FDA Sends Governor Letter Addressing
Access to Dental Care Issues

Florida Dental Association (FDA) President Dr. Ted Haeussner recently authored a letter to Governor Charlie Crist outlining a series of issues for his consideration when addressing access to dental care. The letter suggests that the FDA and Governor Crist work together on the following issues during the 2009 Legislative Session:

• increasing Dental Medicaid fees
• establishing a task force to consider Medicaid bureaucratic and patient behavior issues
• carving out dental Medicaid funds from medical dollars utilizing an administrator with a proven track record of delivering dental care
• adopting a prohibition against all product clauses in respect to pre-paid dental plans
• making the state’s Volunteer Health Care Provider Program more patient and provider friendly
• providing greater funding for the state’s fluoridation program
• funding the state’s dental student-loan repayment program
• reorganizing the state’s Enterprise Zone statute to highlight tax advantages of expanding or locating dental offices in underserved areas

A meeting to discuss these proposals in greater detail is being planned with the Governor’s Office. Some issues set forth ultimately may not be pursued while other issues may be added. But clearly, the FDA has enhanced its communications with the executive branch and looks forward to a continued dialogue in preparation for the 2009 Legislative Session. 

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Fluoridation Workgroup Addresses Escambia
County Fluoridation Challenge

Amid reports of successfully keeping fluoride flowing through community water systems in Seminole County and the City of Brooksville, Escambia County now is facing a challenge to its water fluoridation. Currently, anti-fluoride activists in Escambia County have worked to elect one of their own to the board of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA). Another anti-fluoride activist also is seeking election to the ECUA in November – to unseat an incumbent who supports fluoridation.

Secretary Dr. Kim Jernigan represented the Escambia-Santa Rosa Dental Association on the Oral Health Florida monthly fluoridation conference call and shared in discussion on how to effectively address the situation. Kip Duchon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national fluoridation engineer, presented information on how water plant operators and utility directors have been especially susceptible to anti-fluoridation influence, especially since the price of water treatment chemicals has greatly increased. FDA members in Escambia County are forming a plan of action to inform one another and to be diligent in efforts to support the incumbent ECUA board member.

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Florida Board of Dentistry Meets

FDA President Dr. Ted Haussner, along with FDA staff members, attended the Florida Board of Dentistry (BOD) meeting in Orlando. An issue of interest to the FDA was the competency-based curriculum for licensees facing discipline related to standard-of-care violations. Both the University of Florida College of Dentistry and Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine have developed curriculum material with BOD input and the program is nearing kick-off. 

Also discussed were several procedural changes to the dental licensure exam, along with a new grading format partially designed to reduce legal challenges from failing candidates. Finally, the BOD is taking the initiative, under the leadership of Dr. Betty Klement, to develop rules implementing last year’s legislation designed to improve access to dental care in the public health sector.

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FLADPAC/DENTPAC Candidate Support
for General Election

The FLADPAC/DENTPAC Board of Directors has determined which candidates should receive support for the upcoming general election. The general election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 4. For an updated list of FLADPAC and DENTPAC supported candidates, visit the FDA’s Web site at http://floridadental.org/pro/members/resources/ and click on the 2008 FLADPAC/DENTPAC Chart of Candidates.

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Planning Begins for Elderly
Dental Care Pilot Programs

FDA Immediate Past President Dr. Nolan W. Allen and FDA Director of Dental Care and Health Bob Macdonald have begun final preparations to present the association’s oral health education and prevention program for the vulnerable elderly. This pilot program is funded through a grant by the Florida Dental Health Foundation and is slated to span five counties. It will include an overview of dental care issues facing the elderly, trends, the provision of dental care in long-term care institutions and funding for senior programs.

Invited participants will include nursing home, assisted living center and community-based senior program administrators; medical directors; nursing administrators and caregivers; state, county and local officials; Project: Dentists Care (PDC) members and associate member organizations; and Donated Dental Services representatives. The first pilot program tentatively is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14 in Pinellas County.

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FDA attends Advocacy Day at UFCD

This week, FDA President Dr. Ted Haeussner, FDA Vice President Dr. Chuck Hoffman, FDA Executive Director Dan Buker, FDA Chief Operating Officer Rusty Payton and FDA Governmental Affairs Director Joe Anne Hart attended the University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD) and American Dental Education Association’s Advocacy Day event on improving access to oral health care in Florida. Many other dental stakeholder groups presente during the meeting. Topics included Medicaid, educating communities and elected officials, federal legislation, addressing needs of people with developmental disabilities, and improving overall access to oral health care.

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Outreach Campaign Billboards Posted!

As a part of the FDA “Dentistry: Gateway to Good Health” outreach campaign, 12 billboards are being placed around the state. Some have already been spotted in Tallahassee and Miami, and others will follow shortly. In addition, the FDA has been given the opportunity to place two digital billboards on major roadways in Tallahassee. The first digital billboard can be seen on North Monroe Street. Another digital billboard will be placed this week on West Tennessee Street. Staff is exploring this opportunity in all regions. The FDA receives a monthly report of billboards postings. However, if you see one in your area, we’d love to hear about it. Contact FDA Communications Specialist Patty Harrison at pharrison@floridadental.org or (850) 681-3629, Ext. 115.

In addition, a lengthy article about the FDA “Dentistry: Gateway to Good Health” outreach campaign was published in the Tallahassee Democrat last week. Because this newspaper outlet is located in the capital city, it is read regularly by members of the Florida legislature and other statewide organizations daily – a great way for them to find out just how much the FDA is doing to promote dental literacy in Florida. You can view the article on the Tallahassee Democrat’s Web site here: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809240318. Potential supporters of our outreach campaign continue to contact the communications department weekly.

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Get the Big Picture – Win a New TV!

The FDA is offering a $2,500 LCD/Plasma TV (or cash equivalent) to the member who refers the most new applicants for active membership in the association. It’s easy, it’s fun and your association becomes stronger in the process. Here’s how to participate:

• Recruit a colleague to join the FDA.
• Have them fill out an FDA member application and list you as the referring dentist.
• For each completed application received by the FDA listing you as the referring dentist, your name is entered in the contest.
• The FDA member who refers the most new applicants for active membership wins the TV.
• The winner will be announced before the Friday evening concert at the 2009 Florida National Dental Convention.

Contact the Membership and Marketing Department at (800) 877-9922, Ext. 121 or dhiggins@floridadental.org for a complete set of contest rules and materials to help you successfully recruit new members. And, let’s all remember, more members mean a stronger association.

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