October 2009 Newsletter

Program || President's Message || MCDS Board of Trustees / Committee Reports

Treasurer's Report Detail || Announcements/Articles || Upcoming Course Registration Forms

For pictures and advertisements, see the newsletter in PDF format

Program:

October 20, 2009

“Great Cases with New Faces”
Dr. John Svirsky


Dr John Svirsky is a board certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. He received his dental degree in 1973 from VCU and went on to complete a general practice residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Queens Hospital Center, as well as an oral pathology residency from the Catholic Medical Center.
He is currently a professor of oral and maxillofacial pathology and maintains a private practice in oral medicine and oral pathology. Dr. Svirsky has developed a broad background in research, published numerous articles in the dental literature, and earned a master’s degree in adult education. He is a sought after speaker with an international reputation as an informative and entertaining lecturer.
Dr. Svirsky is honorary member of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society and a Director at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.
This interactive presentation will present a potpourri of interesting cases seen by me or emailed to me over the past few years. The audience will help to diagnose them as I play the patient. Some unusual “things” might pop up! A good time is to be had by all.

President's Message - Dr. Scott Galkin

Sitting down to write my second president’s message, I realized one thing; I did not go to school to be a writer and it is not something that comes easy to me. It seemed that writing classes were always the ones that I had the biggest trouble with during my time in school. Luckily, thinking back on my education made me reflect on my time in dental school and dentistry as a whole. And then it hit me, why don’t I write about dentistry as a profession? It is something that we all share in common and is what brings us together as members of this group. Dentistry is the one “connection” that everyone in our society has. For all of us, the practice of dentistry is what we do, or have done, to make a living and support ourselves and our families. But when it comes down to it, dentistry is more than a way to make a living. There are not many professions out there like dentistry and we are extremely fortunate to be a part of it. I have friends in the fields of insurance, education, business, and banking, to name a few. None of these demands the respect from the public and support from our colleagues that dentistry does. I hear from people in all different fields on how they are not happy with their jobs or are worried about job security, based upon the tough economic times that we currently live in. Then I think about our field. We might see a “slowdown” in our business, when the economy is not good, but there will always be people that will need our services and in turn, appreciate what we do. It also makes me think how great it is to see a Tuesday night MCDS general meeting where we will have close to 100 attendees, whose friendship and camaraderie make you realize that you are not in this profession alone. It is good to know that there are other people out there, who share similar experiences and issues. The support and advice that we give to one another is priceless and it makes the cost of our membership seem insignificant. We might not be in the most glamorous field, but when I think of the investment bankers and stock brokers, who went from having some of the most enviable jobs in the world to being unemployed, I am even happier with my choice in careers. On top of all of this, I think the most unique thing about our field is that there is not one way to do it. Just think about it; you can own your own business or work as an associate for someone, you can work 25 hours a week or 50 hours a week, or you can have one office or multiple offices. This versatility is what makes dentistry one of the highest rated jobs, in the United States, year in and year out. What other field can you have this kind of versatility and at the same time, the respect of the public? So the next time that you have a “long” day at the office and wonder it this all worth it, think how lucky that we all are to be a part of such a great profession and have such great people to share it with.
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MCDS Board of Trustees Report

-09/08/2009-


Attendance: Ashmen, Bernstein, Chustckie, Cicalese, Desai, Galkin, Goldstein, Kahn, Mir Madjlessi, Modi, Prabhu, Rosen, Schambra, Silverstein, Simos, Stein, Vitale, Weiner,
Acceptance of Minutes-vote unanimous.
President’s Report-Scott Galkin
I would like to say thanks again to everyone who helped put together this year’s program. We have a great program with 3 full day speakers, including Dr. Dennis Tarnow in April. I would also like to send a special thanks to Dr. Bob Silverstein, for getting the newsletter done over the summer, and to Dr. Nainesh Desai, for getting the all of the speaker’s information compiled for the newsletter.
Treasurer’s Report-David Stein
See full report on page 3.
Editor’s Report-Bob Silverstein, Constantine Simos
The newsletter was sent out electronically to 182 members. I want to thank those that have signed up for this, since this is helping to keep our Society fiscally strong. As a reminder, to sign up, go to our web site (www.MCDSofNJ.org), click on the NJDA member link (username MCDS, password sy), and click on the “Of Current Interest” link.
NJDA Trustee’s Report-Nancy Villa
TD Bank is a new partner with NJDA and any member who banks with them, either with a personal account or business account, earns money for the association based on an average balance in their account(s). We received a royalty of $13,255.28 this year. Existing accounts also qualify but the bank must be told that you are a member of NJDA.
The State Board of Dentistry has a surplus of money due to vacant job positions in their office and will give a credit of $220 toward a $390 license renewal. This will not apply to new licensees and will be a lesser amount for the less expensive dental licenses. Gus Capetta will be the new President and Jack Ricciani will be the Vice President.
Benco is a new NJDA partner and will sponsor the next mailing for our upcoming electronic member directory on the website. They will also allow members to use their “Blue Chips” program for reimbursement with cash after paying NJDA dues.
In August 2009, Doctor of Dentistry magazine will do a feature story with photos of the NJDA convention at no cost, and, for this received a press pass onto the exhibit floor at the convention.
The New Jersey Office of Minority & Multi-Cultural Health has commended NJDA for improving access to care for minorities by organizing our web site directory to help select a dentist by zip code and language spoken. We have 44 different languages represented.
In July, we will be doing a joint press release with the Department of Health & Senior Services to promote this feature, as language barriers are of major interest to the Department. The commissioner has chosen “prevention & management of chronic diseases” as a focus and asked NJDA to help with a program on the links between diabetes and oral health. NJDA has offered to do a second program on tooth decay, the #1 childhood chronic disease in America.
Pfizer Pharmaceutical has developed a drug, Chantix, which competes with Nicoderm. They want to talk about ways the dental profession can help promote the new drug. Mr. Elmore is trying to develop a relationship for the 2010 Partners Program.
The six minute NJDA promotional video is up on the website as is Dr. Fink’s presidential message. A date is being set for new council chairs to record their messages for the website. Many of you have heard about Facebook and Twitter web pages. Several dental associations have these pages; they are free and enable global exposure to those interested as well as a quick and effective way to communicate. This will be discussed at an upcoming Committee on Communications meetings.
The recent amalgam separator courses went very well. SolmeteX covered the cost of the courses. We have heard only great feedback from those in attendance, including 28 non-members who we will actively recruit. NJDA was able to gain $5,300 in non-dues income from the courses.
Mr. Meisel reported on new rules made by Invisalign requiring general dentists and orthodontists to do at least 10 cases per year or they will no longer be certified as providers. He will write a letter to Invisalign because this rule was not in effect when dentists paid for the expensive certification course and it is wrong to deny providers access to their product.
Mr. Greg LaMorte (Essex) recommended that all NJDA past presidents who receive a complimentary room and a dinner dance ticket at the annual session be required to attend the House of Delegates.
The deadline for installation of amalgam separators is Oct 1st this year.
NJDA Council Reports:
Membership-Tara Savage
The next membership council meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2009. An update on membership activities will be given following the meeting.
The MCDS study club met over the summer on July 16, 2009. There were 14 members in attendance. 2 CE credits were awarded. The meeting was sponsored by Dental Recycling North America, Inc. Dr. Al Frost from Dental Recycling North America, Inc. gave a presentation on dental waste management and recycling, including information on amalgam separators. Following this presentation, Dr. Larry Brent gave a presentation on “Everything they didn’t teach me in dental school.”
The next MCDS study club meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2009 at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Edison. Dr. Nainesh Desai will be giving a presentation on “Decision making in the era of implant dentistry.” 2 CE credits will be awarded. The study club is a member benefit available to all MCDS members. Please contact Marlene Glickman, our Executive Secretary, at 732-238-1255 for additional information and registration in advance.
Peer Review-Sandy Goldstein
Over the summer months we had five new peer review cases. Three have been successfully mediated. Two are currently in mediation.
Committee Reports:
Mentor-Amit Vora/Nima MirMadjlessi
Our bi-annual OSHA program that satisfies the OSHA standard on Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens, which is required annually for dentists and staff, will be given on Oct.29, 2009 at St. Peter’s Medical Center. Dr. Ethan Glickman was kind enough to make the arrangements for us. To date there are 54 dentists and staff registered. Each person will receive certification that they have been properly instructed for this OSHA regulation on Infection Control. Two CEU credits will be awarded to the staff members attending this 2-hour seminar. This seminar is available to our members & staff for $25/pp as a member benefit of MCDS.
The next mentor course is going to be given by LLI Advisory group on Dec 3, 2009. The location is to be announced. Our next bi-annual OSHA program will be presented on Thursday evening, June 10, 2009 (pending Rutgers graduation) at St. Peter’s Medical Center. A very big t hank you to Dr. Joe Fertig, Director of Dental Services St. Peter’s Medical Center, for arranging all our room accommodations for the MCDS programs at St. Peter’s Medical Center in New Brunswick.
Continuing Education-Mark Schambra
Please save the date for great program in April 2011. Dr. Terry T. Tanaka will present “Diagnosis And Treatment Planning For Restorative And Prosthodontic Problems”. Dr. Tanaka is a Clinical Professor at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry, Advanced Education Prosthodontics. He also maintains a private practice in prosthodontics in Chula Vista, California. Dr. Tanaka is the director of TMD and Restorative Dentistry Study Groups in the U.S. and abroad.
Dental Hygiene Study Club-Alyssa Bernstein
The Central New Jersey Dental Hygiene [CNJDH] Study Club met on Wednesday May 6, 2009. Sponsored by the Middlesex County Dental Society, the speaker was Dr. Maya Prabhu. She gave a fascinating lecture on Endodontics from the Hygienists Perspective. Two CEU credits were awarded to the 31 Hygienists that attend this meeting. The next CNJDH meeting will be in Wednesday September 30, 2009 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Edison. The speaker will be Wendy Weidenbaum, a personal coach, speaking on “Effective Listening for the Difficult Patient”. Two CEU credits will be awarded for this seminar. The schedule and registration form for the upcoming lecture series is in this newsletter. This CNJDH study club is available to our hygienists as a Dentist-member benefit of MCDS. Please contact Marlene Glickman, our Executive Secretary for MCDS, at 732-238-1255 for additional information and registration in advance for the program.
Old Business
Kim McMahon from the Dental Assistants program at UMDNJ will be present at the next monthly meeting. She will be providing information regarding the assistants intern program.
New Business
The Rutgers Pre-Med/Pre-Dent club is interested in having a member dentist present to their group. Marlene will provide more information to those interested.
Respectfully Submitted, Constantine Simos, Secretary

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Treasurer's Report

Dr. David Stein

April 30, 2009

 

8/31/08
 4/30/09 8/31/09
Checking $17,550.40 $10,739.79 $9,846.80
Savings $17,710.09 $11,321.54
$14,373,27
CD (2% matures 12/10/09)
$25,000(3.46%) $25,000.00 $25,000.00
PayPal $3,176.25 $6,107.96 $2,149.71
TOTAL: $63,436.74 $53,169.29 $51,369.78
P&L STATEMENT CHECKING ACCOUNT
(4/30/09-8/31/09)
INCOME
CONT. EDUC 4,500.00
CORP SPON-c.ed 12,000.00
CORP SPON-newsl 150
DUES 21,136.60
INTEREST 5.32
MCDS STUDY CLUB 334.13
MENTOR COMM 3,970.00
STAFF NIGHT 10,833.00
TOTAL INCOME 52,969.05
EXPENSES
BOARD MEMBER 705.86
CONT. EDUC 13,320.96
DINNER MEETINGS 5,552.27
DONATIONS 1,000.00
EXEC COMM DINNER 534.79
EXEC SECRETARY 1,980.00
MCDS STUDY CLUB 334.13
MEMORIALS&GIFTS 592.01
MENTOR COMM 360
OFFICE SUPPLIES 10
PLAQUES 261.2
STAFF NIGHT 31,268.50
TAXES 50
TELEPHONE 135.87
TOTAL EXPENSES 56,105.59
TRANSFERS
FROM CD-4 month 2009 243.55
FROM PAYPAL 5,000.00
FROM SAVINGS 22,000.00
TO SAVINGS -25,000.00
TOTAL TRANSFERS 2,243.55
OVERALL TOTAL -892.99
P&L SAVINGS ACCOUNT
(4/30/09-8/31/09)
INTEREST INCOME 61.03
TRANSFERS
FROM CHECKING 25,000.00
TO CHECKING -22,000.00
TOTAL TRANSFERS 3,000.00
OVERALL TOTAL 3061.03
P&L PAYPAL MONEY MARKET
(4/30/09-8/31/09)
CONT EDUC INC 754.67
STAFF NIGHT INC 919.62
STAFF NIGHT EXP -632.54
TRANSFER TO CHECKING -5,000.00
OVERALL TOTAL -3,958.25

 

 

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Announcements/Articles

Governmental & Public Affairs

Mr. Jim Schulz reported on the current status of the national health care reform debate and its potential impact on dentistry. He explained that NJDA and its membership have been involved in delivering organized dentistry’s message on the topic because of key national legislators hailing from NJ such as Reps. Pallone and Andrews and Senators Menendez and Lautenberg. Presently, he is scheduling a meeting with Congressmen Andrews to discuss dental insurance aspects of the bill. Prior drafts had not included a provision for dental only insurance. The ADA helped insert dental only insurers into the legislation (at their request). Prior to ADA’s efforts, dental only plans would have been at a disadvantage and may have had a significant effect on the long-term viability of this type of product. ADA helped secure language so that these plans were treated just as health care plans. A question arose as to whether the ADA endorses the HCR legislation and a comment was made that this would be a mistake. Mr. Schulz explained that the AMA endorsed the bill, but not the ADA. However, the ADA is fully engaged in the debate to ensure that dentistry’s voice is included in discussions. Even though the ADA is receiving a lot of pressure from the White House to endorse the plan, it is likely that it will not do so.
The proposed FTC Red Flag Rules on identity theft have been pushed back again for an additional 90 days. This was a big success for the ADA and NJ as Rep. John Adler has been instrumental in helping with this effort.
Along the FTC lines, NJ has similar legislation. In fact, one bill is sponsored by Dr. Jeff Van Drew regarding fair debt collections. This bill, as written, would have similar impacts on dental offices regarding new compliance standards on debt collections, which is problematic. The NJDA is working in a coalition against this bill to improve the language and minimize the impacts of the legislation on dentistry. After meeting with the Senator, he is amicable to NJDA’s position on how to improve the bill.
The State of Rhode Island has recently enacted legislation that would prohibit the capping of any uncovered dental fee or service performed by dentist is a participating dentist. The Rhode Island Dental Association spearheaded this initiative because Delta Dental, which captures 90% of dentists in Rhode Island, announced it would fully implement this concept in 2010. Mr. Schulz explained the NJDA is looking to advance a similar initiative in NJ. He, Mary Moskal and Art Meisel had a meeting in Trenton with Banking and Insurance to begin this process.