ADA News

New York —Ten years and millions of children.

In its 10th year, Give Kids A Smile is being celebrated today in events large and small throughout the country.

Help the ADA spread the word about Give Kids A Smile.

Watsonville, Calif.—After a decade of debates, including a ballot initiative, a court case and enforcement of a state law, the plan to fluoridate the city of Watsonville has been temporarily shelved due to financial constraints.

Washington – Initial guidance is unclear on whether health reform will provide “a comprehensive pediatric oral health benefit that meets the needs of all children, including children with special health care needs,” an eight-organization dental coalition told the Department of Health and Human Services.

Farmington, N.H.—Expressing his deep admiration for nautical and military culture, in 2011 general dentist Bill Trently published a book on his life as an officer in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps.

Washington – Transform health data into mobile apps, online tools or games or other innovative products to solve vexing health problems.

Washington—Suppliers of the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services for Medicare beneficiaries must be accredited to be reimbursed for the claim if the service is performed on or after Jan. 1, 2012. The accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of the images and not the physician's interpretation.

Sacramento, Calif.—Legislation approved by the state senate Jan. 26 would create a dentist-led Statewide Office of Oral Health within the state Department of Public Health charged with addressing the "significant human and financial costs" of unmet dental needs.

Washington—Quality improvement efforts in organized dentistry and throughout the health care system offer opportunities to increase access to care and “improve and maintain the oral health of the U.S. population,” says a report funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and DentaQuest Institute and intended to advance the national health policy dialogue.

Indianapolis—Dr. Lloyd J. Phillips, a past ADA trustee who represented the 7th District from 1970 to 1976, died Jan. 15 here. He was 89.

Hyattsville, Md. – Seven percent of American children aged 17 and younger had unmet dental need in 2010 because their families could not afford dental care, the National Center for Health Statistics said in an analysis of data collected by U.S. Census Bureau interviewers and reported in the Vital and Health Statistics series.

The ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs is launching a new process to maintain the CDT Code.

NBA high five: Denver Nuggets guard-forward Jordan Hamilton greets a young patient at the TeamSmile dental care day held Dec. 17, 2011, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. More than 100 dental professionals and volunteers provided free dental treatment and preventive care to 125 underserved children from 10 local organizations.

Members interested in running for ADA treasurer can go on ADA.org to find the information necessary for filing for candidacy.

The 2011 House of Delegates changed the rules for how an ADA member becomes a candidate for speaker of the House.

Scottsdale, Ariz.—Registration is open for the 24th Annual Meeting on Special Care Dentistry, set for April 26-29 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas.

Two new reports are now available by the ADA Health Policy Resources Center.

Washington—For new dentists seeking clinical, practice management and professional issue courses tailored specifically to their needs all in one place, there is nothing like the ADA New Dentist Conference.