2023 LEAD Attendees

• Dr. Victoria Adams, Clearwater • Dr. Matthew Ahrens, Gibsonton • Dr. Salma Atassi, Nova College of Dental Medicine • Dr. David Boden, Port Saint Lucie • Dr. Gregory Chace, Melbourne • Dr. Abelardo Daya, Weston

• Dr. Mikhail Daya, Pompano Beach • Dr. Bethany Douglas, Saint Johns • Dr. Glori Enzor, Sarasota

• Dr. Donovan Essen, Stuart • Dr. Ellys Fernandez, Lake Worth • Dr. Mariangel Fuchs, LECOM School of Dental Medicine • Dr. Chinara Garraway, Tallahassee • Dr. Peter Gostout, Cape Coral • Dr. Reese Harrison, Inlet Beach

• Dr. Steve Hochfelder, Lake Mary • Dr. Alana Humberson, Vero Beach • Dr. Sergio Jacas, Fort Lauderdale

• Dr. Nick Kaleel, Boynton Beach • Dr. Avanika Khanna, Orlando • Dr. Roderick MacIntyre, Daytona Beach

• Dr. Angela McNeight, Satellite Beach • Dr. Paul Miller, New Port Richey • Dr. Sasha Minor, Chipley

• Dr. Nancy Montgomery, Largo • Dr. James Nguyen, Jacksonville • Dr. Ovy Quintanal, Fort Lauderdale

• Dr. Joe Richardson, Eustis • Dr. Juan Rodriguez, Naples • Dr. John Russo, Nova College of Dental Medicine

• Dr. Jenna Schwibner, Vero Beach • Dr. Melissa Sedeno, Miami Lakes • Dr. Vrinda Shah, Melbourne

• Dr. Mary Shehata, Riverview • Dr. Matthew Sheldon, Melbourne • Dr. Doug Starkey, West Palm Beach

• Dr. Rick Stevenson, Jacksonville • Dr. Millie Tannen, Jacksonville • Dr. Toby Thomson, Tallahassee

• Dr. Sean Tomalty, Boynton Beach • Dr. Huy Tran, Melbourne • Dr. Carl Treyz, Pompano Beach

Institute for Diversity in Leadership Applications Due April 28

Since 2003, the American Dental Association (ADA) Institute for Diversity in Leadership has admitted over 285 dentists from diverse racial, ethnic and gender backgrounds who have been traditionally underrepresented in leadership roles. The award-winning program is designed to strengthen leadership skills and build professional networks. As part of the program, with all expenses paid, participants attend three sessions at ADA headquarters in Chicago, learn from Duke University faculty and participate in 10 virtual sessions throughout the year. In addition, participants are required to develop and complete a new leadership project addressing a need in their community or dental association.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-24 class and societies are encouraged to share this information widely. Applications must be submitted on ADA.org by April 28. All expenses are covered for this program, partly through support from Crest + Oral-B and Henry Schein, Inc.

Military Spouses with Dental Licenses Now Have Reciprocity in Other States

tion (FDA) was a leader in this space by passing related legislation in 2018. Previously advocated for by the ADA, the new law will make it easier for military families who move to another state. In a 2021 letter to lawmakers, the ADA insisted that the passing of the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act would help reduce employment barriers, ensure family stability and improve the quality of life for the families of service members. In that letter, the ADA said: “The ADA routinely supports these spouses through the onerous licensure process upon transfer of duty stations. By simply having a license in good standing according to the requirements in the jurisdiction that issued the license; and by complying with the new state’s standards of practice, discipline and fulfillment of any continuing education (CE) requirements, a military spouse could receive professional license reciprocity and easily resume the practice of dentistry.” The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act — included as a provision of the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act — also provides portability of professional licensure or certification to the relocating service member. Source: bit.ly/3STie6f

Medication Access and Training Expansion Act Included in Appropriations Bill

Thanks to a new law passed at the end of 2022 — The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act — military spouses with valid dental licenses in one state will now have licensure recognition in the state where their spouse is serving. The Florida Dental Associa-

Provision includes continuing education requirement for DEA registration

The Medication Access and Training Expansion Act, or MATE Act, was included in the omnibus spending bill that passed Congress at the end of 2022. The new law requires dentists to complete eight hours of training before receiving or renewing a Drug Enforcement Administration registration.

The ADA successfully advocated for Congress to amend certain provisions of the MATE Act to comport with ADA policy. This included prompting lawmakers to remove a requirement from the original bill that meant dentists would have to complete three hours of specialized training to safely prescribe buprenorphine, which is outside the scope of dental practice.

The MATE Act was also amended to allow: l Dentists to apply CE credits accepted for state licensure towards his/her federally required training, as well as courses taken through ADA CERP providers. l New dentists who are less than five years out of dental school to use their dental school courses towards the federally required training.

For more information on all the ADA’s advocacy efforts, visit ADA. org/Advocacy and stay tuned for the FDA to share additional information as it’s available.

ADA Addresses Frustration for Dentists: Deceptive Online Reviews

The FDA House of Delegates Will Consider Bylaws Changes

The Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs will perform an annual review of the FDA bylaws and propose changes if necessary.

The Next House of Delegates Meeting Will be Held

Friday, June 30, and Saturday, Juy 1, 2023 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center reviews without violating the prohibition as long as the disclosure is limited to the scope of the topics addressed in the review.

The ADA also urged the FTC to require reviewers to self-identify and for the social media site to verify that identity. If the reviewer does not self-identify in the review, then the ADA suggested that the dental practice should have an avenue to request that identification from the social media site. This would help the dentist to determine if the review is fraudulent or, with legitimate reviews, assist with responding to and addressing the patient’s concerns by reaching out either on social media or directly.

Many dentists are annoyed by online reviews that are misleading, inaccurate or blatantly false, especially because dentists may feel as if they have limited means of responding. Confirming the patient’s name or commenting about a procedure could place the dentist at risk of a HIPPA violation.

The ADA, in January, responded to an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about deceptive or unfair uses of reviews and endorsements. Go to bit.ly/3ZzlyWV to view the letter which expresses the ADA’s concerns about online reviews by people who are not actually patients of the dental practice, or who are misrepresenting his/ her experiences with the dental office. The ADA urged the FTC to create an exception to the enforcement in order to permit health care providers to disclose patient information in response to

According to the ADA’s letter: “These regulatory provisions would protect the dental practice from misleading and deceptive reviews, ensure fair competition between dental practices, help consumers to choose the right dental practice for them and assist dentists in addressing the questions and concerns of their patients.”

Dr. Dan Gesek, chair of the ADA’s Council on Government Affairs, first shared this information with the FDA. It’s powerful to have Florida dentists involved at the national level, and it’s nice to have organized dentistry working to resolve members’ pain points. Here’s to hoping for a policy change!

In the meantime, the FDA can assist with questions or guidance under the current landscape and share best practices — and what to avoid — when responding. Call the FDA at 850.681.3629.

Welcome New FDA Members

The following dentists recently joined the FDA. Their memberships allow them to develop a strong network of fellow professionals who understand the day-to-day triumphs and tribulations of practicing dentistry.

Atlantic Coast District

Dental Association

Dr. Keith Chiarello, Fort Lauderdale

Dr. Diana Tadros, Fort Lauderdale

Central Florida District Dental Association

Dr. Yocasta Pastora, Gainesville

Northwest District

Dental Association

Dr. Andrew Horbaly, Pace

Dr. Jared Ure, Crestview

South Florida District

Dental Association

Dr. Harini Chitta, Davie

West Coast Dental Association

Dr. Dennis Bailey, Sarasota

Dr. Delaney Clayton, Clearwater

Dr. Yulia Eve, Boston, MA

Dr. Chelsea Fullgrapp, Fort Myers

Dr. Nicholas Peracchio, Bradenton

Dr. Kai On-Art, Tampa

Where in the World is Today’s FDA?

Do