ODA Journal July/August 2023

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

Class of 2023

ADVERTISERS

Thank you to these businesses who advertise in the ODA Journal

Inside Front Cover

3000 IG

Inside Back Cover

ODASupplySource

Back Cover

OkMOM Legacy Fund

DentaQuest

Endodontic Associates

Endodontic Practice Associates

Lewis Health Profession Services

Liberty Dental Plan

MCNA

MedPro Group

Mid-Continent Dental Congress

Suction Solutions

University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry

THE OKLAHOMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

JOURNAL (ISSN 0164-9442) is the official publication of the Oklahoma Dental Association and is published bimonthly by the Oklahoma Dental Association, 317 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, Phone: (405) 848-8873; (800) 876-8890. Fax: (405) 848-8875. Email: information@ okda.org. Annual subscription rate of $39 for ODA members is included in their annual membership dues.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OKLAHOMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

JOURNAL, 317 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK and additional mailing offices.

Subscriptions: Rates for non-members are $56. Single copy rate is $18, payable in advance.

Reprints: of the Journal are available by contacting the ODA at (405) 848-8873, (800) 876-8890, editor@okda.org.

Opinions and statements expressed in the OKLAHOMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Oklahoma Dental Association. Neither the Editors nor the Oklahoma Dental Association are in any way responsible for the articles or views published in the OKLAHOMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL.

Copyright © 2023 Oklahoma Dental Association.

SPOTLIGHT

ODA JOURNAL STAFF EDITOR

Mary Hamburg, DDS, MS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Roberta A. Wright, DMD, MDSc, FACP

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS

M. Edmund Braly, DDS, FACS, FAACS

Daryn Lu, DDS

Phoebe Vaughan, DDS

Meredith Turbeville, DDS

Divesh Sardana, BDS, MDS, MBA, MPH, PhD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

F. Lynn Means

JOURNAL MANAGER

Stacy Yates

OFFICERS 2023-2024

PRESIDENT Paul Wood, DDS president@okda.org

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Daryn Lu, DDS presidentelect@okda.org

VICE PRESIDENT

Twana Duncan, DDS vicepresident@okda.org

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Nicole Nellis, DDS treasurer@okda.org

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

Mitch Kramer, DDS speaker@okda.org

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Robert Herman, DDS,MS pastpresident@okda.org

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

F. Lynn Means

DIRECTOR OF GOVERNANCE & FINANCE

Shelly Frantz

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

Kylie Faherty

SPECIAL PROJECTS & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Apryl Awbrey

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Ansley Jinkins

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Visit the ODA’s online calendar at OKDA.ORG/CALENDAR for all upcoming meetings and events.

July 3 & 4

August 5

Zoo Day

August

Council on Dental Care

Zoom

August 18

First Bite with the ODA: Meet & Greet Event for DS1s

August 11

August 27 ADA District 12

TX

Is Your Contact Information Correct?

Help the ODA keep you informed about legislative actions, CE opportunities, events and other important member-only news.

Contact Kylie Faherty, ODA Membership Director, at kfaherty@okda.org or 800.876.8890 to provide the ODA with all of your current contact information.

If you're reading this issue of the ODA Journal, it means you've renewed your ODA, local society and ADA membership for 2023 - THANK YOU! Non-renewals have now been dropped from the Journal mailing list and have lost all membership benefits We hope you'll agree that your membership in organized dentistry represents an investment in both your future and the future of your profession Perhaps that's why close to 100% of all ODA members renew their membership, year after year Working together, we can preserve the future of dentistry and ensure the highest level of the public's oral health The Oklahoma Dental Association couldn't do it without you, the members In 2023, and beyond, we sincerely pledge to do all we can to advance the art and science of dentistry while serving our member dentists

Ah, summertime! It’s the time of year we all look forward to – spending time with family, vacationing, cook-outs, or simply sitting by the pool – it’s the time of year we can all take a deep breath and a halfstep back. Most importantly, it’s a time to rest, renew, and reset. Notably, this time of year is kicked off by graduations and celebrations. In that spirit, I’d like to wish a hearty congratulations to the OU College of Dentistry Class of 2023 preand post-doctoral graduates! May you take a moment to celebrate your hard work and enjoy the excitement of your first days and years in practice.

In this issue, we’ll be hearing from new graduate, Dr. Hilary Smiley, who is entering her new position working for Cherokee Nation Health Services. We’ll also read several clinical case reports from this year’s graduating class of OU AEGD residents, which showcase the breadth of treatment modalities they’ve been exposed to over the past year. Further in the issue, we’ll hear from Drs. Lana and Adam Richardson on how they made their new pediatric office their dream come true. Finally, in our Hygiene Hotspot, hygienists Morgan Wong and Sarah Justus will present their original research findings on factors impacting the employment patterns of dental hygienists over the past few years (since COVID-19).

As I edited the articles for this month’s issue, the findings of Morgan Wong and Sarah Justus in their Hygiene Hotspot article really impacted me and got me thinking about the numerous other changes that have happened in dentistry over the past five years, big and small. (Who could have predicted a global pandemic?!) What surprises are in store for us, and what changes will we see in dentistry over the next five years? Recently, I was taking a survey of dentists, in which I was asked the question “In your opinion, what do you think is the most important issue facing dentistry over the next five years?” As I pondered the weight of this question, I began to scrutinize how different the practice of dentistry has become over the last 5, 10, and 15 years (… let alone over the past several decades). As I reflected on this question, it became more apparent than ever that we as the dental profession need to be adaptive and pursue lifelong learning if we are to be successful.

The more I pondered this question, the more convinced I became that there is not one single important issue facing dentistry in the next five years. There is a host of issues and challenges on the horizon impacting daily dental practice. As with any other private business, dental practices will face challenges from within (internal), as well as from external pressures (outside economic forces). One of the most significant internal issues that will face dentistry over the next five years is the staffing crisis and shortage. Colleagues who have hired recently know that the adage “good help is hard to come by” has never been truer. According to a 2021 survey of dental practices, roughly 65% were in the process of hiring at least one additional team member. It was also estimated that up to 10% of full-time dental hygienists have left the profession since 2020. Not only do staffing

shortages impact day-to-day operations, but they also negatively impact patient relationships, practice production, and the stress and anxiety levels of other team members. Another facet of this issue is employee (and doctor) burnout. Dental practices should focus on creating a positive work environment, allowing adequate time off, and investing in staff training and development. Part-time employment and cross-training team members will become important tools for practice sustainability. Other internal issues facing dentistry include keeping pace with rapid changes in technology to deliver the highest quality of care to patients, and the financial management of dental practices (particularly in the face of ever-decreasing rates of reimbursement from dental insurance companies and ever-increasing supply costs).

The dental industry (and healthcare in general) is continuously evolving, including healthcare and business regulations, insurance billing and collections, and patient needs. To stay current, we too must evolve or be left behind in a competitive market. A recent example of evolving healthcare delivery is right here in Oklahoma – mandatory enrollment in OKSHINE, Oklahoma’s new health information exchange. Furthermore, the most significant change in dental care delivery has been the growth of DSOs in recent years. Admittedly, DSOs offer advantages. They have strong marketing power that can benefit several affiliated practices in a geographic area, company-sponsored continuing education (CE), and purchasing power to procure supplies, materials, equipment, and technology at lower costs. For independent private practice dentists, DSOs represent a legitimate competitive factor that has emerged in dentistry. However, there are many opportunities for dental practices to address DSOs, including joining dental buying groups, participating in study clubs for CE, and advertising using social media and local platforms.

External issues are not limited to the changing landscape of healthcare delivery, but also include changes in economic conditions. As most of us have experienced in the past year, increased inflation has resulted in rising costs of supplies and staff wages. This has significant implications from both a business perspective and a healthcare perspective. Furthermore, the development and institution of new technologies nearly always results in new regulatory requirements. Keeping up with notable changes for all regulatory requirements for a business AND as a dentist is challenging!

For new graduates and experienced practitioners alike, navigating the waters of rapid development and change can be daunting. The ability of a practitioner and practice to adapt in a timely and strategic manner will determine their long-term success. Being a member of the ODA provides you with access to support systems, resources, and tools to help your practice evolve with any changes, and even grow! By no means is this an exhaustive list of the potential issues coming our way in dentistry, but it certainly includes some that we cannot disregard. I would love for this to be a conversation starter: What challenges do YOU think we will face in dentistry over the next five years? How can your ODA help you navigate the waters and positively evolve? Email me at wright@implantassociates.net, and let me know what you think! I look forward to hearing your perspectives and professional input.

Roberta Wright DMD, MDSc, FACP ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ODA MEMBER BENEFIT CORNER

Why is a membership with the ODA/ADA so valuable?

The ODA/ADA supports all members at the national, state and local levels. From helping you manage your practice more efficiently and advocating on your behalf to offering you tools and resources that can help you find the answers for which you’re looking, we’re there every step of the way.

How to Solve for the Number One Reason Patients Don’t Show

By: Sydney Andersen, Content Team Manager at ProSites

According to an April 2023 survey by the ADA, the number one reason why dental practice schedules are not full is no-shows and/or cancellations less than 24 hours before an appointment. Improving no-show rates for appointments is something dental practices have struggled with for decades and continue to struggle with today. So, what can you do to really make an impact and reduce the number of no-shows?

If you Google search how to reduce no-show rates, you’ll find over 80 million results. If you read even just the articles on the first two pages, you’ll see a common theme that involves automating appointment reminders, building stronger patient relationships, and introducing a cancellation policy. Yet these answers don’t solve the root problem of no-shows.

Often, patients don’t show up or cancel appointments because they lack understanding. They either don’t understand the importance of their oral health or don’t know what to expect when they come in for a visit. Educating patients about dental health and scheduling policies can help them take a more proactive approach to their care, leading to fewer missed appointments and better oral health. Let’s look at a few ways patient education can help reduce no-show rates and improve patient outcomes.

Your practice website is often the first point of contact with potential patients, making it a crucial platform for educating patients on what to expect during an appointment. When designing a website for your practice, it's important to include information that can help put patients at ease and reduce any anxiety they may have about visiting a dentist. This includes:

• Clear descriptions of the services offered

• Different treatment options available

• What patients should expect during an appointment

Additionally, including information about the dental team, such as their credentials and experience, can help establish trust and credibility with patients. By providing comprehensive information on your website, patients can feel more informed and prepared for their visits, leading to a more positive experience. Don’t have the time, or not sure how, to add these things to your website?

The team of experts at ProSites has over 20 years of experience designing websites for dental practices and can quickly provide your practice with a user-friendly website that has all the above features.

Your website is also a great place to start a conversation about the importance of good oral health. You can do this by creating engaging and informative content, such as articles, blog posts, and videos that explain the basics of good oral hygiene and how to prevent common dental problems. It's important to use clear and simple language to help patients understand this information. Not only can educational content on your website help educate your patients, but it can also help new patients find your practice through online searches. One of Google’s most recent updates added an emphasis on providing helpful content to readers. Websites that provide such content rank higher in search engine results pages, and higher search rankings equal more potential patients.

We’ve talked about educating new patients about what to expect during an appointment, and educating patients on the importance of overall good oral health, but what about more complex cases? What’s the best way to educate a patient who needs an additional appointment for a procedure that may be a little more involved? How can you address their concerns while still getting them to schedule and keep their next appointment?

As mentioned earlier, using clear and simple language is key to helping patients understand and to make informed decisions about their care. It’s critical to ensure that your patient is comfortable and fully aware of what to expect. One way to effectively educate patients is to explain the entire procedure step by step, including the risks, benefits, and potential outcomes. It's also important to discuss after-care instructions and any followup appointments that may be necessary.

To help make things easier to understand, you can provide patients with visual aids, such as diagrams or videos, which can be helpful in clarifying complex concepts or processes. After you’ve shared what to expect, it's important to provide patients with ample time to ask questions and address any concerns they may have to help them feel at ease and more confident about

their procedures. By providing this comprehensive patient education, patients can feel more involved in their care and more prepared for their procedures, which can lead to better outcomes and fewer missed appointments.

If the thought of coming up with resources to help educate your patients on both everyday oral care and more complex cases is daunting, don’t fret. There are resources available that you and your staff can take advantage of without having to lift a finger. ProSites’ websites come with over 200 pages of educational content. ProSites’ websites also offer HD videos and Showcase—state-of-the-art patient education software that allows dental practices to easily customize and explain complex cases in a way that is easy for patients to understand.

When patients understand the value of regular dental care and how missing an appointment can affect their oral health, they are more likely to prioritize their appointments and show up on time. Additionally, educating patients about the scheduling and appointment process, and what to expect when they visit, can help them understand their responsibilities and the expectations of your dental practice. Overall, providing education can help build trust and accountability with patients, which can lead to more lifelong patient relationships and fewer no-shows.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sydney Andersen has been helping both large and small businesses create their content and social media strategies since 2012. She studied sales and marketing at BYU-I and currently lives in Southern Utah, where she is the Ccontent team marketing manager at ProSites. When she’s not helping businesses grow, she enjoys playing basketball with her kids and crafting.

To learn more about how ODA’s endorsed partner ProSites can help you reduce no-shows by up to 41%, visi prosites.com/oda.

START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT

DentaQuest is a purpose-driven national leader in dental insurance and benefits administration. We’ve developed an inclusive approach to quality care and improving access for all populations, enabled by trusted partnerships between patients, providers and payors. We call it Preventistry®.

Why DentaQuest?

• 33M+ dental and vision members across more than 30 states.

• 50+ years of commercial dental benefits experience.

We are honored to partner with the Oklahoma Dental Association and its members to increase oral health access and improve oral health in the state of Oklahoma.

dentaquest.com/dentists

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE OKLAHOMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE OKLAHOMA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

ANNUAL MEETING

2024

2024

APRIL 12 & 13

APRIL 12 & 13

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

Stronger Than Ever

Stronger Than Ever

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY?

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY?

LOOKING TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZED DENTISTRY?

LOOKING TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZED DENTISTRY?

Look no further than ODA’s Leadership Academy where you will develop the skills and tools to become a successful leader in organized dentistry through a series of courses, speakers and events. Now Accepting Applications! Learn more and apply at okda.org

Look no further than ODA’s Leadership Academy where you will develop the skills and tools to become a successful leader in organized dentistry through a series of courses, speakers and events. Now Accepting Applications! Learn more and apply at okda.org

Endodontic Practice Associates

Norman, Oklahoma

Serving the OKC Metro for 43 years - since 1977

Your patient’s experience is top priority

3D CBCT scanning for improved diagnosis

Complex endodontic cases welcomed

Complex and “heroic” teeth salvage

Build-up and post & core placement available

Cutting edge instrumentation and disinfection

Zeiss microscopes used on every case

Specializing in finding 4+ canals in molars

Surgical and nonsurgical retreatment

General anesthesia and oral sedation

Open during pandemic shut-down

We pride ourselves in a trusted referral pattern that ensures your patient returns to you holding you in high regard - regardless of the reason for referral. We speak highly of you to your patient and reassure them they are in good hands in your care.

We value communication between you and our office. Give us a call to talk about anything. We are even happy to help you navigate through a difficult case in your chair.

Dr. Spencer Hinckley and Dr. Percy Bolen

Malpractice

coverage.

You’ll get great coverage at a great price. We also offer policy options that others don’t — including Occurrence and a pure consent clause, which gives you more control during a claim.

With 24/7 access to our free risk resources and on-staff experts, you and your practice will be better prepared for every day challenges. We don’t just defend claims, we help you avoid them.

The average dentist is sued at least once in their career, which is why we’re in your corner when it matters most. We lead the industry with a 95% dental trial win rate (plus 8 out of 10 claims close without payment).

Build Your Practice

The LIBERTY Advantage

LIBERTY helps our Providers by encouraging members to keep the dental home they choose. We also help Providers advertise their other office locations and offer benefits such as:

• Lowering your administrative burdens

• Giving incentives for preventive care

• Office trainings and resources to achieve improved patient outcomes

• Encouraging preventive visits every 6 months

• Providing incentives to patients to recieve preventive services

Frequently asked questions

In February 2024, the Oklahoma Dental Association and the Oklahoma Dental Foundation, in partnership with the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation, will host the 13th annual Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) in Lawton, OK. OkMOM 2024 will be a two-day event dedicated to serving the uninsured and underinsured population in need of dental treatment.

Volunteer registration will open October 2023 at okmom.org. Please follow OkMOM on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest news.

If you are interested in being a part of this event and helping to change the lives of hundreds of patients, keep reading to find the answers to some of our frequently asked questions.

Where and when is the clinic being held?

Great Plains Coliseum at the Comanche County Fairgrounds

920 South Sheridan Road

Lawton, OK 73505

Clinic Set-up: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Treatment Days: February 9 & 10, 2024

Will snacks and meals be provided?

Yes, complimentary hospitality will be provided for volunteers.

What can a patient of OkMOM expect?

Patients should expect to spend the majority of their day with us. The typical process a patient will experience at the clinic is as follows:

1. Waiting in line

2. Filling out basic patient registration forms

3. Basic medical examination

4. Dental screening

5. Waiting for designated procedures

6. Treatment

7. Check out and after care instructions

I would love to volunteer, but I am unable to commit to a full clinic day. May I volunteer for a half day?

YES! There are several shift options available. You can volunteer from one half-day shift, all the way up to both full treatment days and clinic set-up and tear down.

Can I earn continuing education credit by volunteering at OkMOM?

Yes. Dentists can earn CE credit hour by hour up to 10 hours. Hygienists can earn CE credit hour by hour up to five hours. CE certificates will be sent to volunteers following the event.

I have a dental license from another state. Can I still participate?

Yes. An out-of-state dentist or hygienist can apply for a temporary license to volunteer at this event. Out-ofstate dentists and hygienists need to complete a Special Volunteer License form and send it to the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry to receive their temporary license. This form can be found at okmom.com/volunteers.

What should I bring to the event?

What should I bring to the event?

What should I bring to the event?

You can bring your own dental equipment to OkMOM, but it must be clearly labeled. Please note that every chair of the clinic needs to be fully operational at all times, so there is a possibility that your equipment may be used by another dentist if you step away for a break, etc. You are responsible for your own equipment. Otherwise, please only bring necessities! We cannot store your items, so leave what you will not be using during volunteer hours either in your car or at home.

What should I wear to the event?

You can bring your own dental equipment to OkMOM, but it must be clearly labeled. Please note that every chair of the clinic needs to be fully operational at all times, so there is a possibility that your equipment may be used by another dentist if you step away for a break, etc. You are responsible for your own equipment. Otherwise, please only bring necessities! We cannot store your items, so leave what you will not be using during volunteer hours either in your car or at home.

You can bring your own dental equipment to OkMOM, but it must be clearly labeled. Please note that every chair of the clinic needs to be fully operational at all times, so there is a possibility that your equipment may be used by another dentist if you step away for a break, etc. You are responsible for your own equipment. Otherwise, please only bring necessities! We cannot store your items, so leave what you will not be using during volunteer hours either in your car or at home.

What should I wear to the event?

What should I wear to the event?

All volunteers who register online are provided a t-shirt to wear while volunteering. This helps idenitfy who is working and in which positions. Disposable gowns will be provided for dental volunteers for infection control purposes. Scrubs, sweatpants, jeans, and comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended.

I want to bring my whole staff to volunteer with me! Can I register all of us at once?

All volunteers who register online are provided a t-shirt to wear while volunteering. This helps idenitfy who is working and in which positions. Disposable gowns will be provided for dental volunteers for infection control purposes. Scrubs, sweatpants, jeans, and comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended.

We are thrilled to have your whole team join us at this event, however, all volunteers must register individually in order to receive their provided t-shirt and important communications regarding volunteer information.

All volunteers who register online are provided a t-shirt to wear while volunteering. This helps idenitfy who is working and in which positions. Disposable gowns will be provided for dental volunteers for infection control purposes. Scrubs, sweatpants, jeans, and comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended.

I want to bring my whole staff to volunteer with me! Can I register all of us at once?

I want to bring my whole staff to volunteer with me! Can I register all of us at once?

Can my assistant be assigned to me during the event?

We are thrilled to have your whole team join us at this event, however all volunteers must register individually in order to receive their provided t-shirt and important communications regarding volunteer information.

Please make note of your preference on your volunteer registration form. While we cannot guarantee volunteer placement, we will do our best to accomodate your request. Dentists who are not paired with their own assistant will be assigned one.

We are thrilled to have your whole team join us at this event, however all volunteers must register individually in order to receive their provided t-shirt and important communications regarding volunteer information.

Can my assistant be assigned to me during the event?

Can my assistant be assigned to me during the event?

If I can’t volunteer at the event, can I support OkMOM in another way?

Please make note of your preference on your volunteer registration form. While we cannot guarantee volunteer placement, we will do our best to accomodate your request. Dentists who are not paired with their own assistant will be assigned one.

Please make note of your preference on your volunteer registration form. While we cannot guarantee volunteer placement, we will do our best to accomodate your request. Dentists who are not paired with their own assistant will be assigned one.

If I can’t volunteer at the event, can I support OkMOM in another way?

Absolutely! A project of this size requires a significant budget, and starting in 2025, the event will be funded entirely by donations. Consider donating through a monetary gift, or in-kind products or services. Your contribution will make a difference in treating hundreds of patients! A monetary gift can be made at okmom.org/donate. In-kind products and services may be made by contacting Apryl Awbrey at aawbrey@okda.org.

If I can’t volunteer at the event, can I support OkMOM in another way?

Absolutely! A project of this size requires a significant budget and starting in 2025, the event will be funded entirely by donations. Consider donating through a monetary gift, or in-kind products or services. Your contribution will make a difference in treating hundreds of patients! A monetary gift can be made at okmom.org/donate. In-kind products and

Absolutely! A project of this size requires a significant budget and starting in 2025, the event will be funded entirely by donations. Consider donating through a monetary gift, or in-kind products or services. Your contribution will make a difference in treating hundreds of patients! A monetary gift can be made at okmom.org/donate. In-kind products and

GREAT PLAINS COLISEUM 2

A Provider Friendly Program

For over 30 years, MCNA has been a leading dental benefits administrator with a focus on providing exceptional service for Medicaid and CHIP members. Founded by dentists, MCNA serves over 5 million children and adults nationwide.

We are the largest dental insurer of Medicaid and CHIP programs in the country via direct contracts with state agencies. MCNA’s eight state partners include: Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Utah. Our approach emphasizes prevention and compassionate care through our robust provider networks.

MCNA’s mission to care includes:

• Preventive dental care in a dental home setting.

• Positive engagement with members beginning at a very young age.

• Innovative member outreach via our member advocate team.

• Dedicated support for our network providers via our in-state provider relations team.

• Clinical decisions made by licensed dentists and guided by leadership with extensive clinical and administrative experience serving Medicaid programs.

MCNA is an active and effective partner to our network providers in the delivery of oral health care and services. We invite you to learn more about us and our mission to care by visiting us online at www.mcna.net.

THE OKLAHOMA MISSION OF MERCY Legacy Fund

MATCHING CHALLENGE COMPLETE

The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy Legacy Fund was created when Dr. Tim Fagan and his wife, Pamela, chose to give an incredible gift of $448,000 to OkMOM in the form of a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge to be completed by June 30, 2023. Thank you to those who contributed to complete the matching challenge to ensure lifechanging dental care can continue at the 2025 OkMOM and beyond. While the matching challenge has been met, you can still contribute to the fund to keep OkMOM alive for years to come. Scan the QR code with your smart phone or visit okda.org/legacy-fund to make a donation and become a part of the Legacy !

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO JOINED THE LEGACY

Laurie Abbott

Jeffery Ahlert

Ross Allen

Jim Ambrose

Richard Amilian

Bret Anderson

Clay Anderson

Aqua Dental

Joan Archer

Mark Argo

Jamie Ariana

Tabitha Arias

Marc Arledge

Doug Auld

Douglas Auld

Lauren Avery

Victoria Ball

Jeannie Bath

Rishu Batta

Bryce Baumann

Justin Beasley

William Beasley

Kay Beavers

Kari Bender

Tamara Berg

Taylor Beshear

Kenneth Bezan

David Birdwell

Carol Blossfeld

Elizabeth Bohanon

Stacey Bonham

Andrea Bowen

Leon Bragg

Ed Braly

Faith Brandon

Matthew Bridges

Todd Bridges

George & Linda Bridges

Todd & Lori Bridges

Trace Bridges III

Krista Britton

Joshua Brock

Richard Brown

S. Kelly Brown

Ann Bryant

Nathan Buckner

Brent Burchard

Burton Law Group, P.C.

Graham Busby

Jamie Cameron

Carla Campbell

Jennifer Campbell

Kristen Campbell

Sarah Campbell

Tricia Cannon

Wuse Cara

Scott Carel

John Carletti

Peter Carlson

Bobby Carmen

Charles Carroll

Steven Carson

William Carter

Tamara Abo-Chedid Carter

Stephen Cash

Conrad Casler

Drue Cassidy

Central District Dental Society

Cory Chambers

Jennifer Chambers

Brian Chastain

Carrie L Chastain

Kami Chervilov

David Ciesla

Kathy Cloud

Russell Coatney

Logan Coffee

Jeff Cohlmia

Matthew Cohlmia

Raymond Cohlmia

Chris Corbin

Cama Cord

Donna Cosgrove

Robi Craig

Danny Craige

Danielle Crandell

Josh Crossley

G. Frans Currier

Russell Danner

Darrell Daugherty

Susan Davis

Joseph Day

David Deason

Steven Deaton

DentaQuest

Tara Denton

William Deprater

Haley Deyoe

Brent Dobson

Bryce Dorrough

Ana Dotson

Bryan Dowell

Gene Drake

Brian Drew

David Drummond

Kevin Duffy

Eastern District Dental Society

Benjamin Edwards

Colin Eliott

Renalla Ellis

Blaire Bowers Ersteniuk

Heath Evans

David & Megan Evans

Chris & Heather Fagan

Michael Fagan

Ronald Faram

Twana Farley-Duncan

Barry Farmer

Joseph Feng

Casey Fishburn

Judith Fitzpatrick

Mark Folks

Shelly & Travis Frantz

Rick Freeman

Emily Frye

Chad Garrison

LaMont Gee

Lindsay George

James Gilliam

Jacy Glover-Secrest

Ramina Golshani

Mark Goodman

Sandra Grace

Kim Graziano

Barry Greenley

Jerry Greer

Shannon Griffin

Thomas Griffin

Danell Griffith

Daniel Griffiths

Vicky Gudenrath

Andrew Guthrie

Jacob Hager

H. Douglas Hall

Michael Hampton

Kevin Haney

Michael Hansen

Mark Hanstein

Aaron Harman

Jenny Harreld

Haley Harrington

Ed Harroz III

Edward Harroz, Jr.

Richard Haught

Darrell Hazle

Erin Heathcock

Lindsey Helmerich

Robert Herman

Jeffrey Hermen

William Hiatt

Marilyn Hiebert

Myron Hilton

Phil Hoedebeck

Steven Hogg

Richard Homsey

Mathew Hookom

James Hooper Hooper Family Dentistry

Hoopes Dentistry

Brad Hoopes

Mitchell Hoopes

Eric Hopkins

James Hulsey

Benjamin Humphrey

W. Robert Hunter

Autumn Hurd

Stephanie Hurley

Jennifer Jenkins

Courtney Johnson

Donald Johnson

Eugenia Johnson

Richard Johnson

William Johnson

Krista Jones

Janet Julian

Lori Barnthouse Kaplan

Mohammad Karami

Olivia Karim

Charles Keithline

Mary Casey Kelly

Carolyn Keyes

Michael Kierl

Le

Montgomery

Moriarty

Morrison

Mullasseril

Mullasseril

Murtaugh

Nail

Nanda

Nellis

Nichols

Nittler

District

Association

Livingston

Loper

& Lisa Nowlin

McIntosh

McKinnis

Meador Lynn & Andy Means

Ousley

Owen

Ozment

Phillips

Phipps

Fauchard Academy

Plant

Plunkett

Pollock

Prather

Price

& Rebecca Rackley

Reed

Rhuems

Richter

Rittenhouse

Steven Strange

Joe & Jill Strunk

Steven Sullivan

Marc Susman

Jaime Sutterfield

Jim Taylor

Stephen Taylor

Mary Temple-Goins

Leslie Tevebaugh

Ryan Theobald

John Thomas

Trung Tran

Tulsa County Dental Society

Mark Unruh

JayCee Van Horn

Jonah Vandiver

Nathan Villines

Shyler Vincent

Carlie Wager

Michael Wallace

Matthew Walls

Valerie Walser

Christopher Ward

Walter Scott Waugh

Robert Webb

William Weber

Dennis Weibel

Jerrell Welch

Robert Wells

James Wendelken

Jay Lynn White

Steven White

Theresa White

Susan Whiteneck

Dan & Shannon Wilguess

John Wilguess

Ralph Willcox

Vincent Willcox

M Karen Willhoite

Karen Willhoite

Noel Williams

Wilshire Charitable Foundation

Brian Wilson

Jana Winfree

Jufang Wong

Paul Wood

Rieger & Donna Wood

Donal Woodward

Craig Wooten

Rande Worthen

Kari Wright

Savannah Wright

Trent Yadon

Kendra Yandell

Carla Whitney Yeates

Charles Young

Crawford

Kara Tims

Karen Tiwana

TLC Dental

Bootsey Torchia

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3 . T h e s o l u t i o n i s c i r c u l a t e d t h r o u g h t h e l i n e s u s i n g o u r c l o s e d c i r c u i t s y s t e m

1-833-5-SUCTION

w w w . s u c t i o n s o l u t i o n s . c o m

4 T h e l i n e s a r e e v a c u a t e d a n d d r i e d

5 . T h e c i r c u l a t e d s o l u t i o n i s f i l t e r e d t o 2 0 m i c r o n s t o r e m o v e s e d i m e n t .

6 . T h e s a n i t i z e d l i q u i d i s d i s p o s e d o f o n - s i t e a f t e r s o l i d s / s e d i m e n t s a r e r e m o v e d f o r r e c y c l i n g v i a f e d e r a l a m a l g a m w a s t e s t a n d a r d s .

2023 ODA Legislative Wrap-Up

By: Scott Adkins, ODA Contract Lobbyist

The First Regular Session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature formally adjourned sine die on Friday, May 26th. The Oklahoma Constitution mandates that the legislature must adjourn before 5:00 pm on the last Friday of May each year. The Oklahoma Senate made it with time to spare as they banged the final gavel at 3:40 pm. The House of Representatives also came in under the wire as the final motion to adjourn was made and approved at 3:05 pm. While they seemed like many more, there were 66 legislative days during the 2023 session. One the most important responsibilities of the legislature each year is to write a budget and appropriate funding to the various state agencies. As we’ve previously noted, Oklahoma’s resistance to a complete COVID-19 economic shutdown, the rapid return of business activity, and a staggering amount of federal stimulus have resulted in huge budget surpluses for the last couple of fiscal years and probably the next fiscal year. Total appropriations from the legislature totaled $12.96 billion. This leaves over $4.2 billion unspent between surplus and carryover funds, plus the state’s Rainy Day Account.

In a sign of the continuing tensions between Governor Kevin Stitt and the House and Senate leadership, the Governor allowed the budget appropriations bills to become law without his signature in anticipation of an almost certain veto override. As was noted in press accounts, and although he released a formal statement outlining his frustrations with the amount of money appropriated by the legislature, his decision stands in contrast to his many vetoes of previous budget bills.

Aside from the budget, the 2023 session will be known for the legislature calling itself into a Concurrent Special Session on May 10th. Both the Senate and the House set a date of June 30 for mandatory adjournment, but it is highly likely the legislature will end the special session before that date. The special session was called in order to complete the appropriations for both the FY-23 and FY-24 budgets, the administration of other budgeted funds, and appropriation of federal funds remaining from the American Rescue Plan Act. Lawmakers are expected back at the Capitol before the end of the month in order to finish any of the aforementioned tasks and possibly take up any veto overrides that may result from governor actions after sine die adjounment. The legislature overturned 19 vetoes during the last week of the regular session.

In 2023, the Oklahoma Dental Association initiated HB 1694, the Dental Insurance Transparency Act. This landmark legislation would put in place

requirements that all dental benefit plans doing business in Oklahoma operate at a medical loss ratio at a minimum of 80%. To clarify, at least 80% of a patient’s dental benefit premiums must go to direct patient care. All other expenses, such as marketing, sales, and administration, must be held under 20% of patient premiums. The available data indicates that 25-40% of dental premium dollars are used by insurance companies to cover administrative costs, profits, and executive compensation, instead of being directed to patient care. Medical insurance carriers in Oklahoma are required to spend at least 80-85% of patient premiums on healthcare, whereas there is currently no equivalent standard for dental insurance.

HB 1694 was authored by Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton. Our legislation passed out of committee in the House of Representatives and received a unanimous vote on the floor of the full House. Facing significant opposition from Delta Dental, HB 1694 failed in the Senate Insurance Committee by a single vote. But this is only the initial effort in a multiyear commitment by the Oklahoma Dental Association to tackle this issue, provide parity for dental and medical coverage, and ensure that dental premiums are spent on actual dental care for our patients.

As we work over the summer to develop and refine our legislative agenda, be assured that your Oklahoma Dental Association will continue to be laser focused on putting patients first and insurance companies last. Insurance and dental benefit parity and medical and dental loss ratios will be front and center during the next legislative session as we fight to protect our dental offices and provide for the oral healthcare of all Oklahomans.

WHY JOIN DENPAC

The ADA and AOA Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act S. 1424/H.R. 1385

The ADA and the American Optometric Association (AOA) Dental and Optometric Care Access Act (DOC Access Act) would prohibit dental and vision plans from setting the fees network doctors may charge for services not covered by the insurers.

• National trend: 42 states (including Oklahoma) have already passed laws that limit interference with the dentist-patient relationship when the dentist delivers services not covered by insurers. Three additional states have limited the interference for optometrists and their patients.

• Close a loophole: Even though 45 state governments have taken action, many dental and vision plans are federally regulated, so insurers claim they are exempt from having to follow state laws. This insurer loophole means some enrollees and doctors face undue confusion in how their plans work.

• Narrowly drawn: DOC Access is narrowly drawn to apply only to dental and vision plans regulated by the federal government. This legislation would not interfere with the states’ abilities to maintain and enforce their own insurance regulations and laws; instead, it complements the work already done by most state legislatures across the country.

It would also establish some “rules of the road” for provider network participation:

• Prevents plans from establishing nominal payments for otherwise non-covered services in an effort to have such services considered covered inappropriately;

• Limits network agreements to two years for each contract extension unless the doctor agrees to accept a longer contract extension; and

• Preserves doctors’ freedom of choice in laboratories.

Non-covered services provisions in dental and vision plans disadvantage enrollees, doctors and the public at large because they interfere with the patient-doctor relationship, skew the pricing charged to non-subscribers, and encourage the consolidation of the dental and vision insurance industries, resulting in higher premiums overall.

Consolidation occurs because larger plans leverage their greater market share to push doctors into accepting provisions, such as noncovered services, as part of their “take it or leave it” contracts. These practices place the smaller dental and vision carriers at a competitive disadvantage and shift costs rather than reducing them.

The result is a dental plan market dominated by only a few national players in many states, and a shifting of costs to patients who are paying for their coverage out of their own pockets or whose dentist

or optometrist is out of network. In the case of non-covered services provisions, the scales are tipped too far in the favor of large dental plans. To ensure all patients in the country are protected, no matter how their plans are regulated, action is needed at the federal level. Passage would balance the scales, protect patients, and bring needed equity to insurer/provider contracting.

Please

ask them to co-sponsor and support the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act!

Dr. Jeffrey Ahlert

Dr. Clay Anderson

Dr. Tabitha Arias

Dr. Glenn Ashmore

Dr. Douglas Auld

Dr. Justin Beasley

Dr. William Beasley

Dr. Tamara Berg

Dr. David Birdwell

Dr. Bryan Blankenship

Dr. Elizabeth Bohanon

Dr. Blaire Bowers- Ersteniuk

Dr. Ed Braly

Dr. Todd Bridges

Dr. Matthew Bridges

Dr. Trace Bridges

Dr. Nathan Brown

Dr. S. Kelly Brown

Dr. Tricia Cannon

Dr. Wuse Cara

Dr. John Carletti

WE DON’T FUNDRAISE. WE FRIENDRAISE!

THANK YOU TO THESE 2023 DENPAC CAPITOL CLUB MEMBERS!

Dr. Bobby Carmen

Dr. Tennille Cheek-Covey

Dr. Raymond Cohlmia

Dr. Matthew Cohlmia

Dr. Susan Davis

Dr. Ana Dotson

Dr. Brian Drew

Dr. Twana Duncan

Dr. Heath Evans

Dr. Christopher Fagan

Dr. Barry Farmer

Dr. John Folks

Dr. Richard Freeman

Dr. Chad Garrison

Dr. Sandra Grace

Dr. Shannon Griffin

Dr. Michael Hansen

Dr. Kevin Haney

Dr. Aaron Harman

Dr. Edward Harroz

Dr. Richard Haught

Dr. Haley Harrington

Dr. Robert Herman

Dr. Jeffrey Hermen

Dr. Mathew Hookom

Dr. James Hooper

Dr. Brad Hoopes

Dr. Scott Hubbard

Dr. Karl Jobst

Dr. Donald Johnson

Dr. Eugenia Johnson

Dr. Krista Jones

Dr. Michael Kirk

Dr. Jandra Korb

Dr. Marti Levinson

Dr. Juan Lopez

Dr. David Marks

Dr. Stephen Martin

Dr. Stephen Mayer

Dr. Tracy McIntire

Dr. Janna McIntosh

Dr. Glenn Mead

Dr. Kenner Misner

Dr. Mohsen Moosavi

Dr. Paul Mullasseril

Dr. Nicole Nellis

Dr. Samuel Owens

Dr. Ronald Plant

Dr. Dana Price

Dr. Christopher Ray

Dr. Karen Reed

Dr. Ryan Roberts

Dr. Brant Rouse

Dr. Troy Schmitz

Dr. Brandon Schultz

Dr. Steffan Sigler

Dr. Floyd Simon

Dr. Chad Spiva

Dr. Braden Stoltenberg

Dr. Julie Storm

Dr. Carla Sullivan

Dr. Marc Susman

Dr. Jamie Tally

Dr. Jim Taylor

Dr. Stephen Taylor

Dr. Ryan Theobald

Dr. Kara Tims

Dr. Jonah Vandiver

Dr. Nathan Villines

Dr. Carlie Wager

Dr. Robert Webb

Dr. Mark Weems

Dr. Robert Wells

Dr. James Wendelken

Dr. W. Scott White

Dr. Dan Wilguess

Dr. Brian Wilson

Dr. Ronald Winder

Dr. Rieger Wood

Dr. Paul Wood

OKCapitol Club is for that “ABC” group of DENPAC members; or those who want to be “ABOVE AND BEYOND CONTRIBUTORS.”

OKCapitol Club members truly understand the importance of the ODA’s participation in the political process and want to support candidates who are committed to the state’s oral health and the issues that affect your practice. OKCapitol Club members support those efforts even more by contributing an additional $300 to DENPAC ($470 total) per year. For more information about Capitol Club, contact Lynn Means at 800-876-8890 or lmeans@okda.org.

DENPAC Grand Level

DENPAC funds our voice. Without our input, legislators are merely making decisions based on what sounds good, what makes the fewest people angry, or what is easiest for them. Whether you like it or not, the campaign contributions we make to dentistry-friendly candidates are what opens those lines of communication. It’s what reminds legislators once they’re in office to go directly to the ODA for information, and not somewhere else.

For more information about DENPAC, contact Lynn Means at 800-876-8890 or lmeans@okda.org.

THANK YOU TO THESE 2023 DENPAC GRAND ($1,000) LEVEL MEMBERS!

Dr. Douglas Auld

Dr. Ed Braly

Dr. Matthew Bridges

Dr. Matthew Cohlmia

Dr. Twana Duncan

Dr. Shannon Griffin

Dr. Richard Haught

Dr. Robert Herman

Dr. Krista Jones

Dr. Juan Lopez

Dr. Paul Mullasseril

Dr. Steffan Sigler

Dr. Dan Wilguess

Dr. Rieger Wood

Dr. Paul Wood

DR. DAVID HORNBROOK Cementation/Ceramics

DR. GIGI MEINECKE Botox Training

DR. ROSS NASH Restorative/Composites

DR. JOSE-LUIS RUIZ Restorative CARRIE WEBBER Dental Team

LYNN ATKINSON Laser Dentistry

DR. PETER AUSTER Techniques/Products SHANNON PACE-BRINKER Dental Assisting

DR. ALAN BUDENZ Anesthesia

DR. BETH BURNS Yoga/Health & Fitness

DR. WENDY AUCLAIR-CLARK Digital Dentures

DR. ASHLEY CLARK Oral Pathology

DR. TRAVIS CAMPBELL Dental Insurance

JAMIE COLLINS Geriatrics

DR. MILES CONE Prostho/CAD/CAM

AN CHIH DO Pediatric Patients

KIERA DENT Case Acceptance

MACHELL HUDSON Oral-Systemic Health

DR. MARC GOTTLIEB DEA Training Requirement

DR. MARK IACOBELLI Extraction/Grafting

ANDREA JOHNSON Hygiene Symposium

DR. GERARD KUGEL 3D Printing MARK LORICH 3D Printing

RAFAEL RONDON Perio Risk Assessment

DR. STEPHEN MILLS Pediatric/Sports Dentistry

DR. KELLY TANNER Clinical Skills

DR. RYAN WALSH Endodontics

PLUS:

BLS Certification

Maintenance Workshop

DR. MATTHEW MILLER Endodontics

CONGRATULATiONS TO THE ASDA WiNNERS

CONGRATULATiONS TO THE ASDA WiNNERS

NATiONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

CONGRATS

CONGRATS

MiCHAEL E. LUNDLEY AWARD

DR TiM FAGAN

DR TiM FAGAN

OUTSTANDiNG ACHiEVEMENT AWARD PART TiME FACULTY

OUTSTANDiNG ACHiEVEMENT AWARD PART TiME FACULTY

The following OUCOD Faculty were recognized at the annual Faculty Recognition Night.

The following OUCOD Faculty were recognized at the annual Faculty Recognition Night.

DR. JAMES BURKE

DR JAMES BURKE

OUTSTANDiNG PROFESSiONAL ACHiEVEMENT AWARD

OUTSTANDiNG PROFESSiONAL ACHiEVEMENT AWARD

DR. FERNANDO LUiS ESTEBAN FLOREZ

DR. FERNANDO LUiS ESTEBAN FLOREZ

DR. RAYMOND A. COHLMiA LiFETiME ACHiEVEMENT AWARD

DR. RAYMOND A. COHLMiA LiFETiME ACHiEVEMENT AWARD

DR RiCHARD CORWiN

DR RiCHARD CORWiN

PRESiDENT

PRESiDENT

SOPHiA PARKER

VP

2023 ASDA OFFICERS

2023 ASDA OFFICERS

SOPHiA PARKER

VP

SARAH MCPHAiL

SARAH MCPHAiL

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

CATHY MAPES

CATHY MAPES

TREASURER

TREASURER

LAURENCE BENNETT

LAURENCE BENNETT

VENDOR COORDiNATORS

VENDOR COORDiNATORS

MUBARiKA ALi AND TiM WALKER

MUBARiKA ALi AND TiM WALKER

HiSTORiAN

HiSTORiAN

CALEB RUFF

CALEB RUFF

WEBMASTER

WEBMASTER

PiPER CANNON

PiPER CANNON

MEMBERSHiP COORDiNATOR

MEMBERSHiP COORDiNATOR

ASHTON MASON

ASHTON MASON

LEGiSLATiVE LiAiSON

LEGiSLATiVE LiAiSON

JENA GRAVES

JENA GRAVES

COMMUNiTY OUTREACH

COMMUNiTY OUTREACH

JENNiFER ESCOBAR

JENNiFER ESCOBAR

PUBLiCATiONS EDiTOR

PUBLiCATiONS EDiTOR

BLAS GAYTAN

BLAS GAYTAN

TULSA REPRESENTATiVE

TULSA REPRESENTATiVE

MANAS KOMMAREDDi

MANAS KOMMAREDDi

DEANS SERViCE AWARD

DR. LAUREN KAUFMANN

DR. ANNE JAMiSON

DEANS SERViCE AWARD

NATiONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

MiCHAEL E. LUNDLEY AWARD

DR. LAUREN KAUFMANN DR. ANNE JAMiSON

Honoring Oklahoma Dental Association's

Year Members

Each year, the ODA honors dentists who have been members of the Association for a significant amount of time. Dentists who have maintained their membership for 25, 35 and 50 years are gifted pins to celebrate these milestones.

These 50-year members were invited to attend the ODA House of Delegates meeting in April to be honored by their peers and receive their certificate of acheivement.

2023 Oklahoma Dental Association 50-Year Members

Dr. Thomas Gilbert

Dr. Stanley Groom

Dr. James Hackler

Dr. Jay Hodges

Dr. Richard Homsey

Dr. Nicholas Hunter

Dr. Richard James

Dr. William Johnson

Dr. Robert Livingston

Dr. Claud McKee

Dr. James Nicholson

Dr. James Osgood

Dr. Stanley Groom

Dr. James Roane

Dr. Gregory Watkins

Dr. Scott Waugh

Dr. Gary Youree

Dr. Stanley Groom graduated from Washington University in 1973 in St. Louis, Missouri. While Dr. Groom was practicing he enjoyed helping people, solving problems, and volunteering his time and services through Donated Dental Services, Mother Theresa Clinic, Give Kids a Smile, and OkMOM. Dr. Groom even had the opportunity to practice along side his late father, Dr. Hal Groom, who was also a member of the ODA. After getting married and retiring in 2017, Dr. Groom and his wife, Dawna, live happily in Bradenton, Florida. In his free time, Dr. Groom enjoys partaking in the occasional Triathlon, and even had his lifetime best 1/2 Ironman distance race last December in Daytona.

Dr. Ben Johnson

Dr. Ben Johnson graduated from Baylor University in 1969. After graduation, Dr. Johnson bravely served our country in the US Navy, which then led him to return back to Baylor to attend Endodontic graduate school and graduate in 1973. During his career, Dr. Johnson practiced in Tulsa, Oklahoma and enjoyed the friendships he created while practicing, and more importantly, enjoyed relieving patients of pain. One of Dr. Johnson’s favorite memories of his career is coming in 2nd place at table clinic on carrier based gutta percha obturation in the early to mid 70’s at one of the ODA meetings.

Dr. James B. Roane attended the University of Oklahoma for his undergraduate degree, attended Baylor University for his DDS degree, and finally completed his Endodontic Residency and MS degree from Ohio State University. Dr. Roane has achieved many accomplishments in his career including becoming a founding chairman of the Department of Endodontics at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, becoming certified as Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, becoming a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, and much more. Dr. Roane established Endodontic Practice Associates in 1977 in Norman, Oklahoma and retired in 2014.

Dr. Gregory Watkins graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1973 after completing his pre-dental education at Oklahoma Baptist University. Upon graduating from the University of Tennessee, Dr. Watkins had the opportunity to teach first year dental students. Following that time, Dr. Watkins moved back to Duncan, Oklahoma to begin dental practice. In his final 10 years of practicing dentistry, Dr. Watkins worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Those final years of practicing were very satisfying for Dr. Watkins because he got to provide care to our veterans and had the distinct honor of mentoring young dentists, just like the start of his career.

Dr. James Roane

Dr. Gregory Watkins

The highlighted 50-year members are those who responded to the ODA before the Journal publication deadline.

AEGD Case Studies

Case #1

By: Junior Cruz, DDS

A 71-year-old male patient presented to the AEGD program at OU College of Dentistry. His chief complaint was “I do not like my smile.” The patient presented with high blood pressure and diabetes controlled with medications. Dentally, the patient had congenitally missing laterals, retained primary canines distal to permanent canines, class II mobile teeth, decreased vertical dimension, vaulted palate with narrow arch form, and thick gingival biotype. The patient’s collapsed arch form created an uneven plane of occlusion on the maxilla; however, the mandibular teeth plane of occlusion was normal and mandibular arch was stable (Figure 1).

Treatment options provided to patient included

1) increasing patient’s occlusal vertical dimension with crowns on the maxilla, 2) an implant-supported fixed-detachable complete denture prosthesis on the maxilla, or 3) an implantsupported Atlantis Conus overdenture. Though the patient desired the implantsupported fixed hybrid prosthesis, he opted for the more affordable overdenture. I explained to the patient that his implants can be placed now with the ability to convert to an implant-supported hybrid prosthesis in the future.

The patient opted for the Atlantic Conus overdenture while respecting the surgical and prosthetic space requirements for a fixed-detachable complete denture prosthesis.

AccuDent XD alginate impressions of the patient’s maxilla and mandible were made for the fabrication of a maxillary immediate denture. The patient desired whiter teeth than his current dentition. Once his case was completed and received back from Express Dental Laboratory, the patient was appointed for extractions, alveoloplasty, and immediate denture delivery. After 3 months of healing with appropriate follow-up care, up-to-date three-dimensional imaging was made. Radiographic markers were placed on the immediate denture. Two scans were completed: 1) the maxillary denture by itself with radiographic markers, and 2) the patient wearing the denture intraorally with radiographic markers present. The two DICOM files were electronically sent to Express Dental Laboratory to assist in the digital planning of this case restoratively, and surgically for alveolectomy and implant positioning to allow for 15mm of restorative space.

The surgery was completed using a guided surgery system with stackable surgical guides fabricated by Express Dental Laboratory. The stackable guide system consisted of a mounting guide with horizontal anchor pins, a nested guide for alveolectomy, and a third guide for implant placement. Surgically, a full-thickness flap was reflected; a retraction suture was placed through the palatal tissue to allow for easier seating of the bone reduction guide and implant placement guide (Figure 2, 3, and 4). Four implants were placed (Astra PrimeTaper) in the maxilla. Chromic gut sutures were placed, and the patient left with his existing maxillary immediate denture. Suture removal and a soft reline were completed at his twoweek post-operative follow-up appointment.

Three months post-surgery, the maxillary implants were uncovered. Impression copings were placed and splinted with acrylic resin. After proper border molding, an implant-level final impression was made.

Figure 1: Pre-op photo taken at initial work up appointment.

Figure 2: Stackable guide used for bone reduction.

Figure 3: Stackable guide used for implant placement.

Figure 4: Panoramic radiograph after implant placement.

Three months post-surgery, the implants were uncovered, impression copings splinted with acrylic resin to capture final impression. Next appointment included a record base with wax rim used to mark midline, high smile line, low smile line, overjet, overbite, tooth mold, verification jig created, Custom Conus Atlantis abutments try in. Final prosthesis was completed and the patient was happy with the outcome of their smile journey.

References

Carpentieri, J., Greenstein, G., & Cavallaro, J. (2019). Hierarchy of restorative space required for different types of dental implant prostheses. Journal of the American Dental Association (1939), 150(8), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2019.04.015

Chaware, S. H., & Thakkar, S. T. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the attachments used in implant-supported overdentures. Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society, 20(3), 255–268. https://doi.org/10.4103/jips.jips_368_19

Case #2

By: Sonali Demla, DDS

A 70-year-old female presented to the OU Advanced Education in General Dentistry program with the chief complaint of, “The right side of my jaw hurts. I constantly clench and grind my teeth.” The patient reports no relief from wearing her nightguard, and states she consistently has migraine headaches. The patient has a medical history significant for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The patient’s dental history includes 4-month hygiene recalls for localized periodontitis and multiple fixed restorations. Clinical findings showed that the patient presents with a square-shaped jawline, making her face appear fuller and more masculine at the angle of mandible bilaterally (Figure 1). She also presents with significant right masseter hypertrophy.

Many treatment options exist for patients that present with TMJ pain due to clenching/bruxism. These include bite splints, mouthguards, jaw exercises, and in some cases, surgery. However, many of these treatment options are difficult due to poor patient acceptance and compliance. Botulinum toxin (Botox) therapy was presented to the patient as an alternative method of treatment and accepted. While known for its cosmetic uses, botulinum toxin can also be used in various aspects of dentistry including TMJ pain due to clenching, and gummy smiles due to excessive lip retraction. The use of botulinum toxin in the masseter muscles imposes muscular relaxation and atrophy, allowing the patient to reduce damage to their dentition. The muscular atrophy of the masseters may also result in facial slimming. Results generally last between 3-4 months, and a minimum of 3-4 treatments are needed for the full benefit. However, when botox therapy is curtailed, relapse is not uncommon.

After thorough analysis and planning, this patient’s treatment entailed a sequence of four injections to the left masseter and four injections to the right masseter for a total of 20 units of botulinum toxin per side. For patients presenting with chronic bruxism, the average amount of units delivered per side is between twenty and thirty. It is recommended patients begin with 20 units and determine if more units are needed, as it takes 7-10 days for the dose to take effect, with maximal effect not being reached for roughly 3 weeks.

ELEMEK, E. (2022). Retrospective Analysis of Geriatric Patients Treated with Dental Implants and Implant-Retained Prostheses. Turkish Journal of Geriatrics / Türk Geriatri Dergisi, 25(4), 559–567. https://doi.org/10.31086/tjgeri.2022.314

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Junior Cruz was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Dallas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a Biomedical Sciences Certificate. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Texas A&M College of Dentistry with an Education for Healthcare Professionals certificate in 2022. After completing the AEGD residency at OU College of Dentistry, he plans to practice in Oklahoma City, OK.

Patients may discover that their bruxism has reduced, however, their migraines persist. If that is the case, botulinum toxin may be administered adjunctively into the temporalis muscles for improved effect.

The masseter muscle has a quadrangular shape and botox must be administered into the muscle belly for optimal effect. The superior border of the area of administration into the muscle belly was noted by a line between the commissure of the lip and the tragus. The inferior border was noted by the inferior border of the angle and body of the mandible. The anterior and posterior borders of the muscle belly were mapped by having the patient clench and release several times to be able to clinically detect the patient’s masseter muscle. An alcohol prep pad was used to effectively sanitize the skin prior to injection. Four dots were then marked on the patient’s face in the shape of a diamond to represent the sites of administration (Figure 2 and 3). Five units were injected into each location for a total of 20 units bilaterally. The patient was scheduled for a two week follow-up appointment.

The patient states she has had great relief, and she looks forward to incorporating her botox recalls with her hygiene recalls. This experience was educational and rewarding to see that dentists can change patient’s lives in many other ways than just the appearance of teeth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Sonali Demla is originally from Lawton, Oklahoma. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Biosciences with a minor in Business. She received her doctorate at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 2022, and recently completed the AEGD residency at the OU College of Dentistry. Dr. Demla plans on practicing in the state of Texas.

Case #3

By: Tyler Hendricks, DDS

A 64-year-old male presented to the OU AEGD program with a chief complaint of “I need to get my teeth out and get dentures.” The patient presents with a complex medical history significant for 50 pack-year smoking history, Type II diabetes, history of heart attack and stroke, spinal disc degeneration, and fibromyalgia. Clinical findings showed that the patient had numerous grossly carious teeth with periodontal mobility ranging from class I to III, classifying him with a periodontitis stage IV, grade C diagnosis. Radiographic findings reflected the clinical diagnoses as well as multiple teeth with periapical radiolucencies.

After completion of a comprehensive exam and review of the treatment options, the patient decided on full-mouth extractions, placement of two mandibular implants, and a maxillary conventional denture with a mandibular 2-implant overdenture as his final restorations.

The denture fabrication process requires multiple appointments, which results in a significant amount of chair time. Digital dentistry has allowed this process to be somewhat streamlined to decrease treatment time for patients. This patient’s treatment was completed using a digital workflow for his record-taking and TrueDent 3D printed, monolithic, class II acrylic resin dentures.

Due to the patient’s complex medical history, his treatment was phased and sequenced accordingly. His maxillary and mandibular teeth were extracted in two separate appointments. Atraumatic extractions were completed with careful attention to preservation of the buccal plate. Two immediate mandibular implants were placed and primary stability was achieved.

After twelve weeks of healing, the patient was ready for his final restorations. His denture records were completed in a single visit. During this appointment, diagnostic records were made. Alginate impressions were made and poured Snapstone to fabricate custom trays with wax rims. These custom trays were then used to make a PVS wash impression, and wax rims were shaped to establish proper OVD. A digital scanner was used to record the impressions and to digitize his records. The intaglio and cameo surfaces of both impressions, the borders, and the bite at established OVD was scanned. This allows the laboratory to be able to accurately model the patient’s anatomy and can have the TrueDent 3D denture fit with precision. The records were electronically sent to the lab for printing of his dentures (Figure 1, 2).

Digitizing the records allows future flexibility to be able to reprint dentures with any adjustments needed at lower cost and conveniently quick compared to remaking dentures from scratch in the future if they were to break.

The TrueDent 3D printed dentures were delivered (Figure 3, 4) with proper extensions, stability, and retention. The mandibular implant locators were then luted chairside using Unifast Trad acrylic resin to finalize his lower overdenture. Adjustments to the dentures were made as needed, along with appropriate recall and follow up.

Digital dentistry is changing the way dentistry is practiced, and implementing a digital workflow can save not only chair time, but streamlines and eases appointments for the clinician, the patient, and the laboratory.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Tyler Hendricks is originally from Saginaw, Michigan. He received his bachelors degree in Human Biology from Michigan State University with a minor in Sociology. He received his doctorate from The University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2022. After completion of the AEGD residency at OU College of Dentistry, he will be an associate in a private practice located back in his home state of Michigan. Go Green!"

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Case #4

By: Romali Kamat, D.D.S.

An 87-year-old female presented with a chief concern of “I have a bridge that has lasted 40 years, but it needs to be replaced. I moved from McKinney, TX, and the doctor there suggested I get implants.” Her concern was a PFM FPD 8-X-10-X-12 with non-restorable decay at 10 and 12. The patient had existing implant restorations at 3-X-5, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 29-X-31 (Figure 1 and 2).

The patient refused any type of removable prosthesis. Two fixed treatment options were presented to her: (1) an implant-supported FPD from 8-X-10-X-12, or (2) a full-arch implant-supported fixed detachable denture (a.k.a. “hybrid”). She was primarily concerned with esthetics and the remaining lifespan of her three remaining natural maxillary teeth 6, 7, and 15 (which were endodontically treated and crowned). The patient chose the hybrid option, which included retaining her existing implants, and adding two anterior immediate implants. The challenge of retaining and utilizing her existing maxillary implants while achieving adequate prosthetic space for the prosthesis was able to be addressed as implant crowns 13 and 14 were already 12mm in height. Implant crown #3 was only 8mm in height, so a #4 implant was planned in the surgical guide if prototypes failed. The advantages of keeping her existing implants included reduced cost to the patient, reduced load on newly placed implants, and more comfort during the first 3 months of healing post-surgery.

Each appointment thereafter consisted of identifying the existing implants. For the practitioner, this work is often difficult - drilling through implant crowns and abutments of unknown years hoping not to damage a screw; for the patient this requires a lot of patience in the chair and losing teeth without plans for temporary replacement due to her finances. Implant #3 was identified as 3i external hex 5.0mm platform, #5 was a Nobel external hex 4.0mm platform, #13 Astra EV 4.2mm, and #14 Astra EV 4.2mm. Due to the original placement of the implant and subsequent years of bone loss, the platform of 5 was too coronal in the patient’s smile line, and thus, was planned for removal.

The beauty of retaining implants is also appreciated during prosthetically-guided surgical planning. With support from prosthodontic faculty, Dr. Roberta Wright, the idea to create a surgical guide supported by her existing implants blossomed. Tony Walker from Express Dental Lab and Dr. Sara Amin from ITX Pros worked with me to design and fabricate the guide. The intraoral pre-op scan was obtained via iTero5D scanner with Dess scanbodies placed on each implant, making sure to capture the existing dentition and the hard palate. The guide design started with a tissue and tooth-supported guide with Astra drilling sleeves at 4, 7 and 10 for the placement of implants after extraction. At the lab, the hard palate was removed, and temporary copings were luted to the guide from a printed model after digital model trimming representing where bone reduction was needed for adequate prosthetic space (Figure 3). Therefore, an additional bone reduction guide was not needed as the implant-supported surgical guide would seat fully only when adequate

bone was removed.

On the day of surgery, teeth 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 15 were extracted, implant #5 was removed, and roughly 5mm of ostectomy was completed in the anterior to implants 3 and 13. The guide was seated to engage into implants at 3, 13, and 14 and was secured in place with prosthetic screws. Then, using a fully-guided surgical approach, Astra PrimeTaper implants 4.2 x 11mm and 3.6 x 11mm were placed at sites 7 and 10 respectively. Once primary stability was achieved, multi-unit abutments were placed using 1.5mm gingival height abutments with a 0⁰ at 7 and 17⁰ at 10 (Figure 4).

Another advantage of retaining some of her existing implants was the ease of immediate conversion and loading. A full-arch acrylic prototype was printed to seat at existing implants 3, 13, and 14 with pre-planned windows left in the prosthesis to conventionally pick-up implants at 7 and 10 chairside. The conversion prosthesis was finished and polished with a convex intaglio surface, and placed intraorally. Radiography was made to ensure complete seating of the prosthesis. Access holes were temporarily sealed, and occlusion was controlled.

Post-operative instructions included a list of liquid/soft foods the patient may eat for the next 3 months, hygiene instructions on using a water flosser, and management of swelling and discomfort. The patient was pleased with the outcome both functionally and esthetically. (Figure 5).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Romali Kamat is originally from the small town of Alice, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She then attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio College of Dentistry where she received her doctorate. After completing the AEGD residency at University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, she will be an associate general dentist with her partner, Dr. Cristobal Urrutia, at 7 to 7 Dental & Orthodontics in San Antonio, Texas. In the future, she hopes to open her own private practice, but for now enjoys spending weekends walking with Cristobal and her miniature schnauzer, Kiki.

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KEEP IT LOCAL Veterinary Endodontic Treatment

By : Jennifer Keegan, DMD

When Spike, an explosive detection K9 came in for his annual checkup, a bump on his gums led to the discovery that he had a tooth infection on his bottom left molar. The Tinker AFB Dental team was asked to help restore Spike’s health, so that he can focus on his very important job! Prior to this 2023 check-up, Spike was seen in August 2019 with two gingival masses located on the F gingiva of tooth #309. A punch biopsy was taken during that time, and the results showed chronic granulation material with intralesional foreign material. The veterinarian suspected the foreign material was due to a stick that Spike chewed on. Now, 4 years later, Spike presents with another lesion on his gingiva that needs further evaluation. Tooth 309 was evaluated. Radiographically: a periapical radiolucency was noted around both the mesial and distal roots. Clinically, a round 3x3mm gingival abscess was noted on the F gingiva of #309. A gutta percha master cone was placed in that draining abscess and was traced to the D root apex. The decision was made to proceed with a root canal on tooth 309. Spike was intubated and placed under general anesthesia.

The tooth had three separate pulp chambers and two different canals. The central pulp chamber connected to both the M and D canals. Due to the unique morphology of the tooth, it was accessed separately from all three cusps, and the initial apical file

lengths was verified using radiographs. The initial apical file length was determined to be 17mm on the D and 19mm on the M (see the radiograph below). Hand files were initially used up to the maximum size that the veterinary office had (100) and then a combination of rotary files (Lightspeed LSX size 90 and ProTaper Gold size F5) was used to clean and shape the canals. The two canals were significantly wider than 100 (estimating close to 160-200 in size for the master apical file). Thus, focus was put on taking the largest rotary files and copious amounts of NaOCl to meticulously clean the walls of the chambers and canals.

While humans have apical foramina, canine apices have “apical deltas” which are usually predictable stops for obturation. However, since the periapical radiolucency and draining abscess was connected to the D canal, extra focus was put on length control to ensure the obturating material did not exit out of the D apex. Both canals were obturated with BC sealer and warm vertical gutta percha.

The three chambers were restored using amalgam. Overall, an excellent result came out of the procedure and, more importantly, an explosive detection K9 can focus on his duty and not on a toothache.

Tinker AFB Dental Clinic extends its’ appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with the Tinker AFB Veterinary Clinic team led by Dr. Heather Cameron.

Left to right: Ms. Heidi Perry, A1C Zo, Maj Gustafson, Capt Keegan, SSgt Andersonafter implant placement.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Most Common HIPAA Violations in the Dental Office

Contributed by Compliancy Group, an ODA Rewards Partner HIPAA violations can be detrimental to your practice, leading to costly fines and reputational damage. The recent HHS enforcement actions underscore the importance and necessity for healthcare practices of all sizes to be HIPAA compliant.

"Between the rising pace of breaches of unsecured protected health information and continued cyber security threats impacting the health care industry, it is critical that covered entities take their HIPAA compliance responsibilities seriously,” said OCR Director Lisa J. Pino. “OCR will continue our steadfast commitment to protect individuals’ health information privacy and security through enforcement, and we will pursue civil money penalties for violations that are not addressed.”

So, what are common HIPAA violations you can prepare your dental practice against?

COMMON REASONS PRACTICES ARE FINED

In 2022, eight dental practices settled with the HHS resulting in $305,500 worth of HIPAA fines. Most of these fines had something in common. They were due to right of access violations. However, there are also a handful of other reasons practices were fined in 2022 and in previous years.

1. Failure to Meet Right of Access Requirements

Since the OCR announced its right of access enforcement initiative, they have fined more than forty healthcare providers for failing to meet the standard.

“It should not take a federal investigation before a HIPAA covered entity provides patients, or their personal representatives, with access to their medical records,” said OCR Director Lisa J. Pino. “Health care organizations should take note of the enforcement actions under our Right of Access Initiative and understand that OCR is serious about upholding the law and peoples’ fundamental right to timely access to their medical records.”

The right of access standard allows patients to request copies of their medical records. Practices must provide the patient records within thirty days of the request, in the format the patient requests. The standard also requires providers to adhere to a reasonable cost-based fee for meeting the request

Although some providers have been fined for charging excessive fees for providing records, most right of access violations resulted from failing to provide patients with timely access to their medical records.

2. Improper Response to Patient Reviews

The dental practice fined this year for improperly responding to a patient review was not the first for this reason. In 2019, a single-practitioner dental office was fined $10,000 for responding to a patient's Yelp review.

Responding to patient reviews while complying with HIPAA can be tricky. It is not permitted to confirm that a patient is a patient, even if they have self-disclosed their information publicly. Even, “Thank you for coming in!” or “Sorry you had a bad experience” are HIPAA violations. The best way to respond to a patient review is a simple “thank you” or “please call us,” or not at all.

“Social media is not the place for providers to discuss a patient’s care,” said former OCR Director Roger Severino. “Doctors and dentists must think carefully about patient privacy before responding to online reviews.”

3. Unauthorized Disclosure of PHI on Social Media

While social media can be an excellent way to increase patient engagement, there are restrictions on when patient information can be shared publicly. To use any protected health information (PHI) on social media, HIPAA requires practices to have signed written consent from the patient. Using patient testimonials, images, or videos for marketing purposes without prior written consent is a HIPAA violation.

4. Improper Disposal of Medical Records

There have been several instances in which healthcare providers have been investigated for dumping paper records in unsecured public dumpsters. One of these instances involved a dentist that left more than sixty boxes of patient files in a dumpster in Indianapolis and was fined $12,000.

To properly dispose of paper medical records, they must be shredded, burned, pulped, or pulverized to render PHI unreadable and unable to be reconstructed. PHI stored in an electronic format must be cleared, purged, or destroyed for proper disposal.

5. Failure to Conduct an Accurate and Thorough Risk Assessment

Dental practices must conduct an accurate and thorough security risk assessment (SRA) annually to identify risks and vulnerabilities to PHI. When practices fail to conduct an SRA, they are ill-equipped to keep patient information secure, often leading to breaches.

Conducting an annual SRA is one of the most important aspects of HIPAA compliance, as healthcare breaches have skyrocketed over the past few years.

Need assistance with HIPAA compliance?

Compliancy Group can help! Their simplified software solution and Compliance Coach® guidance help dentists achieve HIPAA compliance with ease. As the only HIPAA solution endorsed by the ADA and ADA Member Advantage, dentists can be confident in their compliance program. Find out more about Compliancy Group and HIPAA compliance. Get HIPAA compliant today by visiting, www.compliancy-group.com/ada-hipaa-compliance.

NEW DENTIST CORNER: The Next Chapter

My name is Hilary Smiley, and I will be working with the Cherokee Nation Health Services at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center in Tahlequah, OK.

I am from Tecumseh, which is a smaller town in Oklahoma. I have always wanted to work in a rural community, whether that be in my hometown or somewhere else. Serving has always been a calling of mine, so being able to work someplace where I can serve the underserved brings joy to my heart. I have always wanted to be a figure and a role model in a community, and in a rural community, I can easily make the relationships needed to do that. I enjoy educating others about things that are good for them and their health. Because of this, I even decided to coach CrossFit throughout my last year of dental school. I am very passionate about making personal connections and helping people reach their goals. All of these reasons for why I became a dentist are also why I believe that working in a rural location for the Cherokee Nation will be the best fit for me.

My husband is Native American, so I have always been interested in working for a tribe. I was able to complete my fall externship with the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, OK. I enjoyed working with many doctors throughout the day and always having a dentist nearby if I had any questions or concerns. I fell in love with the beauty of the town as well as the kind-heartedness of the people. I was thoroughly surprised by how much I felt at home, and I knew that it would be a great opportunity for me to start my career.

As a new graduate, I look forward to the support and mentorship that I will receive from working with several other doctors each and every day. I look forward to learning as much as I can to serve people in the best way I can. I am excited and anxious to be a dentist, and I think this route is the best way to for me to learn my roles and responsibilities as a dentist and for the community.

HYGIENE HOTSPOT Factors Affecting Dental Hygiene Employment Patterns

By: Morgan Wong, and Sarah Justus, M.Ed., RDH

In 2019, 43% of dental hygienists stated they were looking for a new job due to unsatisfactory pay and not feeling valued or respected. Approximately 3,300 dental hygienists have voluntarily left the profession since 2021 (Morrissey et al., 2022). Dental hygiene has 16,300 available positions every year in the United States, and 214,000 are currently employed. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) projects that in 2021-2031 dental hygiene will increase 9%, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. Once a dental hygienist graduates from an accredited program, it is expected that those graduates would fill those open positions. However, only 7,300 dental hygiene students graduate annually, which is less than half of the open positions every year (Jones-Teti et al., 2021). The reason causing dental hygienists to leave the profession has limited research, but some studies have shown that the shortage in the field could be due to burnout, dissatisfaction with current workplace and career, or Covid-19related issues (Gorter, 2015; Gurenlian et al., 2021; Vick, 2016; Ylipää, 2022).

When an individual is “burned out” it has a deeper meaning than simply fatigue. To understand burnout, one must first understand stress and strain. For example, a material will return to its original shape after mild pressure is applied to it, which is called stress. However, strain occurs when excessive pressure is put on a material such that it deforms and is unable to return to its original state. This example applies to the human psyche as well; an individual can only withstand a certain amount of pressure and still recover from it without strain (Gorter, 2005). Once the human mind starts becoming strained, the person may start to develop negative thoughts, depression, irritability with people, lack of energy, and possibly an unhealthy lifestyle (Gorter, 2005; Mayo Clinic, 2021). Pressure on the mind can be caused by many factors, but when it is acquired directly from the profession, career burnout happens. The main symptom from burnout is mental fatigue that deteriorates the ability to mentally take care of oneself. This is especially detrimental to dental hygienists and other professionals because if they cannot tend to themselves, they will struggle to take care of their patients. A study completed by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health (2022) showed that mental burnout played a significant role in dental hygienists wanting to leave the field, and that younger providers aged 18-34 reported the most burnout. The study also found that job burnout is linked with higher suicide rates in health care professionals because it can lead to physical and psychological stress. Burnout makes dental hygienists feel they are not successful with their work, which leads to dissatisfaction in their current workplace (Gorter, 2005).

Dissatisfaction in the current workplace can play a significant role on a dental hygienist’s quality of work and life (Sur et al., 2004; Vick, 2016). There may be several different reasons why dental hygienists are dissatisfied with their current work. One reason is not feeling valued or respected by their employer. Not feeling

valued in a current role leads to poor work performance and second-guessing one’s career altogether (Brunner et al., 2019). Work setting, such as private practice or corporate practice, can also affect satisfaction in the workplace. Some dental hygienists thrive in the fast-pace, high-turnover environment of a corporate practice, while others excel with the structure of a private practice. Choosing the wrong work setting can lead to job dissatisfaction over time. Patel et al’s (2021) study on job satisfaction with dental hygienists found that dental hygienists that worked in a corporate dental setting were more satisfied with their fringe benefits than those who were not working in a corporate structure. Working in multiple offices may also result in a decrease in work performance, which then leads to career complaints. With the high demand for dental hygienists, it is imperative for the employer and dental hygienist to understand the key factors of the discontent and create a plan for the longevity of these positions (Vick, 2016). Even with a well laid out plan to combat dissatisfaction in the workplace, other unforeseen reasons could make dental hygienists leave the profession.

Covid-19 and its impact on certain professions was not something anyone could have predicted to happen. The virus had a significant negative impact on the labor market, especially female-dominated professions who are the main caregiver for children and elderly adults. Due to dental hygiene being predominantly female (98%), the profession was severely impacted by the virus (Gurenlian et al., 2021). During the beginning of the pandemic, individuals left the profession for many reasons. Daycares and schools were shut down, which led parents to have to take care of their children, placing their careers on hold. Some individuals in the profession were worried about contracting it themselves or passing it to their loved ones due to the exposure risk of aerosolized viral particles. According to the World Economic Forum (2020), dental hygiene was one of the riskiest non-hospital jobs during the pandemic. This was due to close contact with patients and high exposure to disease and infection (Gurenlian et al., 2021). A study done in September 2020 showed Covid-19 was the biggest reason why most individuals left the profession voluntarily (Gurenlian et al., 2021). At the time of the study, a vaccine was not available, personal protective equipment (PPE) was limited, and schools and daycares were shut down which forced many dental hygienists to be the sole caregiver. Because the height of the pandemic has passed, now is the time to conduct research to understand if the shortage in dental hygiene is still due to the virus (Gurenlian et al., 2021).

The purpose of this study is to identify factors influencing dental hygienists’ employment patterns and attitudes. This study utilizes an electronic survey to evaluate the attitudes of licensed dental hygienists regarding their current workplace and career plans. The results of this study provide insight on the current shortage within the field of dental hygiene. With the results, dental professionals will be able to understand why dental hygienists are leaving the

profession. This will help develop methods to address the concerns of not being able to retain dental hygienists in the profession.

METHODS

This study was a non-experimental, simple descriptive research project using an electronic survey design. The research protocol and survey were approved by the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center Institutional Review Board (IRB # 14859). The survey was sent to 2,499 Oklahoma-registered dental hygienists through OUHSC Qualtrics. Two reminder emails were sent: the first one was sent 2 weeks after the initial email, and the second one was sent 2 weeks after the first reminder email. An informed consent including the study’s purpose and investigator’s contact information were emailed to every recipient. Participants were informed that the completion of the survey was strictly voluntary. The survey investigated dental hygienists’ attitudes toward their current workplace, career, and if they intend on leaving the profession. The survey consisted of 49 questions including multiple choice, Likert-type scale, and open-ended questions that took approximately 10 minutes to complete.

An email list in alphabetical order of all registered dental hygienists in Oklahoma provided by Oklahoma Board of Dentistry was used to recruit participants. The first 2,499 emails on the list were sent the survey. Out of the 2,499 emails, 92 email addresses were inactive and never delivered to participants; 2,407 emails were successfully delivered. The results of this study were quantitatively analyzed. Respondents who did not complete at least 70% of the survey were considered incomplete responses and were excluded from the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used, and the tests were analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact to make group comparisons.

RESULTS

Out of the 2,407 individuals who received the survey, 281 (11%) completed the survey with 70% completion or higher. The majority of the participants were cis-gender female (95%, n=265) and predominantly White or Caucasian (82%, n=230). Participants were age 20 and over. The participants mainly worked in an urban setting (69%, n=177), and 34% (n=96) have been working for over 21 years. Concerning job status, more than half of the respondents worked full time (31 or more hours) in one job setting (59%, n=152) and the next highest was part time (30 hours or less) in one job (23%, n=59). According to the survey, 97% (n=247) work in a general dentistry practice setting with 75% (n=192) working in private practice, and 16% (n=42) in another dental practice setting such as corporate dental or nonprofit. See Table 1. For those participants who responded, “not working currently” (n=27), 37% (n=10) voluntarily left their position due to career change, and 25% (n=7) voluntarily left due to mental burnout. See Table 2.

Of the 254 currently working dental hygienists in Oklahoma, 27% (n=70) reduced their working hours in the past 3 years; 50% (n=35) reduced their hours due to physical burnout, while 37% (n=26) worked fewer hours due to mental burnout. Due to Covid-19 concerns, 14% (n=10) reduced their working hours and, 27% (n=69) plan to leave the profession in the next 5 years. The main reason for leaving the profession was retirement at 41% (n=27), second was mental burnout at 21% (n=14), and third was physical burnout at 16% (n=11). One way the participants were compared was by age (<40 years [N=123] versus 40 years and older

[N=131]). This research showed a strong association between age and planning to leave dental hygiene (p<0.0001). Of the individuals who are planning to leave the profession in the next 5 years, 16% (n=20) were younger than 40 years of age, and 37% (n=49) were 40 years and older (p=0.0002). The participants who were younger than 40 years of age, 40% (n=8) are planning on leaving due to mental burnout. Looking at the individuals who are older than 40 years of age, only 13% (n=6) plan to leave the profession due to mental burnout. See Table 3.

In this study, private practice only (N=179) and other employment settings (N=75), such as corporate setting or nonprofit, were compared. This research did not show a strong association between work setting and plans to leave the profession or reasons for reducing working hours. 32% of respondents working in private practice only reported reducing their working hours in the past 3 years, and 25% reported plans to leave the profession in the next 5 years. In contrast, only 16% of respondents working in other employment settings, including multiple settings, reported reducing their working hours in the past 3 years, and 32% reported plans to leave the profession in the next 5 years. See Table 4. Among respondents working in private practice, 33% (n=59) were “dissatisfied” with fringe benefits, while only 18.7% (n=14) from other employment settings were “dissatisfied.” Regarding satisfaction with operations of the workplace, 29% (n=22) of other employment setting responded “dissatisfied,” while 14% (n=25) in the private practice setting chose “dissatisfied.” Among dental hygienists working in other employment settings, 26% (n=20) “agreed” that they speak about their work in a negative way, while only 19% (n=34) of the private practice setting “agreed.” When asked if during work they feel emotionally drained, 45% (n=34) of other employment setting “agreed”, and 34% (n=62) of private practice “agreed.”

Participants were asked about their concerns regarding Covid-19 with 51% (n=132) reporting they were “not concerned at all” about the risk of Covid-19 transmission to their patients, and 2% (n=6) were “very concerned.” Regarding the risk of Covid-19 transmission to themselves, 47% (n=120) of respondents were “not concerned,” while only 3% (n=8) were “very concerned.” This study looked at the comparison between female to other genders and did not find positive association. This is likely due to the majority of the participants being female (n=238) and a lack of “other gender” individuals (N=12) in this study.

DISCUSSION

Dental hygienists play an imperative role regarding oral health. However, with the shortage of dental hygienists in the United States, it is important to understand the key factors that are causing the reduction of the workforce. The outcome of this research noticed trends that are currently affecting the profession. With dental hygienists who left the profession, this study found that the most common reason was career change, and the second most common answer was mental burnout. In this study, mental burnout was the reason why dental hygienists reported reducing their working hours in the past 3 years or planning to leave the

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Tables and references on page 45

profession in the next five years. An article by CareQuest (2023) showed that mental burnout plays a role in dental hygienists wanting to leave the field, supporting the findings in this research.

When it comes to dissatisfaction with current workplace or career, individuals who worked in another employment setting that was not private practice said they often think about getting another job that better suits their needs. Additionally, they were more likely to speak about their current workplace in a negative way. Dental hygienists who worked in a private practice setting were more satisfied with the operations and communication at their workplace than other employment settings. The main dissatisfaction in the private practice setting was the fringe benefits. Research by Patel et al. (2021) found that dental hygienists who were employed in a corporate setting were more satisfied with their fringe benefits than those who were not, which aligns with the results from this research. Regarding Covid-19, this study shows that a limited number of participants voluntarily left due to the virus. Additionally, it shows that only 3% are concerned about transmitting the virus to patients and to themselves. Gurenlian et al.’s (2021) study showed that most dental hygienists left the profession in 2020 due to Covid-19, which is not supported by this study. The difference from 2020 to today is Covid-19 vaccines have been developed, the level of PPE has increased, and schools and daycares are operational. Based on the results of this study, Covid-19 is less of a threat to dental hygienists leaving the profession now than it was in 2020.

Research on factors affecting the shortage in the profession of dental hygiene is limited. With this study, the data show that mental and physical burnout, as well as job dissatisfaction, play a role in dental hygienists leaving the profession. This study has limitations due to it only representing a small percentage of dental hygienists in the United States (Oklahoma). Further research should focus mainly on mental and physical burnout to get a deeper look at these trends. Most of the participants in this study worked in a private practice setting (75%) with few in the corporate setting. For future research endeavors, it would be beneficial to have a more equal number of participants in the private practice setting to compare with corporate dental setting.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that burnout and job dissatisfaction are the main trends that influence dental hygienists’ decisions about leaving the profession. Given the increase of oral health awareness and the shortage of dental hygienists, dental offices are going to face challenges when recruiting dental hygienists. It is important for dental offices to understand the leading factors implicated in this trend and brainstorm strategies to avoid burnout and dissatisfaction in the workplace. Furthermore, it is important for dental hygienists to understand conditions that could possibly affect their profession and have open communication with their dental offices. Also, when it comes to burnout, it is important for health care providers to know that resources are available to help them overcome this battle. If a dental hygienist is satisfied with their job and is not burned out, they will be able to provide better patient care.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Morgan Wong is a dental hygiene student at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry where she will receive her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree May of 2023. While attending school, Morgan was a finalist for the Don M. Ishmael Scholarship Award in 2023 for her research on “Factors Affecting Dental Hygiene Employment Patterns.” She is passionate about oral health awareness and helping individuals understand the importance of oral health. Outside of dental hygiene, Morgan enjoys spending time with her husband and dog.

Sarah Justus completed her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. During her schooling, she received several leadership awards, the 4.0 grade point average medallion, and was inducted membership into the Sigma Phi Alpha dental hygiene honor society. Sarah completed her Master of Education degree at the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently a doctoral student at Oklahoma State University.

Sarah worked in a private dental office in Oklahoma City before becoming a faculty member in the dental hygiene program at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Currently, she is the Dental Hygiene I clinic coordinator and provides didactic instruction in Preventive Dentistry, Clinical Dental Hygiene Theory I and II, and Research Methods.

Sarah serves as the American Student Dental Hygienists’ Association advisor, the Sigma Phi Alpha Beta Delta chapter secretary, and the Student Research Program mentor. Sarah is a member of the American Dental Educator's Association, the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the Oklahoma Dental Hygienists' Association, and the Oklahoma County Dental Hygienists' Association. Sarah also serves on the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee, the Health and Safety Committee, the Research Committee, and chairs the DH I PAC Committee. She enjoys serving others at Oklahoma Mission of Mercy, OU’s Kid’s Day, and OU’s Veteran’s Day.

Sarah's enjoyments outside campus include the lake, exploring the great outdoors, deer hunting, sports, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.

REFERENCES

1. Brunner, B., Igic, I., Keller, A. C., & Wieser, S. (2019). Who gains the most from improving working conditions? Health-related absenteeism and presenteeism due to stress at work. The European journal of health economics: HEPAC: health economics in prevention and care, 20(8), 1165–1180. https://doi-org/10.1007/s10198-019-01084-9

2. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. (2022). Burnout among dental professionals before and during a public health crisis: Causes, consequences, and next steps. https://www.carequest.org/resource-library/burnoutamong-dental-professionals-and-during-public-health-crisis-causes?utm_ source=sponsored&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign_ name=adha-product-pulse

3. Gorter R. C. (2005). Work stress and burnout among dental hygienists. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 3(2), 88-92. http://dx.doi. org/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2005.00130.x

4. Gurenlian, J. R., Morrissey, R., Estrich, C. G., Battrell, A., Bessner, S. K., Lynch, A., Mikkelsen, M., Araujo, M. W. B., & Vujicic, M. (2021). Employment patterns of dental hygienists in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: An update. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 95(1), 17-24).

5. Jones-Teti, J., Boyd, L. D., & LaSpina, L. (2021). Career paths and aatisfaction of dental hygienists holding master's and doctoral degrees. Journal of Dental Hygiene: JDH, 95(6), 54–62.

6. Mayo Clinic. (2021, June 05). Job burnout: How to spot it and take action. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/ burnout/art-20046642

7. Morrissey, R. W., Gurenlian, J. R. Estrich, C. G., Eldridge, L. A., Battrell, A., Lynch, A., Matthew, M., Harrison, B., Araujo, M. W. B., & Vujicic, M. (2022). Employment patterns of dental hygienists in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: An update. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 96(1), 27-33).

8. Patel, B. M., Boyd, L. D., Vineyard, J., & LaSpina, L. (2021). Job satisfaction, burnout, and intention to leave among dental hygienists in clinical practice. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 95(2), 28–35.

9. Sur, H., Hayran, O., Mumcu, G., Soylemez, D., Atli, H., & Yildirim, C. (2004). Factors affecting dental job satisfaction: A cross-sectional survey in Turkey. Evaluation & the health professions, 27(2), 152–164. https://doiorg/10.1177/0163278704264053

10. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm

11. Vick B. (2016). Career satisfaction of Pennsylvanian dentists and dental hygienists and their plans to leave direct patient care. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 76(2), 113–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphd.12119

12. Ylipää, V., Szuster, F., Spencer, J., Preber, H., Benko, S. S., & Arnetz, B. B. (2002). Health, mental well-being, and musculoskeletal disorders: A comparison between Swedish and Australian dental hygienist. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 76(1), 47–58.

Office Showcase Aurora Pediatric Dental

By: Lana K. Richardson, DDS, MS, & Adam H. Richardson, DDS, MS

Aurora Pediatric Dentistry began years ago as a pipedream when Adam and I were still in dental school. We knew we were getting married, we knew we both wanted to specialize in pediatrics, and we knew we wanted to eventually own and create our own practice. We didn’t know how we would make any of this happen. Our typical life mantra seemed to fit well in this scenario: “The most important step you can take is the next.”

We leaned into that philosophy in the years that followed, focusing on honing in on our craft. We always had our end goal in mind, but made sure not to lose sight of the present moment. Our journey took us to Columbus, Ohio, where we both completed pediatric residencies at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

When we were ready to think about the next step, we started by brainstorming what we wanted our practice to feel like. We wanted a bright, welcoming space where kids of all ages, not just young children, would feel comfortable and safe. We wanted to emphasize that all kids with all different family structures and of all different income levels could feel at home in our office. We wanted to ensure that every patient could receive the highest level of care while keeping the office vibe lighthearted and fun. We also wanted a space that we could grow into and where we could imagine retiring. Dreaming up this office was always kind of funny to us-throughout all of the planning stages, we still had zero patients, so every now and then, we would just laugh and cross our fingers in hopes that patients would find us!

Living out of state in the height of the pandemic, we planned our practice almost completely virtually. Most evenings, I would race home from residency, Adam would pick our infant daughter up from daycare, and the three of us would sit on Zoom calls, planning our next move. Since we could not be the boots on the ground in Oklahoma City, we knew that choosing a good team was critical.

LOCATION

Our commercial real estate agent, Jack Geurkink, truly led us through the entire process. He walked us through demographic analysis to pick the perfect neighborhood and linked us with a developer to bring our building to life. Beyond his job description, he also connected us with our banker (because, oh yeah, this all takes money!) and introduced us to dental suppliers so we could find the right fit for us.

EQUIPMENT

We chose to work with Patterson for our equipment and supplies because of how much we trusted Russ Cornelius. Living 15 hours away, we could not regularly check on the project, and Russ assured us that he would make regular visits to keep everything on track and moving forward. He meticulously worked with our contractor to get each pipe, cabinet, and chair seamlessly positioned.

DESIGN

Russ introduced us to our interior designers, Lauren Horton and Tessa Cotton of Micah & Co. We told Lauren and Tessa that we wanted a colorful, bright office that would be kid friendly without

(Oklahoma City)

being childish. Somehow, with such little direction, they knew exactly what we wanted and curated a polished and fun office design. They were cognizant of our budget while still delivering unique and imaginative space that our patients and their parents love!

BRANDING

While on a Zoom call with Lauren, we mentioned that we needed a logo. She recommended Robot House, which gave us much more than a logo. We couldn’t believe that this group of creatives, who are the minds behind COOP Ale Works and Sunnyside Diner, would take an interest in a start-up pediatric dental office, but that’s exactly what they did! The Robot House team worked tirelessly to give us the amazing brand, catchy name, cohesive design, and marketing strategy of our dreams.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Like any pediatric dentist, Adam and I can do SSCs with the best of ‘em, but Aurora Pediatric Dentistry wouldn’t exist without the team that helped us along the way. When we made the move from Columbus back to OKC, we held our breath as we finally pulled up to the practice that would be ours. We were absolutely thrilled with what we saw – our vision had come to life.

We officially opened our doors to patients in January. It has been so exciting to see how our practice has grown in such a short time. We feel so honored each time a parent trusts us to care for their child. Just as it has taken a village for us to build our dream practice, we know it also takes a village to care for the kids in our community, and we feel so privileged to play a small role in that!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr. Lana & Dr. Adam met in dental school at the University of Oklahoma (Class of 2018), where they fell in love with pediatric dentistry, and with each other! Dr. Adam completed his undergraduate degree in zoology at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Lana earned her degree in nutritional sciences from Oklahoma State University. Both Lana and Adam attended the Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where they were awarded Masters of Science degrees and certificates in pediatric dentistry. They opened Aurora Pediatric Dentistry in The Village in January 2023.

Lana & Adam are teachers at heart and love to share their passion for healthy habits with their patients. They truly believe that a positive dental experience in childhood can change a patient’s view of going to the dentist for the rest of their life.

At home, they enjoy raising their 18-month-old daughter, Eloise. Both golden retrievers, Winnie and Sandy are the dogs of the family, or as Eloise calls them, “woof!”

Annual Kids’ Day at The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry

By: Divesh Sardana, MDS, MBA, MPH, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor Division of Pediatric Dentistry

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, in partnership with Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation, hosted its annual Kids’ Day event on Saturday, February 25, providing free dental care for nearly 90 children between the ages of 4 to 12 from across the state. Kids’ Day has been an annual tradition for the last 24 years and provides free dental care to children who do not have access to dental services elsewhere. Kids’ Day is the brainchild of an alumnus of the college, Dr. Darrell Daugherty, DDS, who conceived the idea in 1997, and since then, it has been a grand success with support from the college community. We were lucky to have him come to the college on Kids’ Day and share his story: “Our 1997 ASDA philanthropy committee couldn’t come up with many options. Our only assets were our nascent dental skills and the good will of the OUCOD faculty and students. Thankfully, these were enough to birth the first Kid’s Day and we experienced the satisfaction and camaraderie of giving back to our community as a unified profession for the first time. Knowing how much work it was to organize that first one, I am so grateful and proud of Dr. Kevin Haney, Dr. Tim Fagan, and all of the students, staff and faculty that have kept it going for 25 years!”

Statistically, Oklahoma ranks 46 among the US states according to the percentage of children younger than 19 years who are not covered by public or private insurance, with this number being 8.6%.1 In this listing, Massachusetts is at the top with 1.5% uninsured children, and Texas is at the bottom with 12.7% uninsured children. Only 72% of children in Oklahoma have received one or more dental visits compared to the national figure of 80%. Additionally, 66% of third graders have experienced tooth decay (treated or untreated) compared to only 52% of the national average.2 Thus, programs like Veterans’ Day (hosted by the college on November 12, 2023) and Kids’ Day are critical to narrowing the gap between the care providers and care-seekers in Oklahoma.

Dental and dental hygiene students, under the supervision of trained dentists and members of the dental faculty of the OU College of Dentistry, provided a range of dental treatments and services, from cleanings and fillings to crowns. Listed below, these services, provided at no cost during Kids’ Day, are valued at more than $45,000, not to mention the opportunity costs of 160 faculty, students, and other volunteers from the College of Dentistry who were in the Clinic on Saturday to join hands against the inequity in dental care across the state. This can be seen as a significant step towards the mission of the OU College of Dentistry, which is “to improve the health of Oklahomans and shape the future of dentistry by developing highly qualified dental practitioners and scientists through excellence in education, patient care, research, community service, faculty and facilities.”

“Oral health is an essential component of one’s overall systemic health, and healthy habits begin early in one’s life,” said Dr. Paul M. Mullasseril, DDS, MS, Dean of the college. “The OU College of Dentistry is proud to offer this free clinic, which plays a significant role in addressing the immediate dental needs for children in our community. In addition, this clinic also instills in our dental and

dental hygiene students the value of community service, as well as the hands-on clinical experience they need to become well-rounded dental professionals.”

Dr. Tim Fagan, DDS, MS, who is the current Division Head and William E. Brown Chair in Pediatric Dentistry at OUHSC feels that “OU Kids Day is a wonderful opportunity for the students at the College of Dentistry to volunteer their services in providing care to children who might not receive dental care otherwise. It’s a winwin for all in that the students get further experience in providing dental services and the patients get care that they need. It’s great when we all come together to help those in need!”

However, a lot needs to be achieved to target Universal Dental Care and OU College of Dentistry is striving towards Health for All and sustainable dental care in Oklahoma. This can be attained by joint efforts from the students, faculty, volunteers, and philanthropic organizations who provide logistic and financial support for such community activities.2

Procedures done during the Annual Kids’ Day:

• Limited Oral Evaluations: 90

• Intraoral Periapical Radiographs: 24

• Bitewings: 42

• Pedo Prophylaxis: 80

• Pedo Topical Fluoride Varnish: 76

References:

• Sealants: 27

• Resin-Based Composite: 24

• Crown: 6

• Pedo Pulp Cap: 1

• Therapeutic Pulpotomy: 4

• Extractions: 16

• Patients Received Nitrous Oxide: 21

https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/Uninsured_children/OK [Accessed on: April 20, 2023]

Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation. Oklahoma Oral Health Report Card 2020. Available online at: http://www.oohc.org/custom_files/Okla_Oral_Health_Report_ Card_2020.pdf [Accessed on: May 1, 2023]

Northridge ME, Kumar A, Kaur R. Disparities in Access to Oral Health Care. Annu Rev Public Health. 2020;41:513-535.

OU Receives $1 Million Grant to Support College of Dentistry Care Clinics

The University of Oklahoma has been awarded a $1 million endowment grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to support the College of Dentistry. The generous gift will support comprehensive dental care clinics in Oklahoma.

“The OU College of Dentistry is proud to partner with the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to expand access to affordable dental care to the people of Oklahoma,” said Paul M. Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “For oral health care to be effective, it needs to be accessible. The establishment of the Dr. E. E. Kirkpatrick Dental Care Fund will help to ensure that our most vulnerable and underserved populations receive the dental care they deserve. Thank you to the Kirkpatrick family for this incredible gift.”

For more than 50 years, the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry has provided essential dental services to Oklahomans and expanded access to affordable high-quality oral health care for people throughout the state. Each year, the College of Dentistry treats thousands of patients through care clinics in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. More than half of the patient population is considered indigent, uninsured or underprivileged and may be eligible for patient assistance funds in order to afford their treatment plan. OU College of Dentistry care clinic fees are approximately 40% lower than private practice fees.

The Dr. E.E. Kirkpatrick Dental Care Fund will advance the college’s primary mission of supporting the oral health care of Oklahomans, especially those who would otherwise be unable to afford the treatment they need. Care will be provided by third- and fourth-year dental students under the supervision of licensed dental faculty members in a clinical educational environment.

Since its founding in 1989, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund has been dedicated to supporting charitable, civic and cultural causes that impact citizens of Oklahoma.

“The Kirkpatricks have been committed to providing high quality dental care for all Oklahomans since the arrival of my great grandfather Dr.

Elmer Ellsworth Kirkpatrick, Sr. in 1893, whose license to practice dentistry was #25, making him one of the earliest registered dentists in Oklahoma Territory,” said Christian Keesee, President of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. “In addition to being the first president of the Oklahoma Dental Society, Dr. Kirkpatrick also organized the first dental supply house in Oklahoma Territory when pioneers were settling in the area. We are honored to pay tribute to his work by establishing the Dr. E.E. Kirkpatrick Dental Care Fund at the OU College of Dentistry to improve and enhance oral health care for Oklahomans at or below the poverty level.”

“The establishment of this fund is a fitting way to commemorate Dr. Kirkpatrick’s work and we look forward to the high-quality dental care this endowment grant will provide to Oklahomans in need for many years to come,” said Liz Eickman, director of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund has also supported the Weizenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts, the Ballet Russes Special Collections and Archive, and the Carl Albert Center for New Leadership at OU.

For more information about the services available through OU College of Dentistry comprehensive care and specialty care clinics, please visit dentistry.ouhsc.edu/patients REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE OU FOUNDATION

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