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ODA's director of legal and legislative services, Keith Kerns, has announced he is leaving the ODA to take over as the new executive director of the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA). Kerns has worked at the ODA for more than 13 years and has had a monthly column in the “ODA Today” during much of that time. In announcing his decision, ... [continue reading]

A major dental company is actively running ads on television promising to “fix dentistry.”  Their implication is that the current practice of dentistry is broken.  They attempt to paint the profession as dishonest and devious.  Their characterization of dentists in private practice is that we are not responsive and do ... [continue reading]

There are two “givens” in my life ... now! The first one is: I WILL WALK THROUGH HOT COALS TO PROTECT MY GRANDCHILDREN The second one is: I WILL GIVE MY OPINION ABOUT MY GRANDCHILDREN’S WELFARE ... NO MATTER WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE I realize many of you can relate to the first edict but may be uncomfortable with the second one. ... [continue reading]

Dear Granola Mom, Hello, it’s me, Dr. Kara, your friendly, compassionate pediatric dentist. I write to you today in support of fluoride, dental sealants and radiographs as beneficial components of your child’s overall dental care plan. I am grateful that you have sought care in my office.  I am here to listen to your concerns, and ... [continue reading]

This editorial, reprinted with permission, originally appeared in the November issue of the Oklahoma Dental Association Journal. This article was submitted to the ODA Journal anonymously to protect the identity of the author. April 29, 2011, was a very special day in my life. No, it’s not my birthday or anniversary. It’s not my ... [continue reading]

I recently took a course on dental coding from a dental consultant who discussed a conversation he had with a top level insurance executive. He said that the executive stated that so long as dentists continue to sign up in ever-increasing numbers to his preferred provider organization dental insurance plan, he saw no need to increase the ... [continue reading]

The Ohio Dental Association Services Corp. (ODASC) is excited to announce its new health insurance plan, the Ohio Dental Association Wellness Trust, will officially go into effect March 1. The new plan is a self-insured plan that will allow participants to avoid some of the regulations and requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The Wellness ... [continue reading]

House Bill 463, which was signed into law at the end of the year, has many provisions aimed at improving access to care. One such provision is the expansion of 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 ... [continue reading]

Dental researchers hope to vastly improve oral health in children by countering a common misperception that dental care for baby teeth isn’t important because they just fall out anyway. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland and the University of Washington Northwest Center to Reduce Oral Health ... [continue reading]

The Children's Dental Clinic of Coshocton is one of the oldest safety net dental clinics treating low income kids in Ohio. The clinic opened in 1986 and is a cooperative effort with the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Dr. Brian Dunlap, director of the clinic, said the clinic has seen long-term success thanks to involvement and ... [continue reading]