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What’s New in West Michigan: Local Society Updates
Kent County Oral Health Coalition Colette Smiley, DDS, Co-Chair of Kent County Oral Health Coalition, Grand Rapids
With a lack of sufficient surgical suites at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and operating rooms full due to a coronavirus backlog, pediatric and adult dental procedures were transitioned out of the Spectrum Health hospital system this spring.
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To address this issue and the urgent need to access care for children requiring anesthesia for dental services, Kent County Oral Health Coalition is taking part in the West Michigan Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Services workgroup. Members of the workgroup include Spectrum Health, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, pediatric dental providers, and AMC Mobile Anesthesia. The workgroup is discussing the issue of dental care requiring medical anesthesia, including surgical acuity criteria, office-based anesthesia options, and Medicaid and Healthy Kids Dental payment.
New Dentist Forum Daniel Grode, DDS, New Dentist Forum Chairperson, Ada
The New Dentist Forum meetings are tentatively cancelled through the end of 2020. Members new to the West Michigan District Dental Society will automatically be added to our email mailing list. All new dentists will be notified of any future events that will be scheduled. West Michigan Dental Foundation Kevin Knapp, DDS, MS West Michigan Dental Foundation President, Byron Center
The WMDF golf outing has been rescheduled from May 15, 2020 to August 14, 2020. Updated outing information and sponsorship opportunities are being mailed to members, and we encourage those comfortable with participating to do so. The golf outing will have accommodations for social distancing and maintaining a safe environment. It is sure to be a great time of fellowship and community. We are excited to see you there!
The tuition grant committee interviewed 21 students and has rewarded $26,700 to two dental students, eight hygiene students, and eleven assisting students. There were many stand-out and deserving students this year for these scholarships. See page 16 for the details of the students receiving these scholarships.
The WMDF board is searching for new board members that are dentists and also members of the WMDDS. If you are interested and have a heart for service, please reach out to either Dr. Kevin Knapp, kevinknapp1@gmail.com, or Elaine Fleming, efwmdds@aol.com. It is a great board with a variety of service opportunities.
