MEMBERSHIP
Quarterly SUMMMER 2017
VOL 15 / ISSUE 4
inside...
The President’s Message Program Preview Gala Tickets 1111 Har vard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-4205 206.448.6620 www.skcds.org 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 1
“The entire construction process was completed in 60 days as promised. There were no hidden surprises and no unexpected costs. The finish of my office is exceptional and truly reflects my style. The whole experience was a lot less stress than I expected and there was never a moment I felt things were not right” —David Buck, DDS LVIM
C O N S TA N T I N E B U I L D E R S . C O M 2 l 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY
Seattle-King County Dental Society Membership Quarterly Managing Editor: Ms. Sandra R. Anderson Contributors: Mr. Abid Bhatti Ms. Jennifer L. Freimund Dr. Kalman Klass
SUMMER 2017 Volume 15, Issue 4
CONTENTS
President’s Message with Dr. Craig Neal ................................................................ 4 Member Profile .............................................................................................. 5 Happy about Happy Hour................................................................................... 7 Publisher: Bill Newcomer, BNC Printing & Graphics, Vancouver, WA Welcome New Members .................................................................................. 9 Foundation Gala Tickets Now.............................................................................10 COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Dr. Shane Ness, Chair The Truth about Secure Websites .....................................................................11 Dr. Victor Barry UW Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery opens new state-of-the-art facility ....................12 Dr. Daniel Geare PEER REVIEW: It’s All About Mediation ..............................................................14 Dr. Derek Hou Spring Society Events .................................................................................... 15 Dr. Molly McIntosh Join Team SKCDS at the Oral Cancer Foundation Walk 2017..............................16 Dr. Christopher Pickel Dr. Oleg Shvartsur Coming Soon - Practice Transition Seminar ........................................................ 17 Dr. Douglas Walsh Programming Review: Day Long Classes!.......................................................... 20 Dr. Judson Werner Exposures with Dr. Al Munk............................................................................ 22 OFFICERS Dr. Craig E. Neal, President Dr. Kirk E. King, President-Elect Dr. Timothy A. Hess, Past-President Dr. Joe Vaughn, Secretary Dr. Lisa Egbert, Treasurer EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Dr. Ryan M. Fox, Executive Council 2018 Dr. James W. Reid, Executive Council 2018 Dr. Amanda Spivey, Executive Council 2018 Dr. Shane T. Ness, Executive Council 2019 Dr. Noah E. Letwin, Executive Council 2019 Dr. Austin Baruffi, Executive Council 2020 Dr. Imahn Moin, Executive Council 2020 Ms. Jennifer Freimund, Executive Director Change of Address: To ensure continued receipt of issues, change of address must be reported to: SKCDS Central Office, 1111 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-4205, as soon as possible -206.448.6620. Email: skcds@skcds.com The information in this publication is for the exclusive benefit of SeattleKing County Dental Society members. Neither the Society nor the publisher makes any express or implied warranties as to the information herein, including the contents of any advertising. Opinions in the Quarterly do not necessarily express the official policies of the Seattle-King County Dental Society, nor the opinions of the editor, unless so stated. Publications of advertising is not an endorsement, qualification, approval or guarantee of either advertisers or product.
THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS Constantine Builders ........................................................................................2 AFTCO Vern Frickel ........................................................................................5 Keller ~ Rohrback Law Firm............................................................................. 7 Nakanishi .......................................................................................................8 Katharine Christian DMD - Sleep Apnea and Snoring ................................................9 Dental Connections ........................................................................................ 9 O’Brien Dental Labs ........................................................................................10 Sleep Apnea and Facial Pain Center ................................................................. 12 WDIA ........................................................................................................... 13 NORDIC .................................................................................................... 16 Ann Durham Attorney at Law ........................................................................... 17 Home Owners Club ........................................................................................1 7 Pudget Sound Perio ........................................................................................18 Pudget Sound Perio .......................................................................................19 AFTCO.......................................................................................................... 21 Dental Space ............................................................................................... 21 Orthodontist Needed...................................................................................... 21 Dental Group LLC............................................................................................23 Northwest Radiography PS .............................................................................24
For advertising and publishing details, contact: Mr. Bill Newcomer, BNC Printing & Graphics, 503.318.5916, 360.573.1201, bill@bncprinting.com; www.bncprinting.com 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 3
The
President’s Message
Dr. Craig Neal
our community. Your Executive Council is pulling together resources for your use that will be available in our Members Only section of our website (www.skcds.org). We wish to be very clear about our goal in providing these templates, resources and other information to you. It is not our desire to intervene in your relationship with your patient. You are the expert in knowing what is best for your patient; however, we do wish to provide you with information so that you can make the most informed decision on how to utilize opioids in your practice. We will be announcing later this summer when those materials will be up on our website. We continue to look at ways to harness technology to assist all of us run our practices well. For example, did you know that your practice’s website must meet certain Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards? Check out some important information on how to avoid legal claims against your practice in our Members Only section of our website.
Welcome to my first column as your Seattle-King County Dental We have moved our website to a mobile phone compatible appliSociety president. cation. You can now register for classes online from your smart phone—as well as check out the documents I just talked about. We have a lot of initiatives underway in organized dentistry as all As a final part of that enhanced technology, we are looking at three levels of the tripartite (ADA, WSDA and SKCDS) work to provide moving our annual Membership Guide/Directory to an electronic services and benefits that help you. I want to give you a heads up on version. This will allow us to ensure you have the most current some of the things that are going on: information on your colleagues AND access the information from your phone or computer. (We hope you responded to our emailed survey I am pleased to report that the WSDA has undertaken some on this proposed change that we sent out in early July.) initiatives in regards to Delta Dental of Washington. On Monday, June 19, WSDA President Dr. Bernard Larson hand delivered petitions to Finally, we are busy planning all kinds of programs for Fall 2017 and Delta Dental of Washington with nearly 650 signatures collected in Spring 2018. Some of the classes are already up on our website. less than 24 hours. Upon receipt of these petitions, with signatures You might want to check out our October class on how you can of at least 10 percent of its member dentists, Delta is required to bill some of your dental procedures through your patient’s medical schedule the requested special meetings and announce the date insurance provider. We will also be holding a number of happy of those meetings within 30 days. We expect to more than meet hours (where all are welcome). I am excited about the year ahead. that threshold, forcing special meetings to deal with the bylaws We have a great group of volunteer leaders who are committed to amendments. We will keep you updated on when those meetings helping you succeed in any way we can. If you have some ideas are scheduled, and it is important that all concerned dentists who of what we should be doing, I hope you will reach out to me at are members of Delta attend. Each of the proposed bylaws drcraig@nealoms.com. I would love to hear from you. amendments reflects our efforts to enhance the doctor-patient relationship by shifting Delta’s focus back to patients and their providers. The changes are also designed to give Delta member dentists more visibility into its operations.
Dr. Craig Neal
We are also addressing the opioid epidemic that is facing so many in
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Cover Photo: Drs. Wendy and Michael Spektor, SKCDS Billboard; and Drs. Steve Albright, Amir Nojoumi and Ellie Ott.
MEMBER PROFILE 1. Name: Lisa Egbert 2. Childhood ambition: I told people I wanted to be a lawyer or a dentist.
Secretly, I wanted to discover the cure for cancer and go on tour with Van Halen as David Lee Roth’s girlfriend.
3. Fondest memory: Our wedding day, with so many people there to wish us well. 4. First LP(s): I asked for and received both Led Zeppelin IV and the Bee Gees
Spirits Having Flown for my birthday. I still own one of these albums.
5. Wildest dream: To become a US Senator. 6. Proudest Moment(s): Giving birth to my sons. 7. Biggest Challenge: Perfectionism. 8. First job: Babysitter. First job as a taxpayer: Front-counter worker at McDonald’s. 9. Last purchase: Brown cowboy booties with pink embroidered flowers from Austin, Texas. Completely out of character! 10. Favorite Movie: Anything with smart humor, preferably dark and irreverent—Pulp Fiction, This is Spinal Tap, Bill and Ted’s Excellent
Adventure, Life of Brian
11. What is your idea of perfect happiness: Waterskiing on a glassy lake with close friends in the boat. 12. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Marie Curie—science chicks rule! 13. Which living person do you most admire? The Dalai Lama. The person I admire most whom I’ve met is a local female
astronaut, Wendy Lawrence. She epitomizes intelligence, courage and selflessness.
14. What is your greatest extravagance? Having periodic help cleaning my house. 15. What is your favorite journey? Any that include exploring the wonders of nature. Seeing geysers, active volcanoes,
underwater reefs, red rock formations and life in the high desert have been a few highlights.
16. What do you dislike most about your appearance? Marshawn Lynch thighs on Calista Flockhart calves. 17. What talent would you most like to have? Calm persuasion. Or anything musical—singing or playing the piano or harp. 18. If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A left-handed closing pitcher who later makes a
living in broadcasting.
19. What is your most treasured possession? My home, where we have grown as a family and shared time with friends. 20. What do you most value in your friends? The time and thoughts they’re willing to share and their interest in my well-being. 21. Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Jo from Little Women. 22. Who are your heroes in real life? Those who have gone before, leaving life better for the next generation—our founding
fathers, scientists, women in professions and athletics, and my ancestors.
2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 5
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HAPPY ABOUT HAPPY HOUR SKCDS has been hosting our member Happy Hours for five years now. We are very happy to say this has been an outstanding program for the Society offering members an informal opportunity to gather and socialize. This program has also become completely self-sustaining by using sponsor support to fund all activity costs. In the five years since we began, we have seen attendance increase from an average of 16 people per event to an average of 29 people per event. That is a 55% increase! We have visited at least 13 different venues over the five years. One consistent member favorite continues to be Frolik at the Motif Hotel. On a sunny day, there is no better place for fun! Capitol Hill locations are also great for being close to both students and young members, as well. Over time, we have determined that winter months are not as well attended. Perhaps members do not care to go out in the cold rain and try to find parking! Spring and fall events have been well attended, particularly in September. We are delighted to acknowledge both our past and present sponsors: Bank of America, BioHorizons, Burkhart Dental, Bella Consulting, Omni Practice Group and The Dental Group.
2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 7
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Please welcome our new members APRIL 2017 Dr. Marianna Beethan Dr. Cerry Chui Dr. Mark Germack Dr. Rena Jhuty Dr. Sarah Koyama Dr. John Petrini, Jr. Dr. Simon Prior Dr. Timothee Souquet Dr. Aaron Wong
MAY Dr. Shadi Araghi Dr. Helena Becker Dr. Brian Bucher Dr. Alexandra Cristescu Dr. Daniel Hwang Dr. Christen Kartaltepe Dr. Malinda Lam-Gershony Dr. Min Paek
JUNE Dr. Sayaka Arimoto Dr. Michael Cho Dr. Hanann Hemeda Dr. Daniel Hwang Dr. Shang Liu Dr. Yu Lwo Dr. Mayank Saxena Dr. Uparika Sharma
Members of SKCDS are encouraged to invite non-member dentists who are practicing in King County to join the Dental Society. A quick call to the WSDA Office at 206.973.5210 is all that is needed for them to apply for membership at all three levels: Seattle-King County Dental Society, Washington State Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
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11/11/13 2:10 PM
Get Your Foundation Gala Tickets NOW!! Tickets are now on sale for our Seattle-King County Dental Foundation’s 21st Auction and Gala! This big fun event will be Saturday, November 4, 2017. As a change of pace, we will be holding our Gala in the Regency Ballroom of the Bellevue Hyatt Hotel. We’ve even arranged some hotel rooms for that night at a special rate.
NORDIC—and our Gold Sponsors—Pacific Continental Bank and Freiheit and Ho Architects. Their support means more of your generous bidding goes directly to funding our mission.
One last head’s up: while you are on the website, considering buying a table for you and nine of your guests. You will be guaranteed some wonOur theme this year—Black and White Ball— derful company that way! If you want to, you can should conjure up old Hollywood elegance and all put together a table without paying the $2,000 sorts of fun! You will definitely want to purchase yourself. Let us know if you have guests that you your tickets as soon as possible—remember: some dentistry so that we can reach people who face would like to sit with during the event and have of our previous Galas sold out about a month before many barriers to accessing dental care. The them purchase tickets. We have a limit of just 30 the event. So, go to www.skcds.org/foundation Foundation has given away over $1,367,000 tables, so you will want to take care of this ASAP. since its founding in 1992—all to help the most to order your tickets now. vulnerable among us. We hope to see you there! We will be holding a brief auction during the gala, but we promise to also offer lots of fun and oppor- We want to take a moment to recognize our PS As of press time, our Event Planning Committunities to catch up with old—and new—friends! generous sponsors as of press time. Please join us tee has been working feverishly on procurement. All proceeds from the Gala go to funding initia- in giving a special thank you to our three Premier I can tell you that there are some amazing experitives and programs that reduce dental pain and Sponsors: Big Sky Construction, Constantine ences shaping up—like tickets to a Bruce Springinfection among King County residents. This Builders and Swedish Medical Center. Special steen concert in New York City and other fun trips. year we have a special focus on funding mobile thanks also goes out to our Underwriter sponsor
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The Truth about Secure Websites There is a lot of talk in the industry these days about secure websites and the need for making sure your website is secure. While it is very important to make sure your website is secure, there is a lot of misinformation being circulated by website company sales reps to scare you into buying their “secure” websites. What does it mean to have a “secure” website? When people talk about having a secure website, they are usually referring to the website being resistant to hacking. However, this is not entirely what it means. A “secure” website means it is able to transmit data from the website to the user and vice versa using an encrypted secure socket layer (SSL). You can tell if a website (or webpage) uses SSL because it will say https instead of simply http in the domain. The “s” stands for secure. These https webpages are generally used for the secure transmission of payment data (online bill payment portals) and patient health information (online patient forms). How do I protect my website from hacking? A secure website does not mean it is immune to hackers or a wide variety of attacks. It only means that the information is protected during transmission from your computer to the server. Having a website that is protected against hackers requires effort at both the website level and the server level. At the website level, it requires software and code updates including plugins, scripts and forms. At the server level, it requires the server to be protected by multiple layers of software and hardware defenses. If someone is trying to tell you that your website is not secure just because https is not being used on your website and thus you are open for hackers, they likely are using a scare tactic to get you to take some action that is probably not in your best interest. How do I know if my website is secure? Websites that are the most susceptible to hacking are open source website platforms like WordPress since they rely on your website company to constantly and promptly update security patches as soon as they are published. Most WordPress websites do not use the latest security patches so they are often vulnerable to hacking. If you are not sure if your website is secure, please contact us for a FREE consultation: info@weomedia.com. Does Google care? Will this affect my SEO performance? Google’s long term goal is to have every website transmit data securely, which makes sense. To this end, Google cares strongly if you have an e-commerce website. However, if your website is informational (like a dental website), they care very little. Google has stated that less than 1% of all website rankings will benefit from the website being secure. We expect this percentage to increase over time but your dental website rankings are not likely to go up or down based on having all pages on your website transmit securely over https. While it is important for your online bill payment portal and online patient forms to use https, it is not critical for the entire website to use https pages. WEO Media websites have NEVER been hacked despite over 2 Million hack attempts! For a FREE consultation to evaluate your website, please contact us today. Phone: 888.246.6906 Email: info@weomedia.com Website: www.weodental.com 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 11
UW Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery opens new state-of-the-art facility The University of Washington Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery announces the opening of the UW Northwest Center for Oral and Facial Surgery in northeast Seattle. The new enterprise began clinical operations on Feb. 1 at Building 25 in Magnuson Park. “I have heard repeatedly from community physicians and dentists that our ability to support the region requires an updated outpatient care setting that is easily accessible to patients,” says Dr. Thomas Dodson, professor and chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. “When doctors refer their patients to our specialists for the best possible surgical care, they must feel confident that the experience will be an extension of the high quality they provide.” “This move signifies our commitment to be the standard-bearer for oral and maxillofacial surgery in the Pacific Northwest,” Dr. Dodson emphasizes. “Our new facility allows us to elevate the patient experience while also improving patient access.” The UW Northwest Center for Oral and Facial Surgery has abundant state-of-the-art operating and recovery suites available. Many operations can be undertaken comfortably and safely in our facility without requiring hospitalization. The full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery will be provided, including: • Wisdom teeth extraction and management • Cosmetic surgery (Botox, etc.) • Dental implants • Removal of benign and malignant tumors • Operative treatment of obstructive sleep apnea • Trauma • Orthognathic surgery • Nerve injury and repair • Reconstructive jaw surgery • Treatment of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). (Continued on page 13)
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(Continued from page 12)
The UW Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will continue to maintain uninterrupted services at both Harborview Medical Center and the UW School of Dentistry, as these high-volume clinics provide a vital and irreplaceable service to the community. The UW Northwest Center for Oral and Facial Surgery is located at 6222 NE 74th St, Suite 200 at Magnuson Park. There is ample free parking and it is conveniently accessible via public transportation. Appointments are available by referral or direct inquiry. For more information and directions, visit www.NWface.org. Thomas Dodson, DMD, MPH, FACS, is an internationally recognized leader in oral and maxillofacial surgery who is the recipient of the 2014 William J. Gies Foundation Award for distinguished achievement as a specialty dental educator A diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Dodson is a noted researcher who has authored more than 200 scientific publications. In 2016, he received the Clinical Research Award from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and has twice received the Daniel M. Laskin Award for the best scientific paper published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His clinical interests include orthognathic surgery, trauma, nerve injury and facial reconstruction, and he has substantial clinical and research experience in dentoalveolar reconstruction and dental implants. He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Dodson will be joined at the UW Northwest Center for Oral and Facial Surgery by faculty members O. Ross Beirne, DMD, PhD, Melanie Lang, DDS, MD and Andrea Burke, DMD, MD.
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PEER REVIEW: It’s All About Mediation The SKCDS Peer Review Committee’s mediation for disputes between dentists and patients and between dentists themselves is your most valuable benefit as member dentists. There is no charge to either party, and most disputes are resolved within 4 weeks. Here is some easy math: if you get sued or if you have to fight a complaint with the Department of Health (DOH), it will cost a minimum of tens of thousands of dollars and easily in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Your malpractice insurance may cover a large share of a suit brought against you by a patient. BUT YOUR MALPRACTICE INSURANCE COVERS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT of any claim with the Department of Health. Personally, my own malpractice covers $20,000 of a DOH claim and that gets used up pretty darn fast, let me tell you. If both patient and dentist accept peer review with the Dental Society, it usually prevents future lawsuits and complaints with the DOH. This article will explain how it works. Your annual dues include the full cost of mediation through our Peer Review Committee. Some common complaints which dentists call about in regards to other dentists are: 1. Why another dentist disparaged them without calling or knowing about their previous treatment with a patient. 2. Advertising: untruthful wording, e.g., claiming any kind of specialty which is not recognized by the ADA for their particular practice. Also, please remember, any sign outside your office must list the names of any dentist practicing within that office. 3. Taking care of other dentists’ emergencies. And, we should never include, on our answering machine, to call 911. Calling 911 is ONLY for life threatening emergencies. You should leave the dentist’s name or another staff member’s name on your machine for on call emergencies. There are ways we, as dentists, can prevent complaints with patients from escalating. 1. Please don’t ever tell a patient that the previous dentist did something wrong. I don’t care how obvious it may seem to you. I can guarantee you that after hearing the patient’s side of the story, you will all have a different impression after speaking with the previous dentist. This has been my observation 100% of the time, and I’ve been doing this job for many years. 2. The way that patients speak about their previous dentist may be exactly how they describe you to their next dentist since they may not stay with you forever either. So be careful, especially in the age of social media. You all know by now that anything that gets posted on the internet will stay there forever. So, how do we deal directly with patient complaints ? First, when anyone calls the Dental Society to register a complaint, the staff may resolve the issue without sending it to Peer Review. Non-member dentists cannot use this benefit. Complaints from either Medicaid plans or large corporate offices are handled through their own peer review systems. Often, however, they are simple fee disputes which may be settled by the staff at the Dental Society office. But if both dentist and patient want the dispute settled by a dentist on our Committee, we assign one of our Committee members to settle the dispute. Since this is considered “informal,” we do not allow any legal counsel to be involved. Due, in part, to this requirement, it is also not a reportable event to the National Practitioner Data Bank (another benefit of peer review). The process mostly involves our Committee member speaking with the patient and dentist on the phone and comparing notes and records, although we do not work with anything tangible at this point, such as x-rays or written records. Many disputes are settled, often through some sort of compromise or fee re-imbursements. IF the dispute is not settled, it proceeds to what we call a “panel.” This is an informal hearing in my office in which several Committee member dentists independently interview both patient and dentist and review records (x-rays, models, charting, etc). Prior to this panel, we have both patient and dentist sign a binding arbitration agreement in which they acknowledge that our final decision is binding; they will not use an attorney or proceed with further litigation. AND they must sign another agreement to not post anything on social media pertaining to the office with which they have a dispute. Finally, if they disagree with our final decision, they are allowed to file an appeal with the Washington State Dental Association. But this is rare, and it has happened only a handful of times that I have chaired this Committee since 2001. I am proud to tell you that the WSDA upheld our decisions. Extreme cases of wrong doing may be referred to the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC), but this is also rare. If you have questions pertaining to complaints filed with the Department of Health or potential law suits from patients, please feel free to call or email me first. Our Committee has provided valuable experience and again, there is no cost to the member dentist for the time spent by myself or the other Committee members. Our goal is to provide an avenue in which we, as dentists, can have smooth sailing and enjoy the practice of dentistry. Respectfully, Kal Klass DDS, Chair, Peer Review Committee • klassdds@gmail.com • 206.324.3800 • F 206.324.3807 14 l 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY
SPRING SOCIETY EVENTS
In May, we hosted a sold-out class featuring Dr. Stanley Malamed. In June, the annual PNDC had a record number of attendees. Thanks to all our members and vendors who participated in Dent these two great events! ists havin
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P& D Credit Bureau was one of the sponsors for the Dr. Stanley Malamed class. Our partners, UWSOD & WAGD are also pictured
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Dr. Ashwin Nambisan and Dr. Stanley Malamed
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Dr. Aus
2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 15
Join Team SKCDS at the Oral Cancer Foundation Walk 2017 As most of us know, dentistry plays a big part in the early detection of oral cancers. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) website, the death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, among others. Historically, the death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development, awareness is a critical piece to survival. Help raise awareness, and needed funds, at the third annual OCF (Oral Cancer Foundation) Walk on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Join “Team SKCDS” as we walk from 9:00AM – 12:30PM at Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland. SKCDS will be one of the event sponsors, so stop by our booth and say “hi,” grab some food, and enjoy the music, speakers and vendors! SKCDS sponsored the OCF Walk in 2014 and we had over fifty members and their friends and staff participate. Consider bringing your office staff or maybe your study club. Meet other members as you get exercise at one of the Eastside’s prettiest waterfront parks. Do something good for yourself and the community! Registration is $25 for participants, $15 for students, $10 for kids under age 5 and free for cancer survivors. Register at: https://donate.oralcancer.org and join Team SKCDS. Participants receive an event t-shirt. Help us draw attention to this very important cause and show that dentists care!
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Coming Soon - Practice Transition Seminar Are you an associate or practice owner who is interested in either starting a practice, acquiring a practice or expanding? Seattle-King County Dental Society and Bank of America Practice Solutions, are pleased to announce the fifth annual Dental Transition Seminar which will be held on October 6th in Bellevue or Kirkland. This interactive class has become very popular since it allows buyers and sellers to mix while learning key concepts from local experts. The class will take place from 8:00 – 1:00PM and will include continental breakfast and lunch. The class will also award 4 CDE credits. Topics may include: associate buy-in options partnerships, and seller transitions. Discussions may include lease negotiations, practice sale agreement terms, what to look for in your practice search, how to proceed if you find a practice and where the marketplace is from the practice broker perspective. Consider how to prepare yourself financially in order to get funds, the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of protecting your credit, student loan and practice loan prepayment; and setting up the right type of entity. Learn the importance of building your dental transition team! Do not miss this opportunity to connect with your local experts from the dental community! Space is limited. RSVP to Seattle-King County Dental Society by calling 206.448.6620 today. Or; register online at www.skcds.org.
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ince 1959, Seattle-area homeowners have turned to the Home Owners Club for help finding pre-screened contractors who will perform fine work at fair rates. Unlike other referral services, the contractors the Club dispatches don't pay for listings or referrals. These are independent businesses that have proven time and again they can provide the service and workmanship Club members demand. Guaranteed! Join the Club today for just $60 per year.
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PO Box 19073 Seattle, WA 98109
Ann J. Durham ATTORNEY AT LAW
D U R H A M L A W O F F I C E S PLLC 305 111th Ave. NE., Suite A • Bellevue, WA 98004-5875
FREE PARKING
425.454.2662 Fax: 425-455-8588
adurham@durhamlawpllc.com www.durhamlawpllc.com Practice Transitions
Employment Contracts
Business Formations & Dissolutions
Commercial Property Leases & Purchases
Estate Planning
Restrictive Covenants 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 17
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Paid Advertisement
It is my pleasure to support this Seattle-King County Dental Society publication, while also introducing you to my practice. My name is Dr. Tom Kang. Along with Dr. Kevin Suzuki and Dr. Allen Liu, my team and I would like to introduce you to our brand of specialty periodontics. Personable and friendly interactions with our staff and doctors are the hallmark of our practice. Excellent clinical results and follow-up are our trademark. Conservative and predictable outcomes are our goal. Excellent teamwork is our expectation. Going into our eleventh year of clinical practice, I am pleased to announce that our practice has grown to three locations including two new offices located in West Seattle and on Eastlake Avenue near downtown in addition to our Federal Way location. For additional information about our practice locations including hours and availability please visit our website at: www.pugetsoundperio.com. I believe the reason for the success and growth of our practice is related to our simple beliefs and philosophies: • Do the right thing. • Go the extra mile to satisfy your patients, staff, and doctors. • Strive to make every patient interaction a positive one. We understand that each time we meet one of your patients, we are a reflection of your practice. • Be respectful. NEVER condescending to patients, referring offices, or their teams. • Be available. Our doctors are available 24-7 by phone and email to answer all questions. • Get our correspondence into your hands within 24 hours of a patient visit. • Always make time to see your patient within a week of being referred to our practice. We understand that patients need a timely response when given a referral to a periodontist. • Understand that a patient may not always be the right fit for every office. • Love what we do. I use these philosophies in how I care for my patients, team members, family, and friends. I am lucky to have been rewarded with nearly zero turnover in my staff, an extremely loyal base of partner dentists, and an excellent reputation in the community for excellent clinical results and excellent patient experiences. If you find that your patients are waiting for extended periods of time just to be evaluated, or that your periodontal specialty partner is not providing your patients with the five star experience that you want reflected on your practice, then I would like to invite you to try our brand of periodontics. Kevin, Allen, and I look forward to the opportunity to meet you in the near future. Best regards, Dr. Kevin Suzuki, Dr. Thomas Kang, & Dr. Allen Liu
Thomas Kang, DDS
www.PugetSoundPerio.com P. (206) 329-0410
F. (206) 260-2758
2731 Eastlake Avenue East Seattle, WA 98102 18 l 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY
P. (206) 400-0800
F. (253) 874-9068
2505 S 320th St. #330 Federal Way, WA 98003
P. (206) 519-5337
F. (206) 260-2712
2743 California Ave SW #200 (West) Seattle, WA 98116
Paid Advertisement
Please consider making your referral online at www.pugetsoundperio.com
PLEASE INDICATE LOCATION AND PREFERENCE (check all that apply):
Federal Way: ☐ First Available West Seattle: ☐ First Available Eastlake: ☐ First Available
☐ Dr. Suzuki ☐ Dr. Liu ☐ Dr. Liu
PATIENT INFORMATION
Today’s Date:
Full Name: Primary Phone: (
☐ Dr. Kang ☐ Dr. Kang ☐ Dr. Suzuki
)
Last
First Email:
M.I.
Phone:( ) Requesting Doctor’s Name: ☐ X-rays Sent to drkang@pugetsoundperio.com ☐ X-rays Needed ☐ CBCT 3D X-rays May be Required ($115 Fee)
REASON FOR REFERRAL
PATIENT BEING REFERRED FOR:
PRESCRIPTION TREATMENT:
☐ Limited Evaluation: ☐ Crown Lengthening (please temporize tooth prior to referral)(teeth): ☐ Biopsy (sites):
PERIODONTAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT NEEDED: ☐ Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation ☐ Initial Therapy Already Completed Yes ☐ No ☐ Date Completed: ☐ Evaluate for LANAP if Appropriate PERIODONTAL PLASTIC SURGERY:
☐ Connective Tissue Graft for Root Coverage (teeth): ☐ Free Gingival Graft for Augmentation (teeth): ☐ Pinhole Surgical Approach Evaluation (teeth): ☐ Cosmetic Gum Lift (Crown Lengthening): DENTAL IMPLANT TREATMENTS:
☐ Hopeless Teeth Requiring Evaluation for Replacement: ☐ Missing Teeth Requiring Replacement: ☐ Evaluate Site for Immediate Implant Temporization: ☐ Sinus Evaluation for Implant Placement: ☐ Assessment for All on Four Full Arch Tooth Replacement:
Request your appointment online at pugetsoundperio.com 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 19
PROGRAMMING PREVIEW: DAY LONG CLASSES! For more then seven years, SKCDS has been collaborating with other dental organizations to bring high quality, national speakers to the Seattle area. Whether you come by yourself, or bring your team, these “mini conferences” are fun, educational and empowering. In October, we will be welcoming Dr. Chris P. Farrugia to the Emerald Queen Conference Center in Fife. SKCDS is collaborating with the Piece Country Dental Society and UW Dental Continuing Education to bring this respected presenter from Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Farrugia is a leader in the area of medical billing. His course, titled simply “Medical Billing for Dental Practices,” looks at how dental practices are filled with patients that pay premiums for medical insurance policies. These policies have benefits available for services dentists render. Accessing medical benefits requires the dental office to step out of their“dento-centric” view of their practice and into a medical view. In this course, dental practices will learn to separate the medical portion of their services from the dental, identify when to file for medically necessary services and the basics of medical claim submission. Attendees will learn the basis for medical billing for dental practices, basic medical insurance terminology and concepts, and the medical claims cycle and how it works. Dr. Farrugia will also address the medical necessity for claims, as well as discussing ICD and CPT coding basics. Learn what can be billed to medical insurance and how to complete the CMS1500 claim form. This course will allow you to add value to your patients. Bring your staff to educate all members on these important aspects of building your practice. In March 2018, we will join with the Snohomish County Dental Society and UW to bring Dr. Michael C. Fling to speak at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Dr. Fling will talk about “Methods, Materials and Madness - Stuff that Matters.” He will address restorative materials during the first half of the day and talk about staff motivation during the second half of the day. Dr. Fling will start by discussing various Dr. Farrugia materials and impression techniques are available to the restorative dentist. This presentation looks at the choices of prep design and material selection that are becoming mainstream. It evaluates popular restorative materials, preparation design and impression techniques to expose if their use is founded in fact or fiction. You will be exposed to bonding techniques and have an understanding for determining what is best for a given clinical situation. Attendees will review which generation of bonding materials is best, look at digital impressions and milled models versus in office-milled restorations and much more. In the afternoon, the focus is on improving the culture of your business. Dr. Fling’s intense energy and passion will allow you to consider three factors that every doctor must identify for practice success, understand the factors that contribute to practice and employee stability and learn the one secret that can Dr. Michael C. Fling motivate you to change, along with other tips that you can use immediately. 20 l 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY
In May, we will join forces with Washington AGD and UW Continuing Education to bring another dynamic speaker to our area. Dr. Barry Taylor is an instructor of restorative dentistry at OHSU School of Dentistry. He will be talking about Cannabis, Opioids and Dentistry. It has been over 6 years since marijuana has been legalized in Washington State, and there is a good chance that some of your patients, and maybe even some of your staff, are partaking. Dr. Taylor will touch on policy and legislation around cannabis in Washington State; cannabis the plant itself, pharmacology and how marijuana can interact with local anesthetics used in dentistry. He will also look at marijuana as it relates to dental implants, caries, oral pathology and periodontology. This six-hour course will equip you to address the current realities as they can affect the health of your patients. The event will take place in south King County.
Please call Linda, Office Manager at (425) 222-7011
Like the previously mentioned classes, this one will include continental breakfast and lunch in the price. There will be a “vendor fair� with numerous vendors participating, and parking is readily available, sometimes at a reduced price. Each class is worth seven credits, so by attending all three, you can earn your state CDE requirement.
Flexible terms. 2,300 square feet. Up to 6 operatories, business office, personal office. Contact Rod Robinson at 425.822.6279
These classes are always popular and the prices go up as we get closer to the event date. Make your reservations early for the best prices and availabity.
ORTHODONTIST ASSOCIATE NEEDED
2 Saturdays per month to take over for retiring orthodontist. Flexible start date. Established general family practice in beautiful Fall City on Snoqualmie River. Long-term staff and patients. Also possibility for general dentistry and endo/surgery. or email fawcett@nwlink.com. www.fcfamilydental.com Thank you, Greg Fawcett, D.D.S. & Sabra Fawcett, D.D.S.
Built out dental space available in downtown Redmond Washington for lease. Some equipment in place.
FR E E P R A CTICE A P P R AI S AL Visit our website at www.AFTCO.net or call 800.232.3826
Since 1968
FREE
PRACTICE APPRAISAL
($5,000 value)
CAN BE USED FOR: Practice Sales Partnerships Second Opinions Insurance Coverage Personal Net Worth Retirement Planning Practice Sales & Purchases Over $3.2 Billion Dr. Barry Taylor 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 21
HANDYMAN By Al Munk DDS I have always been a handyman. From my earliest memories, I have been curious about how things work, and how they go together. I remember taking apart clocks and toasters as a kid and not always figuring out how to put them back together. I also liked to build stuff. When I was 11, I built a small house in the woods of our rural property. I noticed it just fell down a couple of years ago, lasting over 50 years. This trait has served me well in dentistry as every day, we are called on to build things and fix things.
I just finished building a house in my backyard for my daughter. This was my third go-around with house building, fourth if you count the little one I built when I was a kid. I was the general contractor on this project and did a lot of work myself. My 66 year old knees and shoulders don’t like this kind of work anymore so this may be the last big construction project I do. My daughter and her family have been living upstairs in my house for a few years and it is time for them to vamoose. Even though it is just to the backyard, it is time to get them out of the old folks home so I can watch golf on TV without any major interruptions. I like construction a lot and I think when I retire, I might be one of those geezers who sit in a folding chair at a construction project and watch the building go up. All you need is lunch and a thermos, and maybe another geezer to chat with. This would be cheaper and simpler than sitting around a bar and I’m not much good at golf anyway. I could reminisce with the construction workers about when you could build a little house for what a Honda car costs now.
I have been a dental teacher as well as clinician, and it is always evident when a student has an aptitude for fixing things. It makes the hands-on portion of dentistry much easier to learn for those who have tinkered with tools and machines earlier in their life. The dental office is loaded with mysterious small machines that break, stick and leak. If one is curious and brave, diving into repair of dental systems, a lot of down-time can be saved, and a lot of money as well. Between our computers, hand pieces, autoclaves and compressors, it’s a wonder we get through any day without something breaking down. Mechanical ability must skip a generation. My father was a great guy but he couldn’t screw in a light bulb. His garage was full of those cheap tools that you use once and they are bent and ruined. When he passed away, the only tool I took from his garage was his 100 foot tape measure which I have never used. Now, my son comes along. He also has no interest or aptitude in fixing things. I was changing out the alternator on my BMW one day, cursing at that That’s all for now from Ballard. lower bolt that was designed by trolls, when he came into the garage to see what I was up to. He took one look at me and said in passing, “Dad, there are people to do that sort of thing.” I could have strangled him. He is a great kid, but a city kid through and through with no interest in ever picking up a wrench or screwdriver. He’d better stay living in a downtown condo forever as he would not do well in the land of houses where something is always broken.
EXPOSURES
Girls are impressed by guys that can fix things. I now know women who are much better mechanics than I am, but the majority of women have no interest in such things. During my single years, I could always get a dinner or a date after fixing the door knob in some old apartment next door. Things have changed a lot over the years, as now, my mechanic who does the brakes on my car is a woman. Women have taken their rightful place in dentistry as well, with my class (1975) being the last all-male class at UW. Young women now have an abundance of role models in every field from plumbers to brain surgeons to help them choose their life careers. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of the Seattle-King County Dental Society. 22 l 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY
DG Transitions LLC
DG Advisors
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LLC
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Comprehensive | Professional | Tax Efficient LLC A DENTAL GROUP COMPANY
2016 SKCDS WINTER QUARTERLY l 23 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY l 23
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR PERMIT NO. 243
1111 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-4205
Find us on FACEBOOK
Bellevue
1515 116th Ave. NE, #108 Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 453-3440
Northgate
11011 Meridian Ave. N, #311 Seattle, WA 98133 (206) 523-4347
Tacoma
1950 S. Cedar St. Tacoma, WA 98405 (253) 627-3988
Business Office
11011 Meridian Ave. N, #311 Seattle, WA 98133 (425) 369-9230
Patient oriented
Cost-effective
Highly-skilled technicians
Convenient appointments
Rush services available
Third party software coordination
Digital transfers
CBCT Scans with PDF work-ups
Prescription Dental Imaging since 1982
Imaging Excellence with State-of-the-Art Technology
3D Conebeam CT Scans
Digital and Film Periapical Surveys
2D Skull and Pan Views
Clinical Photography
Radiographic Interpretation
Northwest Radiography (425) 453-3440 nwrad.com
24 l 2017 SKCDS SUMMER QUARTERLY