Come hear the stories behind the legislative and legal battles won on your behalf by NJDA this year from the dedicated officers. This annual event is an opportunity to meet the NJDA Directors and General Counsel and to witness first hand their dedication to our members. You will never ask the question, “What is organized dentistry doing for me?” after this evening. It will provide you with the opportunity to learn how to use NJDA’s vast resources to get the most of your membership. In addition, a special presentation to our deserving New Life Members will be featured. Life Members have been members for 30 consecutive years, or 40 years total. Tonight we honor our members who have reached this milestone in their careers, and acknowledge their contributions.

Welcome to the January edition of MCDS newsletter. At our next general membership meeting on January 20th, we will be honoring our new life members. These members have shown a long-term commitment (at least 30 years of continuous membership) to organized dentistry. It is through decades of support of many such member dentists that we as an organization have reached new heights. Please join us to honor them and celebrate this significant milestone in their professional careers.
In November, the non-covered services bill was signed into a law by Governor Christie. This was accomplished through persistent efforts of many member dentists, NJDA officers, sponsors of this bill and your NJDPAC contributions. At the January meeting, officers from NJDA will provide us with insights into this and other legal and legislative issues affecting our dental profession.
Last week, MCDS sent out invitations to non-member dentists of Middlesex County to attend the upcoming General meeting. The first 50 non-member dentists who call and register will be able to attend this January dinner meeting as guests of MCDS. Please pass on this message to your non-member dental colleagues. Invite them and excite them to become part of organized dentistry.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that you were able to take a few moments to ponder upon your last year’s achievements and failures. For many, New Year is a new beginning, a time to take stock and plan a new course to better their lives. Making resolutions is a custom in many countries and cultures across the world. Becoming fit and healthy, living life to the fullest and getting organized, are amongst the top five resolutions in America. Such resolutions express the moral ambition of a person wanting to improve one’s self and be happy. The feeling of accomplishment after following through that resolution is invaluable.
I hope you set and meet new goals, learn new ways to improve practice of dentistry, reach higher standards, spend more time for things that make you happy and enjoy life to the fullest.
Happy New Year.

Attendance: Drs. Nainesh Desai, Alyssa Bernstein, Devang Modi, Amit Vora, Genevieve Fernandes, Bob Silverstein, Mark Schambra, Ira Rosen, Peter DeSciscio, David Stein, Sunny Satwah, Deborah Brown, Nima Mir-Madjlessi, Sandy Goldstein, Daniel Krantz, Richard Kahn, Constantine Simos, Bob Ashmen and Marlene Glickman
Acceptance of 10/14/14 Minutes- vote unanimous.
President’s Report-Nainesh Desai
Dr. Mark Vitale was nominated for the position of NJDA Vice- President.
Treasurer’s Report-Amit Vora
See detailed report on page 3.
Secretary’s Report- Genevieve Fernandes
Thank you to all our board members for following the request to email to the MCDS google groups their reports before the Tuesday board meeting. This has ensured timely review and submission to our newsletter editor Dr. Bob Silverstein.
Education Coordinator’s Report- Sanjeev Satwah
Our speaker for next week is Dr. Arthur Bilenker. The title of his presentation is “Current Trends in Dental Insurance.”
Website Editor’s Report- Robert Silverstein
Updates are being made to our website with the rest of the website committee.
Executive Secretary Report-Marlene Glickman
E-mails were sent out to all new members who haven’t received their membership certificates.
NJDA Council Reports :
Dental Benefits-Devang Modi, Anionette Tauk
Mary Moskal has recommended that dentists to hold off on opting in to Medicare until June. There are several issues that need to be corrected with their system so that dentists are reimbursed for all of their services.
Governmental Affairs- Mitch Weiner
Election Recap-Whereas nationwide, the Republican’s rode a wave on anti-Obama sentiment to victory, NJ saw strong results for the Democratic party on a county and statewide level. This may have an impact on municipal regulations and laws that are adopted going forward that may not be considered ‘pro-business’.
Non-Covered Services Bill- NCS Legislation was passed by both the NJ State Senate and Assembly and is being considered by the governor at this moment. He has the ability to sign it, veto it, conditionally veto it (suggesting amendments to the legislation that would make him more amenable to signing into law) or not act at all (which would make the bill become a law after the designated time period he has to act on the bill expires). DOBI is opposed to the bill and feels certain ‘consumer protections’ need to be placed in the wording to prevent abuse. It is likely that some compromise on the wording of the bill that is amenable to DOBI may be the only path to signage by the Governor.
DEP Amalgam Separator Registration- Due to personnel shortages, the DEP can no longer send e-mail reminders to dentists about their obligation to register their amalgam separators annually. The NJDA will alert its members via Monday e-mail blasts and provide a link on the NJDA website to the registration portal.
Volunteer Health Care Providers Legislation- This is a bill that would provide liability immunity to healthcare practitioners who volunteer their services in free clinics or free community outreach events where no money is collected for their services. The Council recommended amending the language in the bill to include dentists who are volunteer dental school faculty, dental residency program attendings and dentists that volunteer for oral cancer screenings.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Legislation- There are 2 competing bills, one in the NJ Senate that mandates healthcare practitioners register and utilize the online database for each prescription written and one in the NJ Assembly that mandates ONLY registration and suggests practitioners utilize the database. The Assembly bill is more in line with the Council’s recommendations regarding PDMP.
“Corporate Dentistry’ Petition for Rulemaking – Theoretically, most of us practice corporate dentistry based on how our businesses are structured with the IRS. The interpretation is better understood by referring to dental practices either run by DENTISTS or MANAGEMENT COMPANIES where the dentist does not have control over personnel, coding for treatment, etc. There is currently an ongoing dialogue between representatives for these management company dental entities and NJDA to better define the boundaries of dentist control when one of these entities purchases or has purchased a NJ dental practice while keeping the selling dentist on in the practice.
Out of Network /All Claims Database Legislation- A bill was introduced and monitored by the Council that mandates practitioners disclose fee info from all EOB’s to a NJ government entity that can potentially use this data to determine and mandate a fee ceiling for out of network services. Given that most dental practitioners maintain a true collectable UCR fee schedule vs medicine where write-offs can be 75-80% of the fee originally charged, NJDA is attempting to educate legislators that dental out of network fees are close enough to in network fees so as to not warrant such scrutiny.
Residency Mandate Proposal- A proposal sent to the Council from a NJ residency director to mandate a 1 year GPR as a condition for NJ licensure was broached by the council. Council members were asked to go back to their components to get feedback on this issue, particularly from newer dentists as the council does not want to recommend a piece of legislation that could be interpreted as divisive to the membership. Regardless, it was the opinion of the Council, many of who are dental school and residency program faculty that completion of a GPR is imperative given the scope of proficiency a general practitioner must possess in the world today. Another question the Council must ponder should this legislative proposal be considered is whether a GPR alone should be mandated for licensure (like NY State) or whether a GPR AND the NERB exam together must be successfully completed.
Paid Sick Leave Legislation- Although this legislation has heavy Democratic support in the statehouse, the governor will not sign it if passed by both the Senate and Assembly. However, the next Democratic governor will. This also does not exempt municipalities from enacting and enforcing such legislation on a local level, and many have. Moreover, the Democrats control more municipal governments’ in NJ post- election, which may result in more paid sick leave mandates on the local level for NJ employers. The state bill mandates 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked for full OR part-time employees.
North Carolina Dental Board Supreme Court Case-While the right of non-dentist business entities to perform tooth whitening services without dentists supervision seems to be at the heart of the case, to the Supreme Court it is really a federalism vs. states’ rights issue. Does the North Carolina Board of Dentistry (state) have authority in its decision to ban non-dentist whitening centers over the FTC (federal government) ,which feels anti-trust and anti-competition laws are being broken by not allowing whitening centers without dentist supervision.
Membership- Genevieve Fernandes, Nima Mir-Madjlessi
Our next Council on Membership meeting is scheduled for November 20th at 6:30 PM at NJDA.
Peer Review-Sandy Goldstein
There was no peer review activity last month.
Relief- Ethan Glickman
Dr. Glickman has stepped down from this position. Ira Rosen motioned, and it was seconded by Dr. Maya Prabhu and Dr. Mark Schambra, that the position be offered to Dr. Constantine Simos. Dr. Simos has accepted this position.
Committee Reports:
Corporate Sponsorship-Ira Rosen
We have four gold sponsors that will be attending all six of our scientific meetings: Biomet 3i, Benco Dental Supply Company, Dentsply (Tulsa) and TD Bank. We have one bronze sponsor that will be attending two of our scientific meetings: Kuwata Pan Dent. In addition, AFTCO will be placing an ad in all of our monthly newsletters again.
We want to thank Benco Dental Supply Company for also sponsoring our all-day practice management course on April 22, 2015. Save the date for yourself and your staff and look for the upcoming flyer with all of the specifics.
We are very grateful to all of our corporate sponsors because they enable the Middlesex County Dental Society to provide top quality continuing education to our membership in a local venue at reasonable cost, as well as a wide range of member benefits.
Mentor-Nima Mir-Madjlessi
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 Nov. 6, 2014 at St. Peter’s Medical Center, New Brunswick. 128 members and their staff were in attendance. Two CEU credits were awarded to the Dentists & staff members attending this 2-hour seminar. These seminars are available 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. The next OSHA recertification course will be held in June 2015.
New Dentist Committee- Sanjeev Satwah
October’s meeting was cancelled. We will be meeting on 11/25.
Budget and Finance - Ira Rosen
The proposed 2014-2015 MCDS budget was approved by the Executive Board at our October meeting. It was presented to the membership at the October general meeting, published in the November newsletter and will be voted upon at the November general meeting.
Membership Hospitality Committee- Genevieve Fernandes, Deborah Brown
Email blasts are being sent about twice a month by Dr. Genevieve Fernandes with holiday greetings and to inform our members on the CE meetings within our dental society. Dr. Brown will coordinate with our Facebook editor to promote our meetings on Facebook too.
Dental Shadowing- Marlene Glickman has taken over this role completely as Dr. Maha Kaga has not been able to continue for personal reasons.
Hygiene Study Club- Alyssa Bernstein
The Central New Jersey Dental Hygiene [CNJDH] Study Club met on Wednesday September 17, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. The speaker was Dr. Devon Berry and he lectured on “The Effects of Occlusion”. Two CEU credits were awarded to the 29 hygienists that attend this meeting.
The next CNJDH meeting will be on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. The speaker will be Debbie Sabatini and she will be lecturing on “Probiotics, Are They Helpful?” 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 contact Marlene Glickman, our Executive Secretary for MCDS, at 732-764-MCDS (6237) for additional information and registration in advance for the program.
MCDS Study Club- Genevieve Fernandes, Nima Mir-Madjlessi
The MCDS Study Club met on Wednesday Oct 29th, 2014 from 6:30-8:30PM Dr. Richard Kahn was our speaker and the topic was, “A Review of Periodontal Diagnosis and Therapy”. 2 CEs were awarded and this took place at NJDA headquarters. The study club meetings are offered as a member benefit and there is no charge to our members to attend them. Our next meeting will be in January, 2015 with details to follow. Thank you to Dr. Kahn, and to all those that attended this free study club meeting.
New Business
The current Mercer County President wanted to look at our Bylaws. Dr. Nainesh Desai will be revisiting our Bylaws and any necessary updates will be discussed at our next board meeting.
A motion was passed by Dr. Ira Rosen and seconded by Dr. Genevieve Fernandes to invite all non-members of our dental society to our January general meeting. The first 50 people to respond will be able to attend this meeting at no charge. A budget of up to $3000 was proposed. This received an unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Genevieve Fernandes,
Secretary

NJDA Noteworthy News

-Dr. Peter DeSciscio was approved by the NJDA Board as MCDS Alternate Trustee. -The NJDA 2015 Budget was approved by the Budget Hearing Committee. The main contentious issue regarding the budget was the funding of NJDA’s ADA Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the 2015 ADA Annual Session in Washington DC. All of the attendees representing NJ on our behalf make significant time and financial sacrifices for the membership. Many of the component ADA Delegates and Alternate Delegates who were present at the Budget Hearing made passionate pleas for full funding of all potential Delegates as a result of these many sacrifices made. Due to ADA restructuring of Delegate numbers, NJ now has 14 Delegates (12 Component Delegates + NJDA President and President-Elect). Adding the 12 Alternate Delegates would have made NJDA financially responsible for fully funding 26 member dentist representatives. After much deliberation, the Board voted in the majority to fund a total of 14 ADA Delegates to the 2015 ADA Annual Session due to fiscal strain and the desire not to raise dues to achieve full funding. The NJDA 2015 Budget will be sent to the House of Delegates for approval at their November meeting and this matter will most certainly be revisited. -The surplus that usually accumulates in the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs budget as a result of our licensing fees and State Board fines/penalties has been re-appropriated by the Governor in his budget to help fund other services. Estimates are that the NJ State Board of Dentistry had approximately $2 million re-allocated. It was these surpluses, that have now been taken away, that resulted in past dues abatements of our biennial licensing fees. This will clearly not be the case going forward. -Non-Covered Services Legislation sailed through Committee in the Senate and was brought to the floor and approved by the NJ State Senate. The bill will now be considered in the NJ State Assembly. Continued PAC support from the membership coupled with member dentists’ grassroots meetings with Jim Schulz to educate new legislators on this issue has been a key driver of this legislation forward. -Shirley Birenz RDH has been named President of the NJ State Board of Dentistry. She is the 1st Hygienist to be elected as President. -NJDA Executive Director Art Meisel, with permission of the NJDA Board of Trustees, represented a member dentist free of charge in a lawsuit that resulted in a just settlement. The member dentist gave a $7000 contribution to NJDA and increased his PAC membership to the highest level. Mr. Meisel was given permission at the Sept. 17 NJDA BOT Meeting to represent another member dentist free of charge in a suit that Mr. Meisel feels should be found in favor of the member dentist. None of these suits are related to dental malpractice. -A large number of people who registered for the June Garden State Expo (‘NJDA Annual Session’) did not show up, costing NJDA significant expenses in processing and putting registration packets together that were not used. For the 2015 Session, the possibility of a nominal $25 registration fee per person (to defray these no-show costs) with a $25 gift card per person in return presented at the show that can be used to buy vendor products was explored and enthusiastically received by the NJDA BOT.

MCDS Newsletter Online

To receive the newsletter electronically in lieu of receiving a printed copy, please visit our web site, at www.MCDSofNJ.org.
By registering for this, you will be able to view the newsletter about a week before it would get to you in the mail, and this will also be saving us money.

DENTAL BENEFIT SNIPPET FROM THE ADA: Differences between PPO’s and EPO’s

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is a managed care plan combined with a network of dentists under contract to the third party carrier to deliver specified services for set fees and according to the provisions of the contract. Traditional PPO’s pay a percentage of the maximum allowable fee to the contracted dentist. For dentists out of the network, the PPO may pay a lesser percentage for each covered service. Newer models called Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO’s) require that subscribers use only participating dentists if they want to have the services covered by the plan. In such instances the patient will need to bear all costs of care if they choose to go out of network. There is no benefit payable to out of network dentists. While such closed panel plans have typically been used in dental health maintenance organizations (DHMO’s) they are starting to gain popularity with PPO’s as a mechanism to control costs. Dentists and their patients should be well aware of the differences between an EPO and a PPO which can sound a lot alike especially when an employer offers both. Please encourage your patients to become familiar with and understand their benefit plans. Before signing any participating provider agreement, members can use the ADA’s contract analysis service through their state society. This service provides a plain language explanation of the terms of the contract. One-on one member assistance is also available at the ADA. For assistance please call: 800-621-8099.

New Research from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute

New Research from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute Why Adults Forgo Dental Care: Evidence from a New National Survey In this Research Brief we analyze a new nationally representative survey on access to dental care. We find that cost and low perceived need are the top reasons why adults indicate they do not intend to visit a dentist in the next 12 months. This is true among adults of all ages and income levels. Other important reasons for not visiting a dentist include lack of time, difficulty traveling to a dentist, anxiety, and difficulty finding a dentist that accepts Medicaid. The prominence of “no need” as a key reason for forgoing dental care could be a result of improvements in oral health, changes in oral health literacy, or a significant shift in the value proposition of dental care. Are Medicaid and Private Dental Insurance Reimbursement Rates for Pediatric Dental Care Services Keeping up with Inflation? In this Research Brief we analyze new data for every state and find that from 2003 to 2013, Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care services has not kept up with inflation in most states. In contrast, most states have seen increases in inflation-adjusted private dental insurance reimbursement. States that have implemented reimbursement increases along with other Medicaid program reforms have seen significant gains in provider participation and access to dental care. The impact of fee changes in the private market has been studied less. Medicaid Market for Dental Care Poised for Major Growth in Many States In this Research Brief we analyze the implication of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act on the market for dental care. We find that Medicaid expansion will significantly expand number of low-income adults with dental benefits. However, translating expanded Medicaid dental benefits coverage to expanded access to dental care and ultimately, improved oral health, will require significant reforms to many Medicaid programs. States can draw on a large body of evidence to guide reforms. Dentist Earnings Not Recovering with Economic Growth In this Research Brief we update our analysis of dentists’ earnings through 2013. We find that earnings are not rebounding despite several years of economic recovery since the Great Recession. Low dentist busyness levels and decreased wait times indicate additional capacity is available in the dental care system. Given that dental spending is expected to remain sluggish while the supply of dentists is expected to increase, the prospects for dentist earnings remain unclear. Diverting Emergency Department Dental Visits Could Save Maryland’s Medicaid Program $4 Million per Year In this Research Brief we find that since 2012, per-capita outpatient dental emergency department visits have In this Research Brief we find that since 2012, per-capita outpatient dental emergency department visits have decreased in Maryland. The decline can be attributed to reduced visits among children and adults ages 21- 40. The decrease in outpatient dental emergency department visits among children are likely attributable to reforms Maryland has instituted in its pediatric Medicaid program since 2007 but further research is needed. As the majority of expenditure for outpatient dental emergency department visits is financed by Medicaid, an effective statewide emergency department diversion program could save the Maryland Medicaid program up to $4 million per year. The ‘Invisible Hand’ and the Market for Dental Care In this month’s Health Policy Perspectives, the evolution of the dental care market since 1980 is viewed through an economic lens. The analysis shows that the interplay of the supply of and demand for dental care is a key driver of dentist earnings. With an expected continued stagnation of demand and a projected increase in the number of dentists, the ‘invisible hand’ of the market could have important implications for years to come.

NJDA Noteworthy News

ADA Delegate/Alternate Delegate Funding
Dr. Richard Kahn suggested that the ADA Delegates/Alternate Delegates should be very cognizant in choosing plane fares when purchasing tickets for the ADA Annual Sessions. He reported that while signing checks, he noted that there is a difference of hundreds of dollars in the fares. He also feels that Delegates should be penalized if they do not attend the Pre-Annual Session Caucus.
Dr. Alan Rothstein felt each Trustee should go back to their component, reporting that NJDA can only afford a certain dollar amount and ask his/her component if it can create a line item in its Budget to support the ADA Delegate/Alternate.
Council on Dental Benefits – Ms. Mary Moskal
Ms. Mary Moskal reported on the many problems that currently exist due to the new Medicare prescribing rule that will take effect in June 2015, the lack of consistency and clarity emanating from CMS to ADA, and the problems that members have reported to NJDA. As an example, a prosthodontist received a rejection letter after trying to enroll in Medicare as a billing provider using the “other physician” category; CMS’s response to this issue was a contradiction of all of the guidance provided to ADA/NJDA to date. Another problem surfaced with the Referring Provider Rule enacted some time ago. This rule does not apply to “doctor to doctor” referrals, but at least one oral surgeon reported that he was not being reimbursed for x-rays because the general dentist had not enrolled nor opted out of Medicare. In the meantime, dentists have time to delay action on the Medicare enrollment/opt out decision since the Prescribing Rule does not take effect until next June.
Communications – Ms. Nicole Fredrickson
Ms. Nicole Fredrickson reported that at the Council’s next meeting it will be working with the components putting together an updated Continuing Education section which advertises component meetings and CE. It was reported that components that provide Nicole with their meeting and CE dates will be added to the NJDA website.
Programs & Development – Ms. Maureen Barlow
Annual Session
For the 2015 conference (May 1 and 2) we are charging a $25.00 conference pass.? This Pass includes continental breakfasts both days, lunch and learn course credits, Table Clinics, an extensive attendee reception, Prizes awarded every hour the exhibit floor is open and a $25.00 gift card to be used with any exhibitor at the conference.
Programming
Resources Day will be a full day program to be held at NJDA focused on practice management tools for member dentists and their staff.? The program will include continuing education as well as resources and a shredding truck.? The tentative date is September 30, 2015.
Two New Dentist Conferences will be scheduled in the fall as well. One in North Jersey and one in South Jersey.
Bank of America will be hosting a program here at NJDA focused on starting or expanding a practice.
Governmental & Public Affairs - Mr. James Schulz
Mr. Schulz reported that the Non-covered Services (NCS) Bill is on the Governor’s desk and he should act on it by December 1, 2014.(Editor’s Note: This bill was signed into law by Governor Christie in late November)? The Department of Banking and Insurance is opposed to the bill, however, the Senate and Assembly Minority Leaders are sponsors and spoke in favor of it. ?They have asked the Governor to sign the Bill. It’s important to remember that this legislation applies only to insured plans and not ERISA plans or Third Party Administrators. Those are governed by federal law.
The Legislature continues to look at changing NJ’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). To date, Twenty-one bills have been introduced with a number of fact-finding hearings.
Presently, there is a 13% utilization rate of the PDMP and prescription drugs are the most abused drugs in America. Vicodin, OxyContin and Oxycodone are the major gateway drugs into Heroin use. The NJDA is in a coalition with other prescriber groups to ensure that, while changes need to occur within the PDMP, that doctors still have the ability to treat their patients as they see fit.
Executive Director & Legal Counsel’s Report – Mr. Arthur Meisel
Mr. Arthur Meisel reported that at its last public meeting, the State Board clarified that while registered dental assistants can perform, without hand instrumentation, a supra-gingival polishing using a rubber cup with pumice and a rotary slow speed hand piece, they cannot use prophy paste to conduct the procedure.
The Board’s concern was that if the prophy paste was used, it could be billed by the dentist as a prophy. Mr. Meisel asked the NJDA Board whether or not he should bring this back to the State Board to be re-visited. A motion was made, seconded by the Board (Vote #3 BT-14-11-22) to have Mr. Arthur Meisel revisit this issue at the next State Board of Dentistry meeting.
The motion was defeated.