HCDA Website:  www.hcdafla.com | P.O. Box 202, Brandon, FL 33509 | P: (813) 447-3452 | E: hcda@hcdafla.com

RSVP for the March Membership Meeting

Lecture Title: New “big hitters” in MRONJ – An update, 1 CE Credit

The lecture will present new information and understanding of newer anti-resorptive medications increasingly being used for treatment of osteoporosis and for prevention of skeletal related events such as metastasis in certain malignancies. These medications are increasingly associated with causing osteonecrosis of the jaws. The biological and pharmacological differences of these newer drugs like denosumab, avastin, etc will be compared and contrasted with bisphosphonates. Today’s dentist and oral health care provider should be aware of these newer medications and adjust or alter dental treatment based on new information.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
• Recognize and understand the newer anti-resorptive medications
• Understand the implications of these drugs in dental practices.
• Understand the underlying pathogenesis, signs and symptoms of osteonecrosis. 
• Recognize the differences these drugs have from bisphosphonates.
• Understand what modifications in dental treatment planning may be required when presented with patients taking newer antiresorptive medications.  

Dr. Neel Bhattacharyya received his dental degree from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and oral and maxillofacial pathology training with a Master’s degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. He is currently, a tenured Full Professor and the Director of the Division and Laboratory of Oral Pathology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He serves as a Commissioner on the ADA’s CODA Board of Commissioners. He has been at UF for over 20 years and has won numerous teaching awards throughout his career. He is actively involved in a clinical oral pathology practice and biopsy service which he has been instrumental in building into one of the largest oral pathology biopsy services in the nation. Currently the UF Oral Pathology biopsy service accessions over 15000 biopsy specimens. He has authored or co-authored more than 170 refereed papers and book chapters covering a diverse range of topics addressing both clinical and microscopic aspects of oral and maxillofacial pathology and oral biology. He is one of the contributors to the very popular FDA Today Case of the month for the last two decades. He is also actively involved in several funded research projects studying medication induced osteonecrosis of jaws, molecular and clinical aspects of various oral and jaw lesions, polymicrobial periodontal disease and its association with systemic diseases and Sjogren’s syndrome. He has lectured extensively at various regional, national and international meetings

2023 Meeting Schedule

Joint Social with PCDA, RSVP Below!

Meet Up with Colleagues

Members of the Hillsborough County Dental Association (HCDA) and the Pinellas County Dental Association (PCDA) are getting together for some fun! Join us for a social with light appetizers.

April 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm

THE PUB

2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607

Let us know you are coming so we can make sure the restaurant is prepared for us! You can call (813) 447-3452 or click the button below.

Training Course

Florida's Legislative Session is Open

Advocate for Dentistry at Dentists' Day on the Hill

All Floridians deserve the “Freedom to Smile!” It shouldn’t matter where you live or how much money you make, everyone deserves to receive quality dental care from a licensed dentist. As an FDA member, you can help ensure this by coming to Tallahassee to advocate for the FDA’s legislative priorities.

During the 2023 Dentists’ Day on the Hill (DDOH) on Tuesday, March 28, FDA members, along with spouses and dental students, will meet with legislators and advocate for policies that will help better the oral health of patients in the state.

Register today to keep a healthy smile on all Floridians’ faces!

A legislative briefing will take place on Monday, March 27, at 6 p.m. at Hotel Duval with a complimentary buffet dinner to follow. If you plan on attending the briefing and dinner, please add both items during your registration.

The FDA has a room block at Hotel Duval for $209 a night. To book your room, please call 850.224.6000 and reference “Florida Dentists’ Day on the Hill” or click here. Rooms for this event fill up quickly so reserve your room today!

Please note: Room reservations should only be made for yourself/parties staying in the same room. Multiple rooms reserved under one name for any affiliate or district may be subject to cancellation by the FDA. Thank you for your cooperation.

Grant Money Available for First-Time Attendee

The Dan Bertoch Memorial Grant provides funding for a first-time attendee(s) to Dentists’ Day on the Hill in Tallahassee. The grant can be used towards transportation to and from Tallahassee and accommodations at the host hotel. To learn more email: lissette@wcdental.org.

FDA PURSUES DENTAL INSURANCE REFORMS AND OTHER PRIORITIES

Joe Anne Hart, FDA Chief Legislative Officer

After the triumph ballot initiative approved in Massachusetts to implement a medical loss ratio for dental plans, many state dental associations have jumped at the chance to make similar changes to their state dental insurance policies. The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is no exception and is looking at opportunities to address reforms to dental insurance plans that impact patient benefits.

During the 2023 Legislative Session, the FDA will pursue legislation to address prior authorization retractions and virtual credit card transaction fees. Dental offices routinely follow standard protocols of getting prior authorization for treatment plans for their patients through their dental insurance before providing services. Unfortunately, an emerging trend among payers has been to deny a claim for a service that was initially authorized by the dental plan. Patients and dentists rely upon this promise to pay and are caught off-guard when payment is then denied. When the promise to pay is denied or altered after care is delivered, patients and dentists are left in an unexpected financial bind. The FDA will pursue legislation to remedy this unfair practice. Additionally, many dental insurance plans are paying claims through electronic payments or virtual credit cards. The problem with this method of payment is there is a fee associated with each transaction that is ultimately borne by the dentist, who is already accepting fees lower than their usual and customary fees. Dentists should not be forced to accept payments through virtual credit cards and then be charged to receive that payment. The FDA is seeking legislation to provide more transparency that will make it less cumbersome for dentists to continue receiving their payments by paper check or direct deposit.

The FDA will continue to pursue funding for the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program and the Donated Dental Services Program, as well as funding for community water fluoridation. Additionally, the FDA will seek support to create a Veterans Dental Care Grant Program within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Veterans are not able to obtain dental care once they leave active duty unless they are permanently disabled or have a direct service-connected injury impacting their oral health. Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) has filed SB 366 to establish a Veterans Dental Care Grant Program for nonprofit organizations that have experience providing dental care to veterans.

Additionally, the FDA supports SB 356 by Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and HB 503 by Rep. Kim Berfield (R-Clearwater) that will address issues dealing with teledentistry and mail-order aligners. The legislation clarifies that information on the dentist providing teledentisry is required to be provided to the patient, as well as clarifies that the dentist of record (during teledentistry treatment) remain the primary dentist responsible for the patient’s dental condition throughout the course of treatment. Furthermore, the legislation will direct disciplinary actions for failure of performing an in-person examination for such services.

The FDA will be busy monitoring many bills filed this session and evaluating the potential impact on the dental profession. As proposals are filed and considered, the FDA will provide weekly updates during session. For a full list of the FDA’s legislative issues this year, click here.

Please note: You must be logged in to view this webpage.

Good To Know

Time to Renew Annual Membership Dues

ADA, FDA, & WCDDA

THANK YOU to our members who have already renewed your Florida Dental Association (FDA) membership. If renewing is still on your to-do list, here are your renewal options:

• Online: Pay in full or to choose from one of our many payment plan options including AUTO-RENEW at floridadental.org/dues.
• Mail: Send in your dues statement indicating payment type to: Florida Dental Association, 545 John Knox Rd, Ste. 200, Tallahassee, FL 32303
• Phone: Speak to one of our friendly Member Relations team members by calling 850.681.3629. Thank you for your support this year! We look forward to serving you and your team in 2023!

ADA, FDA & WCDDA Events

Classifieds

Click on image to enlarge

Resident looking for position:

"Hello, I am writing to introduce myself to you and your practice. My name is Krystal Gage, and I am a third-year resident at the University of Florida. After completing my residency in May 2023, I would like to find a practice opportunity that will align with my values. Along with the attached resume, I hope this letter will give you a picture of who I am as an individual and my background." Read full resume here.