gda action may 2013

ACTIONACTIONTHE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION MAY 2013

GDAction 0513.qxd 1/3/04 9:11 AM

American Academy of Facial Esthetics . . . . . .13Atlanta Age Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Atlanta Dental Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11AFTCO Transition Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Center for TMJ Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Craniofacial Pain Center of Georgia . . . . . . . .11Dental Care Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Fidelity Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

GDA Dental Recovery Network . . . . . . . . . . . .10Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry . . . .32Georgia Dental Insurance Services . . . . . . . .36Georgia Denture & Implant Specialists . . . . . .16Great Expressions Dental Centers . . . . . . . . . .31Heartland Dental Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Hospital Dentistry—Dr. Kurtzman . . . . . . . . . .25Law Office of Stuart J. Oberman . . . . . . . . . . .17

Officite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6National Practice Transitions, LLC . . . . . . . . . .34Dr. Mark Padolsky—TMD Dentist . . . . . . . . . .31Paragon Dental Practice Transitions . . . . . . . .28PNC Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Professional Practice Management . . . . . . . . .28Southeast Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33UBS Financial Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

index of advertisers

GDA ACTION (ISSN 0273-5989) The official publication ofthe Georgia Dental Association (GDA) is published monthly.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GDA Action at7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N.E., Suite 200,Building 17, Atlanta, GA 30328. Phone numbers in state are(404) 636-7553 and (800) 432-4357. www.gadental.org.

Closing date for copy: first of the month preceding publicationmonth. Subscriptions: $17 of membership dues is for thenewsletter; all others, $75 per year. Periodicals postage paidat Atlanta, GA.

Dr. David Bradberry Delaine HallGDA Editor GDA Managing Editor1070 Woodlawn Dr NE 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NESuite 250 Suite 200, Building 17Marietta, GA 30068 Atlanta, GA 30328

2012-13 Georgia Dental Association OfficersSidney R. Tourial, DDS, PresidentMarshall H. Mann, DDS, President ElectDouglas B. Torbush, DDS, Vice PresidentJames B. Hall III, DDS, Secretary / TreasurerR. David Bradberry, DMD, Editor

GDA/GDIS Executive Office Staff Members

Martha S. Phillips, Executive Director

Nelda Greene, MBA, Associate Executive Director

Delaine Hall, Director of Communications

Skip Jones, Director of Marketing (GDIS)

Courtney Layfield, Director of Member Services

Victoria LeMaire, Medical Accounts Manager

Judy Lively, Administrative Assistant (PT)

Melana Kopman McClatchey, General Counsel

Denis Mucha, Director of Operations (GDIS)

Margo Null, Property and Casualty Accounts Manager

Meg Robinson, Director of Governmental Affairs

Patrice Williams, Administrative Assistant

Phyllis Willich, Administrative Assistant

Pamela Yungk, Director of Membership & Finance

GDA Action seeks to be an issues-driven journal focusing on current mattersaffecting Georgia dentists, patients, and their treatment, accomplished throughdisseminating information and providing a forum for member commentary.

© Copyright 2013 by the Georgia Dental Association. All rights reserved. No partof this publication may be reproduced without written permission. Publicationof any article or advertisement should not be deemed an endorsement of theopinions expressed or products advertised. The Association expressly reservesthe right to refuse publication of any article, photograph, or advertisement.

14 Sleep Apnea and the Dentist’s Role

in Patient Education and Referrals

18 Register for the GDA Annual Meeting

in Hilton Head, South Carolina

4 Parting Shots

5 Editorial

7 News and Views

10 Calendar of Events

26 House of DelegatesMinutes

30 Classifieds

Do you want to learn about key dentalbusiness topics such as how to bill PPOs,disciplining an employee, asking questionsof prospective staff members, or protectingyour online reputation in three minutes orless? In June, the GDA will debut the AssociationBusiness Brief just for GDA members. Thebriefs are short, information-packed videosdelivered via email twice a month thataddress burning business issues dentistsface within their practices. Read moreabout this new membership benefit onpage 12.

ACTIONACTIONTHE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION MAY 2013

other features sections

on the cover

Member Publication American Association of Dental Editors

ACTION

V O L U M E 3 2 , N U M B E R 5 • M A Y 2 0 1 3

Note: Publication of an advertisement is not to be construed as anendorsement or approval by the GDA or any of its subsidiaries,committees, or task forces of the product or service offered in the

advertisement unless the advertisement specifically includes anauthorized statement that such approval or endorsement hasbeen granted.


4 GDA ACTIONMAY 2013


We’ve gone from clunky paper and postagedriven insurance filings to electronic healthrecords updated with a single click. We’vetraveled from fiddling with the dials of atransistor radio to bring in the static-filledbroadcast of a single ballgame to enjoyinginstantaneous global social media communi-cation and scores from every game you wouldever want to monitor. Dentistry started withcrude barber tools. Where are we headed?

The world is changing rapidly. Seems tome we hear that statement almost daily.Knowledge is increasing at an exponentialrate. In 1965, the co-founder of Intel GordonMoore predicted that processor speed forcomputers would double every two years. Thishas been so precise a prediction that it hasbeen named Moore’s Law, and came only adecade or so after the invention of thetransistor. We live in a period of constantconnection thanks to the invention of thattransistor not so long ago. Dental science hasmeanwhile rapidly evolved from singlepractitioners testing early materials forplacement in “cavities” to implants, early workwith pulpal regeneration, and initial attemptsat creating teeth structures through geneticsin the lab.

The business side of dental practicestarted with little to no records, moved on topaper records, and is now moving to digitalrecords. For many years there was no dentalor medical insurance, then insurance conductedwith paper mailings. Now, insurance filing isdone primarily via computers that 40 yearsago would have had 1,000 transistors andfilled a small room. Now they contain billionsand fit on a small desk. Quite a change frompaper and postage.

And speaking of paper…Last month Idiscussed the topic of letters. I addressed howdifferent letters can be grouped to make us feelgreat about our professional accomplishmentsor give us heartburn when they represent

oppressive regulations. That editorial waswritten in part as a response to the March2013 Action article by Laney Kay about thesignificant changes coming to the HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act.(If you have not read her HIPAA article yet,you can catch up with back Action issues atwww.gadental.org.) Laney’s summary andwish for good luck at the end took severalpaper pages of the journal. On the U.S.Health and Human Services (HHS) web siteone HIPAA Administrative “Simplication”publication alone is more than 100 pages long.Another five-letter word I addressed is PPACA(the Patient Protection and Affordable CareAct). That Act is some 2,500 pages long. TheHHS rules interpreting it can now be stackedfloor to ceiling in one room (for now) and aregrowing daily.

This is not just happening at the federallevel. Our just-ended state legislative sessionwas packed with bills flying through (or beingheld up) in committees. There were 974 billsand 1,769 resolutions introduced in theGeorgia House and Senate this year. Heavenknows how many rooms those stacks of paperwould fill.

Society as a whole enjoys increasinglyseamless access to vast pools of information aswell as those crucial ballgame scores.Meanwhile, dentists face a sea of increasedexpectation, fragmentation, and regulationwith very little simplification. It seems as if weeach need a team advising us daily. Luckily,due to the hard, dedicated work of GDA staffmembers and many dentists, dental students,and Alliance members, the outcome waslargely positive for dentists at the state level

It’s a New World

5GDA ACTIONMAY 2013

editorialperspective

R. David Bradberry, DMD

EDITORIALContinued on page 29


7GDA ACTIONMAY 2013

GDA endorsed service provider UBSFinancial Services, Inc. /. Wile ConsultingGroup, was selected by the AssetInternational publication PLANSPONSORas part of its “Top 100 Retirement PlanAdvisers” list. A spokesperson for the WileConsulting Group commented “This isquite an honor for us. [The notice] signifiesthat our constant efforts towards businessexcellence are paying off. We are proud tobe included in this recognition.”

The Georgia Dental Associationendorsed UBS / Wile Consulting Group in2002 to provide guidance to GDA memberdentists about wealth management andretirement planning. Since their endorse-ment, they have worked with dozens ofdentists to prepare them for life after den-tistry. UBS offers a complimentaryFinancial Goal Analysis for member den-tists that serves as a financial roadmap andis the foundation and required first step inbuilding a relationship. Once a relationshipis formed, UBS can assist members withservices such education funding, estateplanning, banking services, retirementplanning, tax guidance, and securitiesbacked lending.

GDA members can make morebeneficial decisions about their financialfutures when they are guided by WileConsulting Group Financial Advisors.Give them a call at (404) 760-3000 ext.3094, or call Denis Mucha or Skip Joneswith Georgia Dental Insurance Servicesfor additional information. Reach them at(800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553.

Media outlets have contacted the GDAoffice three times since January for dentalspokespersons. Fox 5 News in Atlantacame calling concerning an uptick inconsumers with dental pain seekingtreatment at hospital emergencydepartments. Dr. Richard Weinman did

an excellent job of discussing how patientsalso have the option of seeking carethrough outlets such as charitable dentalclinics. A Fox 5 news team filmed Dr.Weinman treating a patient at thecharitable Ben Massell Dental Clinic inAtlanta. A University of Georgia journalismstudent conducted an interview with

Georgia Mission of Mercy Co-Chairs Dr.Jonathan Dubin and Dr. Karyn Stockwellabout the charitable care event. The mediaoutlet will hold the interview until closer tothe event in June 2013. UGA’s journalismdepartment did film, and broadcast, asegment with Athens general dentist Dr.Brian Hall about infection control practicesin the dental office. The story was promptedby the national media attention given todental patients who may have possiblybeen exposed to HIV and / or hepatitis atan oral surgery practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Dr. Hall did a wonderful job talking abouthow dentists keep patients safe andencouraging patients to ask questions inthe dental office.

GRU College of Dental Medicine LiaisonDr. Celia Dunn (she works with the PublicRelations Committee) reports that theGDA hosted a social in February forfaculty members. GDA President Dr.Sidney Tourial and CODM Dean Dr.Connie Drisko spoke to the 50 attendees.Faculty members and GDA private practicemembers enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres,wine, beer, soft drinks, and conversation.The GDA hopes that this social and similarevents will encourage faculty members tojoin the GDA by demonstrating howstrongly the Association supports GRU.

Georgia Dental Insurance Services (homeof your GDA-endorsed medical, profes-sional liability, overhead, property, andother fine coverages) participates regularlyin activities at the GRU College of Dental

generalnews

GDAUBS Wins Honor

MEDIA REQUESTSGDA Speakers

Dr. Brian Hall discusses infectioncontrol in the dental office during aUniversity of Georgia journalism schoolbroadcast. You can see his interview athttp://gradynewsource.uga.edu/blog/2013/04/11/dental-safety.

Dr. Richard Weinman was filmed inFebruary at Atlanta’s Ben Massell DentalClinic discussing how charitabledental clinics can assist patientswho might otherwise seek help fordental pain in hospital emergencydepartments. See his interview atwww.myfoxatlanta.com/story/21422508/too-many-toothaches-taking-over-ers.

GDA / GRUFaculty Social

GDIS and GRUEducating Students

NEWS AND VIEWSContinued on page 8


Medicine. GDIS staffers took part inClinic Day this February, and GDISsponsored a tee during the ASDA SpringGolf Tournament. GDIS and MedicalProtective conducted a well-received riskmanagement seminar for the junior dentalstudents taking Dr. Richard Callan’spractice management course. Mostrecently, GDIS Director of MarketingSkip Jones participated in Transition Dayin April (along with Associate ExecutiveDirector Nelda Greene and Director ofMembership Pamela Yungk) to inform thesoon-to-be graduated dental seniors of theimportance of membership in the GDAand obtaining professional liability andmedical insurance. Look for updates onother activities where the GDA andGDIS help support the school, faculty, andstudents.

The GDA office was recently contacted byseveral GDA members who received anAddendum Contract from DentaQuestregarding participation in their HealthInsurance Exchange plan. While this planis separate from their Medicaid plans ascurrently administered, in the GDA’sreview of the addendum contract, therewere also a number of similarities. Whilethere are a number of critical provisionsthat GDA members should be aware of priorto signing the contract, one unexpectedaspect was that the rates and coveredservices mimic those of Georgia’s dentalMedicaid program. As more and moreplans start to come into the market withthe October 1 open enrollment date forthe health exchanges created by theAffordable Care Act fast approaching,the GDA expects to see more planswith similar provisions like this emerge.

The GDA and ADA have per-formed a contract analysis of theDentaQuest addendum and this analysisis available to members free of charge.The GDA also has analyses of othercontracts available. Before you sign,

call GDA General Counsel MelanaMcClatchey at (800) 432-4357 or (404)636-7553.

On May 1, Medicare will “turn on” a claimdenial process that affects dentists andother health care providers orderingparticular Medicare-covered items orservices for Medicare beneficiaries. As ofthat date, a provider of a covered clinicallaboratory, imaging, durable medicalequipment, prosthetics, orthotics andsupplies (DMEPOS) or home healthservice will not be paid if the ordering orcertifying practitioner has not enrolled inMedicare or properly opted out. Theannouncement of Phase 2 implementationin a special edition of Medicare LearningNetwork Matters includes guidance on ordersor referrals by dentists. For more coverage,please read the http://www.ada.org/news/8481.aspx.

The GDA Alliance (dental spouses) had abooth at the American Student DentalAssociation (ASDA) Annual Session inMarch in Atlanta. Past Alliance of theAmerican Dental Association PresidentDebbie Torbush and Past GDA PresidentShari Carter met with students fromaround the country and educated manywho were unaware of the Alliance aboutthe group’s oral health education projectsand legislative advocacy efforts.

“We were in a perfect location on acorner and near the food,” said Mrs.Torbush. “We were swamped with stu-dents, thanks to the draw of the DipperDan heads showing the progression of oralcancer due to the effects of smokelesstobacco, the Meth Mouth Mary heads, ourcandy, and of course our dazzling personal-ities!” Debbie commented that MethMouth Mary was by far the most pho-tographed booth worker.

The duo collected the names ofpotential new student spouse membersand heard from several dental studentsfrom Georgia Regents University that they


MEDICARE CLAIMSDenial Process

NEWS AND VIEWSContinued from page 7

CONTRACT ANALYSISDentaQuest Addendum

GDA COMMITTEEMembers Work

ALLIANCEASDA Booth

(L to r): GDA Recruitment and Retention Committee members Dr. Margaret Moore,Dr. Cecil Stanton, Dr. Tom Jagor, Dr. Erin Pickwick, and Dr. Kara Moore (the chair),along with GDA Director of Membership Pamela Yungk, attended an April conferenceat the American Dental Association headquarters in Chicago. The intent—to learnabout the benefits of ADA membership and how to convey those benefits to dentistsat the district and state level. The ADA is trying to break a string of seven years ofstagnant membership numbers.


9GDA ACTIONMAY 2013

enjoyed hearing a presentation by GDAPresident Dr. Sidney Tourial.

“This was a wonderful opportunity tomake a connection with dental students,both for their future participation in theirstate dental association as well as theirspouses’ participation in the Alliance,” saidMrs. Torbush. Thanks to the Alliance fortheir outreach and networking.

The Georgia Academy of CosmeticDentistry (GACD) honored Atlanta’s Dr.Ronald Goldstein with the chapter’s firstLifetime Achievement Award during itsJanuary meeting. He was also honored asthe chapter’s first Honored Lifetime Member.

“We bestowed these honors on Dr.Goldstein to recognize his contributions toesthetic dentistry in Georgia as well asthroughout the world,” said GACDPresident Dr. Joe Chafin. “Our Januaryspeakers, Drs. Dennis Tarnow andStephen Chu, have collaborated with Dr.Goldstein, and Dr. Chu has a chapter inDr. Goldstein’s book Esthetics in

Dentistry. This made it the perfect timefor the GACD to honor Dr. Goldstein.”

Dr. Goldstein is known as a ‘teacherof teachers’ especially with regards toexpanding the horizons of estheticdentistry of already practicing clinicians.Dr. Goldstein is considered a pioneer inmaking dentists aware of their patients’need for more attractive smiles in modernsociety. Dr. Goldstein and his familyendowed the Georgia Regents UniversityRonald Goldstein Center for Esthetic andImplant Dentistry in order to educatefuture dentists on how esthetic teams canprovide patients with optimum cosmeticand functional results.

“Many colleagues and family membersenjoyed the Lifetime Achievement Awardpresentation and reception the GACDheld in Dr. Goldstein’s honor,” said Dr.Chafin. “It was a wonderful day for ourGACD members to have such wonderfulspeakers, and to honor our good friendRonald Goldstein.”

GDA Alliance members Debbie Torbushand Shari Carter (left) staffed a boothduring the recent ADSA Annual Meetingin Atlanta. The “Meth Mouth Mary”heads, which show the effects ofmethamphetamine use over time,shocked many visitors, including atten-dees Diane Lee and Sameet Peet Gill.

Dr. Ronald Goldstein (fifth from right) was honored in January with the GACD’s firstLifetime Achievement Award and as the chapter’s first Honored Lifetime Member.Shown are board members Brian Lindke, Dr. Hugh Flax, Rhonda Mullins, BelindaBryant, Dr. Joe Chafin, Dr. Chris Sholota, Dr. Jim Forester, Pinhas Adar, Dr. JimMerriman. Not pictured: board members Drs. Sarah Roberts and Jill Golsen.

CORRECTIONDr. Goldstein

NEWS AND VIEWSContinued on page 10


JUNE 2013Thurs-Sun, June 13-16: Georgia Missionof Mercy, North Atlanta Trade Center,Norcross.

Fri-Sat, June 14-15: GDA ExpandedDuties Assistants Course, Athens. See www.gadental.org to print your registration packet.

Fri, June 21: LEAP Course, GDAOffice.

Sat, June 22: GDA Board of TrusteesMeeting, GDA Office.

Sat, June 22: Emile T. Fisher Foundationfor Dental Education Board Meeting,GDA Office.

JULY 2013Wed, July 4: GDA Office Closed forIndependence Day Holiday.

Mon, July 8: Northern District ExecutiveCouncil Meeting, GDA Office.

Fri, July 12: White Coat Ceremony,GRU College of Dental Medicine.

Thurs, July 25: GDA House ofDelegates, Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Thurs-Sun, July 25-28: GDA AnnualMeeting, Hilton Head, South Carolina.See www.gadental.org for registrationdetails.

AUGUST 2013Sat, Aug 10: GDA Board of TrusteesMeeting / Committee Orientation, GDAOffice.

Sat, Aug 24: Northern District “Bootsand Bling Ball,” Druid Hills Golf Club,Atlanta.

Sat, Aug 24: Special Olympics SpecialSmiles Dental Screenings, WarnerRobins.

SEPTEMBER 2013Mon, Sept 2: GDA Office Closed for Labor Day Holiday.

Mon, Sept 9: Northern DistrictExecutive Council Meeting, GDA Office.

Wed, Sept 11: Northern District CEProgram, Villa Christina, Atlanta.

OCTOBER 2013Thurs, Oct 10: Western District OSHACourse, Green Island Country Club,Columbus.

Thurs-Sat, Oct 10-12: ADA Fifth DistrictCaucus (GA, AL, MS Delegations)Meeting, Atlanta.

Wed, Oct 16: Northern District CEProgram, Villa Christina, Atlanta.

Mon, Oct 28: Northern DistrictMembership Meeting / GDA OfficerVisit, Villa Christina, Atlanta.

Thurs-Sun, Oct 31-Nov 3: ADA AnnualSession, New Orleans, LA.

NOVEMBER 2013Wed, Nov 6: Northwestern DistrictMembership Meeting / GDA OfficerVisit, Clarence Brown ConferenceCenter, Cartersville.

Mon, Nov 11: Northern District ExecutiveCouncil Meeting, GDA Office.

Fri, Nov 15: GDA SpokespersonTraining Program, GDA Office.

Fri-Sun, Nov 15-17: GDA AllianceWellness Retreat, The James MadisonInn, Madison.

Sat, Nov 16: GDA Board of TrusteesMeeting, GDA Office.

Tues, Nov 19: Eastern District Legislative Reception, Athens.

Thurs-Fri, Nov 28-29: GDA OfficeClosed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

Upcoming GDA / Dental Events


The GDA extends sympathy to the familyand colleagues of the following individuals.

James David Hay, DDS, who died April25, 2013, at the age of 72. Dr. Hay was for-merly a member of the GDA through theCentral District and resided in Florida. Hewas a 1967 Emory University School ofDentistry graduate and a general dentist.He was an American Dental AssociationLife Member. Memorial contributionsmay be made to Catholic Relief Services.

Hudson John Powell Sr., DMD, whodied April 13, 2013, at the age of 59. Dr.Powell was a member of the GDA throughthe Southeastern District. He was a 1978Medical College of Georgia School ofDentistry graduate and a general dentist.Memorial contributions may be made tothe Statesboro First United MethodistChurch Building Fund, Ogeechee AreaHospice, or the Boys and Girls Club ofBulloch County.

NEWS AND VIEWSContinued from page 9

DENTISTSIn Memoriam


11GDA ACTIONMAY 2013



Do you want to learn more about dentalbusiness topics such as how to bill PPOs,discipline an employee, ask questions ofprospective staff members, or protect youronline reputation in three minutes or less?In June, the GDA will debut theAssociation Business Brief just for GDAmember dentists. The briefs are short,information-packed videos delivered viaemail twice a month for 12 months thataddress business issues dentists facewithin their practices.

“These Business Briefs are a wonderfulresource that the GDA Public RelationsCommittee has identified as a way to givea lot of valuable information fast to time-strapped dentists,” said Committee ChairDr. Robin Reich. “We are confident thatmembers will realize the value in thesevideos.”

The Public Relations Committeeinitiated a test of the Business Brief videoeducation service late in 2012. Member

dentists who have email addresses on filewith the GDA office were sent a series ofeducational videos and then surveyedabout the value of the information. Of thedoctors who received and viewed thevideos, 84.2% of GDA members statedthat the Business Brief “provided addedvalue to their membership” and 82.8% ofGDA members stated that they wanted tocontinue to receive the Business Brief emails.

“We were thrilled to see thisresponse,” said Dr. Reich. “Based on thepositive feedback, we knew that we wantedto roll out the Business Brief memberbenefit on a regular basis.”

As part of the Business Brief testrollout in 2012, GDA members wereasked about what topics they would like tosee addressed by future Business Briefs.The answers were as follows:

• 65.3 % sought information on third partypayer issues such as billing and referralgifts

• 63.2% sought more information onpractice management

• 77.5% wanted more information onemployment law issues

• 63.2% wanted more information onregulatory compliance and recordkeeping

• 65.3% sought more details on riskmanagement in the business and clinicalarenas

Using this input, the GDA hasscheduled 24 videos to be emailed toGDA members twice a month over thenext year. The Georgia Dental Associationis continually searching for membershipbenefits that help dentists increaserevenue, save money, and increaseproductivity. These videos have thepotential to serve all three purposes bycovering topics such as:

• If I’m under contract with a PPO, shouldI submit claims using my full fees orPPO contracted rates?

• What are some effective ways to buildmy practice?

• Can a dentist offer gifts to encouragepatients to refer friends to my practice?

• What should I include in an employeedisciplinary warning?

• How do I develop an employee handbook?

• What is the proper procedure toterminate an employee?

• Does my practice need a social media policy to address personal staff accounts?

• How do I combat negative online comments about my practice?

• What is the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees?

GDA members are scheduled toreceive their first Business Brief email onJune 4, 2013. If you do not have an emailaddress on file with the GDA office, now isa great time to contact the GDA office andprovide an email address! Call (800) 432-4357 or (404) 636-7553, or email PhyllisWillich at [email protected].

A video library will be created asBusiness Brief emails are sent to GDAmembers. Dentists will be able to accessthe video library via the GDA web site andview videos that interest them an unlimit-ed number of times. Please note that theBusiness Brief videos will only be addedafter they are emailed to members, so thelibrary will build gradually over time.Dentists will be able to search for a pastvideo or specific video using a searchfeature within the library.

“We look forward to the value thatthis growing library will create for GDAmembers,” said Dr. Sidney Tourial, GDApresident. “I believe the Business Briefvideos have a lot to offer to my fellowdentists. The GDA will continue toexplore ways to bring value to memberdentists.”

Gain Insight into Business Topics Important to Dentists with New GDA Benefit

GDA members are scheduled

to receive their first Business

Brief email on June 4, 2013.

If you do not have an email

address on file with the GDA

office, now is a great time to

contact the GDA office and

provide an email address!

Call (800) 432-4357 or (404)

636-7553, or email Phyllis Willich

at [email protected].



Are your patients feeling sleepy withoutthe benefit of nitrous oxide administeredby your capable professional hands? Oddsare good that at least one patient in yourpractice may suffer from one or morehealth issues caused by a sleep disorder.Dentists can play a significant role in help-ing to identify patients, both adult andpediatric, who may benefit from a sleepdisorder diagnosis from a physician, butbuilding a knowledge base about sleepdisorders and learning about Georgia lawsand rules governing sleep apnea treatmentare important actions to take beforetalking to your patients.

Q: What is sleep apnea?

A: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is themost common type of sleep disorder.Productive sleep means the body relaxes—and that relaxation includes the body’smuscle structure. Human airways arecomposed of collapsible walls of soft tis-sue. Normally, these muscles do not relaxenough to obstruct airflow during sleep.However, for a number of reasons, someindividuals experience closed airways dur-ing sleep. Some reasons may include hav-ing low muscle tone, a large neck, fatty tis-sues bunched around the soft palate andneck, a retruded lower jaw, an enlargedtongue, and / or enlarged tonsils or ade-noids. Apnea is defined by the AmericanAcademy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) asthe cessation of airflow for at least 10 sec-onds. Apnea may last for 30 seconds oreven longer. Hypopnea is defined as a rec-ognizable transient reduction (but notcomplete cessation) of breathing for 10seconds or longer, a decrease of greaterthan 50% in the amplitude of a validatedmeasure of breathing, or a reduction inamplitude of less than 50% associated withoxygen desaturation of 4% or more.

Q: What are some health effectsthat OSA can cause?

A: Common symptoms of someone withOSA can include loud snoring and restless

sleep, and then sleepiness after waking.Sleepy individuals can exhibit moodinessand belligerence, suffer from headaches,experience short term memory loss, andexperience impaired concentration.Patients may grind their teeth as theyclench their jaws during sleep in anattempt to restart the breathing process.Therefore, dentists may observe symptomssuch as worn teeth, tori of the hard palateand mandible, and buccal exostosis. Leftuntreated, OSA can be associated with anincreased risk of cardiac, respiratory, andmetabolic conditions, including hyperten-sion, stroke, congestive heart failure, andeven sudden death, as well as depressionand sexual dysfunction. Excessive daytimesleepiness can impair daily functioning athome, in the workplace, and even whiledriving a motor vehicle.

Children with untreated OSA mayexhibit symptoms of hyperactivity. Therehas been a great deal of recent mediaattention given to the idea that some chil-dren diagnosed as having attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder are actually sleep-deprived due to OSA, particularly ascaused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils.

Q: Are some groups of patientsmore at risk of having OSA?

A: Elderly patients may be more likely tohave OSA due to their loss of muscle tone,their use of medications that may depressbodily functions such as respiration, andother health issues. Men may be more atrisk for OSA than women and children,although OSA may be found in any popu-lation. The risk of someone having OSArises as body weight increases, and whensomeone smokes. In addition, theAmerican Diabetes Association notes thatmany men with diabetes also suffer fromOSA. Research conducted by the YaleUniversity School of Medicine in 2007found that patients with OSA are atincreased risk for developing type IIdiabetes, independent of other riskfactors.

a

Q: How can I determine if mypatients are experiencing symp-toms that may be related to OSA?

A: Dentists may ask any patient about anyhealth related matter that could impacttheir dental health or dental treatment.Adding questions about sleepiness or snor-ing on a patient’s medical history, and fol-lowing up with the patient about theiranswer, is one way to elicit information.Depending on your practice model, thedental hygienist could ask about sleepinessor snoring during the prophylaxis portionof an appointment, and update the doctorabout what the patient said, or the doctorcould ask directly during the examination.

Since individuals are not likely to beaware of snoring, or want to admit to it, orare not aware of having disordered sleep,dentists may want to determine if there isa way to elicit information from a familymember present in the office. Bedpartners can be extraordinarily eager toshare whether their significant other hassnoring issues if they think a resolutionmay be found. Ironically, one study onOSA noted that individuals with OSAmay regard themselves as “good sleepers”because they “can sleep anytime, anywhere”—for example in a doctor’s waitingroom, in traffic, in class, or at the office.(h t tp : / / emed ic ine .medscape . com/article/295807-overview.)

While caring for a pediatric patient, adentist could ask the parent or guardian ifthey have observed restless sleep, snoringof any type, or mouth breathing in theirchild. If they have not watched their childduring sleep, a dentist might suggest theparent do so at the next opportunity.

Q: I have a patient—an overweightmale—who answered affirmativelywhen I asked about daytimesleepiness. He seemed very con-cerned. How do I diagnose him?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Dentist’s Role inPatient Education and Professional Referrals



A: The short answer is that in Georgiadentists cannot diagnose a sleep disorder.They, however, can have appropriateconcerns about the health of a patient andrefer that patient appropriately.

“OSA is a medical, not a dental, disor-der,” said Dr. Jeff Prinsell, a GDA memberboard-certified oral and maxillofacial sur-geon licensed in both medicine and den-tistry who assists patients with OSA in hispractice. “Though a medical disorder, cer-tain OSA patients can be treated using oralappliance therapy by a dentist. However,OSA is part of a broad spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, which can becomplex, and treatment is more involvedthan simply placing an appliance in apatient’s mouth.”

The Georgia Board of Dentistryestablished a policy in 2005 regardingwhether prescribing sleep apnea appli-ances falls within the scope of practice ofdentistry. The policy states that “The diag-nosis of a person’s type and severity ofapnea appears to fall appropriately underthe definition of practicing medicine. Thedetermination of the type of appropriate

treatment, which depends upon the typeand severity of the apnea, also more appro-priately falls under the definition of thepractice of medicine.”

The policy goes on to state that“Depending upon the diagnosis of typeand severity, one possible treatment optionfor obstructive apnea is the use of oralappliances. The design, fitting, and use oforal appliances, and the maintenance oforal health related to the appliance fallswithin the scope of practice of dentistry.[However,] The continued evaluation ofthe person’s sleep apnea, the effect of theoral appliance on the apnea, and the needfor, and the type of, alternative treatmentdo not fall within the scope of dentistry.”

Therefore, the Board of Dentistry hasdetermined that a dentist may only fabri-cate a sleep appliance for a patient underthe orders of a physician, and that a dentistmay not evaluate the effectiveness of anoral appliance in addressing sleep apnea. Adentist may design and fit the appliance,and work with the patient to addressadjustments the appliance may need.

Q: A dentist cannot determinewhether a patient needs a sleepappliance. May a dentist determinea patient’s need for an appliance toaddress snoring?

A: It is unclear from the Georgia DentalPractice Act and the Regulations promul-gated by the Georgia Board of Dentistrywhether dentists may diagnose and treatsnoring. A good rule of thumb might be fordentists to refer patients who self-describeas snorers, or who may talk about excessivesleepiness due to snoring, to a physicianfor a diagnosis to rule out OSA or othersleep-related breathing disorders beforethe dentist discusses potential treatmentoptions with a patient.

SLEEP APNEAContinued on page 16



Q: What should I think when I seedentists advertise sleep centers intheir practices or tout their expert-ise with sleep apnea?

A: There are dentists who are dualdegreed as dentists and physicians whomay offer a full suite of services to patientsin the area of sleep disorders, everythingfrom diagnosis to appliance therapy andfollow up. There are dentists who mayform working relationships with “sleepphysicians” in their communities. The den-tists refer patients who may have symp-toms indicating OSA to these physiciansfor diagnosis. The diagnostic process mayinclude a sleep test, called polysomnogra-phy, where a patient spends time at a sleepcenter sleeping while having their breath-ing, heart rate, blood oxygen content, legmovements, and eye movements studied.In turn, the sleep physician may prescribe

an oral appliance for the patient to addressOSA that the dentist can fabricate andplace. There are dentists who may pursuecontinuing education in the field of sleepdisorders and mention an awareness ofOSA as part of their practice services.These dentists would need to work withphysicians who actually would perform thediagnosis of a sleep disorder.

A “sleep center” may mean differentthings to different dentists and adding“sleep services” to the offerings of anypractice requires careful consideration andresearch before implementation. Thisservice is likely not something that can bea part of a practice after a single weekendcourse. The key to remember is that den-tists may not diagnose or treat OSA inde-pendently of a physician.

Q: What does the term “sleepphysician” mean?

A: The Sleep Medicine CertificationProgram is jointly developed by theAmerican Board of Internal Medicine andthe American Board of Family Medicine,

the American Board of Pediatrics, theAmerican Board of Psychiatry andNeurology (ABPN), the American Boardof Otolaryngology, and the AmericanBoard of Anesthesiology. The examinationis administered to candidates from allBoards at the same time in the same test-ing centers. Pulmonologists, subspecialistswithin internal medicine, may also becomecertified in sleep medicine after followinga prescribed field of study.

From the ABPN web site(www.abpn.com), a definition of sleepmedicine reads: “sleep medicine is a sub-specialty that involves having expertise inthe diagnosis and management of sleep-related clinical conditions, including circa-dian rhythm disorders. This subspecialtyincludes the clinical assessment,polysomnographic evaluation, and treat-ment of sleep disorders including insom-nias, disorders of excessive sleepiness (e.g.narcolepsy), sleep related breathing disor-ders (such as obstructive sleep apnea),parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders,sleep related movement disorders andother conditions pertaining to the sleep-wake cycle.”

SLEEP APNEAContinued from page 15



Additionally, there are currently fourboards of the American OsteopathicAssociation Bureau of OsteopathicSpecialists that administer Sleep MedicineCertification exams—Family Medicine,Internal Medicine, Neurology &Psychiatry, and Ophthalmology &Otolaryngology (www.osteopathic.org).

Q: I don’t want to start a sleep cen-ter, but I do want to help mypatients who may have OSA. Whatmay I do?

A: A dentist may assist a patient in theirpractice with potential symptoms by refer-ring them to a physician with experienceand expertise in OSA, or their familyphysician. Dentists may also encourageoverall healthy habits in their patients.Since obesity is an OSA risk factor, dentistscan encourage patients to adopt a healthydiet, which has numerous dental-relatedbenefits as well. Snoring can increasewhen patients sleep on their back(http://www.aaoms.org/sleep_apnea.php).

Dentists can encourage patients toresearch ways to improve their sleepingpositions. Certain sedative drugs and theuse of alcohol can cause muscle relaxationover and above that created by naturalsleep. Dentists can encourage patients toseek guidance from their physicians abouthow medicines they may be taking canaffect their health and sleep.

Smoking can induce a host of prob-lematic oral and overall health issues,including the swelling of air passages. TheGeorgia Board of Dentistry considers theuse of behavior modification techniques toaddress smoking cessation, the use of nico-tine replacement therapy using nicotinepatches or chewing gum, and the use pre-scription drugs approved for smoking ces-sations including but not limited to bupro-pion (Zyban® or Wellbutrin®) to be with-in the scope of practice of dentistry inGeorgia.

Q: What are the treatments that aphysician may prescribe for apatient to address sleep apnea?

A: A patient may be advised by a physicianto use a Continuous Positive Air Pressure,or CPAP, device. This device attempts tocontrol OSA by providing a stream of airthrough a tube into the nose. The positiveair pressure the CPAP creates aims to keepthe tissues in the back of the throat openduring sleep. A patient may also be advisedby a physician to obtain an oral appliancethat moves the lower jaw forward relativeto the upper jaw. The jaw movement opensthe airway and positions the tongue for-ward. Should the physician issue a pre-scription for the creation of an oral appli-ance, a dentist may design, fit, and seat theoral appliance for the patient, and workwith the patient on maintaining their oralhealth in relation to the appliance. Thedentist should advise the patient to workwith the prescribing physician to deter-mine if the appliance is addressing theOSA issue.

SLEEP APNEAContinued on page 25



A patient may also be advised by aphysician in some instances to pursue sur-gery and the American Association of Oraland Maxillofacial Surgeons web sitewww.aaoms.org provides an excellent ref-erence about the surgeries that may berecommended. One such procedure, max-illomandibular advancement surgery(MMA), is highly therapeutic as a treat-ment of OSA because it pulls forward thepharyngeal soft tissues suspended from theupper and lower jaws, thereby enlargingthe entire upper airway. The AAOMS sitenotes that for some individuals, the MMAis the only technique that can create thenecessary air passageway to resolve theirOSA condition.

Q: How do insurers view theincreasing interest in sleep apnea?

A: There have been recent media storiesdiscussing insurer concerns that in-patient,overnight sleep testing is being over-pre-scribed. The American Academy of SleepMedicine said in 2012 that the organiza-tion had 2,485 accredited sleep-disordercenters, nearly five times the 502 that wereaccredited in 2000 (www.dispatch.com).Medicare payments alone to sleep clinicsnearly quadrupled between 2001 and2009, from $62 million to $235 million,according to the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services’ Office ofInspector General.

Some health insurers are looking atmore at-home sleep studies that at around$400 are lower priced than overnight tests

at a free-standing sleep center or in ahospital outpatient setting (www.dispatch.com).One story broadcast on National PublicRadio earlier this year estimates that anight at a hospital sleep lab can cost apatient’s insurer around $1,900. NPR alsonoted that some patients may spend twonights at a lab—one to test for apnea andthe second to test-drive a CPAP machine ifone is prescribed. The upshot is that withthe increased interest in the field, insurerscould be concerned about the potentialabuse of overnight sleep studies and com-plex treatment options. Dentists should erron the side of caution in forming relation-ships with physicians and specialists in thefield and ensure that any suggestion orreferral given to a patient is centered onthe best interest of the patient.

SLEEP APNEAContinued from page 17



President Sidney Tourial called the House ofDelegates to order at 9:05 a.m. on January13, 2013. Dr. Marshall Mann gave theinvocation and led the pledge of allegiance tothe flag.

GuestsDr. Tourial recognized the following guests:Dr. Connie Drisko, Dean of the GRUCollege of Dental Medicine; Dr. BarryStacey, President of the Georgia Board of

Dentistry; Dr. Don Seago, 5th DistrictTrustee; Mr. Dale Crail, President of theFisher Foundation; GRU scholars PatrickBarnes, Meagan Chaffins, Worth Straughan,Jason Strever, Bridget Lyons, John Ensley,India Lamonthe, Molly Hawkins, RayCornay, Ray Wallace, and Stephanie Silva.

Roll CallDr. Jim Hall called the roll for delegates andalternate delegates and declared a quorum.The following persons were present:Central (delegates) Drs. Paul Fraysure, TyIvey, Mike Loden, Kendrick Mathews,Deena Smith; (alternates) Drs. LindsayHolliday, Amber Lawson, Amy Loden;Eastern (delegates) Drs. Lee Andrews,David Brown, Celia Dunn, Brad Hall, CaroleHanes, Grant Loo, David Perry, RhodaSword; (alternates) Drs. Greg Clepper, ErikWells; Northern (delegates) Drs. ChrisAdkins, Sarabess Baumrind, Donald Brown,Henry Benson, Brook Corbett, JonathanDubin, Max Ferguson, Hank Goble, JamesGranade, III, James Granade, Jr., KathyHuber, Tom Jagor, Ben Jernigan, PaulKudyba, Amy Kuhmichel, Matt Mazzawi,Roy McDonald, Bob O’Donnell, DavidPumphrey, Troy Schulman, Richard A.Smith, Victor Van Greuningen, RichardWeinman, Marvin Winter, Carol Wolff;(alternates) Drs. Evis Babo, Neil Browning,Ron Cavola, David Carithers, Joe G. Looper,Greg Marks, Marie Schweinebraten, Richard

Sugarman, Rebecca Weinman; Northwestern(delegates) Drs. Bruce Camp, CelesteCoggin, David Drew, Stan Halpern, JimHutson, Howard Jones, Ben Knaak,Elizabeth Lewis, Jason Oyler, Peter Shatz,Jason Young; (alternates) Drs. HankBradford, Brenda Fritz, Casey Hart, StuartLoos, Dave Mason, Todd Mullikin, FreddiePadilla, Kumar Patel, Joe Peluso, ChrisRautenstrauch, P.J. Schaner, Larry Tilley;Southeastern (delegates) Drs. CaraDeLeon, Mark Dusek, Jay McCaslin, MattRosenthal, Julie Ann Routhier;Southwestern (delegates) Drs. BoBroadfoot, Keith Crummey, Greg Morris,Steve Sample, Alan Sanders; (alternates) Dr.Chris Hasty, Jay Phillips, Bonita Richter;Western (delegates) Drs. Jay Harris, JimLopez, Ed Smith; (alternates) Drs. RobertCarpenter and Mark Lawrence; ASDA AmirLamei; (alternate) Alena Reich.

Report of the President

• Resolution 2013-01 Minutes (passed):Passed by general consent: Resolved thatthe minutes of the July 19, 2012, House ofDelegates meeting be approved.

Report of the Executive Director

• Resolution 2013-02 Members Emeritus(passed): Passed on motion by generalconsent: Resolved that the followingpersons be designated Members Emeritusof the Georgia Dental Association withoutdues: Southeastern—Paul Kulbersh,DMD; William Wege, DMD.

Report of the Board of Trustees

• Resolution 2013-03 Position Papers(passed as amended): Passed on motionby Dr. Sidney Tourial as amended by Dr.Peter Shatz: Resolved that the House of

Delegates approves the position paperswith the exception of the TeledentistryPosition Paper as presented and approvedby the Board of Trustees. Suggestedmodifications to the Teledentistry positionpaper will be made and presented to theHouse for approval in July 2013.

• Resolution 2013-04 Actions of the BOT(passed): Passed on motion by Dr. SidneyTourial: Resolved that the actions of theGDA Board of Trustees as reported in theminutes of the August 11 and November10, 2012, meetings and the December 10,2012, conference call are ratified by theHouse of Delegates.

• 2013-11 Actions of the January 12BOT (passed) Passed on motion by Dr.Sidney Tourial: Resolved that the followingmotions from the January 11, 2013, Boardof Trustees are ratified by the House ofDelegates:

• Response to Dr. Henri Treadwellconcerning the July 2012 Conference,“Unmet Oral Health Needs” [13-1.01]Dr. Erik Wells moved for the GDA Boardof Trustees to strongly support the letter toHenri M. Treadwell, PhD as presentedthat responded to Dr. Treadwell’s notesfrom the Conference, “Unmet Oral HealthNeeds, Underserved Populations, and NewWorkforce Models: An Urgent Dialogue,”and for the letter to be from the GDABoard of Trustees with the signatures ofthe GDA President and ExecutiveDirector. The motion passed unanimously.

ª GDA Workforce Study Media StrategyPlan: [13-1.02] Dr. Marshall Mann movedfor the GDA Board of Trustees to approvethe Talking Points, Media Strategy Plan andPress Release as presented concerning theGDA’s Workforce Census and Report. Themotion passed unanimously.

Unofficial Minutes of the Winter 2013 GDA House of Delegates

house minutes

Please note: This report includes persons present, all resolutions considered, and key actions taken. The full minutes may be foundat www.gadental.org in the Member’s Only section.



• Finance Committee GDA Audit: [13-1.03] Dr. Jim Hall moved for the Board ofTrustees to accept the FinanceCommittee’s recommendation to approvethe audit. The motion passed unanimously.

• Constitution and Bylaws ParliamentaryRules of Order: [13-1.04] Dr. SidneyTourial explained the need to make ahousekeeping change to Resolution #2013-05 to delete the word ‘published.’ TheBoard of Trustees voted unanimously toapprove the recommendation to delete‘published’ which will be considered by theHouse of Delegates on January 13, 2013.

Constitution and Bylaws

Resolution 2013-05 Policy Manual, ADADelegation (passed): Passed on motion byDr. Robert O’Donnell: Resolved that theGDA Constitution be amended as follows:

• ARTICLE IX RULES OF ORDER: Therules contained in the most current editionof “Sturgis Standard Code” shall governthe professional conduct of all members.The parliamentary rules of order adoptedby the American Dental Association shall

be used to govern all meetings and opera-tions of the Georgia Dental Association.

Nominating Committee

Dr. Tourial reported on the following slatefrom the Nominating Committee. The com-mittee offered the nomination of Dr. GregGoggans for GDA vice president. Voting willoccur at the July 26, 2013, GDA BusinessMeeting at the Annual Meeting. TheNominating Committee received the nomi-nation for the ADA At-large delegate posi-tion (term expires 1/17) and accompanyingCV from Dr. Jack Bickford, who is a memberin good standing. Since there were no nomi-nations from the floor, Dr. Bickford waselected by acclimation (his second term).

ª Resolution 2013-08 Board of Trustees(passed): Passed on motion by Dr. SidneyTourial: Resolved that the following candi-dates be approved for a three-year term ofoffice on the GDA Board of Trustees effec-tive July 28, 2013: Dr. Robin Reich,Northwestern District (term expires 7/16);Dr. Jim Lopez, Western District (termexpires 7/16)

• ADA Delegation Election byAcclimation: The following candidateswere elected to the ADA Delegation byacclimation: Dr. Kara Moore (CentralDistrict Delegate, term expires 1/17; sec-ond term); Dr. Donna Thomas Moses(Northwestern District Delegate, termexpires 1/17; second term) Dr. Julie AnnRouthier (Southeastern District Delegate,term expires 1/17; first term); Dr. JonathanDubin (Northern District AlternateDelegate, term expires 1/17; second term);Dr. Ben Jernigan (Northern DistrictAlternate Delegate filling the unexpiredterm of Tom Field, term expires 1/15; firstterm); Dr. Evis Babo (Northern DistrictAlternate Delegate filling the unexpiredterm of Doug Torbush who moves into theOfficer Position as President Elect, termexpires 1/15; first term).

• Resolution 2013-10 Georgia Board ofDentistry (passed): Passed on motion byDr. Sidney Tourial: Resolved that the

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following candidates be approved forsubmission to the governor for considerationas members of the Georgia Board ofDentistry: Central District (term expired1/4/13, held by Stephan F. Holcomb):Stephan Holcomb, John H. Ferguson,Robert W. Vedder, Michael M. Wright;Eastern District (term expires 8/1/13, heldby Logan Nalley, Jr.): Logan Nalley, Jr., J.David Brown, Annette Rainge, S. CraigTaylor; Western District (term expired1/4/13, held by Isaac Hadley) Leo Berard,Jim Lopez, Don Campbell.

Awards Committee

ª Resolution 2013-06 Honorable Fellows(passed): Passed on motion by Dr. MarvinWinter: Resolved that the GDA herebyconfirms the following dentists asHonorable Fellows to recognize their dis-tinguished service to the Association:Donald F. Brown, DDS (Northern); Jay A.Harris, DMD (Western); A. Stuart Loos,

DDS (Northwestern); Jay McCaslin VI,DMD (Southeastern); John H. Muse, DDS(Northern); Erik H. Wells, DMD(Eastern); Michael M. Wright, DDS(Central).

• Resolution 2013-07 CommunityService Awards (passed): Passed onmotion by Dr. Marvin Winter: Resolvedthat the GDA hereby confirms the follow-ing dentists as Community Service Awardhonorees in recognition of their significantcharitable activities: Richard G. Bennett,DMD (Northern) for his extensive workwith the Good News Clinics/Green WarrenDental Clinic; and John D. Peacock, DDS(Northwestern) for his work withWoodstock First Baptist Church’s“LoveLoud” health care mission projects,Georgia Baptist Mobile Health Ministry,and numerous overseas mission trips.

AdjournmentBeing no further business, the House ofDelegates adjourned at 11:45 a.m. The nextmeeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 25,2013, 8:30 a.m. at the Marriott Hilton HeadResort and Spa.

this year. The GDA monitored hundreds ofbills related to professional scope and busi-ness issues that could impact dentists. Theyalso took one bill, House Bill 132, all theway over the finish line and to Gov. NathanDeal’s desk. It took virtually all of thesession, from January through March, toconvince legislators how a seemingly sim-ple thing as redefining what departmentthe Georgia Board of Dentistry falls underwill greatly benefit Georgians.

A group of GDA dentists and staffmembers, meanwhile, are traveling inMay to Washington, DC along with hun-dreds of dentists from across the country tolobby Congress about dental issues. Ontheir platter—provisions of the PPACAlike the medical device tax that are nega-tively impacting dentistry and dentalpatients, the elimination of the antitrustexemption for health insurers, coordina-tion of benefits for dental care, and a grantprogram to help low income adults obtainmedically recommended dental care.Another organized dentistry team in actionfor us.

Dentistry is headed toward a perfectstorm of tangled regulations and the wavesare mounting rapidly. Do you rememberthat movie and book? “The Perfect Storm”was based upon the events surrounding amassive weather storm in 1991 where twoweather fronts and a hurricane wreakedtremendous havoc. There are rough seasahead. How many sailors can we count onto help steer the dental ship? We have 20Georgia dentists traveling to Washington.We had 201 dentists participate in LAWDay. These volunteers are incrediblydedicated and we all should appreciatethem. We have 3,300 member dentistshowever—we need all hands on deck.

Will we come out of it for the better,worse, or just different? The perfect stormis brewing, are you ready? You need to be.Stay tuned for more.

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EDITORIALContinued from page 5



Dentists Availablefor Locum Tenens

Dentist will fill in for illness, vacation,or continuing education. Licensed,insured, DEA #. Call (404) 786-0229 oremail [email protected].

DENTIST: Need Part Time Fill In?Vacation, Illness, Maternity? GENERALDENTIST SOLD LONG ESTAB-LISHED PRACTICE. GA & DEALICENSED. (Available Expanded AtlantaArea.) Cell: (404) 219-4097. Home: (404)842-1196. Jesse Hader, DDS.

Dentist available during emergencies,vacation, CDE courses. I have a currentlicense, DEA certificate, and insurance.Contact me at (706) 291-2254 or cell (706)802-7760. I hope I can be of service to you.Patrick A. Parrino, DDS, MAGD.

Equipment for Sale

Available: 6 orthodontic / periodonticdental chairs for sale. Unitek / Metal craftbrand with pump bases and electric backs.Light blue vinyl color in good condition.Will email photos. Four chairs have grayplastic backing and two cream-colored.Will divide. $600.00. Email: [email protected].

Positions Available

Expanding Pediatric Dental GroupSeeking Dentists for our Atlanta-Based Practices! Large and collegialdental group in the Atlanta region seekingGENERAL Dentists for expansion. Brand new,state-of-the-art facilities, clinical autonomy,advanced technology, comprehensivebilling & insurance department / well-trained administrative support are a fewbenefits this opportunity has to offer.Compensation is in the 80%. Offer willinclude comprehensive benefits packageincluding PTO, sign-on bonus, andrelocation. Full and / or part-time positionsavailable. New grads welcome to apply.Please email cover letter and CV [email protected]. You can visit us onthe web at www.tebodental.com.

Specialist or General Dentist for ourAtlanta-Based Practices—Endo / PerioPreferred! Large and collegial dentalgroup in the Atlanta region seeking Endo /Perio Dentists for expansion. Brand new,state-of-the-art facilities, clinical autono-my, advanced technology, comprehensivebilling & insurance department / well-trained administrative support are only afew benefits this opportunity has to offer.Compensation is in the 80%. Offer willinclude comprehensive benefits packageand potential for sign-on bonus and / ortravel expenses covered. This is a part-time position. Please email cover letterand CV to [email protected]. You canvisit us on the web at www.tebodental.com.

Associate Dentist Needed: Generalfamily practice with locations in PeachtreeCity and Newnan looking for a part-timegeneral dentist. Two days per week withfuture growth. Candidate must practice allaspects of dentistry. Please email resumeto [email protected].

Join our team of professionals who arepassionate about providing quality dentalcare to underserved communities! We arelocated across the Southeast! For moreinformation, please contact Joanna Lea [email protected] or call (615) 986-1733.

Full time associate dentist needed fora fee-for-service practice focused oncomprehensive dentistry and great patientservice in Stockbridge, GA. Associate toreplace a retiring dentist and will take overhis existing patient base. Applicants shouldbe experienced with implants, root canaltreatment, extractions, dentures, and par-tials. Office has great stable staff with mostemployed over 10 years. Ideal candidateshould be looking for long term associate-ship and establishing a relationship withthe patients. Options available for futurepartnership or buyout. Email CV / resumeto [email protected].

SAVANNAH: General dentist with a car-ing, patient focused approach to join busypractice. Associate and / or buy-in oppor-tunities are available. Please contact NickCease, (502) 254-8514, [email protected].

classified ads

How GDA members canplace classified ads

AD FORM: Submit all ads on a GDA ClassifiedAdvertisement Form. To obtain a form,call Skip Jones at (800) 432-4357 or(404) 636-7553, or email [email protected].(Note: The GDA may accept or reject anyad for any reason and in its sole discretion.)

AD DEADLINE: Ads and ad check payments are due by thefirst of the month before the publicationmonth (i.e., Dec. 1 for January).

AD RATES: ADA member dentists pay $75.00 per60-word ad per month. There is a 25 centsper-word charge for each word over 60.Non-dentist-owned companies (real estatefirms, etc.) pay $195 per 60-word ad permonth (additional word charges as above).Non-member dentists may notplace ads.

LATE FEE:Ads for which full prepayment is notreceived by the first day of the ad’spublication month (i.e.; Nov. 1 for aNovember ad) will incur a $25 late fee inaddition to the ad rate.

FORMS OF PAYMENT: Submit a check or money order with the adform. (Make checks payable to GDA.)Credit cards are not accepted as payment.

WEB SITE PLACEMENT: Prepaid ads will appear on the GDA Website www.gadental.org for the month thead appears in print. Non-prepaid ads willNOT be placed online.



Mature family practice in GwinnettCounty seeks independent dentist for1-2 days a week. Well equipped modernoffice. Great staff. Bonus. Excellent oppor-tunity! Send resumes to: [email protected].

Do you have a love for kids? We areseeking a skilled Pediatric Specialistor General Dentist with pediatricexperience to join our successful, quality-oriented, multi-location practice. We areoffering a competitive salary, health insur-ance, 401(k) plan, paid vacation, malprac-tice insurance, and CE and professionalorganization allowance. If interested,please send your C.V. to [email protected] or call (770) 497-0110.

Need help: Ready to retire after 43 years.Need a dentist to work for salary or per-centage until he / she can take over thepractice. I will continue to work a few daysa week during the transition period.Financing is available. Located in southcentral GA, in Fitzgerald. Call Fri-Mon(229) 424-5888.

GEORGIA—ATLANTA. Multiple pediatricdental offices in Metro Atlanta are seekingpediatric dentists and general dentists towork in an extremely successful, expandingbusiness. We offer a team motivated workingenvironment and a competitive salary. Webelieve in a high level of patient and parenteducation and making sure that childrenhave an excellent dental experience at eachvisit. Our practice provides all levels ofcare, including oral sedation, IV sedation,and general anesthesia at local hospitals.Candidate must have excellent communi-cation skills, be enthusiastic, and motivated.For more information please call (678)923-4466 or email [email protected]. Visit our web siteat www.dentistry4children.com.

Associate Dentist Needed: Busy generaldentistry practice NW of Atlanta is lookingfor an associate to add to our practice.Immediate full time employment;must be skilled and practice all aspectsof general dentistry. Our office is abeautiful, modern facility with an experi-enced staff. Come join us! Please [email protected] or call (770)546-2775.

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Coast Dental is one of the largestproviders of general and specialty dentalcare in the United States with practices inCalifornia, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, andTexas. Coast Dental is currently lookingfor General Dentists and Specialist topractice in the greater Atlanta area.We have full and part-time opportunitiesavailable for experienced dentists to prac-tice where contributions are valued andthe sky is the limit on opportunities togrow. Coast Dental offers competitivewages with sign-on bonuses available forselect locations, a great benefits pack-age, and a chance to work with advancedtechnology and devoted people who take avisionary approach to making everypatients smile a work of art. If you areinterested in an opportunity in one of ourpractices, please email psherberg@ coast-dental.com or apply online atwww.coastdental.com/careers/dentists.

Pediatric Dentist Needed: We have anoutstanding full time opportunity for aPediatric Dentist in our successful,well-respected, quality oriented privatepediatric dental practice for the right can-didate. We are seeking a special, motivat-ed, personable full time pediatric dentistto join in our success. We are a boomingpractice with tremendous growth andearning potential. We offer in officesedation. We offer excellent compensationand benefits. For more information,please contact Dr. Vishant Nath at (678)763-2600 or email [email protected] you can contact Amanda at (678) 352-1090 or (678) 352-1090 / (678) 429-9931.

Associate—Atlanta: Lucrative opportu-nity for an experienced general dentist.Large patient base, well-established prac-tice, high income area. Extensive crownand bridge, CAD / CAM, implant restora-tive, composite operative, esthetic den-tistry including DaVinci Veneers. Ability toperform rotary endo a plus. Excellentcompensation package. Please emailresumes to [email protected] or faxto (770) 926-8483.

Practices/Office Space Available

Available: COLUMBUS AREA #8824—Gross Collections $389K; NORTHATLANTA #8880—Gross Collections$554K. NORTH ATLANTA #8902—Associate needed for Duluth general prac-tice. Prefer experienced dentist capable ofmost skills. Practice is fee for service.ATLANTA ORAL SURGERY #8887—Gross Collections $1.1M; ATLANTAPERIO #5241—Gross Collections $1.3M.ALSO: SAVANNAH ASSOCIATENEEDED * AWESOME OPPORTUNI-TY #8903; STOCKBRIDGE ASSOCIATENEEDED #8894; ATLANTA / DUN-WOODYAREA ASSOCIATE #8887—Board certified / eligible OMS neededimmediately. For more information, callDr. Earl Douglas (770) 664-1982 or [email protected].

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Available Dental Spaces for Specialist!Stockbridge, Fayetteville, Duluth, andRiverdale locations. Ideal for PediatricDentist, Periodontist, Endodontist, orOral Surgeon looking to add satellite loca-tion or new startup. Already plumbed &fully equipped with 4 operatories androom for 2-3 more. Save time andmoney by sharing space in these newmulti-specialty locations. Contact us at:[email protected].

*NEW* COBB COUNTY PRACTICEFOR SALE: Beautiful, 10 operatory, stateof the art facility with Adec equipment,collecting over $2M annually in a greatlocation. Don’t miss out on this opportuni-ty! Please call or email for details using ref-erence #GA-1029. For more informationcall (678) 482-7305, email [email protected], or visit www.south-easttransitions.com.

*NEW* COBB COUNTY GEM: Longterm, bread & butter practice, in a fantas-tic location with lots of room for growth!Staff will stay on after the transition. Don’tmiss out on this great opportunity to growin a very desirable area! Please call oremail for details using reference #GA-1031. For more information call (678) 482-7305, email [email protected],or visit www.southeasttransitions.com.

Dental Space Available! Duluth, GA.Already built-out and plumbed with dentalequipment! Convenient location offSugarloaf Parkway near I-85. Built in 2007,3-6 operatories, sterilization, consultationroom, kitchen. Front office and privatedoctor office. Split design dental space,perfect for new dentist or specialist satel-lite office. Upscale building in a highgrowth area with excellent demographics.Move in ready! Contact Aubrey Scher at(404) 384-8800.

Available: CANTON: Beautiful officegrossing $393,000, 4 operatories. LAKEOCONEE AREA: Exceptional opportuni-ty, grossing $823K. NORTH ATLANTA:Gorgeous new facility with 6 operatories,grossing $1.4M with high volume of cos-metics and implants. WOODSTOCK:Beautiful 5 operatory office grossing$400K. Richane Swedenburg, New SouthDental Transitions: (770) 630-0436 [email protected]. Check newlistings: www.newsouthdental.com.

CLASSIFIEDSContinued from page 32


Suite 200, Building 17, 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody RoadAtlanta, Georgia 30328-1655

www.gadental.org

ACTIONInside This Issue

• Register for the GDAAnnual Meeting Today!

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Dentist’s Role in Patient Education andProfessional Referrals

DATED MATERIALPLEASE DELIVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE


gda action may 2013

Documents

atlanta dental imaging

heartland dental care

atlanta age management

executive directordelaine

national practice transitions

executive directornelda

peachtree dunwoody rd

dentists role