On The Road AgainBy Thomas C. Harrison, DDS, TDA President, 2006–2007

The summer of 2006 is almost past, although some parts of the state will feel like it is summer until way past the beginning of football season. Ionly mention that in recognition of the changing of the seasons and what lies ahead for the Texas Dental Association (TDA). Many of ourcolleagues have been spending the past few weeks trying to find Prometric sites available for their dental assistants to take their tests in

Jurisprudence, Infection Control, and/or Radiology. It seems quite a few folks (dental assistants, mostly) have been “on the road again” trying tocomplete their certification exams from Prometric before August 21, when Prometric will no longer offer those exams.

DENTAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATIONThe good news is that dental assistants who obtained a Radiology certificate before September 1, 2004 and are required to obtain a new certificate

have until September 1, 2007 to obtain the new certificate. Now that the Prometric exams are no longer available, those dental assistants — and other assistants who have not beencertified previously — will use the new “course and exam” certification process. The new certification process will be available through certain dental schools, dental hygiene and dentalassistant programs, and professional organizations such as your Texas Dental Association. In fact, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) recently approved the “TDADental Assistant Registration Course,” a 1-day (8 hour) certification course that will be available through your local district dental society.

To the extent that there’s any bad news, it’s that dental assistants who didn’t successfully complete the Prometric process by August 31 don’t get partial credit. That is, under the newcertification process, they’ll have to complete a course and exam just like those applicants who didn’t take any Prometric exams. Those assistants shouldn’t worry, however, because I thinkthey’ll find that the new TDA certification course is easier and less expensive than the old certification process. If you have any questions about the certification process or the new TDAcourse and exam, please contact Jay Bond (jbond@tda.org) or Diane Rhodes (drhodes@tda.org) at the TDA central office in Austin, (512) 443-3675.

As for me, I have been busy. On Wednesday, August 9, I went to San Antonio where ADA 15th district trustee Dr. John Findley and I met with Dr. Kenneth Kalkwarf, dean of theUTHSC at San Antonio Dental School and current president of the American Dental Educators Association. We talked about state and national issues regarding workforce models anddental assistant testing.

On Thursday, August 10, Dr. Findley and I were joined by ADA president-elect Dr. Kathy Roth and ADA director Dr. John Luther to fly from San Antonio to Harlingen. Wecrossed the border to observe first-hand the large numbers of people purchasing “low-cost dental services” in Mexico. We wanted our national leaders to observe the lack of infectioncontrol protocol and to hear first-hand from our TDA dentists in the Valley about the amount of follow-up repair work often required by American dentists.

On Friday, August 11, I attended the 10th Annual Dentists Who Care Conference on South Padre Island. The conference was well attended. Master of ceremonies Dr. DavidWoolweaver welcomed 25 dignitaries, including the president and president-elect of the American Academy of General Dentistry.

On Saturday, August 12, I attended this year’s kick-off meeting of the Central Texas (11th) District Dental Society held at Belton Lake. Dr. Barbara Sias-Chinn, president, was awonderful host. The meeting was well attended and the barbecue was great! I look forward to meeting more of our dedicated TDA member dentists as I crisscross Texas between now andMay, 2007. ★

A publication of the Texas Dental Association

August 2006 • Volume 7, Issue 8www.tda.orgTDA

T o d a y

Information in the August Directory isalso available online! To find contactinformation for the TDA Board of Directors,staff, councils and committees, Affiliates,Allied Groups, and ADA 15th Trustee District,log in at www.tda.org and click on “Contacts”to the left of the screen.

To search for a TDA member, click on“Directory” to the left of the screen. You cansearch for TDA members by name, address,city, zip, or specialty.

This feature is also available on the publicside of TDA’s website. The “Find a Dentist”search function allows members of the publicto search for a TDA member dentist by name,address, city, zip, or specialty.

Component Society information can befound by clicking on “Components” to the leftof the screen. Each component society has webpages that include a calendar of events, list ofofficers, members and alternates and delegatesto the TDA House of Delegates. This is aFREE benefit offered to TDA componentsocieties. for information on enhancedcomponent society websites, please contactStefanie Clegg at (512) 443-3875 orstefanie@tda.org.

Check out the new TDAExpress Internet Portal Login at www.tda.org to getstarted today. See back of thisnewsletter for details.

Questions? Contact Stefanie Clegg, TDAweb manager at (512) 443-3675 orstefanie@tda.org. ★

Letter to the Editor

I recently returned from New Orleans where I worked for a week doingvolunteer dentistry with Operation Blessing. I was amazed to see such a largenumber of damaged and abandoned homes, businesses, shopping centers,

hospitals, etc. That area is a long way from normalcy. The situation there for people needing emergency dentistry is desperate. It is

estimated (in a New Orleans newspaper) that only 30 percent of the dentists wholeft when Katrina struck last year have returned. In contrast, 50 percent of theoverall population has returned. The lower income areas were hardest hit and lostthe most dentists.

At present, the two dental clinics operated by Operation Blessing are turningaway about 100 people per day. Many of these people have acute infections withsevere pain. People begin getting in line at 5:30 a.m. at the back door of thedental clinic. In addition to their dental problems, many patients haduncontrolled medical problems (mostly diabetes and blood pressure issues).According to Paula Wharton, clinic director, the majority of these people couldbest be described as “working poor.”

For the first two weeks of July this year, there were no volunteer dentists andthe clinic had to be closed. In fall 2007, Louisiana State University will have theirdental school up and running in New Orleans and will be able to provide help forsome of these people.

In the meantime, they are badly in need of volunteer dentists, dentalassistants, and hygienists. The accommodations at the Operation Blessing facilityand the New Orleans weather at this time of the year are not the greatest.However, the gratification of helping these people (these Americans) is “five-star.” If you would like to help, please contact Scott Hill, disaster volunteercoordinator, (757) 226-3858, scotthill@ob.org, or Paula Wharton, clinic officemanager, (504) 908-9816.

Enclosed is a picture of theabandoned Methodist Hospital in east New Orleans. We arereminded of the degree of lossand the tattered American flagreminds of where this is.

Sincerely, Richard J. Campbell, DDS 696 Copano Ridge RoadRockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-9229 ★

Abandoned Methodist Hospital in east New Orleans,June 2006. (Photo by Dr. Richard J. Campbell,Rockport, TDA life member).

Attention Medicaidand CHIP ProvidersAll Medicaid and CHIP ProvidersMust Have NPI Number

The Health and Human ServicesCommission (HHSC) is requiringMedicaid and Children’s Health

Insurance Program (CHIP) providers to havea National Provider Identifier (NPI) numberby May 23, 2007.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This requirementalso applies to Medicaid and CHIPproviders that submit paper claims.

The NPI requirement is intended to helpstandardize claims and make claims processingmore efficient. There is no charge to get anNPI. Providers can apply online for theirNPI, free of charge, by visitinghttp://nppes.cms.hhs.gov or by calling (800)465-3203 to request a paper application. TheCMS NPI page, located at http://www.dms.hhs.gov/apps/npi/01_overview.asp, is theonly source for official CMS education andinformation on the NPI initiative; all productslisted on this site are free or charge.

For more information, please contact Diane Rhodes, drhodes@tda.org or call (512)443-3675. ★

August 2006 / TDA Today / 2

August 2006 • Volume 7 Issue 8www.tda.org

Editorial Staff: Christopher F. Anderson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Editor

Edwina J. Shires, Managing EditorPaul H. Schlesinger, Communications Coordinator

Stefanie Clegg, Website ManagerBarbara S. Donovan, Art Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS TEXAS DENTAL ASSOCIATION

President THOMAS C. HARRISON, D.D.S.; President-elect A. DAVIDMAY, JR., D.D.S.; Past President RICHARD C. BLACK, D.D.S.; VicePresident, Southeast R. RONALD COLLINS, D.D.S.; Vice President,

Southwest FREDERICK T. PHILIPS, JR., D.D.S.; Vice President, NorthwestDAVID R. COX, D.D.S.; Vice President, Northeast JENNIFER J.

BARRINGTON, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Southeast DOUGLAS W.BOGAN, D.D.S.; Senior Director, Southwest JOSE L. CAZARES, JR.,

D.D.S.; Senior Director, Northwest V. WAYNE MCENTIRE, D.D.S.; SeniorDirector, Northeast LEE P. ONEACRE, D.D.S.; Director, Southeast R.

MARK PEPPARD, D.D.S.; Director, Southwest RISE’ L. LYMAN, D.D.S.;Director, Northwest WILLIAM M. WALTON, D.D.S.; Director, NortheastF. DEE REA, D.D.S.; Secretary-Treasurer J. PRESTON COLEMAN, D.D.S.;

Speaker of the House GLEN D. HALL, D.D.S.; ParliamentarianMICHAEL L. STUART, D.D.S.;Editor CHRISTOPHER F. ANDERSON,

D.D.S.; Executive Director MARY KAY LINN; Legal Counsel WILLIAM H. BINGHAM

TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December bythe Texas Dental Association, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, (512) 443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and atadditional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S. IH-35, Ste400, Austin, TX 78704-3698.Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-stateAmerican Dental Association (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADAaffiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADAaffiliated, $30.Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6.Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership ofthe Association are solicited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, doublespaced, and the original copy should be submitted. Please refer toInstructions for Contributors in the annual August Directory of the TexasDental Journal for more information. Every effort will be made to returnunused manuscripts if a request is made but no responsibility can beaccepted for failure to do so. Anonymous communicationswill receive no consideration whatsoever. All statements ofopinion and of supposed facts are published on authority ofthe writer under whose name they appear and are not tobe regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association,unless such statements have been adopted by theAssociation. Articles are accepted with the understandingthat they have not been published previously.

TDAT o d a y

aade

You Are the Key… … to our continued success. Direct

Reimbursement is a freedom-of-choice dentalplan that has absolutely consistent advantagesover traditional dental insurance. When weapproach an employer with these advantages,there is no better opportunity to impress themthan when we have the personal recom-mendation of a member dentist.

Please check the list below to see if youknow anyone from the management team. Allthe employers on the list have inquired aboutDirect Reimbursement through the AmericanDental Association’s (ADA) national advertisingcampaign. They have an interest, but theirinterest will be even keener when they knowthat you support the freedom-of-choice dentalplans of your Association.

• Arts Manufacturing Company, Huntsville • Greenway Investments Co., Dallas • City of Midland, Midland • Kahn Insurance Service, Laredo • Storage and Processors, Inc., Houston

Let them know and let us know. Refer usto your acquaintances at these employers, andwe’ll make sure they are impressed with theprofessional approach we take to inform themof their dental plan options. If you knowsomeone at any of these employers, pleasecontact David Baker, General Manager,Freedom-of-Choice Dental Plans, a whollyowned affiliate of the TDA, at david@tda.org,or (800) 980-2230. ★

Editor’s Quick SummaryBy Christopher F. Anderson, DDS, TDA Editor

The TDA Board of Directors met in Austin on Friday and Saturday, August 25 & 26, 2006, with Dr. Thomas C. Harrison,president, presiding.

The Board: • Received updates on legislative and state board issues. • Reviewed the training manual for dental assistant testing developed by the Council on Dental Education, Trade, and Ancillaries

(DETA) and recently approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners; passed resolutions regarding funding for theinitial printing of copies of the manual.

• Received a report on the activities of the TDA Smiles Foundation and met the new executive director of the Foundation. • Received a report on the for-profit subsidiary, TDA Financial Services, Inc. (FSI), and was notified that Mr. David Baker of our

subsidiary, Paid Dental Benefits, Inc., will serve as interim director of FSI. • Passed resolutions effectively changing the Council on Dental Care Programs & Community Oral Health to the Council on

Dental Economics, defining the duties of the new council, and transferring responsibility for the Head Start program to theCommittee on Access to Care, Medicaid, and CHIP.

• Passed a resolution that the TDA pursue partnership opportunities with the Texas Head Start – State Collaboration Project. • Passed a resolution directing that all policy resolutions along with Board of Directors action be forwarded to delegates, alternate

delegates, component presidents, and component presidents-elect via e-mail as soon as they have been reviewed for accuracy andcontent.

• Approved the publication in the November Texas Dental Journal of a DETA-developed jurisprudence summary and informationregarding scope of practice issues that may arise during the 2007 Texas legislative session along with a member survey/CEmodule.

• Received recommendations from the Electronic Meetings Board Work Group — at its November meeting, the Board willreceive orientation on the use of the Genesys Conferencing Web-based meeting system in preparation for its use by appropriatecouncils, committees, and work groups as an alternative to the expense of face-to-face meetings.

On Saturday, the Board joined other TDA leaders in updating TDA 2009, the Association’s strategic plan. ★

Ethics Course Presented by Texas Section, American College of Dentists

The first-ever ethics course taught by fellows of the American College of Dentists (ACD), Texas Section recently offered aninteractive learning experience for nearly 80 first-year students at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. TheACD, whose mission is to promote excellence, ethics, and professionalism in dentistry, sponsored the course.

Fellows Dr. Jerry Long, Dr. James Condrey, Dr. Ronald Auvenshine, Dr. Ronald Rhea, and Dr. Kenneth Horwitz presented thecourse. Dr. Long coordinated the presentation and worked with UTDB dean Dr. Catherine M. Flaitz and associate dean Dr. Leslie Roeder.

The half-day presentation was sectioned into two parts. The fellows introduced themselves to the students and shared theirbackgrounds in dentistry and their personal experiences with ethics in private practice. Later, each fellow took a group of students andpresented them with an ethical dilemma that they were challenged to solve as a group. They then discussed their decisions andresults.

The dental students were impressed with the fact thatthose in private practice would take time from their schedulesto spend time teaching them. The fellows say they are excitedabout making the presentation an annual event with the helpof the Dental Branch administration.

Ethics in dentistry has received positive attention inrecent years due to the efforts of the late Dr. ThomasHasegawa, Jr. He brought attention to the importance ofdental ethics in his life by collecting and compiling a series of52 ethical dilemmas from dentists across the state. Thedilemmas were then made available to the dental communityas they were published regularly in the Texas Dental Journal.

(Information supplied by Erika Hargrove, UTDB,Houston.)

Sample Ethics Scenario

Dr. Jones is the town dentist. He has been practicing in thecommunity for years and has several loyal patients. Whenhe is out of town, his patients are referred to Dr. Smith, whopractices nearby.

The more Dr. Smith sees these patients, the more shenotices that there are problems with the dental work he hasperformed. She is concerned that due to his age, Dr. Jonesis becoming less precise and thorough. Dr. Smith would liketo talk to Dr. Jones about her concerns, but she alsorealizes that his referrals are good for her business. Whatshould she do?

Alliance of the Texas Dental Association (ATDA) presidentMarthiel Russell looks forward to making good thingshappen for the ATDA this year. She lives in Winters,

Texas, and has been a member of the ATDA for many years.Marthiel is a strong and dedicated leader. As our president, shewill lead us as we encourage participation by all members acrossTexas.

Marthiel has served as president of her district several timesand as the District 8 trustee of the Alliance of the AmericanDental Association. She encourages all ATDA officers andcommittee members to provide a vital link to all the local districts.

The theme for the year is the daisy — single petals boundtogether for a common purpose, and serving as a vital link to allthe ATDA districts across Texas.

TDA Alliance News

A New Year of ServiceBy Bertha Nell Barth, Publicity Secretary

Installation Day: (from left) Connie Durbin, Sharon Bryant, GeorgiaSpeir, Julia Martin (standing in for Diane Bogan), Marthiel Russell, Dr.Kelly Lemke, Deborah Moore, Gitta Morris, Leeanna Thompson, BerthaNell Barth, Dee Cox, and Suzanne Bowden.

• President: Marthiel Russell • President-elect: Conni Durbin • 1st Vice President: Sharon Bryant • 2nd Vice President: Georgia Speir • 3rd Vice President: Diane Bogan • 4th Vice President: Dr. Kelly Lemke

• Corresponding Secretary: Deborah Moore • Publicity Secretary: Bertha Nell Barth • Recording Secretary: Leanna Thompson • Historian: Gitta Morris • Parliamentarian: Dee Cox • Treasurer: Suzanne Bowden

Alliance of the Texas Dental Association Officers for 2006–2007

Success usually comes tothose who are too busy tobe looking for it.

— Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

August 2006 / TDA Today / 3

SIGN-UP FOR TMOM ROUND ROCK atwww.tdhsmiles.org/tmom

The next TMOM event will be in Round Rock, Friday andSaturday, November 10 and 11, 2006, with the goal of treating1,200 patients. E-mail Andrew Robertson (andrew@tda.org) orvisit www.tdhsmiles.org/tmom to register today!

CHILDREN NOW ELIGIBLE FOR TEXASDONATED DENTAL SERVICES (TXDDS)

TXDDS provides comprehensive charitable care toqualified applicants who are either 55 years or older, or whohave a permanent disability, or who are between 8 and 18 yearsof age. If you are interested in learning more about the TXDDSprogram, please e-mail Judith Gonzalez (judith@tda.org).

HOLIDAYCARDS

Holiday smilescome early thisyear, as TDASFbegins productionof a hand-craftedcard that acts as agenerous donationin the name of yourcolleagues,patients, friends, and family. Cards are $25 each. Order online atwww.tdasf.org.

Each gift card includes a testimonial from a TDASFpatient, along with the text: “Warmest wishes from the TexasDental Association Smiles Foundation, dedicated to improvingthe oral health of Texans. A gift has been made to theFoundation in your name.”

2006 YTD DONOR LISTING AND CONTRIBUTIONCARDS

Our annual draft donor listing and contribution cards weremailed to your office August 2 and 3, 2006. This campaign isdesigned to not only explain our mission, programs, and givinglevels, but also to acknowledge your support. Please call ouroffice toll-free at (877) 807-6453 if you have any questions aboutthis invitation to support TDASF.

ALLIANCE GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFITTMOM

Attendees, spouses and guests of the 2006 Alliance of theTexas Dental Association (ATDA) Fall Board Meeting areinvited to participate in a “Best Ball” Golf Scramble to benefitTexas Mission of Mercy (TMOM).The tournament isWednesday, September 13, 2006, at the Doral Tesoro Resort &Hotel in Fort Worth.

The entry fee is $80 per person and includes green and cartfees. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. For furtherdetails, please contact Karen (Mrs. David) Cox at (817) 599-7744, or visit www.tdasf.org. ★

What’s New at the TDASF?“Smile Day” at Brookwood CommunityBy Joe Mazzu, Assistant Director

Rarely does going to the dentist evoke more grateful smiles than from the 150 functionally disabled adultswho live and work at The Brookwood Community. Their dental appointments are visits to look forwardto, especially if Dr. Thomas C. “Tommy” Harrison, president of the Texas Dental Association, has

anything to do with it. With his leadership and the generous volunteer support of Houston-area dentists, dentalhygienists, dental suppliers, and philanthropists, a fully equipped dental treatment room is now part ofBrookwood’s on-site health center. This and other state-of-the-art facilities on the mission’s 475-acre campusprovide innovative residential, educational, vocational, medical, and therapeutic opportunities for adults withphysical and or mental disabilities.

Today is a “Smile Day” (i.e., dental clinic day) at Brookwood, and Betsy, a charming and content 60-year oldwith multiple diagnoses (developmental delays, schizo-affective disorder, chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder,etc.), will have a visit with volunteer dentist Dr. Douglas “Buddy” McClung. As one of the “citizens” atBrookwood, she works in the on-campus handcrafts workshop, whose proceeds help underwrite tuition aid for themajority of Brookwood’s citizens.

While Dr. Harrison had treated several adults with disabilities during his 25 years of practice, it was a 2004tour of the Brookwood Community that really brought the challenges and the opportunities into focus for him.He encountered a community where best practices of care-giving, including preventive health care, are expectedand upheld on a daily basis. What Brookwood didn’t have was a dental program.

Dr. Harrison saw the potential to engage his colleagues in a worthwhile project that would complement theexisting Health Center program and Brookwood’s overall philosophy. “I signed on right there,” he said, “to helpthem launch the dental treatment room.” In April of that year he convened a brainstorming luncheon. Brookwoodadministrators and medical staff joined a dozen dentists, dental hygienists, and dental suppliers in drawing up anaction plan. Commitments were made to put together a model program benefiting the citizens of Brookwood, andserving as a template that others in the dental professionand the care-giving field could learn from.

Dr. Glenn Ginter, a member of the committee,consulted with Brookwood on the design of the dentaltreatment room. Dental suppliers Jeff Long of PattersonDental Supply, Inc., Chris Gunther of Sullivan Schein, andDave Swisher and Michael Swisher of DS Services/SwisherDental offered technical advice as well as pledges of donatedequipment, supplies, and installation/maintenance services.Area philanthropists such as Kappa Kappa GammaCharitable Foundation committed funding to helpunderwrite future operating expenses. Meanwhile, Dr.Harrison solicited additional donations from the dentalcommunity at large. Other committee members assistingwith the project included: dentists Hubert Askew, ThomasEwing, Russell Hollenbeck, Neal Gittleman, GeorgeGlauser, Julie Long, Daniel McClain, and Ivy Mitchum;hygienists Hope Garza and Lorie Jones; and Ben Bodle ofPatterson Dental Supply.

Construction of the dental treatment room commencedin 2005. During this time, the volunteer committeeestablished procedures and practices for the dental treatmentprogram. The outcome was a workable patient charting system that could be accessed and shared by visitingdentists, dental hygienists, dental faculty and interns, as well as Brookwood’s medical staff.

On December 1, 2005, the new dental treatment room was dedicated. Members of the Greater HoustonDental Hygiene Association volunteered to stock the room in January, 2006. In February the program officiallybegan with assessment of all 150 citizens of the Brookwood Community — phase one of the new program.

Phase two began later in the spring with initial treatments of individual citizens. These monthly dental clinicdays are aptly named “Smile Days” at Brookwood, and benefit Betsy and her fellow citizens in immeasurable ways.

Entering the cheerful red, white, and blue waiting room, a Brookwood nurse, also a known comforting andtherapeutic support, greets Betsy by name. They catch up on the latest news of the community. Then, a fewminutes later, Dr. McClung peeks his head around the corner. It’s time for Betsy’s “Smile Day” visit.

Dental hygienist Rebekah Vidal assists Buddy today and, together, they start Betsy’s visit with a complete exam.Using the patient charting system developed by the volunteer committee, Dr. McClung documents her existingrestorations and current dental needs. This is followed by a complete prophylaxis and oral hygiene instruction.

“Hold the brush like this,” Rebekah says, as she gently places her hand on Betsy’s hand, “and remember to goup and down, up and down, then around and around and around.” Hand in hand, they make circles in the air withthe pink toothbrush. With the visit complete, Betsy flashes a smile, gives a hug to her friends, and heads back towork in the handcrafts workshop. ★

AAccess to Care

(Back row from left) Drs. Hubert Askew, Glen Ginter,Russell Hollenbeck, Tommy Harrison, Buddy McClung,and George Glauser, and (front row from left) hygienistsHope Garza and Lorie Jones attend a dental committeemeeting at Brookwood Community.

Introducing TDA Staff

Christine Kutnick, CFRE, isthe new director of the TexasDental Association Smiles

Foundation (TDASF). She will manageprogram development, fundraising, and

support to the board of trustees. She looks forward to workingclosely with the Texas Dental Association to promote theFoundation’s important philanthropic work.

A major portion of Christine’s career has focused onimproving health care for underserved patients with theAmerican Diabetes Association, the National Conference forCommunity and Justice, and the CHRISTUS Spohn HealthSystem Foundation. She believes in supporting her community,and serves on the programming committee of the AmericanFundraising Professionals, Austin Chapter. She is a member ofthe Junior League of Austin, and volunteers for her children’sschool booster club. Prior to returning to her hometown ofAustin in 2006, she was involved in Leadership Corpus Christi asa graduate of the program, served on task forces for twodifferent school districts, and was a member of the board oftrustees for her house of worship. ★

Suggestion for Retirees I am an 84 year old retiree from Dallas (Baylor, 1948). A friend of mine (also a retiree, but younger) took it upon himself to do

something for the shut-ins and handicapped fellow dentists that live in our area. Hesimply called three or four like me that can still drive, and had us pick up the onesthat couldn’t. Only about 8 or 10 showed up at a local cafeteria. He chose the 2ndTuesday of each month.

You can’t imagine how much these older, handicapped dentists enjoyed visitingwith the others, and remembering events from their days of practicing dentistry —and being remembered by someone! I had to put a knife and fork into the hands ofone of my classmates who is blind — but, he sure enjoyed being with us!

So, you retirees who still drive and would like to do something for your fellowretirees, get on the phone and start a little group. Call it a round robin discussiongroup. No dues, no roll call. Just show up. You will really enjoy it. A small groupseems to work best (six, or eight, or even less).

Sincerely, William R. Knight, DDS4714 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205 ★

Bright Ideas

CLARIFICATION of Sales Tax on Dental Products

The TSBDE Rule Update in the July 2006 TDA Today discussed whether a dentist is required to pay or charge sales tax oncertain items commonly sold in dental offices such as fluoride rinses, toothbrushes, or toothpaste. Following the publicationof that article, several members contacted the TDA central office requesting information about dispensing prescription

products from their dental offices. Texas law prohibits dentists from selling prescription products from their dental offices or anywhere else unless the dentist holds a

license to practice pharmacy. Thus, dentists may not SELL items that require a prescription, such as prescription-strength fluoridegel. In most cases, a dentist may provide samples of prescription products at no charge.

The following excerpt from the Texas Occupations Code highlights the relevant provision.

§ 558.001. LICENSE REQUIRED.(a) A person may not practice pharmacy unless the person holds a license to practice pharmacy under this subtitle. (b) A person may not:

1. impersonate a pharmacist; or 2. use the title “Registered Pharmacist” or “R.Ph.,” or words of similar intent, unless the person is licensed to practice

pharmacy in this state. (c) A person may not dispense or distribute prescription drugs unless the person:

1. is a pharmacist; or 2. is otherwise authorized by this subtitle to dispense or distribute prescription drugs.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. ★

TDAT o d a y

August 2006 • Volume 7, Issue 8 • www.tda.org

Contact the TDA Board: ✽ HARRISON: (281) 492-6064, tharrison@tda.org ✽ MAY: (325) 677-5316, dmay@tda.org ✽ BLACK: (915) 592-5853, rblack@tda.org ✽ COLLINS: (281) 983-5677, rcollins@tda.org ✽ PHILIPS: (361) 992-9871, fphilips@tda.org ✽ COX: (817) 596-7782, dcox@tda.org ✽ BARRINGTON: (972) 923-0374, jbarrington@tda.org ✽ BOGAN: (713) 467-3458, dougbogan@tda.org ✽ CAZARES: (956) 686-5000, cazaresdds@tda.org ✽ MCENTIRE: (806) 359-1644, wmcentire@tda.org ✽ ONEACRE: (972) 394-2114, loneacre@tda.org ✽ LYMAN: (830) 612-2229, rlyman@tda.org ✽ PEPPARD: (512) 835-9557, mpeppard@tda.org ✽ WALTON: (325) 893-5875,wwalton@tda.org ✽ REA: (903) 236-7023, drea@tda.org ✽ COLEMAN: (210) 656-3301, jcoleman@tda.org ✽ HALL: (325) 698-7560, ghall@tda.org ✽ STUART: (972) 686-8828, mstuart@tda.org ✽ ANDERSON: (806) 792-5111,canderson@tda.org ✽ LINN: (512) 443-3675, marykay@tda.org ✽ BINGHAM: (512) 495-6000, bbingham@mcginnislaw.com

This recurring section is designed to help TDA members keep upwith important Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE)rules, other regulations, and state law affecting their practices.

News You Can UseOriginal in folder:

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The Fort Worth (12th) District Dental Society’s “SaveA Smile” program received a plaque presented by theAssociation of Component Society Executives. The

2005–2006 Outstanding Component Program Award waspresented at the American Dental Association (ADA) Management Conferenceon July 18, 2006.

The entry was for a component with more than 300 members. Dr Tonya Fuquais director of the “Save A Smile” program and Fort Worth society members volunteertheir time and talents. The award recognized an untiring will to “make a difference.”

Greater Houston (8th) District Dental Society boardmember Dr. Victor Rodriguez was recently appointed treasurerof the National Hispanic Dental Association. He is a founder andpast president of the Greater Houston Hispanic DentalAssociation. Dr. Rodriguez also serves on the Star of the SouthDental Conference Council. ★

Components Corner

Commemorating the Outstanding ComponentProgram Award.are (from left) Dr. Tonya Fuqua,“Save A Smile” director; Liz Lucas, Fort Worth(12th) District Dental Society executive director; andRon Polaniecki, American Dental Associationdirector of dental services.Dr. Victor Rodriguez