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Dr. Gerald Greitzer
“Adhesive Dentistry”
Dr. Greitzer maintains a full-time restorative and cosmetic private practice in Tarrytown, New York. He is also involved in conducting extensive independent research in the field of adhesives and composite restorations. He is a member of numerous academics, associations, and study groups relating to advancements in dentistry. To name a few – International Association for Dental Research; Westchester Academy of Restorative Dentistry; International Congress of Oral Implantology; International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, CRA evaluator; as well as several others. Dr. Greitzer has lectured internationally on Cosmetic, Restorative, and Adhesive dentistry and considers himself a true “Bondodontist.” He’s here today to pass along information on those techniques and materials that have revolutionized his practice. This course will present the benefits to both the patient and doctor with the use of modern adhesive restorative techniques in conjunction with conservative kinetic micro-dentistry. Topics to be discussed include: Indications for flowable, packable, “light cured” and “self cured” composites; comparison and uses of various brands of composites and adhesives; creation of ideal cosmetic –posterior composites and super sealants; eliminate sensitivity, reduce wear, and create perfect contacts; answers to questions about desirability and methods of use of polymerization systems - LEDs, halogen, PAC lights, lasers; indications for direct and laboratory fabricated cosmetic restorations; the Amalgam Controversy-Fact or Fiction; additional uses for particle abrasion-both intraoral and extraoral; and how to increase referrals and income while reducing stress.
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- February 14, 2006 -
Attendance: Ashmen, Brunsden, Courey, Galkin, Glickman, Kahn, Krantz, Lawson, Schambra, Silverstein, Simos,Villa, Vitale, Weiner
Acceptance of Minutes-vote unanimous.
President’s Report-Stephen Lawson
I received a letter from Arthur Meisel, NJDA Executive Director, regarding the Sy Symanski Lifetime Achievement Award. A candidate should have achieved life membership and demonstrated outstanding service to the Association, to the profession, and to the community. A letter was sent to Mr. Meisel recommending Dr. Harmon Katz as a worthy recipient of this award. The award is presented during the House meeting at the Annual Session.
The slate of candidates for the MCDS Officers for 2006-07 will be presented at the February General Membership Meeting. The Society’s election will also be held at the February General Membership Meeting.
I want to congratulate the new ADA Life Members, Dr. Robert Benzell, Dr. Mervin Kroop, Dr. John Petrocelli and Dr. Gene Harnick. MCDS thanks these members and their families for attending the January General Membership Meeting.
I will be attending the Membership Committee Meeting on February 22, 2006.
Secretary’s Report-Mark Vitale
Nominations for Council and Committee positions were published, reviewed, approved and will be submitted to NJDA.
Treasurer’s Report-James Courey
See full report on page 3.
Program Chairperson’s Report-Scott Galkin
Due to unforeseen circumstances Dr. John Molinari could not speak as scheduled in February. Thus we have gotten Dr. Michael Dzitzer to agree to speak on “Esthetics and Function of Anterior Restorative Dentistry.” Since Dr. Molinari was the Sy Symanski Memorial Lecturer, we have asked Dr. Michael Glick to have this honor and he has accepted. Dr. Glick will be speaking on Tuesday April 18, 2006. So far we have 95 people registered for the April full day course featuring Dr. David Garber; this will be held on Wednesday April 19, 2006. Staff night which will be Tuesday May 16, 2006, will have a Hawaiian theme and will feature prizes and dancing, with a D.J providing music all night.
NJDA Trustee’s Report-Richard Kahn
See full report on page 5 under NJDA Noteworthy News.
NJDA Council Reports:
Dental Benefits-Mark Vitale
See full report on page 3.
Membership-Scott Galkin
The membership council met in January and NJDA is asking all components to allow the state to approve dues waivers for now on. The NJDA has felt that leaving it on a component level has led to “unfair” waiver decisions. Whereas one component would approve a dues waiver, while another would deny it under similar circumstances. This concept was approved by the Middlesex Board of Trustees and the decision will be forwarded to the NJDA. Our Middlesex membership subcommittee met a few weeks ago and we have some preliminary ideas to help promote membership. Included in them are personal contact from current board members inviting new members to our meetings and acting as a “big brother/sister” to help the new member feel more comfortable. Also we are looking into making small study clubs/courses that would appeal more to younger members. These would have topics that would cover subject matters that younger members have voiced as lacking.
Old Business
Dr. Vitale reported that Jim Schultz, Director of Governmental affairs for NJDA, notified him that MCDS could contribute up to $7200 annually provided that the MCDS tax status with the IRS is not a 501C3. Dr. Courey contacted MCDS’s accountant who informed him that MCDS is in fact a 501C3. The necessary paperwork will be submitted changing the tax status and the contribution will be discussed as soon as notification is received that the change has been made.
New Business
Dr. Richard Kahn was elected the NJDA Treasurer for 2006-07. Dr. Dan Krantz will be serving as NJDA Vice-President for 2006-07. Congratulations to both.
Motion to amend the Bylaws by Dr. Silverstein, Seconded by Dr. Galkin: To amend the By-Laws, Article I, Section 6. Dues. a.: For the sentence starting with “A recent graduate member,” change this sentence to: A recent graduate member dues structure shall coincide with the recent graduate dues structure of the NJDA. Motion passed.
Good & Welfare
A letter was received from Dr. Petrocelli thanking the board for allowing his family members to attend the January meeting where he received a Life Membership Award.
A letter was received from the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progessiva Association thanking MCDS for the $500 donation to the organization following Dr. Ed Galkin’s presentation. on May 26, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Vitale
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(1/1/06 – 1/31/06)
Checking (0.25%) 4,845.74 21,968.99
Savings (3.6%) 23,619.67 25,193.78
CD (4.25%) 45,000.00 45,000.00
TOTAL 73,465.41 92,162.77
P&L STATEMENT CHECKING ACCOUNT
(1/1/06 – 1/31/06)
INCOME
Corp Spon C.Ed. 1,585.00
Corp Spon Newsl 400.00
Dues 20,650.00
Interest 1.65
Mentor Comm Inc 260.00
Total Income 22,896.65
EXPENSES
Donations 500.00
Exec Comm Dinner 266.92
Name Badges 43.39
Newsletter/Other Printing 1,631.21
Postage 1,151.00
Secretarial 100.00
Staff Night 505.00
Telephone 75.88
Transfer to Savings 1,500.00
Total Expenses 5,773.40
OVERALL TOTAL 17,123.35
P&L Savings Account
(1/1/06 – 1/31/06)
INCOME
Interest 74.11
Transfer from Checking 1,500.00
TOTAL INCOME 1,574.11
EXPENSES
TOTAL EXPENSES 0.00
OVERALL TOTAL 1,574.11
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Council on Dental Benefits
-CRP Statistics was reviewed from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. There were 146 complaints submitted to NJDA; 72 were resolved, 23 were for data purposes, 38 are pending, and 13 were not resolvable.
-Workers’ Comp Claims: Concentra: The council reviewed a recent example of a utilization management firm attempting to convince a dentist to accept an arbitrary decrease in the amount payable for treatment provided under worker’s compensation, a situation that occurs frequently. NJDA always recommends that dentists not only preauthorize treatment under workers compensation, but also agree to the payable amount since worker’s compensation plans do not utilize a fee schedule (such as that under PIP).
-Delta Dental NJ: MAC Calculation: The council discussed Delta’s recent announcement concerning its plans to adjust the calculation of the Maximum Allowable Charge for Delta Premier participating dentists. Beginning January 1, 2007, the maximum allowable charge will be capped at the 80th percentile (meaning the fee that Delta believes is sufficient to satisfy 80% of the claims received from dentists during the prior calendar year). However, dentists will not be required to accept less than their allowable fee as of December 31, 2006. For example, if your approved fee on December 31, 2006 is at the 85th percentile, it will remain at that level until new fee data compiled from submitted claims adjusts the percentile level appropriately. Current participating dentist rules allow dentists to re-file their usual fees whenever the fees charged to private patients increase. Delta then annually reviews the maximum approved fee levels.
Whether or to what extent Delta’s action will affect individual dentist’s approved fees is open to question, unless, of course, a dentist’s submitted fees already exceed Delta’s approved fee. Most dentists, however, have no idea how their fees stack up in the grand scheme of “percentile”. As a point of reference, the dental Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fee schedule for treatment rendered as a result of an auto accident is required to be maintained at the 75th percentile, but adjustments are made only every two years.
-Medicaid Update: The council reviewed, as informational, adopted amendments to the Medicaid managed care rules, which now require Medicaid HMOs to continue orthodontic coverage for children whose eligibility changes from FamilyCare plans A, B, or C to plan D (which covers only limited preventive treatment) if treatment has been “initiated”. However, “initiated” is defined as banding, and would not apply, for example, if a child has already had teeth extracted in preparation for orthodontics. Further, the continued coverage requirement applies only if the child remains a member of the same HMO.
The council reviewed the Notice of 2006 Public Meetings of the New Jersey Medicaid Assistance Advisory Council, which are scheduled for February 22nd, April 26th, July 26th, and October 25th. Dr. Sidney Whitman is NJDA’s representative to that group.
The council reviewed a listing by county of New Jersey dentists who had 30 or more paid Medicaid claims in the first quarter of 2005. Hudson County, with 33,300 Medicaid clients, had the most dentists submitting claims with 72 general dentists, five oral surgeons, one orthodontist, and four pediatric dentists. Essex County, with a higher number (46,600) of Medicaid clients, had 63 general dentists, four oral surgeons, and only one pediatric dentist. No dentists in Salem County submitted 30 or more claims.
In comparison, Middlesex has 18,500 clients, 20 general dentists and 3 oral surgeons.
-Educating Members on Dental Benefit Plans: The council discussed at length the issue of how best to educate members concerning dental benefit plan issues, since the current member resources (the Capsule, website, and seminars held at the Convention) do not seem to be adequately utilized. Subsequent to the last meeting, staff e-mailed information to each council member to have published in the component newsletters (since those seem to be more widely read) and some components have done this. Further, a draft survey was prepared to get more member input. After discussing the merits of the survey questions and how best to survey (e-mail, Capsule, website), the council appointed a subcommittee to work on the survey questions. The council also decided that the most economical and fair way to conduct the survey is to post it on NJDA’s website, with an announcement to the members requesting that they complete it.
-Identity Theft Prevention Act: Staff briefed the council on pertinent provisions of the New Jersey Identity Theft Prevention Act that took effect on January 1, 2006. Among other matters, the Act requires businesses, including dental offices, to dispose of sensitive records (especially those containing Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, etc.) in a manner that would prevent their interception, such as shredding paper records. Entities must provide written notification to any person whose personal data may have been accessed by an unauthorized person. Since the law also prevents entities from printing the Social Security number on any type of identification card, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield dental and medical plans are assigning new identification numbers to its insureds, which much be used in place of the SS number on claim forms submitted to Horizon. No other plan surveyed by NJDA intends to take this action, since they do not print the SS number on identification cards.
-New Jersey Disease Management Study Commission: The council reviewed a newly enacted law that establishes the New Jersey Disease Management Study Commission, the purpose of which is to assess disease management programs to determine their potential to improve health care quality while reducing health care costs. The commission will consist of 15 public members, the majority of whom will be representatives of various health care provider associations, and four representatives from government, including Commissioners from the Departments of Health and Senior Services, Banking and Insurance, and Human Services, as well as the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Although NJDA will not have a representative on the Commission, input will be given to Dr. Jacobs, Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, who in prior meetings with NJDA expressed an interest in the oral-systemic health links.
Attention MCDS Members
Anyone who is interested in providing pro bono emergency dental care for victims of Hurricane Katrina who have been resettled in Middlesex County, please call Marlene at
732-238-1255
Dental Specialist seeks office space in previously existing office (with or without equipment) or in exisiting office in either East Brunswick or New Brunswick.
Please contact Dr. Blume at
732-995-2496 or
[email protected]
2/21/06 General Meeting Business
Dr. Silverstein re-read the motion regarding the change to the By-Laws proposed at the last meeting regarding officer position vacancies. The motion passed. The word “Acting” is now removed from Dr. Lawson’s title.
Dr. Silverstein read the motion from the minutes above regarding the dues structure for recent graduates.
Dr. Lawson re-read the slate of officers which were approved by the nominating committee. There were no nominations from the floor, and nominations were closed. The slate of officers was properly moved, seconded and approved.
NJDA Noreworthy News
STAFF REPORTS
The 2005 year end membership figure is 4,663, a net increase of 72 members. The ADA records indicate that we had the 3rd largest net increase nationally, surpassed only by California and Arizona.
You can choose to get the Capsule on line which saves in printing and mailing costs. A majority of the merchants in our Member’s Edge Program have opted out due to lack of NJDA member interest. The two programs remaining are Joseph A. Banks and Brooks Bros.
Governmental Affairs – Mr. Jim Schulz
Mr. Schulz reported that last year was a tremendous growing year for NJDPAC. The percentage of members who contributed to PAC went from 25% to 29%. For 2006, NJDPAC is moving forward with an aggressive campaign with a goal of attaining 2000 NJDPAC members by year-end; 200 Diamond Club members; 20 Platinum Club members; and 10 Executive Club members. To date, there are four Executive Club members.
Based on the current fiscal state of the State, it is very likely that there will be some type of professional services tax this year which may or may not involve dentistry.
The safety needle exemption legislation was signed into law by Governor Codey. This preempted a major expense for dentistry. NJDA has been successful in changing legislators’ perceptions about oral health and how crucial it is in total health.
Congressman Don Payne and US Senator Bob Menendez have signed on as co-sponsors to two anti-dentistry pieces of legislation. Fortunately, Senator Menendez’s action occurred as a Congressman and not US Senator. NJDA will be meeting with them to discuss dentistry’s position on these bills. The legislation, which both co-sponsored, would create a national mandate for amalgam separators. The second bill, of which only Congressman Payne is a co-sponsor, actually bans amalgam.
STATE BORAD OF DENTISTRY REPORT – Dr. Robert A. Hersh
The Health Care Professional Responsibility and Reporting Enhancement Act (Nurse Cullen Act). Among other provisions, this law requires that a dentist, when in a dental facility which is overseen by the NJ Board of Health, is required to report any incident in which a dentist licensee appears to be impaired or is acting in a manner which is potentially harmful to patients. Failure to report such actions can result in disciplinary action against the observing dentist.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Dr. August D. Pellegrini
Dr. Pellegrini testified in Trenton at the Safety Needle hearing where we were successful in getting dentists exempt from using safety needles in hospital and government based settings
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE - Dr. Walter I. Chinoy
Dr. Walter Chinoy announced that the Annual Session House of Delegates meeting in June will have a full agenda. There is a possibility that we may begin the meeting earlier than the usual 10:00 a.m.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & LEGAL COUNSEL’S REPORT – Mr. Art Meisel
Mr. Arthur Meisel reported that many dentists have received a highly misleading letter from the Division of Consumer Affairs that appears to deal with a biennial license renewal in February. This only deals with your CDS permit. You will also receive from NJDA a yellow/gold sheet covering frequently asked questions and answers on enteral sedation that was prepared by the State Board.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Meisel critiqued the proposed amendment to the statute governing Limited Teaching Certificates. He stressed that the limited teaching certificate will only allow that individual to teach or practice in the school and its clinical facilities. It is not a license to practice dentistry. If that individual should leave the dental school, the certificate automatically expires. A graduate from a foreign dental school must have the recommendation of the Dean and the State Board of Dentistry has the final decision making authority. He felt that with that kind of approach it would balance the needs of the school and the concerns of dentists. Additional safe guards can be added but he wanted the Board to know that the dental school can go to the legislature with or without our support.
Dr. Harris Colton is running for ADA 2nd Vice President. He asked for the support of NJDA to help finance his campaign. It is felt that he will need approximately $10,000 for the campaign and requested that we support Dr. Colton in the amount of $5,000. This passed and we will solicit aid from other constituents within the 4th District.
EDUCATION, PRACTICE MANAGEMENT, CAMERADERIE
In order to better serve our members, the Middlesex County Dental Society Mentor Committee is organizing study clubs for those dentists who have been practicing five years or less. Please call our executive secretary, Marlene Glickman, at 732-238-1255 to join.