MDA HOSTS WESTERN MEETING - Montana DentalThe New Dentist’s Report 10 Why People Smoke 11 MDA Offers New Member Benefit 12 MDA Dentist Chosen for Management Group 14 People We Know:

The Montana Dental Association recently hosted the Western States Presidents Conference at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. The conference brings together the presidents, presidents-elect, and ex-ecutive directors of dental associations in 13 western states each summer to discuss issues of common con-cern. This was the 25th anniversary of the gathering which continually ranks as one of the best gatherings for leaders to share information and concerns with their col-leagues from this part of the country. This year’s agenda included lively discussions of a long list of issues, including amalgam wastewater, fluoridation, licensure of specialists, proposed changes in the scope of practice for dental hygienists and assistants, discipline of dental association members, ethics of dental advertising, and the future of dental education.

MDA HO S TS WE S T E R N ME E T I N G

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Dentistry and the Law 3

The Roadmap to Guide Patients from Diagnosis to Acceptance

4

CE Credit Allowed for Attendance at Dental Convention

6

Montana’s Public Dental Clinics Serve Low-Income Patients

8

The New Dentist’s Report 10

Why People Smoke 11

MDA Offers New Member Benefit 12

MDA Dentist Chosen for Management Group 14

People We Know: Dr. Tom Ditchey in Fiji 15

MDA Hosts Continuing Education Class 16

Oral Cancer Malpractice Claims Increasing 16

MDA Classifieds 17

Dental Datebook 20

(from left) Mary McCue, Dr. David Johnson, Dr. Dan O’Neill, and Dr. Paul Sims.

Dr. David Johnson, (left) and Dr. Dan O’Neill (right) intro-duced Dr. Paul Sims to WSPC attendees. Dr. Sims, president of the Montana Board of Dentistry and president-elect of WREB, traveled to Whitefish to discuss issues surrounding a national licensure exam.

2 MDA News • 2005-Vol. XXVI, No. 4

Letters to the Editor

MDA News invites feedback from our readers on material contained

in the newsletter or otherwise of interest to dentists.

Any communication intended for publication should

be addressed to Mary McCue,

Montana Dental Association, PO Box 1154, Helena , MT 59624.

The MDA News is a copyrighted publication of the Montana Dental

Association and is distributed bimonthly to its members as a direct benefit of

membership. All views expressed herin are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the

Association. MDA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or reject any manuscript

submitted for publication. Copy for publication should be addressed to:

MDA News Montana Dental Association

PO Box 1154 Helena MT 59624

Telephone: (406) 443-2061 (800)257-4988 (in state)

Fax: (406) 443-1546 E-mail: [email protected]

www.mtdental.com

OFFICERS

President: Dr. David W. Johnson (Great Falls)

President Elect: Dr. Daniel J. O’Neill (Butte)

Vice President: Dr. Roger Newman (Columbia Falls)

Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Andrew C. Hyams (Billings)

Immediate Past President: Dr. John E. Smith (Helena)

Delegates-at-Large: Dr. Douglas S. Hadnot (Missoula)

Dr. Donald O. Nordstrom (Missoula)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Kurt Lindemann (Kalispell) Dr. Jill K. Thompson (Missoula)

Dr. Robert A. Neill (Butte) Dr. Mark E. Haemig (Cut Bank) Dr. Jeffry Hamling (Bozeman)

Dr. James L. Aichlmayr (East Helena) Dr. Dale Chamberlain (Lewistown)

Dr. Christopher J. McDonald (Billings) Dr. Joseph E. Reyling (Glasgow)

Dr. Michael Veseth (Malta) Dr. Shannon Jones (Bozeman)

STAFF

Executive Director: Mary K. McCue Executive Assistant: Jean Strainer

Dent is try and the Law. . . This column is offered to answer some of the queries frequently posed of MDA executive director/legal counsel Mary McCue about practice issues involving legal questions. If you have a legal ques-tion, e-mail MDA at [email protected] or call 800/257-4988. Question: I am closing my dental practice. How should I inform my pa-tients?

Answer: If you are relocating, retiring, or can no longer practice den-tistry, you should inform your patients that you are closing your practice and terminating their treatment. Generally, this must be done within a reasonable time that allows them to arrange for the services of another den-tist. The goal is to ensure that you give proper notice so as not to jeopard-ize a patient's oral health. The notice of termination should specify the date the dentist-patient rela-tionship will end. It is helpful to also state the reason for termination; how emergency care will be provided in the interim; information of referrals to another dentist, if applicable; and how copies of records may be obtained. Montana law provides that a patient in entitled to a copy, not the original, of all records, including copies of x-rays. If you are closing your practice you should provide a reasonable time in which your patients may request copies of their records or direct that the records be forwarded to their new treat-ing dentist. For answers to other legal questions, the ADA Legal Adviser is available free to members through ADA.org, the Association website. The Legal Adviser pro-vides a broad range of information about how different laws apply to dentists and the dental profession. The articles are written by lawyers who understand the needs and concerns of dentists.

2005-Vol. XXVI, No. 4 • MDA News 3

The Roadmap to Guide Patients From Diagnosis to Acceptance

by Linda Miles

(This article was provided by CareCredit, the patient fi-

nancing business endorsed by MDA as part of the ADA

Business Enterprises, Inc. program.)

The journey from diagnosis to acceptance starts

with educating patients and building trust. Along the

way to the final destination – the dental chair – are

three “stops” or critical components to maximizing

treatment acceptance. Each stop is equally important

and involves different members of the dental team.

Just like a car has a steering wheel, an engine and tires,

only when the team all works together, can the car

move forward. So, are you ready to hit the road to in-

creased production?

The Patient’s First Stop: Education The process of educating patients on the bene-

fits of dentistry begins with the very first contact, and

ends when the patient takes ownership of their dental

needs. Until the benefit to the patient has been clearly

communicated and understood there will be zero case

acceptance. It’s up to the dentist and the team to edu-

cate the patient and get their emotional “buy-in.” Com-

municate the benefits of treatment. And, without using

scare tactics, educate them on the consequences of not

proceeding with treatment.

The “education stop” requires teamwork and

good communication skills – including the ability to lis-

ten and discover what your patient’s fears and road-

blocks are. The doctor’s role is to introduce the appro-

priate team members who will then skillfully guide the

patient through the education, treatment plan, and fee

process to gain treatment acceptance. The doctor

should close the discussion by stating, “I’ll look forward

to seeing your name on the schedule real soon so we

can get started,” communicating the assumption that

every treatment plan is going to be accepted.

Get patients excited about dentistry’s new

technologies and procedures for their smile! To

achieve this, set a goal of making 75% of all doctor to

patient communication about dentistry. Also, make a

rule that each clinical person spend two-minutes talk-

ing with the patient on new ways to benefit their smile,

sharing their pride in the doctor’s work.

The Second Stop: Discussing Fees This is the stop where, for many patients, the

journey either ends or gets delayed. Seventy-five per-

cent of case acceptance gets derailed during the fee

presentation – much of it due to unreal patient expecta-

tions about treatment cost and insurance coverage. Pa-

tients want options to make oral care more accessible.

So, it’s important to let them know you have financing

solutions to remove roadblocks to acceptance.

There are four different ways to present fees,

depending upon the communication skills and strengths

of the team. In the first, the doctor presents both the

clinical part of the treatment plan and the total invest-

ment. In the second option, the doctor presents the

clinical part, while an assistant discusses the financial.

In the third, a treatment coordinator details both the

treatment plan and the fees. And in the fourth, my fa-

vorite, both the treatment coordinator and the financial

coordinator make presentations.

The financial coordinator starts by offering all

payment options available, including cash, check, credit

cards and monthly payment solutions like CareCredit.

Don’t make the patient ask for financial help. Many

won’t. They’ll delay or decline treatment, and you’ll

never know why. Having a resource like CareCredit,

especially with the Pre-Approval option that allows you


to approve patients before their appointment, makes

the entire fee presentation easier. Because you’ll be

confident that you can offer the patient the credit they

need to get the dentistry done.

At this stop it’s important not to let your pa-

tients hit a dead-end because of insurance issues.

Many patients are co-dependent upon their benefit

plan. An easy way to guide them to new thinking is to

not use the word “insurance.” Instead, call it their

“benefit plan.” Let them know it’s only a partial reim-

bursement for basic care, but that 95% of adults need

more than basic dentistry. Especially if they want to

keep their teeth for life and have a healthier, attractive

smile.

The Last Stop: Scheduling the Patient for Treat-ment

The final stop to increased production is sched-

uling the treatment. The patient is educated, informed,

2005-Vol. XXVIII, No. 4 • MDA News 5

and we’ve given them a financing solution so they can

move forward to oral health. It’s time to schedule for

success. Leave at least a half-day open every week to

accommodate patients who need immediate treatment

or have accepted a big case and want to get started

right away. Create a sense of urgency. But, watch how

you offer short-notice appointments. Consider saying

you have an unexpected opening and ask your patient if

they’d like to take it. If you would like more ideas on

scheduling techniques that move the patient into the

ultimate destination – the chair, log onto www.

DentalManagementU.com. I’d be happy to send them

to you.

The journey from consultation to chair, from

diagnosis to acceptance can be a smooth ride, with few

roadblocks, if you follow the right roadmap. Just re-

member the analogy of the car. It takes the entire

team, working together, to get there. Bon Voyage!

CE Credit Allowed for Attendance at Dental Conventions The Montana Board of Dentistry recently

adopted a rule to allow continuing education cred-

its for general attendance at multi-day, convention-

type dental meetings. The rule was adopted at the

suggestion of the Montana Dental Association and

allows for three credits per year for dentists and

two credits per year for dental hygienists. These

credits are in addition to the credits that may be

claimed for attendance at classroom-type presenta-

tions.

In adopting the rule the board stated that it

is reasonable to allow licensees to gain some credit

for attendance at convention-type meetings where

attendees are able to tour exhibit halls and gain

educational information from the exhibitors. The

new rule provides additional flexibility for licen-

sees to fulfill their continuing education require-

ments. Board staff indicated the new credit would

be given this year, up to the limit allowed in the

rule, for attendance at the MDA annual meeting or

ADA annual session in October in Philadelphia.



This is the first article of a series on Montana's

public dental clinics. Featured is the dental clinic at the

Partnership Health Clinic in Missoula.

A recent article in

The Journal of the American

Dental Association (JADA)

touts public dental clinics in

the state of Illinois as provid-

ers of dental care to groups

with traditional barriers to

care. The article urges den-

tists to work with the local

clinics as partners.

The article describes

these "safety-net clinics" as providing dental care to

low-income and other underserved populations. Pub-

lic dental clinics are often sponsored by public health

departments, community health centers (CHCs), In-

dian Health Service clinics, private not-for-profit ser-

vice agencies, dental schools, dental hygiene pro-

grams, school-based clinics, and mobile dental vans.

The two largest providers of safety-net programs are

federally subsidized CHCs and those sponsored by lo-

cal health departments. According to the JADA arti-

cle, it is estimated that at the national level 77% of all

community health centers have on-site dental pro-

grams and between 10-30% of all local public health

departments provide some oral health care services.

In recent years there have been calls for ex-

pansion of safety-net pro-

grams in an effort to reach

more of the target popula-

tion. In 2003, the Bush

administration dedicated

$32 million dollars of the

federal CHC budget toward expanded oral health care

services.

One of Montana's public dental clinics is housed

in the Missoula CHC, the Partnership Health Clinic.

The dental clinic currently employs three full-time den-

tists, Dr. Andy Althauser, Dr. Steve John-

son, and Dr. Greg Zlock. The clinic also

contracts with Dr. Gary Peterson to pro-

vide 9 hours of service each week. Bruce

Smith, a registered dental hygienist, works

for 16 hours each week in the clinic provid-

ing hygiene care.

Dr. Althauser graduated from dental school

at the University of Missouri in 2004 and

has worked at the clinic since his gradua-

tion. Dr. Johnson graduated from Indiana

University School of Dentistry in 1993 and has been in

public health service since his graduation. In addition

to his work at Partnership Health he provides dental

care two days each month at the Missoula Detention

Center. Prior to

becoming a den-

tist he served in

the U.S. Navy

and was dis-

charged in 1974.

In 1978 he be-

came a physician

assistant and

worked for the

State of New

York and Federal Bureau of Prisons prior to entering

dental school.

Dr. Zlock graduated in 1986 from the Univer-

sity of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. Before joining

the staff at Partnership Health he was in private prac-

tice for 10 years and worked for 9 years as a dentist in

St. Ignatius for the Indian Health Service. Dr. Gary Pe-

Montana’s Public Dental Clinics Serve Low-Income Patients

Dental assistants Anna Burham and Ellen BigSam share a light-hearted moment in the dental clinic.

Dental assistant Brenda Pierce poses in one of the new dental operatories.


terson graduated from dental school at the University

of Minnesota in 1972 and has been in private practice

throughout his career. In addition to his work at the

Partnership Health dental clinic he travels twice each

year for short-term dental missions to Brazil, Peru,

Mexico, and Africa.

These dentists are joined by Dr. Ryan Huckeby

who volunteers on behalf of the clinic in the "Miles of

Healthy Smiles " program that travels to Missoula

schools, providing oral hygiene education and care.

The Partnership Health Clinic provides dental

services to about 175 patients each week. In August

the dental clinic treated 761 patients. Nearly half of the

patients (47%) treated in

the dental clinic are

Medicaid recipients. Six

percent have dental in-

surance and the remain-

ing 47% pay on a sliding

fee schedule. CHCs, such

as Partnership Health,

are required to serve all

residents of their service

area with charges on a

sliding fee scale based on

ability to pay.

The dental clinic at Partnership Health has 6

dental operatories and is open Monday through Friday,

from 8 am until 6 pm. Patients presently are also re-

ferred to four local dental specialists for additional

treatment not provided at the clinic.

The dental clinic is financed through federal

grants, patient fees, local donors, grants from charitable

foundations, contracts, and Missoula County. The den-

tal clinic serves patients within a 200-mile radius of

Missoula.

Deb Burke, clinic coordinator, states that the

clinic's mission is "to ensure that accessible and com-

prehensive primary health care is provided to under-

served populations in our region through a partnership

of community resources." The clinic was founded in

1989 and designated a Federally Qualified Health Cen-

ter (FQHC) in 1992.

The dental clinic opened in 1997 as a volunteer-

run operation that offered limited services with two

dental operatories. In 2001, the dental clinic began of-

fering services to clients enrolled in the Healthcare for

the Homeless Program. The following year, with fund-

ing from the federal Bureau of Primary Health Care and

the Paul G. Allen Foundation, Partnership Health Cen-

ter added a third dental operatory and hired a dentist.

In 2004 a second full-time dentist was hired.

According to Ms. Burke, Partnership Health

Center was then awarded a Ready Responder

dentist from the National Health Service Corps

for a three-year period. The dental clinic also

initiated a summer preceptorship with WICHE

dental schools. As a result, the dental clinic

then was awarded a federal oral health expan-

sion grant to add three additional dental opera-

tories to the clinic. The new six-operatory

clinic began treating patients last April.

The dental clinic has maintained waiting list

since 1999 and has more than 3,000 person on

the list. Volunteers for the clinic currently are

culling through the list to determine whether persons

listed remain in the Missoula area and need dental care.

When asked what factors limit the productivity of the

dental clinic, Deb Burke responded that productivity is

limited by patients who fail to show for their dental ap-

pointments. Clinic volunteers from a local church who

provide administrative services to the clinic are work-

ing to reduce the no-show rate. With three full-time

dentist now on the staff the clinic is working diligently

to reduce the waiting list.

Deb Burke is the dental clinic coordinator at Partnership Health Clinic.


The New Dentist’s Report: Give a Little, Take a Little By Dr. A. Lacy Claeys

Chair, MDA New Dentist Committee

At our last AGD social a dentist from Lewistown asked me

a great question: How are new dentists doing in Montana?

The answer: pretty well, but we could use a little help if you’ve

got some to give

At the 2005 MDA annual meeting last May in Helena the

new dentists got together to talk about our triumphs and

struggles as we start new practices, associate, and work for

federal programs such as Indian Health Service and commu-

nity health care centers.

What kind of help do we need? Advice and mentoring.

1. If you meet a new dentist, please take time to give

him or her a call. Many new dentists expressed reluc-

tance to call someone they’d only met a few times.

Asking for advice or help can be difficult.

2. We need the most help navigating life in the business

world. Quarterlies, federal taxes, workman’s compen-

sation, estimating the value of our equipment, prop-

erty taxes all offer hundreds of pitfalls. Tell us what

you know and tell us what you’ve learned along the

way.

3. Think civically. Feeling at home in a new town hap-

pens a lot faster when a new dentist feels connected.

a. Are you a member of a civic club (Rotary, Lions,

Women’s Leadership Network, etc)? Invite a

new dentist to accompany you to the next meet-

ing.

b. How about a social club or league? We’d love

to come.

c. Are you in a leadership role in a local organi-

zation or place of worship? Let us know how

we can help.

d. How about pro bono work? Call us and let us

come over and help.

My husband, Dr. Christian Claeys, and I bought an ex-

isting practice five years ago in Helena. Our seller, Dr.

Ron Friez, couldn’t have made things easier for us. He

bent over backwards helping us get connected in our com-

munity and easing us into the world of business. It really

made all the difference. We still love to see him walk in the

door for a visit. If you can offer the same kind of help to a

new dentist in your community I encourage you to do it. It

may make all the difference in the world!

10 MDA News •

Welcome to New Members

E. Jane Gillette, DDS Steven H. Helm, DMD Timothy R. Lund, DDS

Jessica E. Mongelli, DMD Frank J. Repscher, DMD

Why do people smoke? Dr. Deborah Frank-

lin, associate professor of restorative dentistry

and biomaterials at the University of Texas,

writing in the June 2005 issue of the Texas

Dental Journal, knows why. However, she dif-

ferentiates between the reasons people take

up smoking and the reasons they keep smok-

ing.

Experimentation with smoking usually oc-

curs in adolescence, Dr. Franklin notes, and is

heavily influenced by the factors that affect

adolescent development, such as the search

for identity and the importance of peer accep-

tance. Once smoking becomes routine, it be-

comes addictive. As Dr. Franklin points out,

teenagers never take up smoking with the in-

tention of becoming addicted. New smokers’

belief that they will be able to stop smoking

whenever they want to is universal, and it’s al-

most universally wrong.

“Smoking is learned behavior,” Dr. Frank-

lin writes. “The principles of operant condi-

tioning developed by Skinner provide a psy-

chological explanation for smoking behavior.

Any behavior is strengthened by reinforce-

ment.” Such behavior becomes habit, and the

smoking habit, because of the effects of nico-

tine, very soon becomes addictive.

The effect of nicotine on the brain is a kind

of positive reinforcement, Dr. Franklin says,

and provides the smoker with physiological as

well as psychological pleasures.

“Once established, the habit becomes difficult

to extinguish, in part due to the high frequency of positive reinforcement that a smoker receives as he/she smokes multiple

cigarettes every day,” Dr. Franklin writes.

Dr. Franklin advises dentists to help their patients quit smoking by addressing both the physical addiction to nicotine

and breaking the habit. Nicotine replacement therapy addresses the physical addiction while counseling helps a patient face his

habit, she says. Each treatment modality is effective by itself, but when combined they achieve the highest rate of smoking ces-

sation.

Dr. Franklin offers her readers a number of online resources for smoking cessation tips and guides, including the

ADA’s web page on beating the tobacco habit at www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/tobacco/index.asp.

(This article from the Texas Dental Journal reprinted with permission of the Texas Dental Association.)


Why People Smoke

MDA Offers New Member Benefit...

Disability Income Protection

MDA has teamed with its insur-

ance consultant Jim Edwards of

Mountain West Benefit Solutions to

offer its members an important new

member benefit. We offer the follow-

ing article by Edwards to introduce

this insurance program.

I already have disability income (DI) cover-

age – I don’t really need it - I don’t need any

more!!

As an individual making a living in the health care

world, dentists are lucky – insurance agents know you

both need and can afford long term disability income

insurance and therefore, most dentists already own

policies.

It’s a bit of a hassle purchasing disability income

(DI) insurance because of blood work, paramed,

EKG, etc. That said:

· Do you have enough DI coverage?

· Has your income increased significantly over

the years?

· Does your DI policy provide the replacement

income you would need today should you be-

come unable to continue practicing dentistry?

· Was your policy issued before you could add/

purchase coverage to replace lost retirement

contributions, a virtual certainty should you be-

come disabled – the monthly disability income

payment sure won’t provide sufficient revenue

to allow you to set aside any money for your re-

tirement. Remember, DI monthly payments

will discontinue at age 65.

· Do you have business overhead protection? Is

it enough?

The Montana Dental Association, through Moun-

tain West Benefit Solutions (MWBS) and Disability In-

come Specialists, Inc. (DSI), is making available three

new insurance programs:

· disability income (with the option to purchase a

catastrophic disability benefit rider of up to

$8,000/month);

· retirement security (up to $42,600/year); and

· business overhead expense

These policies are underwritten by the Principal

Insurance Company, founded in 1879, rated A+ by AM

Best and AA+ with Standard and Poors. Principal is

an industry leader in these lines of insurance protec-

tion.

Here are some amazing but little known facts about

disability:

· A person faces a much greater chance of be-

coming disabled during their working years

than suffering an early death:


$1,000 retirement security and again, $5,000 of over-

head expense. For ages 55-60, the maximum simplified

issue disability income is $3,000. Disability income

coverage levels exceeding the simplified issue amounts

are available up to $10,000 per month with the 20% dis-

count; however, these will need to go through the un-

derwriting process.

Disability Specialists, Inc. (DSI) is the program ad-

ministrator and will manage the application and enroll-

ment process. The advisors and enrollment specialists

you will be visiting with are located in and operative out

of the DSI office in Bozeman, Montana.

This is an exciting opportunity and one that we are

hopeful the MDA membership will find of great value.

Because of the size of the MDA membership, each of

the three policies premiums are discounted 20%.

An introduction letter has been mailed to you.

Please call me at 877-343-1060 or e-mail sgarri-

[email protected], if you have questions or

would like more information.

o For a person under age 35, chances are one

in three that he will be disabled for at least

six months during the course of his career;

o In a person's 40’s, the chances of disability

can be up to four times greater than dying;

o Women and men have a 54% and 43%

chance, respectively, of becoming seriously

disabled during their working years.

· Most causes of disabilities are not car accidents,

on the job injuries, or recreational accidents

such as skiing:

• 90% of all disabilities are illness-related;

while accidents account for only 10% of

long-term disability claims. People who do

not have high-risk jobs are very much at

risk of disability from muscular or cardio-

vascular disease, cancer or other illnesses.

MDA will formally introduce the new disability

income (DI), retirement security, and business over-

head insurance coverages to its members in the next

month. You will be able to purchase one, two, or all

three of the policies, in whatever combination you be-

lieve best completes your coverage needs. You will not

be required to take a paramed exam, blood pressure

test, EKG, blood test, or provide a urine specimen to

apply for coverage. Coverage will contain the "own-

occupation" definition you want and need.

Policies are issued on this "simplified issue" basis

up to $4,000 per month, as long as:

o You have not in the last 6 months missed three

consecutive days of work due to illness or injury;

o You have not been partially disabled or hospital-

ized;

o You are not homebound or need adaptive equip-

ment; and

o You are not cognitively impaired and/or currently

collecting disability benefits.

The maximum amount of simplified issue coverage

for retirement security is $1,000 and for business over-

head expense it is $5,000. For ages 50-54, the maxi-

mum simplified issue disability income is $3,000 and


MDA Dentist Chosen for Management Group MDA member dentist Dr. Don Hanson

of Whitefish has been accepted for membership

in the Academy of Dental Management Con-

sultants, a national organization dedicated to

advancement of the dental profession by pro-

viding vision, standards, and leadership.

Dr. Hanson practiced dentistry for 32

years before he formed a transition consulting

firm. He states, "I am committed to providing

personalized consulting services to den-

tists and other dental professionals." Dr.

Hanson is a member of the American

Dental Association, Montana Dental Asso-

ciation, American College of Dentists, and

previously was a member of the Academy

of General Dentistry and Academy of

Dental Group Practice.


Dr. Tom Ditchey Volunteers in Fiji (This article is reprinted from the Turtle Island, Fiji newsletter and describes the volunteer efforts of MDA member Dr. Tom Ditchey and his wife Karen of Helena.) On the way back to Turtle Island from

the neighbouring island of Yaqeta, Tom and

Karen Ditchey were all smiles. They had just

completed an examination of over one hun-

dred of the young students at the Yaqeta Pri-

mary School, and were ecstatic that they were

not able to detect any dental decay during the

last six months. The work that they are doing

in bringing dental health care to the young people in

the Yasawas is really working. Yasawa Dental Care -

Achieving First World Standards Tom and Karen

Ditchey honeymooned at Turtle Island in 1993. He is a

graduate of UCSF School of Dentistry and now prac-

tices in Helena, Montana.

Tom and Karen were inspired by what they

were able to do for the community of the Nacula Tikina

when they first visited Turtle, and volunteered the fol-

lowing year to go back to undertake pro-bono dental

work.

They have been

visiting twice a year ever

since, meeting all their

own travel costs They

have now established a

routine where they look

after the students of two

of the primary schools,

the dental health of the

staff at Turtle Island, and any other dental problems

which emerge in the seven villages of the community.

In the last two years, they have also assumed responsi-

bility for the teeth of the young people at the Evanson

Learning Centre.

They provide toothbrushes, toothpaste and

fluoride rinse to the young people in the schools every

six months. These are donated by US companies with

which Tom and Karen deal – Butler, Colgate and

Byatrol for fluoride. The

results are outstanding.

“These young

people are now receiving

equivalent preventative

dental care and education

to many students in other

parts of the western

world” said Tom, “and it is really showing. We are see-

ing much less decay, and the comparison with the kids

at Ratu Meli School is incredible”.

Ratu Meli School, situated on Nacula Island, is

another primary school that hasn’t been visited by Tom

and Karen until recently. They have only just started

their process of training with teeth cleaning and fluo-

ride rinses at that school, and predictably, the dental

health there is not as good.

“We will keep bringing more supplies to all

three schools – and it won’t be long before the

Ratu Meli kids catch up to those in other

schools, in terms of terrific teeth”, Tom said.

One of the highlights of their visit in

April 2005 was being assisted in the dental

clinic by two aspirant Evanson Learning Centre

students. “The two students volunteered to

help us in the clinic, and we were delighted.

Both have expressed an interest in the profes-

sion”.

Imagine how fantastic it would be if one of the

students from ELC is able to take over our dental op-

erations and serve the Tikina full time! If that hap-

pened, it would be truly a dream come true”.


MDA Hosts Continuing Education Class

More than 300 Montana dentists and staff traveled to Helena on September 9 for MDA's fall continuing

education course offered by Dr. Gordon Christensen. He received high praise from course attendees for

his lively and enlightening presentation.

Of all malpractice claims filed against dentists, the most expensive are claims alleging “failure to

diagnose oral cancer,” according to Cliff Rapp, writing in the June 2005 issue of Today’s FDA, the journal

of the Florida Dental Association. In addition, such claims are among the most difficult to defend, he

writes.

Analyzing the closed claim data of the Physician Insurer’s Association of America, Rapp found

that oral cancer claims are on the rise nationwide. Those cases deemed indefensible tend to fall into

three categories: failure to biopsy; failure to re-examine a lesion and the patient’s medical history; and

office-system failure, allowing diagnostic reports to fall through the cracks.

“Dentists should view all lesions, lumps and bumps as possible cancer,” Rapp advises, adding that

early detection and ample documentation are crucial. He also notes that dentists should “closely monitor

patients who have suspicious lesions until a definitive diagnosis is made.” (This article from Todays' FDA reprinted with permission of the Florida Dental Association.)

Oral Cancer Malpractice Claims Increasing

Dr. Gordon Christensen


Dental Hygiene Program Faculty Full-time, tenure track faculty position in established dental hygiene program at Montana State University – Great Falls College of Technology, $29,543-$33,086, depending upon qualifications and experience plus $4,000 recruitment adjust-ment stipend. Will develop syllabi, teach courses, provide clinical instruction, and advise students. BA required and clinical experience preferred. Complete vacancy description and application requirements available at: www.msugf.edu or 406-268-3701. ADA/AA/EEO Dentist Community health center and dental clinic, in affiliation with family practice residency, has immediate opening for full-time dentist. Will provide dental health care to patients of all ages and consultive and educational service to other CHCCW staff, family practice residents and faculty. Must be licensed or license-eligible in state of Wyoming and possess D.D.S. in General Dentistry from accredited institution. Post-doctoral residency training in general or special dentistry desirable. Send CV/resume to CHCCW, Human Resources, 1522 East A Street, Casper, WY 82601. Or fax 307-235-6202; email [email protected]. Digital Imaging Air Techniques: Scan-X Digital Imaging (2002 Version) new price $19,995; Scan-X Plate Eraser new price $874.99. Ask-ing $12,000 for both -- Contact Dr. Edward J. McGreevey, Endoimplantology Exclusively, P.C., 1001 SW Higgins Ave., Suite 106, Missoula, MT 59803. Telephone 406-542-3454. Chairs for Sale B.C. dental company has 20 new chairs for sale. Two years parts warranty, any upholstery color available. $4,000 CDN. Contact Don or Anton at 1-604-852-8624 for details or email [email protected].. View chairs and specifications at www.panaseptmfg.com. Full Time General Practice Associate Needed- Peace River, Alberta Booking 6 months ahead; NP flow constant, seeking moti-vated dentist to complete energetic support team. Built in 2000; high impact, drive-by exposure; chairside dentrix, office not insurance drive. Relaxed, friendly; no weekends, no emergency call; 40% of production. No overhead so you can enjoy your life, skiing, sledding, big game hunting, golf-ing, etc. or take advantage of local airline convenience in pretty rural town. This is a lifestyle job. Fax resume: 780-624-8596; telephone 780-624-2004 to office manager.

For Sale: Panorasnic/Cephlasnetric X-ray Unit Belmont Used. Cassettes included, Accrad TMJ 200 is also available. $8,000.00/best offer. Call Dr. Richard Gessling 406/446-1010. Bozeman, Montana Dental office available for rent. Office consists of 1,200 square feet divided into four modern operatories, waiting room, reception, lab areas, and restroom. Great commercial location near MSU campus; wheelchair accessible; sur-rounded by aspens. $1,525/mo. Available summer 2005. Telephone Greg at 406/539-4753. Associate Needed for Billings GP Office Part time or full time. Call Mark Rosebush, DMD, at 406/320-0131. Alaska Opportunity If you enjoy a high income potential and outdoor activities in a beautiful state, then this is the perfect opportunity for you! We are seeking a dentist to join our fast-paced office as an associate in our beautiful, newly built office featuring high tech dental equipment. Possible relocation assistance avail-able. Give us a call for more information at 907/490-0127, 907/490-4643 fax, [email protected]. Belgrade/Big Sky Associate Needed Associate needed for fun, fast-growing family practice in beautiful southwest Montana. Future partnership or pur-chase possible. Oral surgery and endo emphasis helpful. Call 406/388-0550 or email [email protected]. For Sale Cerec II with cart, software, and accessories for $14,995. Can use it for a $30,000 trade-in toward a new Cerec III from Pat-terson Dental. Call Dr. Bryan Finn at 506/535-7787 (work) or 503/448-1863 (home). Staff Dentist Black Hills of South Dakota. Competitive wage up to 100,000 DOE and great benefits. Send CV, resume c/o MDA, PO. Box 11 54, Helena, MT 59624.


Alaska Opportunity If you enjoy a high income potential and outdoor activities in a beautiful stare, then this is the perfect opportunity for you! We are seeking a dentist to join our fast-paced office as an associate in our beautiful, newly built office featuring high tech dental equipment. Possible relocation assistance avail-able. Give us a call for more information at 907/490-0127, 907/490-4643 fax, [email protected]. Belgrade/Big Sky Associate Needed Associate needed for fun, fast-growing family practice in beautiful southwest Montana. Future partnership or pur-chase possible. Oral surgery and endo emphasis helpful. Call 406/388-0550 or email [email protected]. For Sale Cerec I1 with cart, software, and accessories for $14,995. Can use it for a $30,000 trade-in toward a new Gerec III from Patterson Dental. Call Dr. Bryan Finn at 506/535-7787 (work) or 503/448-1863 (home). Staff Dentist Black Hills of South Dakota. Competitive wage up to 100,000 DOE and great benefits. Send CV, resume c/o MDA, PO. Box 11 54, Helena, MT 59624. Kalispell: HELP! Busy, staff-driven, team-oriented general practice has imme-diate opening for associate with intent of eventual partner-ship. We are nestled in the Flathead Valley, adjacent to Glacier Park and Big Mountain Ski Resort. This is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. We are a well-established practice, $6OOK gross with seven ops, newly-remodeled reception area. Please send CV, letter of intent to Kalispell c/o Sean Crabtree, 101 West Ogee St., Tullahoma, TN 33388 or call 731/580-5200. Missoula Fantastic opportunity for dentist to establish own private practice without the high expense of purchasing new equip-ment. I am building a new dental office in Missoula for my practice and want to sell my present modern, 4-operatory office turnkey. Includes everything: computers, fiber-optic handpieces, chairs, etc. Just move in and assume building lease. George M. Olsen, DDS, 406/549-5869.

New Community Health Center - Lewistown The proposed Central Montana Health Center located in Lewistown, Montana, is soliciting interest for three posi-tions: halftime dentist, half-time hygienist, and full-time aid. The dentist and hygienist positions have potential to be aug-mented by private practice. If grant funding is awarded from the federal Bureau of Primary Health Care, the start-up date would be August 1, 2005. Community Health Centers are not-for-profit t corporations designed to increase access to medical, dental, and mental health for low-income and medi-cally underserved communities. Nationally, this includes some 700 nonprofit health centers and more than 3,000 health care delivery sites. There are 12 CHC's in Montana. Lewistown, a family oriented community, is a mecca for rec-reation, including a blue ribbon trout stream, big game and bird hunting, backpacking, and cross-country skiing. The town of 7,000 is also a regional center of education, health care, commerce, and government offices, including the noted Charles Russell Wildlife Refuge. Send resume to Kathie Bailey, CHC, 613 NE Main, Lewis-town, MT 59457. Phone 538-2591. Missoula, Montana Three-doctor practice seeks partner to purchase one-third of practice with option to purchase remaining two-thirds in fu-ture. Inquire at 913 S.W. Higgins, Missoula, MT 59803. Phone 406/549-5861.

CLASSIFIED & DISPLAY ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Classified ads are available at no charge to MDA members (limited to 50 words; 50 cents/word above 50 words).

Non-member rates: $29 per insertion up to 30 words; 50 cents/word above 30 words. Payment by check or credit card must accompany ad copy. Deadline is the 10th of the month

preceding publication (publication months are January, March, May, July, September, November).

Send classified ads to:

MDA News, PO Box 1154, Helena MT 59624 or fax to 406/443-1546.

For rates and information about display advertising, please call 406/443-2061 (toll free in Montana at 800/257-4988).



Practice Opportunities

If you are trying to sell your practice or seeking an associate

or partner and want the information shared with dentists who inquire at the MDA central

office, please let us know. MDA will list your practice

opportunity on their wed site and will provide details about the opportunity to any interested party who contacts the central

office. Call 1-800-257-4988 with the information about your

practice and needs or log on to the MDA web site at www.mtdental.com.

October 6-9 ADA Annual Session,

Philadelphia 14-15 Second District Dental Society

Fall CE, Missoula, Dr. Fran Milnar, “Composite Artistry & Grizzly Football Game. For information call 406/543-3159

December 9 Board of Dentistry meeting,

Helena 2006 March 17 Third District Dental Society

Continuing Education seminar, Fairmont Hot Springs, various speakers TBA

May 3-5 MDA Annual Meeting, Red

Lion Colonial Hotel, Helena. Dr. Jeffrey Rouse, “Comprehensive Esthetic Diag-nosis & Multidisciplinary Treat-ment”. Joe Dillon, “Producing Peak Performance”.

October 16-21 ADA Annual Session, Las

Vegas, Nevada 2007 October 14-19 ADA Annual Session, San

Antonio, Texas

Documents

MDA HOSTS WESTERN MEETING - Montana DentalThe New Dentist’s Report 10 Why People Smoke 11 MDA Offers New Member Benefit 12 MDA Dentist Chosen for Management Group 14 People We Know: