2010 News Archive

Washington—Dr. Elaine C. Wagner, an ADA member and Navy captain, was appointed as the 36th chief of the Navy Dental Corps at an Aug. 13, 2010, ceremony where she relieved Rear Adm. Richard C. Vinci, who continues as deputy chief, logistics and installations for U.S. Navy Medicine after three years' service as dental chief. Capt. Wagner was selected recently for promotion to the rank of rear admiral.

San Francisco—The Association offered recommendations to the National Academies' Institute of Medicine July 27 to "rebuild the dental public health infrastructure and ensure optimal oral health for all."

Bethesda, Md.—National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., appointed Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak, who has directed the nation's dental research effort over the last decade, as NIH principal deputy director effective Aug. 23, 2010.

Do you know a dentist whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have made a difference?

Orlando, Fla.—There's still time to save time and money on a trip to the ADA annual session here Oct. 9-12. But hurry—advance registration discounts and benefits are only available through Sept. 10.

The 2011 National Children's Dental Health Month program posters will soon be available for shipping.

Orlando, Fla.—ADA dentists, team members, families and guests can begin their annual session experience by hearing the thought-provoking insights of Malcolm Gladwell and dental professionals can earn one hour of complimentary continuing education credit at the ADA Opening General Session and Distinguished Speaker Series Oct. 9.

Orlando, Fla.—Orlando visitors have lots of entertainment options beyond its famed amusement parks, and ADA tours include some exciting options for active adventures and cultural experiences.

Credit cards are often the simplest way for patients to pay for dental services. However, ADA members should be aware of the exact rates they’re paying for card processing services.

Results of the ADA Quarterly Survey of Economic Confidence for the second quarter of 2010 were recently released, showing a significant downturn in the indicators measured. But according to an executive summary provided with the survey, the findings may be because dentists are frustrated that the economy is not improving as fast as they would like it to.

Part I of the new ADA CE course, Recognition and Management of Complications During Minimal and Moderate Sedation, is now available on ADA CE Online (www.adaceonline.org).

The ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products has approved for review and comment Proposed American National Standard/American Dental Association Specification No. 118 for Tooth Bleaching Products.

Look in the September mailing of The Journal of the American Dental Association for a brand new tool for the dental practice—the 2010 ADA Dental Buying Guide.

Washington—The Association urged U.S. negotiators on a global mercury treaty to consider the dental health benefits of amalgam.

The ADA Practical Guide Series presents the latest in dental coding with the new CDT 2011-2012: The ADA Practical Guide to Dental Procedure Codes and CDT Companion 2011-2012: The ADA Practical Guide to Dental Coding.

The current model has been in place for more than a century.

A patient has a paper file in a physician's or dentist's office containing his or her medical records. If the patient were to leave that office for another practice or move out of state, one of several options is available.

Your ADA publications have maintained their long-held status as the best-read periodicals in dentistry, a recently released, independent readership survey showed.

Washington—Dr. Patricia E. Arola, who entered the Department of Veterans Affairs as a staff dentist in Fargo, N.D., was named Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry effective June 20, 2010. She is responsible for policy, oversight and program development for dental care delivered by 833 dentists at 206 VA medical centers and clinics.

Orlando, Fla.—The 2010 ADA World Marketplace Exhibition will showcase the latest products, technologies and techniques in dentistry—plus offer hours of free continuing education—Oct. 9-11 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Kabul—Dr. Thomas Grams, a dentist who retired from his Durango, Colo., practice in 2007 to dedicate his life to providing volunteer dentistry to children in remote areas in the Americas, Nepal, India and Afghanistan, was one of 10 members of a health care team reported killed Aug. 5 by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Southborough, Mass.—For nearly 40 years, Massachusetts dentists have had to abide by a regulatory order that allowed Delta Dental Plan of Massachusetts to receive an additional 5 percent discount off reimbursement fees in addition to other plan discounts.