TDA Today February 2007 by Texas Dental Association

TDA

A publication of the Texas Dental Association

February 2007 • Volume 8, Issue 2 TDA Today is available online at www.tda.org

T o d a y

2007 TDA Legislative Day Brings Members to Austin

he Texas Dental Association’s (TDA) Legislative Day proved, once again, that the best advocates for dentistry are TDA members. During the morning of February 21, 2007, at the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin, over 230 TDA members, spouses, and dental students learned about issues facing Texas from Susan Combs, Comptroller of Public Accounts; Sen. Jane Nelson, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee; and freshman Rep. Diane Patrick, spouse of TDA member dentist Ned Patrick in Arlington. Sen. Nelson was presented with two awards — a TDA Excellence in Patient Advocacy Award and a service award from the Fort Worth (12th) District Dental Society.

TDA president Dr. Tommy Harrison (left) presents Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Lewisville) the TDA Excellence in Patient Advocacy Award for her commitment to ensuring access to high quality dental care in Texas.

Guest speakers included Dr. Linda Altenhoff, manager of the Oral Health Group at the Department of State Health Services; Dr. Gary McDonald, presiding officer of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners; and Mr. William Prentice, associate executive director of Governmental Affairs of the American Dental Association. A panel on legislative issues was moderated by Dr. Jerry Long, chair of the TDA Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and panel participants included Lisa Barsumian, TDA director of public affairs; Jay Bond, TDA director of policy; Diane Rhodes, TDA policy manager; and TDA’s contract lobbyists Dr. David Sibley, Nora del Bosque, and Susan Ross. During the afternoon, TDA members visited senators and representatives in their legislative offices at the Texas State Capitol to convey TDA positions on issues ranging from dental preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to increased Medicaid reimbursement rates to funding for the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the dental loan repayment program. Each senator and representative received a gift bag generously provided by the Alliance to the Texas Dental Association. Thank you to all of you who helped make the 2007 TDA Legislative Day such a successful event! Information on 2007 legislative issues can be found on the Legislative page of the TDA website (www.tda.org). For more information, contact Lisa Barsumian, TDA director of public affairs, lisab@tda.org. ★

Dr. Gary McDonald, presiding officer of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, informs conference attendees about TSBDE’s budget needs.

At the morning conference, Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs describes many of the innovative programs she has instituted since taking office this year.

Dr. Randy Mitchmore (left) meets with Rep. Sylvester Turner during a short break in Session (D–Houston).

Pre-dental students from the University of Houston along with Dr. Tom Ewing (center) barnstorm the Capitol to inform legislators about TDA’s positions.

Rep. Borris Miles (D–Houston) visits with the members of the Houston contingency. From left: Mr. Patrick Waters (UTDB student), Rep. Miles, Ms. Tiffany TredwayRansom (UTDB student), Dr. Thomas Janson, and Dr. Anita Berry-Brown.

Open for tours are two new “Theo Tooth Mobiles” from St. David’s Foundation in Austin. The vans travel to area schools and social agencies offering free dental treatment to underserved children.

Official Notice: Proposed Dues Assessment

n 2006, the Texas Dental Association (TDA) House of Delegates authorized a $50 assessment on the 2007 member dues statement to support the TDA Smiles Foundation. Assessment monies were specifically earmarked as 50 percent to the operating fund and 50 percent to the permanent endowment fund. This is official notification to TDA members that the 2007 House of Delegates will consider a $50 assessment on the 2008 member dues statement to continue support of the TDA Smiles Foundation — earmarked as 50 percent to the operating fund and 50 percent to the permanent endowment fund. For your information, the TDA Bylaws stipulate that such assessments must be reviewed annually and require a 2/3 vote of the House for approval each year. ★

Attention: Medicaid and CHIP Providers

All Medicaid and CHIP Providers Must Have NPI Number

he Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is requiring Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers to have a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number by May 23, 2007.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This requirement also applies to Medicaid and CHIP providers that submit paper claims. The NPI requirement is intended to help standardize claims and make claims processing more efficient. There is no charge to get an NPI. Providers can apply online for their NPI, free of charge, by visiting http://nppes.cms.hhs.gov or by calling (800) 4653203 to request a paper application. The CMS NPI page, located at http://www.dms.hhs. gov/apps/npi/01_overview.asp, is the only source for official CMS education and information on the NPI initiative; all products listed on this site are free or charge. For more information, please contact Diane Rhodes, drhodes@tda.org, (512) 443-3675. ★

February 2007 Update

he campaign of Dr. John S. Findley for ADA president-elect in 2007 continues to gain momentum! Again, Dr. Findley is traveling across Texas to share his vision and listen to you regarding the important issues facing the profession of dentistry. This month is the inaugural “issues feature,” and Dr. Findley will address a new topic every month. To submit an issue or question to Dr. Findley; for more information on the campaign, copies of brochures or lapel pins; or to host a fundraiser in your area — please contact campaign chairman Dr. Michael Stuart (mstuartdds@sbcglobal.net) or TDA staff liaison Lyda Creus Molanphy (lyda@tda.org).

Findley Face-to-Face Q: What is the potential impact of the National Health Information Infrastructure (NHII) on dentistry? A: NHII has been mandated by the federal government and is being ADA president-elect candidate Dr. John S. Findley (center) visits driven by the expectations with hosts Dr. Kathleen Nichols, Dr. Jay Adkins, and Dr. Chris and capabilities of a rapidly Anderson (behind the camera) during a fundraiser at Dr. expanding “now” society, Nichols’ home in Lubbock on February 3, 2006. which poses our profession one of its most significant challenges in decades. The promise, however, of a better way of patient care will not be answered by any government mandate, and not by a programmer’s algorithms, but in the same manner this profession has answered every other challenge — strong and determined efforts by grassroots dentists to see that our profession embraces technology, but defines its parameters as we must honor our obligations to both patient and profession. ★

Give Kids A Smile! Day

ive Kids a Smile! Day, the annual kickoff of national Children’s Dental Health Month, is observed on the first Friday in February. The American Dental Association actively promotes this activity, which is designed to provide dental treatment and oral health education to children in need.

Texas Gives Kids A Smile! In Texas, providers deliver oral health care through a variety of local initiatives, which represent the many creative ways oral health care can be delivered. • • •

St. Paul’s Children’s Dental Clinic, Tyler: Through the efforts of 11 volunteer dentists and 34 additional dental professionals, 51 children received various restorative and preventative procedures, with an estimated value of treatment of $20,000. Rio Grande Valley District Dental Society: Twelve volunteer dentists provided oral health care services valued at $25,471, including service commitments of needed orthodontic casework. Paris: A trio of individual dentists opened their offices to serve the oral health needs of local children. These individuals made a remarkable difference to their community by providing over $12,000 in oral health treatment services.

Report Your Statistics Please report your statistics to the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation at smiles@tda.org. Reporting is simple — just tell us how many doctors participated, how many patients were treated, and the monetary value of the services provided. Look for more summaries in your TDA Today newsletter. ★

Editor’s Quick Summary By Christopher F. Anderson, DDS, TDA Editor

T • • • • • • • •

he Board of Directors of the Texas Dental Association met on Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23, 2007, following a highly successful TDA Legislative Day on Wednesday. Dr. Thomas C. Harrison, president, presided. In addition to routine activities, the Board:

received an update on legislative activity from the Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs; received a report from the Committee on Access to Dental Care in Medicaid and CHIP that included plans to develop a policy paper on the use of fluoride varnish and a white paper on needed improvements in the Medicaid system; gave final approval to the proposed budget for 2008; approved resolutions updating policy on member assessments and establishing a $50 per member assessment, the proceeds of which will go to the TDA Smiles Foundation; approved a resolution authorizing the TDA executive director to investigate modifications to the third and fourth floor board rooms to include features to facilitate paperless meetings; approved a resolution for the TDA to assist the Texas Head Start Save Our Smiles project on September 14, 2007; approved a resolution establishing an annual stipend for the chair of the Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs beginning January 1, 2007; and conducted an in-depth discussion of the concept of public image and developed guidelines on the subject to be forwarded to the Future Focus Committee for further development and assignment to the appropriate agencies of the Association for implementation. ★ February 2007 / TDA Today / 2

TDA

T o d a y February 2007 • Volume 8 Issue 2 www.tda.org Editorial Staff: Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Editor Edwina J. Shires, Managing Editor Paul H. Schlesinger, Communications Coordinator Stefanie Clegg, Website Manager Barbara S. Donovan, Art Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS TEXAS DENTAL ASSOCIATION President THOMAS C. HARRISON, D.D.S.; President-elect A. DAVID MAY, JR., D.D.S.; Past President RICHARD C. BLACK, D.D.S.; Vice President, Southeast R. RONALD COLLINS, D.D.S.; Vice President, Southwest FREDERICK T. PHILIPS, JR., D.D.S.; Vice President, Northwest DAVID R. COX, D.D.S.; Vice President, Northeast JENNIFER J. BARRINGTON, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Southeast DOUGLAS W. BOGAN, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Southwest JOSE L. CAZARES, JR., D.D.S.; Senior Director, Northwest V. WAYNE MCENTIRE, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Northeast LEE P. ONEACRE, D.D.S.; Director, Southeast R. MARK PEPPARD, D.D.S.; Director, Southwest RISE’ L. LYMAN, D.D.S.; Director, Northwest WILLIAM M. WALTON, D.D.S.; Director, Northeast F. DEE REA, D.D.S.; SecretaryTreasurer J. PRESTON COLEMAN, D.D.S.; Speaker of the House GLEN D. HALL, D.D.S.; Parliamentarian MICHAEL L. STUART, D.D.S.;Editor CHRISTOPHER F. ANDERSON, D.D.S.; Executive Director MARY KAY LINN; Legal Counsel WILLIAM H. BINGHAM TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December by the Texas Dental Association, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, (512) 443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78704-3698. Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-state American Dental Association (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $30. Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6. Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the Association are solicited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted. Please refer to Instructions for Contributors in the annual August Directory of the Texas Dental Journal for more information. Every effort will be made to return unused manuscripts if a request is made but no responsibility can be accepted for failure to do so. Anonymous communications will receive no consideration whatsoever. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association. Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously.

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On The Road Again By Thomas C. Harrison, DDS, TDA President, 2006–2007

his past month has been another busy one for me as my year as TDA president enters the stretch run. With a little more than two and a half months to go before May 13, when I will become past president, I’ve visited 21 out of 26 component dental societies at least once. The other five components are all lined up for a visit, and I plan on reaching my goal of attending all 26 TDA district dental societies by the end of April. I began the last 30-day time period with a trip to Las Vegas and Los Angeles on January 24 and 27. I’ve been a presenter of the ADA SUCCESS Seminar since 1991. The 8-hour seminar on practice management is given to junior and senior dental students at all the dental schools throughout the country. On Thursday, January 25, I presented at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas School of Dentistry and on Saturday, January 27, at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. The dental school at UNLV is 10 years old and the school is paperless. USC prides itself as the leader in the nation in problem-based learning. It’s a privilege to get to go to the dental schools across the country to see the differences in curriculum and the varying degrees of emphasis. On Saturday, February 2, I attended the second TDA Budget Committee meeting in Austin. Our TDA secretary-treasurer Dr. Preston Coleman does an outstanding job reporting our financial status to the Budget Committee and the Board of Directors. As we approach the TDA Annual Session May 10–13, 2007, in San Antonio, it appears that no dues increase will be necessary. Thursday, February 8, I drove to Austin for a dinner with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio president Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. We were joined by Dean Kenneth L. Kalkwarf, UTHSCSA Dental School, and other dignitaries representing the dental school and the TDA. Similar events are held every year with all three Texas dental school deans and presidents of health science centers to continue dialogue. After the dinner, I drove to Odessa, arriving at 1:30 a.m. in the morning. On Friday, February 9, I attended an all-day CE seminar on endodontics sponsored by Tulsa Dental. I addressed the Permian Basin (21C) District Dental Society during lunch. On Saturday, February 10, Mary Sue and I attended the Capital Area (10th) District Dental Society gala at the Renaissance Hotel in the Arboretum Area in Austin. On Tuesday, February 13, I flew to Ft. Worth for my visit with the Ft. Worth (12th) District Dental Society. I attended the Valentines Dinner of the Central Texas (11th) District Dental Society on Thursday, February 15 in Temple, and then drove on to Dallas for the February 16–17 Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM). Over the 2 days, 932 dental patients were treated, making the event organized by the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation another huge success. I flew to Austin on Monday, February 19, to attend a week of meetings — the TDA Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs on February 20, TDA Legislative Day on February 21, and the TDA Board of Directors, February 22–23. As you can see, I’ve been on the road quite a bit. I’m looking forward to coming to a meeting in your neck of the woods. You can access my scheduled dental society visits at www.tda.org ->Dentist->Calendar. ★

Letter to the Editor

Editor’s Corner

“Just pour it down the drain” From: James N. Ross, DDS, FAGD, College Station

uring a dental appointment, a patient who happens to be a preschool teacher began telling me about her terrible day at school. She explained that she usually has a class of about 25 kids. Every couple of years, one hyperactive kid will single handedly disrupt her teaching the class. Tears almost came to her eyes, when she told me that her entire class was like that — “just horrible, I can’t teach.” Between that dental appointment and her next, she told that she had been to a teacher’s training session. She had talked with two other teachers in her district that were having multiple hyperactive students in exactly the same age group of kids. This strongly suggests that there is some environmental factor that is causing the phenomena. We do not know what affects the chemicals released into the environment are going to have on the next generation. I have been storing used fixer for several years and I went to the TDA website looking for a company that disposes of x-ray fixer. No answers were there, so I called the TDA hoping for an answer. I finally gave up. I asked another dentist what I should do with it. He said, “Just pour it down the drain.” I responded that we don’t know what these chemicals are doing to the next generation. Then I thought about the hyperactive kids in my patient’s class. Most dentists are concerned about preserving our environment for the health of future generations. We would like to do what is right, if we can find an easy way to do it. I have been unable to find information about disposal of x-ray fixer on the TDA website. Phone calls to the TDA have had a similar result. The TDA should step forward by providing a readily available listing of facilities that properly dispose of x-ray fixer solutions. Until then, “Just pour it down the drain” is not an option.

Response From time to time, the TDA staff receives inquiries from dentists around the state regarding the proper disposal of potentially hazardous substances used in dental offices. Below is a brief, TDA staff researched summary of various options. TCEQ Compliance Assistance: In an effort to get an answer, we called the toll-free number listed under “Compliance Help for Small Business” (800-447-2827) at the state agency responsible for environmental protection, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While the TCEQ compliance specialist who took our call was very helpful, the answer turns out to be: “It depends.” Ask Your Local POTW: Although TCEQ has statewide responsibility for enforcing environmental protection laws and regulations, in this case the responsibility resides with the local “Publicly Owned Treatment Works,” or POTW in regulatory speak. In other words, check with the operator of the local sewage treatment plant that treats wastewater discharged from your dental office. If your office is serviced by an “on-site wastewater treatment system,” commonly known as a septic system, you can forget about pouring fixer or other chemicals down the drain. According to TCEQ, permits for septic systems only allow them to treat “domestic waste.” Proper Documentation is Essential: In many communities, local sewage plants are not equipped to handle certain wastes, including fixer solutions that may contain silver, without special pre-treatment. If the operator of your local sewage treatment plant tells you it’s okay to pour fixer or other chemicals down the drain, be sure to document the date and time of your conversation and the name of the person with whom you spoke. Analyzing a Sample: If the sewage plant operator can’t give you an answer because of being unsure about what’s in the waste, you can pay to have a sample analyzed by a laboratory (to find a lab, look in the Yellow Pages under “Laboratories – Analytical”). If you decide to obtain a lab analysis, which can cost $200 or more, the TCEQ spokesman suggested submitting the “ugliest” possible sample and asking the lab to determine if it qualifies as hazardous waste. He also stressed that “dilution is not the solution,” that is, it doesn’t help to dilute the sample with water to make it seem less hazardous. Other Disposal Options: If the sewage plant operator says that you can’t use the drain to dispose of fixer or other chemicals — or if you decide that having a sample analyzed is too costly — you still have a couple of options. The simplest is to store the waste solutions in a container on-site and contract with a licensed waste disposal company to haul it off. The TCEQ spokesman suggests that you shop around to get the best price. (You also may want to contact other local dentists and see if they are willing to establish an informal waste disposal co-op.) Do It Yourself? If the cost of using a commercial waste disposal hauler is prohibitive, you might consider disposing of the waste yourself. Although TCEQ rules prohibit landfills from accepting liquid waste, it may be possible to mix liquid wastes with concrete in a container and then discard the container in a landfill that is properly certified to accept such waste. ★ February 2007 / TDA Today / 3

By Christopher F. Anderson, DDS, TDA Editor

he other day, an out-of-state consultant was in town to work with the Board of Directors. As part of her preparation for her visit, she had surfed around our TDA website. I had a few minutes with her to get her impressions. She had approached the site as someone who was moving to Texas and needed a dentist. She had a few suggestions for improving the userfriendliness of the process, but the telling remark came when we went through the steps to the display of a listing of TDA members in a particular ZIP code. She looked at the list and immediately said that there was one name she would pursue. That individual’s name was underlined as an indication that he had a personal webpage on the TDA site. The consultant pointed out that, in her newcomer persona, she would want to know such things as hours the office was open, what insurance was accepted, what services were offered, directions to the office, and information about the doctor himself. All of this was right there on the personal webpage, but it was not otherwise available to the searcher. The bottom line: GET A PERSONAL WEB PAGE! It’s very inexpensive, you can modify it whenever needed, and it’s a no-brainer to set up. People are moving into our state daily, and many will be computer-savvy enough to go looking for a dentist through the Texas Dental Association’s site. Be sure that they will investigate you further as a possible provider. Just contact Stefanie Clegg, our web manager, at the TDA central office, and she’ll guide you through the process. This is a really valuable member service, and far too few of our members have taken advantage of it. I encourage you to contact Stefanie at your earliest convenience. ★ CODE: Third Party Payor Issues Compiled by the Council on Dental Economics (Council on Dental Care Programs and Continuing Oral Health)

Are You Confused About Rules Regarding “Coordination of Benefits?”

he Council is working on an article for the March 2007 TDA Today to address this issue. If you have any specific third-party payor issues you would like the Council to address, please contact Cassidy Neal at the TDA central office, (512) 443-3675, extension 152. ★

This recurring section is designed to help TDA members keep up with important Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) rules, other regulations, and state law affecting their practices.

uring its January 2007 meeting, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) gave final approval to one new rule and two amendments to existing TSBDE rules.

Rule 104.1: The Board amended Rule 104.1, which governs continuing education requirements for licensees. The amendment updated the jurisprudence requirement for dentists and dental hygienists. As amended, Rule 104.1 now requires a licensee to complete either the new, on-line jurisprudence assessment or three hours of jurisprudence continuing education every 3 years. After January 1, 2008, only the jurisprudence assessment will fulfill the requirement. Rule 114.4: The Board approved a new Rule 114.4, which sets out certification requirements for dental assistants who monitor the administration of nitrous oxide. The new rule requires a dental assistant to take a TSBDE-approved course that includes an examination in order to be certified to monitor the administration of nitrous oxide. Rule 115.2: The Board amended Rule 115.2, which governs permitted duties for dental hygienists, to update the certification requirements for dental hygienists who monitor the administration of nitrous oxide. As amended, Rule 115.2 now requires a dental hygienist to take a TSBDE-approved course that includes an examination in order to be certified to monitor the administration of nitrous oxide. For more information, please contact Jay Bond at jbond@tda.org or Diane Rhodes at drhodes@tda.org. You may also call the TDA central office at (512) 443-3675. ★

Join us at the TDA Internet Café at the 2007 TEXAS Meeting! Come by to check your e-mail, look up directions, print boarding passes, check out the new TDA Express portal, or sign up for a Personal Web Page. The café will be located in the registration area May 10–12, 2007. Sponsored by Dental Symphony. Purchase photos from the 2007 TEXAS Meeting! Attendees will also have an opportunity to purchase photos taken at the TEXAS Meeting. TDA’s staff photojournalist, Paul Schlesinger, will be taking candid shots during the meeting. Once you are photographed, you’ll receive a ticket that will let you know when and where you can pick up your printed photo in a protective folder. The photos will be available the next day at the Internet Café located in the registration area. All photos taken at the 2007 TEXAS Meeting will also be available for purchase on TDA’s website after the meeting. Photos from the 2005 and 2006 TEXAS meetings are still available at www.texasmeeting/estore. Questions? Contact Stefanie Clegg at (512) 443-3675 or stefanie@tda.org. ★

Contact the TDA Board: ✽ HARRISON: (281) 492-6064, tharrison@tda.org ✽ MAY: (325) 677-5316, dmay@tda.org ✽ BLACK: (915) 592-5853, rblack@tda.org ✽ COLLINS: (281) 983-5677, rcollins@tda.org ✽ PHILIPS: (361) 9929871, fphilips@tda.org ✽ COX: (817) 596-7782, dcox@tda.org ✽ BARRINGTON: (972) 923-0374, jbarrington@tda.org ✽ BOGAN: (713) 467-3458, dougbogan@tda.org ✽ CAZARES: (956) 686-5000, cazaresdds@tda.org ✽ MCENTIRE: (806) 359-1644, wmcentire@tda.org ✽ ONEACRE: (972) 394-2114, loneacre@tda.org ✽ LYMAN: (830) 612-2229, rlyman@tda.org ✽ PEPPARD: (512) 835-9557, mpeppard@tda.org ✽ WALTON: (325) 893-5875, wwalton@tda.org ✽ REA: (903) 236-7023, drea@tda.org ✽ COLEMAN: (210) 656-3301, jcoleman@tda.org ✽ HALL: (325) 698-7560, ghall@tda.org ✽ STUART: (972) 686-8828, mstuart@tda.org ✽ ANDERSON: (806) 792-5111, canderson@tda.org ✽ LINN: (512) 443-3675, marykay@tda.org ✽ BINGHAM: (512) 495-6000, bbingham@mcginnislaw.com

TDA T o d a y

February 2007 • Volume 8, Issue 2 • www.tda.org

A Texas State of Mind: Fun, Fellowship, Education By Dr. Andy Doerfler, Chair, TDA Council on Annual Session

here is nothing better than springtime in San Antonio, Texas, and no place better than the TEXAS Meeting. Your Texas Dental Association’s Annual Session/TEXAS Meeting blends fun, fellowship, and phenomenal education. You can experience all of the excitement during the weekend of May 10–12, 2007. There are 81 world-class clinicians to choose from, with courses ranging from learning Spanish in the dental office to the Millionaire Next Door to every aspect of clinical dentistry. Forty-four of these speakers are “first timers” to the Texas Meeting and a couple of these speakers are making their “inaugural” presentations in the dental arena. Some of the presenters will travel from Australia and Canada. Also, there are 42 hands-on workshops throughout the meeting. There truly is something for everyone. The Exhibit Hall features an assembly of the finest companies on the planet with over 470 booths displaying the latest and greatest supplies, services, and technologies. Complimentary “spirits” are available during happy hours on Thursday and Friday afternoon, as well as cash prize drawings each day. Exhibits are open all three days. Thursday evening, you can “rock ‘til you drop” by dancing to the oldies during the Texas Party. Nationally famous Johnny Dee and the Rocket 88’s will play tunes from the past while you dance the evening away. A complimentary buffet will entice your palate. Meet new friends from around the country or enjoy the companionship of old cronies from the past. Join us at the 2007 TEXAS Meeting, Test your golfing skills at the Healthy May 10-12 in San Antonio, Texas Smiles Annual Golf Classic at Pecan Valley Golf Club on Friday. Profits benefit the TDA Smiles Come by to check your e-mail, look up directions, print boarding passes, check out the NEW TDA Express Portal, Foundation. Also on Friday, learn how to make or sign up for a Personal Web Page. the perfect enchilada and the perfect margarita with well known Chef Blanca. Purchase photos from the TEXAS Meeting! Chicago Midwinter’s Dr. Al Kleszynski said TDA's photographer will be taking candid photos during the TEXAS Meeting. The photos will be ready the next it best “…that special Texas hospitality has day at the Internet Café or online after the meeting at contributed in making the TDA meeting one of www.texasmeeting.com/estore. the biggest up and comers in the country.” For more information, please contact your TDA Annual Session Department, (512) 443-3675, or visit the Sponsored by Dental Symphony website at www.texasmeeting.com. ★