President's Message
Hello Dentist Colleagues,
Welcome to October, when the humidity in Florida begins to dry up. We also noted that October is the month of missing anterior teeth (Jack-O-Lanterns).
The UPCDA wants to thank our new members and guests that attended our September meeting including Dr. Ken Anderson, Dr. Manik Bedi, Dr. Jessica Kroll, Dr. Larisa Kushnit, Dr. Lindsey Pikos-Rosati, and Dr. Shaun Young. We hope to see you return or join the UPCDA very soon.
Thanks go out also to September vendors who helped sponsor the meeting, Kettenbach (Jay Ross), Tailored Financial Strategies (Kennie Taylor) and Southern Refining (Alan Katz). Let's invite additional vendors to continue supporting the meetings, the fee is $350 and the representatives can promote their products and services during our social hour from 6 to 7pm.
Our guest speaker, Dr. Matt Waite gave a sparkling presentation on PAOO, Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics. This procedure is a wonderful option when, due to skeletal imbalances, orthodontics alone cannot achieve ideal esthetics and occlusion. Dr. Waite also explained traditional periodontal surgeries, such as soft tissue grafting. This very informative presentation was enjoyed by everyone.
This month, on October 25th, Mariel Kagan will present on Prevention of Dental Errors and Dr. Mark Obman will give an update about Peer Review at the Countryside Country Club. Remember that biennium CE credits are due by February 28, 2018, so please take this opportunity to complete this mandatory requirement.
On November 8th is our annual joint meeting with our colleagues from Pinellas County at Belleair Country Club and the speaker will be Dr. Ross Enfinger discussing Dentistry's Digital Revolution. Then on December 9th we will return to Bellini's Restaurant on Gulf-to-Bay in Clearwater for a fun holiday social. Bring your spouse/guest to share appetizers, holiday spirits and to mingle with your UPCDA friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
Please keep in mind to volunteer at our outreach clinics. We are trained to return damaged mouths to excellent health, and we can really impact the needy. On October 25th I will introduce representatives from Gulf Coast Outreach, Community Dental Clinic, and Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP). By Volunteering, you can take away someone's oral pain and restore comfort.
Sincerely,
George Kostakis, DDS
President
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UPCDA CE Meeting
Wednesday, October 25th
Speakers: Mariel Kagan, RN and Dr. Mark Obman
Seminar: Prevention in Dental Errors and Peer Review, 2CEUs
Time: 6:00pm Social, 7:00pm Lecture
Sponsors: Henry Schein Practice Transitions, Kettenbach, Tailored Financial Strategies of Raymond James and The Doctors Co.
RSVP By October 20th : Please call 727-449-1232 or email [email protected]
, be sure to include your meal selection (Prime rib,
Chicken or Veggie). Those that do not specify meal will receive chicken.
Prevention in Dental Errors and Peer Review Update
Few medical errors are attributed to faulty medical judgment; the majority are attributed to system failures inherent in health care delivery. By analyzing our professional liability closed-claim data, we have identified common performance and diagnostic errors - wrong-site surgery, delay in diagnosis of surgical complications, cancer, neurological conditions, acute abdomen cases, the diagnosis of pregnancy-related conditions and medication errors - that will serve as the focal point of this risk management course. This course satisfies the Florida Board of Dentistry ruling for medical error.
Learn what to do and how to handle an unsatisfied patient from our experienced Peer Review Chairman. Dr. Obman can answer your questions pertaining to the Peer Review process and provide resources.
About the Speakers
Mariel Kagan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Niagara University, a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Buffalo, and her Juris Doctorate (JD) from the University of Buffalo Law School. Ms. Kagan holds certifications in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC), a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), and she is a Licensed Healthcare Risk Manager (LHRM). She is an experienced Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, Risk and Compliance Officer, and has established legal, risk and compliance programs across the nation.
Dr. Obman is originally from Connecticut, but Florida has been his home for over 20 years.
After completing his undergraduate education , he was commissioned in the United States Army and served in the reserves while attending dental school.
Dr. Obman graduated from the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska. He then completed a residency in advanced dental education with the University of Florida, and since matriculating from his program in 1996 he has been in private practice. He has made continuing education a priority throughout his career; completing courses at the Dawson Academy for Advanced Dental Study, The Pankey Institute, The Seattle Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and the Misch Implant Institute.
He also served on the executive board for the Upper Pinellas County Dental Association from 2001 to the 2008. He is a past president of the UPCDA, and for the last six years he has been the chairman for the UPCDA Peer Review Committee.
While a resident with the University of Florida he was fortunate to meet his wife of seventeen years. Amy has been the foundation of his accomplishments, successes, and professional attributes. They have two beautiful daughters and currently reside in Tarpon Springs. When not in the practice, spending quality time with family is a priority.
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Is Your UPCDA Dental Office Listed? 
The Upper Pinellas County Dental Association's website has been updated to feature its members in a "find a dentist" tool.
A member advertising campaign will launched August 1st, which promotes UPCDA member dentists to the public through internet marketing and social media. Please make sure your practice and contact information on the website is correct www.upcda.org. Email your practice website
address, a 375 x 375 pixel profile picture and any corrections
to [email protected].
All members will be listed unless you choose to opt out. UPCDA 2017-2018 must be current in order to be included. If you have any questions feel free to contact UPCDA at 727-449-1232 or [email protected].
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WHAT IS A DENTAL THERAPIST AND  WHY FLORIDA?
A dental therapist is a mid-level provider that is being promoted as a way to increase access to dental care. It also is being advertised as a means for dentists to "generate higher revenue" by paying dental therapists lower salaries and delegating routine procedures.
The FDA is not supportive of creating a new licensed provider or dental therapists in Florida. What is the rationale for adding another layer of bureaucracy to a health care system that is already costly due to multiple layers of rules and regulations that ultimately impede access to care? There are groups outside of Florida and individuals who have announced that they are building coalition groups, hiring public relation firms and consultants to bring dental therapists to Florida. This is alarming. Resources by these groups that could be used to help promote initiatives that are proven effective in Florida, will instead be used to force a model that is not supported by organized dentistry.
Why has Florida become the target to add dental therapists? Does Florida have a shortage of dentists? No, Florida does not have a shortage of dentists. The Department of Health (DOH) provides a dental workforce survey that is completed by dentists during licensure renewal that clearly shows that Florida does not have a shortage, but instead has a maldistribution of dentists around the state. So, why not support an initiative to help incentivize dentists to go to these underserved areas? Good question. The FDA supports creating a dental student loan repayment program that will incentivize dentists to practice full-time as Medicaid providers in underserved areas and in return get assistance in repaying their student loan. These are trained individuals who will be skilled in assessing the comprehensive health care of their patients, not just trained to do a few procedures - which would include performing tooth extractions.
There is also a false equation of dental therapists to nurse practitioners. This is not comparing apples to apples. Nurse practitioners have a substantial amount of training and experience than what is required of dental therapists, but they are not authorized to perform surgeries like physicians. Dental therapists are seeking authority to perform surgery without being a dentist.
Please be on the lookout for additional information as it becomes available.
We want to hear from you. What do you think about this new licensed dental provider and what are your concerns about this threat to Florida? Provide your input to the FDA by email [email protected] or email Lissette at [email protected].
This article first appeared in LCD Exchange, August 2017
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Volunteers Needed - Support our Local Clinics
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). If you would like to volunteer for any upcoming days please contact the Director, Allison Sapiega at 727-216-6155 or email [email protected]
Gulf Coast Dental Outreach
Homeless Empowerment Program
Volunteer information: The "on site" person handling paperwork is: Teresa White, phone number - 727-442-9041 ext. 134, email [email protected].
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 [email protected]
for more information or to set up a volunteer date.
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| Mark Your Calendar
UPCDA Meetings
2017
October 25th - Mariel Kagan, Prevention of Dental Errors & Peer Review Update
Countryside Country Club
November 8th - Dr. Ross Enfinger, Dentistry's Digital Revolution - Joint meeting with Pinellas, Belleair Country Club
2018
January 17th - Dr. Mark Davis, Lessons Learned in 45 years of Dental Practice - The Most Important Things!
Belleair Country Club
February 23rd - Conrad Rensburg, The Changing World of Implant Dentistry: The Latest Patient-specific Overdenture Solutions
Countryside Country Club
April 18th - Dr. DeWitt Wilkerson, Personal Health and Nutrition for Dental Patients - Staff Welcome
Bon Appétit Restaurant, Dunedin
Other Important Dates
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February 2, 2018
WCDDA Annual Meeting
CAMLS, Tampa
Dr. Stanley Malamed, 10 Minutes to Save a Life: Emergency Medicine in Dentistry
Larry Guzzardo, Now What Do I Say? & Unravel the Mystery of Treatment Acceptance: A Dental Team's Guide
Registration is open
Click here for details
February 6, 2018
FDA Dentists' Day on The Hill
March 9-10, 2018
FDA Mission of Mercy
Fort Myers, FL
April 21-28, 2018
WCDDA President's Trip
Scotland -
click here for more info
June 21-23, 2018
FDA's Dental Convention
Gaylord Palms, Orlando
July 20-22, 2018
WCDDA Summer Meeting
JW Marriott Marco Island
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WELCOME NEW UPCDA MEMBERS
Invite your non member colleague to a UPCDA meeting at no cost. Contact UPCDA (727) 449-1232.
UPCDA Membership Application
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Reminder
Dues are due!
Your information will be removed from UPCDA Find a Dentist if not paid by October 31st.
If you have not seen an invoice please contact UPCDA
(727) 449-1232
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Your Dental Association Success
We are proud to share the Florida Dental Association's (FDA) new membership video, which celebrates the recent successes and growth of the FDA and organized dentistry in Florida. From championing policy that supports your profession and ability to serve patients to building public awareness of the FDA and the importance of oral health and preventive care, your passion and support have helped make a significant impact in improving oral health in our state.
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UPCDA
Executive Board
Dr. George Kostakis
President
Dr. James Doerner
President-Elect
Dr. Jeremy Albert
1st Vice President &
Program Chairman
Dr. Jose Lazaro
Secretary
Dr. Philip Hedger
Council At-Large &
Membership Chairman
Dr. Kristin Burch
Treasurer
Delegates
Dr. Kristen Burch
Dr. James Carazola
Dr. Oscar Menendez
Alternate Delegates
Dr. William Kochenour
Peer Review Chairman
Dr. Mark Obman
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