News

Many dentists have contacted the Ohio Dental Association with questions and concerns about recent mailings from some dental insurance companies concerning the insurers' response to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prescription drug rule. Their questions involve the validity of the information in the carriers’ letters while ... [continue reading]

“I brush really well … so do I really have to floss?” The young NY Daily News reporter asked sweetly, hoping I would tell her it was OK not to. “You only have to floss if you want to be healthy,” I admonished gently. “The ADA recommends that the way to good health is to brush twice a day, floss once a day, eat ... [continue reading]

That’s my usual reply when someone informs me that a friend has unexpectedly died. Our mortality, as we age, becomes more difficult to ignore and it is a subject that is commonly suppressed in the deepest recesses of our consciousness. That’s how we cope and how we survive ... while pushing on to the next sunrise. Just writing about ... [continue reading]

Dental offices that accept patients with Medicaid or CHIP are now required to post taglines in multiple languages and nondiscrimination notices in their offices, on their websites and in significant publications and communications. This requirement is part of a new rule within the Affordable Care Act that prohibits health care entities that ... [continue reading]

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program will begin accepting applications in August. Previously this program was only open to medical students, but has now been expanded to include dental students. The program provides up to $120,000 to dental or medical students in their final year of school in ... [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, two for $175 or six for $500, and only 700 will be sold. This year’s raffle prizes are: Winner’s choice of a 2 year/10,000 mile lease (terms established by Crown Mercedes) on a 2016 ... [continue reading]

All employers are required to post numerous posters in their offices. The ODA can send all required posters, including posters that have been recently updated, to ODA members for $6 plus tax, which covers the cost of printing and shipping. To order the posters, call the ODA at (800) ... [continue reading]

The Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team recently e-mailed dentists a short video to view on acute pain opioid prescribing guidelines. These guidelines were developed in conjunction with clinical professional associations, healthcare providers, licensing boards and state agencies. The Ohio State Dental Board will approve 2 credit hours of C.E. ... [continue reading]

The 2016 ODA Annual Session will feature a variety of hands-on courses and courses for the entire dental team. The pre-registration deadline for the ODA Annual Session is Aug. 1; after that date, registration fees will increase. This year’s ODA Annual Session will be the main event celebrating the ODA’s 150th anniversary and will be ... [continue reading]

A flurry of legislative activities occurred on dental-related bills in the first half of the year as the General Assembly prepared for its summer break, heading into the fall elections. Non-covered services On April 5, the Ohio Senate Insurance Committee held a hearing for opponent testimony regarding House Bill 95, which is supported by the ODA ... [continue reading]