Author: Todd Odenweller

Community service efforts, specifically Give Kids A Smile events, have become hallmark activities during dental school. But as a new dentist, assisting the public by providing free oral health education or dental care can seem difficult. For those looking to get involved, Give Kids A Smile provides a customizable opportunity that requires a ... [continue reading]

One of the key steps in starting or opening a dental practice is selecting an office location and negotiating the terms in the dental office lease presented by the landlord. Lease terms can have a huge impact on the finances of your dental practice both in the short-term and long-term. It is important to be aware of common pitfalls and to take ... [continue reading]

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply is Oct. 19. The program provides up to $120,000 to dental or medical students in their final year of school in return for a commitment to provide primary health care full time for at least three years at an ... [continue reading]

New dentists and their families had a chance to hold a baby kangaroo at a new dentist event at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The ODA Subcouncil on New Dentists hosted an event for new dentists at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium this summer. “It was a great event for kids and adults alike. It was really nice to have such a unique experience at ... [continue reading]

The Maumee Valley Dental Society goes into area schools to teach children about oral health. Oral health education events qualify as Give Kids A Smile events. Give Kids A Smile event registration will take place in October, so now is the time to begin pla Give Kids A Smile is a national access to care and oral health education program where ... [continue reading]

At the end of the ODA House of Delegates on Sept. 15, the new officers of our association will be installed. I am looking forward to the unveiling of their plans for our association and I extend my utmost support to those whom have dedicated themselves to guiding our profession through a turbulent time. I ask each one of you who care about oral ... [continue reading]

The annual ODA Foundation raffle is one of the primary sources of funding for access to dental care grants and Ohio resident dental and EFDA student scholarships. Raffle tickets are $100 each, two for $175 or six for $500, and only 700 will be sold.  This year’s raffle prizes are: Winner’s choice of a 3 year/10,000 mile lease ... [continue reading]

Economist Milton Friedman and Science Fiction Author Robert Heinlein were both fond of using the expression “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch,” (TANSTAAFL) as a way to express the need to be aware of the cost associated with everything we do. In economics this is called opportunity cost. The quote refers to the practice ... [continue reading]

I have used this column to keep readers apprised of recent developments in the area of dental specialty advertising. In the past, I have discussed various legal cases challenging specialty advertising rules and recent changes made to Ohio’s rules and the ADA’s “Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.” Here is ... [continue reading]

The Ohio State Dental Board is requesting that dentists ensure their dental auxiliary staff have an active and current license to practice. To verify that staff has a license: Visit the eLicense Ohio portal at elicense.ohio.gov Select “Verify a License” section  Select Board Name - Dental Board Enter first and last name or ... [continue reading]