KDA Today

KDA Today

For Immediate Release

Date: Feb 17th, 2023
Contact: Dr. Jonathan Rich
Phone: 800-292-1855
Email: kda@kyda.org

Who Can You Hire for Less Than $3.90 a Day?

One of the biggest issues facing dentists today is finding employees, according to a recent poll from the ADA’s Health Policy Institute. For less than $3.90 a day, being a member of organized dentistry offers an abundance of services and benefits that will aid your office and daily practice, including resources to assist in hiring staff. Some of these services and benefits may be familiar, others may not. Even though our membership share is dropping, with over 162,000 dentists and more than 20,000 dental students, there is still power in numbers.

Advocacy
The ADA is America’s leading oral health advocate, fighting for the issues that matter most for dentists and patients, alike. The body of legislative work that has been successful over the years on behalf of dentists and their patients and the total sum of expenses saved for each member over their dental careers is immeasurable. No one dentist, alone, has the time or influence to make these changes on a state or national level. But, together, we can produce meaningful legislative results. Insurance reform is a hot button topic for many states and many wins for our patients are occurring. Wins for our patients are wins for providers. This can be noted in recent increases for some of the most urgent and utilized Medicaid fees, reforms involving non-covered services and prior authorization and others.

In Kentucky, HB370, our insurance reform bill, passed unanimously through both chambers of the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Beshear and took effect in mid-July of 2022.

This Patient Transparency in Dental Benefits bill provides our members and their patients greater clarity and certainty on issues that have caused friction and provided insurance companies an unfair advantage over network providers for many years. These issues include prior authorization, network leasing, virtual credit cards and non-covered services. You may want to reach out to your insurance company to determine how you can exercise options provided through this legislation.

The ADA has called this a big win, citing that there are not that many bills of this size that have been successful. This would not have been possible but for the commitment of our board, the participation of those who contributed to our PAC, our legislative fund or those who paid our optional advocacy fee along with their dues. We also received financial support from our components and the ADA. We had excellent guidance from our contract lobbyists in arranging countless calls and meetings. Many of you, as well as students from our two dental schools, had the opportunity to make our case before the legislature. Every year brings new challenges and opportunities, and as always, the association has its members best interests in mind.

COVID Guidance and Leadership
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, KDA worked diligently to answer questions about everything Covid-related - EIDL and PPP loans from SBA or KN-95’s and other PPE from KYEM and FEMA. We found ever-evolving answers to many questions from sources like, the CDC, FDA, and OSHA. KDA collaborated closely with stakeholders like KBOD, KOHC, KYDHA, ULSD, UKCD and of course CHFS DPH DPQI.

We received many calls for technical and professional information regarding how to deal with this pandemic crisis and the aftermath. The questions ran the gamut from scientific issues and safety considerations to personal assistance and financial advice. Much of this information was and still is maintained on the KDA and ADA websites and often directs you to guidelines or advice from experts. We provided this essential information often and almost in real-time and not only to KDA members, but also to non-members, staff and other friends of the Kentucky dental community.

The biggest question everyone had for KDA was when dentists would be able to go back to work. Dentists were able to open faster than many may have predicted. Given the nature of this pathogen and the propensity of many dental procedures to create aerosol that could spread the coronavirus, there was a real question as to how and whether practices might safely reopen.

In order to reopen dental practices across Kentucky, the KDA was charged by the governor with creating a return to work plan. In formulating this plan, KDA leaders worked with the Kentucky State Dental Director representing the Kentucky Department of Public Health; the Kentucky Board of Dentistry; the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition; the Kentucky Dental Hygienist Association and the deans of our two dental schools. Due to the success of this workgroup in creating a viable workplan to reopen practices and address legitimate safety issues - and partly because of the experience of dentists in dealing with infectious disease control generally – practices were permitted to reopen.

In fact, Dentists were part of the first phase of healthcare professions to reopen. But, reopening was not a mandate or a favor. It was an expression of faith based upon a demonstration that practices could be opened safely, and that practice would be limited to those procedures that could be performed with available personal protective equipment and in an environment of enhanced safety protocols. The plan relied heavily upon the professional judgment of working dentists to decide what steps were necessary to ensure the safe and effective operation of their practices based upon these enhanced protocols and new safety guidelines.

And, of course, Kentucky dentists are now back to work. Governor Beshear placed his faith in the dental profession, led by organized dentistry.

Insurance, Retirement Plans, Loan Consolidation and More
Medical insurance, life insurance, malpractice insurance, retirement plans even consolidation and refinancing your student loans. The benefits available to a member dentist and staff the list goes on and on. ADA member students even have the opportunity to sign up for no cost disability and life insurance.

CE and ADA/KDA Sponsored Meetings
The ADA offers innovative, unique courses in person and online, to help you treat patients, grow your practice and meet licensure requirements throughout your career.

SmileCon and the Kentucky Meeting offer CE, product reviews, vendor booths and sponsored courses, networking opportunities, CE and events for new dentists and students, social activities and additional events and opportunities for members and their staff and families.

Research/ADA Library and Archives
Members seeking current and historical information can find it at the ADA Library & Archives, including evidence-based databases, scholarly databases, style guides, print catalogs and links to other ADA and library resources for dental professionals.

The ADA Science and Research Institute offers some of the best unbiased information available to dentists. More than ever dentists are bombarded with new products promising easier, better, faster. CE is often sponsored by the manufacturer. The institute offers clinical practice guidelines, a clinical evaluators panel, oral health topics, dental standards and the department of innovation and technology. There are multiple publications, from JADA to daily email updates, and even blogs offering a multitude of information.

New ADA app
At this year’s ADA SmileCon, a new ADA app was introduced. The ADA Member App started as a conversation with real dentists about what they need to succeed, connect and just make life easier. This members-only tool puts the power of the ADA in members’ hands. Members can find the app by searching for “ADA Member App” in App Store or Google Play. More information about the app (along with any giveaways and promotions) is available at ADA.org/App. See our accompanying article on page___.

Patient Resources
ADA/KDA member dentists are committed to putting patients first. A plethora of resources are available to help guide and educate patients. Mouthhealthy.org is a patient focused web site that not only educates, but also guides patients toward a member dentist using the Find a Dentist tool. Each member can create their own profile by customizing the information to their liking.

Practice Transitions
ADA Practice Transitions (ADAPT) helps dentists looking for jobs match with dentists who are looking to hire or sell a practice. It is a national platform reaching a much larger audience and is guided toward matching up providers based on their philosophy of care.

The New Dentist
What is a new Dentist? An ADA New Dentist is one who has been out of dental school ten-years or less.

What is the New Dentist Committee? This committee is a national committee of the ADA Board of Trustees, representing the ADA’s 17 regional districts across the country. Its members review and advise the board on member benefits and the member experience from the new dentist perspective, review and recommend policies that may affect new dentists, open doors for newcomers to get involved in national, state and local dental societies and much more. As a national body, they also coordinate with state and local dental societies to connect and support new dentists. 

In addition, the ADA provides resources, news and stories, and insights for new dentists and dental students. The ADA’s award-winning New Dentist blog is always seeking contributors interested in writing about their experiences and insights on the unique challenges facing. The ADA New Dentist News is a member resource for new dentists and dental students offering in-depth stories, news and insights.

Dental Students
The ADA offers a wide variety of important tools and resources to help students easily navigate dental school and smoothly transition to life as a dentist.

New Dentist Now blog discusses topics that students need to know about becoming a new dentist.

In addition, Dentist and Student Lobby Day brings thousands together to advocate for dentists, patients and the public.
The ADA works to ensure educational debt is not a prohibitive factor for dental students and new dentists pursing teaching, research and public health.

Students are also encouraged to participate in KDA’s Legislative Day, including meeting with Kentucky’s legislators to discuss topics they feel are relevant from a student’s point of view.

ADA Success Program
The ADA is dedicated to helping students gain a competitive advantage after school and beyond. They have unique programs that give students the opportunity to hear fellow dentists present on relevant industry topics, today. All presentations are free, 1 hour in length, offered virtually or in-person and many include 1 hour of continuing education. A partial list of topics include:

Finding a job - Know your options and how to prepare for your career.
Understanding Employment Agreements - Explore and understand the complexities of contracts.
Managing Debt and Wealth - Take control of your finances with budgeting and loan repayment info.
Leadership and Ethics - Learn about the ADA Code and explore real-life ethical dilemmas.
Practice Management for All Dentists - Manage the business, your staff and patients’ expectations for practice success.
State of the Dental Profession - Get acquainted with the forces shaping dental care market and practice environment.
Organized Dentistry: You and the ADA - Learn how the ADA helps dentists succeed and ways to get involved.
Ask Me Anything - Custom panel of new and established dentists answering your questions. (The KDA will be hosting a panel discussion for D3 and D4 dental students, led by new dentists from Kentucky at our upcoming annual meeting at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. Details will be forthcoming.) 

The Intangibles and What KDA Members Have to Say about Organized Dentistry
We have asked KDA members and dental student ASDA members what they think about organized dentistry and what it means to them. Their responses have cited intangible assets such as mentorship, life-long friendships, the ability to grow with and learn from colleagues, good patient stewardship and leadership models, ethical standards and the fact that belonging to organized dentistry has made them a better person. These are lofty praises and perhaps some of the most compelling reasons to be a member. 

So many reasons to join the ADA or renew your membership and take advantage of all that organized dentistry has to offer. The ADA website suggests you can, “Elevate your career, your life and your momentum with resources and benefits from the nation’s leading dental association.” 

Considering the modest daily cost of dues, being a member is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make for your practice.

Sources
Home | American Dental Association (ada.org)
KDA | Kentucky Dental Association (kyda.org)

ADA Member Advantage
ADA Member Advantage brings you outstanding products and services for your dental practice, your home and your personal enjoyment. You can choose with confidence, knowing these resources have been thoroughly researched and endorsed for members of the American Dental Association.

Finance
Check out these products and services:
US Bank/Credit Card
Best Card/Payment Processing
OnPay/Payroll Software
CareCredit/Patient Financing
BMO Harris Bank/Business Loans
laurel road/Student Debt Solutions & Home Mortgages

For Your Practice
HealthFirst/Amalgam Recovery
ThreadFelllows/Branded Gear
Land’s End/Branded Work Gear
Lenovo/Computer Hardware
HealthFirst/Emergency Medical Kits
RevenueWell/Office Phone Systems
Compliancy Group/HIPAA Compliancy Services
Cyracom/Translation & Interpretation Services
RevenueWell/Patient Comms & Marketing
ODP Business Solutions/Office Supplies
SECUREMAIL/Secure Communication Services
HealthFirst/Sharps Management
UPS/Shipping
stynt/Temporary Staffing
ADA TV/ Waiting Room TV
PBHS/Websites & Branding
Best Card/Payment Processing
OnPay/Payroll Software
GE Appliance Store/Appliances

Home and Life
AHIfurther/Active Travel
GE Appliance Store/Appliances
classpass/Fitness Classes
Mercedes-Benz Star Access/Luxury Vehicles
laurel road/Student Debt Solutions & Home Mortgages
AHItravel/World Travel
Lenovo/Computer Hardware
Volvo/Sustainable Vehicles

Call 800-232-2308 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time for assistance or email adamemberadvantage@ada.org.

Endorsed Programs | ADA Member Advantage

KDA Patrons
Please support our patrons, as they support our annual meeting and our association all year long!

Platinum Patron
Bowman Insurance & Benefit Services/ Insurance for Dental Practice Owners, Hygienists, Dental Assistants & Students

Silver Patron
George D. Stollings and Associates, Inc./ Dental Practice Sales/Transitions/
Sale Consultation

Bronze Patrons
Anthem/Dental Provider Insurance Resources
Avesis/Healthcare Insurance Benefits & Programs
G2 Anesthesia Services/Superior Safety, Superior Sleep
Henry Schein/Dental Supplies
Paducah Bank/Personal & Business Banking
PNC Bank/Financial Services for Healthcare Practices

https://www.kyda.org/kda-patrons-exhibitors-sponsors?category=1

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