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Much information has been shared with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. The different agencies tasked with informing us offer what little they know in an attempt to protect us from this unseen enemy. Their mantra seems to be “we are doing these things in an abundance of caution.” In an abundance of caution, well where does that leave ... [continue reading]

As we are in the midst of our new reality as a result of COVID-19, I find myself and my team working together to move forward. As all dentists in Ohio are forced to forge their own path forward during this public health crisis, the true colors of our office culture will emerge to either help or hinder us. Whether we realize it or not – ... [continue reading]

In 2015, after 25 years in private practice, I closed my office to assist with the development and opening of a new dental clinic at the Summit County Health Department, where I serve as the dental clinic director. The clinic offers comprehensive care to a large Medicaid population, as well as self-pay and private insurance patients. I began ... [continue reading]

  Every dentist knows that spring semester of D4 year is full of excitement and stress. Imagine all the obstacles you faced … and now add the coronavirus. I never imaged that my D4 year would end this way – all my appointments canceled for the last half of the semester and very little word on how, when, or IF I was going to ... [continue reading]

This week the Ohio Department of Medicaid announced new COVID-19 emergency telehealth rules impacting dentistry.    Beginning on April 15, 2020, dentists will be able to bill the Ohio Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care programs (i.e., the Medicaid HMOs) and MyCare Ohio Plans for the D0140 (limited oral evaluation – problem ... [continue reading]

All licensed Ohio dentists are currently under an order to provide only emergency care in order to preserve personal protection equipment (PPE) and reduce the chance of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19). Over the last month, Gov. Mike DeWine and Director of the Ohio Department of Health Dr. Amy Acton have taken a series of steps to reduce the ... [continue reading]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many dentists have experienced a drastic change to how they practice, and many may be facing fear and anxiety related to the financial and other implications of this. The “ODA Today” spoke with Arianna Galligher, LISW-S, associate director of the STAR Trauma Recovery Center & Partial Hospitalization ... [continue reading]

Many organizations have put together resources for dealing with anxiety and depression related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources include: From the Ohio Department of Health: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/ From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html From the American ... [continue reading]

As we struggle to adjust to “the new normal” that is life in the world of COVID-19, I’m reminded that today is unique. We only get it once. Denise, my wife of 32 years and a professor in The OSU Division of Dental Hygiene, posted the following on her Facebook page. As I feel it accurately captures the feelings of so many people, ... [continue reading]

I asked the “ODA Today” staff to let me try to put some levity in this issue devoted to the COVID-19 pandemic, so I pulled my original column and now pose a tongue-in-cheek conundrum that I’ve been “sitting on” since all this started! The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of life and we’ll look back on it ... [continue reading]