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.

As I sat down to write the President’s Message for this newsletter I had one topic in mind to write about but due to recent events in my life I have changed my message. Eight years ago I had a tragic event happen that could have very easily derailed me, but thanks to Dr. Ethan Glickman I was “saved”. My first husband had just passed away and I was lost. I needed something that could distract me from my sadness and loneliness, something to focus my energy on. Dr. Glickman called one afternoon and suggested that I attend a Middlesex County Executive Board meeting and consider taking on a position on the board. I went to my first meeting and subsequently accepted the position of the Central New Jersey Dental Hygiene Study Club doctor representative. The following year Dr. Maya Prabhu asked me to be her Educational Coordinator and I began my climb to the Presidency. Having the support of the board at that time in my life was just what I needed.
Three weeks ago I experienced another tragic loss, the death of my second husband and I realized once again how much the Middlesex County Dental Society has become a family to me. I would like to use this message as a way to express my appreciation to all the members that have called and written recently. Your kind words have gotten me through this once before and I know having your support will get me through this once again. Thank you again for all your sympathy and thoughtfulness.
Wishing everyone and their families a Happy Holiday Season.

Attendance: Drs. Alyssa Bernstein, Devang Modi, Genevieve Fernandes, Richard Kahn, Antoinette Tauk, Ira Rosen, Mark Schambra, Daniel Krantz, Sunny Satwah, Mitch Weiner, Mark Vitale, Sandy Goldstein, Constantine Simos, and Marlene Glickman
Acceptance of 10/13/15 Minutes- vote unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report- Dr. Sunny Satwah
See full report on page 3.
Secretary’s Report- Dr. Genevieve Fernandes
Dr. Mohammed Erakat, Dr. Paresh Patel and Dr. Mario Fiorentini were in attendance at our board meeting today as guests.
Education Coordinator’s Report- Dr. Devang Modi
Dr. Barry Raphael is confirmed to speak on the topic of “Airway Management- A New Paradigm.” on 11/17/15. In January, during Officer’s Night we will be honoring 4 life members: Dr. Richard Heinowitz, Dr. John McDonough, Dr. Jayant Patel and Dr. Steven Resnick.
ADA Delegate Report- Dr. Daniel Krantz
There will be no ADA news increase for the next year.
NJDA Trustee Report- Dr. Mitch Weiner
There has been no NJDA Trustees meeting since our last MCDS Board meeting and dinner. Our next NJDA BOT will be Wed. November 18th after the House of Delegates meeting. MCDS Board members should mark Nov 18th 10am at Pines for House of Delegates on your calendars. There will be discussion and voting on the budget/dues increase with emphasis on the funding of ADA Delegates/Alternate Delegates to the ADA convention as well as an increase in the rate that ACTIVE (not retired) life members pay for dues.
NJDA Council Reports:
Dental Benefits- Dr. Devang Modi, Dr. Antoinette Tauk
The Council on Dental Benefits met on 11/4/15. Of key note is a policy by United Concordia that effective 8/7/2015, they will not pay for routine periapical x-rays on recall visits without a narrative indicating the need for those x-rays on that specific patient. They also state that you cannot bill the patient for the balance. So if you’re office takes 4 bitewings and 2 periapicals during recall visits, the periapicals will not be covered. Providing an explanation in the remarks column does not guarantee a payment from UC but maybe the insurance company will consider paying or possibly allow to charge the patient. The Council unanimously voted to permit Dr. Krantz to bring this concern to the ADA CODB for intervention. It is our concern that other insurance companies will follow suit.
When trying to resolve dental insurance claims issues ask to speak to a representative in the United States. They have more access to more details of claims, policies and procedures then a representative overseas whose looking at only a computer record. Please use Dr. Joan Monaco as a resource from NJDA (732-821-9400) to fight your difficult insurance battles.
Effective January I, 2016, DDNJ will implement four Managed Fee Economic Areas (MFEAs) for all Products in New Jersey and Connecticut. Unlike in the past where the different fee regions were geographically adjacent to each other, MFEA’s will be established based on the submitted fees within every five digit zip code in each state. This transition to MFEAs is based on a detailed analysis for each five digit zip code in each State so that the approved fee level can more closely match the fees being submitted by dentists in the respective areas. The net overall impact across all networks and locations is expected to be a modest increase in approved fee levels as compared to the existing two geographic zone methodology, with the most positive impact being for the Delta Dental PPO in certain areas throughout each State.
The council discussed its Mission Statement and possible need for modification with its duties. Should it be limited to insurance issues because the council often discuss government regulations, ACA, corporate dentistry, business and billing trends, legislative affairs involving covered/ non-covered services... Often there is cross over with reports of the same from other council and committee (BOT report, council on governmental affairs...). It was recommended to obtain ADA’s CODB mission statement.
Next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 2nd 2016.
Governmental Affairs – Dr. Mitch Weiner
-The new Prescription Monitoring Program law is in effect as of November 1st. There have been some problems with access and the IT people are working on their end to rectify. NJDA will be monitoring and updating the membership through the transition. A ‘Do No Harm Symposium’ to discuss prescription drug abuse is being held at Barnabas Health Corporate Headquarters on Friday November 13th. Admission is free and practicing dentists are encouraged to attend.
-Out of Network Legislation that would impose mandates on healthcare practitioners, holding them responsible for communicating to patients the network/out of network status of ALL referrals given. NJDA has been communicating to our legislators that dental offices and insurance companies have excellent transparency in regards to in/out of network status of practitioners and that dentists deserve to left out of the legislation. Although it is likely that dentistry will be left out of the bill, there are no guarantees. Thus, the Council and NJDA staff are closely monitoring the progress of this bill, which is moving very slowly through the legislative process at this time.
-OMNIA- Horizon BC/BS has formed a new Health Alliance (called OMNIA) and tiered network plan with a number of the major health care systems in the state of NJ. (For the details from Horizons website: http://www.horizonblue.com/about-us/news-overview/company-news/horizon-bcbsnj-major-new-alliance-formed-transform-health-care-delivered-financed). OMNIA is being looked at with great trepidation and scrutiny by the state legislators, who held an all day hearing grilling Horizon executives in early October. One of the most critical matters to legislators during this hearing was that Burlington County still does not have access to a ‘tier 1’ hospital (and one that provider OB/GYN services) in the OMNIA alliance that is currently in place.
-The Center for Oral health Legislation had been amended from its original form to place the state Dental Director in the Office of the Department of Health.
-Expungement Legislation update-a draft of the expungement bill that would allow expungement of certain minor violations that have been on members public records indefinitely was reviewed by the Council. In order for the bill to be utilized for most professional licensees, the draft is of a very general nature and does not get into the specifics of which board violations would be considered for expungement.
Membership- Dr. Genevieve Fernandes, Dr. Nima Mir-Madjlessi
Brendan Breen reported on the success of NJDA’s 2 recent programs. Resource Day was held on September 30th at Association headquarters. This event was attended by over 200 members and staff. Positive feedback was given throughout the day. The New Dentists Conferences were held on October 3rd in Mount Laurel with 30 dentists in attendance and October 17th in Saddle Brook with 45 in attendance.
The council discussed how NJDA and the components can entice non-members to become members, and how to make new members feel more welcome.
The Council heard from ADA Outreach Manager, Bridget Baxter who discussed both data analysis that has been conducted as well as major initiatives carried out by the organization.
Peer Review- Dr. Sandy Goldstein
There were no new peer review cases assigned or mediated during the last month.
Committee Reports:
Corporate Sponsorship-Dr. Ira Rosen
At the November General Membership meeting, all three of our gold sponsors will be in attendance– Zimmer Biomet, Dentsply International and Provident Bank. In addition, one of our bronze sponsors will be joining us for the first time this year– Kuwata Pan Dent. Please join me in welcoming our sponsors and be sure to visit them and view their products. AFTCO has reconsidered and has decided to continue advertising in our monthly newsletter.
Mentor-Dr. Nima MirMadjlessi
Our bi-annual OSHA program that satisfies the OSHA standard on Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens was held on Oct. 15,2015 at St. Peter’s Medical Center, New Brunswick. We had about 110 member Dentists and their staff in attendance. Two CEU credits was awarded to the Dentists & staff members attending these 2-hour seminars. These seminars are available only 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 course is being planned for June of 2016. Also, I am still in the process of planning an insurance workshop for our member dentists and their Insurance Coordinators-HOPEFULLY in January 2016.
New Dentist Committee - Dr. Sanjeev Satwah
The national New Dentist Conference was held this past week in Washington DC. It was well attended. Attendees, including myself, felt it was a ‘must attend’ for all new dentists. Our next state committee meeting is on 11/19.
Membership Hospitality Committee - Dr. Genevieve Fernandes, Dr. Deborah Brown
Email blasts are being sent out by Dr. Genevieve Fernandes with reference to upcoming courses and holidays.
Budget and Finance- Dr. Ira Rosen
The budget committee completed the proposed MCDS budget for calendar year 2016. It was approved by the MCDS Executive Board and presented to the membership at the October General Membership meeting. A copy of the budget was published in the November newsletter and it will be voted upon at our November General Membership meeting.
Hygiene Study Club- Dr. Alyssa Bernstein
The Central New Jersey Dental Hygiene [CNJDH] Study Club met on Wednesday September 16, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. The speaker was Dr. Robert Silverstein and the topic is “Invisalign: Understanding Limitations to Improve Outcomes”. Two CEU credits were awarded to the hygienists that attended this meeting. The following CNJDH meeting will be on Wednesday November 11, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. The speaker will be Dr. David Wendell and the topic will be, “Got Belly Fat... It’s not you, It’s your Hormones.” 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- Dr. Genevieve Fernandes, Dr. Nima Mir-Madjlessi
On November 4th, 2016 we had the second meeting of the 2015-6 MCDS Study Club. Dr. Maya Prabhu gave an excellent presentation titled: Endodontic Trauma: A Systematic Review. There were 15 members in attendance. We are hoping to build momentum and have more members partake of this member benefit. This is another reminder to all of our members to take advantage of this opportunity and to invite a friend or colleague who is not a member of NJDA/MCDS to see one of the many benefits of membership. On Dec. 16th Dr. Nainesh Desai will be presenting: A review of Implant supported Overdentures. Please look for the registration form on our website and our Facebook Page.
New Business
The Board unanimously approved Dr. Antoinette Tauk as our secretary for 2016-2017.
Good and Welfare
Dr. Cavan Brunsden was unable to attend today’s meeting as he is celebrating his birthday with his family.
Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Genevieve Fernandes, Secretary

General Membership Meeting Business

The 2016 budget was presented to the General Membership and unanimously approved.

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Insurance Claims Problems?

The Board would like to remind you that Claims Resolution Service is available through the NJDA to help you resolve any dental claim issue. Please contact Dr. Joan Monaco at 732-821-9400. This service is provided free to you as a member benefit.

NJDA Noteworthy News

-NJDA has been solicited by Delta to provide a representative to its Advisory Board. The board decided that this designate should be appointed by the current NJDA President for a 3 year term and NJDA president Dr. Greg LaMorte selected Dr. Thomas Rossi, the current NJDA Secretary.
-The Division of Consumer Affairs has not managed the new Prescription Monitoring Program regulation transition well. Many IT issues persist that DCA has not been able to address adequately yet. There is no push at this time from DCA to go after non-compliance until these problems are rectified.
-A ‘Do No Harm Symposium’ on prescription drug abuse was held on November 13th and facilitated by Dr. Mark Vitale in cooperation with St. Barnabas Health. The program was well attended by practitioners and well received. Another program is in the planning stages.
-A term limit committee was set up under the directive of President Dr. Greg LaMorte to look into a protocol for Council, Committee, Trustee and ADA Delegate/Alternate Delegate term limits. After the committee presented its proposal, a long discussion by the board ensued in which many permutations and combinations of unforeseen ‘what ifs’ were brought to light. As a result, the board took no action and Trustees were asked to go back to their components to seek feedback.
-MOM’s (Mission of Mercy) project discussions are going forward for a proposed day of free dental care for military Veteran’s in NJ sometime in 2016.
-A Renovations Committee was established by the board to entertain proposals for a phased renovation/modernization of the NJDA Building. The first proposal was presented to the board and no action will be taken until more proposals are received and presented at the next NJDA board meeting in January 2016.

Highlights from the November Meeting