IDA Update
IUSD Dean Candidate Interviews Continue

Two of the four finalists for the IUSD Dean position were in Indianapolis this week for public forums and follow-up interviews with the search committee:
Dr. Karen West , past dean of the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, presented on Monday, January 14.


Download a copy of Dr. West's CV

Dr. Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, presented on Wednesday, January 16. 


Download a copy of Dr. Murdoch-Kinch's CV




The final two candidates will be presenting in the next two weeks, and IDA will keep members updated with links to their presentation recordings and CVs. Note that the names of the candidates are not released to the public until the day before each visit to IUSD. The new dean is expected to begin his or her tenure at IUSD on July 1.

 Save the Date!

Dental Day at the Capitol

Monday, March 11, 2019

OSHA Self-Study Course No Longer Available

IDA has removed the OSHA Self Study training video from our website due to changes in OSHA requirements that were not reflected in the video. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our members.

Beginning in spring 2019 we will be offering a series of monthly CE webinars on various topics, including an OSHA webinar in September. We will of course update members on our webinar topics and schedules as early as possible.

IDA will continue to offer live OSHA Compliance Issues courses. Click here to view more details or to register. In addition, the ADA offers numerous OSHA DVDs and training manuals for individuals and offices. Click here to view the ADA catalog.
IDA Legislative Session Updates

The 2019 Indiana General Assembly convened last week and IDA is already sifting through the over 1,000 bills that have been introduced to determine which ones potentially impact you and your practice.
 
For instance, we are studying HB 1218, introduced by Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Denver). This bill proposes a student loan forgiveness program for health care professionals (including dentists) who commit to practicing in parts of the state that are designated health care provider shortage areas. The program would be funded by a $500,000 appropriation from the State, as well as an increase in provider licensing fees. 
 
Rep. Manning represents House District 23, which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami Counties. He is a new legislator, so feedback is very important to him. Reach out to him at [email protected] and thank him for recognizing the importance of getting medical and dental services to underserved portions of the state.

IDA Trustee Dr. David Holwager (East Central District Dental Society) and IDA Director of Governmental Affairs Ed Popcheff met with Representative Manning at the Statehouse. Rep. Manning, along with Senator Randy Head, met with fiscal leaders to ensure a prompt hearing in the matter.

Watch for regular updates on this and other issues important to dentistry. We need more dental advocates, so if you know your representative or senator and want to become a contact dentist, e-mail Ed Popcheff.
 
There are a significant number of new House and Senate members. If you do not know who your representatives are, use the online Find Your Legislator tool.
IUSD Students and IDA Leaders Discuss Dental Ed Issues

Licensure exams, dentist mobility and IDA student leader opportunities were topics discussed at a recent meeting of IUSD student leaders and IDA leadership. 

“Freedom of movement is a major issue for ASDA (American Student Dental Association) and the issue was included in a new comprehensive policy on dental licensure adopted by the ADA at its House of Delegates meeting last fall,” said IDA Executive Director Doug Bush. “Students were interested in IDA’s policy on this and other issues. They also wanted to know how they could they play a role in advancing change.”

Representing IDA leadership were Vice President David Wolf, Speaker of the House Jill Burns, past trustee Mara Catey-Williams, IDPAC Co-chair and IUSD Visiting Clinical Fellow Tim Treat, Executive Director Doug Bush, and Director of Governmental Affairs Ed Popcheff. Dr. Burns, past president of the American Association of Dental Boards, and Dr. Catey-Williams, current member of the Indiana State Board of Dentistry, were able to give insight into the examination community’s concerns about some licensure proposals, and strategies for addressing student concerns without compromising patient safely. 

“It was positive open dialogue that covered myriad topics. I think everyone from IDA was impressed with the students and the serious research and thought that they had put into the issues,” said Bush. “Everyone agreed that the discussions should continue."

Student leaders in attendance included: Nick Lynch, D3, IU ASDA President and IDA Student Trustee, Elliot Humiston, D2, IU ASDA President Elect, Lena Mercho, D4, IU ASDA Past President and Past IDA Student Trustee, Leah Stetzel, D3 Class President and IDDS Board Member, Melorin Burstein, D2, IU ASDA Legislative Liaison, Tasneem Karassi, D2, IU ASDA Legislative Liaison, and Alec Willard, D4, IU ASDA Past Legislative Liaison. 
Mission of Mercy (MoM) events are large-scale dental clinics that provide free oral health care to patients of all ages who cannot otherwise afford or access care.

IDA will host its third IndianaMoM event May 17-18, 2019 , at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Dentists, hygienists, assistants, lab techs and other dental professionals are needed to donate their time and talent to this extraordinary event.

For more information or to volunteer, visit the IndianaMoM website>>>
Dentists Asked to Assist with Public Health Research Study

The Indiana University School of Dentistry and Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health are recruiting dentists to participate in a research study examining how clinicians perceive various dental hard-tissue conditions. This will be through an online survey asking dentists to make diagnoses with limited visual information. The first 40 dentists who complete the survey will be compensated with an electronic $80 Amazon gift card in exchange for participation. The online study will take about 30 minutes to complete and can be done any time of day or night from your home or office computer. Upon sending payment for participation, any personal information will be deleted and not connected to your responses.

If you are interested in participating, please email study coordinator Micah Goldfarb at [email protected]. He will provide more information about the study and an account to access the survey.
Continuing Ed News

Don't miss your chance to join your colleagues at the Center for Excellence seminars this year. Dr. Gerard Chiche will present “Smile Design, Bonding and Esthetic Materials” on Friday, April 12, and Dr. Sam Low will present his “ Perio Series” on Friday, November 1. Both will take place at the new Embassy Suites Conference Center in Plainfield. Visit www.INDental.org/CFE to register today.
 
Our first regional OSHA/BLS seminar kicks off tomorrow (January 18) in Indianapolis.The next seminar will be on Friday, March 8. Check out the other locations we’ll visit this year at www.INDental.org/OC.
 
Online registration is open for the Midwest Dental Assembly, June 12-15 at the French Lick Resort. For a full list of continuing education and special events, go online to www.INDental.org/Register.
 
Lastly, if you’re looking to stay in the loop on IDA’s upcoming online CE offerings and news about our live sessions, friend Indental CE on Facebook!
Volunteers Needed for Give Kids a Smile

IUSD students are seeking volunteers for the 2019 Give Kids a Smile event on Saturday, February 16, from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. in Indianapolis. Give Kids a Smile is a national program that provides free screenings and fluoride treatments, as well as fun activities and dental education, to local children. Event organizers are looking for donations and volunteer assistance from local dentists, hygienists and dental assistants. Anyone interested in helping should email [email protected].

About 25 Give Kids a Smile events will be taking place throughout the state.
Reminder: INSPECT Registration Deadline

Dentists who hold a Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) should have registered with INSPECT, Indiana’s tool to address the problem of prescription drug abuse and diversion, by January 1, 2019. There is no cost to register.

Nominations Needed!

We all know someone who has done an outstanding job practicing, promoting or volunteering in the field of dentistry. Give your outstanding colleagues the professional boost they deserve by nominating them for the IDA Specialty Awards, with winners to be announced and honored at the Midwest Dental Assembly in June. The deadline for this year’s nominations is March 1, 2019.

Refresh Your Knowledge with IDA's Dental Prescription Reference Guide

IDA's Dental Prescription Reference Guide is a must-have for every operatory in your practice and puts guidance at your fingertips for viral/ bacterial infections, pain management, anxiety/sedation prescriptions and more. It's also a great gift to thank referring doctors.
 
The guide is available to IDA members for $ 25 each, or $20 per copy for 20 copies or more. Visit our website to order copies.
2018 Indiana Dental Survey Now Available

Blue & Co.'s 2018 Indiana Dental Survey is now available. Many thanks to the IDA members who participated and helped Blue & Co. develop the summary.

IDA has already distributed a copy of the results to the dentists who participated in the survey. If you would like a copy, please email Laurie Campbell at IDA with your name and mailing address.