Author: Todd Odenweller

Teeth are easy; business is hard. I joined my first practice wearing rose-colored glasses. On paper, it was a great opportunity. I was given six months to commit. The contracts were signed at the start of my seventh month of practice. I was instructed to focus on my clinical skills, instead of the business aspects of dentistry. This approach made ... [continue reading]

I read with interest and dismay the "From My Perspective" article authored by an anonymous new dentist related to his or her experience in joining the practice of another dentist. It starts "Teeth are easy. Business is hard." As we all have experienced, while we are clinically ready to practice dentistry with at least minimal competence upon ... [continue reading]

Just as the dental office lease agreement is critical to your practice as a tenant, it is also equally critical to your business when you own the building (or real estate) that you practice in. A properly structured dental office lease agreement between the practice and building is critical to maximizing the value of their practice and the ... [continue reading]

On March 18, 2015, I had the opportunity to testify on the state budget for fiscal years 2016-17 before the Ohio House Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. I focused my remarks on the need to dramatically increase reimbursements in Ohio’s dental Medicaid program. Below is an abridged version of my ... [continue reading]

Certain business entities, including some dentists, are now required to hold a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs license (TDDD) in order to possess, have custody or control of, and distribute dangerous drugs that are compounded or used for the purpose of compounding. This applies to all compounded drugs where a prescription is needed, not ... [continue reading]

A new law requires prescribers who prescribe or personally furnish opioid analgesics or benzodiazepines to register for the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) database as a condition of licensure renewal. The law also requires prescribers to check OARRS before furnishing or issuing a prescription for a supply of an opioid analgesic or ... [continue reading]

On March 18, Dr. Steve Moore and I testified before the Ohio House Health and Aging Committee in favor of House Bill 95, which would prohibit the practice of dental insurance companies setting prices for services the insurers don’t even cover (see related story "ODA presents testimony in favor of non-covered services legislation"). Below is ... [continue reading]

The annual ODA Foundation raffle is one of the primary sources of funding for oral health-related grants and scholarships. Raffle tickets are $100 each or six for $500,­ and only 700 will be sold. This year’s raffle prizes are: First Prize: Winner’s choice of a 2 year/12,000 mile lease (Lease terms established by Crown Mercedes) ... [continue reading]

The American Dental Association’s Member-Get-A-Member campaign can benefit current tripartite members while helping to grow participation in organized dentistry. Dentists who recruit any new, active member before Sept. 30 will be rewarded with a $100 American Express Gift Card for each new eligible member they recruit (up to five new members ... [continue reading]

The ODA House of Delegates is the governing body and supreme authority of the Ohio Dental Association. As such, it speaks for the members of the Association. The House of Delegates is comprised of 131 delegates, who are chosen by the 25 component societies, and meets annually. This year, the ODA House of Delegates will meet on Thursday, Sept. 17 ... [continue reading]