DSO Task Force investigating member benefit opportunities
At the 2017 ODA House of Delegates I formed a Task Force to investigate how the ODA could benefit our members by offering products and services to improve our dental practices. The DSO Task Force is chaired by Dr. Tom Paumier, a past president of the ODA. Other members include Dr. Dale Ann Featheringham, Dr. John Kramer and myself. We also receive valuable input from David Owsiany, Dr. Matt Messina, Dr. Joe Crowley, Dr. Erin Torbeck and others.
We started with a blank sheet and looked into various areas that might be a benefit to all. What follows is a summary of the Task Force’s progress thus far as provided by Dr. Paumier:
The DSO Task Force is looking at a very broad philosophical idea. How can organized dentistry help the solo and small group practice increase efficiency, decrease overhead and provide quality affordable care to their patients? In other words, how can organized dentistry become the “DSO” for the solo and small group practice? As an extension of this concept is the possibility to organically disrupt the dental insurance marketplace.
We are studying how we may help members compete for better discounts in dental equipment and supplies … equal or better than the corporate and large group practices. We are investigating partnerships with dental repair and service companies that provide comprehensive administrative services including IT, billing, accounting, scheduling, marketing, CE, practice transitions and more.
Another trend that is growing is meeting the needs of those who do not have access to employer based dental insurance plans. In-Office Membership Plans can provide an alternative to those who want access to routine preventive dental care and the comfort that they will get a “reduced fee” similar to those with traditional insurance. Customizable In-Office Plans can enable the individual dentist to define the scope of care and costs to become a “member” of the plan as well as set their own fee schedule and discounts. No claim forms, prior authorizations, denials, payment delays or intrusion into the doctor/patient relationship! And with enough dentist participation, the possibility of marketing the In-Office Plan to employers to compete against traditional PPO/HMO Plans. Savings for the employer, better choices for the consumer and reimbursement rates determined by the dentist; all principals we share and hope to attain.
Ultimately, the goal is for our members to look to organized dentistry FIRST whenever they have a need for their practice … whether clinical or administrative. We aim to either provide or partner with businesses that can provide best in class and best in price products and services. Stay tuned for future developments. Whenever you have a need for your office, contact the ODA, ADA or your local dental society before looking to the marketplace.
The reason this Task Force was developed was because I feel that it is important for the ODA to be a benefit to ALL Ohio dentists no matter their practice type. The more members we have, the stronger we will be as an organization, especially in the very important area of legislative advocacy.
If there are any questions, feel free to contact me or the ODA.
Thank you.
Email Dr. Moore at smoore@oda.org.
ATTEND THE Employee Dentist Lunch and learn AT ODA ANNUAL SESSION
Featuring Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD
Saturday, September 15
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
CE Hours: 2
OSDB Category: A
Fee: $0 with promo code, and for New or Employee Dentists
Course Code S72
Support provided by the ODA Council on Membership Services
Join your colleagues for an innovative program exploring the challenges facing employee dentists. Dr. Gordon Christensen will present Practicing as an Employee. ODA Executive Director David Owsiany, JD will present Fundamental Responsibilities of a Licensed Dentist. Lunch will be provided.