President's Message
Welcome back to all of our members!
It feels like yesterday that I was asked to be a part of the executive board and attended my first meeting at Dr. Menendez's office. I am grateful to have this opportunity to be involved with organized dentistry and see the value it provides us. The board meets about 6-7 times per year and meetings last approximately 2 hours. If you are interested in being a part of the executive board please reach out to one of us.
The board has been working hard to implement new ideas and provide more value for your membership. We are pleased to announce a great line up of speakers this year. Our kick off meeting, including staff members, will be a full day presentation by Dr. Michael Scherer on one of the hottest topics in dentistry today, Intraoral scanning and in office 3D printing. As dentistry moves from conventional techniques to digital platforms we must keep up with the technology or get left behind. I am confident that Michael will answer many questions you have about this technology. If you are unable to attend send your staff to take notes!
I look forward to seeing everyone this year and as Dr. John Kois would say "None of us is smarter than all of us".
Warmest regards,
Emanuel Kontos
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UPCDA CE Meeting
Friday, September 30th
Speaker: Dr. Michael Scherer
Seminar: Incorporating Intraoral Scanning and 3D Printing Into Everyday Clinical Practice: Making Life Simpler, Faster, and More Profitable , 8
CEUs
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Course Description:
Participants will attend an 8 hour, full-day hands-on workshop which encompasses intraoral optical scanning combined with CBCT and utilizing digital images for prosthetic and surgical execution. This course aims to describe the background, theory, and procedures related to intraoral optical image production and generating open stereolithography files to utilize in image fusion on cone-beam CT radiographs to enhance visualization and assist in implant treatment planning and fabricating surgical guides. Additionally, topics related to utilizing the optical images with open-source software to manipulate models, generate prosthetic restorations, and various other innovative uses for intraoral scanning with an emphasis on occlusion and functional design.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand principles, theory, and procedures of intraoral optical
scanning technology.
2. Exposure to information related to image manipulation and
stereolithography.
3. Acquire knowledge and confidence in utilizing optical images to join
restorative images on cone-beam CT scans.
4. Exposure to utilizing digital software to manipulate optical images,
prosthetic design, and additive manufacturing technology.
About the Speaker
Dr. Michael Scherer is an Assistant Clinical
 Professor at Loma Linda University, a Clinical Instructor at University of Nevada - Las Vegas, and maintains a practice limited to prosthodontics and implant dentistry in Sonora, California. He is a fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, has published articles related to implant dentistry, clinical prosthodontics, and digital technology with a special emphasis on implant overdentures. As an avid technology & computer hobbyist, Dr. Scherer's involvement in digital implant dentistry has led him to develop and utilize new technology with CAD/CAM surgical systems, implement interactive CBCT implant planning, and outside of the box radiographic imaging concepts. Dr. Scherer also maintains four YouTube channels: "LearnLOCATOR", "LearnLODI", "LearnSATURNO", and "The 3D Dentist"- popular YouTube channels on standard and narrow diameter dental implant procedures and digital dentistry.
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Stars, Stripes, and Smiles - Dental Care for Veterans Provided at No Cost to our Nation's Heroes
Join West Pasco colleagues on October 28th, to serve the military veterans who have served our nation. WPDA dentists along with the office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis are returning to the PHSC dental clinic where 70 military veterans, who were truly in need, received over $30,000 in dental care last year at no expense to the veterans. Please find more information at www.USAVeteranSmiles.org or contact
Dr. Zack Kalarickal @ 813-713-2456.
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Many provisions of the rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act went into effect July 18 and others take effect October 16. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights has said that it will not delay enforcement of the final rule. You can read more about their decision in ADA News.
If you are covered under this rule, you will need to prepare today. One step to take is to watch Understanding Section 1557, which featured top takeaways about the rule, along with questions from your fellow members. And don't forget the ADA has prepared a number of resources, including FAQs and a checklist, for members affected by this rule.
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HIPAA Audit: A Nine Step Checklist
Here are nine tips to help you prepare now in case your dental practice is chosen for a HIPAA audit.
True, not every dental practice will get audited, but if your practice is covered by HIPAA you should take these steps anyway. They can help you make sure your HIPAA compliance program is in good shape. Remember, if someone submits a complaint to the government about your HIPAA practices, or if you have a reportable breach, OCR may respond with a compliance review or investigation.
Are these nine tips everything you need to do to get your HIPAA compliance up to speed? Well, no. But it's a pretty good start.
1. Watch For an Email From OCR
The Office for Civil Rights ("OCR") is using these email addresses to contact entities that might be audited:
Watch for these addresses, and if you get one of these emails, send a timely and accurate response. Check your spam filter to make sure a message from OCR hasn't been overlooked.
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| ADA Member Benefit
The ADA Center for Professional Success is available to you. This member only resource is designed to help you manage your career, expand your knowledge and balance your life. This site is divided into three main areas; practice, learn and live. Visit www.success.ada.org/en/ to learn more.
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Volunteers Needed - Support our Local Clinics
You can make a difference by volunteering your time.
Community Dental Clinic
We are blessed in our area to have many options to give back to our community through volunteering our skills as dentists. A brand new venue is opening in northern Pinellas County. The name is Community Dental Clinic and is located in Clearwater. Volunteer dentists and hygienists are needed to work 4 hour shifts starting on Fridays (expanding to other days soon). Opening day is Friday, September 20th. If you would like to volunteer for any upcoming days please contact the Director, Cheryl Small, at 727-418-0535.
Gulf Coast Dental Outreach
Volunteer by contact Dr. Robert Ettleman
rob@gulfcoastdentaloutreach.org or Executive Director Mr. Harry Gross harry@gulfcoastdentaloutreach.org. From the web www.gulfcoastdentaloutreach.org click on "our role" radio button or simply call 813-579-3935 ext 101 or ext 105
Homeless Emergency Project
Volunteer information:
The "on site" person handling paperwork is:
Margaret Lett
Phone number - 727-442-9041 ext. 107
Email: mlett@ethep.org.
For information regarding the clinical service aspect - contact: Dr. Patrick Lepeak. Cell # 727-424-3559. All phases of dentistry are needed and appreciated. An active Florida dental license is required. Hygienist services are also very much needed.
Healthy Teeth Clinic, Department of Health, Largo
Dentist Volunteers Needed! Want to be part of something great that will really make a difference? Volunteer your time and talents to the Healthy Teeth Clinic. Work with awesome assistants and grateful patients in a beautiful office. We work hard to make sure you have a great experience. Tell us the hours and dates that will work for you and the services you're happy to provide and we will take care of the rest. Call or E-Mail Christina Vongsyprasom at 727-824-6966 and Christina_Vongsyprasom@doh.state.fl.us for more information or to set up a volunteer date.
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| Mark Your Calendar
UPCDA Meetings
2016
September 30th - Dr. Michael Scherer, Incorporating Intraoral Scanning and 3D Printing Into Everyday Clinical Practice
East Lake Woodlands Country Club
October 19th - Mr. Stephen Mueller, Network Security and HIPAA Compliance
Bon Appetit, Dunedin
November 16th
Dr. Michael Pikos Guided Immediate Full Arch Reconstruction: 2016
Joint meeting with Pinellas
St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater
2017
January 18th - Dr. David Griggs, Practice Transitions
Belleair Country Club
March 16th - Dr. Mark Obman Treatment Planning and Peer Review - East Lake Woodlands Country Club
April 19th - Speaker TBD, Staff welcome
Bon Appétit
Other Important Dates
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February 3, 2017
WCDDA Annual Meeting
CAMLS, Tampa
Drs. John Burgess and John Kalmar
Registration is open
Click here for details
March 24-25, 2017
FDA Mission of Mercy
Pensacola, FL
April 3-4, 2017
FDA Dentists' Day on The Hill
June 22-24, 2017
FDA's Dental Convention
Gaylord Palms, Orlando
August 4-6, 2017
WCDDA Summer Meeting
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
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WELCOME NEW UPCDA MEMBERS
Carol Bou-Sliman, DMD
Palm Harbor
Welcome Back
Stacey Verkler, DMD
Palm Harbor
Invite your non member colleague to a UPCDA meeting at no cost. Contact UPCDA (727) 449-1232.
UPCDA Membership Application
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TRACK YOUR PRO BONO SERVICE AND REDUCED FEE SERVICES
click here It is important to track and report your pro bono services in order to provide financial and statistical information to state and national legislators.
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Reminder
Dues are due!
If you have not paid your dues or have not seen an invoice please contact UPCDA
(727) 449-1232
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Clearwater Fluoride Update - A message from Dr. Johnny Johnson
The party went off as planned. Regardless of the weather city council members met last week.
They voted 4-1 to award a contract to the designer of the fluoridation systems that they need. It will still be about 1 1/2 years before they're operational. I advised the city council last night that they should advise their residents to drink fluoridated bottled water until the fluoridation is up and running. Several bottled water manufacturers have water available with added fluoride. Some have had 5 gallon bottles for the machines that hold them with added fluoride in the past.
I also advised that fluoride supplements not be prescribed as the fluoride levels around the town vary from nothing to a little to optimal (down by Dunedin). Clearwater colleagues advise your patients to drink fluoridated water.
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UPCDA
Executive Board
Dr. Emanuel Kontos
President
Dr. George Kostakis
President-Elect
Dr. James Doerner
Vice President and Program Chairman
Dr. Jeremy Albert
Secretary
Dr. Jose Lazaro
Council At-Large
Dr. Kristin Burch
Treasurer
Delegates
Dr. Kristen Burch
Dr. James Carazola
Dr. Oscar Menendez
Alternate Delegates
Dr. John Bindeman
Dr. William Kochenour
Dr. George Kostakis
Peer Review Chairman
Dr. Mark Obman
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