosis. Perhaps we don’t need more new patients; we actually need to make more diagnoses. A compleat dentist recognizes this and offers to solve the reason why the tooth was lost. The patient can choose to accept the offer or not, but if the offer is only an implant/bridge/partial, then they often will feel dissatisfied because the reason why has not been addressed.

We can do the math on new patients and learn that more is not better. Like so many other areas of dental practice, there is a “sweet spot” that has an upper and lower limit. If new patient numbers are too low, then a practice will stagnate. If they are too high, treatment may be missed. Before committing to an expensive marketing campaign, it may be worthwhile to look at whether you can improve on the areas discussed: s Commit the time and energy to administer a complete exam. s Spend the effort to be remarkable in order to encourage word of mouth referrals. s Make sure you are asking why, and then explain why to the patient and offer a solution.

You might find you have all the patients you need.

Dr. Hopwood is a restorative dentist in Clearwater and can be reached at edwardhopwood@gmail.com.

“

If you are passionate about your profession and your work, then people will talk about it — a compleat dentist is passionate and remarkable.

”

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CDT 2016 Code Check App

iOS & Android

This handy, searchable app contains the new dental procedure codes, including 19 new codes and 12 revised codes. Features include: A complete listing of 2016 CDT Codes New and revised codes listed with tracked changes Searchable code number, keyword & category

Chairside Instructor App

iOS

Updated to include video clips, Spanish text, WiFi printing, and ability to upload photos from your own camera roll. You also can draw on a picture, add a comment, email it to a patient, and save for future use.

Toothflix 2.0 App

iOS

Patient education! The app includes all 26 updated Toothflix 2.0 videos, intuitively arranged for quick access. Email videos to patients before or after a consult; mark your favorite videos or even the exact video clips you show most often.

Oral Pathologist App

iOS & Android

ADA Oral Pathologist is a chair-side reference to oral pathology conditions that can assist dentists with formulating diagnoses. Dr. Michael Kahn, of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, wrote and developed content for the app. Search more than 200 conditions or by entering clinical observations.

Florida Dental Convention

iOS & Android

Everthing thing you need to know about the FDA's official annual meeting. Maps, course listings, speaker profiles, and scheduled events. Available before the convention at floridadentalconvention.com. Come for the CE. Stay for the fun! Available May 2016.

ADA ORDERING: iOS – Order from adacatalog.org, and then complete your download in the App Store. Android: Order from adacatalog.org, then complete your download from the Google Play store.

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WHAT ARE THE MOST FREQUENT/MOST SERIOUS DISCIPLINARY VIOLATIONS? Practicing below the standard of care is number one. Failing to maintain adequate patient records is the second most frequent violation. It is mandatory that the board suspend or revoke your license for improper delegation and felonies under Chapter 409 (Medicaid fraud), Chapter 817 (fraudulent practices) or Chapter 893, F.S., (drug abuse prevention and control).

WHAT IS THE STANDARD OF CARE? It is what would pass as acceptable treatment among your peers. It is not perfection, but if you fall below what a reasonable doctor would have done in the same situation, you may be liable for malpractice and disciplined. Board of Dentistry rules and Florida legislation also set forth minimum standards of care (e.g., failing to have an automatic external defibrillator in your office or not properly reporting “adverse occurrences”).

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PATIENT RECORDS? A dentist must maintain written dental records for at least four years from the date the patient was last examined or treated. Usually, these dates coincide but not always (e.g. missed appointment and emergencies). Dental records include your day-to-day patient appointments. But, note that seven years is typically the statute of repose on malpractice liability, so keep them at least that long. Also, note that participating provider agreements and hospital privileges may contractually require longer retention periods.

If you decide to destroy records of patients who are no longer active, you should refer to your written policy on records retention and management. You may destroy old records in any manner that protects patient confidentiality. If you hire a shredding company, please remember to have them sign a Business Associate agreement. Don’t throw them in the garbage or a dumpster that is publicly accessible.

When a patient asks for records, you must provide copies of all reports and records including X-rays in a timely manner, with due regard for the patient’s health needs.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT “PATIENT ABANDONMENT” AND TERMINATING THE DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP? Improperly terminating the doctor/patient relationship is commonly known as “patient abandonment.” If the patient suffers harm because of how you or your employees terminated the relationship, you may be held liable.

Make it your written office policy to send patients leaving your practice a written notice or confirmation that your office is no longer treating them as a patient of record.

Don’t make the letter effective “immediately.” Immediate termination doesn’t give the patient enough time to locate another doctor. Remember that you remain legally and ethically responsible for providing emergency care. Don’t deny it with a poorly-worded notification letter that might be admissible as evidence against you.

WHO DO I CALL IF I SEE UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY OCCURRING? Call the Unlicensed Activity Unit (ULA) hotline of the Department of Health at 1-877-HALT-ULA (1.877.425.8852) or visit their website (floridahealth.gov/ licensing-and-regulation/enforcement/report-unlicensed-activity). Unlicensed practice is a felony in Florida and should be reported immediately.

These legal questions and answers are provided by Graham Nicol Esq., FDA Chief Legal Counsel, Health Care Risk Manager, and Florida Bar Association Board Certified Specialist in Health Law.

www.floridadental.org

www.floridadental.org

May/June 2016

Today's FDA

81

C lassified A dvertising

Opportunities

82

Today's FDA

The FDA’s online classified system allows you to conveniently browse, place, modify and pay for your ads online, 24 hours a day. Our intent is to provide our advertisers with increased flexibility and enhanced options to personalize and draw attention to your online classified ads!

As an added benefit, we will continue to publish the basic text of paid, online classified ads in Today’s FDA, at no additional cost to you. All ads posted to the online classified system will be published during the contracted time frame for which you have posted your online classified advertisement.

Today’s FDA is published bimonthly; therefore, all active ads online will be extracted from the system on roughly the following dates of each year:

Issue

Extracted Date

Jan/Feb March/April May/June July/Aug Sept/Oct Nov/Dec

Jan. 15 March 15 May 1* July 15 Sept. 15 Nov. 15

* The May/June issue is scheduled to be mailed out two weeks earlier than normal to reach members before the annual Florida Dental Convention.

Please visit the FDA’s NEW classified website at www.floridadental.co/classifieds.

FFS Practice Seeking Full-Time Associate General Dentist. This outstanding Full-Time associate opportunity is in a semi-rural, Fee-For-Service practice, which is busy and growing. Located in Eustis, Florida, the office is a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with modern technology - Cerec Omnicam and milling unit, soft tissue laser, DEXIS digital sensors, digital pano, digital ceph, several digital cameras, etc. Our focus is on providing the patient with an outstanding dental experience. The right candidate should have a great attitude and possess strong verbal communication skills, and be comfortable using computers. This position has excellent earning potential and the opportunity for mentorship. Please email resume to: mjackson@ jacksondentistry.com.

General dentist or periodondist. A private practice in Sarasota, Fl seeking a part time general dentist or periodontist with several years’ experience in IV Sedation and Implant. 508.717.1251.

Pediatric Dentist-Southwest Florida. Busy multilocation private practice group seeking part-time Pediatric Dentist. Excellent opportunity, top pay, flexible schedule. Great staff, great locations. Please email CV to ateeling87@gmail.com.

Dentist Opportunity - South Miami, FL (Cutler Bay). Great Expressions Dental Centers has an immediate, select opening for a full-time General Dentist to join our established/high production Cutler Bay practice in South Miami, FL! Enjoy a rewarding career with a full office staff and a strong patient base! Compensation: Six-Figure Draw vs. Percent of Production; Benefits/ Perks: Leaders in the Practice: Clinical Freedom and Treatment Autonomy for Every Doctor; Patient Focus: Established and Growing Patient Foundation; Multi-Specialty office; Doctor Career Path – Partnership/Investment Opportunities; Full Benefits Offered – Healthcare & Dental Benefits, 401K, Short Term/Long Term Disability, Time Off; Malpractice Coverage Assistance; Continued Education Reimbursement, Paid ADA & State Society Dues; Mentorship – Study Clubs, Chairside Mentoring, GEDC University Courses. Please view our Doctor Career Path video: http://www. screencast.com/t/M3xWM5CYN. Apply via this ad to learn more about Great Expressions! For More Information, Please Contact: Ross Shoemaker, MBA | Doctor Recruiting Manager | Great Expressions Dental Centers Practice Support Center - South | 1560 Oakbrook Drive, Norcross, GA 30093 USA phone 678.836.2226 | ext. 72226 | fax 770.242.3251 |web www.greatexpressions.com email Ross.

Shoemaker@greatexpressions.com. “Look for the Smile Above Our Name!” Apply Here: http://www.

Click2Apply.net/nm9qc78cz2. Miami, Florida, United States, 33189.

Endodontist-Southwest Florida. Busy multilocation private practice group seeking part-time endodontist. Excellent opportunity, top pay, flexible schedule. Great staff, great locations. Please email CV to ateeling87@gmail.com.

May/June 2016

www.floridadental.org

Full-time Endodontist – Florida. Great Expressions Dental Centers has select openings for Endodontists to join our Florida dental team! Our specialists have the clinical freedom and autonomy enjoyed in a traditional private practice without the additional financial or administrative burdens associated with practice management. When considering a career with GEDC, specialists can expect: Compensation: Six Figure Annual Draw vs. Percent of Production! Attractive Sign-on or Relocation possible as well. Molly McVay | Clinical Recruiter | Great Expressions Dental Centers PSC-North | 29777 Telegraph Road. Suite 3000| Southfield, MI 48034 USA phone 248.430.5555 |Ext. 72467| fax 248.686.0170 | web www.greatexpressions. com. Must have a DDS/DMD from an accredited University and active State Dental Board license.

Endodontic Dental License and certifications. Apply Here: http://www.Click2Apply.net/3fvqwwbsn4.

Dentists, Oral Surgeon. A traditional fee-for-service general practice seeks a P/T Oral Surgeon for our Port Richey, FL office, and F/T or P/T Dentists for Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, Port Richey, Pinellas Park and Bradenton, FL offices. Immediate income, paid vacation, health insurance, 401k, flexible days. Established in 1981. NO CAPITATION. Send CV to Corp@ FloridaDentalCenters.com, fax 727.445.8382, phone 727.461.9149.

Seeking Full Time General Dentist. We are a Private well established multi-specialty practice serving the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area for over 40 years.

Our practice is comprised of General Dentists, an Orthodontist, a Periodontist and an Oral Maxillo Facial Surgeon. We have an opportunity for a general dentist seeking a full time associate position with the potential for partnership. Seeking an experienced and motivated person. This position has great earning potential and the opportunity for mentorship. Email or fax St. Pete Dental 727.525.3686 or dr.b.spdc@gmail.com.

Dentist Wanted in Boca Raton. FT/PT General Dentist needed for beautiful, modern and paperless practice in Boca Raton. Weekly pay plus high percentage. NO HMO’s. Please email resume: pbfloridadentist01@aol.com.

General Dentist and Specialist Openings for Multiple Offices in South and Central Florida. Sage Dental currently has opportunities for qualified General Dentists & Specialists at our South and Central Florida practices. Sage Dental offers you: Excellent Earning Potential; Ability to Focus on Patient Care; State-of-the-Art Facilities; Quality of Life. Apply today! Contact: Bradford Cabibi Doctor Recruitment. Email: bcabibi@mysagedental. com; careers@mysagedental.com. Website: http://www.mysagedental.com/; https://www. mysagedental.com/career-opportunities/. Phone: 561.999.9650 Ext. 6146, Fax: 561.526.2576.

Pediatric Dentist Associate-Melbourne, FL. Since 1997, Christie Dental has grown from our first location in Merritt Island, FL to 17 locations from coast to coast in Central Florida. We are a community based, multi-specialty group committed to the traditional doctor-patient relationship. We’re interested in speaking with Pediatric Dentists to join our team in Melbourne. This is a part time position working 2 day a week and can be a great supplement to an existing schedule and may offer future growth opportunity. We also have the ability to combine a second location for a full time schedule. Christie Dental primarily a fee-forservice and PPO provider. Contact Kate Anderson: kateanderson@amdpi.com or 781.213.3312. https:// www.christiedental.com/.

www.floridadental.org

Dentist needed for Productive Ocala, FL office.

Christie Dental is a multi-specialty group practice with locations throughout central Florida. We are looking for an experienced Full Time General Dentist for our office in beautiful Ocala, Florida.

This position is a 4 day a week position .We offer dentists a sign-on bonus as well as an excellent compensation package. Apply today! 781.213.3318.

Associate Dentist. We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated general dentist with a strong background in modern dentistry and comprehensive care to join our team at Wildwood Dentistry inside of Signature Village. Must be committed to continued learning and clinical excellence while working well within a team environment. Creating patients for life is our focus.

Streamlined processes, strong internal systems, professional marketing, and the latest technology keeps the dentist’s focus on providing great care and away from the headaches of running a business.

Great income potential with opportunity for future partnership. Opportunity available immediately - please contact us to learn more! https://jobs. pacificdentalservices.com/job/wildwood/leaddentist-wildwood-fl/873/1381412 Lead Dentist. We are looking for an experienced general dentist to join our beautiful, new practice in Lady Lake near The Villages (20 miles south of Ocala). The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with modern technology (including Cerec omnicam) and supported by a great team focused on creating patients for life. Professional systems and full marketing in place - all you need to worry about is providing great dental care. Full time (Mon-Fri plus 1 Sat per month) opportunity with the potential for ownership. Salary/production/bonus package with full benefits, CE, malpractice ins, and lab fees paid at 100%. Opportunity available in July- please contact us to learn more! https://jobs.pacificdentalservices. com/job/wildwood/lead-dentist-wildwoodfl/873/1381412 Associate. Seeking a highly motivated individual with exceptional clinical communication skills.

Must be goal oriented self-managed leader who shows a great work ethic. We are looking for a long term candidate to work with our exceptional dental team. Practice is completely computerized and paperless with equipment such as diagnodent, 3M scanner, Picaso Laser, digital X-rays, intraoral camera, and more to come! 863.471.1727.

An exceptional opportunity for the right pediatric dentist. I am an established, Board Certified Orthodontist seeking a compassionate Pediatric Dentist to join my privately owned, high quality practice with the ability to become a full partner with 1.5 years. With my 23 years’ experience, I have cultivated a community based, nurturing atmosphere with an exceptional talent for early treatment. I am certain that the pairing of what already exists here with the right pediatric dentist would be a recipe for success for us both. This is your opportunity to elevate yourself above your student loans and to own the practice of your dreams while residing in beautiful, South Floridian paradise! braces53@yahoo.com.

Part-time Orthodontist - Page Field, FL. Great Expressions Dental Centers is seeking a parttime Orthodontist to work in our Page Field, FL practice (located at 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Units 315 & 316). Our Orthodontists have the clinical freedom and autonomy enjoyed in a traditional private practice without the additional financial or administrative burdens associated with practice management. Orthodontists can expect an attractive annual base vs. allocated collections percent, malpractice coverage, a stable patient base, trained Orthodontic staff, local referring network of 8 practices and long-term practice or regional career growth with possible investment opportunity.

Stacey Bruwer, M.A. | Clinical Recruiter | Great Expressions Dental Centers Phone 248.237.6853 |Ext. 72468| fax 248.686.0118 | web www.greatexpressions.com | stacey.bruwer@ greatexpressions.com. For more details please visit: http://www.Click2Apply.net/95r9h9764h.

Associate Dentist. We currently have an outstanding Full-Time Associate Opportunity for an experienced General Dentist to join one of our highly successful affiliated practices in the West Bradenton, FL area. State of the art practice facilities. Strong commitment to long-term dental care for the whole family. Be chair side and make money from day one Highly trained and dedicated staff to support you.

No Day-to-Day headaches of Managing a Practice Excellent compensation pkg. with performance based incentives. Well-established and growing patient base. Requirements: 2+ years’ experience is required. Licensed to practice dentistry in the State of FL. Interested Dentists should email resume/cv to bames@dentalcarealliance.com. www. dentalcarealliance.com.

Dentist Consultant. Dentist: Consulting firm seeking Practice Transition Consultant nationwide.

Immediate need in southern and central Florida.

Full training and support. Unlimited earning potential. careers@paragon.us.com, 866.898.1867 ENDODONTIST-TAMPA BAY AREA. Quality associate needed for busy, modern endodontic office. New graduates encouraged to apply. Send CV to julieh@aeoftb.com.

Please see CLASSIFIEDS, 84

May/June 2016

Today's FDA

83

Your Classified Ad Reaches 7,000 Readers!

CLASSIFIEDS from 83 Experienced General Dentist Needed Full-Time.

Busy, expanding dental practice has an opening for an experienced (5-20 years) general dentist to join our team. Guaranteed salary and benefits. Must have experience in crown and bridge, extractions, and operative. Immediate opening in Pinellas County. Background check required. We are creating a team of exceptional dentists providing outstanding care at our rapidly expanding practices.

You will enjoy medical reimbursement, attractive salary package, and paid liability insurance. Plus you will be working with some of the BEST in our profession. CALL TODAY!! Send resume to: vmonti@happydentistry.com or call 727.422.2801.

Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry. web: www.happydentistry.com.

General Dentist Opportunity In Sebring. Sebring Dental practice needing a FT General Dentist.

We have a lab in the practice with a FT lab tech, 3 DAs and a hygienist. Our clinic is completely remodeled with new equipment, very clean with great lighting, 7 operatories and digital X-rays. This practice is located on the corner of an intersection with great traffic flow and ample parking. We have a guaranteed daily rate with monthly profit sharing.

We pay your malpractice insurance. We also provide health insurance, 401K w/match, paid CEs and paid vacation. *relocation assistance is considered.* Must be a dentist with a DDS or DMD degree and no issues with license or insurance problems. mioconnor@aspendental.com.

DENTAL ASSISTANT. Seeking a full time dental assistant with exceptional assisting and communication skills. Duties include assisting in general, cosmetic, implant surgery, and presenting treatment to patients. Experience in six month smiles, Cerec, implants, and Eaglesoft are major pluses. Our assistants are knowledgeable in dental insurance and making financial arrangements with our patients. We are a three doctor practice in Palm Harbor and Trinity practicing high end state-of-theart dentistry. We are a very fast moving office and we develop very strong, friendly relationships with our patients. We are looking for that someone who wants to go the extra mile to offer excellent patient service. Benefits include health insurance, 401(k), vacation, free dental care, bonus incentive and excellent working conditions. kimhulick@verizon. net.

Seeking PT or FT Endodontist. We are seeking a PT or FT provider to work in our established multi-specialty practice located in Jacksonville, FL. Offering Health benefits, malpractice coverage, CE reimbursements, competitive salary plus % of production in an established up to date practice!

Provider can expect a highly productive patient load, a welcoming staff, and a long term career path with potential partnership opportunity. Please call for more details: 248.430.5555 or email Molly McVay at molly.mcvay@greatexpressions.com. https://careersclinical-greatexpressions.icims.com/ jobs/5822/full-time-endodontist-opportunity--jacksonville%2c-fl/job.

84

Today's FDA

May/June 2016

Pediatric Dentist-Melbourne, FL. Since 1997, Christie Dental has grown from our first location in Merritt Island, FL to 17 locations from coast to coast in Central Florida. We are a community based, multi-specialty group committed to the traditional doctor-patient relationship and providing the highest quality care and service to our patients. Our mission is to be Florida’s premier dental provider of choice through fiscal, social and ethical excellence. We’re interested in speaking with Pediatric Dentists to join our team in Melbourne. This is a part time position working 2 days a week and can be a great supplement to an existing schedule and may offer future growth opportunity. We also have the ability to combine a second location for a full time schedule. Christie Dental is primarily a fee-for-service and PPO provider. Interested candidates, please contact kateanderson@amdpi.com or 781.213.3312. http:// www.christiedental.com/.

Dentist. True Health community health center has an immediate full time position for a general dentist in East Orlando, FL. Must be licensed in the state of Florida and have a valid DEA license.

Must provide both pediatric comprehensive and adult emergency services. 36 hours a week will be devoted to comprehensive pediatric care (patients up to age 21). 4 hours a week are for adult emergency care (extractions and fillings only).

This clinic has 3 operatories with 2 ½ experienced full time dental assistants, phosphor plate X-ray system, and electronic dental records. The office was opened in 2012 and has up to date dental equipment and instruments. The office is located at 11881-A East Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32807.

Hours are Monday-Friday, no weekends. Applicant must have at least 2 years of clinical experience and be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

BENEFITS INCLUDE: COMPETITIVE SALARY; POTENTIAL TO APPLY FOR LOAN REPAYMENT ($60K for every 2 years served); Incentive bonus BASED ON PRODUCTIVITY; 5.5 WEEKS PAID TIME OFF, WITH CASH OUT option; 40 hours paid annually for CE time and monetary reimbursement for CE; Paid dental license renewal, DEA renewal, and monetary reimbursement towards professional dues; Medical insurance (base plan fully paid by employer for employee); 403B retirement plan; Life insurance; Malpractice insurance provided through the Federal Tort Claims Act. hr@mytruehealth.org.

General Dentist Opportunities - Jacksonville, FL. Great Expressions Dental Centers has select openings for General Dentists to join our Jacksonville, FL dental team! For more than 35 years, Great Expressions Dental Centers has been exceeding patients’ expectations offering general dentistry, endodontic, periodontic, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontic, and pediatric dentistry services in a comfortable, friendly environment. We are always looking for motivated and qualified dental professionals and with over 250 dental centers in ten states, the opportunities are unlimited. Compensation: Six Figure Annual Draw vs. Percent of Production! Attractive Signon or Relocation possible as well. Benefits/Perks: Leaders in the practice: Clinical Freedom and Treatment Autonomy; Patient Focus: Established and Growing Patient Foundation; Multi-Specialty office; Doctor Career Path – Partnership/ Investment Opportunities; Full Benefits Offered – Healthcare & Dental Benefits, 401K, Short Term/ Long Term Disability, Time Off; Malpractice Coverage Assistance; Continued Education Reimbursement, Paid ADA & State Society Dues; Mentorship – Study Clubs, Chairside Mentoring, GEDC University Courses. Please view our Doctor Career Path video: http://www.screencast. com/t/M3xWM5CYN. Please apply via this ad for consideration! Molly McVay | Clinical Recruiter | Great Expressions Dental Centers PSC-North | 29777 Telegraph Road. Suite 3000| Southfield, MI 48034 USA phone 248.430.5555 |Ext. 72467| fax 248.686.0170 | web www.greatexpressions. com. Must have a DDS/DMD from an accredited University and active State Dental Board license.

Comprehensive HIPAA Compliance Program.

Federal Law requires all dentists to be HIPAA/ HITECH Compliant. Contact us to schedule your Comprehensive HIPAA Compliance Program.

Program includes: Team member training, Onsite Risk Analysis, IT Assessment, External Vulnerability Scan, Internal Vulnerability scan and Level 2 and 3 reporting, Security Officer training.

844.DKCARR1 (844.352.2771) or email: info@ dkcarr.com.

HIPAA COMPLIANCE. Federal Law requires all dentist to be HIPAA/HITECH Compliant.

Contact us to schedule your Comprehensive HIPAA Compliance Program. Program includes: Team member training, Onsite Risk Analysis, IT Assessment, External Vulnerability Scan, Internal Vulnerability scan and Level 2 and 3 reporting, Security Officer training. 844.DKCARR1 (844.352.2771) or email: info@dkcarr.com.

Enthusiastic Dentist Wanted! We are looking for a FT General Dentist to team up with us in our Palm Harbor practice. Our clinic is very clean, completely renovated, 3,600 sq feet with great lighting, new equipment in 8 OP with digital X-rays. Our practice is located on the main highway with easy access for our patients plus loads of parking. Guaranteed daily rate with monthly profit sharing, we pay your malpractice insurance, provide health insurance and paid vacation. Financials can be discussed at length in person. *Partnership is available.* mioconnor@aspendental.com.

www.floridadental.org

ENDODONTIST FULL TIME OR PART TIME - Treasure Coast, Florida Endodontist position available to join multi-specialty established practice.

State of the art equipment (microscope, endoscope, CBCT). Great opportunity for a person of high integrity and strong work ethic. Our patients are the highest priority. Two locations on the Treasure Coast (Stuart and Port St. Lucie, FL). Great support staff. Send resume to tjmelching@gmail.com.

Dentist. Dentist to provide oral care to patients including oral exams, diagnosis, treatment planning and various procedures. Require Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and license to practice Dentistry in Florida. Work location - Riverview, Florida. Submit resume to Great Expressions Dental Centers at kristy.loomis@greatexpressions.com.

General Dentist or Prosthodontist Wanted. General Dentist or Prosthodontist with excellent clinical skills for prominent practice in Vero Beach. 40-60 New Patients per month. Vero Beach 3 days/week.

Also, option for Palm Beach Gardens 1 day/week.

Position will develop into lead dentist within 1 year.

Must have ability to deliver high quality Crown & Bridge, Endo, Fixed & Removable Prostho, Extractions, Bone Grafts, Implant Surgery a plus.

Minimum 2 years’ experience preferred. If you are looking for a long term position in a growing dental practice where you can control your future, this may be the right practice for you. Comp= Base Sal + commission on production. pgadentistryom@ gmail.com.

For Sale/Lease Specialty Office in Prestigious Ponte Vedra Beach. Pediatric Dentist or Orthodontist would do extremely well in this 4 chair, fully equipped dental office with Ceph and Pan a mile from two elementary schools. 904.463.1952.

Winter Park, FL - Dental Office for Sale or Lease.

WINTER PARK, FL. Dental office condo for sale.

31 year old practice located next to a large private school. Fully built out and functional: 2 operatories, 2 hygienist, private doctor office and restroom with shower. Gas lines in place. Exterior compressor.

Minimal investment needed to be a turn-key dental office. Winter Park demographics available upon request. Contact Lee Zerivitz, CCIM lee@ CITYcommercial.com, 407.929.3598. http://www. loopnet.com/Listing/19684765/2828-Casa-AlomaWay-Winter-Park-FL/ Practice for sale. Delray practice. Modern. same location since 1985. 4 ops. 1350 sq/ft. One doctor.

Retiring. Professional bldg. clean, nice and prosperous. Contact info: cell: 561.716.1952.

Brandon office. Brandon dental office and building for sale in a highly visible area, one block from hospital. 3 ops and 1 plumbed. Newly remodeled with a high traffic location. Owner retiring.

Excellent opportunity for the right person. Contact Donna at 813.689.6491, bafdental@gmail.com.

Mobile Dental Practice For Sale. Busy Mobile dental practice for sale. Currently treating Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Adult Day Care programs, Pace Program, and Medical Insurance facilities in the Tampa Bay Area. All facilities under contract, and adding new facilities monthly. State of the art equipment, Van, and technology. Unable to continue with the growth and am selling the practice, accounts, and equipment/instruments/ computers/etc. Be your own boss with minimal overhead! Email: mobiledcd@tampabay.rr.com.

SALE OR LEASE: Brandon, Fl. FOR LEASE Beautiful 2000 sf lakefront office space available for custom build out. Adjacent to Endodontist. Ideal for Oral Surgeon or Periodontist. Contact Julie at 813.654.3636 or julieh@aeoftb.com.

Move in ready Health Care Professional suite Medical/Dental/Optometrist/Podiatrist/ Chiropractor/etc. Location: East Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Fl. 2480 East Commercial Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale Florida 33308 Penthouse Suite 2ed Floor Contact Information: Barry Kligerman tel # 954.854.8153 or E- Mail barrykligerman@ gmail.com. Benefits: 1. Move in ready Health Care Professional suite Medical/Dental/Optometrist/ Podiatrist/Chiropractor/etc. 2. $500,000 in leasehold improvements in place: Medical/Dental Cabinets in all treatment rooms, sterilization, business area, reception, storage, and laboratory. 3. 3,000 Sq. Ft. designed for flow as 2 separate offices or one large office. May have existing Endodontist dental specialist stay, renting at $2,463 for smaller suite to offset rent. 4. Plumbing with 14 sinks with central shut off solenoid valve. 5. Electrical Wiring to 5 treatment X-ray rooms. 6. Reception desk for 4 team member’s work stations. 7. Marble floors. 8. Vinyl wall paper scratch/dirt resistant. 9. Private Elevator opens directly into Health Care Provider Suite.

10. Doctor’s Private Entrance. 11. Doctor’s Private Restroom. 12. Doctor’s Private Parking. 13. Private Consultation/Business Area separate from reception and doctor’s office. 14. Doctor and Staff Lunch Room/Meeting Room, seats 10. 15 .Prestigious Medical location between US 1 and A1A on E. Commercial Blvd, attracts patients from all of Broward County. 16. Adjacent to Galt Ocean Mile upscale Oceanfront Condominiums. 17. Adjacent to Intracoastal Waterway upscale waterfront homes, yacht club, boating capital, Bahia Mar, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Venice of America, and Florida’s Gold Coast. 18. Nearby upscale Communities: Victoria Park, Colee Hammock, Rio Vista, Sailboat Bend, The Isles, Las Olas Isles, Coral Ridge Country Club, Coral Ridge, Bayview Drive, Middle River Drive, Imperial Point, Sea Ranch Lakes, Harbor Isles. 19. Located in Building with a Proven History of Rapid Professional Growth. 20.

Proximity to three major acclaimed hospitals: Holly Cross Hospital 1 miles; Imperial Point Hospital 3 miles; Broward County Hospital 7 miles. 21. Dental Laboratory in building whose owner provides personal service to patients. 22. Excellent Signage facing high traffic volume Commercial Blvd. when traveling both East and West. 23. Current owner willing to sell used dental equipment. 24. Landlord pays county taxes, property insurance, maintenance and repairs, pest control, elevator maintenance, air conditioning maintenance. 25. Tenants pays utilities and janitorial. 26. For 2,500 Sq. Ft. — $5,500 a month. 27. For 3,000 Sq Ft. — $7,600 a month.

Office for sale in Panama City, FL. For sale, Panama City, FL. 1933 sqft. Stand alone building. 4 equipped ops with room for 2 more ops; Lab, etc. Plenty of parking. Superb location in professional office park on major street on best side of town. Does not include practice, already sold that when dentist recently retired. JohnMcw2@bellsouth.net.

www.floridadental.org

May/June 2016

Today's FDA

85

Cyberliabilty

Health Care Cyberliabilty Threats What Email Scams Look Like and How to Avoid Them

“

With just a small amount of material, phishers can gain access to your money and even more of your personal information.

”

86

Today's FDA

May/June 2016

By FDA Services Inc.

We all have seen the huge health care industry breaches in the news recently — from the 11-million-member breach of Premera Blue Cross to the 80-millionmember breach of Anthem. However, what a lot of practices don’t realize, or are in denial about, is that this also is happening in dental offices daily. Small health care organizations are specifically targeted for two reasons. First, many fail to upgrade their cybersecurity as quickly as other businesses. Second, criminals find personal patient information particularly valuable to exploit. Cyber criminals are paid $20 for health insurance credentials, compared to only $1-2 for credit card numbers. Once they break into a system, we also have seen hackers change direct deposit information and payment transmittals to vendors.

The primary way that cyber-criminals get into systems is via phishing emails. These phishing emails are getting creative, so you or your staff may not always be able to pick the rotten apple out of an already crowded inbox. Here are some examples of what those suspicious emails might look like and how to avoid falling for their traps.

1. Reused and Recycled Scams There are a number of email scams that have been in circulation for many years.

Fraudsters often recycle proven strategies with slight alterations to their stories, so be on the lookout for these common email scams.1 s phony business opportunities s chain letters s random opportunities that let you “work at home” s “easy” or “free” money or goods s loans or credit that are just too good to be true s opportunities to invest s a “long-lost friend” asking for money

2. Phishing for Your Information Phishing is defined as a scam used to steal your information. A lot of this data could be extremely valuable and include credit cards, Social Security numbers, user names and passwords.2 With just a small amount of material, phishers can gain access to your money and even more of your personal information. A simple way to avoid falling

www.floridadental.org

Cyberliabilty

for any of these scams, is to not send any requested information by email. Just log in to your member account or give the service center a call to verify any requests. Phishing comes in many forms, but here are some examples of how it could present itself in your email inbox: s a billing issue s your account is expiring s bank notifications s security verifications

3. Be Suspicious of Links It may seem like second nature to click on a shipment inquiry from UPS, but make sure you think before you click. If you receive an email that you did not request, be wary of any links or attachments included. One accidental click can download a package to your computer that opens the door to harmful viruses. It is very easy for someone to type “ups.com” and attach a completely unrelated and harmful link. A good way to check on this is to hover over the link before clicking on it. This should let you see where the link really will take you.3 Here are some examples of links you should always think twice about before clicking: s You’ve won a contest! s Your UPS/FedEx Package is undelivered. s You’ve been infected with a computer virus! s Here is my resume.

www.floridadental.org

4. Suspicious Government Emails These emails appear as if they come from government agencies, such as the IRS, FBI or HHS. They ask for personal information or claim that you owe money while using the names of these agencies to legitimize their requests. We have even seen some emails that suggest the practice is being investigated for violations. Realistically, if any of these government agencies wanted to get in touch with you, they would do so in a much more formal manner. A cryptic email would not be their first means of communication.

It is important to be aware of the many ways that you could be scammed and also to train your staff on what they should and should not open. Just one security slip-up could lead to HIPAA violations, stolen patient records and thousands of dollars in loss. So, remember to stay skeptical and when in doubt, don’t click, just delete!

FDA Services’ experienced staff is ready to get to work for you. If you need a review of your current insurance policies or would like to know more about cyber liability insurance coverage, call FDA Services at 800.877.7597 or email insurance@fdaservices.com.

1. https://www.us-cert.gov/sites/default/ files/publications/emailscams_0905.pdf 2. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/ term/49176/phishing 3. http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/ spam/317892-how-to-recognize-and-avoidphishing-emails-and-links

RISK EXPERTS Dan Zottoli Director of Sales Atlantic Coast 561.791.7744 Cell: 561.601.5363 dan.zottoli@fdaservices.com

Dennis Head Director of Sales Central Florida 877.843.0921 (toll free) Cell: 407.927.5472 dennis.head@fdaservices.com

Mike Trout Director of Sales North Florida 904.249.6985 Cell: 904.254.8927 mike.trout@fdaservices.com

Joseph Perretti Director of Sales South Florida 305.665.0455 Cell: 305.721.9196 joe.perretti@fdaservices.com

Rick D’Angelo Director of Sales West Coast 813.475.6948 Cell: 813.267.2572 rick.dangelo@fdaservices.com

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May/June 2016

Today's FDA

87

OFF THE CUSP

JOHN PAUL, DMD, EDITOR

A little smile, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants ...

“

Without missing a beat, he said, ‘No ma’am. This is a new kind of anesthetic and you have to shake it up a bit before giving it.’

”

For the first time that I can remember, one of today’s patients complained about the taste of the pink baseplate wax we used to make a Facebow relation record. I never thought the stuff had any taste at all, but it reminded me of my dental school lab partner and Great American, Ken Peavey.

Ken taught me to chew pink baseplate wax.

It was free and kept you occupied during lab class. I guess chewing wax didn’t seem all that odd because some of the candies we used to get were “wax lips” and “wax bottles.” Ken attained minor celebrity by taking the bubble gum from baseball playing cards and substituting it with pink baseplate wax, then giving the cards to his brother. He let his brother think the gum was old.

Ken and I made a pact the day we learned to give injections. Neither one of us wanted to spend the day numb, so we agreed to do all the motions to make the injection, but empty the anesthetic in the sink. When our instructors came to ask if we were numb, we made the appropriate faces as to how numb we were and what an excellent technician our partner was. Fortunately, no one ever checked our story.

Ken also was the one who found out you could call in requests to the easy listening

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Today's FDA

May/June 2016

station they played in the clinics. From then on, “Perio Tuesday” was also Jim Nabors and Tom Jones day. Ken was partial to singing along with the “Impossible Dream” and I liked “What’s New Pussy Cat?” The oral surgery clinic was where Ken became my hero. By this time, we had given a few injections, but we had never removed a tooth from someone who could talk back.

His first patient was a fine lady of many years who had been a patient for some time in the dental school. As Ken approached with the syringe, he was shaking visibly.

She took pity on him and asked, “Is this the first time you’ve ever given an injection?”

Without missing a beat, he said, “No ma’am.

This is a new kind of anesthetic and you have to shake it up a bit before giving it.”

He grinned a little grin and proceeded to perform a textbook extraction.

Dr. Paul is the editor of Today's FDA. He can be reached at jpaul@bot.floridadental.org.

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