2016 Winter Bulletin

WINTER ISSUE 2016 VOL. 48, NO. 1

Bulletin

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Contents ­Editor

Dr. James Vincelj

President’s Message...................................................................................................... 2

Associate Editors

Dr. Seth Vruggink Dr. Derek Draft Dr. David Huyser Dr. Brian Licari

Trustee Report.............................................................................................................. 4

Advertising Editor Elaine Fleming

Executive Secretary WMDDS

161 Ottawa Avenue NW

Suite 301

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(616) 234-5605 efwmdds@aol.com West Michigan District Dental Society Executive Board 2015-2016 President Dr. Steve Conlon President-Elect Dr. Leonard Bartoszewicz Vice President Dr. Brian Mulder Secretary-Treasurer Dr. James Papp Editor Dr. James Vincelj Immediate Past Dr. Samuel Bander President Directors Dr. Lathe Miller

Dr. Kevin Rebhan

Dr. Kathryn Swan Area Representatives Kent County Dr. Kathleen Eisin Ionia-Montcalm Dr. Scott Ribitch County Mecosta County Dr. Erick Perroud Ottawa County Dr. Thomas Anderson Big Rapids Dental Study Club Officers President Dr. Erick Perroud Vice President Dr. Christa Stern Secretary Dr. Christa Stern Treasurer Dr. Erick Perroud Holland-Zeeland Dental Society Officers President Dr. Thomas Anderson Treasurer Secretary Immediate Past President Ionia-Montcalm Dental Study Club Officers President Treasurer Dr. Kirkwood Faber Kent County Dental Society Officers President Dr. James Papp Vice President Dr. Kathleen Eisin Secretary Dr. Christopher Leja Treasurer Dr. Veronica Hamilton West Michigan Dental Foundation Officers President Dr. Sarah Mahar Vice President Dr. Steven Mancewicz 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, 6208 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

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. © 2015-2016 West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

2016 Silent Bell Recipient: Dr. Colette Smiley............................................................ 6 Silent Bell Past Recipients............................................................................................ 9 WMDDS Holiday Event Highlights............................................................................10 New Life Members........................................................................................................12 Editor’s Thoughts.........................................................................................................13 My Community Dental Centers..................................................................................14 Griffins Health and Wellness Expo.............................................................................15 WMDDS Provides Dental Kits for MSU Mission Trip..............................................16 2016 Tax Update...........................................................................................................20 Why Insurance Reviews Matter and How They Help................................................22 Technically Speaking....................................................................................................24 Classified Ads................................................................................................................26 Advertiser Index............................................................................................................28

About the Cover 2016 Silent Bell Recipient Dr. Colette Smiley.

Photo by Adam Bird Photographer.

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 p ­ ublication 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 | WINTER ISSUE 2016

Dr. James Vincelj • 6208 Kalamazoo Avenue SE • Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Phone: 616.554.5970 • FAX 616.554.5974 • Email: drvincelj@mac.com Include “Newsletter” in the subject line

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The View From the Top of the Hill

By Steve Conlon, DDS, WMDDS President

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he WMDDS had the pleasure of hosting its Annual Holiday and Awards Dinner this past December at Cascade Hills Country Club. Dr. Colette Smiley was presented our Society’s most prestigious award, the Silent Bell. In addition, we had the honor of recognizing the contributions of our newest Life Members of the MDA. To be considered a life member of the MDA, one must be 65 years of age and have been a member dentist for 30 consecutive years, or have 40 total years of membership.

The WMDDS had the pleasure of hosting its first ever Mentorship Program kickoff event in early January. The event was held at Henry Schein’s regional office in Walker.

The Mentorship Program was designed to help our younger member dentists in their pursuit of success, and to encourage active involvement in our dental association. As a part of our program, we asked our mentors to share with their mentees what they would change and why if they had the opportunity to do it all over again.

I have concluded after these two events – at 48 years of age and having practiced dentistry for 19 years – that I am as close to the finish line as I am to the starting line. The view from the top of the hill has provided some prospective in understanding the unique challenges of the younger dentist, and a true appreciation of the contributions of our Silent Bell recipient, Dr. Colette Smiley, and our new life members.

Dr. Colette Smiley: When I became president of the WMDDS, I had hoped that this would be the year that you were recognized for your contributions to the profession, WMDDS, and the MDA. It was truly my honor to introduce your husband, Chris, and participate in the presentation of our Society’s greatest honor, the Silent Bell. I share with all of

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our colleagues at WMDDS a deep gratitude for your dedication and many accomplishments.

Our New Life Members – Dr. Gerald Bosscher, Jr., Dr. Kenneth Mulder, Dr. John Kobs III, Dr. Dennis Gorski, Dr. Dennis Webb, Dr. Michael DeWeerd, Dr. Frederick Hoekzema, Jr., Dr. Robert Rosema, Dr. Michael “Reggie” Vander Veen, Dr. Charles Caldwell, Dr. David Lamberts, Dr. Mark Tournell, and Dr. Gregory Weaver: Thank you for your many years of continued support of the WMDDS and MDA. I am grateful many of you shared your faith, families and reflections of our noble profession with those in attendance at our holiday gathering. You are the foundation upon which our dental society and profession rests in West Michigan.

For our mentees and other younger members of the WMDDS, we have an appreciation for the challenges that are unique to your generation. Student indebtedness, the rise of the corporate dental practice, and reduced utilization of dental services as well as many others provide challenges beyond expanding your clinical experience and capability. The mission statement of the MDA, “Helping Member Dentists Succeed” is one that we embrace here in West Michigan. We are here to help you define and achieve your vision of success. My advice is to get involved – and stay involved – with organized dentistry. There, you will be able to network with colleagues young and old who are more than willing to lend advice, assistance and support. If you are not part of our mentoring program and wish to participate, contact me personally at drconlon@sbcglobal.net. I will help you find a mentor.

I have enjoyed and will continue to embrace the journey …

I hope you will join me in doing so as well.

CPR/First Aid Instruction Cheryl Johnson 1722 Rahn Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 821-0298 johnscs@sbcglobal.net

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BYLAWS REVISION UPDATE The WMDDS Bylaws committee made revisions to the bylaws and a notice to the membership was placed in the Fall issue of the WMDDS Bulletin on page 14.

Following that publication, additional revisions were made.

We are therefore offering the new revisions for your review on the WMDDS website at wmdds.org.

Go to the “About Us” section and there is a tab on the right hand side of the page labeled WMDDS “Bylaws Revisions 2”. The bylaws are presented to the membership for review 30 days prior to the executive board vote. If you have any questions or comments, please forward them to bylaws chair Dr. Sam Bander at drsambander@gmail.com.

WMDDS ad Zac 2016revFINAL.pdf

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TRUSTEE REPORT

December 2015 Meeting

By Margaret Gingrich, DDS

rate diagnosis. Dental computerized tomography enhances patient safety by locating nerves and sinuses in great detail, resulting in a safer treatment plan overall. Michigan is only one of two states that regulate dental CT scanners this way.

Senate Bill 741 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy. If you are active with any senators in West Michigan, please be informed and pass along this information. We will need support to get this bill passed.

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he MDA Board of Trustees (BOT) met in December for its final meeting of 2015. The MDA has been very busy working for its members. Our next meeting will be in February 2016.

New Ad Agency/Campaign The first item on the agenda was to help select a new statewide public education campaign agency. Although our previous “What Would Your Mouth Say About You?” campaign and agency were a success, it was felt the member dentists were looking for a new media plan that put patients in their chairs.

With the objective of the new campaign on driving more patient traffic to the MDA-member dentist offices, the board interviewed three agencies. These three agencies had previously been narrowed down from the Public Relations Advisory Committee. James & Matthew, from Massachusetts, were selected as our new agency and have already begun to work hard for us. James & Matthew have prior experience with some of the MDA staff and are working with many Michigan based clients, which will keep the bulk of the MDA media dollars in Michigan. It has also been determined that advertising online will net stronger responses than TV ads, so James & Matthew have been focusing on different online strategies.

CON Regulations On February 3, 2016, Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) introduced Senate Bill 741. The new legislation removes dental computerized tomography (CT) scanners from Michigan’s Certificate of Need (CON) regulation, eliminating barriers for dentists who wish to attain these scanners. By giving dentists easier access, they are able to provide a more timely and accu-

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Handheld X-ray Systems and Children Along the same lines as the CON Regulations, the Board adopted a resolution recommending the use of handheld x-ray systems on children: “children who, at the discretion of the provider, would not otherwise be able to receive necessary diagnostic radiography by stationary equipment.” This change will be helpful in treating children outside of regular dental office settings.

Membership I am pleased to share that the MDA grew its market share for the second consecutive year, based on the year-end membership reports from the ADA. As of December 31, the MDA represented 75.1% of active licensed dentists in Michigan, a 0.7% increase from last year. The MDA was one of only three dental societies of its size nationally to see a YTD growth in market share, and one of only eleven constituent societies to see an increase nationally. Market share growth occurred in 12 of the 26 components that comprise the Michigan Dental Association. West Michigan District Dental Society hit its highest market share since the year 2000 with an 88.8% share.

Great job, WMDDS! This is great news, since the ADA market share dropped by 0.9%, down to 63.6% due to the market size increasing and numbers of members declined.

Foundation The Michigan Dental Association Foundation provided the Board with an informational report on the exciting changes and growth of the past year. Fundraising is up, and so are the scholarships and grants. Scholarships increased from $12,000 in 2014 to $26,500 in 2015, and grants increased from $15,000 in 2014 to $50,000 in 2015. The Inner Circle Fundraising Campaign held during 2015 also showed a nice WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

TRUSTEE REPORT

increase. There was also an update on the Mission of Mercy Event (MOM) being held at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan on June 9–11. This is the Foundations’ major focus for 2016. The Foundation hopes to see 1,200 patients and provide around $1 million in care. They are in need of donations and volunteers for this event to be a success.

Registration is not open. For more information, please visit www.smilemichigan.com/foundation.

Member Benefit coming soon!

MDA members and Board are aware that dental insurance reimbursement rates vary by location and even sometimes quite a bit between practitioners located very close to each other. With this in mind, the Board voted in favor to allocate $7,000 to conduct a survey to determine if insurance reimbursement rates based on regions are consistent. The findings from this survey will serve as an informational tool to be used

to educate the membership, and provide members with information that can place them in a better position to negotiate fees and see the different reimbursement rates in different areas of the state. This survey is scheduled to be completed later in 2016.

This was just a highlight of some of the Board meeting and activities. If you would like to see a complete report from the Board meeting, please visit www.smilemichigan.com/pro.

I would like to thank everyone in West Michigan for allowing me to serve as one of your MDA Trustees. As always, I am available for any comments or concerns by email at: drmargaret04@gmail.com, or by phone at 231-796-8715. I hope the start of 2016 has been a great one for all, and I am looking forward to continuing to serve you!

Portions of this report were written by Dr. Mark Johnston and appeared in the March issue of the MDA Journal.

AREA AGENCY ON AGING OF WEST MICHIGAN SENIOR DENTAL DAY Senior Dental Day provides a no-cost exam, cleaning, and radiographs to low-income seniors in Kent County.

Why Seniors? Seniors are a vulnerable population, having issues with access, transportation, and affordability; poor oral health contributes to poor physical health.

Friday March 18, 2016 Grand Rapids Community College Dental Clinic 8:00am — 3:30pm Volunteer dentists are needed to perform exams for the patients Volunteer hygienists are needed to perform cleanings and radiographs Volunteers can work all day or half day | Coffee, snacks, and lunch provided To volunteer, contact Dr. Colette Smiley 616.560.1104 or colettesmiley@gmail.com

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

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2016 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

Dr. Colette Smiley, 2016 Silent Bell Recipient Submitted by WMDDS Distinguished Award Committee

MOM, VOLUNTEER, LEADER, ADVOCATE, TEACHER

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hese words and more describe this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Colette Marie Rumann Smiley. Colette was born in Chicago, IL, the third of four children of James and Lillian Rumann. She has two older sisters: Diane, a retired schoolteacher in Hagerstown, MD and Donna, a retired manager with Walgreens in Phoenix, AZ. She also has a younger brother, Timothy, who still lives in Chicago where he is in sales with Perdue Foods.

Colette’s family moved to Oak Lawn, Illinois when she was three years old so that her father, Jim, could be closer to the terminal he managed for Sinclair Oil in East Chicago, Indiana. Colette’s parents had a strong work ethic and appreciation for Catholic education, which they passed on to their children. With the exception of a year of public school kindergarten, Colette experienced 19 years of Catholic education from grammar school at St. Catherine of Alexandria through Marquette University School of Dentistry. To make this possible, her father took many “second jobs” from selling men’s clothing at Carson’s Department Store to tending bar at Ann & Bud’s, a neighborhood watering hole. Colette’s mom, Lillian, also took a job with Talman Savings and Loan once Tim reached high school. Not only did Colette observe the value of hard work, her parents’ efforts also provided some interesting opportunities. Jim made sure that the patrons at Ann & Bud’s bought Campfire Girl candy from his little girl!

Some of her fondest memories are of going to Cubs games with her father and brother. Typically her dad insisted on arriving early to watch batting practice, which allowed the kids to get autographs from the players. Colette’s scorecards from those games were rarely completed because, as she tells it, they often 6

left early to beat the traffic home. More than likely it was because the game was out-of-hand by the seventh inning – it was a lean century for the Cubs!

Colette graduated from Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, the largest all-female high school in the country, where she was an honor student and performed in musicals.

While in school, she also had several jobs, including being a shampoo girl at a neighborhood beauty parlor and working behind the counter at McDonald’s. After graduation, she ventured off to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

At Marquette, she studied biology and was a volunteer leader in their new student orientation program, where she was a voice of reassurance for parents who were nervous about leaving their children on the urban campus. While in undergrad, she also worked on the University’s summer paint crew and she took a job in the Infant’s department at the Boston Store. After three years of study, she was accepted into Marquette University’s School of Dentistry.

While in dental school, Colette continued working at the Boston Store and as an assistant for an endodontic graduate student providing evening care at a Milwaukee area office.

A positive of the dental school experience was the camaraderie that developed between classmates. One friendship that blossomed over those four years was with her husband, Chris.

They were just friends in their freshman year and started dating in their sophomore year. Within a span of four weeks following graduation they took boards, were married, went on a honeymoon and then joined the practice of Chris’ father, Dr. Harold Smiley, on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. Harold was very welcoming and a wonderful mentor, but business was an issue while building the office from a one-practitioner practice to supporting two additional providers. To fill her practice time, Colette took a position as a clinical instructor with GRCC’s Hygiene and Assisting programs. Colette loved the interaction with students, but a busy practice and family life necessitated her stepping down from that position.

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2016 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

Colette has many of the experiences one would expect from an involved member of the dental community. She has been a member of the Peer Review and Dental Education Committees, both locally, and on the state level. She represented our component on the Michigan Dental Association’s Board of Trustees and was also a member of the ADA’s Council on Dental Education and Commission on Accreditation.

Colette left private practice in 2010 and returned to teaching with both GRCC and Ferris State University’s Allied Dental Programs. This not only gives her joy through interacting with students, it has also resulted in her mastering IT skills through delivering course content on electronic platforms.

Colette is a compassionate advocate for those in need. Currently she serves as the Oral Health Director for Health Net of Grand Rapids, a health care organization assisting at-risk populations. She is also Co-Chair of the Kent County Oral Health Coalition, a multi-stakeholder organization collaborating to ensure access to high quality, affordable oral healthcare for the underserved and increasing oral health literacy in our community. Colette’s caring for students in our community lead to her being a founding member of Rockford HOPE, a school-based organization founded to reduce suicide attempts and suicide deaths through a commitment to prevention and education.

Colette and Chris have two daughters—Elizabeth and Margaret. Elizabeth, 26, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She lives in Manhattan and works for Huron Consulting Group as a health care consultant. Margaret, 23, graduated from New York University with a BA and a MA in health policy. She lives in Brooklyn and works as a Health Analyst with Wellthie Inc., a healthcare technology company.

Colette was a very involved mother when the girls were growing up. She could often be found marshaling or serving as a timer on the pool deck at swim meets or taking notes for over seven years at Suzuki Violin lessons.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

Some of Colette’s favorite memories center on family vacations, including ski trips to the American and Canadian Rockies and a fly-fishing adventure to a camp in Alaska. This is all the more amusing to her family because Colette is known for saying “my kind of outdoorsy is a cocktail on the deck!”

Her favorite trips were to Spain and Italy when the girls were studying abroad. “Nothing beats seeing a foreign land through the eyes of your children,” she notes.

In August of 2014, the Smiley’s world was rocked upside-down when Colette was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), that resulted in many months in the hospital for chemotherapy and a bone marrow/stem cell transplant the day after Christmas that year.

She is forever grateful to her donor, a 26-year-old anonymous German woman. Although Colette faces a long road to recovery, she muses at what she calls “cancer perks.” These include catching up with long-lost friends through social media and expressions of caring and concern from friends, colleagues, former patients and students and even random acts from those she barely knows.

It is both overwhelming and humbling.

Congratulations to Dr. Colette Smiley, winner of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award.

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2016 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

Colette Rumann Smiley, D.D.S. CURRICULUM VITAE EDUCATION 1979–1982 Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 1986 D.D.S., Marquette University,

Milwaukee, WI

Michigan Dental Association 2011–2015 Trustee, Board of Directors 2014 Mission of Mercy, Restorative Co-Chair 2008–2010 Member, Committee on Peer Review/Ethics 1997–2003 Member, Committee on Peer Review/Dental Care 1994–1997 Member, Strategic Planning Committee 1991–1997 Member and Chairman,

Committee on Dental Education

EMPLOYMENT 1986–2010 2011–2012

1987–1994 2011–2014 2011–

2014–

Owner, Smiley Family Dentistry, P.C. Adjunct Faculty, Davenport University School of Health Professions Adjunct Faculty, Grand Rapids Community College Dental Auxiliary Programs Adjunct Faculty, Ferris State University College of Health Professions Dental Director, Health Net of West Michigan

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS American Dental Association American Dental Educators Association Michigan Dental Association West Michigan District Dental Society American College of Dentists International College of Dentists Pierre Fauchard Academy American PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES University of Detroit Mercy 1994–1996 Member, Dental Advisory Board 1995–1996 Member, Commission on the Future

of UDM School of Dentistry American Dental Association 2012, 2013 Delegate, House of Delegates 2012 Member, Reference Committee on Dental

Education, Science and Related Matters 2011 Alternate Delegate, House of Delegates 2010–2011 Speaker, ADA SUCCESS Program 1995–1998 Member, Council on Dental Education 1995–1998 Member, Commission on Dental Accreditation 8

Michigan Dental Association House of Delegates 1992–1994 Delegate 2011, 2012 Delegate 1994 Chairman, Reference Committee

on Dental Education 1991, 2010 Alternate Delegate, House of Delegates West Michigan District Dental Society 1995–1998 Member, Committee on Peer Review/Dental Care 1992–1995 Member, Public Relations Committee 1987–1990 Chairman, Committee on Dental Education 1987–1990 Member, Dental Care Programs Committee 1987 Member, Task Force to Preserve

GRCC DA Program AWARDS AND HONORS 2012 1998 1998 1996

Fellow, International College of Dentists Fellow, American College of Dentists MDA Young Dentist Leadership Award Fellow, Pierre Fauchard Academy

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 2011– 2011– 2010–2013 2008–2011

Chair, Kent County Oral Health Coalition Founder, Rockford HOPE Group Rotary Strive Mentor Wolverine World Wide YMCA Board Member

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

Silent Bell Past Recipients Otto Lee Ricker, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1981

Lawrence J. Manning, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1999

Willard B. Ver Meulen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1981

Arnold Baker, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000

Clifford T. Nelson, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1982

Robert D. Mitus, Jr., D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000

William M. Creason, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1983

Robert W. Klinesteker, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001

Vernor H. Eman, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1984

Timothy H. Gietzen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2002

Julius Franks, Jr., D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1985

James L. Wieland, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2003

Henry L. Homan, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1986

Charles R. Caldwell, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2004

Ray E. Stevens, Jr., D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1987

Henry J. Milanowski, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2005

Orren A. Bolt, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1988

John J. Stepanovich, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2006

Robert F. Streelman, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1989

Lonny E. Zietz, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2007

Gerald L. Vander Wall, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1990

Michael H. (Reggie) VanderVeen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . 2008

David H. Seibold, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1991

William A. Avery, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2009

Donald G. Hallas, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1992

William F. Rocker, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2009

Robert E. Reagan, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1993

Robert F. O’Brien, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010

John R. Cook, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1994

Marilyn J. Stolberg, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010

Eugene L. Bonofiglo, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1995

John D. Bouws, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2011

Lawrence R. Marcotte, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1996

Paul F. Korte, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012

Laurence J. Jensen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1997

Chase Klinesteker, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013

Harry H. Luton, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1997

Tom Sommerdyke, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013

Robert W. Browne, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1998

Christopher J. Smiley, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014

Harold O. Steele II, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1998

Donald French, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015

WMDDS CPAs good ideas7.5X3.25.pdf 1 3/5/2015 2:27:22 PM

CPAs BRINGING NEW C

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“GOOD IDEAS!”

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RICK CHRISMAN, CPA MANAGING SHAREHOLDER rchrisman@hungerfordnichols.com (616) 949-3200

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WMDDS Holiday Event Highlights Photos by Adam Bird Photographer

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

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NEW LIFE MEMBERS

ADA and MDA Life Members Honored Photo by Adam Bird Photographer

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he following West Michigan District Dental Society members were awarded ADA and MDA life membership in 2015. Congratulations to Dr. Gerald Bosscher, Jr., Dr. Charles Caldwell, Dr. Michael De Weerd, Dr. Dennis Gorski, Dr. Frederick Hoekzema, Dr. John Kobs, III, Dr. David Lamberts, Dr. Kenneth Mulder, Dr. Robert Rosema, Dr. Mark Tournell, Dr. Michael “Reggie” Vander Veen, Dr. Gregory Weaver and Dr. Dennis Webb.

The new life members were recognized at the WMDDS Holiday Dinner and Awards Night on December 10, 2015 at Cascade Hills Country Club. Attending and pictured in the photo are Dr. Michael De Weerd, Dr. Charles Caldwell, Dr. Kenneth Mulder, Dr. Gerald Bosscher, Jr. and Dr. Michael “Reggie” Vander Veen.

L to R: Dr. Michael De Weerd, Dr. Charles Caldwell, Dr. Kenneth Mulder, Dr. Gerald Bosscher, Jr. and Dr. Michael “Reggie” Vander Veen.

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

EDITOR’S THOUGHTS

Be A Mentor

By James Vincelj, DDS, Editor, West Michigan District Dental Society feeling that their is someone who considers me as someone who they can depend on.

So this is why I was happy with the successful launch of the WMDDS Mentorship Program last month, and happy to see the great number of participants. I do believe we can make this group even larger, so i urge our members to consider being a mentor, for what you give now will surely be given back tenfold. Keep our profession strong. be a mentor!!!

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here has always been someone in our lives who we have looked up to as a source of inspiration and guidance. This someone one may have been family, a good friend, or some one related to our chosen path in life.

We tend to refer to these people as mentors. I for one have had a few in my life and they have helped me tremendously both professionally and personally. So, when I heard that the WMDDS was to begin a new mentorship program for new dentists, it made me happy to consider becoming one myself.

I thought, becoming a mentor is the next logical step as I continue on in the later stages of my career. I think about what my mentors meant to me, to have someone give the time in their busy lives to help someone who they barely knew.

They didn’t do it because it was their job, but because they loved what they had a passion for what they did and wanted to help someone in their profession. Mostly they did it because they remembered the mentor in their lives, and the saw the passion in the eyes of their mentee.

Having the opportunity to be a mentor, though not in dentistry at the time, I found out how satisfying it could be, and actually looked forward to watching the development of the person I was helping to guide through their passion. I saw the ability to help someone “think outside the box”, to consider things they hadn’t considered before, and to help someone grow and flourish.

I also found that the relationship gives back!! Who knew someone fresh and green could teach me that there are new ways to do things I didn’t even know about. That a new generation may look at the world a little differently than mine. and that this would bring me a greater tolerance and understanding in my life. It also gave me a new friend, and a good

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

STATE ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANT PATIENTS The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently developed guidelines for perinatal health providers and dentists based on the most current research. The guidelines are contained in a new booklet, titled During Pregnancy, the Mouth

Matters: A Guide to Michigan Perinatal Oral Health.

This guide includes sample referral forms, a pharmacological considerations chart and more.

You can access or download a copy of the booklet at www.smilemichigan.com (click on “Regulations,” then “Perinatal Health Guidelines”).

Dental treatment throughout pregnancy is safe and important in order to ensure the health of both mother and child. But despite evidence showing that oral health care is a critical part of overall care for pregnant women, half of pregnant women in Michigan do not receive counseling on oral health.

And, more than 40 percent of pregnant women who need dental care are unable to receive it, according to the state of Michigan. Also, periodontal disease is present in approximately 40 percent of pregnant women and has been linked to low birth weight and pre-term birth.

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MCDC POLICY UPDATE

My Community Dental Centers

By Colette Smiley, DDS

R

ecently, your West Michigan District Dental Society Board was informed that My Community Dental Centers (formerly Michigan Community Dental Clinics) would begin to serve all patients, including those that have commercial insurance. This policy change raised some questions for our component members. In response, here is what we know.

My Community Dental Centers is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, established in 2006, which provides dental services to Medicaid and low-income patients. There are 27 MCDC clinics throughout the state of Michigan, developed in partnership with local health departments.

There are two MCDC clinics in the WMDDS District – the Montcalm Area Dental Clinic in Sidney and South Clinic in Kentwood. The Montcalm Area Dental Clinic is a partnership with the Mid-Michigan District Health Department.

The South Clinic is a partnership with the Kent County Health Department. Kent County did provide start-up costs for South Clinic building acquisition and renovation, equipment purchase and pre-operational expense. These costs will be repaid by MCDC to the county over the term of their partnership agreement. Grant/foundation support was also sought during South Clinic development. In 2013, the WMDDS Board wrote a letter to the Steelcase Foundation in support of the South Clinic creation.

In its discussions with MCDC, the Kent County Health Department is accepting of the MCDC policy change as the MCDC Board of Directors affirmed that at no time would commercially-insured patients have priority over Medicaid and low-income, uninsured patients. The low-income/underinsured/un-insured patient population will not suffer due to lack of MCDC chair availability. In addition, the Health

14

Department is pleased that MCDC will not actively advertise for commercially-insured patients.

WMDDS members have questioned “Is it in violation of MCDC’s charter to receive state funds now that they will be seeing insured patients and on a sliding fee schedule?”

To clarify, MCDC receives state funds in that they receive payment from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services/Medicaid for patient treatment performed.

The MCDC sliding fee schedule will not apply to those commercially insured; it is based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) of the household – up to 200% of the FPL – to assist those that are low-income. In several centers a sliding fee schedule is required, as they are designated as NHSC (National Health Service Corps) sites for loan repayment, and patients cannot be turned away regardless of the ability to pay.

MCDC also offers the Michigan Community Dental Plan and the Northern Dental Plan. These plans offer dental services at reduced fees to patients without dental insurance.

Membership in each plan is $50 per person. This one-time charge enrolls a patient in the plan as long as they remain an MCDC patient. Some private general and specialist dentists in Northern Michigan accept MCDC’s Northern Dental Plan.

MCDC has made the accommodation to accept commercially-insured patients to maintain their long-term sustainability. The focus of the clinics will remain on serving Medicaid and low-income patients. For existing centers, nonMedicaid/commercial patients will not be directly sought, but no longer turned away.

The MCDC goal is to have up to 25% of their statewide patient mix commercially insured. In other words, some clinics will have more than 25% commercially insured, others less.

There are currently five clinics out of the 27 that struggle to fill their chairs. It is at these clinics where a larger percentage of commercially-insured patients will be seen. The Kentwood (South) and Sidney (Montcalm Area) clinics have no trouble filling their chairs and will see a lower number of commercially-insured patients.

This policy change will improve continuity of care, allowing the dental centers to retain patients that transition from Medicaid to commercial insurance. In addition, non-Medicaid or non-low income family members will now be able to be seen in the same dental home.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Griffins Health and Wellness Expo Submitted by Elaine Fleming, Executive Secretary, WMDDS

O

n Friday, January 27, West Michigan District Dental Society participated in the Griffins health and wellness expo preceding the matinee hockey game. The pre-game event was attended by school kids from around the area. The WMDDS used its new “ReThink the Drink” display to educate the kids, their teachers and parents on the importance of making healthy beverage choices.

Everyone was wowed seeing the 20 ounce bottle of Mountain Dew that contained 19 teaspoons of sugar! Grand Rapids Community College’s first-year and second-year dental hygiene students assisted, handing out toothbrushes and talking about taking care of your teeth.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

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PUBLIC RELATIONS PROJECT

WMDDS Provides Dental Kits for MSU Mission Trip

By Elizabeth Ramirez, 2015 Peru Student Leader, MSU College of Human Medicine M.D. Candidate, Class of 2018

T

his past July, thirteen medical students from Michigan State College of Human Medicine had the opportunity to be part of a campaign that helps some of the most vulnerable populations in Peru. Every year, Dr. Margarita Marchino travels with a team of healthcare professionals to rural provinces with the aim of providing free services to patients with cleft palate and cleft lip, and other groups in need of care. She consults with families who walk miles to see her, and performs surgeries free of cost for children who otherwise would not have access to her in Lima. She has been organizing these campaigns for more than ten years, nine of which have included Michigan State medical students.

Health campaigns focusing on dental hygiene are a crucial part of her mission, and she brings along two orthodontists to help educate patients and the general population on the importance of keeping teeth healthy. We had the privilege of

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serving with this wonderful inter-professional team, visiting schools and orphanages in both Lima and the provinces. We learned how to address oral hygiene and taught children how to brush their teeth and floss. We shadowed her consultations, assisted in surgery, and understood her work as a head and neck surgeon. We learned the timeline for cleft palate and cleft lip surgery, the differences in the type of surgeries, the consequences of not operating in time, and the important role speech therapy and dental services play in the quality of life of a patient with cleft lip and cleft palate.

We cannot thank the West Michigan District Dental Society enough for providing kits for the campaign. We handed out more than 500 toothbrushes to the children of Ca単ete and Lima. Hopefully, in the future, we can continue to work with WMDDS to provide education and tools to those in need in Peru.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR West Michigan Dental Foundation Annual Golf Outing

Monday May 16, 2016 NEW LOCATION: Railside Golf Club 1:00 pm shotgun start To register or for more information, contact Elaine Fleming at 616.234.5605 | efwmdds@aol.com 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.

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

DOUBLE YOUR PRODUCTION TOMORROW Presented by Wendy Briggs, RDH, and Dr. John Meis | March 25, 2016 | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park | CE Credits: 7

Wendy Briggs, RDH, is the President of The Team Training Institute, a worldwide practice consulting firm which excels in increasing entire practice profitability and improving oral hygiene systems. Wendy has a unique perspective on the role of the hygienist within a dental practice. She has proved to be a top-producer within the field, and has coached countless other hygienists to do the same.

An accomplished public speaker, Wendy lectures internationally. She is a published author for the Journal of Practical Dental Hygiene and the AGD Impact. Wendy is a contributing educator for the Dawson Academy and a recommended Hygiene Consultant for Henry Schein. Wendy brings with her the enthusiasm and excitement of a new era for dentistry.

Dr. John Meis is a partner in more than 100 dental practices. His personal practices have grown to tremendous heights and are serving more patients than ever before. He is bringing his unique experiences and understanding of what is succeeding in the dental industry today to you with this course. You will learn strategies to compete in the corporate era of dentistry, and how to win the insurance battle … all of his practices accept insurance assignment and participate with PPO’s.

West Michigan District Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS WHO HAVE HELPED TO MAKE THESE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO US. Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsor:

REGISTRATION FORM NAME

ADDRESS

EMAIL

ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT(S) AT THIS ADDRESS

MDA-member dentist – $250 PAY BY CREDIT CARD: � VISA � Mastercard

WMDDS retired member dentist – $100 CREDIT CARD #

NAME ON CARD

EXPIRATION DATE/SECURITY CODE

1st staff member – $100 2nd-5th staff members – $90 6th-12th staff members – $85

SIGNATURE

13th staff member and over – $80

per non-member dentist – $500

TOTAL:

PAY BY CHECK: Make checks payable to: West Michigan District Dental Society. Remit to: Elaine Fleming | c/o WMDDS | 161 Ottawa NW | Suite 301, Waters Building | Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 | Questions? Call 616.234.5605 or email efwmdds@aol.com

FINANCIAL NEWS

2016 Tax Update Brian LaFrenier, CPA, Audit Partner, Beene Garter, LLP

I

n mid-December, Congress signed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 into law making permanent, or extending, several expiring tax provisions.

This brings good news for businesses and individuals as it offers several tax planning opportunities.

Below I’ve outlined key provisions made permanent for individuals and businesses, as well as other key extended provisions. As you meet with your financial team to file this year’s tax return and make a plan for next year’s, be sure to keep these newly extended or permanent provisions in mind.

Key individual tax provisions made permanent • Child Tax Credit – The new law makes the enhanced CTC permanent by setting the credit threshold at an unindexed $3,000 subject to income phase-outs.

• American Opportunity Tax Credit – The credit of up to $2,500 for four years of post-secondary education is made permanent subject to income phase-outs.

• Section 529 Accounts – The new provision expands the definition of higher education expenses, allowing for the purchase of computer equipment and technology from Section 529 accounts.

• Charitable Giving Incentives – The new law permanently extends the ability of individuals at least 70½ years of age to exclude from gross income qualified charitable distributions from IRAs of up to $100,000 per year.

• State and Local Sales Tax Deduction – The option to take sales taxes as an itemized deduction is made permanent.

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Key business tax provisions made permanent • R&D Credit – Unlike prior laws, which only extended the R&D credit for a year or two, the new law permanently extends the credit for all tax years after December 31, 2014.

The calculation of the credit remains the same.

• Section 179 Deductions – The maximum annual expensing under Section 179 is retroactively extended to years beginning after December 31, 2014 and the expensing limitation of $500,000 and $2 million phase-out amount is permanently extended and will be indexed for inflation.

• Reduction in S Corporation Recognition Period for Builtin Gains – The recognition period during which built-in gains taxes would apply on the sale of S corporation assets held by a previous C corporation is now permanently reduced from ten years to five years.

Other notable extensions (those not made permanent) include: • Mortgage Insurance Premiums Treated as Qualified Residence Interest: The provision extends through 2016 the treatment of qualified mortgage insurance premiums as interest for purposes of the mortgage interest deduction.

This deduction phases out ratably for a taxpayer with AGI of $100,000 to $110,000.

• Extension of above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses: The provision extends through 2016 the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses for higher education. The deduction is capped at $4,000 for an individual whose AGI does not exceed $65,000 ($130,000 for joint filers) or $2,000 for an individual whose AGI does not exceed $80,000 ($160,000 for joint filers).

• Bonus Depreciation – The new law retroactively extends 50% bonus depreciation for two years for qualified property acquired and placed in service before January 1, 2017.

The new law also provides that 40% first-year bonus depreciation applies in 2018 and 30% first-year bonus depreciation applies in 2019.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

THE 2016 MICHIGAN MISSION OF MERCY IS COMING The Michigan Dental Association Foundation, MDA, and others are teaming up once again this year for another important Mission of Mercy program — this time on the campus of Macomb Community College in Warren. The dates are Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, with set-up on Thursday, June 9 and tear-down on Sunday, June 12.

This is the third Michigan MOM program. A Mission of Mercy addresses the most-urgent needs of patients and relieves them of pain and suffering. And, the MOM brings awareness among the media and governmental leaders about the problem of access to care and the efforts that organized dentistry is making to address it. Across America, more than 100 Missions of Mercy have been held in many different states.

About 1,500 patients each day will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Care will be provided to both adults and children. Patient education is also a top priority. Many of these individuals have never been to a dentist.

Volunteers are the heart of a Mission of Mercy. The 2016 MOM is in need of dentists, dental assistants, dental equipment technicians, dental hygienists, dental students, front office/billing clerks, X-ray technicians, lab technicians, hygiene/assisting students, pharmacists and pharmacy techs, and other health care professionals.

From 1,500 to 2,000 volunteers will be needed in all.

Volunteer sign-up for the 2016 Michigan Mission of Mercy is now open at the MDA Foundation website.

Visit www.smilemichigan.com/foundation.

The Michigan Mission of Mercy is a program of the Michigan Dental Association Foundation. Donations to help fund the MOM are also needed. Donations to the program are tax-exempt. See the website for full details.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

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FINANCIAL NEWS

Why Insurance Reviews Matter and How They Help

By Molly Murray, Strategic Protection, GLFIA

What is an insurance review?

The purpose of an insurance review is to look at developments in your life together with your existing coverage, to make certain that coverage is efficient and effective. There are needs and risks that sometimes simply would not be recognized without a review. Furthermore, certain aspects of insurance coverage can become outdated, sometimes due to regulations, sometimes due to personal circumstances or spending habits, and sometimes as a result of changes in the insurance marketplace. A review will help you take advantage of breaking medical enhancements and new high-value policy features. A qualified agent can also help reposition assets by improving the premium cost in relation to the death benefit, the income replacement benefit, the long-term care benefit, or the group retirement plan benefit, just to name a few of the efficiencies that can be gained.

When entering a review, the reviewing agent will request existing policies and gather key data from you. It is a straightforward process and can be completed in one short meeting.

The agent will subsequently provide an analysis of that insurance, what it is and isn’t doing for you, and a choice of strategies, together with the options that are available to support each strategy, including associated pros and cons. The objective is to insure that your strategy is in line with your current income and with your updated life plans.

Dental professionals are inundated with insurance promotions. To help you understand the industry standard, as an individual and as a practice, for advanced degree professionals, here is a compact itemization of what is considered mandatory coverage: 22

Recommended for individual ownership: Life Insurance (LI) and Disability Income (DII) insurance Life insurance covers a biological death and the death benefit can reflect the insured’s projected income from age at death to 65. Referred to as the ‘human life value’, it is calculated by multiplying ones expected annual income by the years remaining to age 65. The amount, at minimum, covers maintenance of the family’s lifestyle, cost of offspring higher education, and retirement savings for the spouse. Remember that it is not money that buys ones insurance, it is the quality of one’s health. The purchase of insurance at a younger age provides for the least expensive premium and the best medically-underwritten health class. Term Life insurance can be purchased with conversion rights, regardless of your health condition, should you decide later-career that you want a death benefit in place at death.

Dental practice ownership involves owning life insurance for three reasons: to protect your family; to provide collateral to the loaning bank, as the assigned beneficiary; and to provide the funds to settle the sale of the practice in the event of an owner’s death during transition. Life Insurance efficiencies are gained by updating beneficiaries and trusts, identifying conversion periods and deadlines, and through possible replacement due to increased death benefit at a lower cost.

Individual Disability Income (DI) insurance premiums are paid with after tax dollars so that benefits will be paid tax-free.

The DI policy covers an economic death, replacing the dentist’s income, should he or she be unable to work. Historically, efficiencies are achieved by restoring the definition of disability to a pure ‘own occupation’ (some dentists unwittingly opt for ‘own occupation and not working’, in hopes of reducing the premium, or being unclear on the definition); or reducing a health-related rating (impacting the premium with a 25% to 100% upcharge); or eliminating a medical exclusion (e.g., spine or mental/nervous). If there is a health related exclusion or rating attached to your policy, there’s a possibility of its removal as medical underwriting keeps pace with industry breakthroughs. The formal review could put you in a better place.

A review of your DII should at minimum verify that the anticipated monthly benefit has kept pace with your increasing income. Disability income insurance (DII) traditionally provides for replacement of 60% of gross income. This perWEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

FINANCIAL NEWS

centage was designed to cover most family’s need, while still motivating the ‘disabled’ professional to return to work. A single carrier will offer a monthly benefit of $15,000, or 60% of a $300,000 income. For income beyond $300,000, a second insurance carrier will offer another $10,000 per month.

Combined you can cover a maximum income of $500,000 with a monthly benefit of $25,000. If group DII benefits are being considered, a discussion with your trusted agent first should be held.

Recommended for Practice Ownership: Commercial Property & Casualty, Malpractice, Business Overhead Expense and Workers Comp Insurance The commercial insurance covers your building, the business property and contents, general liability, loss of income, accounts receivable records, and data, as well as monies lost through theft and employee fraud. At least every five years an insurance review should be conducted to assure ‘insurance to value’. Co-insurance penalties can greatly reduce claim payment. Remember that the retail value and the replacement cost can and do represent significantly varied amounts.

The balance sheet with depreciation included distorts true replacement cost many times. Insurance replacement cost estimators and equipment appraisers provide the best way to keep your practice safe in times of insurance loss.

Differentiate the Business Overhead Expense (BOE) insurance because it kicks in only when the dentist him/herself suffers from a disability which prevents the return to work.

The BOE efficiency gain is in the new riders: Business Loan Repayment, School Loan Repayment, and the Substitute Salary Expense Rider. These enhance your ability to maintain a thriving practice until you decide the next steps. If you own more than one practice and the operating costs exceed the maximum amount available of $60,000, assign some of the monthly expense to your associate as part of the employment contract, and he or she can buy a BOE policy.

The Retirement Plan review provides for significant gains in efficiency. The primary void in service is member education and plan administration. To protect performance, the fund lineup and plan fees should also be periodically reviewed. The most outstanding efficiency to be gained by far, WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

however, is understanding the different types of plans available. The number one question should be “is my plan design progressing?” You may start by offering a SIMPLE IRA, with a maximum annual contribution for 2016 of $12,500, then consider moving to a traditional or safe harbor 401(k) with an increased limit of $18,000. You could then determine if making a profit sharing contribution to get some individuals up to $53,000 would make sense, and, finally, you could explore the benefits of a Cash Balance plan, providing – in some cases – contributions upwards of $100,000.”

If you have been offered a review, and the qualified licensed agent is one in whom you have trust, ask for a comprehensive report. Customer Service in today’s competitive market is expected, and exceeding expectations is demanded. This is how an agent can help: powerful products, applied strategy, and excellent service. Time well spent.

Molly Murray, with GLFIA, addresses your concerns by looking at smart solutions in Life, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance; Individual and Group Benefits, including Health Insurance and Retirement Plans, Buy Sell and Key Man Insurance, and assists with Commercial, Business and Liability Insurance. Email Molly at molly.murray@glfia.com or call her at (616) 301-2599 for a review or quote.

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.

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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

The Boiled Frog – Are You It? Submitted by Greg Feutz, President, DDS Integration

Greg Feutz is President of DDS Integration, a Grand Rapids based dental technology company.

In 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.

M

aybe a little background to give you a fair shot at answering the question. They say if you put a frog in water and then bring it to a boil the frog will stay in the water until it’s too late. But, if you boil the water and then put the frog in it will immediately jump out.

The takeaway is that the frog is unaware of the change because it happens gradually.

This parallel hit me the other day as we were having our weekly meeting, and talking about one of our clients’ computers. They were slow. Actually, slowwwww. They had no idea. Since we work on both old and brand new computers we can easily see the difference. They, however, just got used to the slowing computers as they gradually got older. They are the boiled frog. Are you the boiled frog?

If you have Windows XP computers then yes, you are the boiled frog. If you have Core2Duo computers (sticker on the front would say so) then yes, you are the boiled frog. Corei3, you’re getting close. If you have to wait more than a second or two for, well, anything besides Quickbooks to load then yes, you are the boiled frog. You’ve had your computers for a good number of years now (probably 3-5 at least) and they are in all respects, dated.

First, the good news. You will not meet the same fate as the frog.

Next, the bad news. You’re probably losing productivity through each one of your staff that uses the computers in your practice. Enough that it’s a problem. A lot has changed

24

from 3-5 years ago. Apple was on the iPhone 3GS. Are you still using that?

Keep your tools sharp and your water lukewarm, as it were.

Save a frog, keep your computers up to date.

What are your thoughts?

Comment on our blog or Facebook article. We’d love to hear your opinions on The Boiled Frog or any other topic.

Facebook: facebook.com/ddsintegration Blog: ddsintegration.com/blog

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Find out what thousands of Michigan dentists already know. Get all your insurance from the most trusted and knowledgeable source.

Visit mdaprograms.com or call today at 800.860.2272.

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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, 301 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.

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.

General Dental Practice in Walker, MI – Two ops. Third room can be equipped. 825 active patients. New equipment. Well-maintained suite.

Lease transferable. Asking $100,000.

Interested parties please contact Dentaldad@aol.com.

Holland, Michigan – Associate dentist needed for busy practice one or two days a week. Would prefer Fridays. A bit early but will be retiring in three to five years. Fee-for-service practice with no medicare/medicaid. Please contact Kate at 616.399.4490.

Exciting Opportunities – for dentists, hygienists, and assistants to provide children with quality dental care in schools in Southeast and Western Michigan. No evenings or weekends.

Email resumes to: jobs@smileprograms.com.

Dental Equipment for Sale – After merging my two offices – I have four rooms full of dental equipment for sale. Everything is in excellent shape and working conditions (no junk). All equipment is still installed and can be tested before you buy it. Dental chairs, delivery units, lights, x-rays, cabinets, panoramic, Dent-X 9000 zoom, compressor, separate air dryer unit, 26

suction, lab equipment and much more. Just ask and there is a chance I have it. Please email your questions to hanyb@juno.com.

Dental Office Building for Sale – 1595 square feet on a very high traffic street.

Has been a dental office since 1960.

Very large signage, free standing brick exterior building with its own parking lot. Remodeled in 2010. New roof 2010. High efficiency furnace/ac 2009.

Four equipped ops, dark room, lab/ sterilization area, reception, business office, staff room, private office, basement and a lot more. Would be great for starting a new office or relocating your office if you want to own your building. Please contact hanyb@juno.com or call 616.307.2213 and leave a message.

Looking for a Dentist – to provide general dentistry services for our veterans at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans 2-3 days per week at a per diem rate of $600. There is also a production bonus as well, but it will only add a minimal amount to the per diem. The best part about this position is that it offers great flexibility in terms of scheduling, both in terms of the days and hours worked. In addition, changes to the schedule can be easily accomplished from week to week as well. Interested parties should contact 616.502.0069.

General Dentists Needed – In busy Dental Dreams Michigan offices.

Includes signing bonus of $15-25K. Full-time dentists earn an average of

$230k. Associates enjoy freedom over treatment planning in modern, digital offices with established patient bases.

Benefits include free dental care, paid vacation, continuing education, and Medical, life, vision & malpractice insurance. Visa & permanent resident sponsorship is available. Please call 312.274.4580 or email kanderson@ kosservices.com for more information.

Full time, part time, and Saturday only positions are available and new grads and residents are encouraged to apply.

Dental Office Available – in Rockford on 10 Mile Road. Available about April 2015. Approximately 3100 ft of office space and 1500 ft of basement.

Call 616.866.0921.

Associate Opportunity in West/ Central Michigan – Fast-paced modern dental office, seeks a highly-energetic, personable, and quality-oriented associate. This position will start parttime, moving quickly into a full-time opportunity; excellent compensation and benefit package. Please email resume to lakeviewdental14@hotmail. com or call us at 989.352.6477, ask for Sandra.

Private Practice Available – Supported practice ownership opportunity with percentage buy-in located in beautiful Norton Shores, Michigan. $1.2M annual revenue with eight ops working four days per week.

Contact Zac at 770.710.3042 or zrhinesmith@benevis.com.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

CLASSIFIED ADS

Panoramic X-ray Unit (Gendex GX Pan. 70, 98 kvp, Film Size 5” x 12”) for Sale – Was in a good working order when disassembled by dental technicians. No longer needed.

Asking $1000 OBO. Please email hanyb@juno.com.

Associate dentist is needed for an established Grand Rapids practice – The position is full-time and can begin immediately. Compensation is salary plus health benefits and bonuses.

This is a unique opportunity for mentorship in a long-term position or future/near-term buy-out as you desire. New grads and those with experience are welcome to contact me.

Confidentiality is assured, please email me and include your resume: drlebster@gmail.com.

Dental Dreams desires motivated, quality-oriented Endodontists for our busy offices throughout Michigan – Specialists are provided with a top-tier compensation package, all resources necessary to focus on patient care, and supported by experienced support staff in a modern, technologically-advanced setting.

Benefits include health & malpractice insurance, CE, Paid Vacation. Doctors have complete freedom over treatment planning and discretion over dental supplies and instruments. Make Dental Dreams a reality for you.

We offer full-time, part-time, and Saturday only schedules. Please email Recruiting@DentalDreams.com.

Known for excellent chairside manner, great clinical skills, and a willingness to learn from and work alongside more experienced colleagues. Intense desire to contribute immediately and would be interested in meeting and discussing potential strategies for practice growth, as well as bolstering team support and morale during the transition. Comfortable with all aspects of dentistry, including endodontics and surgery. To discuss possible opportunities in-detail, please contact me at grapdds@gmail.com or call 989.225.0753.

Looking for Motivated, Energetic General Dentist Focused on Patient Care – Needed for growing dental office in Traverse City area. Utilizing 2 Cerec units for single day dentistry.

Also, general dentistry including lab fabricated crowns and bridges, fills, extractions, and root canals. Four hygienists, great staff. Fun environment. Please send resume to 202 West 17th Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Required experience: Experienced preferred, or new grad if comfortable being alone in office.

Required license or certification: DDS. Trial Partner Dentist – In $1.5 million, 2 location fee for service office in Grand Rapids Area. Expect $300,000 net per year. All inquiries to Regional Manager Rachel at hiring1621@gmail.com.

FROM START TO FINISH. Our attorneys are here every step of the way.

Practice transitions Partnership formations Associate agreements

Contact Nicholas H. Vander Veen 616-458-5283 | nvanderveen@shrr.com

Dentist Seeking Opportunity – To become a partner with an existing practice or to purchase a practice in West Michigan. Consistently regarded as responsible, personable, a producer, positive, professional, and upbeat.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

Ann Arbor

GrAnd rApids

MuskeGon

TrAverse CiTy

27

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

Hungerford Nichols ............................9

DDS Integration..... outside back cover

Lake Michigan Credit Union..............3

Davis Dental Laboratory................ inside front cover

MDA IFG............................................25

Golden Dental Solutions...................17 Great Lakes Financial........................24

Old National Bank.............................28 Smith Haughey..................................27 Studio 2 Dental..................................18

Henry Schein.............inside back cover

Your bank. For business.

Old National proudly supports the West Michigan Dental Community.

Specialties Include: • Equipment financing • Financing of partner buy-in and practice purchase • Flexible loan payments • Practice start-up loans • Real Estate Financing • Working Capital Lines of Credit

616-228-6000 28

Member FDIC

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2016

ELEVATE YOUR LAB PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

4 CE

Credits

PRESENTED BY:

LEE CULP Lee Culp, CDT is the CEO of Sculpture Studios, a dental laboratory, research and product development center for innovative diagnostic, restorative, and digital applied applications to surgical and restorative dentistry.

He is the 2007 recipient of the Kenneth Rudd Award from the American Society of Prosthodontics, the 2007 recipient of the AACD Presidents Award for Excellence in Dental Education, as well as the 2003 recipient of the National Association of Dental Laboratories, Excellence in Education Award and the 2013 American College of Prosthodontics-Dental Technician Leadership Award.

Lee has also been appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina–School of Dentistry, Graduate Prosthetics Department.

GET HANDS-ON with scanning technologies, available through Henry Schein Dental, to see which one would be right for you and your practice.

Join Lee Culp as he discusses the many efficiencies of digital dentistry including a positive impact on digital workflow between your practice and the laboratory and enhanced patient experience. Learn to maximize workflow between practice and lab, increase consistency of fit (contacts & occlusion), and reduce postcementation sensitivity for your patients. You will see how the investment is justified with all of these great benefits.

MAY 13, 2016 Stonewater Country Club 7177 Kalamazoo Calendonia, MI 49316 RSVP Online: http://hnrysc.hn/culp51316

© 2016 Henry Schein, Inc. No copying without permission. Not responsible for typographical errors. 16BS5307

Questions?

Call Maria Tucker at 616.791.2358 Registration 8:00AM Seminar 8:30AM – 2:00PM Breakfast &Lunch will be served.

Course Fee: $159 per Attendee

WEST MICHIGAN DENTAL SOCIETY 301 Waters Building Grand Rapids, MI 49503

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT # 657

Dental Specialty Friendly Experts IT Systems/Support Forward Thinking Free consultation

free consultation set up your

What if IT wasn’t dreadful?

Imagine friendly conversations with human-like words and explanations.

Imagine talking to someone who understands and cares about your needs.

Imagine (take a deep breath) you actually liked your IT support team and they liked you. Imagine calling DDS Integration to make all this come true.

Now, stop imagining and call!

616.914.4479 info@ddsintegration.com www.ddsintegration.com PO Box 150633 Grand Rapids, MI 49515 ddsintegration