TEX SGPOfficial Publication of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry

Summer 2013, Volume 39, Issue 3

AUSTIN, TX

SEPTEMBER 26 - 28

2013 Texas Dentist of the Year pg. 12-13

Legislative News pg. 11

New Dentist Conference Recap pg. 16

Dental Sleep Medicine pg. 10

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TEX SGP 3

TAGD President’s MessageTAGD President’s Message

Table of Contents

The privilege of serving at the state level on the Board of Directors, and now as President of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, has provided an opportunity to participate in one of the most focused and talented groups of people our profession has to offer. The TAGD is the Voice of the General Dentist in Texas, and as you hopefully have read in the Gatekeeper, our voice has definitely been heard at the Texas Legislature this last session. However, this is only one facet of our organization.

From an Executive Director, Mrs. Connie Sonnier, who doesn’t know the meaning of the directive to “go home,” to a phenomenally motivated staff, that has coordinated over 50 continuing education events across Texas in just the first five months of the year, as well as establishing six online courses, and coordinating a phenomenal weekend in June where the New Dentist Conference, the Master Track and the Master Study Club all met together.

From numerous members of our organization that serve on committees and task forces dealing with significantly important issues in the State regulatory environment, to the motivated individuals within our dental schools that promote the FellowTrack program to our future dentists, we have a dynamic TEAM striving to “Help General Dentists Succeed.” This is our organization’s strategic plan!

Your Board of Directors and your staff are constantly striving to appreciate the needs, wants and expectations of our members, customers and stakeholders. For General Dentists to succeed, we must have the insight about the future direction of the profession and develop strategic positions while maintaining the ethical high-ground as we strive to succeed.

The over 2,700 members of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry must understand that our privilege to practice, as well as the scope of our practice, are defined by the Dental Practice Act and Occupations Code as defined by legislative law and regulatory decree. Our Voice is not only powered by Advocacy, but by our continuing drive for educational advancement as general dentists, as well as our organizational strength.

With approximately 11,000 General Dentists in the State of Texas, we must encourage more to join! We must support our Advocacy Fund, and we must never lose sight of the fact that what is good for the general dentist is good for the profession of dentistry. With your voices, we will succeed!

Mark Peppard, DDS, MAGDPresident

Editor’s Message …………………………….…………... 4

Member Spotlight ……………….…………..……………..5

TAGD Slate of Nominees ………………….....………..….8

2013 Silent Auction ………………………………………9

Sleepless in Texas .………………………………………. 10

Legislative Report Card ………………………………. 11

Dentist of the Year Nominees ……………...………. 12-13

Classifieds ……………………………………………... 15

New Dentist Conference Recap ……………....……… 16

Get Connected ………………………………………….. 19

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p.17

p.18

SUMMER 20134

If any single meeting really crystallizes why the Texas Academy of General Dentistry is so dynamic, it is the New Dentist Conference. Congratulations to the New Dentist Committee and TAGD staff for another great conference. What a unique confluence of the full spectrum of membership. From scores of new dentists all the way to Master Study Club, attendees were treated to thought provoking speakers and had terrific support from sponsors. Way to go!

Thank you also to everyone that shared their backstory with me for future member profiles in the TexasGP. It never ceases to amaze me what incredible members we have in our organization. Even people that introduced me to their friends learned a lot of new impressive facts from people they thought they knew well. Apparently, we are a humble bunch too.

This issue features a previous DOY nominee, Dr. David Wilhite and his wife Nancy. They share their story of the important work they are doing with the organization Rebuilding America’s Warriors, or RAW.

Speaking of DOY nominees, the Lone Star Dental Conference is almost here. This issue is packed with information on what to expect this year.

As the biannual legislative session draws to an end, we also have an update of pertinent senate and house bills. TAGD advocacy committee, chaired by Dr. Jennifer Bone, leadership and our lobbyist David Mintz did a great job monitoring legislation and advocating on behalf of TAGD members and public welfare.

We are all spoiled by such consistently talented leadership at TAGD over the years. Dr. Mark Peppard has served as TAGD President with passion and tireless energy over the last year. Thanks for your hard work and I know that we are in good hands next year with Dr. Donna Miller taking over as President.

Editor’s MessageEditor’s Message

Enjoy the issue!

Andrew Lazaris, DDS, FAGDEditor

TEX SGP 5

War veterans face a myriad of traumas after returning home from service. Whether they experience emotional turmoil from post-traumatic stress disorder or physical disability from injury, the last issue they should have to face is poor dental health. Yet, this is the reality for so many.

Rebuilding Americas Warriors (RAW) is a non-profit organization that was originally dedicated to providing free reconstructive surgery to wounded veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since its founding it has grown to provide so much more, namely dental services.

When WFAA Dallas News 8 first reported on the dental issues that plague many veterans and the support RAW has provided, Dr. David Wilhite and his wife, Streak, decided this was a project that needed their attention. After contacting Maggie Lockridge, RAW’s founder, they were sent their first patient, Adrian.

“He came in needing a root canal and had been in a lot of pain,” Streak described. “But Adrian just touched my heart. Until that moment we were going to help one person, but I thought we can’t stop here.”

Between poor water quality, lack of dental hygiene supplies and stress, many soldiers leave service with significant problems despite beginning their military tours with good oral health.

“These men are provided food, water, guns and ammunition, but they are not provided toothbrushes and toothpaste,” Streak said. “When they get into the combat zone eventually it runs out or gets so dusty there’s no way to use it and when they run out, it’s gone.”

Lack of oral health care is not only a problem for soldiers while they are in combat. Once discharged, veterans can only receive dental care from the Veterans Administration if they have been 100 percent disabled.

“Most of [our RAW patients] have been injured and get health benefits, but if they are not 100% disabled they don’t get dental. RAW has been advocating for this for a long time but it doesn’t look like it’s going to change,” Streak said.

Since Dr. Wilhite treated their first patient, Adrian, he and Streak have worked to assemble a team of dentists that they can refer other veterans to for more intricate care. For them, it’s not just a health issue, but a quality of life issue.

“One of the other veterans we sent to a periodontist and he had

over 20 teeth extracted; all but five or six were broken off at the gum line,” Streak recalled. “He was in constant pain and would leave work early and just go crawl up in a ball. His marriage was in serious trouble because he was angry all the time from the pain.”

Since beginning their partnership with RAW earlier this year, their first three patients are no longer in pain. As they continue to provide care to veterans in need, Streak and Dr. Wilhite emphasize that they will only provide the best for these veterans.

“Some people might ask, ‘why are you doing implants and implant crowns? Why don’t you just do a bridge or a partial?’” Streak said. “We could have done extractions and dentures, but that’s not the best. At 30 years old, what are dentures going to fit like in 10 and

20 years? Now’s the time to do it and we need to do it right.”

Dr. Wilhite, a 25 year member and Master in the AGD, has provided charitable dental work for quite some time, but has taken it to a new level since working with RAW. While it has truly been a team effort for Dr. Wilhite and his staff, he insists their achievements with RAW are all due to Streak’s dedication.

“She’s been the main organizer and I’m just the worker bee,” Dr. Wilhite insisted. “But it really feels good to do it and they appreciate it so it’s a win for everyone.”

With a veteran population of 1.6 million, Texas ranks second for the highest population of veterans in the country. As this number continues to grow so will the need for other

dentists like Dr. Wilhite to donate their time and expertise to RAW.

“I’d like to see other members across the state get involved in this. We need to take care of the guys that are defending our country,” Dr. Wilhite expressed. “There are veterans everywhere and if we can get a few members in each of the major metropolitan areas and beyond that would sure help them.”

Streak shared similar sentiments and insists that the time they have devoted to serving veterans in need has been nothing but a gift.

“It’s just grown from a tiny seed into a big garden. It’s something that makes us feel very good. Even our staff is excited and happy that we’re doing this for these people. This has just touched us in a way that nothing else has and has introduced us to some amazing men.”

If you would like to get involved with Rebuilding America’s Warriors, please contact Maggie Lockridge at 760-568-4039 or by email at infoforraw@aol.com.

Member SpotlightDavid Wilhite, DDS, MAGD

Dr. David Wilhite and his wife, Streak, provide donated dental services to veterans in need at his practice in Plano.

Member Spotlight

SUMMER 20136

Esthetic Full Mouth Implant Reconstruction

Dr. Paulino Castellon

Strategic Target Marketing in a Private

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Occlusal Disease: Early Childhood through Adults & Treating the

Worn DentitionDr. John Cranham

CONNECTThursday, September 26

TAGD Leadership Reception

Start the conference off right with TAGD’s kick-off reception where we celebrate the

achievements of our components and local leaders who have demonstrated their

commitment to dental excellence. This event is complimentary.

September 26-28, 2013Westin Austin Hotel – Austin, TX

LEARN - Speaker Line-up

Friday, September 27Lunch & Learns

In between your Friday lecture, join the TAGD for a variety of intriguing

table topics over lunch. From practice management tips to treatment planning

techniques, we have something to interest everyone.

Saturday, September 282013 Texas Dentist of the Year Gala™

The 2013 DOY Gala celebrates dentists throughout the state who exhibit a commitment to continuing dental

education, service to the community and activism in the dental profession. Join us for a night of celebration, live

music, and delicious food. Dress is business attire, black tie optional.

Leadership ReceptionDentist of the Year Gala

TEX SGP 7

On behalf of the Lone Star Dental Conference Committee and The Texas Academy of General Dentistry I want to invite you to what will be an extraordinary learning experience for you and your team. Lone Star 2013 is set to be one of our greatest meetings to date.

Our lineup of Superstar Presenters will make your two days with us an unforgettable experience utilizing specifically crafted information you will be able to incorporate into your practice immediately. All of the information which will be presented was newly developed specifically for this meeting, and will not be a repeat of anything you have heard in the past!

You will learn from this select group of practical, purposeful, meaningful and informative clinicians who are focusing on energetic topics that speak to the varying stages of your personal and practice development.

Mark the date on your calendar, register now and then please join us this September for a continuous journey through learning, growth and enlightenment.

Matt Steinberg, DDS, FAGD2013 Lone Star Conference Chair

SUCCEED

Why attend Lone Star?

The Lone Star Dental Conference is not just the annual meeting of the TAGD but an opportunity to showcase excellence in dentistry. During this conference, dentists from across the state are recognized for their commitment to lifelong learning, community service and activism in the protection and advancement of the dental profession.

Join us to celebrate and honor:• The announcement of the 2013 Texas Dentist of the Year (pg. 12-13)

• The announcement of the 2013 New Dentist of the Year (pg. 17)

• The induction of the 2013-2014 TAGD Board of Directors (pg. 8)

• The achievements of our local components and dedicated leaders

during the Leadership Reception on Thursday, September 26.

2012 New Dentist of the Year Nominees CenTex AGD - 2012 Component of the Year

Dr. Risé Martin -

2013 Dentist of the Year

REGISTER TODAYFor more information, visit www.tagd.org/LSDC

SUMMER 20138

Quick & Easy Registration713–486–4028

Continuing DentalEducationU

TSD

Register On-linehttp://dentistry.uth.edu/CE

The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider

August 2, 2013

What Does Biofilm Have To Do With Chronic Disease,

Persistent Wounds and Recurrent Infections?

Presented by: Anne Guignon, RDH, MPH Course # 2013220

August 16, 2013

Esthetic Materials: Friend or Foe? A Hands-on Experience

Presented by: Joe C. Ontiveros, DDS, MS Course # 2013240

August 23, 2013

All You Wanted to Know About Diagnosis and Treatment

Planning in Endodontics, But Were Afraid to Ask

Presented by: Rebeca Weisleder, DDS Course # 2013255

September 6, 2013

The Generations Dental Conference Hit Man vs. Healer: Implementing a Risk Assessment Strategy

Presented by: John Kois, DMD, MSD Course # 2013260

September 6, 2013

Stats, Facts, Myths and Downright Lies: Answering

Patient Questions About Their Health and Diagnostic Devices

for Detecting Oral Cancer Presented by: JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD

Course # 2013265

The TAGD Nominating Committee, chaired by Dr. Donna Miller, presents the following slate of nominees for officers and directors:

President* Donna Miller, DDS, MAGD

President-Elect* Kevin Gureckis, DMD, MAGD

Immediate Past President* Mark Peppard, DDS, MAGD

Secretary-Treasurer Paige Sohn, DDS, MAGD

Editor Andrew Lazaris, DDS, FAGD

Director 2016 Shane Ricci, DDS, FAGD

Director 2016 Mary Mellard, DDS, MAGD

*Automatic: President becomes past president; president-elect ascends to office of president.

Returning Directors:

Director 2014 Marc Worob, DDS, FAGD

Director 2014 Jeffrey Geno, DDS, MAGD

Director 2015 Jennifer Bone, DDS, MAGD

Director 2015 Wayde Fawcett, DDS, MAGD

National Trustee Doug Bogan, DDS, FAGD

Regional Director David Tillman, DDS, MAGD

***“Thirty (30) days shall be allowed for nominations from the membership. Except for the office of President, which is automatically filled in accordance with Article VII, Section 2, of TAGD Bylaws, any member nominated by petition of 2.5 percent of the voting membership shall be placed on the ballot.”

If no nominations are received by August 28, the Secretary-Treasurer shall cast a unanimous ballot for the candidates listed above. Results of the election shall be announced at the next annual meeting held during the 2013 TAGD Lone Star Dental Conference, at the Westin at the Austin Domain on Friday, September 27, 2013.

Meet the New President

Dr. Donna Miller, a native Texan, has been practicing as a general dentist in Waco since her graduation. Dr. Miller holds a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellowship in the American College of Dentists. She is a past president of the Central Texas Dental Society and has served as a delegate for the Texas Dental Association. Dr. Miller and her husband, K. Paul Holt, enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and antique shopping.

2013-2014 Slate of Nominees for TAGD Board of Directors

TEX SGP 9

Jack T. Clark Foundation Silent AuctionThis year the Jack T. Clark Foundation will hold its 7th annual Silent Auction during the 2013 Lone Star Dental Conference, which is being held in Austin at the Westin Austin Hotel. Since the Foundation hosted its inaugural Silent Auction in 2006, the auction has raised over $40,000 to benefit our foundation.

The Jack T. Clark Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that focuses on the public’s oral health needs during cancer therapy. Our mission is to support the oral health of all Texans affected by cancer - through education, access to appropriate oral healthcare and collaborative research.

Since its inception, the Jack T. Clark Foundation has performed over 3,500 oral cancer screenings, distributed educational information to 250,000 people, and held 640 hours of classroom and hands-on training about oral cancer, and oral complications for dental professionals.

Donating an item for our Annual Silent Auction will help us to make an impact in the efforts to provide resources to health professionals and the greater Texas community to manage the myriad of changes to oral health during cancer therapy.

If you have an in-kind or monetary donation you would like to make towards the Silent Auction, please contact Jessica Osterchrist at Jessica@tagd.org.

The American Orthodontic Societyis a proud supporter of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry.

For more information about our organizationand the continuing education courses we offerto General Dentists, please visit our website at

www.orthodontics.com or call 800-448-1601.

Sleeping. Don’t think much about it, do you? Funny thing - you spend a third of your life doing it, but seem to discount the importance of it. What else do you do for 7-8 hours with such ambivalence? The quality and or length of sleep has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, GERD, depression, memory loss, ED, widespread pain, marital strife, increase in mortality, weight gain, TMD, nocturia, loss of brain grey matter, cancer and just about any other disease, condition or pathology you can name. Apparently, getting proper shut eye carries even more importance than how many people follow Justin Bieber’s tweets. Who knew?

Based on this premise, many dentists have become more involved in the expanding field of sleep medicine. In fact, the phrase “dental sleep medicine” is now seen in most journals you might read. This area of medicine (it’s not dentistry) has grown primarily for one single reason. Oral appliances, which are used to open and maintain a compromised airway, are among the top two therapies for treating the chronic disease called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). New research, shown at Sleep 2013 in June, places these devices on even par with the much heralded CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). Additionally, since intolerance of CPAP has been shown in various studies to be roughly 50%, we are the patient’s last hope in many situations. Dr. John Remmers, who is a pioneer in the field of sleep, who was involved in the development of these CPAP machines and who gets royalties when they are produced, says “people hate them.” So, how does dentistry wedge its way into this field of medicine?

Although we have a well researched therapy, we are not allowed to diagnose OSA, as it is a medical condition. Just as your hygienists can read a radiograph and discover decay, they can’t actually diagnose, since they have not been given the authority. We must work with our physician friends in a collaborative effort to effect treatment of these airway disorders. With more than 1,000,000 apneics in Texas, 850,000 of which are undiagnosed, we have a job to do, but we must not muck it up. There are important things to know before you jump in with both feet, and the TSBDE is in the process of establishing some standards for how this should be accomplished in Texas.

I am unsure what will eventually emerge, but some items that may be included would be:

• How OSA is diagnosed.• How we screen for the condition.• How much education we should have in the field.• How we follow up with our therapy.• How we work with the medical team.

At Sleep 2013, I sat in on a lecture given by the outgoing president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Nancy Collop, M.D. The title was “Dreaming for Sleep Medicine: The Memories and the Optimistic Future”, and toward the end of her talk, she offered a list of items that sleep physicians should consider in the future as the landscape of sleep medicine changes. Among these were:

• Working with payers to help increase reimbursement.

• Consolidating sleep labs.• Embracing home sleep testing.• Working with private care physicians instead of seeing them

as competition.

Not among these was any mention of the role dentists can play in helping their patients get treatment. As we appear to be the answer for a hefty percentage of their patients, this has me baffled.

As the TSBDE works toward a final rule or policy to guide how we should treat our patients, I urge them to consider that our road to treating is strewn with land mines already. We need a road map, not more obstacles. With the constellation of symptoms we see in sleep disordered breathing, the sick patients in Texas need AND covet our help. I look forward to seeing a result that has the best interest of Texans in mind.

Dr. Kent Smith is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the first dentist in Texas to be awarded a Dental Sleep Medicine Facility Accreditation. Dr. Smith is also a former instructor and the founder of the sleep disorders program at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Clinical Studies and has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Early Show with Bryant Gumbel.

SPRING 201310

Background Information

On April 26, 2013, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners proposed rule 22TAC 108.12, Dental Treatment of Sleep Disorders. This rule affects treatment of patients with sleep disordered breathing. It has increasingly gathered attention among dentists since its publication in the Texas Register on May 24.

The dental board, by rule, attempts to define the roles of the dentist and the physician relevant to screening, monitoring and treatment for sleep disorders.

TAGD provided a written response to the dental board along with public testimony at the August 2 meeting. Our comments emphasized the importance of adopting a rule that provides simple, clear and concise direction for dentists while not limiting the dentist’s involvement in the field in such a way as to be detrimental to patients and to diminish access to care.

TAGD will continue to monitor the progress on the final rule and welcomes feedback from members. Please watch for electronic issues of The Gatekeeper for more details of the progress toward a final rule.

Sleepless in TexasBy Kent Smith, DDS

Sleepless in Texas

TEX SGP 11

Legislative NewsLegislative NewsWith major bills on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE), dental service organizations, teeth whitening and Medicaid, the 2013 legislative session was extremely active on issues affecting dentistry. Throughout the legislative session, TAGD’s Advocacy Council monitored and took positions on more than 40 bills.

Here’s a summary of the result of a few of the major bills that TAGD worked on this session:

DSOs - SB 151 by Nelson/HB 1480 by Thompson, S.

This bill supported more accountability for dental service organizations and ensured that dentists working at DSOs are able to use their professional judgment while treating patients rather than having those decisions driven by financial concerns.

Outcome: While SB 151 and HB 1480 failed, provisions that will allow the TSBDE to gather baseline data on practices passed as part of an omnibus state board bill (HB 3201.)

State Board Enforcement - HB 3201 by Kolkhorst

HB 3201 supported efforts to have complaints reviewed by outside experts rather than using state board members. It is hoped that this new process will significantly cut down the time needed to investigate a complaint from an average of more than 400 days to 60. This legislation includes a $55 licensing fee increase for dentists. TAGD supported this effort because it will make the board more efficient and provide better protection for patients. The bill also contains provisions stating that parents may be present while their child is receiving treatment unless, in the dentist’s judgment, their presence would have an adverse effect on the child’s treatment. TSBDE board members are also prohibited from acting as expert witnesses or express opinions in certain civil actions dealing with licensees. Finally, the bill directs the state board to gather some additional information about dentist’s practices, including whether the dentist owns a DSO is employed by a DSO or participates in the Medicaid or CHIP programs.

Outcome: Effective September 1, 2013. The new review process will apply to complaints filed after January 1, 2014.

Note: The state budget also included modest fee increases for all TSBDE licensees. For dentists, it is estimated that fees will go up a total of $80 ($55 due to the passage of HB 3201 and $25 because of the state budget.)

Medicaid Due Process - SB 1803 by Huffman

This bill supported efforts to ensure that dentists facing Medicaid investigations receive due process. It also opposed legislation to consolidate regulation of dentistry and other health professions under a single state agency. TAGD also supported a number of other bills that helped Medicaid providers.

Outcome: Effective September 1, 2013.

Standards for Medicaid Orthodontic Care - HB 2919 by Kolkhorst

TAGD opposed efforts to limit the ability of general dentists to treat certain Medicaid orthodontic cases. While TAGD supported the bill author’s intent to ensure that Medicaid patients receive quality care, there were very strong concerns that this law would set a precedent limiting treatment that could be offered by properly trained general dentists and could also set a precedent for insurers, MCOs and others.

Outcome: Failed.

Teeth Whitening - HB 502 by Hernandez Luna Supported efforts to prohibit teeth whitening services offered by non-dentists.

Outcome: Failed. While the House overwhelmingly supported passage of this legislation time ran out in the Senate before it could be considered.

Looking forward, during the interim TAGD will continue actively working on issues before the TSBDE. In addition to developing comments on proposed rules affecting sleep medicine and the anesthesia/sedation, the academy plans to closely monitor implementation of the new complaint investigation and resolution process and license data collection.

Finally, TAGD will continue working on long term issues, including scope of practice for mid-level providers and removing barriers to care.

To stay current on legislative issues in dentistry, to contact the advocacy council, or to make a donation to the TAGD Advocacy Fund please visit www.tagd.org/advocacy.

Special thanks to the Advocacy CouncilWorking on your behalf, the members of TAGD’s Advocacy Council met throughout the legislative session to review proposed legislation and give direction to staff and TAGD’s lobbyist. Special thanks to Advocacy Council Chair, Dr. Jennifer Bone, MAGD as well as members: Drs. Marko Alanis, Craig Armstrong, MAGD; Jose Cazares, FAGD; John McEntire, Donna Miller, MAGD; Mark Peppard, MAGD; Dave Roberts; and David Tillman, MAGD.

Thanks also to component liaisons: Drs. Anne Lyon, FAGD; Bryan Moore; Fred Philips; Susan Putthoff; and David Umansky, MAGD.

Legend

Green – Passed

Yellow – Failed with provisions

Red – Failed

SUMMER 201312

Each year the Texas AGD honors dentists from across the state who

have demonstrated dedication to the profession, service to the community and

commitment to continuing education. Join us this year as we acknowledge these

20 distinguished dental professionals and announce the 2013 Texas Dentist of the Year™ winner. This year’s gala will feature live music, delicious food and

an unbelievable silent auction. Dress is business attire, black tie optional.

For more information about the Dentist of the Year Gala visit

www.tagd.org/LSDC

Craig S. Armstrong, DDSHouston

Greater Houston Dental Society

Roland S. Davies, DDSAustin

Central Texas AGD

Doug Bogan, DDSHouston

Houston AGD

Jeffrey R. Brunson, DDSAustin

Capital Area Dental Society

James Preston Coleman, DDSSan Antonio

San Antonio Dental Society

Jack Fong, DDSAmarillo

Panhandle AGD

Grant R. Hartup, DDSHelotes

San Antonio AGD

Sean Healy, DDSCollege Station

Brazos Valley Dental Society

Saturday, September 28

TEX SGP 13

Otice Z. Helmer, DDSFort Worth

Fort Worth AGD

Jerry J. Hopson, DDSBonham

North Texas Dental Society

Andrew S. Lazaris, DDSPlano

Dallas AGD

Kurt Loveless, DDSLubbock

South Plains Dental Society

C. Patrick Mitchell, DDSEl Paso

El Paso AGD

Dennis E. Stansbury, DDSTyler

East Texas Dental Society

Katherine Olson-Triska, DDSBeaumont

Dental Society of Southeast Texas

Brent Patterson, DDSTexas City

9th District Dental Society

Charles A. Robertson, DDSCorpus Christi

South Texas AGD & Nueces Valley Dental Society

Michael Stuart, DDSSunnyvale

Dallas County Dental Society

Tomina Beth Vance, DDSWeslaco

Rio Grande Valley AGD & Rio Grande Valley Dental Society

Stephen R. Wright, DDSBryan

Brazos Valley AGD

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

&The University of Texas Health Science Center

at San Antonio

Renewal Course for Minimal Sedation (Level 1) Permit

Now available online!

http://smile.uthscsa.educlick on the Renewal Course Click Here Tag to get started!

Save time away from the office and money! Try the electronic version!

This course will fulfill the new

requirements for the TSBDE Sedation Rule

ONLY$189.00

Ernest B. Luce, D.D.S.

UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dental School

Arthur H. Jeske, D.M.D., Ph.D

UT Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry

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FOR SALE: 2 Kodak 1000 intraoral cameras, user & installation guide, 4 USB docking stations, KDI v.6.11.6 $1,000. Call 817.336.0212

Classified ad placement is free for all TAGD members with a maximum word limit of 60 words. Contact to Jessica Osterchrist at Jessica@tagd.org for more information.

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After a day of expanding their minds at the conference, our young dentists relaxed and mingled during TAGD’s infamous boat party on beautiful Lake Austin.

Thank you to all of our young dentists who attended the 2013 New Dentist Conference. This year’s conference hosted the most attendees ever and you helped make that possible!

Our New Dentist Committee members served up some scoops to attendees during everyone’s favorite ice cream break.

Another successful conference has come and gone! On June 7 & 8 Texas AGD hosted its third annual New Dentist Conference in Austin. A record number of young dentists attended this year’s conference which featured cutting edge courses from Dr. Bob Margeas and Dr. Scott Leune, our infamous boat party social and a variety of valuable

networking opportunities with our MasterTrack and Master Study Club participants.

Weren’t able to make it this year? Save the date for next year’s conference on June 6 & 7, 2014 and see what new surprises and opportunities we have in store for our attendees.

New Dentist Conference RecapNew Dentist Conference Recap

TEX SGP 17

Join us as we recognize these exemplary young dentists and announce the winner of the 2013 New Dentist of the Year award at the Leadership Reception during the Lone Star Dental Conference. Dentists are nominated for their contributions to dentistry, service to the community and their vision for the future of dentistry.

The reception is complimentary and open to all conference attendees and their guests. For more information about the Leadership Reception visit www.tagd.org/LSDC.

Chad Allen, DDSCorpus Christi

South Texas AGD & Nueces Valley Dental Society

Phil Estes, DDSFrisco

Dallas AGD

Dath Collins, DDSHouston

Houston AGD

Elizabeth Dannenberg, DDSLubbock

South Plains District Dental Society

Lawrence Michael Dougherty, DMD San Antonio

San Antonio Dental Society

Whitney Gomez, DDSNederland

Dental Society of Southeast Texas

Susan Putthoff, DDSKerrville

San Antonio AGD

Aly Sergie, DDSDallas

Dallas County Dental Society

2013 New Dentist of the Year Nominees2013 New Dentist of the Year NomineesLeadership Reception • Thursday, September 26

Jon Greene, DDSIrving

Fort Worth AGD

Melissa Lent, DDSHouston

Greater Houston Dental Society

SUMMER 201318

I got the call at nine thirty that Thursday night. There had been a head-on automobile accident on a rural road with two fatalities. One of the vehicles had caught fire and burned the driver beyond recognition. My first questions were, do we have dental records to make the comparison and when do you want me to be at the morgue? That is the typical scenario for my job as a forensic dentist, when I’m not at work at my general dental practice.

Forensic Dentistry or Forensic Odontology is the application of dental expertise to the legal system. It can be approached in many ways. But further study and years of experience as a “wet fingered” dentist are needed to be effective in this realm. Expectations are high that answers and opinions be accurate and timely. It is not recommended for the faint of heart.

With the advent of Bones, CSI, Medical Examiners and police crime dramas on television, the lay public expects the dental services to happen in a 45 minute time slot. Here in the real world, travel time can take more than 45 minutes. So time is always a factor in the performance of the duties of a forensic dentist concerning the identification of a person or the perpetrator of the crime.

The decedents’ family needs closure, the estate and life insurance have to be dealt with, the police need evidence to hold the suspect, and the funeral home wanted the remains released yesterday so they can do their job and provide services for the family. Pressure to make a determination can come from multiple sources and bias in the opinion rendered must be recognized to be neutralized. Things are not always what they seem. Assumptions of the victim, suspect or circumstances can lead to mistakes. Expertise can counter some, but not all these pitfalls. Diligence is needed.

I work as a consultant to the Medical Examiners in Harris and Galveston Counties. I am one of only about a hundred Diplomates of the Board of Forensic Odontology in this country. As such I am responsible for identifications, both individual and in the event of a mass disaster, and coordination of the Odontology section to help identify multiple victims.

My services are needed when conventional identification cannot be accomplished or the person is non-recognizable and fingerprints are not feasible. I get the decomposed, burned, skeletonized, or macerated victims where little is left but the hardest and most durable portion of the human body, the dentition.

A dental identification is one of the cardinal ways the deceased are identified when conventional identification is not possible. DNA identification is not always advisable and it is time consuming and expensive. The dental identification is usually speedy, economical and is performed prior to or in addition to DNA identification.

Age determination and bite mark assessment are also part of my responsibilities. Age is needed to separate clustered victims in multiple fatalities or when a person is missing to narrow down the list of possible comparisons. Age is also used to assess what laws pertain to each person as different laws apply to minors.

Bite marks are committed during assaults and abuse. A bite mark is a specific patterned injury that can sometimes be individualized to the dentition of the biter or can exclude a suspect that is accused of inflicting the bite. Specific procedures are done in the analysis and rendering of an opinion of the probability that the

suspect could have bitten the victim.

I am often required to testify in court as to my findings in a specific case. Capital murder cases where the victim has been dentally identified or bite mark cases where the suspect is incarcerated for the assault are the most common. Civil cases and malpractice cases sometimes need dental experts to explain the aspects of case to the jury in an easily understood manner.

As dentists we are in a position to spot abuse of children, spouses or the elderly. Many times abuse can be recognized because injuries are sustained around the head and neck area. Dentists are uniquely positioned to spot signs of abuse. Any injury that is unusual or too severe for the explanation given can be suspect.

Lastly, it is the duty of the Forensic Dentist to educate other dentists, law enforcement, and other professionals as to all aspects of forensic dentistry. From recognition of a bite mark, identification of John Doe the skeleton, explaining to the jury why you came to this conclusion, abuse in all its forms, what age the person was and what they might look like now are all just part of the job description.

As a member of the board of governors and current membership committee chair, I urge anyone with an interest in forensics to consider joining the organization. The scope of information and CE courses for members is worth the entrance fee.

For more information, visit the websites of the American Board of Forensic Odontology and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The information is out there, it is up to you to pursue the knowledge. Need help? I can point you in the right direction.

Dr. Marsh was trained in Forensics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Center for Education and Research in Forensics (CERF) in 2002. He worked at the World Trade Center disaster, identifying victims and is currently serving as the consultant for the Office of the Medical Examiners in Galveston and Harris Counties. For questions on forensic dentistry, Dr. Marsh can be contacted at pjpmarsh@gmail.com.

Forensic DentistryBy Peter J. Marsh, DDS, FAGD, DABFO

Forensic Dentistry

TEX SGP 19

Get Connected2012-2013 Board of Directors

Staff Important Contacts

2012-2013 Component Presidents

PresidentMark Peppard, DDS, MAGDAustin

Immediate Past PresidentJoey Cazares, DDS, FAGDMcAllen

President ElectDonna Miller, DDS, MAGDWaco

Secretary/TreasurerPaige Sohn, DDS, MAGDFrisco

EditorAndrew Lazaris, DDS, FAGDPlano

DirectorMarko Alanis, DDSEdinburg

DirectorKevin Gureckis, DMD, MAGDBoerne

DirectorJeffrey Geno, DDS, MAGDLeague City

DirectorMarc Worob, DDS, FAGDAustin

DirectorJennifer Bone, DDS, MAGDKerrville

DirectorWayde Fawcett, DDS, MAGDHouston

National TrusteeDouglas Bogan, DDS, FAGDHouston

Regional DirectorDavid Tillman, DDS, MAGDFort Worth

Executive DirectorConnie Sonnier, CAERound Rock

Brazos Valley AGDCraig Scasta, DDS, FAGDBryan

Central Texas AGDAshley Strickland, DDSAustin

Dallas AGDDavid Ku, DDSPlano

El Paso AGDPatrick Mitchell, DDS, FAGDEl Paso

Fort Worth AGDJon Greene, DDSFort Worth

Houston AGDSusannah Feagin, DDSHouston

Panhandle AGDTom Karr, DDS, MAGDAmarillo

Rio Grande Valley AGDJoe Zacarias, DDSMcAllen

San Antonio AGDBrady Morehead, DDS, MAGDSan Antonio

South Texas AGDTed Thompson, DDS, FAGDCorpus Christi

Lindsey RobbinsEducation Directorlindsey@tagd.org

Jessica OsterchristMarketing DirectorJessica@tagd.org

Syereen SengariAdministrative Manageradm@tagd.org

• TAGD 512-244-0577 877-464-8243 (Toll-free) 512-244-0476 (fax) www.tagd.org

• AGD 888-243-3368 www.agd.org

• ADA 800-621-8099 www.ada.org

• TDA 800-832-1145 www.tda.org

• TSBDE 512-463-6400 www.tsbde.state.tx.us

Disclaimer: The TAGD does not necessarily endorse opinions or statements contained in articles or editorials published in the TexasGP. The publication of advertisements in the TexasGP does not indicate endorsement for products and services.

Texas GP is published quarterly by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, 409 West Main Street, Round Rock, TX 78664. Address changes should be sent to the TAGD. TexasGP is provided as a member service to members of the TAGD. Nonmember subscription rates are $25.00 individual and $40.00 institutional. Canadian orders add $5.00; outside the U.S. or Canada, add $10.00. Single copy rates are $3.00 to individuals and $4.50 to institutions (orders outside the U.S. add $1.00 postage). All orders must be prepaid in U.S. dollars.

Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2013, Texas Academy of General Dentistry, Round Rock, TX.

No portion of TexasGP may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the TAGD. The opinions expressed by TexasGP are not necessarily endorsed by the TAGD. The publication of an advertisement in TexasGP does not indicate endorsement for products and services. TAGD/AGD approval for continuing education courses or course sponsors will be clearly stated.

Texas Academy of General Dentistry409 West Main StreetRound Rock, TX 78664

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