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Since 2021, the JKDA has been a digital-only quarterly publication, with each issue sent directly to all KDA members, WSU AEGD students, UMKC School of Dentistry students, and other organizations via email, and available for viewing at ksdental.org.
However, you might have noticed a few changes. Notably, the JKDA will be viewed in email format rather than a magazine mockup. This is due in part to make viewing easier with the ability to zoom in! Additionally, viewers can scroll down rather than clicking through fake digital pages. The Council on Communications hopes you enjoy the new format.
If you have any questions or would like to submit content for the JKDA, please contact KDA Communications Coordinator, Sandra Romero-Girard, at sandra@ksdental.org.
Onward!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed my first couple months as the President of our KDA. I cannot thank Dr. Nealy Newkirk enough for her mentorship and leadership as President prior to handing me the gavel back in April. I also want to thank Kevin and the Executive staff for their help as I settle into my new leadership role.
I was able to attend the South-States Region meeting in Bentonville, AR, in late April. I always enjoy the brainstorming and sharing of ideas amongst other state leaders. Our state is not alone in many of the challenges we face. It is obvious each state is working diligently to stand up for our profession and provide the most beneficial membership experience as possible. I strongly believe it is the state level of the tripartite that provides each of us the most benefit.
Approximately one week ago I attended the UMKC School of Dentistry “Transitioning into the Profession Ceremony” in Kansas City. The lessons for the third year students as they transition to the clinic floor to complete their professional training were (1) to whom much is given much is expected, (2) the importance of resiliency, (3) being able to learn from our mistakes, and (4) being an ethical steward of the profession. Regardless of where we are in our professional journey, these lessons are good points of emphasis for us all.
On Friday, August, 22nd, we will be hosting our annual member social tailgate event. This year we will be at the Chiefs pre-season game. We must thank our own Dr. John Fales in Olathe, KS, for generously helping us make this member benefit with the Chiefs possible this year. I hope to see you there!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for any questions or concerns you have. Please take time to follow the weekly Video Minute for important association announcements. Starting in a couple months I look forward to seeing you as I attend as many District meetings as I am able. Lastly, thank you for all you do!
Best Regards,
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Did you know the KDA endorses over 20 different products and services all designed to offer a high level of services to KDA members at a discounted rate? These products and services are designed to save you and your practice money making KDA membership more cost effective! These endorsements have evolved over the years and cover a full range of solutions for your practice that you and your front office deal with every day!
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Have you always wanted to start or need to adjust your personal or staff retirement plan? Tax Favored Benefits (TFB) endorsed and used by the KDA for over 15 years provides excellent service.
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Is business going great and you’re looking to build new or expand your existing office? UMB Bank can help with practice finance options.
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Do you have patients that need financing? Look into CareCredit patient credit cards
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Are you credit card processing fees high? How about looking into Best Card processing
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Are your supply costs creeping up? Maybe KDA Supplies may offer better prices on select supplies … check it out!
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How about professional liability Insurance offered through the Cincinnati and Johnson Fiss Insurance company.
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If you’re considering offering or changing health benefits for your staff explore options provided by the KDA Health Plan.
These are just a few of the products and services the KDA has negotiated in order to offer our members cost savings. The next time you are considering starting or making a change please consider KDA endorsements as an option and get an estimate. You’ll be glad you did! See the list of all KDA and KDA/ADA endorsement below.
by: Kevin J. Robertson, CAE, KDA Executive Director
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Manhattan will be hosting the next KMOM project on January 30-31, 2026 at the National Guard Armory. Planning is getting underway and the first meeting date is set for Tuesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM in the Founders Room at Colbert Hills.
Please join Dr. Jill Ellner in making the next KMOM Manhattan a huge success. No experience is necessary, as it is a lot of gathering up resources. Share this information with your office staff, family, and friends and invite them to become involved too.
Tuesday, June 24 @ 6:00 PM
Founders Room at Colbert Hills
5200 Colbert Hills Drive
Manhattan, KS 66603
(Dinner can be ordered and paid for individually.)
We look forward to seeing you there!
by: Niki Sadler, KDCF Executive Director, KDA Assistant Executive Director
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At the conclusion of the KDA General Assembly meeting on April 4, Dr. Adam Lukens moved up from president-elect to serve as President of the KDA. Dr. Lukens has served as a KDA officer for the past four years and previously served as President of the Wichita District Dental Society in 2017-18.
Dr. Lukens has been a practicing general dentist in Wichita since 2009. In addition to the WDDS and KDA, Dr. Lukens has served on the advisory committee for the WSU College of Health Professions and the alumni board for UMKC School of Dentistry. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Lukens also serves as Major and Chief dental officer for the Medical Group of the 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell AFB, KS.
Other KDA Officers are President-elect, Dr. Kate Stanley (Overland Park), Vice President, Dr. Nathan Niles (Arkansas City), Treasurer, Dr. John Roberts (Wichita), Secretary, Dr. Taylor Merklein (Atchison) and Past President, Dr. Nealy Newkirk (Lawrence). A big “thank you” to Dr. Newkirk for her service as KDA President in 2024-25!
| Left to Right in foreground: Drs. Rob Dakin and Nealy Newkirk | | Drs. Taylor Merklein and Nealy Newkirk | | | Drs. Nathan Niles and Kate Stanley | | |
The KDA is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Nicole Riggs Whitney as the KDA’s New Dentists Trustee for a 2-year term through April 2027. Dr. Whitney was selected from new dentists who applied for the position through KDA’s Membership and New Dentists Committees. These applications were vetted by the Committee’s and then Dr. Whitney was ultimately elected by the KDA Board of Trustee.
Dr. Whitney is a 2024 graduate of UMKC School of Dentistry where she was the class President throughout dental school. She is currently an associate dentist at HT Complete Dentistry in Overland Park.
The New Dentist Trustee position was created in 2023 when the KDA membership amended the KDA bylaws to ensure that the thoughts and ideas of early career dentists were represented on the KDA Board. The KDA New Dentist Trustee also serves as an alternate delegate to the ADA. As defined by the ADA and KDA bylaws, a “New Dentist” is a dentist who has graduated from dental school within the past 10 years.
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We are very pleased to announce our 2025's First place Children's Dental Health Month winner from Cair Paravel Latin School in Topeka, KS! For their creative efforts, Mrs. Darla Hass's 3rd-grade class received a First-Place Award plaque along with a whopping $500 gift card to put toward supplies or an end-of-year classroom party!
The Class Project Contest invites all 3rd grade classes from across the state of Kansas to create a short 30-60second video project highlighting oral health. All submissions then go through a selection process via the KDA's Children's Dental Health Month Council narrowing it down to the top three. These top three videos are then showed at our KDA Annual Meeting where our members vote on their favorite project.
| | The KDA Board of Trustees elected Dr. John Fales to continue as an alternate delegate to the ADA House of Delegates. Dr. Fales will serve in one of the KDA’s unique 2+2 terms which means he will serve the first two years of the 4-year term as an alternate delegate and the final two years as a full delegate to the ADA House of Delegates. The members of the Kansas delegation to the 2025 ADA House of Delegate in October in Washington DC are as follows: | |
ADA Delegates/Alternate Delegates
2025
DELEGATES
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| 2025 KDA Tailgater - KC Chiefs | Join us on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears in this preseason game.
Tailgating (4-6pm) - We will be in the Gold Parking Lot F. We'll have all your tailgating favorites including barbecue, cold beverages, and water.
Seating (7:20pm) - We have a block of tickets at the lower level to enjoy the game. Tickets are $160 per guest which include tailgating with fellow KDA members. Already have your own tickets? You can still join us for tailgating at $45 per guest.
Parking is NOT included in your ticket. | | | | |
The Kansas Legislature concluded its work in late April. KDA successfully fended off SB 31, which would eliminate the 20% rule and we had significant success increasing the Medicaid Reimbursement rates, reimbursement rates for sedation dentistry and funding Donated Dental Services. The KDA had less success moving dental insurance reform legislation forward. The specific bills/issues the KDA worked on are below.
SB 31. Satellite Practices. (OPPOSE) Eliminates the 20% rule and institutes new patient protections to ensure practice owner transparency and accountability. A hearing was held in the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare and a vote was postponed due to lack of support.
Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Increase. (SUPPORT) The KDA is part of a partnership led by Oral Health Kansas to raise Medicaid rates. Also included are small increases in funding for the Donate Dental Services Program and the G0330 hospital dental anesthesia code. The Legislature approved a $4 million increase in state funds ($10 million total) for dental Medicaid reimbursement, $1.9 million for sedation dentistry and an additional $55,000 for the donated dental services program.
SB 182. Dental Loss Ratio. (SUPPORT) Establishes a medical (dental) loss ratio of 85% for dental insurance carriers. This bill was introduced in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance but then referred to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare.
HB 2247. Prior Authorization and Retroactive Denial. (SUPPORT) Requires insurance carriers to honor written prior authorization opinions and restricts retroactive denial of claims already paid. This bill was introduced in the House Committee on Health and Human Services.
HB 2286. Virtual Credit Card “Tweak.” (SUPPORT) Would add a provision to the existing VCC law specifying that a decision by a dentist to receive payment by an alternative method shall remain in force throughout the duration of a contract and extensions. This bill was introduced in the House Committee on Health and Human Services but referred to the House Committee on Insurance.
HB 2247. Insurance Disallows. (SUPPORT) Would prohibit an insurance carrier from “disallowing” a service resulting in denial of payment to a dentist for a service that would otherwise have been covered. This bill was introduced in the House Committee on Health and Human Services.
The KDA and Dr. Beatrice Brittan testified during an informational hearing on community water fluoridation held by the House Committee on Water.
Since May 1, the KDA has worked with the Division on Medicaid on proposed increases to our dental reimbursement rates and has met with our governmental affairs team and key legislators to begin a strategy moving toward success in 2026 including communication to members and legislators.
The KDA also has recently appointed a Task Force to examine the issue of therapy dogs in dental offices. This issue has surfaced because the Kansas Dental Board recently ruled they were not allowed though many dentists in Kansas use them to help alleviate anxiety experienced by their patients.
Finally, the state chose not to fund a feasibility study regarding a possible dental school at Wichita State University. WSU is currently in the process of seeking funds to conduct a study with private dollars.
The KDA Council on Dental Legislation will begin meeting later this summer to begin drafting its recommended legislative agenda for the 2026 Legislative Session. The KDA Board of Trustee must ultimately approve the Council’s recommendations.
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MY DENTAL CARE PASSPORT IMPROVES DENTAL EXPERIENCE
Providing dental care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or autism can be more effective and less stressful when the dental team is equipped with the right information. My Dental Care Passport is a communication tool designed to help patients, caregivers, and dental professionals work together to create a positive and successful dental experience.
What Is My Dental Care Passport?
My Dental Care Passport is a brief, patient-centered form that shares critical insights about a patient’s needs, preferences, mobility, and communication style. It includes details such as:
- How the patient communicates (verbally, nonverbally, assistive devices, etc.)
- Calming strategies that work well
- Sensory sensitivities or triggers
- Medical considerations or behavioral concerns
This tool allows dental teams to proactively prepare and personalize care to support a safer, smoother appointment.
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HOW TO USE THE PASSPORT IN YOUR PRACTICE
Step 1: Encourage Patients/Caregivers to Complete the Passport
Direct patients and caregivers to download the form from the Pathways to Oral Health website. They can complete it digitally or on paper prior to the appointment.
Step 2: Review the Information Before the Visit
Ask that the completed passport be sent in advance or brought to the visit. Reviewing it ahead of time allows your team to:
- Adapt communication strategies
- Modify the clinical environment if needed
- Plan behavioral supports
- Reduce potential stressors for the patient
Step 3: Incorporate the Passport into Your Workflow
Place the Passport in the patient's record or designate a location where it can be easily accessed during the visit. Use it as a quick reference guide throughout the appointment.
Step 4: Update as Needed
Encourage patients and caregivers to update the Passport when behaviors or care needs to change. It can be reused and revised as often as necessary.
Why It Matters
The My Dental Care Passport helps your practice by:
- Improving communication with patients who have complex needs
- Reducing anxiety and increasing cooperation
- Supporting patient safety and comfort
- Demonstrating a commitment to inclusive, patient-centered care
Get Started Today
Download the free My Dental Care Passport at Pathways to Oral Health.
By integrating this simple tool into your practice, you're helping create a more welcoming and effective dental experience for every patient.
by: Kevin J. Robertson, CAE, KDA Executive Director
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| This event is intended for dentists interested in honing their leadership skills and knowledge to become dentistry’s leaders of tomorrow!
The new Leadership Academy will kick off with a retreat on Eureka Lake on Thurs., Sept 11 at 6:00P through around 3:00P on Fri., Sept 12. Throughout this seven-month program, participants will learn about leadership, organized dentistry and issues facing dentistry.
There are no fees to participate in the program; however, some travel expenses may be incurred by the participants. Expense reimbursement will be available if sponsorship allows. | | | | | | |
