WMDDS 2012 Fall Bulletin

FALL ISSUE 2012 VOL. 45, NO. 1

Bulletin

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Contents ­Editor

Dr. Jeff Smith

Associate Editors

Dr. Seth Vruggink Dr. Derek Draft Dr. Aric Smith 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 2012-2013 President Dr. Tyler Wolf President-Elect Dr. Margaret Gingrich Vice President Dr. Samuel Bander Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Kathleen Ellsworth Editor Dr. Jeff Smith Immediate Past Dr. Larissa Bishop President Directors Dr. Steve Conlon

Dr. Leonard Bartoszewicz

Dr. Brian Mulder Area Representatives Kent County Dr. Michael Palaszek Ionia-Montcalm Dr. John O’Donald County Mecosta County Dr. Erick Perroud Ottawa County Dr. Meredith Smedley MDA IV District Trustees

Dr. Brian Cilla Dr. Colette Smiley

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. Meredith Smedley Treasurer Dr. Robert Ankerman Secretary Immediate Past President Ionia-Montcalm Dental Study Club Officers President Treasurer Dr. Kirkwood Faber Kent County Dental Society Officers President Dr. Norman Wilhelmsen Vice President Dr. Michael Palaszek Secretary Dr. Kathryn Swan Treasurer Dr. James Papp West Michigan Dental Foundation Officers President Dr. John Marshall Vice President Mrs. Wendy Mc Ginnis Secretary Mrs. Carol Klein 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. © 2012-2013 West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

President’s Message...................................................................................................... 2 Editor’s Thoughts......................................................................................................... 4 Notice of Election......................................................................................................... 5 Trustee Report.............................................................................................................. 6 The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love............................................................................. 8 Point of Light and West Michigan..............................................................................10 Technically Speaking....................................................................................................21 Will 2012 See the End of Bush Era Tax Cuts?............................................................22 New Dentist Outing Treats the Farmers to Rain........................................................23 Ad Council Launches Children’s Oral Health Campaign..........................................24 God Bless Integrated America......................................................................................25 Classified Ads................................................................................................................26 Advertiser Index............................................................................................................27 The Buying and Selling of a Business..........................................................................28

About the Cover A team of West Michigan students and dental professionals head down on a dental mission trip to Guyana, South America in March of 2011. For more details of the trip, please refer to the feature article on page 8.

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 c­ orrespondences to:

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

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

1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Ethics in Advertising

By Tyler A. Wolf, DDS, WMDDS President

H

ello again. I’m speaking to you today as I stand atop my sturdy soap box. I’m not in the habit of preaching, but I noticed something in a magazine today that put me in the mood to do just that. If you’re curious, it was an advertisement placed by one of our own brethren.

Why would that prompt me to write an editorial about it? I’ll get back to that…

Not-so-fun fact #1: The Gallup Poll for Honesty and Ethics in Professions 2003 rated dentists at #5 with a 61% high approval rating. In 2009, we dropped out of the top ten and dropped to 57%. What’s further is that from 2006 to 2009 only one other profession dropped more than we did in the public’s eye (state governors if you were wondering). Our profession has not been included in the poll since.

Not-so-fun fact #2: An article’s title, written in our own profession’s journal (JADA, September 1, 2011), asks the question “Are Dentists Losing Their Status as ‘Professionals’?”.

Ponder that one a bit.

In my dental practice, I do something that I call the new patient interview. It is my first contact with the vast majority of my patients. In this process, I sit down at my desk and “chat” with the patient before we do anything in the operatory.

Part of my routine is to talk about our team philosophy. I talk directly about the fact that I consider myself “old school” in terms of how I believe professionalism should be defined and carried out. I have frank discussions about treating every individual with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Something that I feel is lacking more and more in our world.

This has to do with my personal code of ethics. These ethics should coincide with the code of ethics that we all pledged to 2

uphold when we swore an oath upon graduation from dental school. Part of this code of ethics covers how we market ourselves and our profession to potential patients, as well as how we compare ourselves to our peers in dentistry.

So back to this full-page ad that I viewed in our big city magazine… It stated in no uncertain terms that this particular dentist had “earned a Degree in Cosmetic and Aesthetic dentistry from (XYZ) University School of Dentistry.” Well, as far as I was aware, there was no such thing as a recognized specialty degree in cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry. Knowing that we dentists are way to exacting, I’m convinced that the word ‘degree’ was used both specifically and intentionally to convey some sort of mastery of the craft that had been bestowed by an institution of higher learning. Quite the selling point.… Yet as purposefully misleading as it is dishonest.

So…. Of course I called the (XZY) University Dental School to inquire about this “degree” program, only to be told by the confused administrator that no such program exists.

“We sometimes do continuing education courses on that topic,” I was told, in her warm southern drawl. Not that this was such a revelation, but only a confirmation.

So for what possible reason would this dentist produce such a false statement and use it in his advertisement for all of Grand Rapids to see? I mean, it couldn’t have been to woo patients in his door or to make himself look more qualified (read ‘better’) than his brethren…because THAT would be unethical right?

Take a few minutes to let your fingers do some walking through the local phone book or some clicking on the web….

You might be appalled at what you will read coming from dentists that you may know – dentists that took the same oath and should be operating under the same code that you are. You may gain a better understanding of why the public is losing faith in us.

Some examples that I have seen include: • “Voted #1 Dentist in Michigan” (Billboard) • “Voted Top Dentist in Grand Rapids” • “… A Better Dental Experience” • “Specializing in Cosmetics and Implants” • “Secrets your dentist doesn’t want you to know.” (Local Dentist’s Website Blog) • “West Michigan’s Leader in…”

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

And don’t even get me started on the flood of “mercury fillings” fear mongers. You know the ones that prey on patient’s fears under the guise of being somehow more “biological” in their delivery of dental care than the rest of us. But that’s for a whole other article….

Now listen, I realize that this sort of thing is not as overtly damaging as if another dentist slammed your past treatment right in front of a patient during a second opinion appointment. I get that. However, it is very insidious what it does to the moral and ethical fabric of our profession.

We are better than that. We need to be the professionals that our patients expect and deserve. We need to remain in the footsteps of those who have walked before us and made what we do great.

Let’s all take a higher road, please.

I would be remiss if I did not mention what the majority

of us already know. I am not referring to the most, but to the few. We are a great and proud profession. We can and should respect one another because we are doing very good things for our patients in the name of their health. As that is the case, it should anger you that such a small few can cause us to lose face in the eyes of the public that we serve. It is my hope that at least we can take pause and consider what our appropriate message should be.

Our MDA and WMDDS Peer Review Ethics Committees are well-versed in what constitutes borderline or over-the-line advertising. I find a measure of solace in their vigilance. You can help too by reporting any questionable content that you may come across.

As always, my eyes and ears are open to any comments or concerns that you may have. My office number is 457-4600, and my email is tawdds@comcast.net.

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Growing here.

Staying here.

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(616) 956-9030 foundersbt.com WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

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EDITOR’S THOUGHTS

Just Why Are We In It?

By Dr. Jeff Smith, WMDDS Editor

T

his month’s message from Dr. Tyler Wolf is going to be a tough act to follow, but as your new and very green editor, I’ll give it my best shot. Our profession has, on occasion, been accused of being more concerned with the bottom line (i.e. the business end of dentistry), than with the delivery of caring and compassionate treatment to our patients, as well as always looking out for what is in their best interest (i.e. being ethical health care professionals).

This conception/misconception is exacerbated by another crowd who would accuse our profession of not “paying its fair share back to society.”

One reason that dentistry sometimes takes these hits is that we don’t do a good enough job of informing the public and media of all of the time, money, and personal effort we donate to help others who are less fortunate, but are in real need of our services and care. Maybe we don’t want to appear to be too braggadocious or selfpromoting, but the fact remains that many dental professionals are often more than willing to sacrifice the bottom line for the sake of their profession. One such example is the work of Dr. Scott Hodges, who has been organizing mission trips

in Guyana, South America, for the last ten years. The list of other WMDDS members who routinely give freely is simply too long to mention in an editorial this short.

It can be very challenging to break the flow of our daily professional, personal, and family commitments and routines, but I would ask you to ponder this question: Which stays longer in your heart and memory, the “thank you” and appreciation you got from someone for doing something special, or the income numbers from an especially good month at the office? I would wager that it is almost certainly the former.

We will have an opportunity for two days in Saginaw on the weekend of June 6-9 next year to participate in an event that will help to meet some of the dental needs of thousands of people in the State of Michigan.

This program will draw hundreds of volunteer dental professionals from around the Midwest, and has gained national media attention when it has been organized and put on in other cities in the United States. This program is called the “Mission of Mercy” or MOM. It is a non-profit organization which provides, transports, and maintains all of the equipment necessary for such an undertaking. MOM also helps to organize the volunteers, as well as set-up, run, and tear down all of the equipment after the last patients have been seen. The costs for this endeavor are privately raised by dental organizations in the state where the event is held. Donations may come in the form of funds, supplies, meals/snacks, and other support items. Please stay tuned for further information in coming issues of the Bulletin and MDA Journal on how to register for and/or donate to next year’s MOM event in Saginaw.

“ Maybe we don’t want to appear to be too

braggadocious or self-

promoting, but the fact

remains that many dental professionals are often

more willing to sacrifice the bottom line for the sake of

”

their profession.

4

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

West Michigan District Dental Society Notice of Election (Written mail-in ballots will be sent 30 days following this notice) In accordance with the West Michigan District Dental Society by-laws, the Nominations Committee presents the following slate of candidates for the positions of Alternate Delegates and Delegates for the 2013 Michigan Dental Association House of Delegates and WMDDS offices for 2013-2014. By-laws require that a written notice of the names of the nominees for elective offices be published 30 days prior to the election. The election will be held by a mail-in ballot.

Five (5) of the following will be elected to a two-year term as a Delegate to the MDA House of Delegates and the remaining eleven (11) will serve a one-year term as an Alternate Delegate.

Dr. Larissa Bishop

Dr. Doug Klein

Dr. Steve Conlon

Dr. Kevin Kross

Dr. Matt Lieto

Dr. Kevin Rebhan

Dr. James Hur

Dr. Michael Nichols

Dr. Lathe Miller

Dr. Ryan Lebster

Dr. Aaron Clark

Dr. David Armbrecht

Dr. Leonard Bartoszewicz

Dr. Hany Boulos

Dr. Trish Roels

Completing the delegation in accordance with the WMDDS by-laws are the following members:

Dr. Tyler Wolf, chair

Dr. Margaret Gingrich

Dr. Sam Bander

Dr. Seth Vruggink

Dr. Doug Killian

Dr. Kathryn Swan

(Drs. Wolf, Gingrich and Bander are automatic seats and Drs. Vruggink, Killian and Swan are serving the second year of a two-year term as delegates.)

The Nominations Committee further recommends the following candidates to fill the following Society offices for 2013-2014:

Dr. Margaret Gingrich, President

Dr. Sam Bander, President-elect

Dr. Steve Conlon, Vice President

Dr. Kathleen Ellsworth, Secretary/Treasurer

Dr. Leonard Bartoszewicz, Third Year Director

Dr. Brian Mulder, Second Year Director

Dr. Lathe Miller, First Year Director

The Nominations Committee, shall include as a nominee for any of the above mentioned positions, the name of any West Michigan District Dental Society member in good standing for whom a petition, signed by fifteen (15) active members of the Society has been submitted. Petitions should be delivered by December 5, 2012 to the chairperson of the Nominations Committee, Dr. Larissa Bishop, 4050 Del Mar Drive SW #B, Grandville, MI 49418.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

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TRUSTEE REPORT

Fall 2012 Trustee Report

By Dr. Colette Smiley, MDA Trustee

A

lthough summer may feel long gone, I would like to spend some time updating you on the activities and decisions made at this year’s MDA Summer Board meeting, as well as some other local news, too.

Access to Care Donated Care Research Project: The MDA Board has approved funding for a study and report on the amount of pro-bono work performed in private dental practices. This study will also determine the amount of work that dentists donate outside of the office – in community clinics, MOM events, etc. The research is just beginning and the data should be ready this Fall.

Kent County Health Department: The Kent County Health Department recently received a $5000 grant from the ADA Foundation Samuel D. Harris Fund for Children’s Dental Health. Grants are given to non-profit agencies and organizations that sponsor oral health instruction for mothers/caregivers to help reduce the incidence of early childhood caries.

Internet Coupons & Professional Ethics Prompted by questions from MDA members, the MDA’s Committee on Peer Review/Ethics has been studying the issue of dentists promoting their practices with internet coupons, e.g., Groupon. MDA legal counsel has stated that review of both the ADA and MDA Codes of Ethics shows practice promotion via the use of internet coupons is unethical. “The offer and award of referral gifts or Groupon discounts to patients may violate certain ADA ethical rules, including the rule prohibiting dentists from giving rebates and splitting fees.”

6

MDA-IFG & MDA Services At the June Board meeting, we received great news from our ever-growing subsidiaries, MDA-IFG and MDA Services.

Non-dues revenue from the subsidiaries returned to the MDA the equivalent of $486 for each MDA active member. This equates to MDA dues for 2512 members or 69% of the active membership! This is a real hidden benefit to us all.

The MDA Services glove program is growing very rapidly; interestingly, 67% of MDA Services glove business is outside our own membership – 13 other state dental associations and three medical associations endorse our product. MDA Services is now using this same successful business model to expand into facemasks.

If you haven’t tried the MDA Services glove program, give it a try. You can order or request samples online or by calling 877-484-6149. Every time you utilize an MDA-endorsed program, you receive savings through product discounts.

And the MDA also benefits by receiving an additional source of revenue, at no additional cost to you. This is a win-win opportunity for MDA members.

Membership The MDA’s current membership market share is 74.7%. In total, 98% of dentists have renewed their membership in 2012, which secures the MDA’s place in the top 10% of all state associations in the country.

For WMDDS, we have an 87% membership market share – in the top 15% of components in our state. Congratulations to WMDDS Membership Committee Chair Dr. Kathryn Swan and her committee!

Strategic Planning Also at the Summer meeting, the MDA Board heard a presentation by Dr. Michael Gallery, the MDA’s strategic planning consultant. Dr. Gallery challenged the MDA to “Do a few things well. As an association, we (MDA) try to do too much.”

Currently, about 50% of MDA’s revenue is from dues; Dr. Gallery challenged the MDA to try and reduce dues down to one third of the total MDA revenue.

The MDA is in the initial phase of studying its governance system. No, our current system is not broken. The MDA has excellent membership market share in a bad economy, WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

TRUSTEE REPORT

and we are about to pay off our building mortgage ahead of schedule. The driving goal behind the governance study is to make our Association more effective. It is important to have a governance model that works as well as possible to move our Association forward.

Thank you to Dr. Deb Peters and Dr. Kevin Rehban for your service on the Governance Task Force!

Veterans Collaboration The State of Michigan has the eleventh largest veteran’s population in the U.S., and this population is not accessing the federal funds available to them for dental care, other types of health care, and energy costs.

To increase utilization, the MDA is partnering with the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs to produce a brochure, explaining to veterans that they may be entitled to federal assistance. The brochure will contain a phone number for the veteran to call and see if he or she qualifies for these funds.

This partnership is ideal. In some instances, the dentist may be the first point of contact for a veteran. All it takes from you is one question, “Are you a veteran?” The launch of the program is scheduled to coincide with Veteran’s Day this November. Look for the brochures in the mail.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

Now, A Plea This past May, 3750 emails were sent through the MDA’s Capwiz site, encouraging members to contact their legislators regarding the expansion of Healthy Kids Dental. I am happy to report that as of October 1, Healthy Kids Dental will expand to ten more counties in our state, including Mecosta and Montcalm counties in West Michigan.

Only 168 members responded to this email plea.

Interestingly, 2894 members opened the Capwiz alert, 516 then went to the Capwiz site, but only 168 responded.

Contacting a legislator through Capwiz required 3 clicks of the mouse and an individual to know (or be able to find) his/ her ADA membership number. Our support of the MDA’s legislative efforts only benefits us all – please participate!

And, A Thank You 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 crsmiley@comcast.net. Send me a tweet @smileycolette.

7

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love

By Dr. Jeff Smith, WMDDS Editor and Islam. Everything that we needed for the 8-day trip had to fit in a carry on size case or duffel bag. That meant one half of the bag was used for clean socks and underwear, and the other half contained our scrubs and toiletries. (Smart phones and iPads down there would be pretty much useless.) The vast majority of the luggage space on the plane was composed of over forty large suitcases and crates containing all of the equipment and supplies necessary to treat anywhere upwards of 400 people in a make shift clinic set up in an open church.

After leaving Grand Rapids around 11 am, we flew out of Detroit Metro to JFK, and ultimately arrived in Georgetown, Guyana, sometime around 8 am the next day. The weather r. Steve Hall, a dental school classmate and good was warm and moderately humid, much like the sensation friend, had been bugging me gently, but semiyou get upon arriving in Florida when you have been in persistently during our weekly “dental lunches” at Michigan all winter. There was an air conditioned bus waiting Arby’s for at least four or five years. He was part of a group of for us just outside the terminal and off we went on the 3-hour West Michigan dentists, hygienists, assistants, students, and trip to the small village of lay people who had been Bath. About halfway there, going down to Guyana, the bus broke down on South America, for a week the main highway, which in March on a Christian is only two lanes and no Dental mission trip. When wider than the street in Steve first began asking front of your home. The me, I was happy to make bus pulled over to the side, a cash donation, but to all of our luggage, equipactually take a week off ment, and dental supplies from practice and famwere removed from the ily, and travel down to large pickup which had some hot, humid, and been following, and we unheard of country where made the rest of the trip the mosquitos are prob(all of us) standing in the ably the size of humming back of that open truck birds (over active imagiThe local church is cleared out, and transformed into a functional dental clinic. going down the “highway” nation at work), forget in the wrong lane (previous British rule in Guyana) dodgabout it! ing cattle, dogs, bicyclists, and oncoming traffic. The locals Well, in a moment of weakness or perhaps lapse of reason, watching us seemed genuinely amused as we passed by. Many I agreed to attend an organizational meeting at Dr. Scott smiled and waved. We were definitely an odd sight as the Hodges’ office for the upcoming trip in March of the next number of our group was probably larger than the rest of year. About 30 of us were informed that while we would be the white people within the country combined. (Maybe they perfectly safe and well cared for, we would have to be cognithought that this was the American version of mass transit.) zant of the customs and sensibilities of the Guyanese, who Late that afternoon we finally arrived at Bath, dropped our have descended from a fifty/fifty split of people from India stuff off in the home of the missionary, Andy and his wife, and Africa, and whose religious faiths tended towards Hindu

D

8

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

FEATURE ARTICLE

thoughts on the day’s events or how they were adapting/ Kathleen, and began assembling the clinic in the new but holding up to the demands of the trip. Even though it was growing village church. Scott Hodges did an incredible job always warm at night, I usually feel asleep as soon as my head of assembling, and then later maintaining 16 “operatories” hit the pillow. tirelessly. All of the supplies and instruments were organized, By the last day of clinic, we had changed from a group of sterilized, and then dispensed around the dental units which 30 strangers and morphed into a tightly-knit team. Everyone consisted of folding loungers for the patients, 5-gallon paint knew the names of their fellow team members and what buckets for the clinicians to sit on, and cardboard boxes with supplies or help their colleagues needed while they mobile air and suction hoses which ran off of shop vacs and were providing care. We were finally generator-driven air compressors. “cranking out” dentistry and hygiene The clinic opened at 7 the next because there was no tomorrow. morning, and there were people who Many of the villagers came back into had been waiting in line since 4 am. the clinic with family and friends.

(Earlier the church pastors had told Some even brought gifts for memthe villagers that an American dental bers of the team. Upon departure, team would be coming to provide not only had some of us learned to free dental care for 4 days). During eat and enjoy iguana, but we had the day, hygiene students from Ferris formed new friendships and bonds did prophies and screened patients, within the team, and also with the many of whom had never had any pastors, their families, and many of professional care. While there is a the villagers in Guyana as well. state-sponsored dental program in Two days later, Sunday around Guyana, it consists almost entirely 6pm, after 36 hours of travel, storm of extractions. Sugar is a major agridelays, and immigration and cuscultural crop in Guyana, and many toms officials, we were back home who harvest the sugar cane chew again. We were hungry for family on it all day while they work in the and fast food, and were completely field. We were told by some of our exhausted. Many of us had to be patients that extractions done by back to school or at the office the the local dentists (maybe 12 to 20 Hygiene students from Ferris work tirelessly into the night. next day. All I wanted after some in the entire country) were usually long hugs with my family was enough sleep to recharge without anesthesia, since they typically saved the lidocaine for for the next day. After recounting the details of the trip to their cash patients. The fact that we could actually save teeth family, friends, and anyone else who was polite enough to with restorations if they weren’t too bombed out, or extract listen, the recurring question was, “Are you glad you went on if necessary without pain, had people waiting for two or three the trip?” Without hesitation, my answer was and still is two days to get in to the clinic. Between equipment failures, Dr. trips later, “As crazy as it might seem, ABSOLUTELY.” Hodges was even able to get some root canals in. We would try to close the clinic by 8pm, but we almost never got out before 9 or 10. During the day, we would grab meals, snacks, or breaks in shifts. When we finally got back to our mission home, there was time for a shower, meal (almost always the same food that the villagers eat, only in mass quantities), and a group talk during which time anyone could share their WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

9

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Points of Light and West Michigan

By Dr. Colette Smiley, MDA Trustee vents the need to treat decay later on. As one provider stated, “A one year old dental visit is a heck of a lot easier than doing fillings on a two-year-old!”

H

What were the challenges in implementing the one-year-old dental visit in your practice?

Did you encounter any resistance from other dentists, staff, or patients?

Providers stated their partners and staff readily recognized the need for early intervention and implementation of the Points of Light program into their practices went smoothly. “Once you integrate infant oral health into your practice, it becomes commonplace.”

“The old habit of a parent thinking the first dental visit should be at the age of three can be hard to break.” To educate parents in the practice, and increase the perceived value of a one-yearold dental visit, a number of practices put together a packet of information specific to oral health for infants and toddlers.

ave you heard of the Points of Light program and wondered what it is? Or are you familiar with Points of Light but not really sure how to become a Points of Light dentist?

The primary mission of the Points of Light program is to promote the first dental visit by age one. Additionally, the Points of Light program provides an online database, serving as a parent resource, of participating dentists that accept infants, Head Start students, and children with One of the goals of the Special Health Care Needs.

Points of Light program In order to understand is to optimize the comthe program better, I intermunication between viewed some of the particithe pediatric medical pating Point dentists in our community and dental community. Thanks to Drs. Dr. Chris Smiley does age one-year exam. providers, encouraging Stephanie Benton, Kathleen coordinated, timely referrals from pediatricians or Ellsworth, Ryan Lebster, Karen O’Rourke, Dan Peters, and other primary care providers. Have you done any Scott Van Timmeren for their helpful input! specific outreach in our community, informing others that you are providing this service?

What motivated you to become a One Point dentist in a smaller West Michigan community has Points of Light provider? spoken with local physicians, hospitals, clinics, day care proPractitioners interviewed wanted to provide the service of a viders, churches, and Head Start programs and reports posione-year-old exam to patients, primarily to educate parents tive, receptive responses. All providers noted it would be very on their essential role in their child’s oral health, starting at easy to provide information to other health care providers an early age. in the form of a packet or even a brief introductory meeting.

In addition, this early counseling and intervention pre 10

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Another practitioner noted, “I don’t really need to do any specific outreach in the community. The young mom’s in my practice are now creating a ‘buzz’, telling their friends about this service I’m providing!”

Have you experienced any challenges as a Points of Light provider?

It seems that both physicians and parents may not understand the importance of the one-year dental check up. But after presenting the literature and establishing a relationship, the current Point providers all noted that physicians and parents were firmly on board.

“It’s a simple thing to do and I love getting into parents heads early. Assure dentists they only need to see the infants in their own practice; they are not required to see anyone else.”

I have been doing one-year-old dental exams for several years. Why should I sign up as a Points of Light dentist online?

It’s good for kids and it’s good for you! On the Points of Light website, the Parent Resources page offers a zip code-driven search function that enables parents to locate dentists in their

area that accept infants. In addition, on the website you can specify the patient population that you desire to treat.

West Michigan POL Workgroup An informal Points of Light workgroup has come together with the goal of increasing the network of West Michigan practices willing to accept infants, Head Start children, and children with Special Healthcare Needs.

Once a tipping point of Points of Light providers is achieved, the group plans to approach the West Michigan medical and Head Start communities to stimulate early referrals. The oral and overall health of the community, starting with the youngest members, will improve as a shift occurs from a surgical caries intervention to prevention.

Looking for more information on the program, or ready to sign on as a Point dentist? Go the Points of Light website: www.pointsoflightonline.org.

Several Points of Light providers will be available at the October 26 WMDDS meeting to answer questions as well.

Good Ideas for Dental Practices

2

Good Idea # in a series of 15

Our understanding of the dental industry helps us provide services and expertise beyond the scope of most accounting firms. We can help enhance the efficiency and success of your business.

“Owning a building for your practice can be a great wealth generator. However, it is not advisable in every situation and careful analysis should be done.”

For 14 more Good Ideas from Hungerford, please email Rick Chrisman at rchrisman@hanc.com, or call Rick at (616) 949-3200.

HANC AdDENTAL for theSOCIETY Bulletin| FALL8/15/12 WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT ISSUE 2012 Size: 7.5” wide x 3.25” high

When it comes to building your practice, experience matters.

Hungerford’s Healthcare Industry Services team has it.

Get to know us.

www.hanc.com (One-third Horizontal)

1213-5309

11

Catch the Spirit in Novi!

MDA 2013 Annual Session Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi • April 17-20, 2013

Michigan dentistry’s Biggest ce event!

20

•

AP

0,

I

V

Plus keynote speaker CoNNie PoDeSTA and others

NO

Scott Benjamin, DDS Joseph Best, DDS, PhD M. Douglas Campbell W. Choong Foong, PhD Mary Govoni, RDA, RDH Derek Hein Timothy Kosinski, MS, DDS Glenn Lombardi Susan Maples, DDS Alan Mead, DDS Kenneth Myers, DDS William Nudera, DDS, Ms Christopher Smiley, DDS Jon Suzuki, DDS, PhD, MBA Domenica Sweier, DDS, PhD Anastasia Turchetti, RDH Stephen Ura, DDS Kelli Vrla Daniel Ward, DDS

13

SpeakerS include:

RIL

2 17

Pre-Register Early!

Online registration opens Dec. 20, 2012!

Join your colleagues for great social events, a variety of topics and speakers and nearly 200 exhibits.

New this year — one hour “Hot Topic” sessions — more information coming soon.

Keeping You Prepared Enjoy quality programs, group savings and lower dues.

MDA programs are continuously reviewed to ensure your coverage needs are being met.

MDA Insurance and MDA Services offer a wide range of programs including: • • • • • • •

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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

14

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

l a u n n A h t 4

T H G I N N O I T A I C E R P P A L A T N E D

Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m.

VAN ANDEL ARENA

Presented by

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 $1 concession specials • Discounted tickets for your office • Ticket proceeds benefiting the West Michigan Dental Foundation For more info including discounted ticket pricing, please contact Andrew Rubinstein at 616.774.4585 ext 3023 or arubinstein@griffinshockey.com 1.800.2.HOCKEY

griffinshockey.com

/grgriffins

SMS

text GRIFF to 88188 for offers, info & more!

@griffinshockey

2012 Directory Corrections & Additions Changes indicated in bold

Happier Patients— One Compound at a Time

corrections: NICHOLS, MICHAEL G 826 Parchment Drive SE, #200 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 949-5290 FAX 949-5714 New Member: Dr. Rahaf Halimeh 12662 Riley Street #110 Holland, MI 49424 616.399.3946 FAX 616.399.4774

Keystone Pharmacy, your accredited compounding experts!

Using the latest technology and purest ingredients, we create custom medications for your patients, which are prescribed by you and conveniently delivered to your patient’s home.

Call our pharmacist today! creams & gels • gummies, lollipops & lozenges sterile medications • suppositories, sprays and more

KEYSTONE PHARMACY Specializing In Your Health

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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

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For more information please visit BeeneGarter.com or contact Brian LaFrenier at (616) 235-5200.

Bookkeeping and Assistance Start-Up Consulting Choice of Entity Analysis Cash Flow Projections

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Evolving your practice today for a healthier tomorrow.

Overhead Analysis

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16

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

Your Fantastic Dental team, what makes it work?

Presented by Dr. Rhonda Savage, CEO of Miles Global January 11, 2013 | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park | CE Credits: 7 This lively session outlines what Miles Global finds as a common thread among their top clients who have the finest care along with a happy, productive work environment. But most of all, they also have a healthy bottom line.

T – Time to Train and Teach: Patient education and verbal skills E – Expectations, we all have them for ourselves & our team… communication is key!

A – Accountability provides for a successful practice M – Motivation: When morale goes up, the practice goes up!

Attendees will learn: How to attain clinical excellence through comprehensive treatment planning | How to attract and retain the ideal dental team | The four best tips in scheduling | The key elements to effective communications | Systems of a successful practice: hygiene, reactivation, accounts receivables | Build fun and excitement into your practice After this inspiring and motivating full-day comprehensive course, you will get back to your practice and be amazed at the difference. Experience a day with your fantastic dental TEAM and find out how to make it work for your practice.

This is a full day presentation – ideal for the dentist and the entire team.

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:

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:

“Dentists are dealing with many unknowns...

One thing I am certain about is my malpractice protection.”

Many dentists are feeling the impact of lowered demand for dentistry due to the economy.

Profitability challenges and increased risk to meet those challenges contribute to an atmosphere of uncertainty and lack of control.

What we do control as dentists: our choice of a liability partner.

I selected ProAssurance because they stand behind my good dentistry. In spite of the maelstrom, I am protected, respected, and heard.

I believe in fair treatment—and I get it.

Professional Liability Insurance & Risk Management Services ProAssurance Group is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

ProAssurance.com • 800.292.1036

PRESENTS:

SEMINAR 2012 FALL CONTINUING ABOUT THE EDUCATION SPEAKER: 11/16/2012

GRDHS Welcomes:

Amelia (Amy) Hazelwood, RDH, BS Amelia (Amy) Hazelwood, RDH, BS

“Periodontal Disease, What Should We Be Telling Patients?”

To:

Amy Hazelwood, RDH, BS has been prac9cing clinical hygiene in northern Indiana and Michigan for over 30 years. A very ac9ve Aboutmember the Speaker: Grand Rapids Dental Hygienists Society component of ADHA, she is also a na9onally-­‐featured author Valerie Davis RDH 2247 Valen1ne BLVD NE and speaker.

A Dis9nguished GRDHS Welcomes Grand Rapids MI 49525 Alumni of Indiana University South Bend, Amy has over 30 years RDH, BS Amelia (Amy) Hazelwood, experience as a merit status part-­‐ To: 9me associate lecturer in Amy Hazelwood, RDH, BS, has been practicing clinical hygiene in northern Indiana and Michigan for over preven9ve den9stry in dental 30 years. A very active component member of sheUisniversity also a nationally-featured author and speaker. educa9on at ADHA, Indiana A Distinguished Alumni of Indiana University Bend,interests Amy has over 30 years of experience as a merit South Bend. South Special include preven9ve den9stry. my status part-time associate lecturer in preventive dentistry in dental Aeducation at Indiana University South is the lead-­‐hygienist in a 3-­‐den9st, Bend. Special interests include preventive dentistry. Amy is the lead hygienist in a 3-dentist, 12-hygiene 12-­‐hygienist prac9ce, and brings a practice, and brings a wealth ofwealth practiceoexperience toeher audiences. f prac9cal xperience to her audiences.

Amy has teamed up with JillianAmy Michaels has been Doctors” television show to help educate has tand eamed up won ith “The Jillian

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

#$%&'()'*+%+*,-%&($$#./-%.0%*%)'*12%3'(+%%

! !"#$%&'()'*+%+*,-%&($$#./-%.0%*%)'*12%3'(+%%

y has teamed up with Jillian haels and been on The Doctor's w to help educate audiences on ics in preven1ve den1stry!

Show to help educate audiences on topics in preven1ve den1stry!

y Hazelwood, RDH, BS has been c9cing clinical hygiene in rthern Indiana and Michigan for r 30 years. A very ac9ve ponent member of ADHA, she lso a na9onally-­‐featured author speaker. A Dis9nguished mni of Indiana University South nd, Amy has over 30 years erience as a merit status part-­‐ e associate lecturer in ven9ve den9stry in dental uca9on at Indiana University th Bend. Special interests lude preven9ve den9stry. Amy he lead-­‐hygienist in a 3-­‐den9st, hygienist prac9ce, and brings a alth of prac9cal experience to r audiences.

elia (Amy) Hazelwood, RDH, BS

GRDHS Welcomes:

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Michaels and been on The Doctor's audiences on the topics in preventive dentistry.

19

Having acceSS to caSH tHat allowS you to finance your growtH. With Cash Flow Options from PNC and a dedicated Healthcare Business Banking team, we can help you take advantage of everyday untapped opportunities.

Like helping ensure access to credit. So you can make improvements, expand, purchase or buy into a practice. For uncovering opportunities to help improve your cash flow and to learn more about PNC Advantage for Healthcare Professionals, visit pnc.com/cfo, stop by a branch or call 1-855-PNC-4DDS. SM

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All loans are subject to credit approval and may require automatic payment deduction from a PNC Bank Business Checking account.

Origination and/or other fees may apply. PNC is a registered mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”). Cash Flow Options is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. © 2012 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

PNC Bank, National Association. Member fDic

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Tech Q & A Submitted by Greg Feutz, President, DDS Integration

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

I

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. Here’s a topic that many of you have questioned.

How can I loathe passwords less?

Yeah I know. I don’t like them either. Want to know what I like less? Stolen documents, stolen personal information, and spam sent from my hacked email account. Believe me, everyone is at risk, and a good password policy is important. Let’s start with a test. How secure are your passwords?

Here is a fun test. Go to howsecureismypassword.net and have a go using some of your common passwords. What are you results? I’ll share. My email password is 1 million years.

My logmein.com password is 26 million years. Another common one I use is 35 sextillion years. I’ll offer $100 to anyone who can guess it.

If you have a result like “Your password would be cracked almost instantly” you have a little work to do. How can we make it a little easier?

My first trick is a program called Keepass. Think of this as the digital version of the password sheet you keep in your desk drawer. All of your passwords are stored in this program.

It requires one password to open it, which means you only need to come up with one really great password. Keepass can run on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Droid Phones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, and a few other mobile platforms. It really is pretty slick. It even generates passwords for you if you want

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

something really secure. I honestly don’t even know my bank passwords thanks to this program.

My second trick is to modify words that are easy to remember. For example, if you use your dog’s name, rover, our test above tells us that your password could be cracked instantly.

We need to add some capital letters, numbers, and symbols.

Easy. Change the “O” to a Zero and the “e” to a Three. R0v3r.

Still looks like rover right? Now we need a symbol and lets add some more numbers. I like the @ sign, and using digits from a familiar phone number. We end up with R0v3r@3421. We’re up to 58 years to crack it, nice!

I guess that’s it. Two tricks. You can do that! Please, get rid of your password cheat sheet and switch to Keepass or something like it and beef up your passwords a little bit.

What are your thoughts?

What are your password tricks?

Comment on our blog or facebook article. We’d love to hear your opinions on passwords or any other topic.

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

West Michigan District Dental Society is now on Facebook Check us out and we’re sure you’ll “Like” us!

21

FINANCIAL NEWS

Will 2012 See the End of Bush Era Tax Cuts?

Submitted by Richard L. Chrisman, CPA MST Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter, PC

A

re you ready for 2013? Taxes are increasing. Plan on it. The Bush era tax cuts from ten years ago are set to expire at the end of 2012. Congress may act to prevent some of the increases, but can we really count on that?

You need to know how this will affect you and your practice, and prior to year end you should explore any strategies that might ease the heavier tax burden.

Consider the following: The effect of the Bush era tax cuts expiring will be: • The Federal income tax rates for individuals will increase in 2013. We will go from six brackets (10%, 15%, 25%, 28% and 35%) to five (15%, 28%, 31%, 36% and 39.6%).

• The capital gains rate will increase from 15% to 20%.

• Dividends will be taxed at ordinary rates instead of 15%.

• The temporary 2% reduction in payroll taxes will expire at the end of 2012.

Not to mention, other breaks that go away: • Estate and gift tax provisions will change significantly. The amount of an individual’s estate that can be excluded from estate and gift tax drops from $5 million to $1 million, and the top rate increases from 35% to 55%.

• Itemized deductions and dependency exemptions will again be subject to phase outs.

• The threshold for itemized medical deductions will increase to 10% of adjusted gross income.

• The Child Tax Credit will decrease from $1,000 to $500.

Also be aware of new taxes that take effect in 2013 as a result of health-care reform: • The Medicare portion of payroll taxes will be increased by 0.9% for individuals with wages exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 for married).

• There will be a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income of high-income individuals.

What will congress do?

It’s an election year. It’s anybody’s guess. Although there continues to be discussion about extending the expiring provisions, nothing is certain. Both political parties are calling for an extension of the Bush era tax cuts. The disagreement seems 22

to center around whether the tax breaks get extended for everybody, or just those earning $200,000 or less ($250,000 for married couples). Many expect that there will not be any resolution until after the November election.

Some planning opportunities to consider: Even with all the uncertainty, it’s a good time of year to talk to your CPA about planning opportunities. There still is time to implement strategies before year end that will improve your situation. Multi-year tax projections should be made before implementing any of the following ideas. Determine what actions should be taken in 2012 and what can wait for next year. You worked hard for that money. You want to keep as much of it as possible.

• Take advantage of the $5 million gift exemption before the potential decrease in 2013.

• Accelerate passive income to minimize the 3.8% Medicare tax.

• Accelerate bonuses to minimize the 0.9% Medicare tax.

• Accelerate itemized deductions to avoid limitations.

• Accelerate medical expenses to avoid the increase in threshold.

• Consider reallocating your portfolio to minimize passive income.

• Consider harvesting capital gains in 2012 versus 2013.

• Consider accelerating the sale of your business.

• Consider not electing the installment method on sales.

• Pay dividends from closely held C corporations.

Your plan of action: There are a lot of changes coming our way. It would be wise to be proactive and make the effort to understand how the changes will impact you. Then do what you can to minimize the effect. The political and economic uncertainty needs to be considered, and this will make planning all the more difficult.

You should meet with your trusted advisors in the near future and determine a plan of action that works for you.

Richard L. Chrisman, CPA, MST is the Managing Shareholder of Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols and Carter PC, a Tax, Auditing and Business Consulting firm with offices in Grand Rapids and Greenville, MI. The firm is celebrating 70 years of helping local businesses, including many area dental practices.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

NEW DENTIST FORUM NEWS

New Dentist Outing Treats the Farmers to Rain Submitted by Dr. Devin Norman

Q

uail Ridge Golf Club in Ada hosted another New Dentist Golf Outing on July 27, 2012. The course was beautiful, the turnout wonderful, and the rain was wet. Golfers were able to complete 9 holes before the skies opened up and encouraged everyone back to the clubhouse.

Good food and camaraderie followed, along with a great raffle, highlighted by a 60″ flat screen TV donated by Davis Dental Lab and an iPad contributed by Studio 2 Dental. Contest prizes were deferred and will add to the haul for next year – so plan on attending! The Dr. Robert Mitus Scholarship fund at the West Michigan Dental Foundation was still a big winner for the day as the recipient of the largest contributions to date – thank you to all who participated.

A thunderous applause goes to the many generous sponsors who made this day a successful fundraiser and gave everyone a chance to leave with one of the great raffle or door prizes. Next year we will put someone else in charge of the weather!

Please offer your thanks and support to: Presenting/Grand Prize Sponsor Davis Dental Lab 60″ LD TruSlim Flat Screen TV

Kurt McNulty, Skip Reath, Steve Dumas, Doug Klein

Gold Level Sponsor Henry Schein Dental – Hole in One Sponsor: $25,000 Founders Bank and Trust – Beverage Cart Patterson Dental – Mac Dental Lab Studio 2 Dental Lab - iPad Hole Sponsors & Raffle Sponsors Bank of Holland | Great Lakes Financial Insurance Agency Grand Ridge Orthodontics | Brian Cilla Periodontics First Companies Construction | Dixon Architecture Dentsply North America | Air Techniques | Adec MDA Ins and Financial Group | Norman Camera DentaChoice On-Site Repair | Dental Art Lab Valleau & VanDeven Pediatrics | OMSA Cathy Oglesbee (Patterson Dental) A Special Thank You to our Volunteers Betsy Haller of The Bank of Holland Candice Grinwis of Schein Dental Dawn Norman of NFD Brian Rhodes and the staff of Quail Ridge Golf Club

Brian Mulder, Craig Start, Mike Bennett, Joe Vaughn WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

23

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS HEALTH SECTION ARTICLE

Ad Council Launches Children’s Oral Health Campaign: Brush Your Teeth for 2 Minutes, Twice a Day Reprinted from The Grand Rapids Press, September 2, 2012

I

t’s bedtime and your six-year-old daughter can’t wait to brush her teeth. The struggle that you’ve come to expect over brushing teeth seems to be easing. Can it be true?

Just in time for new back-to-school routines, the Ad Council, along with the American Dental Association, has launched Kids’ Healthy Mouths to teach parents and children about the importance of oral health.

It’s part of The Partnership for Healthy Mouths Healthy Lives, a coalition of leading oral health organizations committed to improve children’s oral health so that they can develop into healthy, productive adults.

The Kids’ Healthy Mouths website, 2min2x.org, features fun facts for parents and children, lots of helpful resources and links to 14 two-minute videos produced by Cartoon Network and My Kazoo.

According to a survey conducted by the Ad Council, 60 percent of parents with children ages 12 or younger report that they do not regularly help their child brush their teeth or check to make sure they’ve done a good job. Also, close to one-third (31%) report arguing with their kids at least once a week about brushing their teeth.

This new public service campaign stresses the importance of brushing for two minutes twice a day. Parents report that their child usually wastes over two hours each day playing video games, texting or watching an online video. The campaign highlights the necessary balance of children’s time: If your child spends hours on playtime, why shouldn’t they spend two minutes taking care of their teeth?

“The dental profession hopes that this simple message will have a positive and long-lasting impact on children’s oral health and overall health,” according to local dental society president Tyler Wolf, D.D.S. “Most oral health problems are preventable, using steps that can easily become a part of every child’s daily routine,” said Wolf. “This campaign will help parents learn how easy it is to protect their children, give them healthy mouths and help them lead healthy lives.”

Sesame Street has created a 30-second television spot based on its “Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me” campaign featuring Elmo singing to kids, reminding them to “Brushy Brush” their teeth every day. There is also a 30-second TV spot with characters, 24

including Tooth, the tooth fairy, from the upcoming Dream Works Animation film “Rise of the Guardians.”

Not all of the videos are directly related to healthy teeth.

These videos feature Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry stories, along with entertainment by Dream Jam Band, to entice their children to spend a full two minutes brushing their teeth.

Parents are encouraged to have their children watch the videos on a smartphone or computer while they brush their teeth. Since kids are accustomed to using their electronic devices throughout the day, it’s a great way for the kids to use them for something as productive as brushing their teeth.

Many people do not know that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S. The mouth is the gateway to a person’s overall health, and an unhealthy mouth can be associated with obesity, diabetes, oral cancer and other medical conditions.

“We find that many people are surprised to learn that oral health problems cause kids to miss 51 million schools hours and their parents to lose 25 million work hours each year,” said Wolf. “We hope this campaign’s simple message will raise the overall awareness of the importance of good oral health and its impact on total health.”

Wolf also reminds parents that in addition to brushing and flossing at home, it’s important to eat healthy foods and have a regular dental check-up.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

LIFE LESSON #9

God Bless Integrated America Submitted by JoAnne Hodder, RDH, BS

F

ebruary 1973, Chungryangri, North Korea – A twoweek old baby girl was found abandoned in a ditch.

She was sent to the City Baby Home and eventually to a foster family while awaiting her adoption through Holt’s Children’s Services. She weighed five pounds and had an eye infection and bronchitis. If not for the love and care of her foster mother, who fed this baby every three hours around the clock for four months, she probably would have died. She came to us when she was five months old – a scrawny, oliveskinned, nine-and-a-half pound baby with black hair.

Thus began our journey into “integrated America.” My husband, two sons (ages seven and nine) and I nurtured her with faith, food and lots of love. In 1973, we lived on a quarter-mile long street of “all-white families.” Amidst the neighborhood children, our daughter definitely looked different. I remember one neighborhood youngster asking if, when our daughter grew up, she would look like the rest of the kids on the street. But as the neighbors all welcomed her and began to see beyond the color of her hair and skin, we watched as she grew from that helpless baby to a friendly, out-going, beautiful girl. Her best friend, born the same year on our street, was blond and blue-eyed and we called them, “East (Asia) meets

West (America).” Still best friends today, they are both married, mothers, and their children are friends, too. Outside the neighborhood, when she would accompany me on shopping trips, little kids would get in her face and ask their mothers why her (slanted Asian) eyes looked like that. Thirty-nine years ago there were not as many Asian adoptions as there are today. There are a lot of Life Lessons I could write about those thirty-nine years.

Fast forward to 2012: On this same street, a few years ago, one of the new young families adopted two little boys from Ethiopia. There is a Mexican family living nearby. In churches and schools, in stores and restaurants, in the parks and workplaces, on television and in movies, on billboards and in the newspapers we see people of all colors. My daughter teaches third grade to an integrated class of children.

America has become “integrated.”

It is just like the hymn: “America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

(Note: I realize that “Integration” is not limited to just the color of one’s skin, but those are other life lessons.)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR West Michigan Dental Foundation Annual Golf Outing Friday May 31, 2013 Egypt Valley Country Club Watch for more information about this event!

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 | FALL ISSUE 2012

25

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.

Established Dental Office Space – 2003 Burton SE (between Breton and Plymouth). End unit with 720 sq. ft. and a full basement, on-site parking, adjacent 3 spaces occupied by established dentists. Great traffic counts on Burton in an established residential area. Call Bruce at 942.9492.

General Dentist Seeking Associate Position in Grand Rapids area – General dentist residing in the Grand Rapids area is seeking an associate position for 1-2 days per week in the Grand Rapids and surrounding area.

If you are looking for an associate for your practice, please call 616.975.2870.

REF # GR Associate.

Office Space for Lease – Up to 6900 S.F. available; will divide. Basement storage available. Newer class A building. Great visibility! Located at 1151 East Paris Ave SE (across from Bonefish Grill). Owner occupied.

Call Dr. Sam Bander 616.949.5980 or e-mail drsambander@gmail.com. Visit www.drsambander.com to take a look.

Equipment for Sale – Two Belmont Pro II patient chairs, wing back style for sale. Model 037S. Better than good condition. Two casting units for sale and a porcelain oven for sale. Call 616.633.8132.

Seeking Employment – General dentist with several years of experience seeking part-time employment in the West Michigan and surrounding areas. Proficient in all areas of general dentistry. A team player. Please reply to dentaljobwmi@hotmail.com.

26

Dental Office for Lease – Why spend $250,000 in dental build-out costs?

Beautiful dental suite is now available for lease in Class A contemporary three-story brick and glass building located off of East Beltline Avenue in Grand Rapids Township. This ten-year old modern dental office includes 3 private ops, 4 chair open bay area, is plumbed for nitrous, air, water, power, CAT-5, vacuum, wet/dry lab and x-ray.

The building is a contemporary 3 level with ample parking, 4 bathrooms, staff lunch area, private doctor’s office with restroom and shower, reception desk for check-in and out, and has a heated storage area if needed. Immediate occupancy. $16.25 per square foot, triple net. Please contact Scott Morgan at Colliers International at 616.292.3455 to schedule your visit.

Current student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry – graduating May 2011, looking for full-time or part-time position in a private practice as an associate in the Grand Rapids and surrounding areas.

Please contact 954.562.1122 or dent@umich.edu.

Dental Office for Lease – Time to move up? Busy northeast area dental suite at 1750 Grand Ridge Ct. NE, 3295 SF, ten-year old modern dental office available. 3 pvt ops, 4 chair bay area, plumbed for nitrous, air, water, power and vacuum, lab, x-ray, staff area, pvt. office, reception, storage available. Former pedo practice obtainable Jan. 1st 2011. Contact Dr. John Monticello 616.364.1700 or info@grandridgeorthodontics.com

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.

General Dentist – Looking to purchase a practice along the lakeshore (Grand Haven, Holland, Saugatuck area) or Grand Rapids area. Please contact wmidentist@gmail.com.

Dental Office for Lease – with immediate availability. Near the “medical mile” on primary road with high traffic count and super visibility. Has been a dental office for over 40 years. Very good lease terms/rates. Would make awesome start-up or satellite. For more info, email ronaldpr@sbcglobal.net.

General Dentist – Looking to purchase a practice or pursue transition in Grand Rapids area. Three years of experience. Please email to: mkflores80@yahoo.com.

For Rent – An upstairs air-conditioned dental office, approximately 1440 square feet in downtown Greenville, Michigan, 40 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. The office consists of 3 operatories, a private office, 2 laboratories, and a reception area. The office building has ample free parking. $800 per month.

For Sale – Lab Master Foster Model Trimmer, Model # MT115, like new $600. ESPE Pentamix 2, $100. Contact 616.949.7510.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

CLASSIFIED ADS

Office Space for Lease AND Building for Sale –Dental suite available in great location! 1350 SF located in Ridgepark Professional Building at 2426 Burton St. SE. Fully equipped and furnished, 4 operatories, lab, private office, reception, business office, full basement. Call Dr. Sam Bander 616.949.5980 or e-mail: drsambander@gmail.com. The building is also for sale. Great income opportunity.

For Sale – Adec Continental Units (2); Belmont Prosthodontic Chairs (2); Dental Ez J Chair; Sirona X-rays (2); Adec Post mount light; Pelton Crane Post mount light; Adec Hygiene Unit; Osada XL-030 Lab Handpiece; Triad 2000 Curing Unit; Buffalo Model Trimmer; Baldor Lathe; Assistants Stools (2). Please call 616.633.8132.

For Sale – Adec Continental Units (2); Belmont Prosthodontic Chairs (2); Dental Ez J Chair; Sirona X-ray; Adec Post mount light; Pelton Crane Post mount light; Adec Hygiene Unit; Osada XL-030 Lab Handpiece; Triad 2000 Curing Unit; Buffalo Model Trimmer; Baldor Lathe; Assistants Stools (2); DentalEZ HDX X-ray; 8 reception room chairs; Porcelain oven; AcuCam intraoral Camera; Whip Mix combination unit. Please call 616.633.8132.

Seeking employment – General dentist with eight years of experience seeking part-time employment in West Michigan area. Enjoys practicing most areas of dentistry. Please email: dentalassociatemi@hotmail.com.

Seeking employment: General dentist with eight years experience seeking part time employment in West Michigan area. Enjoys practicing most areas of dentistry. Please email dentalassociatemi@hotmail.com.

General Dental Practice in Grand Rapids Area – Established practice with gross receipts in excess of $600,000 with a healthy recall program, paperless office, 6 fully equipped operatories. For additional information please call 616.975.2870 or email practicesales@rehmann.com.

For Sale – Sirona Cerec 3D Acquisition unit 3.8 updated software, MCXL Milling Machine with wireless interface.

Excellent used condition. Less than 100 units milled. Transfer owner with Patterson, includes vita blocks and wall mount block board, $40,000/obo.

Other used dental equipment for sale: 2 Royal and 3 Dental Eze chairs, 5 Pelton Crane pole mounted chair lights, 2 Adec and 2 Marus dental units, 1 Biotec unit, 1 Panorex J Morita Versa View, 5 ceiling mount arms and 3 wall mount arms for computer monitors, 1 Porter portable nitrous delivery system, 1 Aribex Nomad Handheld X-ray. Please call for more info, prices, or photos 616.634.0605.

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.......................................16 DDS Integration..... outside back cover Davis Dental Laboratory................ inside front cover Founders Bank & Trust.......................3 Great Lakes Financial Insurance.........7 Henry Schein.............inside back cover Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter, PC...........................................11 Keystone Pharmacy...........................16

For Sale – Several items from orthodontic office. Siemens 10E Pan/Ceph x-ray, Ritter PA x-ray, treatment chairs and stools. Call 616.538.3545 anytime for more information.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

MDA IFG............................................13 PNC Bank...........................................20 ProAssurance.....................................18 Professional Solutions.......................14

27

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

The Buying and Selling of a Business Part one: Maximize your purchase power Submitted by Scott Hoag, Vice President, PNC Healthcare Business Banking

T

here’s no question that running your own practice entails risks that dentists and oral surgeons in hospitalbased practices may never face, from buying your own equipment and space to attracting and building a roster of loyal patients. Yet for those with an entrepreneurial streak, there are also significant benefits to being in business for yourself: setting your own hours, making your own business decisions and deciding for yourself how much time to spend with each patient.1 One way to mitigate some risks of establishing your own practice is to buy one that’s already established and thriving – whether you’re a junior member looking to take over the practice where you work, or are coming in as an outside buyer.

In any sale such as this, just about all of the terms may be open for negotiation. While the specifics vary widely from deal to deal, here are some of the main points to be worked out.

What Are You Buying?

Taking ownership involves purchasing either stock in the practice or purchasing its assets. Sellers may prefer to sell stock for the tax advantages of paying capital gains versus ordinary income taxes. But keep in mind that a stock purchase means you acquire not just the assets of the practice but also liabilities such as payables, money owed to employees, or even malpractice suits.2 Buyers often find it simpler to buy just the assets. If the seller insists on stock, you may be able to negotiate concessions elsewhere.

Resolve the Receivables Maintaining steady cash flow can be tricky during the transition process. One of the main questions is whether the buyer owns the seller’s accounts receivable or borrows them.

Purchasing means that you as buyer keep the money that comes in after the sale is complete. Of course, no payment is certain until you’ve got it in hand, so it’s vital to have a clear picture of receivables and, potentially, to negotiate an after-sale reduction in price to reflect delinquent payments.

Borrowing means you collect and pass along those receivables to the seller. But since transactions have costs, you might consider negotiating a fee for this process.

Purchasing a practice is likely to be one of the biggest and most exciting events of your career. Be sure to get expert advice from attorneys and financial managers with experience in dental practice transactions. The more homework you do up front, the better chance you’ll have of proving the adage that practice makes perfect.

1 Caffarini, Karen. “Staying in Private Practice Pffers its Own Rewards,” American Medical News, July 18, 2011. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/ 2011/07/18/bica0718.htm 2 Cohen, Jeffrey L. “What to Expect When Buying a Practice,” Medical Economics, May 25, 2012. http://digital.healthcaregroup.advanstar.com/ nxtbooks/advanstar/medec_20120525/index.php#/44 3 Greenbaum, Peter A. “Nuances of Purchasing a Medical Practice,” New Jersey Lawyer, June 2, 2008.

Protect Your Competitive Edge In a dental practice, “assets” mean more than just tables, chairs, equipment and supplies. Perhaps the most important are the dentists themselves. Because patients can be very loyal, you’ll want to secure an assurance that your seller doesn’t close the deal and open a new office down the street having lured away half of your newly acquired patient list. Negotiate restrictions that prevent the seller(s) from practicing in the same geographic area for a mutually agreed upon period after the sale.3 28

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | FALL ISSUE 2012

WEST MICHIGAN DENTAL SOCIETY 511-F Waters Building Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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