FEBRUARY 2011 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2 AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG

Inside

TDA Smiles Foundation Star of the South Dental Meeting St. ApolloniaThe patron saint of dentistry Money Matters TDA Perks TEXAS Meeting Preview TSBDE Rule Update

March Journal News

TDA Financial Report, Proposed Budget, and Budget Explanation

Bond Strength Comparison of Color Change Adhesives for Orthodontic Bonding

Preview of the New 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Basic Life Support (CPR)

Around the State

April 1 & 2 TDA Board MeetingAustin April 8 & 9Texas Mission of MercyDallas

Click & Connect

Join us on Facebookwww.groups.to/texasdental

Follow us on Twittertwitter.com/theTDA

Get LinkedINlinkedin.com, search “Texas Dental Association” February Journaltda.org/tdapublications

JUNE, 2008 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG

InsideMedicaid in My Office?Yes, I Think So!Richard M. Smith, DDS

TDA Smiles FoundationTMOM gains ardent advocate

Ask the PresidentIncoming President’s messageHilton Israelson, DDS

Let’s TalkOutgoing President’s messageA. David May, Jr., DDS

2008-2009 TDA Board of Directors

Meet Your TDA StaffTDA’s new Finance Director Dee Dee Delagarza

Congratulations to TDA Component Societies

Streamline Your Insurance ClaimsSpeeding up confirmation of benefits and eligibility

TSBDE Rule UpdateRequirements for dental office radiograph machines

In the NewsTDA members in the news

July Journal NewsTooth Whitening: A Clinical Review

TDA Historical PerspectivesDentists, dental hygienists, and the dental team

The 2007 C.T. Rowland AwardOrthodontic case report

The El Paso Dental Conference

Around the StateAugust 14:TDA Board MeetingAustin, Texas

October 15-19:ADA Annual SessionSan Antonio, Texas

Click & ConnectUpdate Profile tda.org – Membership Info Ask a Colleague tda.org – Features TEXAS Meeting Photostexasmeeting.com/estore

Volunteer for ‘08 ADAtda.org/volunteerada08

Every Member MattersRise’ Lyman, DDS, TDA Future Focus Committee

Membership growth is vital to any thriving organization. The Texas Dental Association (TDA) Board is strongly committed to the Membership goal within the “TDA 2009” strategic plan, which addresses continued growth. I am proud to report that, as evidence of that commitment and for the second year in a row, the TDA received the following ADA awards in 2008:• Greatest Percentage Membership Net Gain: Texas had a net gain of 198 members in the year 2007.• Top Constituent Dental Society with Greatest Percentage of Non-Members to Membership: Represents a conversion of 4.7 percent of non-members into membership at end of year 2007.• Top Constituent Dental Society to Improve Retention Rate Percentage in 2007: Represents a 97 percent Association retention rate, which is an increase of 7 percent from the previous year.• Greatest Percentage of New Dentist Members: Represents a gain of 111 new dentist members (those dentists who are 1-9 years out of school).

Another example of the commitment to the growth of our Association is the TDA Externship Program, which builds student awareness of organized dentistry. This innovative program, created in 2007, offers students the opportunity to gain insight into the different components of organized dentistry including legislative and regulatory affairs, membership, governance, continuing education, and charitable dentistry and to gain a better understanding of their role as future leaders of the dental team. The program is open to dental students from each of the three dental schools in Texas. This year the externship program will take place June 20 – June 27 in Austin at the TDA central office. As an ongoing effort to enhance the value and benefits of the Association, the TDA Council on Membership developed a survey that was sent to all members in 2006. The results clearly showed that members have a high satisfaction rating with benefits such as the TEXAS Meeting, TDA publications, and the ability to participate philanthropically in the TDA Smiles Foundation. A great number of the discounted programs offered to members through the TDA Perks Program also received a high satisfaction rating. In accordance with the strategic plan, the Council on Membership, will survey members again in 2009. Participation from all members and a collaborative effort between the ADA, TDA, and local component societies are the keys to successful membership recruitment and retention. We encourage every member to get involved whether it is by attending local meetings, taking part in Give Kids a Smile! Day activities, volunteering at a Texas Mission of Mercy, or participating in TDA Legislative Day activities in Austin. Each member matters and is essential to the continued growth of our Association and of organized dentistry. This is the seventh and final in a series of articles focused on the TDA’s accomplishments guided by the strategic plan. To view the entire plan, log in at www.tda.org and click on “TDA 2009” under “Current Issues” on the member homepage. For more information, please contact Lyda Creus Molanphy, staff liaison to the Future Focus Committee, at the TDA central office, (512) 443-3675.

MembershipDentists will value membership and participation in the TDA.

Objectives1. Improve perceived value and benefits of membership in TDA. a. Increase members’ knowledge about the impact and benefits of TDA membership. b. Ensure that components are an integral aspect of the membership process. c. Create greater awareness of the availability of the Peer Review, Ethics & Judicial, and Risk Management benefits. d. Actively promote adherence to the Code of Ethics. e. Enhance communication with members and non-members. f. Build student awareness of and interest in organized dentistry and membership in TDA. g. Ensure ongoing contact with students throughout dental school. h. Work closely with dental school faculty. i. Evaluate number of nonmember dentists who attend and participate in TDA activities (TEXAS Meeting, TDA Smiles Foundation programs, etc.).Metrics1. Seventy percent of active licensed dentists in TX will be members of TDA by 2009 (baseline of 68.5% in January 2007); increase

membership retention rate to 97 percent by April 2007 (baseline 96% in 2006). a-d. Increase the number of dentists serving on component peer review and ethics and judicial affairs committees to attain a

participation rate of 2-5 percent relative to the total number of component society members by August 2009.2. Ninety percent of TX dental school graduates actively licensed in TX will be members of TDA five years after graduation (89%

dental student conversion from the graduating class of 2005 in Texas).3. Increase the number of member dentists actively participating in TDA by 1 percent a year (as measured by a variety of means

– participation at TX Meeting, TMOM, TXDDS, FSI programs, DENPAC participations, TDA legislative day) with annual report to TDA Board by the Council on Membership.

4. Establish baseline of nonmember participation at TDA activities (CAS, TDA Smiles Foundation, Membership) 5. Established baseline of members’ understanding of and satisfaction with the benefits of their TDA membership through Member

Benefits and Services Survey (completed Nov 2006), re-evaluate % increase at that time for 2009.6. Sixty-five percent of all full-time faculty will be TDA members by 2009 (2006 baseline = 63%).

Mission: To be The Voice of DenTisTry in Texas

Manpower Advocacy OrganizationalExcellence

Public Image

Development Membership

The TDA will update it’s strategic plan with another statewide retreat in August of 2008.

In 2003, Texas Dental Association members from across the state develop TDA’s first strategic plan, TDA 2009.

Texas Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program

This is the third in a series of articles to keep you informed of the Texas Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program and continuing efforts to implement health information exchange initiatives across Texas. The incentive

program provides incentive payments to Medicaid providers for the adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Future articles will focus on helpful reference web sites, health information exchange, meaningful use for dentists, certified EHR technology for dental practices, and other relevant topics of interest to dentists and health information technology (IT).

The Texas Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is on track to open the provider enrollment portal on February 28, 2011, and begin payments in May. Eligible professionals (EPs), including dentists, can receive up to $63,750 over a 6-year period for achieving “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology, if they have at least a 30 percent Medicaid patient volume.

On December 15, 2010, President Obama signed the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 (H.R. 4994) into law. The law changed the provisions in the Recovery Act so that payments to EPs are based on the maximum allowable as established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and EPs do not need to calculate their allowable costs.

Dentists can choose to participate in the incentive program any time between 2011 and 2016. The first year they adopt, implement, or upgrade to certified EHR technology, dentists are eligible to receive an incentive of $21,250. In subsequent years, upon meeting specific criteria, the payment will be $8,500. Meaningful use criteria for years two through six are as follows:• A minimum of 90 days of meaningful use in year two.• Meaningful use for the full calendar year in years three through six.

There are currently no certified dental-specific EHRs, but dentists should ask vendors of dental systems about the status of their EHR certification and check the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) website (http://onc-chpl.force.com/ehrcert) regularly for updates.

Steps to Take:• Review the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ decision tool to

determine your eligibility for the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

• Learn about certified EHR systems and other programs, under the ONC for Health IT, which are designed to support providers as they transition to EHRs at healthit.hhs.gov.

• Confirm that you have an active NPI (go to https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/); all EPs must have a national provider identifier (NPI) in order to participate.

• Register nationally first for the EHR Incentive program at https://ehrincentives.cms.gov/hitech/login.action. Once registered with CMS, Texas Medicaid will contact you about information and instructions to enroll with the Texas Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.

• Sign up for e-mail updates by visiting the TMHP website at www.tmhp.com/Pages/HealthIT/HIT_Home.aspx and click on “Sign up for email updates” in the “Want To Know More?” box.

For more information on the incentive program or other Medicaid Health IT initiatives, visit the Texas Medicaid Health IT page at http://www.tmhp.com/Pages/HealthIT/HIT_Home.aspx or at www.tmhp.com/Pages/Medicaid/medicaid_contacts.aspx, or call (800) 925-9126, option 4.

TDA Meets with Public Relations FirmThe TDA Board passed a resolution at its November 2010 meeting to hire the Austin-based public relations firm Hahn, Texas to conduct a “message workshop” to define the priorities and scope of potential social media campaigns.

A group met on January 21, 2011 at the Hahn, Texas offices in Austin for a day-long facilitated messaging meeting led by Hahn, Texas principal Mr. Jeff Hahn. A detailed message platform was created based upon the group interaction and feedback throughout the day. The 37-page document graphically displays potential messages, stakeholders, and priorities for future social media and/or other forms of public relations outreach.

The participants included TDA Committee on the New Dentist chair Dr. Joshua Austin of San Antonio, president-elect Dr. J. Preston Coleman of San Antonio, Dr. Brad Crump of Dallas, senior director Dr. Karen E. Frazer of Austin, senior director and PR Task Force chair Dr. Lisa B. Masters of San Antonio, vice president Dr. Donna G. Miller of Waco, and parliamentarian Dr. Michael L. Stuart of Sunnyvale. Also present were TDA director of membership and administration Ms. Lee Ann Johnson and staff liaison Ms. Terry Jordan.

Mr. Hahn will present the message to the TDA Board of Directors at this month’s meeting.

Members of the TDA PR Task Force Drs. Preston Coleman of San Antonio, Michael Stuart of Sunnyvale, and Lisa B. Masters of San Antonio met last month at a message workshop at Hahn, Texas, a public relations agency in Austin.

Hahn, Texas principal Mr. Jeff Hahn leads a discussion at a message workshop last month in Austin.

Proposed Changes to Texas Medicaid Dental ProgramAs we reported to you in November 2010, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) released a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) in December to obtain services of at least two dental managed health organizations (DMHO) to administer the State’s newly proposed Medicaid capitated dental managed care program in March 2012.

The TDA submitted extensive comments, more than 24 pages, to the draft RFP detailing specific contract and program provisions that must be addressed if the State intends to move forward with the change in the Medicaid dental delivery model.

Additionally, Dr. Richard Black, chair of the TDA’s Council on Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, testified before the Senate Finance Committee on February 3, 2011, regarding Senate Bill 1 (General Appropriations Act), Article II agencies (Health and Human Services).

Dr. Black advised the committee about the negative consequences of reducing the Medicaid provider rates, changing the Medicaid dental delivery model to an HMO style managed care model, reducing CHIP dental funding, eliminating funding for the Children’s Medicaid Loan Repayment Program, and eliminating funding for the Texas Department of State Health Services Oral Health Program.

To view the hearing, please go to http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/ and scroll down to “February 3rd Senate Committee on Finance” and click on “February 3rd.” Dr. Black’s testimony starts at approximately 1.41.37.

The TDA has a meeting scheduled with HHSC staff in February to continue discussions about the proposed change in the delivery of Medicaid dental services. Look for your next update in the March 2011 TDA Today.

For questions or comments, contact TDA’s policy manager Diane Rhodes at (512) 443-3675 or diane@tda.org.

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St. Apollonia — Better Than a Tooth FairyAmy Freeman

Do you know what’s special about February 9? It is the feast day of St. Apollonia, the patron saint of dentists.

The most reliable and contemporary historical account about St. Apollonia is from Eusebius’s Church History. Eusebius records a letter from Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, written around 249 A.D. (1). In it we read that men seized Apollonia because of her Christian faith and “by repeated blows broke all her teeth (1).” Then a woodpile was built and the men “threatened to burn her alive if she refused to repeat after them impious words… Given, at her own request, a little freedom, she sprang quickly into the fire and was burned to death (1).”

Because of the nature of the torture she endured rather than deny her faith, St. Apollonia became the special intercessor for those with tooth troubles (and, naturally, the patron saint of dentists). Surely this saint was much called upon for her prayers during medieval days, when the only real solution for an abscessed tooth was to pull it out—without anesthesia.

St. Apollonia may be called upon for prayers in any situation in life, but particularly when dentists treat patients. She is the special intercessor and patroness of dentists, far more powerful than any tooth fairy.

When her feast day comes around on February 9, dentists should feel pretty special. Reference1. Kirsch, Johann Peter. “St. Apollonia.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 19 Jan.

2011. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01617c.htm.

February 2011 / TDA Today / 2

Happy, Healthy Smiles … That’s Our Mission!

It is time to register for the 2011 Healthy Smiles Golf Classic benefitting the TDA Smiles Foundation.

Friday, May 6, 2011Pecan Valley Golf Club4700 Pecan Valley DriveSan Antonio, TX 78223

6:30 AM: Registration and access to driving range and putting green

7:30 AM: Shotgun start

Around 12:00 PM: Awards luncheon Go to tdasf.org to sign up now for this fun, four-person scramble! Prizes are awarded to 1st and 2nd place gross and net teams. They include: Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, Hole-in-One.

If you are unable to play, but would still like to support TDASF, please consider becoming a sponsor! Sponsorship information is available at tdasf.org.

2011 Healthy Smiles Golf Classic

Texas Mission of Mercy DallasThe Smiles Foundation is headed to Dallas April 15-16 for a Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) and we need your help! We are hoping to see more than 1,000 people during this 2-day event, providing them with hundreds of thousands of dollars in free dental care.

It takes more than 100 dentists, 125 dental assistants, 25 hygienists, 20 front office staff, and hundreds of community volunteers to staff this event. Whether you are a long-time TMOM volunteer or someone that has always been interested in volunteering at one of these events, TMOM Dallas will be one for the record books! Register to volunteer at tdasf.org.

Perks Partner News Insurance Answers Plus Offers Significant Discount to TDA MembersThrough TDA Perks Program, TDA members can take advantage of a limited-time offer from Insurance Answers Plus (IAPlus), a Perks Program partner. The company provides in-depth patient-insurance information to dentists. TDA members who enroll with IAPlus by Feb. 28 can save $350 off the one-time enrollment fee ($245 instead of the regular fee of $595). You must mention the “TDA Perks Special” in order to receive the discount. For more information about this and other TDA Perks Programs and specials, call (512) 443-3675, or visit tdaperks.com.

TDA Perks Program to Visit San AngeloSan Angelo District Dental Society’s upcoming March 1, 2011, meeting is TDA Perks Program’s first stop of the year in Perks’ continuing “Value for Your Profession” video tour. A 6-minute video will highlight the benefits of the Perks program. A TDA Financial Services Board member, accompanied by a Perks staff member, will be available to answer questions after the presentation. The San Angelo District Dental Society’s meeting will be headlined by TDA president Dr. Ronald Rhea and begin at 6:30 PM at Zentner’s Daughter Steakhouse in San Angelo.

For more information, call TDA Perks Program at (512) 443-3675.

Dr. Kavin Kelp of Austin volunteered at TMOM Williamson County in June 2010.

TDA president Dr. Ronald Rhea of Houston offered charitable care at TMOM Williamson County in June 2010.

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February 2011 / TDA Today / 3

My wife Kay and I love the wilderness and spend a lot of time backpacking into remote locations to enjoy nature while far removed from the hustle and bustle of the big city. In fact, Kay has even been certified as a wilderness guide after a grueling 21-day educator’s backpacking trip with the National Outdoor Leadership School.

During our adventures, we are often regaled by the park rangers with tales of animal encounters. At the ranger station in the Basin area of Big Bend National Park, one photo posted on the bulletin board immediately caught our attention. It seems a young mother, hiking the Windows Trail alone with her 3-year-old son had paused to take his picture. Placing him high on a boulder, she backed off and turned to adjust his image into focus in her viewfinder. To her horror, when the image became clear, not only could she see her son, but the large mountain lion preparing to carry him away!

This small young mother, without a moment’s hesitation, grabbed the nearest fallen tree branch, charged and attacked the now terrified mountain lion, who quickly departed to find easier prey.

Not only the human, but the animal world, too, is rife with tales of a mother’s fury when separated from her young by an unintentional interloper. This is one of the most important characteristics any species can have to ensure its survival. Yet, when this characteristic is missing or misguided, the consequences are often tragic. Parental care for the young is vital.

The February 2011 edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association contains an article by Dr. Dye and colleagues detailing the correlation between the decay in a mother’s dentition and that of her child. When these mothers of young children had a higher level of decayed or missing teeth, the number of carious teeth in their 2- to 6-year-old children was more than three times the number found in other children in socioeconomically matched groups. Yes, the sharing of cariogenic bacteria is a factor, but so too, are poor dietary and hygiene habits. Also, the priority placed on receiving regular preventive dental care by the mother was reflected in her offspring.

In 2008 and 2009, Texas ranked #3 in the nation for the percentage of Medicaid eligible children who actually had at least one dental visit. We have made huge strides in the availability of care for economically disadvantage children. However, we all know that we cannot eliminate the scourge of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) by merely filling teeth. Only education and prevention can bring this tragedy to a permanent end.

Ron’s Ruminations

Ronald L. Rhea, DDS, TDA President 2010-11

With staff, council, and committee support, we continue to look at scenarios of risk which are not covered by insurance. This is an important element in determining how many dollars should be set aside for a “rainy day”. Although this is a difficult task to accurately anticipate every eventuality, it is a proactive process which can give us an overall assessment of our insurance coverages and any gaps so we can be better prepared for an unexpected contingency.

As the new building annex is completed, I will work with the TDA Building Committee to find new income streams in the annex’s usage as a rental venue for outside organizations. With the current legislative session underway and anticipated cuts of jobs in the state bureaucracy to meet a significant budget shortfall, there may very well be a shortage of jobs in the Austin marketplace.

This could impact our ability to keep our rental vacancies low, so I believe looking for other sources of income will be important in the next few years. The final budget is taking shape and it appears, as anticipated, there will be no need for a dues increase, unless the House of Delegates passes significant new programs. As always, I invite your questions or comments. Please feel free to e-mail me at roncollinsdds@hotmail.com.

Money Matters

Ron Collins, DDS, MAGD, TDA Secretary-Treasurer

141st Annual Session of the Texas Dental AssociationMay 5 – 8, 2011 • San Antonio, Texas

William S. Nantz, DDS, Past Chair, TDA Council on Annual Session

The 141st Annual Session of the Texas Dental Association (aka “The TEXAS Meeting”) is quickly approaching. If you are reading further it could mean that you have not yet registered for what promises to be the best TEXAS Meeting ever. This year’s event, May 5-8, 2011, in San Antonio, brings you all you’ve come to expect from the largest dental meeting in Texas and more.

The Council on Annual Session, its chair Dr. Roger Macias, and the TDA staff are proud to present an outstanding array of speakers, programs, and exhibits to satisfy your appetite for high quality continuing education, new and exciting equipment for your office, and the always popular San Antonio Riverwalk. The San Antonio Dental Society is this year’s host society and deserves our special thanks for its invaluable assistance in helping make the meeting run smoothly.

Make sure to take advantage of all the activities your meeting has to offer. Thursday’s morning schedule includes the Pierre Fauchard Academy breakfast and the afternoon tour of the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic. Thursday night’s Texas Party features the TDA’s own Dr. Bud Luecke and his band, “Morning,” in addition to a very special surprise guest performer. Friday morning brings the famous Healthy Smiles Golf Classic at Pecan Valley benefitting the TDA Smiles Foundation, breakfast for members of the American College of Dentists & International College of Dentists, and Christian Medical Dental Society. Friday afternoon’s GOLD Reception will be another rousing success, and the “10 Years of TMOM” Celebration is an event you won’t want to miss!

The ever-expanding exhibit hall should be high on your To Do list. The vendors provide a huge amount of support for the meeting and deserve our thanks and shopping dollars. I urge you to come to the meeting with your list of office needs and take advantage of the many meeting specials that will be offered. As always, happy hours will be held both Thursday and Friday afternoons and the blood drive will return to the back of the exhibit hall on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

This year, and for the first time, the meeting will feature special lab track lectures on Saturday. Please encourage any and all lab personnel to review the courses and invite them to attend with you.

If you haven’t registered and/or made your hotels reservations, go to texasmeeting.com today!

Evidence-Based Practice Tip of the Month

Stephen R. Matteson, DDS, TDA Editor

Pool Drownings of Children

Looking through the Cochrane Reviews this month, I noticed this subject and thought it might be of interest to readers. Pool drownings of children can be reduced 75 percent by the installation of fencing that not only surrounds the pool, but that also prevents access to the pool from the house. This Cochrane review can be viewed by entering CD001047 into a Google search. Surprisingly, over 50 pool drownings occurred in Texas during the first 6 months of 2010.

The Center for Disease and Control report on Non-Intentional Deaths states that the highest risk age group for drowning is 1-4 years and that males are at about 3 times the risk of drowning than females. (http://www.maafirm.com/library/CDC_childhoodinjury.pdf ) .

Is it in the domain of dentists to advise parents on this safety practice? Why not? We could include a question in our health history form on the presence of a pool on patients’ property and bring the specifics of this information to parents’ attention.

Governor Perry Gives State of the State AddressOn February 8, 2011, Governor Rick Perry delivered his State of the State Address to the Texas Legislature. The Governor’s speech outlined his vision, goals, and challenges for the 82nd Legislative Session. Although not specifically mentioned in his comments, the Governor is considering creating a Health Professions Agency that will have regulatory authority over health professionals. This proposal will abolish the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Texas Board of Nursing, and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE).

The TDA respects the independent authority of the TSBDE and is committed to preserving its current status as a viable, effective state regulatory agency. Enforcement and investigative responsibilities related to dentistry should be regulated only by those in the dental profession.

The TDA is actively opposing this proposal and will keep the membership informed.

The Star of the South Dental Meeting celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 3-5, 2011, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Fifty-six speakers offered more than 100 lectures and participation courses at the event, sponsored by the Greater Houston Dental Society (GHDS).

Next year will mark the 41st meeting of the Star of the South to be held March 29-31, 2012. For more information, please visit starofthesouth.org.

(L-R) Members of the GHDS Star Council included Drs. Charles Hoopingarner of Houston, Dr. Greg Oelfke of Houston, Dr. Kathy Gibson of Houston, Dr. Greg Condrey of Sugar Land, GHDS executive director Ms. Susan McKee, and GHDS meeting planner Ms. Charlotte Bolls.

Star of the South Dental Meeting

TDAT Feb 2011.indd 3 2/15/11 1:46 PM

FEBRUARY 2011 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2 AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG

EDITORIAL STAFFDr. Stephen R. Matteson, D.D.S., Editor

Nicole Scott, Managing EditorBarbara S. Donovan, Art DirectorPaul H. Schlesinger, Consultant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ronald L. Rhea, D.D.S., PresidentJ. Preston Coleman, D.D.S., President-elect

Matthew B. Roberts, Immediate Past PresidentVice Presidents

R. Lee Clitheroe, D.D.S., SoutheastJohn W. Baucum III, D.D.S., Southwest

Kathleen M. Nichols, D.D.S., NorthwestDonna G. Miller, D.D.S., Northeast

Senior DirectorsKaren E. Frazer, D.D.S., SoutheastLisa B. Masters, D.D.S., Southwest

Robert E. Wiggins, Jr., D.D.S., NorthwestLarry D. Herwig, D.D.S., Northeast

DirectorsRita M. Cammarata, D.D.S., Southeast

T. Beth Vance, D.D.S., SouthwestMichael J. Goulding, D.D.S., Northwest

Arthur C. Morchat, D.D.S., Northeast

Ron Collins, D.D.S., Secretary-TreasurerGlen D. Hall, D.D.S., Speaker of the HouseMichael L. Stuart, D.D.S., Parliamentarian

Stephen R. Matteson, D.D.S., EditorMary Kay Linn, Executive DirectorWilliam H. Bingham, Legal Counsel

TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December by the Texas Dental As-sociation, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, (512) 443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78704-3698.Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-state American Dental As-sociation (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $30.Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6.Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the Association are solicited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted. Please refer to Instructions for Contributors in the annual September Directory of the Texas Dental Journal for more information. The Information for Contributors is available at tda.org. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association. Articles are ac-cepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously. Authors must disclose any financial or other interests they may have in products or services described in their articles. Advertisements: Publication of advertisements in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement by the Association of the quality of value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) is finalizing implementation of its new computer system – known as VERSA. This project resulted from the fact that the TSBDE’s former computer system (built in the mid 1970’s) was antiquated and the Department of Information Resources (DIR), which supported the equipment and programming, declined to renew the contract as parts were no longer available for the system.

Therefore, those state agencies under contract with DIR, such as the TSBDE, were forced to find alternatives. It was determined early on that a group purchase would produce significant savings.

The new computer system is being implemented by the Health Professions Council for six different agencies. The new system is known as the Health Professions Council Shared Regulatory Database Migration Project (IT system). The legislature appropriated funding for this IT system to the Health Professions Council in the 2009 legislative session. The total funding for the project was $2,103,976.

TSBDE Rule UpdateThis recurring section is designed to help TDA members keep up with important Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) rules, other regulations, and state law affecting their practices.

The project design will save the TSBDE money in two ways. The shared nature of the project allows for agencies with common business processes to reduce developer costs by eliminating duplicate programming. Further, smaller agencies (i.e., those with fewer than 100 staff such as the TSBDE) will avoid significant fiscal problems by not having to procure such a dynamic system individually. The project received support from the targeted agencies, their respective stakeholders, and the DIR.

The TSBDE’s “GoLive” date is reassessed on a monthly basis. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the project manager expects the system to be up and functional this quarter.

Please note that during the transition to the new system, all computer activity will be frozen for approximately 10 days. TSBDE Staff and the public will be able to view information, but no formal business will be conducted until the new system is launched. When the launch dates are identified, the TSBDE will post details of the transition on their website.

ErrataIn the November 2010 TDA today, the staff inadvertently wrote that the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) elected Dr. Steve Austin as board secretary. That is not the case. Although Dr. Austin is in the only board member that declared an intention to run for board secretary, the actual election does not take place until the next TSBDE board meeting in April 2011.

For questions, please contact TDA policy manager Diane Rhodes, (512) 443-3675, diane@tda.org.

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Its HR Help Desk answers your employee-related questions, so you’ll have the information you need to make informed decisions. NetChex will calculate and fi le your payroll tax deposits, as well as complete and fi le your quarterly and annual tax reports. Your offi ce will have a dedi-cated customer-service contact with back-up support, and receive convenient, personalized training. And its no-contract policy gives you leverage to achieve stellar performance each time you run payroll.

(877) 729-2661 Or: (210) 488-5577. Mention TDA Perks.

Learn about other great programs Perks offers at:www.tdaperks.com. Or call: (512) 443-3675.

THE DIFFERENCE IN EMPLOYER SERVICES

you don’t get from a huge company.

35%off implement-ation fee

The Payroll Service You’re Looking For.

Member Publication

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