HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013 VOL. 45, NO. 6
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Contents Editor
Dr. Jeff Smith
Associate Editors
Dr. Seth Vruggink Dr. Derek Draft Dr. David Huyser Dr. Brian Licari
Advertising Editor Elaine Fleming Executive Secretary WMDDS 511-F Waters Building Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 234-5605 efwmdds@aol.com West Michigan District Dental Society Executive Board 2013-2014 President Dr. Margaret Gingrich President-Elect Dr. Samuel Bander Vice President Dr. Steve Conlon Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Kathleen Ellsworth Editor Dr. Jeff Smith Immediate Past Dr. Tyler Wolf President Directors Dr. Leonard Bartoszewicz Dr. Brian Mulder Dr. Lathe Miller Area Representatives Kent County Dr. Kathryn Swan Ionia-Montcalm Dr. John O’Donald County Mecosta County Dr. Erick Perroud Ottawa County Dr. Meredith Smedley
President’s Message...................................................................................................... 2 Editor’s Thoughts......................................................................................................... 4 Trustee Report.............................................................................................................. 6 WMDDS CE Program.................................................................................................. 8 Kent County Oral Health Coalition............................................................................10 Second Health and Wellness Expo A Success.............................................................12 2013 WMDF Grant Review Committee Report.........................................................14 ADA News.....................................................................................................................18 Financial News..............................................................................................................20 Technically Speaking....................................................................................................22 The Grand Rapids Press Health Section Article.........................................................25
Dr. Brian Cilla Dr. Colette Smiley
Classified Ads................................................................................................................26
Big Rapids Dental Study Club Officers President Dr. Erick Perroud Vice President Dr. Christa Stern Secretary Dr. Christa Stern Treasurer Dr. Erick Perroud
Advertiser Index............................................................................................................27
MDA IV District Trustees
New Dentist Forum Update.........................................................................................28
Holland-Zeeland Dental Society Officers President Dr. Meredith Smedley Treasurer Secretary Immediate Past President Ionia-Montcalm Dental Study Club Officers President Treasurer Dr. Kirkwood Faber Kent County Dental Society Officers President Dr. Michael Palaszek Vice President Dr. Kathryn Swan Secretary Dr. James Papp Treasurer Dr. Kathleen Eisin West Michigan Dental Foundation Officers President Mrs. Wendy Mc Ginnis Vice President Dr. Michael Palaszek Secretary Mrs. Dawn Kamyszek Treasurer Mr. Joe Van Laan The Bulletin of the West Michigan Dental Society is published six times a year (the winter issue, spring issue, summer issue, directory issue, fall issue, and holiday issue). The opinions expressed in The Bulletin are not necessarily the opinions of the West Michigan District Dental Society. Contributions to The Bulletin are welcome and should be addressed to The Bulletin Editor, 3050 Ivanrest SW, Suite B, Grandville, MI 49418. Requests for purchase of advertising space should be directed to the Advertising Editor, Elaine Fleming, (616) 234-5605. The deadline is the 1st of the month prior to publication. © 2013-2014 West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin
Mission Statement The Bulletin is the newsletter of the WMDDS and its mission is to inform the membership of upcoming and recent events, state & local issues related to dentistry, and as a forum for its officers, representatives, and members to discuss appropriate topics of interest to the membership. Communication & Advertising Policy The Bulletin will publish submitted articles from members and others that relate to the practice of dentistry, small business, social, or political issues affecting dentists, or other subjects of interest to the membership. All published items are subject to space restrictions and the community standards of the WMDDS. The editors reserve the right to reject any article or advertisement deemed inappropriate and to edit submissions as they see fit. Submission & Publication Policy: Articles and advertisements must be submitted no later than the 1st of the month preceding publication date. The Bulletin has six publications: the winter issue, spring issue, summer issue, directory issue, fall issue, holiday issue. Direct submissions or correspondences to:
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
Dr. Jeffrey S. Smith • 3050 Ivanrest SW, Suite B • Grandville, MI 49418 Phone: 616.531.1554 FAX 616.531.6947 • Email: jssmith@comcast.net Include “Newsletter” in the subject line
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
WMDDS Public Relations Dollars Make An Impact in West Michigan By Margaret Gingrich, DDS, WMDDS President
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recently had the privilege (or disappointment) of going shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond with my brother-inlaw. He can be a little pompous at times, but my main goal was to buy new bedroom sheets. My brother-in-law insisted that I get Egyptian cotton, with at least 1000 thread count. What he actually said was 1,000,000, but I’m sure he was exaggerating. He prefaced his comments with “you’re a rich dentist, you can afford it!” I was sure he was joking again, but then as I reflected on the comment, I wondered if he was? Sure, I’m comfortable with my income, but “rich”? I don’t think so. It made me think, “Is that how my patients see me?” Surely that perception in not accurate, or at least that’s not what I intend. I want my patients to feel that I am providing them with quality dental health care at fees that they can afford. But really, is that what they see? I’m fortunate to have a father who is also a dentist, and I posed him with this question. His answer, however unexpected, did ring true. He said that he believes that there are two types of patients. The first believes that dentists are rolling in dough and resent them for it. The second group believes, that unless a dentist is rolling in dough, they must not be very good, so these people would not want to go to them. Still, the perception in both cases is that we as dentists are rich or even worse, only in it for the money. This leads me to see how important public relations can be, both at the individual level as well as the level of the West Michigan District Dental Society. As members of the WMDDS, we each incur a $45 public relations assessment. Although some members may balk at having to pay yet another fee, I’d like to assure you that
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this is money well spent. Our Public Relations Committee, led by Dr. Suzanne Port, can help immeasurably to correct the misperception that we as dentists are only motivated by money. In the past twelve months, the West Michigan District Dental Society’s public relations funds have been used in several ways. If any of you attended a Whitecaps game this past summer, the electronic scoreboard/billboard is sponsored by WMDDS for two innings and promotes WMDDS member dentists. There is also a full page WMDDS ad in their stats booklet that is handed out at each game. In November, the WMDDS joined forces with second-year GRCC dental hygiene students at the Griffins matinee pre-game health and wellness expo to bring the “Sip All Day, Get Decay” message to hundreds of middle and high school students from around the area. Several of you have been involved with “Tooth Time” at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum which combines dental health education and playful dental health-oriented activities to visiting children. If you read The Grand Rapids Press, the first Sunday of each month features a Health Section with an article focusing on various dental health topics. At the end of the article is a message: Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Soicety in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Association and American Dental Association. The PR Committee just approved funds to provide financial support to the Kent County Oral Health Coalition. This group is trying to improve the oral health of Kent County citizens with an emphasis on people with limited access to care. Speaking of access to care, these monies have also been used to support the Mission of Mercy Event in Saginaw and the future 2014 event in Big Rapids. Remember, perception often becomes reality, and this affects us all. We need to continue with our public relations efforts in order to enhance the public’s opinion of dentistry, as well as to demonstrate the devotion we have to our profession.
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
Catch the Spirit in Grand Rapids! MDA 2014 Annual Session DeVos Place, Grand Rapids • April 30 - May 3, 2014
Michigan Dentistry’s Biggest CE Event! SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Joseph Best, DDS, PhD Paul Childs, DMD, CDT Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSA, PhD Greig Davis, CPA Angelo DiMaggio, PT Frank Farbod, DMD, MD David Felton, DDS, MS Susan Gunn, BA Kevin Hale, DDS, MS Peter Jacobsen, PhD, DDS Sheri Katz, DDS Douglas Lambert, DDS David Landwehr, DDS Glenn Lombardi, BA Dennis McTigue, DDS, MS Stephanie Munz, DDS Brian Novy, DDS Betsy Reynolds, RDH, MS Dale Sorenson, DDS Joe Suchocki
Pre-Register Early! Online registration opens in January! www.smilemichigan.com\pro
Join your colleagues for great social events, Plus keynote speaker a variety of topics and speakers and nearly 200 exhibits. JIM SMITH JR And others WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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EDITOR’S THOUGHTS
Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something? By Dr. Jeff Smith, WMDDS Editor
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e are now well into “work mode” at the office, as most of us took off as much time as we could during the summer to enjoy family vacations, our kids sports activities, or just to relax and soak in as much of the summer sun (which can run at a premium in Michigan) as was possible. This can be the time of the year when the schedule runs without a lot of interruptions until the holiday season begins. I don’t know if the sense of being a little fatigued, or as I like to say that “the office got its pound of flesh from me today” is just the result of the days getting shorter, or if my neck, back, and/or arms are noticeably more achy, sharply painful, and or numb because I’m spending more time during the week bending/hunching over patients in an unnatural position. We all have experienced this, especially after a particularly long day in the operatory. But what I’m trying to describe here is something different. This is when the aforementioned symptoms begin to occur more regularly, and with more intensity. We can hope that by taking a little ibuprofen, applying heat, and resting our backs on the weekends, that the problem will go away, but by mid-morning the following Monday, it can be back with a vengeance. Dentistry as a profession, suffers a higher than average rate of disability from spinal issues. While these problems are responsible for about 30-33% of disability claims in the general population, dental claims for the same reason range about 8 to 10 points higher. So what can we do? First off, watch the posture! We have all been lectured on this topic either in dental/hygiene school, during CE courses, or by a physical therapist (for those of us
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who have already sought relief from spinal symptoms). We all know most of the basics, so don’t throw them out the window just because you have a patient who can’t be tipped back too far, or a distal prep/margin on an upper second molar. That’s what the little round shiny thing on the stick is for! If using your best posture is not getting results, then seek the expertise of a medical specialist, physical therapist, and/or chiropractor. Each of these disciplines can offer much in relief of pain, especially when used in combination. Pilates/yoga is a great way to strengthen the core muscles which support the lower back, and ultimately the alignment of the entire length of the spine. Many physical therapists and personal trainers are very knowledgeable about exercises that can be done to counter the imbalance in muscle strength between the upper chest and back that affect neck posture, which many dentists and hygienists develop over years of practice. I have dealt with episodes of lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and paresthesia (which thank goodness, never made it down the arm as far as my hand) over the last 10 to 15 years. Fortunately, with the proper healthcare and fitness resources, it has been possible to completely overcome and eliminate them, but it seems that as more mileage is put on my spine, each new episode becomes more stubborn than the last, and requires more time and effort to resolve. The question arises, why does everything feel absolutely fine no matter how much time is spent working in the office, and then every three or four years, there is some kind of spinal related flare-up? Sadly, the answer is that after it stops hurting, it becomes very easy to focus more attention on whatever the next pressing need of the moment is, and forget about how important it is to maintain the gains made after conquering the last painful episode. We give our patients grief, when after completing a long, expensive, and sometimes uncomfortable treatment plan, they begin to slack off on their homecare or begin missing recall appointments. We try to explain to them that there is no cure for periodontal disease or caries, and without active maintenance and diligent effort on their part, everything that we have done for them will fail. It’s frustrating because sometimes they just don’t seem to listen. Maybe we need to listen to our bodies more. Over the years, I have seen and known colleagues who were forced into premature retirement because of spinal problems that they let go too WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
EDITOR’S THOUGHTS
long before seeking treatment, or did the “exercises” for a while but then quit. We work in a profession where there is an increased risk of spinal issues which pose a real threat to our ability to make a living. If we want to be able to have control of our lives, and someday make plans for a retirement on our terms (that we can look forward to), we need to take care of our spinal health (even when it doesn’t hurt) continuously throughout our careers and afterwards.
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TRUSTEE REPORT
MDA Is Still Busy Working for Us By Dr. Colette Smiley, MDA Trustee
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am pleased to report (if you haven’t already heard), on behalf of the search committee and the MDA Board, that we have selected a new Executive Director, Ms. Karen Burgess. Ms. Burgess comes to us from the American Dental Association where she served as the Senior Director of Membership Marketing and Member Services. She will officially begin employment on January 2, 2014. Looking at demographics by age and practice setting, membership has been, and will continue to be, a priority topic for the MDA Board. Generational differences are changing members’ expectations regarding the services that the MDA can and should provide. Noting the rapid growth of corporate dentistry, many younger practitioners seek practice in this setting as a way to pay down debt and achieve more work/life balance. Yet others prefer a more traditional model of practice -- indicating a need for the MDA to identify ways to appeal to both segments. Recognizing and appreciating the differences among our members will help the Michigan Dental Association develop new member services while fine-tuning its existing services, with the goal of maintaining the MDA’s position as the leading resource for Michigan dentists. Allow me to introduce you to a new MDA service, Members in the Media. Members in the Media is a new initiative designed to retain and reinforce MDA member dentists as Michigan’s oral health authority. Stefani Olds, the MDA’s member image enhancement specialist wants to know how you give back to your community. Supply mouth guards to the high school football team?
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Volunteer at a clinic and provide care to veterans? Have a therapy dog to help calm patient nerves? Let the MDA tell your story. Members can now submit their news on the MDA’s website with just a click of a mouse. The submitted information will be turned into a release, and pitched to reporters in your community. Go ahead – toot your own horn! Local media can help build awareness of member’s knowledge and expertise, increase members visibility in the community, and further position MDA dentists as the oral health authority in Michigan to the public and to government leaders. Here’s the link: http://www.smilemichigan.com/pro/Promotion.aspx. In addition to the services provided by the MDA, the Board is discussing the need to look ahead and anticipate the way today’s dentists want to give back to their profession, offering ways for members to volunteer in organized dentistry without requiring unduly large commitments of personal time. Call it “bite size” volunteer opportunities. As mentioned by Brian Cilla in the previous Trustee Report, development of a new MDA Leadership Development Institute, aimed at getting more member dentists involved at the component, MDA and ADA levels, is in the works. Similar programs have been successful in other states. The Board will be reviewing a complete proposal for this Institute at its December meeting. In other news • MDA staff is monitoring plans by Governor Rick Snyder’s Public Health Code Advisory Committee to conduct a broad review of the code and make recommendations for updating the code, which includes the Administrative Rules for dentistry. The MDA will form an internal workgroup made up of dentists and staff to review the Public Health Code and put together a report on how the code can be updated or improved. After approval by the MDA Board, the suggestions would be sent to the state for consideration. The MDA will also send a letter to the Advisory Committee stating the position of the MDA on dental workforce issues. • The Board has reviewed plans for the MDA/MDA Foundation’s 2014 Mission of Mercy event in Big Rapids. A Mission of Mercy event will not take place in 2015, but WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
TRUSTEE REPORT
a special Charitable Programs Workgroup will study the desired costs, sponsorship, and frequency of Mission of Mercy events and will report back to the MDA Board in the future. • The Michigan Dental Association Foundation is recruiting for it’s first ever-Executive Director. All the money the Foundation raises goes to scholarships and access to care grants. • Some of you may have staff members eligible to purchase health care coverage on the Exchange. While the Affordable Care Act has navigators that will assist individuals purchasing insurance on the Exchange, your staff (if eligible for the subsidies) can pick up the phone and at no cost to them, call the MDA’s Insurance & Financial Group and receive assistance with questions about purchasing on the Exchange. MDA-IFG: 1-800-860-2272 • I am also happy to report membership dues in the ADA will not increase in 2014. • Prefer to “watch” rather than “read”? Check out MDA President Norm Palm’s video reports on the Board meetings under MDA Governance > Board of Trustees @ www.smilemichigan.org. I thank you for the privilege of being your Trustee. Please be in contact with any concerns or comments you may have, or if there is any way I can assist you. I can be reached at 616.560.1104 or colettesmiley@gmail.com.
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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WMDDS CE PROGRAM
What’s Next in Oral-Systemics? By Richard H. Nagelberg, D.D.S. Reprinted with the permission of Dental Economics, September 2013 issue
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e are still in the discovery phase of the degree to Fusobacterium nucleatum has the ability to break the cell-towhich risks for systemic diseases and conditions cell junctions of endothelial cells, allowing the bacteria and are impacted by the mouth and its microbial anything smaller to enter the arterial wall. Fn is now considinhabitants. What will additional research reveal? Is there a ered to be a facilitator of atherosclerosis by this mechanism. realistic possibility that the existence of mouth/body connecHow likely is it that these live bacteria will be inert while tions are untrue? There is no possibility of that conclusion, sitting inside various vascular structures? They are genetibecause there is no separation between the two. cally programmed to survive by releasing enzymes that damHow is it that a foot infection can interfere with glyceage adjacent tissue, loosening up that tissue, facilitating mic control, but not a gingival infection? Ask any podiatrist their ability to move through that tissue, and expose more or orthopedist and he or she will protein nutrient sources. They are tell you that any infection raises programmed to release endotoxins, West Michigan District Dental Society blood sugar levels significantly. He ingest proteins, and multiply. They Presents or she will tell you that even a small, are not programmed to just hang ingrown toenail causes significant around and wait for a white blood blood sugar swings. It is dogma for cell to take them out. Research cerour medical colleagues. Periodontal tainly needs to demonstrate exactly disease is a serious bacterial infecwhat they are doing while residtion. That is not disputed by anying in arterial walls, among other one, including the biggest naysayers places. Research does not need among us. to tell us that it is highly likely How is it that all contributors that they are up to no good. Many to the total inflammatory burden people stopped smoking cigarettes increase the risk for atherosclerosis before research indicated the link and cardiovascular disease, but not between smoking and cancer, heart periodontal disease? Periodontitis, disease, etc. The coughing, wheezPresented by Richard H. Nagelberg, D.D.S. Friday, January 31, 2014 especially moderate to severe cases, ing, and shortness of breath were Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is accompanied by an overgrowth sufficient evidence for them to quit. of capillaries, which means that the Do the math regarding the bloodstream is swimming in bacteria and inflammatory number of bacteria in the oral cavity, the openings into the mediators and all manner of infectious agents. Is it possible bloodstream via ulcerated gingival epithelium, and the capilthat this has no effect on the body? lary beds in the underlying connective tissue. In patients with Live oral bacteria, including some periodontal pathogens, moderate to severe periodontitis, it has been estimated that have been found in coronary blood vessels by DNA analysis. the surface area of the gum tissue involved in the infection is Their mere presence, regardless of how they got there, is about the same surface area as the palm of the hand. Other cause for concern. More and more research is revealing the researchers indicated the area of involved tissue is about the presence of oral bacteria in abdominal and coronary arteries, size of the forearm. In either case, it is a very large surface and now a study has detected periodontal pathogens in intraarea of diseased, damaged tissue that does not offer a significranial aneurysms, including Aa, Fn, and Td (J Neurol Neurosurg cant barrier to the rest of the body. The micro-ulcerations in Psychiatry, Jun 12, 2013). The authors of this study concluded, the gingival epithelium are an open door to the circulatory “This is the first report showing evidence that dental infection system. Many millions of bacteria reside in the diseased pericould be a part of pathophysiology in intracranial aneurysm odontal pocket, perhaps as many as a billion in a particularly disease.� All of these bacteria are toxic and highly pathogenic. deep site, with access to the capillary beds in the connective
Patient Health, not just oral health
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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
WMDDS CE PROGRAM
tissue just below those ulcerations. A few pumps of the heart send them around the rest of the body. We do not know what further research will reveal. We do know it is not going to indicate that nothing is going on here. RICHARD NAGELBERG, DDS, has practiced general dentistry in suburban Philadelphia for more than 30 years. He is a speaker, advisory board member, consultant, and key opinion leader for several dental companies and organizations, and he lectures on a variety of topics centered on understanding the impact dental professionals have beyond the oral cavity. Contact him at gr82th@aol.com.
West Michigan District Dental Society is now on Facebook Check us out and we’re sure you’ll “Like” us!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR West Michigan Dental Foundation Annual Golf Outing Friday June 6, 2014 Egypt Valley Country Club Shotgun start 9am Watch for registration forms to arrive in April. Mission Statement: An organization dedicated to the improvement of oral health through the financial support of education and service programs to address the needs identified by the dental profession and the communities it serves in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Mecosta and Montcalm counties.
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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KENT COUNTY ORAL HEALTH COALITION
Lack of Access, Education Impact Oral Health Coalition releases finding on Oral Health of Kent County Residents Submitted by Colette Smiley, Co-Chairperson, Kent County Oral Health Coalition
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s a dentist, you are well aware that dental disease is preventable. The Kent County Oral Health Coalition aims to reinforce this fact and reduce the number of Kent County residents with untreated dental disease through oral health education, disease prevention, and increasing access to affordable, quality oral health care. As the only collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort focused on oral health, the Coalition is well positioned to improve the oral health for all in our community. West Michigan District Dental Society has been involved with the Kent County Oral Health Coalition since it’s inception in 2011 and we welcome anyone interested in this issue to join us. If interested, please contact Colette Smiley at 616.560.1104 or colettesmiley@gmail.com. Kent County led the nation by being the first community to add fluoride to its water system nearly 70 years ago – a top ten public health achievement of the past century. But today, Kent County is experiencing an oral health crisis. According to the new Michigan Oral Health Coalition report, 2013 Check-Up on Oral Health; Age One Dental Visits, Kent County ranks lowest with only 0.2% of Medicaid-enrolled children receiving dental visits at age one. And the 2011 Community Health Needs Assessment ranked “lack of access to dental care” in the top five health concerns for residents. Community members formed the Kent County Oral Health Coalition, and recently released a report on the current oral health of county residents – The Kent County Oral Health Exam. Basic oral health care – proper nutrition, oral hygiene, routine cleaning, sealants and early treatment of cavities and
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gum disease – is critical to our overall health and well-being. However, thousands of children and adults in Kent County go without that basic level of care. “We often see the toll of untreated oral health issues in our hospitals,” said Edward Cox, M.D., Co-Chairperson of the Kent County Oral Health Coalition. “Lack of access to less-expensive preventive care results in costly visits to emergency departments.” In 2011, First Steps, a local early childhood organization, convened a small group of concerned organizations and people to create a community conversation about the oral health crisis in Kent County. From that conversation emerged The Kent County Oral Health Coalition, an active and collaborative group who believe that change is needed to improve the oral health of Kent County citizens, particularly those who have limited access to care. “Our medical community understands that oral health is not separate from primary care,” said Colette Smiley, D.D.S., Co-Chairperson of the Kent County Oral Health Coalition. “It is critical to overall health.” Partner agencies have been working on solutions to this crisis. The Kent County Health Department announced a partnership with Michigan Community Dental Clinics that will provide dental care at a recently-acquired South Dental Clinic, slated to open in Kentwood in June of 2014. But the group knows more needs to be done. “This is a complex issue: a cavity or other dental issues can impact a child’s ability to concentrate or behave in school; it impacts self-esteem, the ability to get a job; the mouth is truly the gateway to the entire body,” said Nelle Peck, of the Prevention and Education Subcommittee for the Kent County Oral Health Coalition. “Kent County is known for finding ways to solve social issues through the grassroots efforts of community, and this team is committed to finding solutions.” The group is currently working on an action plan to create better oral health in Kent County, through access as well as education initiatives. “We need to figure out – beyond getting people into clinics and dental chairs – how to keep people working on prevention,” said Reggie VanderVeen, D.D.S., coalition member. T h e c o m p r eh en si v e r ep o r t c a n be l o ca te d a t www.firststepskent.org.
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
KENT COUNTY ORAL HEALTH COALITION
Access is a significant issue • Twenty-six percent of adults in Kent County have not seen the dentist in the past year, including 48 percent of those without dental insurance (Behavioral Risk Factors Survey, 2008). • Twenty-six percent of respondents in a Kent County Oral Health Coalition survey of older adults reported they currently have untreated oral health issues. • The current supply of dentists serving low-income patients in Kent County is only 29 percent of what is needed; in the city of Grand Rapids, it is 55 percent of what is needed (Kent County Health Department, 2011). • The emergency department is often a last resort for people who do not receive preventive oral health care. In Kent County, there were an estimated 7,667 visits to the emergency department for preventable dental conditions in 2011 (Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, AHRQ, 2011). • Forty-six patients in Kent County were admitted to the hospital from the emergency department in 2011 with preventable disorders of the teeth and jaw; that number does not include emergency department dental patients who were admitted for trauma or accidents. The total cost for those hospital stays was $889,594 – significantly more than routine care that likely could have prevented the problems (Michigan Oral Health Coalition, 2013). Kent County residents and providers need more knowledge • The American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants have an oral health screening within six months of getting their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever comes sooner. • In a recent survey of Kent County parents conducted for the Coalition, only 24 percent of respondents said children should visit the dentist by age one; 40 percent replied not until age three or later. • Replying to a recent survey for the Coalition, 49 percent of local dentists recommend a first dental visit by the first birthday. Nearly the same number said they do not recommend a visit until age two or three. • In the Coalition’s survey of older adults in Kent County, 77 percent of respondents recognize the importance of WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
routine dental visits even if there is no oral health emergency, 95 percent say daily brushing of teeth or dentures is important, and 94 percent say the condition of their teeth is important to their overall health. A Broader View of the Burden of Oral Disease • Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States – five times more common than asthma – and is considered by many to be the largest unmet health need among the nation’s low-income children (United State Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). • One in four third-graders in Michigan has untreated tooth decay (Michigan Department of Community Health, 2010). • Dental examinations of young children in Kent County’s Head Start program, a federally funded preschool program for children living in poverty, revealed that half of the children had untreated cavities and one-third had five cavities or more (Head Start for Kent County, 2012). • One in five Michigan adults between the ages of 65-74 has lost all of his or her natural teeth (MDCH, 2010). • Untreated dental disease increases costs of the health care system through the added burden of patients seeking care through hospital emergency departments, patients in need of costly hospital-based operating room care, and from diminished medical outcomes resulting from dental infection’s impact on systemic conditions.
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Second Health and Wellness Expo A Success Photos and article by Elaine Fleming
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or the second year, West Michigan District Dental Society and second-year dental hygiene students from GRCC teamed up to promote good oral health and healthy habits to area middle and high school students at the pre-game health and wellness expo prior to the Griffins matinee hockey game on November 6th at Van Andel Arena. The dental hygiene students helped students find answers to questions about oral health and shocked many of the students by showing them the amount of sugar in various sugared beverages. Hopefully the “Sip All Day, Get Decay� information will help them make better choices in the future. The WMDDS Public Relations committee donated $3,000 to purchase 600 tickets so students from all over the area could participate. A special thank you to the GRCC students who brought visuals for the booth and their enthusiasm to make this event a success.
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Back row: Danielle Arkesteyn, Elizabeth Rico, Andrea Turner, Elyssa Hilaski, Jessica Schippa, Michelle Murdoch Front row: Kellie Holm, Erika Randall, Stacey Richter, Sheena Herrick
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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WMDF NEWS
2013 WMDF Grant Review Committee Report Submitted by Sarah Mahar, DDS, Community Grant Committee Chair Kids Food Basket – $1,618 Kids Food Basket provides take-home sack dinners for children that receive subsidized school lunches. Twice a year they provide a toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste for the kids at holiday breaks. This December, over 4,000 children will receive break bags. Funds will be used to purchase brushes and toothpaste.
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he West Michigan Dental Foundation is dedicated to the improvement of oral health through the financial support of educational and service programs to address needs identified by the dental profession and the communities which it serves. The Foundation supports projects that impact oral health within its five-county service area (Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta). Grants are generally limited to educational projects, treatment-based projects, supplies, and equipment. The foundation does not generally support salaries, operations, or research-based projects. The WMDF Grant Review Committee met on Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 to review the grant applications submitted. This year there were nine grant applications and eight grants were awarded. Applications were reviewed by the committee and the following grant recommendations are submitted to the Board of the West Michigan Dental Foundation. Baxter Community Center GAP Project – $3,237 The Dental Health “GAP” (Getting Accustomed Preventative) Project, partners with Baxter’s Jubilee Jobs program to provide care for unemployed job-seekers. The grant will subsidize reduced fees for needed dental care to restore oral health for these job seekers. WMDF previously granted $2,000 in 2012 to support the GAP program. The program has grown to serve the needs of 74 individuals since 2007. The goal is to fund care for an additional 20 individuals in 2013-2014. Tooth Time – $1,618 This grant is to help the WMDDS fund the Tooth Time event at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. This program is expected to draw 1,500-2,000 area children, their parents and teachers in February of 2014. 14
Ottawa County Health Department – $5,179 The Ottawa County “Miles of Smiles” dental van program will use their grant to provide dental services to low income, at-risk, non-Medicaid eligible children in Ottawa County. Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Hockey Foundation – $364 This grant will partially cover the cost of providing mouthguards to 350 youth hockey players. The WMDF has supported this program since 2006. Health Intervention Services (HIS) – $4,451 HIS provides care to uninsured individuals thru the use of volunteer providers and a reduced fee schedule. A grant of $5,500 is being considered to support the cost of materials and supplies used in the care of these individuals as well as prosthetic care. Catherine’s Health Care – $1,012 Catherine’s Health Care is a free or low cost medical clinic that mainly serves the uninsured and working poor. They are requesting a grant for their HEALthy Smiles program. Catherine’s has partnered with Health Intervention Services for dental care of their patients. HIS typically sees Catherine’s patients on an urgent/emergency basis. HIS is willing and able to accept the grant on behalf of Catherine’s and restrict the funds to be used for patients of Catherine’s Health Care. Holland Free Health Clinic – $2,428 The Holland Free Health Clinic operates a PA 161 dental hygiene clinic that refers patients needing further care to volunteer dentists in the clinic or participating private practices in the community. Last year, over $143,000 of care was provided. The Free Health Clinic has been able to provide an 8:1 service value to donation ratio. This grant will be used to purchase supplies and equipment. WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
e l u d e h c S O SH A t ra i n i n g! Your panoramic x-ray equipment is state-of-the-art. But do you know if you’re getting the best price on workers’ comp insurance? We do. Find out what thousands of Michigan dentists already know. Get your workers’ compensation and all your other insurance, from the most trusted and knowledgeable source. Visit mdaprograms.com or call today at 800.860.2272.
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* Malpractice insurance is underwritten by Professional Solutions Insurance Company, 14001 University Ave., Clive, IA 50325. Professional Solutions Insurance Company is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best for financial strength and operating performance. A.M. Best ratings range from A++ to S. ©2012 PSIC NFL 9191 ALL
T H G I N N O I T A I C E R P P A L A DENT l
5th Annua
Presented by
MARCH 7, 2014 7:00PM VAN ANDEL ARENA The Grand Rapids Griffins invite your office to join us for all the fun and excitement of Dental Appreciation Night! Last season, over 500 dental professionals, their families and friends enjoyed this special game. This season’s Dental Appreciation Night will feature: • Special in-game promotions and concession specials • Discounted tickets for your office • Ticket proceeds benefiting the West Michigan Dental Foundation For more info including the game date and ticket pricing, please contact Andrew Rubinstein at 616.774.4585 ext 3023 or arubinstein@griffinshockey.com griffinshockey.com 1.800.2.HOCKEY WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
/grgriffins
@griffinshockey
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ADA NEWS
ADA Introduces New Website for Members to Manage Their Careers, Expand Their Knowledge, Balance Their Lives
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he American Dental Association (ADA) is offering its members a new resource to help them address their professional and practice challenges. The ADA Center for Professional Success, an online resource that launched in September, is a free, one-stop shop for ADAmember dentists who are seeking resources to help them succeed as dental practitioners and small business owners. The website includes tips for choosing a career path to balancing personal and professional lives to planning for retirement. “Dentists spend their days making clinical decisions to provide the best treatment for their patients,” said ADA President Robert A. Faiella, D.M.D., M.M.Sc. “While caring for patients is dentists’ primary goal, they are also juggling business and personal tasks every day. The ADA Center for Professional Success allows members to focus on being a dentist while we help to streamline the rest.” Among some of the center’s features are: • Financial calculators to factor loan payments and overhead expenditures; • In-person and online practice management education;
• Ergonomic tips to reduce hand, neck and back pain; • Patient communication strategies; • Dental benefit resources; • Information on buying and selling a practice; • Marketing materials to recruit and retain patients; • Staffing tips. ADA members can expect to find something new each time they visit because new content is added regularly. Members can also take a virtual tour of the website and use the “Ask the ADA” feature to ask practice management and wellness questions to ADA staff. The ADA Center for Professional Success is sustained with the help of several corporate sponsors. Founding sponsors include ADA Business Resources and ADA Members Insurance Plans, and Gold Sponsors are AXA Equitable – ADA Members Retirement Programs and Procter & Gamble. Please visit ADA.org for information on becoming an ADA member.
Are You Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset - Your Professional Earning Power - From Loss? Molly Murray, Your Professional Practice Insurance Advocate from Great Lakes Financial Insurance Agency works with dental professionals to help protect their professional practice income and expenses from insurable losses. Professional practices have unique risks from potential disability and health issues, given their success is primarily from the principals’ labor. Are you concerned about your insurability, renewal premium rate increases, or improving your coverage? Molly Murray will listen to your goals or concerns, then offer practical insurability strategies and insurance solutions for your unique situation ... today and tomorrow. Nobody will work harder on your behalf to get coverage, remove exclusions or eliminate an extra rating!
Great Insur
Get a free insurance review and solution proposal OR a 2nd opinion about your insurance challenges!
Contact Molly Murray - Your Professional Practice Insurance Advocate 616-301-2599 18
866-735-5344
molly.murray@glfia.com
Disability In
G L F I A
www.theins
4930 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
Mol
patient health, not just oral health Presented by Richard H. Nagelberg, D.D.S. | January 31, 2014 | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park This presentation discusses current concepts of periodontal disease development and progression including; biofilm, bacterial invasion of the gingiva, the immuno-inflammatory response and risk factor identification and management. The interconnections between periodontal disease, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are also examined. The presentation concludes with a discussion of salivary diagnostics and the incorporation of research findings into daily practice to enhance patient care.
• • • •
Learning objectives: At the conclusion of this program attendees should understand: The impact dental professionals have on patient health beyond the oral cavity. The mechanism of periodontal disease development and the immuno-inflammatory response. Risk assessment to maximize clinical outcomes. Interconnections between oral and systemic diseases and their clinical relevance.
Course Outline: 1) The science of periodontal disease: Current concepts regarding biofilm, bacterial invasion of gingival epithelium, mechanism of periodontal tissue destruction and the progression of gingivitis to periodontitis. 2) Risk assessment: Understanding the primary role of risk factor identification and management. 3) Oral and systemic diseases update: Emerging research concerning the interconnections between periodontal disease, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. 4) Practice modifications: Incorporating research findings into daily practice, disease vs. West Michigan District Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. wellness model of practice, DNA testing, case studies, oral probiotics.
Thank you to our sponsors who have helped to make these programs available to us. Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsor:
Registration Form NAME
ADDRESS
ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT(S) AT THIS ADDRESS
MDA-member dentist – $225 Pay by credit card: � VISA � Mastercard
WMDDS retired member dentist – $100 CREDIT CARD #
EXPIRATION DATE/SECURITY CODE
NAME ON CARD
SIGNATURE
PAY BY CHECK: Make checks payable to: West Michigan District Dental Society. Remit to: Elaine Fleming | c/o WMDDS | 161 Ottawa NW | Suite 511-F, Waters Building | Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 | Questions? Call 616.234.5605 or email efwmdds@aol.com
1st staff member – $100 2nd-5th staff members – $90 6th-12th staff members – $85 13th staff member and over – $80 per non-member dentist – $450 TOTAL:
FINANCIAL NEWS
What’s Your Social Capital?
Making Social Media Work For Your Business Brian LaFrenier, CPA, Audit Partner To get a better sense of each network and how it’s used, let’s examine their characteristics.
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s a CPA, I normally talk to dental professionals about their finances – whether it be tax planning strategies to minimize their bill come the March and April deadlines, cash flow projections to determine what their financial health will be down the road, or overhead analysis to figure out where their money goes – we’re usually talking about their financial capital. But there’s another kind of capital that’s often overlooked … your social capital. Social capital is essentially the value of your networks. And in today’s digital landscape, that can include your online social networks. Your clients, colleagues, friends and family all add value to your business, but you can’t budget or forecast that in Quickbooks. Social capital requires interaction and attention from your constituents and the public. Many dental practices have deployed various social media tools to focus on patient growth, branding, and community visibility. Does your dental practice have a social media plan to interact with and cultivate your social capital? There are a number of platforms available; however, each attracts a different segment of your social circle and you’ll want to pick the best ones for your practice. I recently saw a great visual via Doug Ray on Instagram (@douglaswray) that explained how people communicate on each social platform. I have adapted it slightly for this audience: Twitter: I am #flossing my teeth Facebook: I like flossing my teeth Foursquare: This is where I floss my teeth Instagram: Here is a vintage photo of me flossing my teeth YouTube: Here I am showing you how to floss your teeth LinkedIn: My skills include flossing my teeth Pinterest: Here are different colored and flavored floss products Google+: I am a Google employee who likes to floss
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Facebook Facebook is largely a business to consumer platform. It would be a great place for you to interact with your patients on a more authentic level, and it’s easy to build your base by encouraging your patients to “like” your page. Keep people engaged with your practice by posting pictures of your team, share fun facts about your office, and even repost articles that may be of interest to your clients. Twitter Twitter is the second largest social media outlet with 140+ million users posting in excess of 175 million tweets per day. Twitter provides information quickly and frequently by enabling users to convert lengthy dialogues into small snippets of information (you only have 140 characters to work with). This is great for directing consumers to your website to generate leads. However, before establishing a Twitter “handle” it’s important to understand the drawbacks and limitations. It takes time to build a following and the key to building a group of loyal followers lies in the information being shared. The content must be interesting, timely and brief thereby prompting individuals to look further for more information. LinkedIn Some people have described LinkedIn as your digital resume. This platform allows members to post details about their qualifications, experience and achievements. Members are able to share articles they have written or recently read with other connections. This is a great place to stay in contact with your colleagues, referral sources, and other business contacts. Google+ Google+ is one of the fastest growing social media outlets. It allows users to separate their followers into “circles” or groups, which can be a huge advantage when the marketing focus is very targeted and specific. Some studies show that having a Google+ account tied to your website can help boost your organic search results, although Google has not confirmed this. The challenge with this network is that it doesn’t WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
FINANCIAL NEWS
have a large, loyal fan base like Facebook. Your patients may not be a part of Google+, but it is still worthwhile to build a profile since it’s tied to your other Google properties, such as your Google Local listing. Pinterest Pinterest is one of the newest members to the social media club and is climbing in popularity very quickly. With Pinterest, visual content rules! This outlet allows users to divide content into boards enabling followers to quickly find content. It’s terrific for sharing your business culture and personality. You can curate interesting pins and build boards that your clients will want to follow – be creative! You could even show off your practice’s personality by asking your team to get involved and curate boards of their favorite oral health tips and tricks.
If done correctly, social media has the potential to benefit your practice and help to cultivate your social capital. Plus, the cost commitment makes this form of marketing appealing. The key to selecting which social media platforms are right for your practice lies in who you’re targeting and in having a plan. So, similar to unclaimed tax credits, don’t leave social capital on the table. Develop a plan and cultivate a network to engage with your patients, colleagues and business contacts. Connect with Brian LaFrenier on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/blafy Like Beene Garter on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BeeneGarter Follow Beene Garter on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/BeeneGarter
Your practice depends on the individualized service you provide each and every client. So does ours.
Tax Planning and Preparation
IRS Representation
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With extensive hands-on experience in the healthcare industry, our team focuses on the financial and operational challenges you face everyday. We are committed to providing industry-specific expertise relevant to you, without compromising your patient focus.
Accounting Software Installation and Support
Retirement Plan Design and Administration
For more information please visit BeeneGarter.com or contact Brian LaFrenier at (616) 235-5200.
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Evolving your practice today for a healthier tomorrow.
Overhead Analysis
56 Grandville Avenue sw . Suite 100 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 . 616 235 5200
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Best of Tech 2013 Submitted by Greg Feutz, President, DDS Integration Website: http://tinyurl.com/o2rgyr3 Review video: http://tinyurl.com/q5gtx7h Greg Feutz is President of DDS Integration, a Grand Rapids based dental technology company.
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n each wmdds Bulletin I will be fielding your questions about technology, its place in the dental practice, and beyond. Send your questions to askgreg@ddsintegration.com and I’ll answer them on my blog, facebook, and in each Bulletin. This article is a little different. With the holidays coming up, here are some of the coolest tech products and gift ideas from 2013. NOTE: This will also be on our blog (ddsintegration.com/blog) where the links will be live, perhaps easier than typing them. First, things you probably aren’t going to (or can’t yet) buy Sono (not yet available) – So you have loud, annoying neighbors? This device has some serious promise. If you’ve used good noise-cancelling headphones you know what a difference noise cancellation can make. Sono takes it to the next level, your windows. The Sono is installed on your window, customized to block only those frequencies you want blocked (I still want to hear the pretty birdies!), and then makes the rest of the noises go away. Article: http://tinyurl.com/klxwlrb Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/nl5m42n 55” LG Curved OLED TV – So what if it cost as much as my car? Yeah, $15,000. OLED screens are becoming more and more common, as they are capable of producing amazing image quality, and in a very, very thin form factor. LG’s 55” screen is one of the first to actually curve the screen but may be a sign of what the future holds for TV.
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Next, some pretty good gift ideas Google Chromecast – Google doesn’t want you to be sad you didn’t buy a SmartTV. $35!!! There are an awful lot of ways to get the content you want to your non-SmartTV these days, but Chromecast may be the best value. AppleTV, Roku, and others offer similar products and it really comes down to what features, apps, and compatible devices are most important to you. Any of these devices can be very cool. Website: http://tinyurl.com/kjjb9u4 Official video: http://tinyurl.com/qag2vye AppleTV vs. Chromecast: http://tinyurl.com/low5z9n Windows 8 – Shaping the future? Here’s the thing. We all love tablets for one reason or another. The touchscreen, the apps, the form factor, you name it. The bottom line is they are pretty cool and quite useful. However, we mostly leave them at home or in the briefcase once we get to the office. At work we’re still mostly stuck in the desktop world because we need the compatibility, we need the keyboard, etc… Well what if you could have both? Whether it’s a tablet or a touchscreen computer, using Windows 8 really does allow you to get the best of both worlds. Rather than mousing to where you need to go you just touch the screen, and a moment later, you’re typing on the attached keyboard. I never really thought of mousing as a nuisance but Windows 8 makes me rethink the future of the mouse and its traditional uses. Additionally, Windows 8 is offered on PCs, tablets, and phones so you could have the same experience no matter what device you are using, which I think will be a bit of a relief for a lot of us. A few notable devices are the Dell XPS 12 (both a tablet and a laptop) and the Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon (a huge 27” touchscreen computer). Both can be configured with Intel’s latest and greatest processor and plenty of RAM. Also, the Microsoft Surface is incredibly affordable at $349 and when combined with a keyboard (and it comes with Microsoft Office) can make a very nice student gift. Let me back up. Remember I said shaping the future? In the dental office Windows 8 isn’t yet fully supported by our WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Software vendors, but I sure hope it happens soon. We have tested Eaglesoft 16 on an XPS 12 and it does work pretty well, however it’s obvious it was not built for a touchscreen interface. XPS 12: http://tinyurl.com/q4hdkg4 Horizon: http://tinyurl.com/mvh6ofl Surface: http://tinyurl.com/kzq29yo Bikespike – You thought you’d steal my bike, huh? You’ll feel pretty awkward when I track you down. Biking is not safe from technology anymore either. Really, what is? Bikespike is a pretty small investment when considering the cost of a nice bike, and can do tons of cool stuff to help protect it (and you). Like many biking and running products it can track your rides, but more importantly it can track your stolen bike and even send an alert if you crash. I would consider this just for the piece of mind when mountain biking alone. Website: http://bikespike.com/ Cheesy video: http://vimeo.com/61807681 Automatic – Imagining the possibilities when your phone can talk to your car. Supported on “every US gasoline car since 1996,” Automatic plugs into your car’s ODBII port and plays nice with your smartphone. From there it can do a lot, some of it boring like telling you that pushing the gas decreases your gas mileage (really?) but the cooler features include reading engine diagnostics, automatic emergency contact in the event of a crash, and, how many of us have asked for this since forever, telling you where you parked your car! Website: http://www.automatic.com/ Video: http://tinyurl.com/oyxld63 Tesla Model S – If you draw my name for Secret Santa, look no further! Like a lot of you out there, I am very fond of cool and fast cars. I also need some practicality. Four doors and a trunk are pretty much essential, and my little Subaru gives me a nice balance between all of the above. However, the car maker I am most closely watching right now is Tesla. With their all-electric cars and countless innovations, it is no surprise the Model S won car of the year from Motor Trend. It’s a sedan, it’s fast, it looks great, it’s techy, and it boasts a 260 mile range. WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
Beyond that, Tesla is already investing big into infrastructure. First, they are putting in supercharger stations that can charge the battery to 80 percent in only 20 minutes. Even more impressive, they now have (very few) battery swap stations where you pull in and a fully automated system below your car changes out your battery for a fully charged one in 90 seconds. Finally, someone is trying to solve the inherent problems with electric cars, and in a big way. MotorTrend: http://tinyurl.com/b4hosg9 Battery swap: http://tinyurl.com/ngpx42q 3doodler – Caution! May require talent. This one is really neat. I don’t have the talent to use it, but for those that do it would be really fun. By now we’ve all heard of 3d printing where your computer tells a printer what to print and it creates it in 3d form. Amazing! 3doodler does the same, except it’s just a pen. No computer or software needed. You literally just write with this pen in whatever 3d shape you want. They used a kickstarter website to fund the official release. So far, of the $30K they wanted to raise, they’re over $2 million. I’ll let the video speak for itself. Website: http://tinyurl.com/a66lhet Video: http://tinyurl.com/b5spmww Livescribe Sky smartpen – a very cool way to take pen and paper notes to the digital world. Livescribe pens allow you to write paper notes (and record along with them if you choose) and then automatically upload them to your evernote account so they are available forever. It’s an expensive proposition at $170, but if you really want your notes digital but also prefer taking notes the old fashioned way, this is a very cool way to do it. They also have different pens that will sync via Bluetooth to an iPad or iPhone. Official Evernote video: http://tinyurl.com/mah3jaj Engadget article: http://tinyurl.com/c4zwycu Website: http://www.livescribe.com/int/ Neverwet – The name is not misleading. It keeps things dry. More than anything I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how else to describe it, so just watch the video. Website: http://www.neverwet.com/ Video: http://tinyurl.com/kbcydof
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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Not really a gift, but a possible way to put money in your pocket Dwolla – A new (better?) way to send and receive money, without all the fees. Spoiler: Dwolla doesn’t work with credit cards so if you’re married to your points system it may not be the solution for you. But, if you’re sick of the incredible fees associated with credit cards, it might be worth checking out. Dwolla works with bank accounts, rather than credit cards, to offer incredibly low fee (25 cents per transaction, free for transactions under $10). It’s faster, cheaper, and safer than using credit cards. The biggest difficulty I see is people paying you do often like to use their credit cards. Website: https://www.dwolla.com/ Video: http://tinyurl.com/o6dtwp3 What are your thoughts? Comment on our blog or facebook article. We’d love to hear your opinions on Best of Tech or any other topic. Facebook: facebook.com/ddsintegration Blog: ddsintegration.com/blog
The Points of Light project
If you would like more information regarding our project or would like to register as a participant,
please visit our website at: pointsoflightonline.org.
And now for our next good idea: A SIMPLER NAME. Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter is now Hungerford Nichols. A simpler name for the same great depth of expertise, friendly service, and most of all — good ideas you’ve grown to expect. Please check out our new website at HungerfordNichols.com to see our new look and find a wealth of valuable information and resources for your dental practice. Rick Chrisman, CPA, Managing Shareholder rchrisman@hungerfordnichols.com (616) 949-3200
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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS HEALTH SECTION ARTICLE
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Infants’ Cavities Can be Prevented Reprinted from The Grand Rapids Press, October 6, 2013
E
ven though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important, and are still at risk for cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as baby bottle tooth decay, or early childhood caries. “It’s important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come,” according to Dr. Margaret Gingrich, president of the West Michigan District Dental Society. “Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak, and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly.” What causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? Baby bottle tooth decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. Gingrich, a general dentist in Big Rapids, said “there are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar.” Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby. Tooth decay is a disease that can begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother (or primary caregiver) to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth, or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby. “Most people are surprised to learn that tooth decay is an infectious disease that can be passed from the mother to the infant,” said Gingrich. If your infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable.
• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6. • Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste – usually not before he or she is 6 or 7. • Place only formula, milk, or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. • Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed. • If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean— don’t dip it in sugar or honey. • Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday. • Encourage healthy eating habits. When your child’s first tooth appears, talk to your dentist about scheduling the first dental visit. Treat the first dental visit as you would a well-baby checkup with the child’s physician. Remember: starting early is the key to a lifetime of good dental health. Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay • Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth. • When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Be sure to consult with your child’s dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age 2. WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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CLASSIFIED ADS
The classified ad rate is $10.00 up to and including 30 words; additional words 15¢ each. Space permitting, WMDDS members may place ads free of charge as a membership service. Ads should be submitted in writing and sent with payment to Elaine Fleming, WMDDS, 511-F Waters Building, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Telephone numbers and hyphenations count as two words, abbreviations count as one word. Ads received after the first of the month prior to publication may appear in the following issue. Associate position wanted – Newly graduated dentist from UDM looking for full time position as an associate of progressive dental practice in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Please call 616.617.9725 or email ranaazzo@gmail.com.
and assistant and 3 tips for handpiece. Also includes rolling cart for portability. Please call or email for details/ photos. Phone 616.606.3263, or email dandersen83@gmail.com. Purchased for approximately $10K. Asking $5,500/obo.
Associate Position Wanted – Fourthyear at University of Florida COD and Michigan native seeking full-time associate level opportunities in greater Grand Rapids area beginning summer/ fall 2013. LRULE@UFL.COM or 248.568.0839.
Well established high quality practice in Kentwood area is looking for an associate between 1 and 2.5 days a week. Would prefer a seasoned dentist who has experience providing high quality patient service. Please send an email to: associatedentistkentwood@outlook.com.
Kavo Handpieces for Sale – 6000B have 5 at $400/handpiece, 6500B have 6 at $400/ handpiece, 647B have 8 at $200/handpiece, 640B have 2 at $200/handpiece, 649B have 2 at $200/handpiece. Call 616-453-6323. Too busy in your own office and need the extra help? Dentist with nine years of experience looking for part-time employment. Please email dentalassociatemi@hotmail.com. For Sale – Kavo GentleRay 980 Diode LASER. Specializes in management of all soft tissue procedures such as gingival troughing, aphthous ulcer treatment, and perio pocket treatment as well as bleaching. Features a large, bright touch screen with built in clinicial tutorials for easy practice integration. Like new, used approximately 15 times. Includes ALL accessories needed for immediate use including protective eyewear for doctor, patient 26
Dental Office Space for Lease/ Possible Buyin – 2554 Woodmeadow Drive, SE (near Breton and 28th Street), 1300 sq. ft., 4 ops, private office, lab, reception, staff lounge, full basement with lockable storage, excellent parking, plumbed for dentistry and cabled for digital dentistry. Three other dental suites in an all dental building. Very competitive lease rate. Available April 2014. For more information, email westmidental@gmail.com or call 616.401.5134. Hudsonville, MI – Dental office seeking maternity coverage for dentist beginning mid-November. Potential opportunity for associate position following coverage. Send cover letter and resume to: smile@bluewaterdentistry.com. For Sale – Lab Master Foster Model Trimmer, Model # MT115, like new $600. Contact 616.949.7510.
We need your help in changing lives, one smile at time. Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. is seeking dentists to join our elite group of 60 quality oriented dental practitioners. We have experienced exponential growth throughout Michigan over a five year period. Our growth continues, and we have several more offices opening in the coming years. We welcome talking to dentists and dental specialists who have a mindset of continuous quality improvement. Our culture is one which places “patients first.” Due to recently increased capacity, we have outstanding full and parttime opportunities. Our facilities fully utilize an electronic patient record, state-of-the-art equipment and the finest sundries available in dentistry. Our facilities are operated utilizing a private-practice model with policies and procedures that encourages efficiency, productivity, improving quality, and cost control. We operate Monday through Friday with no evening or weekend hours. Our full-time positions offer very competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, paid Continuing Education, professional liability insurance, and a wellness program. For more information on specific clinic openings contact Wendie Rodriguez, Professional Talent Acquisition Coordinator at wrodriguez@midental.org or call 231.437.4739, or visit our website at www.midental.org to learn more.
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
CLASSIFIED ADS
Exciting opportunity for dentists to provide children with dental care in Grand Rapids area schools. No evenings or weekends. Apply at www.smileprograms.com. For Sale – Family practice in Grand Rapids NE that is part time with great potential, located in an excellent highvisibility location. There is 2050 sq.ft. with 5 ops and a 6th op is plumbed in. Opportunity for more footage if desired. Call 616.485.4884 for details.
Antique Dental Drill for Sale – $70. Please call 616.241.4061 and ask for Sue deHaan or email sueldehaan@gmail.com. Immediate opening for an associate dentist in the Grand Rapids area. We are an up-to-date, modern office that is completely paperless. Our office performs all aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry. Email your resume to gr.dentalassociate@gmail.com.
Ottawa County Department of Public Health is currently in the process of recruiting a part-time dentist to provide services on the county’s 40 foot, state-of-the-art “Miles of Smiles” Mobile Dental Unit. The mobile unit provides comprehensive dental services for children at schools, summer programs, and health department locations throughout Ottawa County (Grand Haven, Holland, etc.)
ADVERTISER INDEX The Bulletin wishes to thank our valued advertisers who support organized dentistry by helping to defray the cost of printing and mailing. Advertising in the Bulletin is seen by over 90% of the dentists in the West Michigan District. This includes five of the fastest growing counties in the state: Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta. For information on advertising rates, call Elaine Fleming, WMDDS Executive Secretary at 234-5605. Target your Market – advertise in the Bulletin! Beene Garter.......................................21 DDS Integration..... outside back cover Davis Dental Laboratory................ inside front cover Founders Bank & Trust.......................5
Employment will involve 2-4 days per month (6 hours /day). Competitive wage. If you are interested in this position, please e-mail a resume to: dbassett@miottawa.org Debra J. Bassett R.D.H., B.H.S. Oral Health Team Supervisor Ottawa County Health Department 12251 James St., Suite 400 Holland, MI 49424
Great Lakes Financial Insurance.......18 Henry Schein.............inside back cover Hungerford Nichols ..........................24 Keystone Pharmacy...........................28 MDA IFG............................................15 Professional Solutions.......................16
We look forward to hearing from you!
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
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NEW DENTIST FORUM UPDATE Orthodontic Referral Guidelines The lecture will discuss referral guidelines for Orthodontic treatment. We will discuss what to look for and when a referral should be made as well as when it can wait. Clinical cases will help to make the decision of when to refer simplified. A laminated copy of the guidelines will be given to all who attend. Speaker: Mark Powell DDS, MS CE: 1 Hour Cost: Free (Dinner Included) Time: January 16, 2014 Arrive: 6:30 Lecture & Dinner: 7:00 – 8:00 Location: Pietro’s 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Happier Patients— One Compound at a Time
Keystone Pharmacy uses the latest technology and purest ingredients to create custom, compounded medications, according to your prescription. We also offer the convenience of free delivery to your office or patient’s home. Call Keystone today—your accredited compounding experts! creams & gels • gummies, lollipops & lozenges sterile medications • suppositories, sprays and more
KEYSTONE PHARMACY Specializing In Your Health
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4021 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-974- 9792 www.keystonerx.com
WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2013
WE’VE MOVED STOP BY AND VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM! Henry Schein Dental 2689 Walkent Drive NW, Suite F Walker, MI 49544 Phone: 616-791-2358 Fax: 616-791-2973
Don’t miss our Equipment & Technology Specials! Ask your Henry Schein Consultant for details.
©2012 Henry Schein, Inc. No copying without permission. Not responsible for typographical errors.
WEST MICHIGAN DENTAL SOCIETY 511-F Waters Building Grand Rapids, MI 49503
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT # 657