Newsletter March 2011   Valley District Newsletter VOLUME 27  NUMBER 3  MARCH 2011   _______________________________________________ PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE _______________________________________________   Greetings to all.  Hopefully everyone has survived this winter of winters and that the worst is behind us.  I hope everyone  enjoys this newsletter in its new format.  For me, it represents a first and a last in that it is officially our first electronic newsletter and sadly my last as your president.  I'm sure I'll get over it.  Thank You All for your help and support.    I am happy to report that our Legislators' Night was a great success with record attendance of both doctors and legislators. I'll report more details on our next business meeting.  We have one Executive Committee Meeting left on the 22nd of March at the Federal and our final Annual Meeting with Presidential Visitation on April 26th at the Delaney House.  Dr. John Fisher, MDS president and his officers will be attending.  Please make every effort to attend as this is a chance for members to bring up any issues directly to the MDS.    With the approval of our members at our last meeting , Valley and most other districts have initiated the "It's Your Society-Get Involved" program.  It involves a personalized letter from each district chair to members with a personal appeal to get involved.  Any response will be followed up by both MDS and the local district and will include a personal contact.  Granted we at the Valley are fortunate to be able to fill all our positions to date, but it gets harder each year.  This program will cost us nothing and could yield some positive results.  It has been shown that the #1 reason someone gets involved with the Dental Society is "They were asked by a colleague!"    Finally I would urge everyone, to review the Massachusetts Legislative Agenda for 2011-2012 as posted on this website, and continue or begin a pro-active dialogue with your local Senator or Representative.  The issues are many and will influence our future.   Joseph F. Wegiel, D.D.S. V.D.D.S. President _______________________________________________                               SECRETARY'S REPORT _______________________________________________   This is my last report as secretary of VDDS.  Much has changed.  We are posting all reports and minutes on the website which makes everyone's life simpler.  We no longer have to scramble to get the reports or the minutes out to the printer for the newsletter.  We are reminded of meetings on our e-mail so we can't really say "I forgot".  Things are streamlined!  Our last meeting in January had a slight amount of drama and we are working on financial planning and changes to the investment of our funds.   We had a great Legislators Night on February 17th  with some new faces in the mix and a large turnout of dentists helping to get our view across.  We have new officers starting in June and we need to thank Dr.  Wegiel for running the last two years so well.  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the VDDS.  I hope everyone has a wonderful and healthy spring and summer.     Mary H Kreitzer V.D.D.S. Secretary _______________________________________________ WEBSITE-www.valleydistrictdental.org ______________________________________________   This is the first newsletter being sent to it's members online.  Of course, I can not address those who have not opened this email, but to all others, I wish to express my thanks for your support in getting to this point.  I feel that as time goes on, the development of further communications will evolve.   Any requests for future ideas for the website or communications will be appreciated at any time.  It has been a labor of love to finally achieve this online format.  I thank everyone for their support.   James E. Maslowski, D.M.D. V.D.D.S. Webmaster _______________________________________________ TRUSTEE'S REPORT _______________________________________________   Yankee Dental Convention:  The meeting was a success with more than 27,684 attendees. It is an important event for the MDS.  They need your continued support both in terms for attendance and as volunteers.  It provides almost half of the revenue to run the MDS for the year.   Council on Access, Prevention & Interprofessional Relations:  Board approved support of the goal of the Office of Head Start's Dental Home Initiative.  The goal is to fund a dental home for 16,000 children ages 1 to 5 enrolled in the Mass Head Start program.   Council on Public Affairs:  Support is needed for three bills of interest.  Contact the legislators in your district. (1.)  An Act Relative to Financial Services Contracts for Dental Benefits Corporations (non-covered services). (2.)  An Act Relative to Pupil Dental Health (dental exams for children before entering kindergarten). (3.)  An Act Relative to Anesthesia Coverage for Children Hospitalized for Dental Treatment.    BORID:  300 to 350 complaints last year; 50 to 60 % not opened; of the 40% open, 25 % subject to disciplinary sanctions; 80% of complaints due to incomplete documentation or lack of documentation. BORID continues to pursue licensure of voluntary dentists.   Delta Dental:  The process continues.  There has been contact with Delta officials with the aim of reaching some agreement, at least on some of the issues.  The new methodology for payment effects offices in remarkably different ways.  Only 141 office profiles have been received.  This makes it impossible to have accurate information to negotiate.  If you are not going to help you are not going to have a voice.   M.D.S. Foundation: is soliciting members who might be interested in joining the Board.   Edward J. Welch, Jr., D.D.S. V.D.D.S. Trustee _______________________________________________ CPR REPORT _______________________________________________   The 2010 CPR Guidelines were released to the public in Oct 2010.  The new course protocols will start being taught once the new materials such as books and tests are issued.   Reminder:  The layperson on the street or professional (Dental-office) rescuer can do hands on only CPR.  This means no breathing, no pulse checks.  Instead of the ABC protocol since 1974, now C AB is appropriate. Breathing/pulse come into play around 7 minutes after the cardiac arrest occurs.  The AED (automated external defibrillator) is an important component of basic life support.    Recommendation:  The AED should be part of the emergency protocol in a dental facility with easy access.  Having an AED in a hallway of a building would take the rescuer at least 5-10 minutes to find the storage box, open the box with the key and bring the AED to the office.too late.   Statistic:  In a witnessed cardiac event, if patient is shocked within 3 minutes, chance of survival is 97% to a normal life.   Alan D. Sampson, D.M.D. CPR Chairman       _______________________________________________ EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT _______________________________________________   This past fall the members of the Valley District Dental Society were treated to two world class speakers, Dr. Dennis Tarnow from New York updating us on current concepts in dental implants and after a long absence Dr. Jon Suzuki from Temple University speaking on "Contemporary Clinical Concepts of Periodontics: Update, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning". Both programs were well attended with a majority of our membership rating both speakers very highly following the program.   Two upcoming programs of importance, the first one occurs on March 9, 2011 when Adrian Wilkins, a consultant and coach for some of the Boston areas premiere dental practices on "Case Presentation and Treatment Planning for the General Dentist". Those dental practices interested in comprehensive care dentistry should not miss this presentation and should include all staff involved in presentations and the treatment planning process. Mr. Wilkins designs, implements and leads workshops on dental case presentations and personal development as well as dental practice management systems. Adrian Wilkins is a must see for doctors and staff who wish to bring their practice to the next level in comprehensive care dentistry.   The final program of this educational year will occur on May 4, 2011 with an afternoon program starting at 1:00 and ending at 7:00pm. Our speaker Dr. Julian Osorio will be speaking on the "Prosthetic Management of Dental Implants and Computer Designed Technology". Dr. Osorio is the inventor of Atlantis Abutments and speaks widely on technology and computer designed restorations. This program will be co-sponsored with York Dental who we thank for their support.   Finally the Education Committee will again be getting together in February to start our annual planning. Any member who wishes to provide us with information regarding a speaker or topic please forward them to me at my email drmariano@emadental.com so that I may incorporate this information with our committee members. Also if there is any member who would like to become part of the Education Committee please contact me at your convenience.   Vincent J. Mariano, D.M.D., FASP Co-Chairman, V.D.D.S. Education Committee   _______________________________________________ DENTAL CONNECTIONS REPORT _______________________________________________   The next Dental Connections meeting is on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, with speaker Mina Paul, D. M. D. Chair, BORID and the subject is "BORID & the New Mass Dental Practice Act" This  presentation should be of great interest at this time. Early registration is suggested to assure admission. Registration forms will be mailed to members  4 weeks in advance of this event. Dental Connections provides two hours of continuing education credits for auxiliaries and helps them meet current educational requirements.   The Proctor & Gamble Company will sponsor this program, and will be there with both products and information. Crest-Oral-B has been very generous over the past few years to Dental Connections with both financial and product support.   Thomas M. Cleary, D.M.D. Co-chairman, V.D.D.S. Educational Committee   _______________________________________________ HELPING HANDS _______________________________________________   My mission is to set up a network of dentists willing to donate time to help others survive their illness or a crisis. This would include generalists and specialists.  I have heard several stories over the years of this exact scenario happening throughout our Valley Dental District Society, yet nothing has evolved to help those in need with one phone call. My goal is to establish a network of altruistic brothers and sisters to lend a hand to those less fortunate colleagues experiencing a crisis. This organization will allow those in need to make one phone call for aid, giving them peace of mind and a better chance of recovery. The form for the information we will need initially is posted on the website.  Please go to valleydistrictdental.org., or call my office or my cell phone. Office: 413-589-0083 or Cell: 413-219-2064.                                                   Thanks for your help in fulfilling my mission. The cut-out forms can be sent directly to me at:  John DeMartino, D.M.D. , 77 Winsor St. Ste. 201,  Ludlow MA 01056     _______________________________________________ 2011 NEW LIFE MEMBERS _______________________________________________   The VDDS would like to congratulate its new Life members.   Thomas M. Cleary, DMD                 Chris Smith, DDS Sander J. Fasten, DMD                   Elliott R. Smolensky, DMD Richard N. Leaderman, DDS          John E. Varley, Jr., DDS  Frecerick S. Mackler, DMD            Joseph F. Wegiel, DDS Thomas K. Reen, DMD                    Thomas Witzenberger, DDS Edward J. Robinson, DDS   Donald L. Farley, D.D.S Awards Committee Chairman _______________________________________________ NEW MEMBERS _______________________________________________   The VDDS would like to welcome its new members to the society.   Jeffrey C. Russo, DMD                    Cassandra Jones, DMD Dulce Duarte Mercado, DMD          Diego Velez, DMD Bhavin Shah, DDS                            Rajat Jindia, DMD Kejah Sheth, DMD                            Ghulam Sherav, DMD Kari Lindefjeld Calabi, DMD           Diana M. Cadena, DDS Krishnaprasanth Mudusu, DMD   Norman Lee, D.M.D. Membership Chairman   _______________________________________________ IN MEMORIAM _______________________________________________   Dr. David L. Webber, DDS of Boca Raton, FL passed away at home on December 25, 2010. Dr. Webber was a Dentist in Springfield from 1945 until he retired in 1986. He served in the military in both World War II and the Korean Conflict as a Dentist. A graduate of Northeastern University& the University of  Pittsburgh Dental School. Dr. Webber limited his practice to Pediatric Dentistry. He was a Member & Fellow of the Royal Society of Health, American Academy of Pediodontics & the American Dental Association for the handicapped, American Society of Dentistry for Children &  the American Dental Association. Dr. Webber was the former president of the Springfield Dental Society.  He also served as the president of the Valley District Dental Society from 1981-1983. Dr. Webber was  a national and international lecturer and active in local civic organizations. Dr. Webber was predeceased by his daughter Carol Webber Katz.  He leaves his wife, Rose and  four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.   _______________________________________________  Dr. Richard J. DesLauries, 81, passed away Monday, November  22, 2010 at home. Born in Springfield he was a graduate of Assumption College in 1950 and from Tufts School of Dental Medicine in 1953. He then served in the United States Army as a Captain from 1953-1957. Dr. DesLauries was a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society as well as the Valley District Dental Society.  Dr. Deslauries was predeceased by his wife of 51 years.  He leaves three children and one grandson   _______________________________________________ Dr. Francis D. Nelen passed away at his home in South Hadley on Monday, January 10, 2011, in the company of his wife and family.  He attended The College of Holy Cross and graduated from Tufts Dental School.  After completion of dental school, Dr. Nelen served in the U.S. Air Force.  He moved to South Hadley to practice dentistry until his retirement in 2002.  He was a member of the Rotary Club and the Massachusetts Dental Society.  Dr. Nelen was a past President of the Valley District Dental Society and served as the Chairman of the Board of Health in South Hadley.  In retirement, he volunteered at the Council on Aging in South Hadley.  Dr. Nelen leaves his wife, Patricia, five children and 11 grandchildren.    Respectfully Submitted, Patrick W. Pepek, D.D.S., Memorial Committee   _______________________________________________ COUNCIL ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE _______________________________________________   Anyone that attended Legislators Night knows that it turned out GREAT and was a huge success!  More dialogs with local Representatives and Senators are still needed though to continually update and inform them of our concerns.   As we should all know by now,   the big issues concerning all dentists in Massachusetts are the upcoming proposed  legislative bills agenda for 2011-2012, regarding Non Covered Services and restoring MASS HEALTH Adult Dental Health Benefits.  Without belaboring the issue, please make it a point to continue to contact your local State Representative and Senators , regarding  the MDS' and your position on these issues.  A Grassroots effort is needed.  It is extremely important for our voices to be heard!    Try coordinating and have an early morning get together with other dentists in the area and invite your Rep. or Senator over to one of the offices for a light breakfast and dialogue to voice our concerns.  Many times it is most convenient and best for the Reps' and Senators' to meet first thing in the morning to hear from their constituents, rather than at the end of a hectic and unpredictable day.   Much can be accomplished in a short period of time before their and your busy day starts.  Give it a try!  This Grassroots effort has worked GREAT for the Berkshire District. I know we can do it too!   Also, FYI!  As many of you know, BORID  issued new (stricter) regulations last summer. This could lead to an increase in BORID activity & reviews for all dentists.  OMSNIC, the insurance carrier which insures oral surgeons, conducted a risk management session at Yankee Dental 2011.  In talking with claims reps. from other carriers, they all have seen an increase in Board Defense claims. Part of the presentation was conducted by OMSNIC local defense counsel, as it related to the Board, and what they have been seeing regarding Oral Surgeons..   Below are the highlights of their discussion.  The first items relate to state regulations:  An OMS must report any anesthesia-related death (including local anesthesia and nitrous) within 24 hours.  An OMS has 30 days to report an adverse anesthesia event that may result in permanent physical or mental injury - this requirement does not include local anesthesia cases.  243 CMR 6.17 http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/regs/234cmr006_20100820.pdf.  Note that the Board of Medicine has separate regulations that may apply to dual licensees, 243 CMR 3.11 http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/borim/reg_243_cmr_3.pdf   Only a dentist, an OMS, or an MD with an appropriate permit may administer anesthesia.  "Administer" is not defined in the regulations, but under the drug control regulations cited by the Board it means push the plunger.  Therefore, even though it is common practice, it is a violation of the regulations for an OMS to allow dental assistants to push medication (IV, IM, SC or inhalation), even under his/her direct observation.  Technically, the regulation prohibits anyone other than a dentist from administering any parenteral medication, but I think that if the Board tried to impose discipline when an OMS had employed an MD or RN (not an LPN) for this purpose it might encounter some difficulty (due to the scope of the medical and nursing practice acts).  However, administration of any IV medication by anyone other than a dentist, OMS or MD is currently prohibited, even in an emergency.  234 CMR 6.00 et seq (anesthesia see link above); 234 CMR 5.13 (IV medication generally) http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/regs/234cmr005_20100820.pdf.  Mort Rosenberg  DMD  talked about this briefly at the DCS, and he had some useful suggestions for practical work-arounds including staff training in BLS skills during cardiac arrest and use of automated dispensing devices.   In addition, the speaker at this meeting  also advised that BORID has been conducting a large number of inspections for major and  relatively minor allegations and complaints that could just as easily apply to other General Dentists and Specialists. (i.e., the doctor was rude to me), and is issuing numerous citations for minor infractions as a result.  Some of the "Favorites" include:   -           Failure to hang lead aprons properly (at least two hooks)  -           Failure to wrap drill handles when sterilizing -           Failure to post a copy of the dental license in plain view -           Failure to maintain up-to-date copies of staff credentials such as CPR and heptavax -           Failure to document weekly spore testing of autoclave -           Failure to maintain CPR "pocket masks" on crash cart as a back-up to the ambu bag and mask -           Failure to stock Dantrolene Sodium -           Failure to have a copy of the Exposure Control Plan available for inspection (most folks can't find it when asked)   I am sure that we soon will have some new additional allegations added to  the " Favorites" list    BEWARE! Please read and understand these new BORID regulations!  More complaints to BORID will be forthcoming from the public.  More reviews  inspections citations etc,  will be coming from BORID.   BE PREPARED!   If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me by E-Mail through the VDDS Website.   Tony Boschetti D.M.D. Chairman of the VDDS Council on Public Affairs      _______________________________________________ CLASSIFIEDS _______________________________________________   Associate Wanted for a well established group dental practice looking for an experienced associate dentist part time leading to full time with the possibility of a full partnership. Candidate must be a caring individual who is committed to providing quality patient care. Our practice continues to grow and we have a great working atmosphere. Most of our dedicated staff has been with us for many years.   If you are interested, please send resume to Dr. Frank J. Mitera, Ludlow Family Dentistry, 257 Kendall St. Ludlow, MA 01056. Email: f.mitera@ludlowfamilydentistry.net.  Fax (413) 547-8909.   _______________________________________________   For Sale:  One day old VT , [Volumetric Tomography], Pan, Ceph www.instrumentariumdental.com  Full 1 yr. warranty, free installation, full training and taxes already paid.  Original price $88,000.00  asking $70,000.00.  Also, 2 Biolase/Waterlase MD hard/soft tissue lasers. Brand new, 1 year warranty (a $3,900.00 value), new wave guide and many accessories. Completely reconditioned to brand new specifications.  www.biolase.com   Original price $74,500.00, asking $40,000.00. [$35,000.00 for second one] . Dental Loops(Denmat) brand new 4.0 magnification-best offer   Call:  John J. Sullivan IV, DMD,  [413] 568-8339 email: drjaydmd@comcast.net   _______________________________________________   VOLUME 27  NUMBER 3  MARCH 2011          _______________________________________________