SEPTEMBER 2008
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 9
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG
Dr. Richard M. Smith Named 2008 TAGD Dentist of the Year
From left: Dr. Ron Collins (2007 recipient) congratulates 2008 Dentist of the Year winner Dr. Richard M. Smith of Amarillo and his wife Jimmie Ruth.
Dr. Richard M. Smith of Amarillo was named 2008 Dentist of the Year by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) at the Lone Star Dental Conference in Austin on September 5, 2008. Nominated for the award by his Panhandle (18th) District Dental Society, Dr. Smith was selected from a list of 19 distinguished nominees. His contributions to dentistry include service as president of the Panhandle District Dental Society, both president and secretarytreasurer of the Texas Dental Association (TDA), and the USA treasurer of the International College of Dentists. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Smith chairs the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation and has chaired its Texas Mission of Mercy program since 2005. He received the TDA’s highest honor, the Gold Medal of Distinguished Service. In addition to Dr. Smith, the 2008 nominees were Drs. Dean N. Armstrong of Amarillo, Sheryl A. Beltrane of San Antonio, Douglas W. Bogan of Houston, David R. Cox of Weatherford, Carlos Cruz of McAllen, Terry A. Darden of Dallas, David R. Dasher of Wichita Falls, Steven J. Hill of Lubbock, Don A. Lutes of Mount Pleasant, Jeffery L. Miller of San Antonio, Roger Ortiz of El Paso, Ronald Rhea of Houston, Barry F. Rouch of Austin, Marshall K. Warren of New Braunfels, David H. Wilhite of Dallas, Grant Wolfe of College Station, Debrah Worsham of Center, and William Wyatt, Sr. of Hurst.
Retired Fort Worth Dentist Honored Texas’ Oldest, Actively Licensed Dentist Adored by Peers, Patients
Inside TDA Smiles Foundation Receives Record Grant Meadows Foundation Grant gives fuel for Smiles on Wheels Program Ask the President TDA needs you — become a leader in your association TEXAS Meeting Update TDA gears up for a bigger and better annual session Community Health Center Visit TDA members tour Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe in El Paso TDA Alliance Members convene at El Paso Dental Conference Medicare/Medicaid Update Deadline set for tamper-resistant prescription pads TSBDE Rule Updates Risk management courses count for continuing education credit
October Journal News Special Legislative Issue
Nicole Scott, TDA Publications Coordinator A lot happened in 1918: World War I ended; the Spanish flu became an epidemic; the Boston Red Sox won a World Series but wouldn’t again for decades; and actress Rita Hayworth and WalMart founder Sam Walton were born. Also born that year was Dr. Irad M. Cochran, Jr., of Fort Worth, the state’s oldest, actively licensed dentist. The TDA and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) recognized the 90-year-old at the Fort Worth District Dental Society’s (FWDDS) meeting earlier this month. TDA Board senior director Dr. Brad Loeffelholz and TSBDE representative Dr. William Purifoy, both of Fort Worth, surprised Dr. Cochran with plaques recognizing his 66 years of service and proclaiming him the oldest, actively licensed dentist in the state. “Oh! I was most surprised,” Dr. Cochran says. “I had intended to go to the meeting anyway. They told me they’d buy my dinner!” Dr. Purifoy asked to personally present the TSBDE award to Dr. Cochran. “We’re so proud of him. He’s outstanding as an individual, and I’ve always appreciated his honesty, integrity, and gentlemanly ways.”
“I cut my teeth on a bird dog’s tail” Licensed since July 6, 1942, Dr. Cochran retired in June of this year. He proves a hobby keeps everyone young at heart. For years, he and his favorite bird-tracking Pointers hunted quail, dove, and deer until he was sidelined by a knee injury last year. “I cut my teeth on a bird dog’s tail,” he laughs, explaining how his dentist father’s interest in bird-hunting sparked his own.
Beginning the Discussion of Commercialism in Dentistry Dental Artifacts
Around the State September 26-27: Williamson County TMOM, Leander
TDA Board senior director Dr. Brad Loeffelholz of Fort Worth recognizes Dr. Cochran for his 66 years of achievement as a dentist.
The father of three, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather to two says he worked a short time in his father’s dental office after graduating from Baylor Dental College. He then enlisted in the Navy rather than the Army “because they offered a commission.” “I wanted a dry bed over water rather than a wet bed over mud,” he jokes about the time spent as a dentist aboard a naval ship from 1943 to 1945. A TDA life member, he says some of his proudest accomplishments include serving as president of the FWDDS, the Southwest Prosthodontic Society, and the Southwest Restorative Society. He estimates he’s seen thousands patients and laughs at the thought of some of their requests. “One of them asked me to autograph his crowns I made. So, I carved my initials right there into his molars.” And, in an ironic twist of fate, Dr. Cochran’s final patient brought him to the beginning of his career. “My last patient was the son of my first patient.”
October 16-21: ADA Annual Session, San Antonio
Click & Connect 2008 -2009 Contacts tda.org — Membership Info Calendar of Events tda.org — Features Update Profile tda.org — Membership Info
Celebration and Preparation Continue ... Your Generosity, Smiles on Wheels and the Meadows Foundation Grant As reported in the August TDA Today newsletter, the TDA Smiles Foundation (TDASF) received a matching grant from the Meadows Foundation, thanks to funding generosity of several private donors. Your foundation continues to celebrate and prepare for the funds’ receipt. A ďŹ rst installment of $115,000 is intended to fund eight “Mini-MOMsâ€? (miniature, rural-area, single-day Missions of Mercy) in the next 12 months. To volunteer, get involved, or learn more about the Smiles on Wheels Program, please contact the TDA Smiles Foundation oďŹƒce at (512) 448-2441.
Texas Donated Dental Services Superstars Create Happy, Healthy Smiles! TDA Smiles Foundation is proud to create happy, healthy smiles across Texas through the Texas Donated Dental Services (TXDDS) program. TXDDS helps people with advanced age, a permanent disability, or those who are medically compromised to receive comprehensive dental care through volunteer dentists across the state. This month we are not just highlighting one volunteer dentist but a group of superstar volunteers. These select few volunteers have contributed to the TXDDS program above and beyond expectations. Each volunteer below has averaged two patients or more per year since the inception of the program (November 2000): Dr. E. Durwood Wheatley, Wichita Falls Dr. Bryan R. Gulley, Corpus Christi Dr. Paul Bailey, Corpus, Christi
Screening for Upcoming Leander TMOM
To date, TXDDS volunteers have restored more than 1,968 smiles and have donated more than $5.1 million worth of dental care. The TXDDS program does not only relieve pain and restore smiles, but rebuilds people’s lives. One TXDDS patient puts it into prospective by writing in her thank you letter, “The words ‘thank you’ do not seem signiďŹ cant enough to express how I feel. You provided a life changing service for me. Before I came, I was unable to speak or smile without covering my mouth. I was so ashamed of the appearance of my teeth. You have once again brought my smile back to me.â€? She continues to say, “You made me feel as if I was special, not someone who did not have the money to pay — and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.â€?
This is just one example of hundreds just like it: TXDDS makes a dierence! Sign up, volunteer and help make a dierence ‌ one person at a time.
Medicare/Medicaid Sets Deadline for Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that eective October 1, 2008, Medicaid will require all written prescriptions for outpatient drugs, including those sold over the counter, to be on tamper-resistant prescription pads. The regulation will apply to all written prescriptions submitted for payment through the Vendor Drug Program, but will not apply to prescription orders sent to a pharmacy via fax, e-prescribing, or telephone. As long as the patient does not physically handle the prescription, the requirement does not apply. For a prescription to be considered tamper-resistant by CMS, the pad must meet all three of the following characteristics: t t t
1SFWFOUT VOBVUIPSJ[FE DPQZJOH PG DPNQMFUFE PS CMBOL QSFTDSJQUJPO GPSNT 1SFWFOUT FSBTVSF PS NPEJmDBUJPO PG JOGPSNBUJPO XSJUUFO PO UIF QSFTDSJQUJPO form. 1SFWFOUT UIF VTF PG DPVOUFSGFJU QSFTDSJQUJPO GPSNT
You can order tamper-resistant prescription pads from SYCOM with the 20 percent discount oered through the TDA Perks Program. To receive the discount, mention mail code 56567 when ordering. Order online at sycom.com/tda.html, or by calling (800) 356-8141 (Mon-Fri, 7 AM – 7 PM), and request a free catalog.
September 2008 / TDA Today / 2
On August 23, the Pat Bryson Hall at the Leander City Council chamber was turned into a makeshift dental oďŹƒce. During the day, 130 dental patients were pre-screened for the upcoming Williamson County TMOM. This event marks the fourth Williamson County event and will be held September 26 – 27. If you can help us on the day of the event, please sign up at tdasmiles.org/leander.
Information About Waiving Co-Pays and/or Deductibles Compiled by the TDA Council on Dental Economics Question: I have a patient that needs a signiďŹ cant amount of dental treatment and who has limited ďŹ nancial resources. The patient has dental insurance. Can I waive the co-pay or deductible to aid them in being able to aord more treatment? No. If a dentist agrees to accept payment from a third-party payor, he CANNOT waive co-payments or deductibles or oer any discounts on the co-payment or deductible. To do so would be a violation of Texas Insurance Code 1204.005. § 1204.055. CONTRACTUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEDUCTTIBLES AND COPAYMENTS. (a) The payment of beneďŹ ts under an assignment does not relieve a covered person of a contractual obligation to pay a deductible or co-payment. (b) A physician or other health care provider may not waive a deductible or copayment by the acceptance of an assignment. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, §3, ec. April 1, 2005. If you have issues or questions you would like the Council to address, please contact Cassidy Neal at cassidy@tda.org, or call her at (800) 832-1145, ext. 152.
Editor’s Quick Summary Christopher F. Anderson, DDS, TDA Editor
Ask the President Hilton Israelson, DDS, TDA President 2008-2009
The Board of Directors of the Texas Dental Association met in Austin on Thursday, August 14, 2008, with Dr. Hilton Israelson, DDS, presiding. Here is a summary of actions taken: t
t t
t
t
t t t
t
BQQSPWFE B SFTPMVUJPO UP OPUJGZ SFHJPOBM #FUUFS #VTJOFTT #Vreaus of the availability of Peer Review by component dental societies; BQQSPWFE UIF MFHJTMBUJWF BHFOEB QSPQPTFE CZ UIF $PVODJM PO Legislative & Regulatory Aairs; BQQSPWFE B DPOUSJCVUJPO GSPN UIF -FHJTMBUJWF "TTFTTNFOU 'VOE for the Annual Caring for Children Foundation’s charity golf tournament on September 22; BQQSPWFE B QPTJUJPO TUBUFNFOU PQQPTJOH B SVMF QSPQPTFE CZ the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners regarding the keeping of records by dental hygienists; approved a resolution continuing the discounted registration fee for non-member ďŹ rst-time attendees at the TEXAS Meeting; BQQSPWFE UIF BQQPJOUNFOU PG %S +BO 3PMMPX UP UIF $PVODJM on Peer Review replacing Dr. Richard Heard, who resigned; BQQSPWFE UIF GPSNBUJPO PG B #PBSE 8PSL (SPVQ UP TUVEZ BOE propose needed revisions to the House of Delegates rules; BQQSPWFE UIF JODMVTJPO PG B MJOF PO UIF BOOVBM EVFT TUBUFNFOU soliciting a voluntary $50 contribution to the TDA Smiles Foundation’s Felix Crawford Endowment Fund; and BQQSPWFE GVOEJOH VQ UP GSPN UIF SFMJFG GVOE UP IFMQ match a Meadows Foundation matching grant for the Smiles on Wheels project of the TDA Smiles Foundation.
Question: How Can I Become a Leader in the Texas Dental Association? Leadership is built upon participation — attending and taking part in meetings, speaking up on issues, listening to others’ opinions and oering your own, and volunteering to serve. Being a leader at whatever level represents your commitment to organized dentistry and keeping our profession independent. Proactively, you can let your local leaders know you are interested in serving on a committee, organizing an activity, or working within a group to plan a project or activity. During our TDA Annual Session, each of the four divisions of TDA district dental societies (northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast) convene a private caucus of their members to determine the divisional representatives to serve on the TDA Board of Directors. It is important for all members to attend and participate in this process, and especially those who aspire to a higher level of service. Equally important during Annual Session is attending the Reference Committee hearings of the TDA House of Delegates, expressly designed to hear testimony for or against all actions proposed to the House. The reference committees report their ďŹ ndings to the House and the result can be adoption, defeat, or further debate on the oor of the House. An excellent activity for any prospective TDA leader is to observe the TDA House in action. Two important resources help develop leaders for dentistry. The ďŹ rst is to realize that many “new dentistsâ€? joining TDA participated in the American Dental Student Association in school, and may have been involved in local district dental society and statewide activities while still students. A second important resource is a new leadership development program, LEAD TDA, developed by the TDA Council on Membership. The 2-day workshop may be oered one to two times per year by TDA. It is designed for use by member dentists who want to hire and retain exceptional teams with their practices. Remember to visit tda.org for speciďŹ c dates and details on TDA events and programs. Get involved and enjoy “giving backâ€? to your profession by serving organized dentistry.
The 2009 TEXAS Meeting — Unlimited Opportunities!
News from the Alliance of the TDA
Mark your calendar for the 2009 TEXAS Meeting, May 7-10, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The 2009 meeting oers dental professionals an incredible opportunity to complete their Texas State Board of Dental Examiners’ Continuing Education requirements at one location, purchase products and services to enhance their practices, and relax and enjoy the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk.
ATDA president Janet Hooten reports that she and corresponding secretary Ruth Ault enjoyed exceptional hospitality during the El Paso Dental Conference on September 4-5, 2008, thanks to conference co-chairs, Drs. Steven Spivack and Daniel Castro. El Pasoans Beth Black and Connie Eads From left: Beth Black, Janet Hooten, Ruth Ault, welcomed Janet and Ruth to a luncheon with area and Connie Eads pause for a photograph before dental spouses. As keynote speaker, Janet reviewed the ATDA luncheon in El Paso. the ATDA’s mission and purpose. She encouraged ATDA members’ participation and volunteerism in activities such as TDA Legislative Day in Austin and the charitable dental care programs of the TDA Smiles Foundation. She emphasized the camaraderie, lifelong friendships, and support to the profession that participation in ATDA provides.
t
/JOFUZ UXP IJHIMZ qualiďŹ ed clinicians to bring to you the most current/ cutting edge information for the dental team.
t
.PSF UIBO continuing education sessions (both lecture and hands-on workshops).
t
-BSHFTU EFOUBM trade show in Texas oering the latest and greatest in dental products and service.
t
ɨF 5%" 1BWJMJPO — everything you want to know about member services from the TDA with sta to answer your questions and provide information.
t
4PDJBM FWFOUT UP complement the educational sessions and exhibit hall activities — food, friends, and great music — don’t miss it!
t
5%" NFNCFS CFOFmU — NO meeting registration fees for TDA members and their stas!!
Hands-on workshops for individual instruction.
TDA Executive Committee Visits Community Health Center The TDA Executive Committee toured the Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe (The Faith Family Health Center) earlier this month. Dr. Rene Rosas, La Fe’s dental director and a TDA past president, organized the tour. Located just six blocks north of the Mexican border in one of El Paso’s poorest, but proudest neighborhoods, La Fe provides low-cost dental and medical care to thousands of people each year. It is guided by the philosophy of “la totalidad de nuestro bienestar,� the totality of our well-being, and it challenges the environmental, economic, and social conditions that undermine family success in El Paso’s poorest neighborhoods.
Cutting-edge information from highly respected clinicians.
Details are available now at texasmeeting.com, or at Direct access to vendors in the Exhibit Hall. (512) 443-3675.
Dr. Rick Black, TDA Council on Legislative and Regulatory Aairs chair (second from left, front row); TDA past president Dr. Rene Rosas, La Fe’s dental director and two members of his sta (center of photo); and ADA 15th District trustee Dr. Jerry Long (second from right in back row) join the TDA Executive Committee, ATDA president Janet Hooten, and TDA sta for a tour of the facility.
September 2008 / TDA Today / 3
TSBDE Rule Update 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 aecting their practices. Question:
I’ve heard that the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) recently changed its continuing education (CE) requirements to allow licensees to count “risk managementâ€? courses for CE credit. Is that correct? How about OSHA, CPR, or practice ďŹ nance courses?
The answer to the ďŹ rst question is “Yes.â€? As of September 1, 2008, an amendment to Rule 104.1, which governs CE requirements, permits licensees to apply up to 4 hours of coursework in risk-management courses toward their 12-hour annual requirement. According to Subsection (2)B) of Rule 104.1, “[a]cceptable ‘risk-management’ courses include courses in risk management, record-keeping, and ethics.â€? The answer to the second question is “No.â€? Subsections (2)(D) and (2)(E) of Rule 104.1 prohibit licensees from applying coursework in the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and practice ďŹ nance toward the annual CE requirement. Please note that Subsection (2)(A) of Rule 104.1(2) states that “[a]t least 8 hours of coursework must be either technical or scientiďŹ c as related to clinical care. The terms ‘technical’ and ‘scientiďŹ c’ as applied to continuing education shall mean that courses have signiďŹ cant intellectual or practical content and are designed to directly enhance the practitioner’s knowledge and skill in providing clinical care to the individual patient.â€? Use the following link to view the complete text of Rule 104.1: http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext. TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=5&ch=104&rl=1.
Governor Appoints DHAC Members At the August meeting of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE), presiding oďŹƒcer Dr. Gary McDonald announced that Governor Rick Perry has appointed Ms. Reagan Landreth of Austin to serve as a public member of TSBDE’s Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee (DHAC). Gov. Perry also reappointed Ms. Norma Jean Sosa, RDH, of Harlingen. Members of DHAC serve 6-year terms. The committee, which is chaired by Ms. Lois M. Palermo, RDH, of League City, and includes Dr. Jay Adkins of Lubbock, will hold its next meeting on September 19, 2008.
SEPTEMBER 2008
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 9
EDITORIAL STAFF Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Editor Edwina J. Shires, Director of Publications Nicole Scott, Publications Coordinator Barbara S. Donovan, Art Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hilton Israelson, D.D.S., President Matthew B. Roberts, D.D.S., President-Elect A. David May, Jr., D.D.S., Immediate Past President Vice Presidents F. Dee Rea, D.D.S., Northeast William M. Walton, D.D.S., Northwest Mark Peppard, D.D.S., Southeast Rise’ L. Lyman, D.D.S., Southwest Senior Directors Arlet R. Dunsworth, D.D.S., Northeast J. Brad Loeffelholz, D.D.S., Northwest Craig S. Armstrong, D.D.S., Southeast Johnny G. Cailleteau, D.D.S., Southwest Directors Donna G. Miller, D.D.S., Northeast Kathleen Nichols, D.D.S., Northwest R. Lee Clitheroe, D.D.S., Southeast John W. Baucum III, D.D.S., Southwest J. Preston Coleman, D.D.S., Secretary-Treasurer Glen D. Hall, D.D.S., Speaker of the House Michael L. Stuart, D.D.S., Parliamentarian Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., Editor Mary Kay Linn, Executive Director William H. Bingham, Legal Counsel 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 7VZ[HNL 7HPK H[ (\Z[PU ;L_HZ HUK H[ HKKP[PVUHS THPSPUN VMÄJLZ 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 (ZZVJPH[PVU (+( HMÄSPH[LK [H_ 6\[ VM Z[H[L (+( HMÄSPH[LK 0U Z[H[L UVU (+( HMÄSPH[LK [H_ 6\[ VM Z[H[L UVU (+( HMÄSPH[LK :PUNSL PZZ\L WYPJL! ;+( TLTILYZ 0U Z[H[L (+( HMÄSPH[LK [H_ 6\[ VM Z[H[L (+( HMÄSPH[LK 0U Z[H[L UVU (+( HMÄSPH[LK [H_ 6\[ VM Z[H[L UVU (+( HMÄSPH[LK 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 September 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.
aa de
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG
SAVE ON CAR RENTALS up to
20% off
Save up to 20% every time you rent with Avis or Budget, TDA Perks Programs’ newest partners. To receive the Perks discount, use your TDA AWD
or BCD numbers: Avis: W220700, Budget: Z930600. Avis and Budget provide a quick and easy car rental experience anywhere they are located worldwide; whether you are renting for business or pleasure. Select from service options and vehicle variety for airport, off-airport, or insurance replacement needs. Book Avis at: (800) 331-1212, or avis.com. Book Budget at: (800) 527-0700, or budget.com.
Find other TDA Perks Programs at: tdaperks.com, or call (512) 443-3675.