April 2023 – Arkansas State Dental Association

Operation Stand Down 2023 set for November

Billy Tarpley on April 21, 2023

On Friday, November 3, 2023, the Arkansas Chapter of the ICD will host the 2nd Operation Stand Down, a dental mission dedicated to treating our nation’s veterans. As with last year, the six hosts will be:

Dr. Ned Alley, Little Rock
Dr. Troy Bartels, Jonesboro
Dr. David Bell, Arkadelphia
Dr. Angela Broomfield and Dr. Kristen Beavers, Fayetteville
Dr. Cara Jones, Pine Bluff
Dr. Charlie Liggett and Dr. Cole Johnson, Fort Smith

Last year’s event was successful and generated a great deal of public interest. The organizers anticipate a jump in participation this year and expect a need for more volunteers, so please consider volunteering either a half day or full day at one of these six sites. The location is strictly up to you, although the staffing needs at each site varies.

Treatment and services provided will primarily address chief complaints/pain, and the Arkansas ICD will appoint veterans to minimum hour-long appointments to prevent waiting, lines, etc. Volunteer cost is travel and time.

Please contact Dr. R. Mark Bailey at dr.markbailey@gmail.com if you want to participate. Please specify your site preference and how many auxiliaries (RDA and RDH) will accompany you.

For more questions, contact Dr. Bailey through his email or at 479-207-0205.

ADA clarifies “good faith estimates” in No Surprises Act

Billy Tarpley on April 6, 2023

A new bill expected to pass Congress today references the No Surprises Act, which requires medical providers to provide “a good faith estimate of expected charges” before treating uninsured and underinsured patients. The act, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, curbs unexpected billing and provide consumers new financial protections when undergoing both emergency and non-emergency care.

On February 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid clarified how this new law affects dentistry and how your practice should bill and provide patient estimates going forward.

For more information on best practices, estimates, and exceptions to the good faith estimate rule, please visit the ADA and CMS websites.

MATE Act in spending bill includes changes sought by ADA

Billy Tarpley on April 6, 2023

The omnibus spending bill approved by Congress at the end of 2022 includes the Medication Access and Training Expansion Act, which requires dentists and other providers who prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II-V) to have eight hours of training before obtaining or renewing a Drug Enforcement Administration registration. ADA advocacy was successful in getting Congress to change some MATE Act provisions to align with Association policy, including the removal of a requirement that dentists take three hours of specialized training to prescribe buprenorphine, which is beyond the scope of dental practice.

Download a printable FAQ here.

(Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle)

Full Story: ADA News

ASDA Storm Relief Response

Billy Tarpley on April 1, 2023

The outbreak of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that struck Arkansas on Friday, March 31 dealt a crippling blow to hundreds of businesses and residences in our state. Unfortunately, several dental offices did not escape the damage either. To that end, ASDA wants to know and we’re asking for your help.

Please help ASDA gather information on dentists who may have suffered damage from Friday’s weather events. Whether it was you who experienced a loss or another dentist we want to gather information as to how we may be of assistance.

Obviously, insurance will be the first resource in assembling the data necessary to address property losses, but ASDA has access to limited funds that may be used for expenses that may not otherwise covered by the doctor’s insurance policies.

For the time being, we will gather basic information and reach out to you or the affected parties as soon as possible. More detailed information will be requested at a later date.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE FORM

DATA RECOVERY

During this time of recovery, Standard Computer is offering free data recovery services to any dental office that was impacted from the storms. According to CEO Sean Kubin, “If a dentist’s server won’t boot, we will try to recover data to a loaner server or virtual machine.” He said they can also provide estimates or statements for electrical or flood damage to offices. Just email staff@standardcomputer.com or call 501-224-0050 ext. 1 for more information

ASDA OFFICE

The ASDA headquarters office in Sherwood is presently without power due to the tornado. We hope that electricity can be restored next week, but will continue to monitor phone calls to the best of our ability. For now, if we can be of assistance please use the following information:

Billy Tarpley, Executive Director – billy@arkansasdentistry.org. – cell 870-260-6079
Gorma McBride, Comptroller – gorma@arkansasdentistry.org – cell 251-294-2488
Dwight Callaham, PAIS Agency Manager – dwight@paisllc.com – cell 501-993-6991
Holly Scheiber, PAIS/ASDA – holly@paislls.com – cell 501-326-4482