Maybe you'd like to learn more about the heritage of your profession by visiting The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, Maryland. 

 

This Smithsonian affiliate museum opened in 1996 and is located on the site of the University of Maryland’s first Dental Infirmary and Laboratory Building, which used to be part of the dental department in the school of medicine. It features an impressive collection of  exhibits and artifacts including more than 40,000 dental instruments! There are also displays about the history and evolution of dentistry and reactionary care versus preventative care.

 

The most prominent artifact on exhibit is an actual set of George Washington’s dentures! And they are not made out of wood, as countless teachers have taught us. Composed of sculpted bone and hinged wire, they were so uncomfortable, Washington had to have new sets made often. 

 

 

 

 

Join dentists from across the state in Olympia to meet with your legislators advocate for issues affecting the dental profession. One profession, one voice!

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DAD

The SmileMobile is in Spokane all week! Stop by and see it in action or learn about volunteer opportunities. 

 

 

3 Dental Benefit Trends You Should Know

 

1: Some payers have extended the time limit for fillings from two to five years. Notably, Delta Dental of Colorado, for a specific employer group, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental program for federal employees have implemented this change. While dentists have been accustomed to the standard warranty periods of 24 months for fillings and 60 months for crowns, they now face the challenge of dealing with longer periods stipulated by insurance companies to mitigate their liability.

 

2: Another emerging trend concerns adjustments in the payment of out-of-network claims. Aetna has revised its fee determination process, resulting in reduced reimbursements for dentists outside of the network. Starting January 1, Aetna's fees are now based on the average payments insurers make for services in a dentist's local area, rather than the average charges reported by Fair Health, a nonprofit organization with a vast database of over 46 billion health care claim records used to estimate average billing and allowed amounts nationwide.

 

3: The next trend revolves around network leasing arrangements. MetLife and Guardian will commence leasing their networks to each other from June 1 onwards. Providers under MetLife and Guardian can choose to opt out of this arrangement by following instructions provided in communications from the companies. The ADA, in collaboration with state dental associations, has aided in the enactment of PPO leasing laws in 30 states. Furthermore, the ADA has cooperated with the National Council of Insurance Legislators to develop model legislation that states can utilize to create their own bills. NCOIL has endorsed the Transparency in Dental Benefits Contracting Model Act, which is designed to enhance transparency in the dental insurance sector, including provisions for network leasing, virtual credit cards, and prior authorizations.

 

For full atricle including ADA toolkits and other resources for insurance concerns CLICK HERE

New Law Requires Healthcare Providers to Respond to Patients' Record Requests 

 

As of June 6, 2024, healthcare providers must provide certification of a serious health condition, to any patient who requests such certification within seven calendar days of receiving said request. Such certification is required to qualify a patient for Paid Family Medical Leave benefits under Chapter 50A.15 RCW.

 

READ MORE HERE