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Our youngest son, Brian, is a senior in high school. I have watched him, and his friends, considering colleges this year. The application process can be a humbling experience. The online apps have so many blocks to be filled with activities and achievements. The cursor blinks at them, challenging – “Is that all you’ve done? ... [continue reading]

Have you noticed how many of your patients are currently taking anti-depressant medications?  Better yet, how many of you take the same type of medications? With no pun intended, our society has a tendency to only project depressing news, thoughts, forecasts and economics. Is it any wonder our populace is popping mood ... [continue reading]

With the support of the Kellogg Foundation, Universal Health Care Action Network (UHCAN) Ohio and the Ohio Dental Hygiene Association, State Sen. Peggy Lehner will be introducing a bill that would allow midlevel dental providers in Ohio.  Advocates state these dental therapists would help solve the access to care problem in areas of the state ... [continue reading]

An article recently published by "The Associated Press" reports that more dentists are marketing in-office dental plans (commonly referred to as "membership plans" or "discount clubs") as a way of making care more affordable and encouraging people to get routine cleanings and check-ups. Under such plans, patients pay a set annual or monthly ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association Council on Dental Care Programs and Dental Practice monitors and addresses third-party payer issues on the profession's behalf. One issue of particular note that the council has been monitoring involves silent preferred provider organizations (PPOs). In its 2010 Silent PPO White Paper, the American Association of ... [continue reading]

It’s no surprise to anyone that politics will dominate 2016. It is an election year and the Republican convention in Cleveland will assure that Ohio will be a center of attention for all things political this year. The sad part of all this political discussion is that it seems to be pointless. It’s almost impossible to convince someone ... [continue reading]

I have to confess, I, like many others of a similar age, had started to lose my sense of value in the ADA. I have been involved at a very high level at the ODA and have seen tremendous value in just about everything the ODA does for us, its members. On the other hand, my experience with the ADA staff has often led me to wonder why I pay national ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association Leadership Institute, "March Forth – break through to excellence" will be March 4 and 5 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Hotel. Leadership Institute is the ODA’s award-winning program developed to help all ODA members become more successful and effective leaders. Attendees consistently rank the event as one ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association has retained 95.91 percent of its 2014 membership, a slight increase from its 95.54 percent rate last year. Moreover, 20 of its 25 local component dental societies have retained 95 percent or more of their 2014 membership. Following is a list of those societies: Mad River Valley Dental Society (100 percent) Maumee ... [continue reading]

As dentists renew their license this year, they may notice an increased fee on their renewal. This additional $20 goes directly toward the Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program (ODLRP). The ODLRP was created in 2003 and is fully funded by Ohio dentists. It provides loan repayment for dentists who practice in designated shortage areas, treat Medicaid ... [continue reading]