Arkansas State Dental Association

VIDEO: Health Policy Panel Discussion (2012 ASDA Annual Session)

Drew — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:21:48 +0000

atch the 2012 Policy Discussion

PRESS RELEASE: Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation Announces New Executive Director

Billy Tarpley — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:48:05 +0000

Contact: Mary Webb
Public Relations Specialist
Arkansas Health Care
Access Foundation
Phone: 501-221-3033
Fax: 501-221-7977

PO Box 56248
Little Rock, AR
72215-6248

Press Release for Immediate Release

Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation Announces New Executive Director

LITTLE ROCK, AR, March 12, 2012: Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation, Inc. (AHCAF)

On March 12, 2012, the Board of Directors announced Kalena Jones as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation. Jones replaces Pat Keller, who served as Executive Director for nearly 23 years. Before joining the Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation, Jones worked as Program Development Coordinator for Pulaski County Youth Services providing low-income youth and families an opportunity to engage in out-of-school time programming at no cost. She holds a Master of Health Administration degree and is very involved in the local community.

AHCAF was established in 1989 by the Arkansas Medical Society to assist Arkansans with receiving health care at no cost or reduced cost. AHCAF, a non-profit organization, is a statewide volunteer health care program which was developed to help low-income, medically uninsured Arkansans gain access to non-emergency medical care and prescription services.

AHCAF provides services to approximately 1,900 Arkansans a year, but with the increasing number of people losing their benefits, we expect this number to increase. Since its inception in 1989 through December 2011, AHCAF has served 94,379; made 91,320 referrals to other organizations; received more than 315,596 calls for assistance; and currently has about 1,400 care givers donating their time and services – this includes, physicians, pharmacies, dentists, Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), and the Department of Public Health.

In order to qualify for donated medical care, patients must meet specific guidelines. To enroll, a potential patient/client goes to their local Department of Human Services (DHS) or County Health Department and fills out an AHCAF application. Patient eligibility guidelines are as follows. The individual in need must:

Be an Arkansas resident and a U.S. citizen or verified permanent resident alien.
Not have any form of health insurance — this includes Medicaid, Medicare, or VA Medical Benefits.
Fall within 100% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines.

AHCAF relies on physicians from all fields of study, dentists, RNs, APNs, pharmacies, and other medical professionals throughout the state to donate their services for qualified clients.

For more information about the Arkansas Health Care Access program or volunteering your services, visit our website at www.ahcaf.org, call 501-221-3033, toll-free 800-950-8233, or email info@ahcaf.org.

American Dental Association: Dental X-rays Should be Used Sparingly To Reduce Radiation Risk

Drew — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:43:49 +0000

The following article is in response to recent media reports of a study that suggests a correlation between dental x-rays and brain tumors.

American Dental Association: Dental X-rays Should be Used Sparingly To Reduce Radiation Risk

CHICAGO, April 10, 2012 —The American Dental Association (ADA) is aware of a recent study that associates yearly or more frequent dental X-rays to an increased risk of developing meningioma, the most commonly diagnosed brain tumor. The ADA’s long-standing position is that dentists should order dental X-rays for patients only when necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Since 1989, the ADA has published recommendations to help dentists ensure that radiation exposure is as low as reasonably achievable.

The ADA has reviewed the study and notes that the results rely on the individuals’ memories of having dental X-rays taken years earlier. Studies have shown that the ability to recall information is often imperfect. Therefore, the results of studies that use this design can be unreliable because they are affected by what scientists call “recall bias.” Also, the study acknowledges that some of the subjects received dental x-rays decades ago when radiation exposure was greater. Radiation rates were higher in the past due to the use of old x-ray technology and slower speed film. The ADA encourages further research in the interest of patient safety.

As part of the ADA’s recommendations to minimize radiation exposure, the ADA encourages the use of abdominal shielding (e.g., protective aprons) and thyroid collars on all patients. In addition, the ADA recommends that dentists use E or F speed film, the two fastest film speeds available, or a digital x -ray.

In addition to the X-ray recommendations, the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs will publish clinical guidance on the use of cone-beam computed tomography in an upcoming issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association. The ADA will share these recommendations as soon as they are available.

Dental X-rays are valuable in helping dentists detect and treat oral health problems at an early stage. Many oral diseases can’t be detected on the basis of a visual and physical examination alone, and dental X-rays are valuable in providing information about a patient’s oral health such as early-stage cavities, gum diseases, infections or some types of tumors. How often dental X-rays should be taken depends on the patient’s oral health condition, age, risk for disease and any signs and symptoms of oral disease that the patient might be experiencing.

The ADA encourages patients to talk to their dentists if they have questions about their dental treatment. As a science-based organization, the ADA fully supports continuing research that helps dentists deliver high-quality oral health care safely and effectively.

Additional information about dental x-rays is available on ADA.org.

ADA New Dentist Committee announces 2012 award winners

Drew — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:12:48 +0000

Excerpt from ADA News, March 19 by Karen Fox (American Dental Association)

Outstanding New Dentist Committee Award—The Arkansas State Dental Association New Dentist Committee is the ﬁrst recipient of this new award. The committee is helping new dentists in Arkansas succeed through events like the Professional Development Workshop, leadership training, continuing education programs, community outreach, communications and the Everything You Need to Succeed packet, which compiles basic information a new dentist typically has to ﬁnd on his/her own. Thanks to the committee’s efforts, ASDA is engaging new dentists and providing more member value at an earlier stage of a dentist’s career. ■

For full article, click here for ADA News, page 26.

OBITUARY: Lester Milam Sitzes, Jr.

Drew — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:42:04 +0000

Dr. Lester Milam Sitzes Jr. of Hope passed away into the arms of his Lord Saturday, March 24th 2012 in the Heart Hospital in Little Rock.

He was born March 4th, 1930 in Beirne, Arkansas to Lester Milam Sitzes Sr. and Myrtle Wooldridge Sitzes.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Erselle , his wife of 55 years Barbara Ann Sitzes and his daughter-in-law Cathy Sitzes.

Dr. Sitzes graduated from Gurdon High School and then attended Ouachita Baptist College earning a Bachelor of Science Degree at Baylor University. He completed his studies at St. Louis College of Dentistry in 1956 and entered the United States Air Force serving as a Captain stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

While in dental school Dr. Sitzes married his high school sweetheart from Richwoods Barbara Ann Smith. They had one son Lester III during the last year of dental school and twin sons Donald and David in Alabama during Dr. Sitzes’ tour of duty.

Dr. Sitzes and family then returned home to Gurdon to practice dentistry. In March 1963 Dr. Sitzes moved his practice to Hope. For the next 28 years he served the area full time and another four on a part time basis. Dr. Sitzes and his family joined the First Baptist Church in 1963 and have been members to this day. He served as the assistant and interim song director of the church for many years.

Dr. Sitzes served on the Hope City Board, was president of the Gurdon and Hope Chamber of Commerces and the Rotary Clubs.

He was a member of the Arkansas State Dental Association Executive Board and was the State President in 1972-73. He was the secretary-treasurer and the president of the Southwest Arkansas Dental Society, The Texarkana Dental Society and the Ark-La-Tex Dental Association. He was a selected member of the Delta Sigma Delta dental Fraternity, the Pierre Fauchard Society, The American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry. He was the Founding President of the Arkansas State Dental Association Political Action Committee.

Dr. Sitzes was appointed by Governor Wintrop Rockefeller to serve on the Arkansas Governmental Efficiency Study Commission and by Governor David Pryor to serve on the Arkansas State Health Coordinating Council eventually serving as President of the Council. He was a long standing member of the First National Bank Board of Directors advising his good friend Tom Ed Hays Jr. Dr. Sitzes was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman and tree farmer. He and his wife Barbara were long time supporters of the Boy Scouts in Hope and Governor Mike Huckabee.

He is survived by his sons Dr. Lester Sitzes, III and Marilyn of Hope, Dr. Donald Sitzes and Denise of Nashville, Arkansas and Dr. David Sitzes and Rhonda of Bella Vista, Arkansas. He leaves nine grandchildren: Dr. April Brown of Boerne, Texas; Jessica Jungerman of Nashville; John Sitzes of Hope; Bryan Sitzes of Fayetteville; Drew Sitzes of Russellville; Evan Sitzes of Osaka, Japan; Jordan Sitzes of Mineral Springs; Jenae Sitzes of Bella Vista and Tristan Sitzes of Hope. He also is survived by three great grandchildren: Wesley and Landon Jungerman of Nashville and John David Sitzes of Mineral Springs.

Visitation with the family will be Monday evening, March 26, 2012 at the Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home in Hope from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Hope. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family wishes for memorials to be made to the Boy Scout Troop 5 building fund or First Baptist Church of Hope.

Loan repayment opportunities now open!

Drew — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:09:25 +0000

The opportunity to rid yourself of student debt on a tax free basis is now available.

The 2012 National Health Services Core (NHSC) student loan repayment cycle is now open and will remain so until May 15, 2012.

Please apply on line as soon as possible per the attached instructions.

2012 Loan Repayment Cycle

2012 Loan Repayment Cycle Now Open

Loan repayment eligible disciplines

Notice of General Assembly and Nominations Form

Drew — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:15:34 +0000

Notice of General Assembly and Nominations Form.

ADA’s Give Kids A Smile

Drew — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:31:53 +0000

About Give Kids A Smile®

Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of the nation’s dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country. (While the first Friday of February is the recommended event date, Give Kids A Smile programs can be successfully conducted during any month of the year. Some dentists may choose to pick another date that is more convenient to their schedule.)

The ADA’s Give Kids A Smile^® program enhances the oral health of large numbers of needy children. Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) activities also highlight for policy makers the ongoing challenges that disadvantaged families face in finding dental care. Find a program today!

The best way to get involved is to register your local program. If you are participating with a dental society, dental school or community health center, please allow the coordinator to sign you up. If you are a GKAS coordinator or an individual dental office, please sign up now!

INFECTION CONTROL ALERT! Did you receive this fax?

Drew — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:38:15 +0000

ASDA received numerous inquiries regarding a fax titled: INFECTION CONTROL ALERT! The fax references a Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts case about “a dentist who failed to conduct and record weekly spore testing.”

The Dental Practice Act of Arkansas specifically addresses the requirements for Infection Control in Arkansas. To review the requirements, click here for the Dental Practice Act. Infection Control (ARTICLE XV) begins on page 86.

Enforcement of HIPAA standard compliance delayed

Drew — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:47:41 +0000

By Kelly Soderlund, ADA News staff

Covered health care providers, including covered dentists, will be expected to implement the newest version of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act standard electronic claims and related transactions by Jan. 1 but enforcement is not expected to begin until March 31.

Click here to read the full article.