January 2011 Newsletter

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-11/9/2010-

Attendance: Ashmen, Bernstein, Cicalese, Desai, Galkin, Goldstein, Kaga, Krantz, Mir Madjlessi, Prabhu, Rizzi, Rosen, Savage, Schambra, Silverstein, Simos, Stein, Weiner, Marlene Glickman
Acceptance of Minutes-vote unanimous
President's Report-Maya Prabhu
A donation of $2600 was made to St. Peter's Foundation by MCDS, in grateful acknowledgement for the OSHA Course that the hospital helps support.
Treasurer's Report-David Stein
See full report on page 3.
Educational Coordinator-Alyssa Bernstein
More than 70 attendees were present at Dr. Avishai Sadan's full day course on October 20th at Pines Manor. MCDS provides these full day courses at a well-discounted rate for the membership. Thoughts to improve attendance or cut back on providing courses were brought up by various members and were discussed at length in new business.
ADA Delegate's Report-Daniel Krantz/Richard Kahn
For 2011, ADA's membership dues were increased by $13 as compared to 2010.
NJDA Council Reports:
Annual Session-Nainesh Desai
The Council on Annual Session met on October 20th, 2010. The Garden State Dental Conference and Expo 2011 will be a weekend event at The Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ, on June 24-26, 2011. Featured speaker, Dr Carl Misch will be presenting a full-day course on June 24th, 2011, with sponsorship from BioHorizons. There will be no full-day course on Saturday. However, a few exciting short 2-4-hour CE courses and Hands-on courses about posterior composites & endodontics (both sponsored by Dentsply) and implant prosthetics (sponsored by NobelBiocare) and Overdentures are being organized for both 24th and 25th. The details of these courses will soon be available to the members. In addition, following last year's trend, possibility of "Breakfast and learn", "Lunch and learn" courses is being evaluated. The NJDAA/HA will present a full day motivational speaker on Saturday. They also are exploring presenting a speaker on special needs patients. A flyer outlining sponsor levels was agreed to. It will be sent to all vendors who have purchased a booth as well as potential exhibitors. Early registration options for the Misch program were discussed. NJDA staff will come up with some presale ideas and report in January.
Copies of a CD-ROM containing advertising and other camera ready publicity for the 2011 show were distributed to the representatives from all county dental societies. Glass Classroom, Product-Demo Classroom, the High-Tech Vendor Fair, onsite Café and the Cyber Pavilion that allowed the attending dentists to print their CE credits will all be present on the Exhibit floor. NJDA will continue to provide a hospitality suite for speakers, officers & trustees and invited guests.
The Friday evening bon fire will be a ticketed event. Menus and entertainment are being explored. It will be a family-friendly event from 8 to 10 PM. Ocean Place has a contingency plan in the event of rain. A "pre-Bon Fire" reception for VIPs and Council members is under consideration. The Saturday evening President's event will be "upscale casual." Two options for location are the lounge, which may be too small, or the restaurant. NJDS would like to hold their officer installation and alumni reception at the show.
For dentists, the course fees were raised to $225 for a full day and $130 for a half-day. On-site course fees would be $25 more. NJDAA/HA will not be changing their course fees. Staff fees remain unchanged. The Asbury Park Press reported that Ocean Place is in foreclosure and a sheriff's sale is scheduled for January of 2011. The outcome may affect NJDA's contract for 2012. Dr. Delson suggested Atlantic City as a likely back up plan. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2011.
Peer Review-Sandy Goldstein
There was one case successfully mediated in October 2010. No new cases were assigned.
Committee Reports:
Corporate Sponsorship-David Stein
We are doing well with sponsorship and have increased sponsorships and commitments for 2010 and 2011 as compared to 2009-2010 year.
Budget and Finance-Ira Rosen
The budget for next year will be presented to the membership at the next general meeting.
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, was given on November 4, 2010 at St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick. A total of 120 dentist and staff attended.
Our next 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 a date to be announced later.
Two CEU credits are awarded to the Dentists & staff members attending these 2-hour seminars. These seminars are available to our members & staff for $25/pp as a member benefit of MCDS.
A very big "Thank You" to Dr. Joe Fertig, Director of Dental Services - St. Peter's Medical Center, for arranging all our room accommodations for the MCDS OSHA-Mentor programs at St. Peter's Medical Center in New Brunswick.
Dr. Larry Brent will present the next mentor program on December 9, 2010. He will speak about: "Everything I did not Learn in Dental School" at the NJDA Headquarters, North Brunswick.
Continuing Education-Mark Schambra
Dr John Rule has been confirmed for the 2011-2012 CE year for Tuesday evening lecture and a full day course on Wednesday for October 2011.
Dental Hygiene Study Club-Alyssa Bernstein
The next CNJDH meeting will be on Wednesday November 10, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. The speaker will be Annabelle Bacchione, a registered dental hygienist and nutritionist. She will be speaking on nutrition and digestion. Two CEU credits will be awarded for this seminar. This CNJDH study club is available to our hygienists as a Dentist-member benefit of MCDS. Please see the registration form included in the newsletter for information on the upcoming speakers and to register your hygienist. Please contact Marlene Glickman, our Exec. Sect'y for MCDS, at 732-238-1255 for additional information and registration in advance for the program. In addition, one of the lectures for next year is open to doctors and hygienists: Hahn Diagnostics is presenting on marker pathogen analysis for periodontal disease. They will only present to the hygiene study club if there is at least 10 doctors present. Please consider attending this lecture. Thank you.
Old Business
Policies on Corporate sponsorship levels were finalized and papers were distributed to the board members so that they may use it to approach new and old vendors/sponsors and improve on our corporate sponsorships.
New Business
Dr. Prabhu expressed her concern about poor attendance at the full day courses. What different modalities should be used to improve attendance? Dr. Weiner suggested changes in tri-fold mailing lists. We also brought up a possible issue of online education influencing the attendance. Some thought newer dentists and students are more into webinars. We will send out a survey to poll the membership on these issues.
General Meeting Business on 11/16/10
The 2011 budget was voted on by the general membership and approved unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nainesh Desai, Secretary

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In Memoriam
Francis Pavlovsky

Dr. Francis Pavlovsky, D.D.S., 92, of Flemington, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, at his home. He was born in Perth Amboy and lived in Metuchen for 58 years before moving to Flemington two years ago. Dr. Pavlovsky graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1934, NYU in 1938, and The University of Pennsylvania in 1942 with his D.D.S. He had his dental practice on State Street in Perth Amboy for 36 years before retiring in 1982. He served his country in the Army during World War II in the Medical Corps in the 10th army field hospital. He served in North Africa, Italy, Germany, and France, and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He also served in the first medical corp that went into the Dachau Camp. Dr. Pavlovsky was one of the founding members of Temple Neve Shalom in Metuchen and was a a member of the Middlesex County Dental Society and N.J. Dental Association.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Siegel Pavlovsky to whom he was married for 63 years; his son, Dr. Arnold M. Pavlovsky of Southampton; daughter, Jeannie Castells and her husband Manuel of Lambertville; two grandchildren, Carmen Schofield and her husband Charles and Catalina Castells; and great-granddaughter, Rowan Marvil.

MCDS CE Survey

The MCDS Board of Trustees would like input from the membership regarding our full day CE efforts. Please login to our web site (www.MCDSofNJ.org), go to the Members Only section, then Of Current Interest, and click on the link at the top of the page to take the survey, or follow this direct link

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NJDA Noteworthy News

NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Tricia DeCotiis reported on a conversation she had with Gil Davis, CEO of Mid-Atlantic Insurance, regarding the number of TDIC policy holders that have not renewed their membership. He requested that if they were to provide a discount for NJDA members would NJDA consider allowing them to sell TDIC to non-members. After New Jersey Insurance Department approval, they are considering offering NJDA members a 5% discount for TDIC'S malpractice policy. Of course, they need permission from DOBI, however, they are seeking our support and would also like the opportunity to offer free membership to students who have graduated. A motion unanimously ADOPTED by the Board to support TDIC in seeking to sell TDIC to non-members and to offer a discount to NJDA members and also allow them to write a policy for free membership to students who are out of school for their first year if they join NJDA.
STAFF REPORTS
Membership & Annual Session – Ms. Tricia DeCotiis
Ms. Tricia DeCotiis reported that the number of 2010 members paid to date is ahead of this time last year. The Great West Life Insurance notice has been sent out and if membership dues have not been paid, the dentist is dropped. The Council on Membership has developed an incentive program for components and individual doctors who get new members to apply and pay dues. She reported that 2011 dues can be paid on-line.
Ms. DeCotiis reported that approximately 50% of the booths have been sold for Annual Session. Many of the successful features from last year are back; i.e., Henry Schein glass classroom and the Benco high tech vendor fair. The Council is working on the speaker line up, a series of courses for front office staff, and doing hands on courses for Saturday. UMDNJ, Temple and Penn will be hosting alumni receptions. The Middlesex component will also host a reception. We are continuing our search for a part-time employee.
Communications & Dental Education – Mr. Eric Elmore
Mr. Eric Elmore reported that last year we had 91 locations around the State for Give Kids A Smile. This year we have only 66 locations. We lost the Allied Dental Education facility in Scotch Plains and we are looking for practitioners in that area. Dr. Cavan Brunsden is concerned as we are expecting approximately 5,000 kids this year.
In February, GKAS will host a Night with the NJ Devils. The children will get a mouthguard provided by the Johnson and Johnson Foundation who will furnish 9,000 mouthguards. Dr. Giusto spearheaded this and we should be able to receive a small number of tickets for the Association to use as they see fit.
On January 19, 2011 the Oral Health Summit will be held at the Robert Wood Johnson Conference Center in Hamilton, N.J. In the November/December issue of the Advocate, we will have a list of speakers and the segments for that day. We are seeking 5 CE credits from the NJ State Board of Dentistry. The January Board meeting is being held January 12th to accommodate attendance for the Oral Health Coalition on January 19th. Proctor and Gamble is rescheduling the October 1st CE course to January 28th, tentatively.
Mr. Elmore reported that we have started to call on our partners for the upcoming year. We plan to add an additional cost to the partners for next year. We are working on the idea to up the cost $2,000 for each category.
The 2011 Annual NJDA Golf date has been set. Monday, August 15, 2011 is the new golf date to be held at the Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains. Since scheduling this date, we have received a lot of calls from a number of top quality courses. Many golf courses are hurting due to the economic climate and we are considering taking advantage of the opportunity for 2012.
He announced that we have 240 fans on Facebook. We are looking to see how we can improve the page without paying for Facebook advertising. On August 25th the Committee on Endorsed Programs approved BC Szerlip for healthcare. The committee has decided to no longer endorse I.C. Systems for collections and management solutions nor NEBCO for health insurance products. The committee is reviewing contracts.
Mr. Elmore reported that with the approval and adoption of the 2011 Budget, there will be only three hard copies of the Dental Advocate mailed. As the issues come up, NJDA will email the information to the membership.
Mr. Eric Elmore reported that the Committee to Review Endorsed Programs voted to drop two endorsed programs, NEBCO and IC Systems. A motion was unanimously ADOPTED by the Board (Vote #3 BT-10-11-32) to accept the decision of the Committee and drop NEBCO & IC Systems as an NJDA endorsed provider.
Governmental & Public Affairs – Mr. James Schulz
Mr. Jim Schulz reported on the recent elections. He reported that Congressman John Adler, a freshman democrat from NJ's 3rd Congressional District, lost the election to former Philadelphia Eagle, John Runyon. Congressman Adler was very helpful to organized dentistry as he is the sponsor to the Red Flags Rule exemption legislation that would exempt most dental offices from the FTC's proposed Red Flags Rule provisions. The ADA will find another champion for this imitative but he may not hail from New Jersey.
Mr. Schulz also reported that Mr. Bill Prentice who was Sr. V.P. of Public Affairs has resigned from the ADA and accepted the position as Executive Director of American Association of Ambulatory Centers. Mr. Michael Graham has stepped in to Bill's position as the interim head of Governmental Affairs.
Also, please note that Dr. Paul Gosar, a member dentist from Arizona and a friend of New Jersey, won his bid for Congress defeating Congresswoman Anne Fitzpatrick.
In New Jersey's Special State Elections Senator Don Norcross easily won the seat vacated by Camden Mayor Dana Redd. NJDPAC supported his reelection efforts. In the hotly contested 14th Legislative District, Senator Tom Goodwin lost to Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein. Both candidates were supported by NJDPAC as both served on their respective Health Committees and both have supported legislative initiatives we have advanced.
Legislatively, NJDA is deeply involved with Out-Of-Network insurance reform legislation that is being addressed by Assemblyman Gary Schaer, a democrat, Assemblywoman Denise Coyle, a republican, and the entire Assembly Insurance Committee. The legislation was not moving in a direction that was positive for dentistry, so we have asked and have successfully secured dental exemptions from the legislation. NJDA was able to have chairman Schaer state that this bill is not intended to impact dentistry.
Mr. Schulz reported that there has been a resurgence to discuss fluoridation in the State. Jersey City has expressed a renewed interest to discuss in the beginning of the year as have members of the NJ Legislature.
Finally, Mr. Schulz indicated that legislation establishing a Center for Oral Health at the NJ Dental School and a de-facto State Dental Directorship position in the center is advancing and is expected to be passed by the full Senate on Monday, November 22, 2010.
Dental Benefit Programs & Peer Review – Ms. Mary Moskal
Ms. Moskal reported that as a result of the new Republican majority in Congress, aspects of the health care reform law will be revisited, including the requirement for small businesses (including dental practices) to report purchases over $600.00. President Obama is said to be open to compromise.
She reported that the minutes of the last Council on Dental Benefits meeting were included in the Board packet. The council did review some interesting developments as a result of the law passed in several states to prohibit plans from setting fees for non-covered procedures. One plan, Dental Benefits Providers, is amending its contract to remove the provision that establishes maximum fees for non covered services. On the other hand, Met Life sent a letter to its participating dentists advising that, even in states in which the law was enacted, it will not apply to the Federal Employee Dental Plan that it administers since government plans are exempt from all regulation except the statute that created the plan.
GUEST(s)
Dr. Cecile Feldman, Dean of the Dental School, reported that the State Budget is a big concern for the school. The school's performance evaluations are being studied. UMDNJ Dental School is looking at the State elections and how the elections will affect them.
Dean Feldman reported she will be attending a meeting of the Council on Deans next week. One of the big issues is regarding the National Boards changing ratings to numeric scores. The recalibration of the national boards on how they did the scoring has been a failure because of all the indecisions.
She reported that the school will be acquiring a maxillofacial imagining center and higher education recommendations are being discussed as to whether the school will remain a statewide college or just one in the north, south or central.
STATE BOARD OF DENTISTRY REPORT – Dr. Michael Messana
He reported on two $5,000 penalties against non licensed individual practicing dentistry in Hudson County. Continuing Ed requirements are needed for Registered Dental Assistants, and some 200 RDA'S were notified that they still require fingerprinting. Also an employee leasing company has inquired about the possibility of leasing specialists to large Dental practices. The Statute in New Jersey that regulates Employee Leasing Companies has a provision that does make reference to licensees. The Statute is not very clear. We are watching this and will report back.
A question was discussed if dentists can perform HIV screening. If an individual, the answer is yes; if a group, the answer is no. The following questions were answered pertaining to the use of a laser: Can a dentist do hair removal – no; can a dentist perform wrinkle removal – no; vascular treatment – no; laser pigment removal – yes. Finally, The Board does not want to specify protocols with regard to medical emergencies. The Board does not want to over limit what is required; though they do expect Oxygen, vital signs, appropriate medications, etc.
REPORT OF TASK FORCES
Task Force on Access to Care – Dr. Michael Messana
Dr. Michael Messana reported that the Task Force met October 19, 2010 to develop a practical access to care plan. The child access issues were broken down into three categories: Education, Prevention and Treatment.
In Education:
1) Seek to include dental education as a core curriculum
2) NJDA sponsor ongoing continuing education programs for school nurses and pediatricians in recognizing dental caries.
3) NJDA sponsor CE programs for General Dentists in management of children, particularly those with special needs.
4) Website enhancements in the form of an "Access" portion of the NJDA Website.
5) Include information for what type of treatment is offered for different ages
6) Time Line of its access activities be published in the Access section of the Website.
In Prevention:
1. Continue water fluoridation efforts.
2. Seek statewide mandated dental screening of all children by school nurses
3. Have a collaborative school nurse/ NJDA member program, hereafter known as "Adopt a school" program (pilot programs are required).
4. Seek assistance from CDC specifically on potential sealant programs and seek its assistance in the above mentioned Mandated Screening program by School Nurses (note that in the Health Reform Act, money has been set aside for a grant program for school sealant programs to include all 50 states and territories.)
5. Seek a statewide Pre-K tooth brushing program, as we have with head start kids now.
6. Endorse health legislation that has dental crossover, such as Soda/Sweets tax.
7. Seek Statewide mandated dental exams by a dentist for every child entering school, and at intervals thereafter
8. Refer to the NJDA Medicaid Committee/ Council on Governmental & Public Affairs to seek their input in finding legislative and other ways to streamline medical credentialing and enact other Medicaid reforms.
In Treatment:
1. Endorse general supervision of hygienists which could assist in school based sealant programs, education and screenings.
2. Refer to the Dental Benefits Council the close monitoring of the Health Care Reform mandated Dental Insurance for all New Jersey children issues.
3. Assist in "Dental Home Initiative".
4. Integrate the "Adopt a School" program statewide to assist the school nurses with screenings, to educate children, and to provide treatment or referrals as needed.
5. Seek to have limited liability for those providing charitable treatment, and those providing transportation in school settings.
For Prevention, Education and Treatment Combined:
1. Seek to have a Dentist as "Dental Director" in the form of the Dean of the Dental School or his/her designee to aid in overseeing statewide efforts, develop programs and secure grant monies.
It was suggested to put forth a motion for the Board to accept the Task Force studies and have different councils to work out particulars. Also to prioritize certain programs to coordinate with nurses and choose a school (pilot program) to work from the bottom up.
Dr. Michael Messana and Jim Schulz have an Oral Health Bill in the legislature and meet with the Department of Education monthly. Government is going to keep working on this; we are trying to get ahead of this.
A motion was unanimously ADOPTED by the Board to accept the report of the Task Force on Access to Care.
ANNOUNCEMENT(s)
Dr. Walter Chinoy reported that it was felt that the House Resolution (2010-SAS-2) would have been resolved if there was time and we did not have to get out of the room. However, the House chose to Table the vote to the House meeting in June 2011 during Annual Session. It was discussed to seek a special meeting of the House to rescind the vote to Table the vote to the June 2011 meeting. Three methods are prescribed to call a special meeting of the House of Delegates: 1) Three quarters of the Board must approve the special meeting; 2) a petition to sign one fifth of the delegates or 3) one third of the components must ask for a special session of the House. There was much discussion and questions regarding the subject. The Board was asked what position it took. A motion was made that the Board take a stand in favor of 2010-SAS-2. Another motion was made to Table the motion to the January 12, 2011 Board of Trustee meeting. It was discussed to amend that motion to vote the same day. After some additional discussion, a motion was ADOPTED by the Board to make a recommendation to the House of Delegates to adopt Resolution 2010-SAS-2. The motion passed 13 to 5 abstentions.
Executive Director's Report – Mr. Arthur Meisel
Mr. Arthur Meisel remarked that if any dentists were ordering veneers from Denmat to check the fees. Denmat has been charging sales tax for veneers and they should not be. They are checking with the Treasury on these charges.
BOT Special Meeting
On November 30, 2010 a special telephone conference meeting of the BOT was held to discuss and determine the feasibility of holding a special meeting of the House of Delegates to discuss resolution 2010-SAS-2. After a brief review of the purpose of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded to call a special meeting of the House of Delegates to discuss the resolution. The meeting will be held at the Pines Manor on Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 10am. Component Presidents will be notified and all delegates are urged to attend.
For informational purposes the resolution states the following:
Resolved, that in an effort to improve access to care, the NJDA supports a legislative approach to obtain an appropriate limited expansion of general supervision for licensed dental hygienists in NJ with adequate safeguards to protect the public health and safety.