News

Open enrollment for the Ohio Dental Association Services Corporation (ODASC)'s health benefits plan, the ODA Wellness trust, starts in October. The ODA Wellness Trust is available exclusively to ODA members, their families and their staffs, and most participants are able to save money on health benefit costs by joining the plan. For the upcoming ... [continue reading]

Dentists, their staff members and others planning to hold Give Kids A Smile events any time in 2020 should plan to register those activities during October 2019. Events registered between Oct. 1 and Nov. 13, 2019 will qualify to receive free products to support their events such as toothbrush and toothpaste giveaways and dental supplies to perform ... [continue reading]

The ODA's House of Delegates, which is the supreme authoritative body of the association, will be meeting on Oct. 3 and 4 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel in Columbus in conjunction with the 2019 ODA Annual Session. Nearly 150 delegates from across the state representing all 25 component dental societies, including two student delegates ... [continue reading]

Dr. Walter Buchsieb has had a long career dedicated to organized dentistry, serving his patients, the community and the profession of dentistry. In recognition of his efforts, he will receive the Ohio Dental Association Joseph P. Crowley Distinguished Dentist Award on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Callahan Celebration of Excellence, held in conjunction ... [continue reading]

As my year as president of the Ohio Dental Association winds down, allow me to update you on the agenda that I set forth and the resolutions that came out of my president-elect's message at the House of Delegates meeting last September. Resolution 07-18 directed the Ohio Dental Political Action Committee (ODPAC) to assign a dentist to each of our ... [continue reading]

In reviewing the briefs filed by the parties in the FTC’s antitrust action against three dental supply companies (see “Closing arguments held in the FTC’s antitrust action against major dental suppliers”), both the FTC and at least one of the dental supply companies use the term "oligopoly." As you may recall from your ... [continue reading]

Over the past year I have been asked numerous questions about in-office dental plans.  My answer has always been that in-office dental plans are not illegal or improper, but dentists must be careful to not call the plan insurance.  Identifying an in-office membership plan as “insurance” carries with it a very large penalty, ... [continue reading]

To have a dental claim denied that the dentist believes is appropriate and necessary treatment is bad. To have a claim in the same situation disallowed or deemed not billable to the patient is horrible. Claim denials typically result from limitations or exclusions contained in the patient’s dental benefits plan, e.g., the patient has ... [continue reading]

I attended my third White Coat Ceremony as a member of the faculty of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry this week. It was a moving experience, as it always is, watching the newest members of our profession begin their careers in dentistry. I’m sure the excitement is the same at every White Coat ceremony throughout the country. ... [continue reading]

Earlier this month I attended my third and last ODA Executive Committee retreat. As ODA secretary I will be coming off my two year term in September. Three years ago, I was excited to be included in this summer program. The retreat is planned by the president-elect with some type of a theme which reflects their focus in their president’s ... [continue reading]