Member eNewsletter
August 2023
CDA Testifies Before Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee

On July 24, the CDA attended the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee (MPRRAC) meeting to speak on the vital importance of increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for the 24 most meaningful dental codes in terms of utilization.
Dollars to Digitize Grant Opportunity
The Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation aims to provide funding to behavioral health and home and community-based services (HCBS) providers to digitally transform their care delivery. The grant will distribute $18 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to providers all around the state.
ADVERTISMENT
ADVERTISMENT
Thinking about being a Mentor?
The CU Connections in Denistry program is seeking dentist mentors to offer guidance to new dentists as they begin their careers. Inspire the future of dentistry and consider helping through this program.
Take Action for Dental Health
In 2018 the Action for Dental Health Act was passed by Congress and provided funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) oral health workforce grant. Since then Action for Dental Health (ADH) has funded hundreds of state-based programs to get patients into dental homes, expand the workforce, provide oral health education and more.
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ADVERTISMENT
Join Your Colleagues
On Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., join the CDA's first monthly virtual roundtable discussion. CDA member dentists attending these roundtables will get detailed updates on current CDA priorities and be able to ask questions and provide feedback to CDA leadership. 
Top 3 Reasons to Use ePrescribing for All Medications
As of July 1, Colorado dentists are required to electronically prescribe Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances. (Please see the CDA website for exceptions to this requirement.)
Make a Difference:
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteer registration is open for the 2023 COMOM in Greeley Sept. 22 and 23. COMOM provides quality dental services for no cost to those who cannot afford or do not have access to dental care.
New Faces at the CDA
Susan Schaefer joined the CDA in March 2023 as an Accounting Specialist. Previously she was an Accountant with a company that manufactures kitchen and restaurant equipment. She grew up in Colorado Springs and currently resides in the Denver area. Susan received her undergraduate degree in Germanic Studies, International Affairs and Political Science from CU Boulder before obtaining her MBA in Accounting from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She is a Broncos and Avalanche fan, an avid cross-stitcher, and enjoys hiking and game nights with family and friends. This past season she joined her first fantasy football league and placed 2nd! Beginners luck?
Becky O’Guin joined CDA in July as the Communications Director. Prior to that she worked as the Strategic Communications Manager at the Tri-County Health Department. She grew up in Indiana, but is almost a native and lives in Aurora! She has a extensive history of communications work in the Denver area with government, associations and nonprofits. She graduated from Metropolitan University of Denver with a degree in journalism and more recently a master’s degree from DU in public relations and marketing. She enjoys golf, gardening, skiing, hiking, traveling and walking her dogs.
Welcome!
New and Reinstated CDA Members
Dr. Charles Alexander
Dr. Jesse Andrews
Dr. Georgann Apgar
Dr. Lobna Banimostafa
Dr. Amishka Bantho
Dr. Benjamin Bright
Dr. Rey Gabriel Carandang
Dr. Isaura Concepcion Cirillo
Dr. Alyse Davis
Dr. Kacie Jo Dillow
Dr. Ankush Duggar
Dr. Vandana Duggirala
Dr. Makenna Fopma
Dr. Josue Garcia-Chaidez
Dr. Chaitanya George
Dr. Jeffrey Gius
Dr. Jack Hadwin
Dr. Madison Hobbs
Dr. Kenny Huynh
Dr. Dominic Italia
Dr. Hannah Jenkins
Dr. Patrick Jones
Dr. Venkata Naga Sravanthi Jonnalagadda
Dr. Jourdan Kidd
Dr. Lincoln Kwasney
Dr. Guy Leavitt
Dr. Nicholas Macfarlane 
Dr. Faraj Mahchi
Dr. Michael McGregor
Dr. Patrick Meehan
Dr. Jacqueline Merz
Dr. Faith Meyer
Dr. Nicholas Mohney
Dr. Benjamin Morrett
Dr. Victoria Moser
Dr. Yalda Nazeri
Dr. Bao-Chi Clara Nghiem
Dr. Dina O'Brien
Dr. Daniela Ortiz
Dr. Kendall Peck
Dr. Sunaina Puri
Dr. Cierra Randall
Dr. Brendan Reich
Dr. Juan Rodriguez
Dr. Landon Rogers
Dr. Alyssa Jane Rosaro
Dr. Brittyn Rushing
Dr. Tarun Sachdeva
Dr. Kaysha Sadek
Dr. Courtney Santistevan
Dr. Lillian Sessions
Dr. Akshay Shah
Dr. Lindsey Shall
Dr. Mohita Sharma
Dr. Cameron Shepherd
Dr. Amelia Kraft
Dr. Alec Sidehamer
Dr. Jordan Sillman
Dr. Ethan Slater
Dr. Marsha Sonaty
Dr. Caitlyn Steinwachs
Dr. Kevin Stolk
Dr. Lauren Sulier
Dr. Suchitra Suresh Menon
Dr. Tanner Swanson
Dr. Jacob Taylor
Dr. Geraldine Tellbuescher
Dr. Trang Trang
Dr. Ginneth Trujillo
Dr. Kohl Valle
Dr. Rachel Warns
Dr. Annelise Westermeier
Dr. Hattie Willard
Dr. Manisha Wohlford
Dr. Kelsey Zinser
Dr. Ivan Zolotco
Upcoming Events!
Celebrate the End of Summer with CDA & MDDS, Aug. 24

Enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and refreshments at FlyteCo Tower in Central Park. Connect with your colleagues, strengthen your community, and have fun at this NO cost event. Aug. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
CDA Foundation Golf Tourny
Sept. 11

The CDA Foundation golf tournament is a great way to network with the dental community. Playing on this beautiful course benefits the CDA Foundation and the dental non-profit organizations it supports through grant funding. Join us for this patriotic themed tournament this year.