A4DA

Kentucky Board of Dentistry Seeks Executive Director

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry located in Louisville is  taking applications through March 19, 2008 for the position of Executive Director. Applicants need to have experience in office management and supervision and have an understanding of the legislative process and regulations as they pertain to dentistry. 

Lisa Turner is serving as Interim Executive Director effective February 11, 2008.  She joined the Kentucky Board of Dentistry in 2004 and has previously held the positions of Executive Staff Advisor, Accountant and Licensing Specialist for the Board of Dentistry.

North Carolina Boardmember Urges Dentists to Step Up

Dr. W. Stan Hardesty, a member of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, is calling general on dentists to be the spokespeople for dentistry. 

“I believe this type of involvement is what makes a good, ethical dentist,” he says.  “It’s important to give back because we’ve got to maintain our level of credibility and professionalism.”

Dr. Hardesty has been working with the North Carolina Board since 2000.  In an interview with the AGD Transcript he stressed that no specific issue, but rather, regulating the profession in the best interest of the public, will determine the success of state dental boards. 

“One problem that we all face is interacting with state legislatures,” Dr. Hardesty believes.  “If there is any perceived problem… that dental board could find itself dissolved by the stroke of a pen!”  He encourages dentists and board members to keep in contact with legislators and develop a good working relationship.

“Our board is at the forefront of national issues—things that can impact dentists and patients five to ten years from now,” he notes. “We want to help the profession maintain the highest level of ethical behavior.”

-edited from “An Interview With Dr. W. Stan Hardesty”, AGDtranscript, Jan, 2008
http://www.agd.org/education/transcriptnews/Default.asp?PubID=47&IssID=659&ArtID=2736#body

Kansas Dental Board Honors Dr. Ron Huerter

Dr. Ron Huerter, 18-year chairman of the Kansas Dental Board’s Well Being Committee, was recently recognized for his many years of service. The Well Being Committee of the KDA is sponsored by the Board and is assisted by the Heart of America Professional Network (HAPN).

As chairman, Dr. Huerter has helped many dental professionals to get on the right track, saving lives and careers. In a very thought provoking presentation he described that we should not judge people with addictions. “Addiction is one of the most curable and yet treatable diseases.” Those people who have the disease of addiction, whether alcohol or drugs, are “human beings traveling through life that just became derailed.”

-edited from Kansas Dental Board Newsletter, Jan, 2008
http://www.accesskansas.org/kdb/newsletter.html

Connecticut Mission of Mercy

The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach will be holding the Connecticut Mission of Mercy at Tolland High School in April 2008. The program provides care to patients who cannot access or afford dental care. In order to include as many dentists as possible, the Connecticut Department of Health and the Connecticut State Dental Association are working to propose legislation that would allow out of state dentists to participate without a current Connecticut license.

- Edited from Meeting Minutes, Feb. 20, 2008,
- http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=399818&dphNav_GID=1830

Connecticut Dental Commission Effective in Curbing Dentist Violations

Connecticut Department of Public Health statistics reveal a positive trend in the disciplinary actions taken by the Dental Commission. Over the last three calendar years probation completions have increased to an equal level with disciplinary actions.

Whereas disciplinary actions in 2005 outnumbered probation completions more than 2 to 1, they were completely equal in 2006 and 2007. Dentists aren’t just getting suspended, they’re getting better.

Statistics from http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3115&q=387280&dphNav_GID=1601

AADE Meeting Set for March 9-10 in Chicago

The American Association of Dental Examiners (AADE) will hold its mid-year meeting at the American Dental Association (ADA) headquarters building in Chicago on March 9 and March 10th. Among the items on the agenda are "Pros and Cons of a Mandatory Fifth Predoctoral Year -- or Postgraduate Year" and "Ethics in Education, Testing, Practice, and Enforcement."

The AADE seeks to provide a national forum for "exchange, development and dissemination of information" to dental boards and their members.  The organization includes state and regional dental boards, as well as current and former members and staff of those boards.

For more information, visit AADE at www.aadexam.org.

RIP: Virginia's Francis Merrill Foster Sr.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay final tribute to Richmond, VA dentist, Dr. Francis Merrill Foster Sr., who died of cancer last month at the age of 86.

Dr. Foster was remembered for making late-night home dental visits, arranging relaxed payments for his services, openning his home to would-be dental students and always remembering the special occassions of his friends and acquaintances, according to the Times Dispatch.

The dentist, a former member of the Virginia Board of Dentistry, taught at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry for 16 years, the paper noted.  He also served in the Army Dental Corps from 1946 to 1948.

Oregon Dentist Suspended for Watching Employee Undress

The Oregon Board of Dentistry temporarily suspended a dentist, fined him $15,000 and placed him on indefinite probation for watching a female employee -- who is also a patient -- undress in a tanning unit set up in the dentist's office.

The action was reported in the February 1 edition of The Gresham (OR) Outlook and quotes Patrick Braatz, executive director of the Oregon dental board, explaining that the dentist's behavior was not strictly a personnel matter, since the female employee is also a patient.

"I know what I did was wrong, and I am truly sorry for my actions," the paper quoted the dentist as saying. The dentist has been in practice more than 30 years. The suspension will last one month.

Your Dental Advocates in Maine

The Maine Board of Dental Examiners was established in 1891 to protect the lives and health of citizens through regulation of the practice of dentistry.

The primary responsibilities of the Board are to license qualified applicants for a certificate to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, denturism, expanded function dental assisting, and dental radiography; collect payment of specified fees to register dentists, dental hygienists, and denturists biennially, and expanded function dental assistants (EFDA’s) and radiographers every five years; to make such rules, not contrary to law, as the Board deems necessary; to investigate all complaints and all cases of noncompliance with, or violations of, the provisions of law relating to the above licensees; and to impose discipline when it is deemed appropriate.

Distinguished Florida Board of Dentistry Members

The Florida Board of Dentistry is made up of 11 members -- Seven members of the board must be licensed dentists actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in the state. Two members must be licensed dental hygienists actively engaged in the practice of dental hygiene. The remaining two members must be lay persons who are not, and have never been, dentists, dental hygienists, or members of any closely related profession or occupation. At least one member of the board must be 60 years of age or older.

Licensed Dentists: Eva Ackley, D.M.D., Chairman Term: 12/13/99 – 10/31/07 Joseph Thomas, D.D.S., Vice-Chair Term: 1/4/06-10/31/09 Betty Klement, D.M.D. Term: 12/04/01 - 10/31/09

Ackley, Eva -- Florida

Eva F. Ackley, DMD
Florida Board of Dentistry
Chairman
New Port Richey, FL

Dr. Ackley was born in Monterey, California and grew up in Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida. She lives in New Port Richey with her husband Rodney and their three children Ricky, Amy and Andrea. Dr. Ackley is a member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, West Coast Dental Association and Hernando County Dental Association. She has been appointed to the Board of Dentistry which she has been serving since 1999. She is on the Health Committee for the Hernando County School Board.

Source:  Ackley Dental Group

Ohio State Dental Board Suspends License

An Ohio dentist struggling with alcohol and Valium problems had his license indefinitely suspended by the Ohio State Dental Board, according to a local newspaper.

On January 17th, The Mansfield News Journal quoted Lili Reitz, the executive director of the state dental board, who said that the dentist acknowledged "his past problems with the use of alcohol and Valium." The dentist is slated to appear again before the board on February 27th.

Schwarzenegger Names 3 to Dental Auxiliaries Board

On January 15, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made three appointments to the state's Committee on Dental Auxiliaries for the Board of Dental Examiners. They are:

Debra Diaz, 50, of Salinas, who since 2006 has served as executive director for Community Oral Health Services, formerly Appolonia Foundation for Children's Dental Health. From 2000 to 2006, Diaz was program director for the Children's Oral Health Program, a project of the Appolonia Foundation for Children's Dental Health and, from 1989 to 2000, was office manager and director of marketing and education for Dentistry for Infants, Children and Teenagers. Prior to that, she was a registered dental assistant and office manager for Dr. Gerald W. Cheang, DDS from 1981 to 1989 and dental assistant for Gerald Dannemiller, DDS and Dennis Andresen from 1979 to 1981. Diaz previously was a registered dental assistant and lab assistant for Dr. Donald Rogers from 1977 to 1979 and was a dental assistant for Dr. Gerald W. Cheang from 1975 to 1977.

Marlene Jacobus, 63, of Templeton, who has worked as a registered dental hygienist for 38 years. Jacobus has worked as a dental hygienist for Dr. Mitchell A. Ulibarri since 1991. Previously she was a

Turchi, Lewis -- California

Lewis Turchi, DDS
California Dental Board
President
Palos Verdes, CA

Mr. Turchi appointed a member of the Dental Board of California in 2005. He has practiced general dentistry in private practice since 1962. Turchi is a member and former president of the California Dental Association and the Western Los Angeles Dental Society and a member of the American Dental Association. He has also served as an expert witness and examiner for the California Dental Board of California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Turchi is a Republican.

Source:  July 29, 2005 News Release

Bunge, Nadene -- Minnesota

Nadene Bunge, D.H.
Minnesota Board of Dentistry
President
Rochester, MN

Ms. Bunge was reappointed by Governor Pawlenty to another four year term on the Board expiring in 2009. Ms. Bunge received a BS and her dental hygiene training at the University of Iowa, and an MA in Health and Human Services Administration from St. Mary's University in Minnesota.

Ms. Bunge has worked in a hospital setting, private practice, and has taught dental hygiene. Currently she is employed by the Mayo Clinic as a Periodontal Dental Hygienist. She has also held several leadership positions within the Minnesota Dental Hygiene Association, most recently as the MDHA-appointed representative to the Board, a Trustee for the Southeast Component, and serving on the Governmental Affairs Committee. Nadene is also involved in community activities, including the Salvation Army Medical and Emergency Dental Clinic.

She was elected to serve as the Vice President in January 2005 and Secretary of the Board in January 2004.

Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry

Minnesota Board of Dentistry Mission Statement

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry defines its mission succinctly:  "To ensure that Minnesota citizens receive dental health care from competent dental health care professsionals."

Distinguished Minnesota Board of Dentistry Members

These distinguished men and women serve the public and the public interest as members of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.  They don't always get the thanks and recognition they deserve, but they are true public servants:

Nadene Bunge, D.H. -- President
Candace Mensing, D.D.S. -- Vice President
Joan Sheppard, D.D.S. -- Secretary of the Board
Mark W. Harris, D.D.S. -- Past President

Distinguished California Dental Board Members

These distinguished men and women serve the public and the public interest as members of the California Dental Board.  They don't always get the thanks and recognition they deserve, but they are true public servants:

Lewis Turchi, DDS
President
Term Expires: January 1, 2009

Ronald S. Mito, DDS
Vice-President
Term Expires: January 1, 2009

Suzanne McCormick, DDS
Secretary
Term Expires: January 1, 2010

Your Dental Advocates in California

The Dental Board of California's mission is to protect and promote the health and safety of consumers by licensing those dental health care professionals who demonstrate competency, taking action to enforce compliance with the Dental Practice Act and the laws of the State of California, and enhancing the education of licentiates and consumers.

The Dental Board of California will be the leader in promoting the highest standard of oro-facial health care and ethical behavior while ensuring access to care for the people of California.

Source:  Dental Board of California