GDA Action

1859 2009

ACTIONTHE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION AUGUST 2009

C e l e b r a t i n g 1 5 0 Y e a r s o f S e r v i c e & A d v o c a c y

ACTIONTHE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION AUGUST 2009

C e l e b r a t i n g 1 5 0 Y e a r s o f S e r v i c e & A d v o c a c y

1859 2009

Marie C. Schweinebraten, DMDCandidate for

ADA President Elect

GDAction August 2009.qxd 8/14/09 4:50 PM

ADS South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

AFTCO Transition Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Center for TMJ Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Atlanta Age Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

DATS USA, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The Doctor’s Safety Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

GDA Dental Recovery Network . . . . . . . . . . . .27

GDA President’s Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Georgia Association of Orthodontists . . . . . . .23

Georgia Dental Insurance Services . . . . . . . . .32

Goldstein Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Great Expressions Dental Centers . . . . . . . . . .31

Hungeling & Sons PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Law Office of Stuart J. Oberman . . . . . . . . . . .24

M. McIntyre & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Medical Protective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Paragon Dental Practice Transitions . . . . . . . .28

Professional Debt Recovery Services . . . . . . . .7

Professional Practice Management . . . . . . . . .30

Southeast Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

index of advertisers

GDA ACTION (ISSN 0273-5989) The official publication ofthe Georgia Dental Association (GDA) is published monthly.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GDA Action at7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N.E., Suite 200,Building 17, Atlanta, GA 30328. Phone numbers in state are(404) 636-7553 and (800) 432-4357. www.gadental.org.

Closing date for copy: first of the month preceding publicationmonth. Subscriptions: $17 of membership dues is for thenewsletter; all others, $75 per year. Periodicals postage paidat Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Jonathan Dubin Delaine HallGDA Editor GDA Managing Editor2970 Clairmont Rd 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NESuite 195 Suite 200, Building 17Atlanta, GA 30329 Atlanta, GA 30328

2008-2009 Georgia Dental Association Officers Mark S. Ritz, DDS, PresidentKent H. Percy, DDS, President ElectJohn F. Harrington Jr., DDS, Vice PresidentJames B. Hall III, DDS, MS, Secretary/TreasurerJonathan S. Dubin, DMD, Editor

GDA/GDIS/PDRS Executive Office Staff Members

Martha S. Phillips, Executive DirectorLisa Chandler, Director of Member Services

Nelda H. Greene, MBA, Associate Executive Director

Delaine Hall, Director of Communications

Skip Jones, Director of Operations (PDRS)

Barbara Kaul, Property and Casualty Accounts Manager

Courtney Layfield, Director of Administrative Services

Victoria LeMaire, Medical Accounts Manager

Melana Kopman McClatchey, General Counsel

Denis Mucha, Director of Operations (GDIS)

Phyllis Willich, Administrative Assistant

Pamela K. Yungk, Director of Membership & Finance

GDA Action seeks to be an issues-driven journal focusing on current mattersaffecting Georgia dentists, patients, and their treatment, accomplished throughdisseminating information and providing a forum for member commentary.

© Copyright 2009 by the Georgia Dental Association. All rights reserved. No partof this publication may be reproduced without written permission. Publicationof any article or advertisement should not be deemed an endorsement of theopinions expressed or products advertised. The Association expressly reservesthe right to refuse publication of any article, photograph, or advertisement.

8 Northern District Forms Charitable Foundation

9 GDA Members Volunteer with Special Olympics

10 National Healthcare Reform–The New Normal

18 Tips on Using the GDA Web Site

20 Alliance President Linda BroderickDiscusses the Upcoming Year

4 Parting Shots

5 Editorial

6 News and Views

20 Minutes

24 Event Calendar

25 Classifieds

In October 2009, ADA members have theopportunity to choose a president electwho embraces science-based healthpolicy, membership empowerment, andopen governance—Duluth, Georgia,dentist Dr. Marie Schweinebraten. In aninterview with GDA Action on page 12,Dr. Schweinebraten discusses herpride in her profession, commitment toorganized dentistry, and unwavering desireto make a difference for dentists andthe patients they serve.

other features sections

on the cover

Member Publication American Association of Dental Editors

ACTION

V O L U M E 2 9 , N U M B E R 8 • A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

Note: Publication of an advertisement is not to be construed as anendorsement or approval by the GDA or any of its subsidiaries,committees, or task forces of the product or service offered in the

advertisement unless the advertisement specifically includes anauthorized statement that such approval or endorsement hasbeen granted.


4 GDA ACTIONAUGUST 2009


Teledentistry. Sounds really sexy, doesn’t it? Iwould venture to guess that the majority ofdentists don’t know what teledentistry is ormaybe haven’t even heard the term. I hadnever heard the term until four months ago. Icertainly didn’t know what teledentistry wasor could be, or the implications of its use, orhow that use might affect me or dentistry as awhole.

Loosely, teledentistry can be defined astransmitting oral health information throughcomputerized means. That could be as simpleas emailing digital radiographs or as complexas conducting real-time audio and video trans-missions. Many of you use teledentistry insome form. Send a radiograph to a colleaguefor referral or an opinion and you have practicedteledentistry in a very basic way. Would youlike to confer in real time with specialists abouta patient in your office at any given moment?That too is a practical use of teledentistry withmuch potential to help our patients.

Technology is a wonderful thing. It makesour lives easier, and enables us to do more anddo it better. I couldn’t imagine practicingwithout all the toys, bells and whistles, andvery effective technological wonders we andour staff and patients benefit from today.However, one thing that technology cannotimprove upon is the human element in den-tistry. The doctor / patient relationship is abond of trust that a computer cannot mimic orreplace. The apprehensive patient can only becalmed and assured through interaction withan empathetic caregiver.

Several organizations nationwide (andindeed one organization in Georgia) are test-ing some form of teledentistry. Where imple-menting teledentistry will work is in connect-ing dentists in rural sites with needed special-ists for effective consults. Exchanging suchinformation utilizing this technology is a verygood thing that will improve care and furthereducate the practitioner. What it cannot do istake the place of the tactile skills that only atrained and licensed dentist possesses honedthrough years of education and practice.

There is a noble and well-intentioneddesire among the organizations currently test-ing teledentistry projects to address access todental care for the needy and underprivi-leged. The usage of real time video / audiotransmission along with utilization of camerasand digital radiography can appear to be asolution to a rural area’s needs. Picture a proj-ect with supporting personnel hands-on with apatient and a camera in a rural area and a den-tist on the other end of an audio and videotransmission “supervising” care at the remotesite. Is the viewing dentist then responsiblefor the treatment and diagnosis at the ruralsite? Can a dentist comfortably make a diag-nosis over video? Who pays for what and whomaintains the technology and records is theleast of the worries in that scenario. And if thepatient ultimately needs dental care after theirvideo diagnosis or screening, they must travelfrom that location anyway to see a dentist. I failto see the benefit to that patient. I ask if this isbetter care for the patient or diluted care?

Teledentistry has an important place inallowing dentists to consult and exchangeinformation, but we are looking at a slipperyslope if teledentistry were to become a stan-dard for dental care. I shudder to think of theproblems that may arise (not the least ofwhich involves the safety of the patientsinvolved) if numerous supporting providersare considered adequately supervised byone dentist locked far away in room full ofmonitors and microphones. Intelligent designof teledentistry programs can harnesstechnology and use it as a tool for enhancingwhat we can do for our patients and howwe can learn as professionals. Haphazardlyforging ahead even with noble intentions canlead to a dilution of excellence.

5GDA ACTIONAUGUST 2009

Will Teledentistry Come to Your Town?

Jonathan S. Dubin, DMD

editorialperspective

“Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, butmost of the thingsthey make it easierto do don’t need to be done.”

Andy Rooney



membersin the news

Members receive AGD lifelong learning award

Kudos to GDA members Roy E. Lehrman, DDS, ofMilledgeville and Carol A. Wooden, DDS, of Smyrna onearning Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition(LLSR) awards from the Academy of General Dentistry(AGD). The LLSR is an honor given only to those AGDmembers who have attained AGD Mastership and gonefurther in their path of learning. LLSR honorees mustattain at least 500 continuing education hours beyondtheir Mastership, or beyond their last LLSR. Of the 500hours a dentist must attain, at least 150 hours must befrom hands-on courses, and the hours must be in aminimum of eight disciplines of dentistry. LLSRcandidates must also have performed at least 100hours of community service in dentistry and / or serviceto organized dentistry. Most candidates have done muchmore than these minimums. To date, only 93 LLSRshave been awarded to AGD Masters.

Dr. Carter Brown awards the Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition(LLSR) crystal to Dr. Roy Lehrman and Dr. Carol Wooden at the recentRegion 19 Caucus at the Academy of General Dentistry Annual Meeting inBaltimore, Maryland. This is Dr. Lehrman’s first LLSR and Dr. Wooden’ssecond. Drs. Lehrman and Wooden were also recognized at the AGD con-vocation ceremony on July 11, 2009.



MCG Alumni Associationhonors Dr. Ed Green

Edward J. Green, DMD, was recentlyselected by the Medical College Schoolof Dentistry Alumni Association asits 2009 Distinguished AlumnusAward Recipient. Dr. Green, a generaldentist in Albany, is a 1983 graduateof the MCG dental school.

Dr. Green has a distinguishedlegacy of service to organizeddentistry. He served as SouthwesternDistrict President and GeorgiaDental Association President and iscurrently a Caucus Officer for theGDA Delegation to the American

Dental Association. He also currently serves as Chair Elect forthe ADA Council on Communications and is chairing Dr. MarieSchweinebraten’s 2009 campaign for ADA president elect.He is a GDA Honorable Fellow and a fellow of the PierreFauchard Academy, the American College of Dentists, and theInternational College of Dentists.

Kudos to Dr. Green on his honor and continued service tothe profession.

Haugseth installed as AAPD Vice President

Rhea M. Haugseth, DMD, a pedi-atric dentist in Marietta, wasinstalled as Vice President of theAmerican Academy of PediatricDentistry (AAPD) in May. She pre-viously served as the AAPD’sSecretary-Treasurer and as AAPDDistrict III Trustee. Dr. Haugsethhas been a member of the AAPD for27 years, following her dental edu-cation at the University of Louisvilleand specialty education at Case

Western Reserve University.In addition to her duties as AAPD Vice President, Dr.

Haugseth is also President Elect of the Southeastern Society ofPediatric Dentistry. She is a Fellow and national mediaspokesperson for the AAPD, and Diplomate of the AmericanBoard of Pediatric Dentistry.

Congratulations to Dr. Haugseth on her election. Toread more about the 7,700 member strong AAPD, visitwww.aapd.org.

2009 Distinguished MCGAlumnus Award RecipientEdward J. Green, DMD.

AAPD Vice PresidentDr. Rhea Haugseth.


The Northern District Dental Society (NDDS)has established a charitable foundation, theGreater Atlanta Dental Foundation (GADF),to support organizations that provide dentalcare to underprivileged individuals inMetro Atlanta and engage in other communityservice projects related to dental health care.GDA Action spoke with NDDS ExecutiveDirector Hank Holderfield about the newfoundation, its goals, and future plans forthe foundation’s operations.

Q: Why did the Northern Districtelect to establish a foundation?

A: The district has partnered with thecharitable Emile T. Fisher Foundation forDental Education in Georgia for severalyears to enable GDA members attendingthe Northern District Gala for Smiles tomake contributions via that charitableentity and enjoy the appropriate benefits.While that relationship has worked, thedistrict leadership envisioned that estab-lishing our own foundation would give usmore flexibility in raising funds throughthe Gala as well as in supporting andinitiating other charitable projects.

Q: How long did establishing thefoundation take?

A: Our application was officially designatedas a 501(c)(3) charitable entity on March10, 2008, after approximately 15 months ofgroundwork. The Fisher Foundation con-tinued as the district’s partner for the 2008Gala for Smiles so the 2009 Gala, heldAugust 29 at the Georgia Aquarium, willbe the first formal activity for the GADF.

Q: Who are the first leaders of thefoundation?

A: The original officers of the foundationwere the Northern District officers inplace at the time the real push to establish

the foundation began. Dr. Bob O’Donnellis the president, Dr. Chris Adkins is vicepresident, Dr. Ben Jernigan Jr. is thesecretary, and Dr. Tom Jagor is thetreasurer. We will likely expand the boardby adding other dental professionals aswell as some lay people, particularlyindividuals with knowledge about theoperations of charitable foundations. Thecomposition of the board is underconsideration by our planning group,which is basically the Northern District’sExecutive Committee. Right now, thefoundation’s officers are serving one-yearterms that are automatically reneweduntil more formal guidelines are created.

Q: What are the goals of the newfoundation?

A: The mission of the Greater AtlantaDental Foundation is to support communityorganizations that provide dental care tothe underprivileged population of theMetropolitan Atlanta area and to engage inother community service projects relatedto dental health care. We have created abroad enough mission so we can do manydifferent things in the future. We wouldlike to assist to a larger extent with anumber of worthy community programswe have helped in the past, and thefoundation will make that easier for us todo that. For now, however, our mainfocus is taking care of Metro Atlanta’scharitable dental clinics and enablingthose clinics to continue to benefit ourlocal communities.

Q: What benefits will districtmembers see from the foundation’sestablishment?

A: We feel it will be easier to solicit fundsfrom members, and for members todonate funds. Growing the foundation willalso allow us to respond to and support thewonderful initiatives that our dentists have

started over the years, such as the DDDFoundation which works to provide carefor developmentally disabled individuals.

Q: How will the district generatefunds for the foundation?

A: The district will request that a line itemfor the Greater Atlanta Dental Foundationbe placed on the GDA dues statement for2010. We are also researching grants,applying for stimulus funding, and seekingfinancial support from corporate entities.While is it important that dentistscontribute to the foundation, we arehopeful that the larger giving communitywill lend its support to grow the corpusfaster. Our goal is to increase the corpus toa level where the community supportcomes from the income off reserves. Thatis a lofty goal but an essential one orwe’ll have to start all over again every year.

Q: Does the foundation have a website?

A: We are currently developing a website and logo—all the appropriatebranding. We plan to finish that brandingdevelopment by the end of the year, sowatch for additional GADF updates.

Northern District Forms Foundation to Benefit Charitable Projects




The 16th Annual Special Olympics,Special Smiles dental screenings were heldon May 30, 2009, at Emory University dur-ing the Special Olympics Georgia SummerGames. Atlanta general dentist Dr.Jonathan Dubin served as the dental direc-tor for the event and coordinated the vol-unteer dentists and dental students fromthe Medical College of Georgia School of

Dentistry who came out to conduct thedental screenings. Dental hygiene stu-dents from Lanier Technical College andWest Central Technical College were alsoon hand to assist the dentists and dentalstudents and provide essential dentalhygiene education to the athletes. A spe-cial thanks to Cynthia Lambert, RDH(Lanier Tech) and Cherie Rainwater,

RDH (West Central Tech) for coordinat-ing the hygiene students’ participation.

Each special athlete screened receiveda goody bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste,and other fun items donated courtesy ofColgate and Delta Dental. The dentistsscreened 376 athletes at the event. Kudosto all of these Special Olympics volunteers.

GDA Members Conduct Screenings for Special Olympics Athletes

Dentist VolunteersDr. Erik AtkinsonDr. Yang-Sun BakDr. Tammy BregmanDr. Donald BrownDr. Bruce CampDr. Brook CorbettDr. Kendra DerrickDr. Jonathan DubinDr. Michele JungerDr. James GoettlDr. Ben HawkinsDr. Kris JorgensenDr. Alexandra KaramanolisDr. Rishi KapurDr. Steve LipsonDr. Glenn MaronDr. Kara MoodyDr. Alex PatrickDr. Deidra RondenoDr. Leslie SclafiniDr. Jeff SmithDr. Karyn StockwellDr. Kisha TurnerDr. Anthony WashingtonDr. Richard WeinmanDr. Janice WilmotDr. Carol Wolff

MCG Dental StudentsShivane GuptaZeyad HassanLauren LeeErika LentiniAlpesh PatelFrancesca SetaLeigh Ann TrotterBart Wilson

Lanier Tech Cynthia Lambert, RDHRuth Thompson, RDHNadia BeersTiffany BraswellElizabeth CrawleyCindel EavensonSylvia GaileyImelda GalvanLindsay HammondMachelle HenslerAmber MathewsKelly MillerKristi MoodyGeorgia Wheeler

West Central TechCherie Rainwater, RDHHeather BoylesStephanie ChildsMartha DignanKendall FreemanTiffany KesslerMichelle KneubuhlerMeg MoweryAmanda RainesSherita ScottErica TessereauKhuong VuNicole Winske

Other VolunteersSeth DubinZachary DubinCourtney Layfield (GDA Staff)Gary Palsis (UF dental student)Peyton Weinman

Dr. Bruce Camp works with ayoung patient during the SpecialOlympics dental screenings.

Special Olympics dentaldirector Dr. Jonathan Dubinwith son Seth, a volunteer atthe event.

Lanier Technical College dentalhygiene students (l to r) LindsayHammond, Imelda Galvin, and GeorgiaWheeler.

Dr. Carol Wolff finishing a dentalscreening with a young SpecialOlympics athlete.

West Central Tech dental hygiene students (l to r)Tiffany Kessler, Sherita Scott, Khuong Vu, andHeather Boyles.



As small business persons, consumers ofhealth care, and health care providers,GDA members need to stay aware of theactions taken on health care reform. A bigconcern is how to pay the estimated $1.6trillion price tag, but an even bigger con-cern is determining what happens to us asconsumers, business owners, andproviders. Many of the proposals identifythe federal government as the entitydeciding what kind of care we get, whogets it, and how much providers will bepaid. One plan gaining favor will create agovernment-subsidized insurance policythat would compete with private insur-ance policies.

National health care reform is notbeing met with the same objections thatthe “Clinton Health Care Reform” propos-als were met with 16 years ago. Insurancecompanies, businesses, and the publicseem to have more tolerance for change.Part of this tolerance is likely due to thecurrent economic climate and the fact thatalmost everything around us is in a state ofchange. People are making dramaticchanges to their lifestyles, more people areunemployed, families are learning to liveon less, and it is no longer socially accept-able to flaunt spending money. In fact the“new normal” has people and businessesbragging about how much money they did-n’t spend and how little they paid for aproduct or service.

In a June 21, 2009, poll of 895 adultsconducted by The New York Times/CBSNews, Americans overwhelmingly supportsubstantial changes to the health care sys-tem and are strongly behind one of themost contentious proposals Congress isconsidering, a government-run insuranceplan to compete with private insurers.

The poll found that Americans wouldbe willing to pay higher taxes so everyonecould have health insurance and that theysaid the government could do a better jobof holding down health care costs than theprivate sector. Eighty-five percent of thosepolled said the health care system neededto be fundamentally changed or rebuilt,yet 77 percent said they were very or

somewhat satisfied with the quality of theirown care.

Across a number of questions, the polldetected substantial support for a greatergovernment role in health care, a positiongenerally identified with the DemocraticParty. The national telephone survey,which was conducted from June 12-16found that 72 percent of those questionedsupported a government administeredinsurance plan—something like Medicarefor those under 65—that would competefor customers with private insurance. Thepoll received broad bipartisan backing,with half of those who call themselvesRepublicans saying they would support apublic plan, along with nearly three-fourths of independents and almost nine in10 Democrats.

As a side note, we need to look close-ly at the current Medicare plan as a modelfor health care reform. Medicare seems tobe on life support, as do the two other gov-ernment-run programs, Medicaid and theState Children’s Health InsuranceProgram. The Wall Street Journal reportedon June 16, 2009, that the Medicaretrustees have projected that the trust fundthat covers hospital services will run out ofmoney earlier than expected, in 2017.Medicare beneficiaries have also seentheir premium payments for physician andoutpatient services grow an average of 9.8percent a year between 2000 and 2007while Social Security benefits grew anaverage of four percent a year over thesame period.

According to a report from theMedicare Payment Advisory Commissionreleased on June 15, “The independentcommission that advises Congress onMedicare payments said the federal gov-ernment must give doctors and health carefacilities incentives to rein in costs in pro-viding care for the elderly and disabled.Part of the problem is that Medicare’s fee-for-service payment systems reward morecare—and more complex care—withoutregard to the quality or value of that care.”This statement could be interpreted tomean that care should be rationed to this

population. Would that be the same policyin effect for any care subsidized and oper-ated by the government?

Because of the low reimbursementrates paid to Medicare doctors, manyphysicians do not accept Medicare, whichcan create access issues. Another problemfor most enrollees is that they must pur-chase a Medicare supplement plan tocover their 20 percent out of pocket costsand prescription drugs. Between the twopolicies the average Medicare recipientpays approximately $400 per monthpremium for their government plan. Thisplan has volume and cost containments(capped fee schedules for all services) inplace yet it is running out of money.

Let’s look at the eight principlesthat President Obama says has to be inany reform of the health care system:1) Reduce long-term growth of healthcare costs for businesses and government,2) Protect families from bankruptcy or debtbecause of health care costs, 3) Guaranteechoice of doctors and health plans, 4) Investin prevention and wellness, 5) Improvepatient safety and quality care, 6) Assureaffordable, quality health coverage for allAmericans, 7) Maintain coverage when

National Health Care Reform—The New NormalMartha S. PhillipsGDA Executive Director

Many of the proposals

identify the federal

government as the

entity deciding what

kind of care we get,

who gets it, and how

much providers

will be paid.



you change or lose your job, and 8) Endbarriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

These are admirable and desirableprinciples upon which to base any reformproposal. It would be hard to find fault butas we have learned so often the devil is inthe details and the details that we haveseen to this point are a cause for concern.While the initial seed may have originatedbecause of the uninsured population, thereform proposals go well beyond coveragefor the uninsured to include drasticchanges to public health policy, controlover private practitioners’ income,involvement in how treatment is deliveredand by whom including in-depth studiesof workforce models, and system reformthat encompasses the payer, insurancecompanies, the government, and other entities.

Is there another danger that the morethe government becomes involved inproviding health care coverage for themasses that the masses will come to expectthat everything should be coveredwith no out of pocket costs? Will thiscreate an atmosphere that abdicatespersonal responsibility? We could look atour Medicaid program to see how thathas worked.

With the above information as aprecursor, it may be helpful to take a lookat the plans that are being put forwardby Congress, the President, and politicalparties. As of the writing of this reportthere were health care reform proposalsfrom the Senate Finance Committee,Senate HELP Committee (Sen. Kennedy),and a plan called “Patients’ Choice Act of2009” submitted by Sens. Coburn andBurr and Reps. Ryan and Nunes.

Several Committees in the Househave or will put forth their proposals. Atthe time of this writing, it is believed thatthe House will coalesce around one pieceof legislation. The Senate is floating twoproposals; one is the Senate FinanceCommittee Policy Options and the other isa bill from the Senate HELP Committeeentitled the Affordable Health Choice Act(AHCA). While nothing is certain, it isgenerally agreed that President Obama’spush to have a health care reform bill onhis desk by October is being tacitly agreedto by Congress.

The President, House, and Senatehave all weighed in on the process and theproposed solutions vary greatly. This com-mentary concentrates on the AHCA and

the Policy Options put forward by theSenate Finance Committee. More weighthas been given to the Senate proposals, asmany believe that the Senate will domi-nate the outcome of the reform legislation.

Health care reform is very fluid and itrequires every American’s attention andwillingness to voice their concerns andopinions to their elected officials. We willpay a very high price if we fail to engage.

Highlights of the SenateHELP Committee AffordableHealth Choices Act and theSenate Finance CommitteePolicy Options as of July 2009

• The overall approach to expandingaccess to coverage by the Senate HELPCommittee Affordable Health ChoicesAct (referred to as HELP) and theSenate Finance Committee PolicyOption (referred to as POLICY) requiresall individuals to have health insurance.Each creates state-based AmericanHealth Benefit Gateways throughwhich individuals and small businessescan purchase health coverage, withsubsidies available to individuals /families with incomes up to 500% ofthe federal poverty level (FPL) forHELP and between 100% and 400%FPL for POLICY. Both will impose newregulations on the individual and smallgroup insurance markets.

• HELP and POLICY will expandMedicaid to all individuals with incomesup to 150% FPL and POLICY rec-ommends expansion of SCHIP and atemporary Medicare buy-in for thepre-Medicare population.

• HELP and POLICY will require allindividuals to have qualifying healthcoverage. Enforced through a taxpenalty, the amount is to be determinedby the Secretary of the Treasury.Exemptions to the individual mandatewill be granted to residents of states thatdo not establish an American HealthBenefit Gateway, members of Indiantribes, those for whom affordablecoverage is not available, and thosewho can demonstrate financial hardship.

• The plans would provide automaticcoverage for individuals (adults and

children) up to 150% FPL by expandingcurrent government paid for programs.They do NOT speak to all services beingcovered such as dental. Georgia currentlycovers adults and children up to 125%FPL in Medicaid (limited adult dental) andover 125% to 235% in the SCHIP program.

• Subsidized premiums for individuals:POLICY provides refundable tax creditsto individuals and families with incomesbetween 100% and 400% FPL to purchaseinsurance through the Health InsuranceExchange. The credit would be based ona sliding scale as a percentage of incomeor percentage of premium. HELP providespremium credits on a sliding scale toindividuals and families with incomes upto 500% FPL to purchase coveragethrough the Gateway.

• Subsidized help for employers: POLICYprovides employers who purchaseinsurance for their employees with atax credit. The full credit of 50% of theaverage total premium paid by theemployer would be available to employerswith 10 or fewer employees with annualwages of $20,000. The tax credit isphased out as firm size and earningsincrease. Credit is not payable inadvance or refundable. HELP provides ahealth options program credit foremployers with fewer than 50 full time

HEALTH CARE REFORMContinued on page 17

This [Medicare] plan

has volume and

cost containments

(capped fee schedules

for all services)

in place yet it is

running out of money.


In October 2009, American Dental Association members havethe opportunity to choose a president elect who embraces sci-ence-based health policy, membership empowerment, andopen governance—Duluth, Georgia, dentist Marie C.Schweinebraten, DMD. In this interview with GDA Action, Dr.Schweinebraten discusses her pride in her profession, hercommitment to organized dentistry and an unwavering desireto make a difference for dentists and the patients they serve.

GDA Action: What motivated you to become a dentistand a leader in your profession?

Dr. Marie C. Schweinebraten, DMD: My motivation goes

back to my childhood. My father’s desire to become a dentist

was so strong that he quit his job in the automobile industry

to attend dental school. My mother went back to work with

three children under the age of ten at home. For at least half

of Dad’s four years in school, I made the trek with him month-

ly for orthodontic treatment. As a twelve year old, I became

very familiar with the dental clinics and labs.

Looking back now, it seems as though that time spent with my

father gave me a comfort level in the dental world and

demonstrated to me that dentistry is worth the commitment.

A few years later, I was honored to attend that same dental

school. But motivation evolves. At times it may be the profes-

sional satisfaction of seeing a smile that is not only functional

but beautiful. Or the motivation may come from a colleague

who sees the value of my contributions to the profession. It

may also spring from my competitive nature. Motivation

depends on the day and the challenge.

GDA Action: Society is asking dentists to provide carefor all patient populations, regardless of ability to pay.However, many federal dental programs, such asMedicaid and SCHIP, are not appropriately funded. Howcan dentists as health care providers as well as smallbusiness owners balance the economic pressure to sus-tain a practice against the desire to care for allpatients? How can the ADA assist?

Dr. Schweinebraten: Changes occur today at a much faster

pace than even a decade ago. Patients and the population in

general depend less on the voices of authority or knowledge

and more on what the Internet gives them. This has definite-

ly changed how the public views dentistry. Unfortunately, in

some instances, we as dentists have not changed as quickly.

The ADA must actively educate member dentists and enable

them to meet the needs and demands of today’s patients. This

will require better communication between the ADA and its

member dentists as well as between members and the public.

The ADA also has the opportunity to help dentists maintain a

viable practice through many programs and services.

We cannot ignore third party challenges to our profession.

The ADA must continue to strive to preserve the integrity of

the dentist-patient relationship. Our organization has an

excellent track record of holding big insurance companies

accountable for their actions and preserving the ownership of

the dental codes but we cannot rest on our past successes.


Marie C. Schweinebraten, DMD: Candidate for ADA President Elect

“Each state can be unique,

but the ADA can provide

a variety of support and

information to states while

still representing the core

values of the profession that

should not be compromised…”

SCHWEINEBRATENContinued on page 14



“Members hire the ADA to work on their behalf and weshould always remember that.”


The ADA must continue to maintain a strong lobbying pres-

ence to ensure that sufficient funds are available to provide

the dental care mandated under Medicaid and SCHIP and

other government programs. We must continue to be the

voice of the profession in all areas of oral health.

GDA Action: Never before has dentistry seen such adiversity of views in terms of the profession, volun-teering, membership in organized dentistry, and thebalance of family / leisure / work. How can the ADAmeet the varying needs and expectations of BabyBoomers, Gen X, the Millennials, and other genera-tional groups?

Dr. Schweinebraten: The ADA must realize that diversity

comes in many forms. At one time diversity may have meant

including persons from different ethnic backgrounds or

females. Tomorrow, diversity will most likely mean being

inclusive of dentists who practice in very different practice

environments.

Our ADA dentist volunteers have terrific ideas. It is the follow

up that slows our organization down. A good idea becomes

old when it takes too long to make it reality. The ADA needs

to be more fluid, more flexible, and more responsive to its vol-

unteers. For instance, more volunteer involvement could occur

through video-conferencing, which appeals to many dentists

by keeping them in their offices and with their families while

still being involved. The ADA must make appropriate changes

now to make sure that all dentists are included.

GDA Action: Access to care is the “buzz” phrase inhealth care discussions. The topic is incredibly complex,but perhaps we need to examine this issue in simplerterms. How can dentistry deliver the best dental care inthe most effective manner?

Dr. Schweinebraten: One of the first things the profession

should do is analyze what is working by looking at the care

SCHWEINEBRATENContinued from page 12


“Our ADA dentist volunteers

have terrific ideas. It is the

follow up that slows our

organization down.

A good idea becomes old

when it takes too long

to make it reality.

The ADA needs to be

more fluid, more flexible,

and more responsive

to its volunteers.”


delivery systems out there now and provide a forum to help

states use them more efficiently and effectively. One example

is the expanded function dental assistant (EFDA), which has

been utilized for many years by the military and is allowed in

many states. If a dentist were to treat patients with the assis-

tance of multiple EFDAs, the amount of care provided could

be increased. States could utilize this approach in underserved

areas in a relatively short period of time. Public health clinics

and federally qualified health centers could also be used more

efficiently. The ADA should help states find their own solu-

tions to their unique access challenges.

The ADA must take the lead in pursuing student loan forgive-

ness for every graduate willing to provide services in areas of

need. This would make a tremendous impact in the area of

access. Some of those dentists would most likely establish

roots in the areas they serve. The ADA should expand its

Public Affairs Program to develop “packages” that states

could use to promote these avenues to both legislators and

the public. Education will produce results.

GDA Action: The ADA is a national organization with aresponsibility to over 157,000 dentist members. Howcan the ADA recognize states’ rights, acknowledgingthat various regions have differing viewpoints, as wellas maintain a responsibility to listen to the minority butspeak for the majority?

Dr. Schweinebraten: If the ADA is to remain as the profes-

sional organization representing all states, then we must be

responsive to the states’ greatly differing needs. But this will

only work if every constituent, component, and member den-

tist recognizes that needs are different and so solutions will

be varied. The ADA can serve here by offering a cafeteria plan

of products and services so that states can choose what will

suit their needs best.

Many of us have raised children who are individuals. We love

each one for who and what they are, but realize that individ-

uals can still form a united family. The profession can be that

way too. Each state can be unique, but the ADA can provide

a variety of support and information to states while still rep-

resenting the core values of the profession that should not be

compromised such as education, freedom of choice for

patients and dentists, and protection of the public.

Members hire the ADA to work on their behalf and we should

always remember that.

“We cannot ignore

third party challenges

to our profession.

The ADA must continue

to strive to preserve

the integrity of the

dentist-patient

relationship.”

SCHWEINEBRATENContinued on page 16 15GDA ACTION

AUGUST 2009



Marie C. Schweinebraten, DMD2925 Premiere Parkway, Suite 175, Duluth, GA [email protected]

American Dental AssociationTrustee, 5th District, 2007-presentStrategic Planning Committee, 1998-2001Council on Dental Benefit Programs, 2000-04, vice chair: 2003-04Code Revision Committee and National Trainer on CDT codes, 2001-07, Vice chair: 2003-04ADA Foundation Board of Directors, 2007-presentHouse of Delegates, 1995-2006Reference Committee on Dental Benefits, Practice and Health, 1999, ChairReference Committee on Future of Dentistry, 2001Liaison, Committee on the New Dentist, 2007Liaison, Council on Membership, 2007-08

Georgia Dental AssociationPresident, 1999-2000President elect, 1998-99Vice president, 1997-98Board of Trustees, 2005-07Chairman, Dental Benefits Committee, 1997-99Chairman, Public Relations and Information Committee, 1996-97

Other Professional AssociationsAmerican College of DentistsInternational College of Dentists, French dental students exchange programAmerican Academy of PeriodontologyPierre Fauchard AcademyHinman Dental Society

Military ServiceU.S. Army Dental Corps, 1977-1981

EducationBachelor of Arts, Washington and Jefferson CollegeDoctor of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental MedicineCertificate in Periodontology, Emory University School of Dentistry

Community InvolvementGeorgia Dental Education Foundation Board of Directors, 1991-2000Chair, Oral Health Coalition, 2006-08Boys & Girls Clubs – Give Kids A Smile LiaisonGeorgia Chamber of CommerceProcter & Gamble Healthy Kids, Healthy Smiles Advisory Board, 2000-07

Legislative ActivitiesGrassroots Team LeaderContact dentist for Georgia’s Speaker pro temporeActive participant in Georgia Dental Association’s LAW ProgramGeorgia’s outstanding Congressional fundraiser

AwardsU.S. Army –Medal of Commendation and First Oak Leaf ClusterGeorgia Dental Association - Honorable FellowNorthern District Dental Society - Dentist of the Year, 2002

Join Marie in opening the doors to the future.



employees, pay an average wage of lessthan $50,000, and pay at least 60% ofemployee health expenses. Credit is$1,000 for each employee with singlecoverage and $2,000 for family coverage.In addition HELP would create a tem-porary reinsurance program for employ-ers providing coverage to retirees 55 to64. It would reimburse employers 80%of retiree claims between $15,000 and$90,000. The program would end whenthe state Gateway is established.

• Competitive plans offered by AmericanHealth Benefit Gateway: POLICY wouldcreate one national Health InsuranceExchange (or multiple regional exchanges)through which individuals and smallemployers can purchase qualifiedinsurance. It would require guaranteedissue and renewability. HELP wouldcreate state-based American HealthBenefit Gateways through which individ-uals and small employers can purchasequalified coverage. States may formregional Gateways or allow more thanone Gateway to operate in a state as longas each Gateway serves a distinct geo-graphic area. A Gateway would certifyparticipating health plans, provide con-sumers with information allowing themto choose among plans, contract withnavigators to conduct outreach andenrollment assistance, and create asingle point of entry for enrolling incoverage through the Gateway orthrough Medicaid, SCHIP, or otherfederal programs.

• Changes to Private Insurance: POLICYwould require guarantee issue andrenewability and allow rating variationbased only on age, tobacco use, familycomposition, and geography (not healthstatus) in the non-group, micro-group(2-10 employees), and small group mar-kets. It would require all state-licensedinsurers in the non-group and smallgroup markets to participate in theHealth Insurance Exchange. HELPwould require guarantee issue andrenewability, prohibit pre-existing condi-tion exclusions, and allow rating variationbased only on family structure, geogra-

phy, the actuarial value of the healthplan, and age. States would be requiredto establish American Health BenefitGateways meeting federal standards andadopt individual and small group marketregulation changes. States would createtemporary “Right Choices” programs toprovide uninsured individuals immedi-ate access to preventive care and treat-ment for chronic conditions. States willreceive federal grants to finance theseprograms.

• Employer requirements in the HELPbill are under development. POLICYOption A would require employers withmore than $500,000 in total payroll tooffer coverage and contribute at least50% of premium or pay an assessment.Option B is no employer “pay or play”requirement. This area has drawn themost contentious discussion and is very fluid.

• Expansion of public programs: POLICYwould expand Medicaid up to 115% ofFPL for certain adults; SCHIP wouldexpand eligibility to 275% FPL afterSeptember 20, 2013, until the HealthInsurance Exchange is fully operational.SCHIP enrollees would obtain coveragethrough the Exchange and states wouldbe required to continue to provideservices not covered by plans in theExchange including EPSDT services.Medicare would allow individuals aged55 to 64 without coverage to buy intoMedicare at full cost. HELP wouldexpand Medicaid to 150% FPL. AllSCHIP eligible persons would enroll inan SCHIP plan or a Gateway plan.HELP would create a public plan to beoffered through state Gateways.

• Provider requirements will include pay forperformance incentives and the enforcementof best clinical practices. POLICY willestablish a hospital value-based purchasingprogram to pay hospitals based on per-formance on quality measures and willdevelop a strategy for the developmentof selection, and implementation ofquality measures. HELP will developthrough a multi-stakeholder processquality measures that allow assessmentsof health outcomes, continuity and coor-dination of care, safety, effectiveness andtimeliness of care, health disparities andappropriate use of health care resources.

• Cost containment – POLICY willincrease penalties on fraud and tightenpolicies on waste and abuse. POLICYwill restructure payments to MedicareAdvantage plans; require transparency inskilled nursing facilities; strive toimprove prevention by covering onlyproven preventive services in Medicareand Medicaid; and incentivize Medicareand Medicaid beneficiaries to completebehavior modification programs. HELP

will establish a Health Care ProgramIntegrity Coordinating Council and twonew federal department positions tooversee policy; program development;and oversight of health care fraud, waste,and abuse in public and private cover-age. HELP will also create a preventionand public health investment fund toexpand and sustain funding for pre-vention and public health programs;provide grants for improving healthsystem efficiency, including grants toestablish community health teams tosupport a medical home model; imple-ment medication management services;and implement regional emergency careand trauma systems.

• Financing—Neither POLICY or HELPcurrently specify how health care reformwill be financed.

HEALTH CARE REFORMContinued from page 11

Health care reform is very

fluid and it requires every

American’s attention and

willingness to voice their

concerns and opinions to

their elected officials.

We will pay a very high

price if we fail to engage.



More and more dentists and consumersare visiting the GDA web site every day.Here are some tips that can make usingthe web site easier.

How to Log In as a GDA MemberTo log in for the first time, type your 9-digit ADA number (no dashes) as youruser name. Your password is GDA. Afterlogging in, you may change your user nameAND password to something easier toremember. Click “Submit Registration” tosave changes. If you visit later, and realizeyou have forgotten your user name and / orpassword, you have two options. You canclick the “Forgot Your User Name” or“Forgot Your Password” links and followthe directions. You may also email DelaineHall at [email protected] and requestthe lost information.

How to Use Member SearchOnce you have logged in, you may use themember search feature to find other GDAdentists’ addresses and contact information,or even find a specialist in a particular town.You may perform a search by selecting“Member Directory” from the drop downmenu under Member Services (see the greentop navigation bar). Search by last name,or click advanced search to search by firstname, work city, work county, or home county.

How to Update YourPersonal InformationOnce you have logged in, you may updateinformation, such as your mailing addressand email, with an online form. Simplyclick “Member Services” on the green topnavigation bar. There is a link to anInformation Update Form on the memberservices page where you will be carriedafter clicking the link. Using the form, youmay update your name, degree, spouse

name, preferred email address, work address,work phone, work fax, home address, homephone, and services you offer in youroffice. Since you are logged in, the formwill be pre-populated with your informationfrom the GDA database. To update, youmay simply delete information in a fieldand type in corrected information.

How to Read GDA Action Online The GDA utilizes a program that allowsyou read a virtual Action just like you readyour paper copy. Select “GDA Action” fromthe drop down menu under Member Services(the green top navigation bar). You mustlog in as a member. Click the link of thejournal you want to read. A separatebrowser window will open. Hold your mousecursor to the right of the Action cover untilan arrow appears. Scroll through the pagesusing this arrow. You may increase thesizes of pages if necessary, or print pagesas needed.

Tips on Using the GDA Web Site www.gadental.org



How to Use the GDA Legislative CenterThe GDA Legislative Center allows den-tists to view current legislative updates,look up the names of their elected officials,and find the LAW Day and district legisla-tive reception schedules. To visit theCenter, select “Legislative Center” fromthe drop down menu under MemberServices (the green top navigation bar).You must log in as a member first. To viewupdates and look up your elected officials,click the Capitol Impact link on this page.

How to Register for the GDA E-NewsletterMembers are encouraged to sign up forthe GDA E-Newsletter. There are regis-tration forms for the E-news throughoutthe GDA site, including on the LegislativeCenter and member home pages.Completing this form is a simple way toupdate your current email address with theGDA Executive Office.



alliance

Linda Broderick, spouse of Savannah orthodontist Dr. Tom Broderick,was sworn in as President of the Alliance of the GDA dental spousesgroup in August. The GDA welcomes Mrs. Broderick and thanksher for the support of the Alliance during the next year.

I am a Buckeye by birth (raised in Twinsburg, Ohio) and a Bulldogby good fortune (now living in Savannah)! Tom and I met whileattending Hiram College in Ohio. After graduation I taught juniorhigh students with learning disabilities and coached girls’ volleyballand basketball until our children were born. We are blessed withfour wonderful children—Patrick and his wife Melanie, Alison andher husband Michael Doan, Adele, and Michael. We also havetwin granddaughters, our double blessings—Emory and GraysonDoan who just celebrated their first birthday. My family is the mostimportant thing in my life!

Tom and I are very involved at our church. I am currently theParish Life Coordinator for St. James Catholic Church—1,800families strong. Tom is the president of the St. James Men’s Club.My hobbies include sewing, quilting, crafts, crocheting, knitting,and most recently smocking dresses for my grand-babies! We alsolike to relax with family and friends on our dock and boat.

Tom and I were married during his junior year of dentalschool at Case Western Reserve University almost 32 years ago.We spent three years on active duty with the Navy at Parris Island,South Carolina, and then two years in Missouri as Tom completedhis orthodontic residency at St. Louis University. Tom stayed activein the Navy Reserves and was recalled to active duty in 1991 duringDesert Storm. He retired as a Navy Captain in 2001. I was alwaysinvolved in the wives’ groups during those early dental years.

We moved to Savannah 25 years ago when Tom joined Dr.Leon Aronson in his orthodontic practice. Barbara Aronson invitedme to join the GDA Auxiliary (as the Alliance was known then). Ienjoyed the fellowship while working on dental health projects atthe local level. Our Southeastern District became less active aroundthe same time that our fourth child was born. I really didn’t givetoo much thought to the Alliance, even though I’ve been a duespaying member all along. We would go to the annual GDA meetingsand I would get an Alliance ribbon on my name tag—that wasabout the extent of my involvement.

Fast-forward to two and a half years ago. Mary Percy asked meto be Alliance Vice President. All of you who know Mary know it is hardto say no to such a sweet and devoted Alliance member. I did try tothink of excuses, but Mary didn’t let up. The bottom line is this.Dentistry has been good to our family, and now it is my turn to give back.

Mary is not the only devoted member of our organization(a full list of past and present Alliance officers, committee chairs,and district representatives is available at the GDA web sitewww.gadental.org). They are a fantastic group of volunteers who are

dedicated to supporting theirspouses’ dental profession.Because of the groundwork laid bythese outstanding people I feelhonored to be this year’s Presidentand I know I can count on everyone of them for support and guid-ance. I am hoping that I can counton each and every one of you too!

If you are not already an Alliance member, please considerjoining today. Involvement is crucial to the Alliance. We would loveto have you join in our mission to promote public oral health education,legislative advocacy, and well being of the dental family. If you can’tbe active at this point in your life, consider being a “checkbook”member and help us financially as we work for dentistry.

This is a critical time for health care. We all need to be vigilantas we promote dental health issues with our legislators. Attend thelegislative receptions in your district and come to the Capitol onOpening Day of the Legislature on January 11. This marks the25th Anniversary of the Alliance making the dental kits given tolegislators on Opening Day—a tradition started by Joan Diversiwith the help of many. We will be preparing the dental kits that wehand out on opening day on October 24 at the GDA office inAtlanta. All are welcome to join in the fun on both of these days!

Plan a dental health education activity at a local school, churchor health fair. Each district has a puppet show and a smokelesstobacco display that are very easy to display and available for youto use. So get together with a friend or two and have some funwhile you educate others!

On October 16 we will be hosting a Student / Spouse event atthe Augusta home of Drs. Richard and Connie Drisko for the marrieddental students at Medical College of Georgia. The enthusiasm ofthese young people is contagious. Please join us as we welcomethem to our dental family.

I keep thinking of a hymn we sing at church—“We are manyparts, we are all one body and the gifts we have we are given toshare.” So whether you live in Atlanta or 234 miles away like me,please get involved in the Alliance. Please contact me [email protected] to share your gifts and join in thefun! You will get more in return than you expected. Look overour calendar of events at www.gadental.org and get involved.Please let me know if you have any questions that I might be ableto answer for you. I am looking forward to meeting many newfriends, renewing old friendships, and enjoying another great yearahead for the Alliance of the GDA!

2009-10 Alliance President Linda BroderickDiscusses Plans for Year

Linda Broderick



board minutes

President Mark Ritz convened the GDABoard of Trustees on June 20, 2009 at 8:32a.m. Dr. Bruce Camp gave the invocationand led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.Dr. Jim Hall called the roll and declared aquorum. Present: Dr. Mark Ritz, presid-ing; Drs. Kent Percy, Jay Harrington,Jonathan Dubin, Jim Hall, Donna ThomasMoses, Kent Simmons, Mike Loden, ErikWells, Richard Weinman, Robin Reich,

Byron Colley, Steve Sample, RobertCarpenter, Roy Lehrman, Celia Dunn,Chris Adkins (for Ben Jernigan), BruceCamp, Mark Dusek (for Larry Schmitz),Chris Hasty, Matt Adams. Visitors: Drs.Jon Drawdy, Lindsay Holliday, Ty Ivey,Tom Jagor, Marshall Mann, Terry O’Shea,Richard A. Smith, Doug Torbush, MikeVernon. Guests: Dr. Elizabeth Lense, Ms.Diane Watson, Dr. Rosemarie Parks; via

conference call: Drs. Connie Drisko, RoyRockman, Tara Shafer. GDA Staff:Martha Phillips, Nelda Greene, DelaineHall, Skip Jones, Courtney Layfield, MelanaMcClatchey, Denis Mucha, Pam Yungk.

President’s Report: Dr. Ritz

• Supervision of Public Health DentalHygienists and Supervision inEducational Settings for DentalHygienists: [09-6.01] Dr. Donna ThomasMoses moved for the GDA to accept thepolicy for supervision of public healthdental hygienists and supervision ofdental hygienists in educational settingsas presented. . . The motion passedunanimously.

• Discussion of the Finance Committee’srecommendation concerning the volun-tary contributions listed on the GDADues statement. [09-6.02] Dr. RoyLehrman moved for the Board ofTrustees to approve the FinanceCommittee policy recommendation forVoluntary Contributions to be added tothe GDA Dues Statement (as statedbelow) and for the suggested donationfor any charitable item not to exceed$25. The motion passed unanimously.Note: If interested, districts must submittheir voluntary dues categories (maxi-mum of two) with supporting back-ground materials (i.e., information aboutthe organization and its mission) con-

Unofficial Minutes of the June 20, 2009,Board of Trustees MeetingEditor’s Note: Only the persons present and resolutions produced are printed here. Full minutes are available at www.gadental.org inthe member’s only section, and can be provided upon request to those members without access to the Internet. Call (800) 432-4357 or(404) 636-7553, or email [email protected]..

MINUTESContinued on page 22



cerning the requested organizations byAugust 8, 2009, to the GDA office sothat the Board of Trustees can approvesubmissions at its August 22 meeting.After approval by the BOT, districts willhave the opportunity to choose whichtwo items will be placed on their districtdues statement in Category III.

Policy: Voluntary Contributionson the GDA Dues Statement.Category I: Mandatory Items – ADAdues, GDA dues, District dues.Category II: Additional items not man-dated for GDA membership – Alliancedues, GADPAC dues, Alliance PACdues, Relief Fund, Georgia DentalEducation Foundation (now known asthe Emile T. Fisher Foundation).Category III: Charitable Items – Anyclinic (example, Ben Massell Clinic),Any cause (example, 150th Celebration)

The GDA Dues Statement has a lim-ited capacity and can only accommodate10 individual lines of dues information.The GDA can produce a district specificstatement for each of the seven districtswith certain limitations.

Policy Statement: Category I itemsmust be included on all dues statementsas they represent the dollar amountrequired to be a member of the tripartitemembership. Items in Category II con-tribute to the advancement of the profes-sion and provide a direct benefit to mem-bers. Category III items enhance theimage of the profession and providemuch needed financial assistance to vari-ous charitable entities.

In addition to Category I items,Category II items should be included onthe GDA Dues statement for each mem-ber in all districts and should be reviewedannually by the Finance Committee todetermine relevance and amount of thevoluntary contribution that will be attrib-uted to each item.

Items in Category III must be submit-ted to the Finance Committee at its Junemeeting for consideration. Each item inthis category, which is deemed appropri-ate by the Finance Committee for inclu-sion on the dues statement, must receivethe approval of the Board of Trustees. Inaddition, each district must opt in toinclude an approved item from CategoryIII on its dues statement. An item canappear on one district dues statement,multiple district dues statements, or allof the seven district dues statements.

• Dr. Ritz informed the Board that BobWhitley, GDA counsel since 1977, isretiring and will no longer be assistingthe GDA with outside counsel needs. Heis attending the GDA annual meeting sothat the association can appropriatelythank him for his contribution to theorganization for the past 32 years. [09-6.03] Dr. Richard Weinman moved thefollowing resolution which passed unani-mously: Resolved that Bob Whitley be

MINUTESContinued from page 21



made an honorary member of theGeorgia Dental Association and that thisresolution be submitted to the delegatesof the House of Delegates for a fax voteprior to the July HOD meeting.

Presentation: Pediatric SedationDr. Jay Shirley met with the Board andexpressed concerns about the GDA’s posi-tion on the guidelines for pediatric con-scious sedation and asked for reconsidera-tion of the Board of Trustees’ position onthis issue. He presented information fromthe American Academy of PediatricDentistry and the American Academy ofPediatrics. The members of the Boardasked Dr. Shirley numerous questions. Dr.Ritz stated that the Board could re-affirmits position as stated in motion 09-4.03(April 09 meeting), change its position onthis issue, or suggest that a study commit-tee be appointed to review this informa-tion. [09-6.04] Dr. Matt Adams moved forthe GDA President to appoint a studycommittee to review the information onthe topic of pediatric sedation and reportits findings at the August Board meeting.The motion passed unanimously. Until the

Board approves a new policy on pediatricsedation, the current policy as passed inmotion 09-4.03 remains.

Presentation: TeledentistryMs. Diane Watson, Waycross PublicHealth Telehealth Coordinator, Dr.Rosemarie Parks, Health Director for theSoutheast Health District, Dr. ElizabethLense, State Dental Director, and Dr. JonDrawdy, supervising dentist for the tele-dentistry pilot in Waycross, provided infor-mation on the Teledentistry Pilot Projectfor HeadStart in Waycross. The followingpersons from the MCG School ofDentistry convened via teleconference forthe discussion: Dr. Connie Drisko, Deanof the MCG School of Dentistry, Dr. TaraSchafer, Interim Chair of the PediatricDentistry program, Dr. Roy Rockman,Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry.Ms. Watson and Dr. Drawdy provided spe-cific information on the logistics, protocol,and technology issues of the teledentistry

MINUTESContinued on page 24



program. The BOT members asked ques-tions about the program. Dr. Mark Ritzreferenced the draft of the GDA policy onteledentistry that was provided to all theteledentistry participants and asked if anyportions of the policy presented problemsfor the Waycross program. Dr. Driskoquestioned a few minor points concerningdistance to a dentist. Dr. Ritz thanked allthose involved for their time and forexplaining the program to the Board ofTrustees. [09-6.05] Dr. Donna ThomasMoses moved for the GDA to prepare areport on teledentistry for dissemination tothe districts and to the July House ofDelegates for discussion purposes. Themotion passed unanimously.

Public Relations Committee Dr. Robin Reich provided an update onthe many activities and proposals from thePublic Relations Committee. Since

President Mark Ritz referred theWisconsin Dental Association DentalHome DVD to the PR Committee for animplementation plan, she stated that thecommittee believes that the first step is toeducate the dentists before distributingthe DVD. [09-6.06] Dr. Robin Reichmoved for the GDA to approve the DVDdental home program up to an amount of$20,000 with the funds being allocatedfrom the FY2009 Critical Issues Budgetitem with Phase 1 for member materialsfor education and Phase 2 for the DVDdental home distribution. The motionpassed unanimously.

Committee Reports

Information Technology Committee[09-6.07] Dr. Erik Wells moved for theBoard of Trustees to reconsider its policyon linking to GDA members’ web sitesfrom the GDA web site that was passed atthe April BOT meeting. The motionpassed unanimously.

Dr. Wells stated that after talking fur-ther with his committee and other GDA

members, the IT Committee believed thatthe adopted policy was not in the bestinterest of the GDA and the profession.[09-6.08] Dr. Erik Wells moved that theGDA rescind its previous policy and have amoratorium on linking with GDA mem-bers’ web sites from the GDA web site.The motion passed unanimously.

Finance CommitteeDr. Jim Hall reported that the FinanceCommittee met June 5 to develop theFY2010 budget and to handle other mat-ters of the association. He presented the2009-10 budget as recommended by theFinance Committee. [09-6.09] Dr. JimHall moved for the Board of Trustees toapprove the FY2010 budget as recom-mended and presented by the FinanceCommittee. The motion passed unani-mously.

[09-6.10] Dr. Jim Hall moved for theBoard of Trustees to approve the FinanceCommittee’s recommendations on the fol-lowing GDA endorsements: rescind theendorsement of Starwood Hotels and

MINUTESContinued from page 23



approve the joint ADA/GDA endorsementof Lands End (apparel) and the GDAendorsement of LifeLock. The motionpassed unanimously.

Membership Recruitment and RetentionThe Central District reported on its NewDentist event, which attracted 30 newdentists and spouses/guests. Dr. RoyLehrman reported that the followingmembers passed away since the Aprilmeeting: Drs. Marvin Kaplan, StephenFink, Russell Snow, Ed Simmons, WisterRitchie. The BOT observed a moment ofsilence in their memory.

[09-6.11] Dr. Jim Hall moved that thenew ADA category of membership fornon-practicing dentist membership fordentists who hold a dental degree but donot hold a U.S. dental license and are noteligible for any other type of membershipin the ADA be referred to the Constitutionand Bylaws Committee. The motionpassed unanimously.

Constitution and Bylaws CommitteeDr. Celia Dunn presented the NorthernDistrict’s proposed GDA Bylaws changeconcerning the district President being onthe Board of Trustees rather than thePresident Elect. BOT members discussedthe pros and cons of each scenario. [09-6.12] Dr. Mark Ritz moved the followingresolution, which failed 14 to 4: Resolvedthat the GDA Bylaws be changed to reflectthat the Board of Trustees shall consist ofthe state officers, including the AssistantSecretary/Treasurer and/or AssociateEditor, when elected, the Immediate PastPresident, the president of each district(change from president elect), the Speakerof the House, and a district Trustee fromeach district of the Georgia DentalAssociation. Even though the Board ofTrustees did not recommend this Bylawschange, the resolution will be forwarded tothe July House of Delegates for its consid-eration.

AdjournmentBeing no further business, the meetingadjourned at 5:30 p.m.



classified ads

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DENTISTS AVAILABLE FOR FILL IN WORK /LOCUM TENENS

Dentist Available Daily (DAD): Dentistavailable during vacations, emergenciesand CE courses. Leave your practice inwell-trained hands. I am licensed, insured,and have a DEA registration number so Ican write prescriptions. Call Dr. RichardPatrick at (770) 993-8838.

Locum tenens: Filling the hole andbridging the gap. So you can be out, Iwill be in. I have a Georgia license, DEAnumber, and insurance. Benefit from 37years of general practice experience. CallB. Reighard, DDS at (404) 786-0229 or(912) 634-6304.

DENTIST SEEKINGEMPLOYMENT OR PRACTICE PURCHASE

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Motivated buyer looking to immedi-ately purchase a general dental familypractice in North / Northeast Atlanta(Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody,Duluth, Johns Creek, Suwanee, Roswell,Norcross, Buford, Lawrenceville, Lilburn,Tucker, Doraville, etc.) Please contactMatt at [email protected] or at(404) 434-7931.

How GDA members canplace classified ads

AD FORM: Submit all ads on a GDA ClassifiedAdvertisement Form. To obtain a form,call Lisa Chandler at (800) 432-4357or (404) 636-7553, or [email protected]. (Note: TheGDA may accept or reject any ad for anyreason and in its sole discretion.)

AD DEADLINE: Ads and ad check payments are due by thefirst of the month before the publicationmonth (i.e., Dec. 1 for January).

AD RATES: ADA member dentists pay $75.00 per60-word ad per month. There is a 25 centsper-word charge for each word over 60.Non-dentist-owned companies (real estatefirms, etc.) pay $195 per 60-word ad permonth (additional word charges as above).Non-member dentists may notplace ads.

LATE FEE:Ads for which full prepayment is notreceived by the first day of the ad’spublication month (i.e.; Nov. 1 for aNovember ad) will incur a $25 late fee inaddition to the ad rate.

FORMS OF PAYMENT: Submit a check or money order with the adform. (Make checks payable to GDA.)Credit cards are not accepted as payment.

WEB SITE PLACEMENT: Prepaid ads will appear on the GDA Website www.gadental.org for the month thead appears in print. Non-prepaid ads willNOT be placed online. CLASSIFIEDS

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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE / LEASE

For Sale: New Pelton Crane CenterIsland Console Unit with X-ray pass thruand sink. Drawers and upper cabinet pass-thru. Beautiful “Monterey Stone” laminatewith Gibraltar “Quarry Melange” solid sur-face counter top. For more informationplease call Dr. Kathy Huber for moreinformation at (678) 226-4466.

For Sale: USED PANORAL MID-WEST PANORAMIC X-RAY MACHINE.Excellent Condition $2500.00. Delivery &set-up arrangements can be negotiated.Call for more information. (770) 952-2677

For Sale: Four (4) Doctor stools, 2Dentsply, 2 Brewer $150 each. Two (2)Assistant stools Dentsply $200 each. All for$800, please contact Dr. Don Brady @(706) 245-5031.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Seeking part time dentist in Marietta.Please call (404) 272-7568 or fax CV to(770) 984-9256.

Associate Dentist needed at Christiandental facility, within a full service healthcenter. General dentistry skills, 5 yearsexperience, Georgia licensure, and heartfor the mission of Good Samaritan HealthCenter to provide care for the under-served. Bilingual (English / Spanish) aplus. National Health Service Corps loanrepayment site. Download application atwww.goodsamatlanta.org. Send resume andcover letter to [email protected].

MHM Services, Inc. is one of thelargest employers of mental healthprofessionals with approximately 2,000professional staff members and providerswith an elite team of 18 Dentistsworking in the state of Georgia. Fulltime or part time dentist(s) neededat Georgia State Prison in Reidsville.Excellent compensation and benefits.10-hour shifts available. Please contact:Debbie Ryden at (877) 371-1101 or emailCV to [email protected] orwww.mhm-services.com.

FT / PT Motivated Associates neededimmediately for one of our rapidlygrowing well-established Atlanta areapractices. New graduates welcome toapply! We offer excellent income potentialwith knowledgeable staff membersdedicated to quality dentistry andpatient care. Please send cv / resume [email protected].

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Mid America Health, Inc. specializes inprofessional dental staffing and govern-ment contracting. We are currentlystaffing dentist positions within localcounty jails in southern Georgia andnorthern Florida. These positions are1-2 days per week and provide low stress,flexible work environment. An experi-enced dental assistant and new equipmentis provided with these positions. If you areinterested in this opportunity we would behappy to discuss our opportunities withyou. Please contact Cassandra Wuenschfor further details: (888) 309-8239 x4354or via email at [email protected] may also inquire via our web site atwww.mahweb.com.

East Metro Atlanta—Associate Dentist.Established dynamic practice offers aunique opportunity for motivated profes-sionals. No empty chairs…No insuranceclaim problems…With career high incomepotential. New graduates welcome…Nodebt and no initial practice setup. ContactTina Titshaw at [email protected] call (678) 413-8130 or fax resume to(770) 760-1375.

PRACTICES / SPACE /LOTS FOR SALE / LEASE / SHARE

HIGH TECH PRACTICE FOR SALE:South Gwinnett area (East suburban Atlanta).$650K 100% FFS for $410K (owner financed).12 month transition period. 5 Ops withAC CEREC, Digital X-rays, 10 networkedcomputers, etc., etc.. Pay yourself rentwith building ownership. Ask for moreinfo at [email protected].“Gwinnett’s Best Dentist of 2008.”

Space for lease an upscale, 11-treatmentroom dental office in East Cobb areacurrently occupied by a general dentistand an orthodontist. Orthodontist outgrewspace and will be moving end of August.Up to 6 treatment rooms are available forlease to a specialist. For more informationplease call (770) 367-6470.

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Highly visible location in Alpharetta ata major intersection with CVS, Publixand Starbucks. Less than 3.5 miles fromWindward Office Park and next to highincome residential. Landlord is willing toco-invest. For more information call us at(770) 329-3079.

2500 +/- s.f. space available for a GPor specialist in A class professional centeroff of I-85 and Clairmont road in Atlanta.Also dental space available in Hiram, GA.Upscale center has other health profes-sionals and general dentist. Ideal forOrthodontist / Pediatric dentist.Intersection of Hwy 278 & 120. Please call(770) 590-4884 (o), or (678) 640-5466 (c).

SE DEKALB CO. Practice collected$1.2 million last year. This 8-operatoryfacility is computerized. 2,900 Sq Ft.FFS / PPO / some DMO / Medicaid.Seller will stay as long as needed toensure a smooth transition and phasecompletely out. For more informationcall (678) 482-7305 or [email protected].

NORTH GWINNETT CO. BeautifulMillion dollar practice. There are 7 treat-ment rooms within this 3,300 Sq Ft office.Real estate is also for sale. All FFS practicewith lots of technology including Cerec.Dedicated, long-term staff will stay andseller will stay for 6 months to help withtransition and production. For more infor-mation call (678) 482-7305 or [email protected].

DULUTH AREA. Practice located in agreat, very desirable location. Newesttechnology throughout the office. Collectionsover $1M in 2008. 4 ops with all Adecepuipment, Cerec, computerized. All FFS.For more information call (678) 482-7305 oremail [email protected].

Dental Practice / Office Condo,Jonesboro, GA. Southern RegionalHospital area. Attractive office space,1100 sq. ft., 3 operatories plumbed / 2equipped, large lab, and private office withshower. Pay yourself rent. Move right in.Buy practice or real estate only. Closeto interstate and short walk to publictransportation. Contact Dean Cox (678)584-4477.

Cobb County—Million dollar practicelocated in upscale office building convenientto I-75 & I-285, 6 treatment rooms, fullycomputerized, long-term staff, qualitypatient base 90% FFS. Seller will work2-3 days to provide support & production.Contact Dr. Steve Katz, Paragon DentalTransitions at (706) 258-2909 [email protected].

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PRACTICES FOR SALE: For moreinformation, call Dr. Earl Douglas,ADS South, (770) 664-1982: ATLANTA#8557: Gross $770,141; 4 days 3 operato-ries; 1,131 sq. ft. office space. CARROLLCOUNTY #8428: Gross $609,663; 4 days4 operatories; 2,000 sq. ft. office space.Additional plumbed but unequipped oper-atory. DULUTH OFFICE SPACE &EQUIPMENT FOR SALE #8393: Five(open-bay) operatory office with aPlanmeca pan / ceph. Equipment willinclude 4 chairs, 5 delivery units, 10 com-puters and misc. office equipment. LIL-BURN #8516: Gross $1.07 Million; 5 days8 operatories; 3,000 sq. ft. office space.RIVERDALE #8517: Gross $836,285; 4days 8 operatories; 4,030 sq. ft. officespace. Two additional plumbed butunequipped operatories. SOUTHEAST-ERN GEORGIA #8172: Gross $796,640;4 days 5 operatories; 1,732 sq. ft. officespace. ASSOCIATE POSITIONSAVAILABLE, contact Vikki Howard (910)523-1949.


Suite 200, Building 17, 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody RoadAtlanta, Georgia 30328-1655

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