IDA Update
 Recap of ADA World Dental Congress

Dr. Chad Gehani, a native of Mumbai, India, was inaugurated as president of the American Dental Association at its annual House of Delegates meeting in San Francisco earlier this month. He and his wife, Rekha, practice is Queens, New York. She is an orthodontist and current chair of the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure.
 
Dr. Daniel Klemmedson of Tucson, Arizona, was elected President-elect, and Dr. Vincent Rapini of St. Louis, Missouri, was Second Vice President in uncontested elections. Dr. Mark Donald of Louisville, Mississippi, was elected Speaker in a six-person race.
 
Indiana’s delegation to the meeting participated in debate on a number of issues, including an increase in funding for state-based advocacy efforts, and a restructuring of the ADA dues structure that will begin in 2020. The House also approved an $11 dues increase that will allow a balanced budget for 2020.
 
Additional information regarding actions of the 2019 ADA House of Delegates may be found online at ADA.org.


Photos: Left, delegates from Indiana and Ohio gather at the ADA House of Delegates in San Francisco. Right, IDA member Dr. Allison Bergdoll as she prepares to address the House.

 Will You Step Up?

Since 2015, the Indiana Mission of Mercy has provided nearly $3 million in care to over 3,000 Hoosiers in need. However, as of today no member has stepped forward to lead the 2021 event.

WILL YOU STEP UP? It's no secret that this event is a considerable time commitment, but the help provided to children and adults in need of dental care is invaluable! Keep these facts in mind when considering a leadership role as Chair of IndianaMoM 2021:

  • You won't go it alone: The IndianaMoM organizing committee has more than 30 members who oversee everything from the hosting facility and equipment rental to volunteer management and pre-event publicity. Many committee members have helped organize all three past events, and their expertise will no doubt make 2021 planning smoother than ever.
  • Co-chairs welcome: Worried about taking on such a large commitment? Invite a fellow dentist to partner with you as Chair. The 2019 IndianaMoM event had Co-Chairs who were able to split duties and share the load.
  • Choose the location and date: The IndianaMoM Chair is free to select the event city of his or her choice! Past events were in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, but we are willing to host the event in other locations in Indiana, even smaller areas.
IDA thanks you for considering a leadership role in this important event. To express interest or to get more information about the Chair position, contact Jay Dziwlik at jay@indental.org .

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Welcome Janelle and Alex!

This month IDA welcomes new staff members Janelle Kramer and Alexandra Sumner.

Janelle is the new professional development assistant and will be overseeing IDA's E-Learning series, continuing education calendars, continuing education programs, as well as providing planning and administrative support. Janelle is a licensed dental assistant and once worked out of the IDA office for Donated Dental Services, so we are delighted to see her return. She can be reached at janelle@indental.org.

Alex is the new director of public affairs. A recent graduate of the IU School of Law, Alex will be overseeing numerous activities related to the law and public affairs, including contract analysis, legal compliance, ISBD rules and statues, the Indiana Dental Practices Act, IDA's Contact Dentist program, and general dental law and state legislative activity. Alex can be reached at alexandra@indental.org.
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Help Re-Elect Dr. Zent

Please join us for a fundraiser for Dr. Denny Zent , who is running for re-election as state representative for Indiana House District 51.


Dr. Zent is is the only dentist serving in the Indiana General Assembly, and we need to keep him there! His dental expertise combined with political savvy keeps the interest of Indiana's dentists at the forefront of our state's legislature.

EVENT DETAILS
Friday October 4 | 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Sigma Theta Tau Building (located on the IUPUI campus)
500 West North Street, Indianapolis


Click here to RSVP, or or email Laurie Campbell .
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Legislative Affairs Updates

Volunteers Needed: Be a Contact Dentist

It's important for Indiana's legislators to have a personal contact among IDA's member dentists. If you would like to volunteer as a contact dentist for your state legislator, please let us know. We need your help to give dentistry a voice at the state capitol. To find your state legislators, visit the state's Find a Legislator web page. 

You can sign up as a Contact Dentist page by visiting our website or emailing IDA Director of Government Affairs Ed Popcheff at ed@indental.org.


 Interim Study Committees Now Meeting

In preparation for the 2020 Legislative Session, interim study committees have begun meeting. The Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services has met twice. The first meeting focused on factors contributing to increased health care costs. The day-long meeting featured presentations from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Indiana Hospital and Health Association, Eli Lilly & Company, the Bowen Institute on Healthcare Workforce, and others.

Prescription drug management was the topic of the second meeting. The committee is exploring health care costs as an assignment of the Indiana Legislative Council, the non-partisan administrative arm of the Indiana General Assembly. 

Welcome State Senator Stacey Donato, who replaces retiring Senator Randy Head. She was selected in an election by Senate District 18 Republican Precinct Committee Chairs. If you know Senator Donato, please contact IDA Director of Government Affairs Ed Popcheff at ed@indental.org.
IDA Remembers Dr. Dave Holwager

IDA is saddened to announce the death of Dr. Dave Holwager, our former president and a faithful IDA member and volunteer since 1982.

Dedicated to organized dentistry to the very end, Dr. Holwager passed away in his sleep in San Francisco while attending the ADA World Congress as Indiana’s delegation secretary.

Dr. Holwager was one of the IDA’s most enthusiastic and intrepid supporters, having volunteered on committees and for activities too numerous to count. His most notable leadership positions were president of the IDA in 2005-06, member of the ADA Delegation since 2000, co-chair of IDPAC, member of the MEWA Trust board and the Eastern District Dental Society trustee since 1999. Dr. Holwager operated a solo practice in Cambridge City and was involved in numerous civic activities in Wayne County.

We pass our deepest condolences to Dr. Holwager’s wife, Elaine, and their two daughters Mary Jean and Andrea.
IDA Partners With IMPD

Detectives from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Missing Persons Section recently approached IDA to enlist the help of our members, where appropriate, in open criminal cases involving missing persons.

The detectives anticipate that some cases will involve sharing x-rays or discovered sets of teeth, while others may involve an attempt to find any dentist who once treated a known missing person in order to match that person's dental records with discovered remains.

IDA will pass along information about cases to relevant component members, and any member who is able to help can contact IMPD directly. Most cases will be from Indianapolis and the surrounding area, but IMPD anticipates that other areas of the state may also have occasional criminal investigation cases that require the assistance of dentists.

IMPD greatly appreciates the cooperation and professional assistance from any member who can help bring closure to grieving families.
Do You Have the CDT Codes App?

Have the CDT codes accessible whenever you need them with the ADA's award-winning CDT Code Check app. This handy, searchable app contains the most up-to-date CDT Codes, including 15 new procedure codes and 5 revised procedure codes. CDT Codes clearly document a service to a patient and consider the latest clinical advances, making for easier coding and faster reimbursement. The app includes both the 2019 and 2018 CDT Code sets, with complete descriptors.

Cost of the app is $19.95 for members, $29.95 for all others.

Watch Your Email for Member Survey

Within the next few weeks you will be receiving a Member Value Survey. Please take the time to complete this brief survey so that we can evaluate members' thoughts on everything from IDA services and benefits to local component events. We appreciate and value your input!