May 2013 WDA Journal

Page 1

Advocate...Educate...Empower...Serve!

MAY 2013 | Focus on: Leadership

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Peer Review now Mediation Services Emily Bultman WDA Communications Coordinator ebultman@wda.org p. 20

p. 12-13

Dental hygiene membership growing...................... p. 5 ACH dues option a ‘win-win’..................... p. 5 Do not ignore antitrust law! .................................. p. 6

Periodical

WDAIP Insurance News ............................p. 10-11

“I think this change is a positive thing because mediation has always been the first step in the process. A majority of complaints are resolved this way, and most never reach a more formal meeting phase,” WDA Mediation Services Coordinator Kris Anderson said. As a profession, dentistry is trusted by society to act for the patients’ best interests. Every dental professional is held to the same high standards and ethics. To fulfill this obligation, the profession voluntarily regulates itself. WDA Mediation Services is one part of the self-regulation. Mediation Services Committee members will continue to assist in re-establishing communication between disputing parties, and serve as an impartial

In February 2013, the Wisconsin Dental Association Board of Trustees approved a name change for the Peer Review program to become WDA Mediation Services. Recommended by the Long Range Planning Committee, the change was done to have the name more accurately reflect the service offered and shows its impartiality. A long-standing member service of the association, Peer Review was initially offered to improve the quality of dental health care in Wisconsin. It provided an alternative for patients and dentists to resolve differences rather than going through the expense of the legal system or before going to the Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board.

Organized dentistry welcomes six

The Wisconsin Dental Association advances the interests of its members and the dental profession by promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care for the public.

Mission Statement:

WDA Journal POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WDA Journal, 6737 W. Washington St., Ste.2360, West Allis, WI 53214

The Wisconsin Dental Association is pleased to welcome six new members to organized dentistry. These new members, their cities of practice and/or residence or components (if applicable) are: Dr. Vincent Hansen, Milwaukee Greater Milwaukee Dental Association

Dr. Roberto E. Monteagudo, Milwaukee Greater Milwaukee Dental Association

Dr. Kevin Knutson, La Crosse La Crosse District Dental Society

Dr. Veronica Smith, Oshkosh Winnebago County Dental Society

Dr. Becky Maher, Hudson Northwest District Dental Society

See page 5 for an expanded listing of new dental hygienist members!

Dr. Nicholas Mattila, Appleton Outagamie County Dental Society

Connect with us on WDA J ournal

is a publication of

W isconsin D ental A ssociation , I nc .

third party to provide opinions and suggestions on how to fairly resolve conflicts between our members and their patients. The focus remains on resolving problems between the dentist and patient or third-party payer in an expeditious, fair and confidential manner. Many of the phone calls the WDA receives are actually questions in disguise. One of the biggest benefits of WDA Mediation Services is that in most cases we can help members without them ever knowing it. “We often answer patient questions/ concerns and then encourage him/her to contact their dentist to give them an opportunity to respond to the patient’s issues on a firsthand basis,” Ms. Anderson said. continued on page 19...

Let’s get Social!

Gov. Scott Walker tweeted from WDA Legislative Day to his 62,632 followers. @GovWalker: Spoke to dentists from across the state at the Monona Terrace.

and visit us online @ WDA.org MAY 2013 • Volume 89, No. 5


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May 2013 WDA Journal by Wisconsin Dental Association - Issuu