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PDA Urges Members to Use ADA Patient Brochure on Restorative
Options
PDA is recommending that PDA
member dentists use a recently published brochure by the American Dental
Association (ADA) when discussing restorative options with
patients.
“The Pennsylvania Dental
Association encourages its members to give patients the latest
information on oral health issues,” said Dr. Jon J. Johnston, past
president of PDA. “The ADA brochure is an excellent resource for
patients to learn about the wide assortment of restorative options
available to them.”
Click here to read the full news release and to view
the ADA brochure.
EFDA Books Now Available Through Members' Library
To help reduce office overhead expense related to the EFDA testing
process, PDA has added two books to the Members'
Library; Dentistry for the Restorative Expanded
Function Dental Assistant and Delmar’s Dental Assisting:
A Comprehensive Approach. You can place
your order online or you can fax the order form to (717)
234-2186 or send via USPS. Look for the new Members’ Library
Catalog to arrive mid-January.
PDA Wins IABC and ADA Samuel D. Harris Awards!
PDA was recently awarded two International Association of Business
Communicators (IABC) silver Capital Awards. The New Dentist Committee's
Consider Pennsylvania! booklet and the 2008 National Children's
Dental Health Month (NCDHM) program were recognized as
an outstanding print publication and program, respectively.
NCDHM also was awarded the ADA’s Samuel D. Harris NCDHM State
Program Award. Each year, the Harris Award recognizes up to three
state societies that have demonstrated successful statewide efforts that
provide benefits to the public and the profession during NCDHM. If you
would like more information about NCDHM, please contact Amber Wickard, communications
coordinator, at (800) 223-0016, ext. 113 or click
here for the material order form.
Glecos Announces Candidacy for ADA President-Elect
Dr. William G. Glecos, a general dentist from Erie and past president of
PDA, announced his candidacy for the position of President-Elect of the
American Dental Association (ADA) during its annual meeting in San
Antonio on October 21. Click here to view
the recent news
release.
Effective May 2009, The Federal Trade Commission's "Red Flags
Rules," May Affect Dental Practices
Under the rules, most dentists who extend credit to or arrange credit
for their patients are supposed to have a written identity theft
prevention program in place by May 2009. FTC staff recently issued
guidance expressly stating that the rules will apply to health-care
providers who provide or arrange for credit. They explain that by
deferring payment; for example, sending a bill or establishing a
post-treatment payment plan, a health-care provider is considered a
creditor under the rules. The rules require a written identify theft
detection program with policies and procedures to identify, detect and
respond to "red flags" of identity theft. Click here to access
a compliance tutorial.
Lobby Day a Success!
PDA thanks those who took time out of their busy lives to attend Lobby
Day on October 7! More than 85 dentists, spouses and dental
students came to the state Capitol to talk with lawmakers about issues
affecting the dental profession and patients. They addressed
lawmakers' concerns about some Pennsylvanians' inability to access
dental care, and advocated for community water fluoridation, expanded
duties for expanded function dental assistants, increased funding in the
student loan forgiveness program and insurance coverage for general
anesthesia administered to young children and special needs patients.
PDA encourages ALL members, spouses and students to attend the
2009 Lobby Day. Be on the look out for a date and more information
on the website and in PDA publications.
HB 1257 moving through the Senate!
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed HB 1257 on October 7 and it
is now before the full Senate for a vote. This legislation,
spearheaded by PDA, will expand the scope of practice for expanded
function dental assistants (EFDAs), freeing up dentists' time to treat
more patients in a public or private setting. PDA also secured the
legislature's commitment to add one more dentist, as well as an EFDA, to
the State Board of Dentistry, therefore maintaining a solid majority of
dentists.
State Board of Dentistry Approves Sexual Misconduct Regulations
At its May 2, 2008, meeting the State Board of Dentistry (SBOD) approved
its draft regulations that provide more stringent regulation of dentists
and their staff who engage in personal and intimate relationships with
patients. These regulations will
most likely be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin within the
next few weeks, followed by a 30-day period before enforcement.
Check the PDA website frequently for an update
on the regulations, how they affect the dental office and what
dentists and their staff may and may not do to comply.
PDA Lobbies on Members’ Behalf Opposing Merger Between
Highmark and Independence Blue Cross
PDA opposes the
merger between Highmark and Independence Blue Cross, which the PDA
believes would result in reduced competition in Pennsylvania’s
marketplace.
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