Dentistry Goes to Capitol Hill
Organized Dentistry Supports Medicaid Partnerships for Pediatric Oral Health
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) urged congressional and administration support for public-private partnerships at the state level as dental Medicaid “building blocks” for children’s oral health, according to a report on the ADA’s Web site.
“The AAPD and ADA have long advocated for an effective dental Medicaid program,” representatives informed a House subcommittee on domestic policy in joint testimony. “Medicaid dental programs that reimburse at market-based rates will succeed in meeting children’s oral health needs.”
In written testimony, the organizations cited various successful programs and stated their belief “that promoting public-private partnerships is a key ingredient in any serious effort to improve dental Medicaid programs, and federal grants and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidance and encouragement would greatly assist these efforts.”
The ADA and AAPD urged passage of H.R. 2220, the Essential Oral Health Care Act of 2009. The bill would offer increased federal matching funds for states wanting to improve their dental Medicaid programs.
Senator Proposes Medicare Dental Coverage
In September, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) became the first to propose including dentistry as a covered benefit in Medicare. The Senator introduced an amendment to a bill in the Senate Finance Committee that would expand Medicare to “add dental, vision, and hearing coverage to the list of mandatory benefits for Medicare recipients.” The cost would be offset by “capping itemized deductions at 35%,” according to the committee’s Web site.
In a letter to Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the American Dental Association (ADA) stated its opposition to Senator Rockefeller’s amendment on the ground that the ADA believes “Congress should expand dental coverage for adults under Medicaid first, before seeking expansion into other federal health programs,” according to a letter sent on behalf of the ADA from ADA President John Finley, DDS, and Executive Director Kathleen O’Loughlin, DMD, MPH, to Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
Pride Institute Announces Dr. Lou Shuman as President
CEO Amy Morgan looks forward to partnering with new leader.
Dr. Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, has been hired as president of Pride Institute, a leading practice management company founded by Dr. Jim Pride in 1976. Dr. Shuman brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the areas of strategic relations, emerging technologies, internet strategy, practice management, and marketing. By enhancing and developing Pride’s growth in these key areas, Dr. Shuman is creating new methods to reach and teach the essential skills of successful dentists in the 21st century.
Amy Morgan, CEO of Pride Institute, states, “As president, Lou will partner with me to lead the team to new levels of awareness, delivery, and results. Our goal is to continue the foundation that Jim Pride created, while developing new delivery models and methods that address the ever-evolving needs of our clients. Personally, the combination of our two skills sets creates a new level of potential for Pride and I couldn’t be happier to take this journey as a partner with Lou.”
Prior to becoming president of Pride Institute, Dr. Shuman served as vice president of strategic relations for Align Technology for 7 years.
ADEA Charting Progress
Putting Some “Teeth” in Healthcare Reform Bills
Dr. Richard Valachovic, Executive Director of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), takes a look inside the healthcare reform bills that have emerged from Congress and finds some welcome attention to oral health.
You could hardly pick up a newspaper this summer without finding the words “healthcare reform” somewhere on the front page, and since Congress has been in session this fall the stream of media coverage has continued unabated. Yet despite the nation’s focus on healthcare, a subject near and dear to our hearts, oral health has been largely invisible in reports of the ongoing debate.
Given my many years of observing the political process on Capitol Hill, I’m not surprised, but with the press looking elsewhere you may have missed some encouraging news. A number of provisions that would benefit our academic dental institutions and improve the oral health of Americans found their way into the bills drafted in Congress this summer and into the bill recently passed by Senator Max Baucus, the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
ADEA has focused its efforts in healthcare reform on advocating for access to and coverage of healthcare services, including oral healthcare, for all Americans; significant workforce changes in the Title VII Health Professions Programs; and overturning a disputed interpretation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with regard to dental Graduate Medical Education (GME). These are detailed in the July edition of the ADEA Washington Update. For Dr. Valachovic’s recap of ADEA’s healthcare reform efforts and to read the rest of his comments in their entirety, visit www.adea.org/about_adea/Documents/ADEAs_Charting_Progress_November/December_2009.htm.
Nobel Biocare Appoints North American General Manager and Head of Global Operations
Nobel Biocare announced today that William (Bill) Ryan has been appointed president and general manager for North America and a member of the Executive Committee with immediate effect. He replaces Kevin Mosher, who after 5 years with the company has decided to pursue a new professional challenge. Nobel Biocare thanks Kevin Mosher for his contribution and wishes him the very best for his future.
Ernst Zängerle has been appointed the head of global operations and a member of the Executive Committee with immediate effect. He replaces Mathias Krebs, who will take over a new assignment within Nobel Biocare.
Domenico Scala, CEO of Nobel Biocare, said, “With Bill Ryan, I am very pleased to appoint a leader for our North American market who has extensive industry experience and an excellent performance track record. Thanks to his current position as my senior advisor, he is already well acquainted with the company. Ernst Zängerle has been instrumental in helping Nobel Biocare to realize significant improvements in operations this year.”
It’s Back!
Discus Dental Announces Extravaganza 2010: 3 days, 18 CE Units, and Tom Brokaw at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
Discus Dental®, LLC announced the company will be hosting its 2010 Las Vegas Extravaganza, featuring keynote speaker, former NBC news anchor, Tom Brokaw. The event will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30, 2010, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. All proceeds for the event will go to the Smiles For Life Foundation. The 2010 event will also feature a roster of top clinical and practice management speakers, such as Dr. Join Kois, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Fred Joyal, the CEO of 1-800-DENTIST. Participants will receive up to 18 continuing education units by attending courses that focus on esthetics, endodontics, oral hygiene, laser dentistry, and practice enhancement.
For more information, please call 800-293-1515 or visit www.discusdental.com/extravaganza.php
Parkell to Hold Seminar During Greater New York
Parkell, Inc will sponsor Dr. Richard Goldman’s presentation, “A Common Sense Understanding of Adhesive Dentistry; Enhancing Production and Profit.”The event will take place at the Millenium Broadway Hotel (145 W. 44th St.) on Sunday, November 29, 2009 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A series of products will be presented and discussed, including Parkell’s new SEcure™ resin cement and Brush & Bond® dentin/enamel bonding and desensitizing systems. Other popular Parkell products will be demonstrated including Blu-Mousse®, MACH™ 2, and the new SHARP™ premium VPS impression material.
A cocktail reception will begin the event, followed by dinner. Space is limited; kindly RSVP via e-mail as soon as possible (tmainella@parkell.com).
Dr. John Kois at Keating Dental Arts
Dr. Kois’s presentation on March 5, 2010 at Keating Dental Arts will focus on a unique “10 Step Process” that will guide dentists through the key elements required to achieve predictable longevity, case acceptance, and patient satisfaction. From this lecture participants will learn a systematic approach for treatment planning for every patient in their practice, to focus on the four most important diagnostic categories, to develop critical risk parameters to minimize failures and maximize successful results, and protocols to implement treatment planning strategies. Seating is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To register or obtain additional information, please contact our Customer Relations Team at 800-433-9833.
