News

As you know, the ODA has been celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary throughout 2016. The ODA's founding, however, was not the only significant dental-related event that happened in Ohio in 1866. That same year, Lucy Hobbs became the first American woman to earn a dental degree when she graduated from the Ohio College of Dental ... [continue reading]

Closing a dental practice many times is much more complicated than turning off the lights and locking the door. As dentists contemplate the closure of an office, there are several key points to consider. Announcing the closure of a practice is a critical step in the process that could cause difficulty for the dentist if not handled ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association has expressed its concerns to MetLife Dental regarding its decision to require dentists to enroll in electronic funds transfer (EFT) and utilize EFT as the only payment method for provider reimbursement. Many dentists have contacted the ODA regarding MetLife’s decision. All indicated that they did not want to be ... [continue reading]

One of my ENT physician colleagues asked me to see a patient for him, since she was having headaches that were refractory to his migraine treatments.  During our interview, she reported that she had “had a root canal done” this past June.  I asked who the dentist was, so that we could get the records to help determine why the ... [continue reading]

This is a different spin from my usual type of Op-Ed. Whether I make your day sweeter smelling depends on you ... the reader. I hope you enjoy this blend of topics. Floss vs. oral irrigation For some reason during the second half of this year, the media decided to question the efficacy of using floss as part of a daily regimen of oral health ... [continue reading]

Famed New York Yankee Hall of Famer, the late and beloved Yogi Berra, once infamously said: “When you come to the fork in the road, TAKE IT!” A brief and personal take on the evolution of “risk” in dentistry Once upon a time there was only the dentist and the patient.  No one came between the doctor and patient, and ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association seeks members to fill potential upcoming vacant at-large positions on ODA councils. The ODA is seeking nominations for at-large positions on the association’s Council on Access to Care and Public Service, Council on Dental Care Programs and Dental Practice and the Council on Membership Services. Nominations for ... [continue reading]

There are many positives associated with dental insurance. Third-party payment has been shown to increase the likelihood that patients will access dental care. This can lead to better oral health outcomes for the patient and increased numbers of new patients, higher levels of treatment place acceptance and improved cash flow for the dental ... [continue reading]

The Ohio State Dental Board recently announced that it plans to step up enforcement of a law requiring prescribers to check the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) database before furnishing or issuing a prescription for a supply of an opioid analgesic or benzodiazepine for a period longer than seven days. The law also requires prescribers ... [continue reading]

Attendees fabricate a pressure-laminated mouthguard during a course presented by Dr. Jack Winters at the 2016 ODA Annual Session. Winters received the 2016 ODA Achievement Award for his contributions to sports dentistry. The 2016 Ohio Dental Association Annual Session – celebrating our past, building our future – was the main ... [continue reading]