Billy Tarpley – Page 6 – Arkansas State Dental Association

Obituary: Dr. James Calvin Wilkins, ADA Member for 61 years

Billy Tarpley on October 7, 2022

Dr. James Calvin Wilkins, age 83, of North Little Rock, passed away October 3, 2022.

He was born July 13, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee to Thomas Dale and Hazel Wilkins. He was raised in Luxora, Arkansas, and was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr. Wilkins served as a Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve. He was a 1961 graduate of Hendrix College. He attended Dental School at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and graduated in 1964. He then pursued a fellowship in pediatric dentistry at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1967.

Dr. Wilkins took pride in his profession. He opened the first pediatric dental practice in North Little Rock. He was on staff at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for 50 years and recently honored for this achievement. He was active in Arkansas State Dental Association where he served for years in many capacities.

He was an active member of Lakewood United Methodist Church in North Little Rock. He served on many boards, committees, and taught adult Sunday School class for many years.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and was always ready to help family, friends, and neighbors. He was well liked, loving, caring, extremely organized, and hard working. One of his greatest joys was working in his yard.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret Wilkins; three sons, Dale Wilkins (Kelly), Thomas Wilkins (Karena), and Louis Wilkins (Marilyn); and six grandchildren, Taylor Wilkins Davis (Dustin), Kathryn Wilkins Kypke (Vaughn), Cameron Wilkins, Carter Wilkins, Nicholas Wilkins, and Caroline Wilkins.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Rd, North Little Rock.

Arrangements are by Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Dental Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Dentists, dental students authorized to administer monkeypox vaccine

Billy Tarpley on October 6, 2022

Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle, October 6, 2022:

The US Department of Health and Human Services has amended a Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration to authorize additional providers, including dentists and dental students, to vaccinate patients against monkeypox virus, smallpox and other orthopoxviruses in a declared emergency, ADA News reports. By expanding the number providers who can administer the monkeypox vaccine, HHS hopes to increase equitable access for those at high risk for infection, according to a HHS Oct. 3 news release. HHS previously amended the PREP Act in 2021 to allow dentists and dental students to administer COVID-19 vaccines, which the ADA advocated for and supported. For more information about monkeypox and PREP Act coverage, visit the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s website.

Full Story: ADA News (10/5)

Join the new ASDA Mentor Program!

Billy Tarpley on October 2, 2022

The ASDA New Dentist Committee has just announced a new opportunity for colleagues – young and not-so-young – to share information to build healthier practices and lifestyles! If you would like to serve as a Mentor to a younger dentist, click on the Mentor Application link below. If you are a new dentist who would like some advice from time-to-time, please feel free to click on the New Dentist Mentee Application link below. Applicants will be sorted and assigned by the New Dentist Committee.

Application Paperwork Coming Soon

There is a place waiting just for you!

Mentor Application

CBO: Student debt forgiveness may cost $400 Billion

Billy Tarpley on September 29, 2022

Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle, September 29, 2022:

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the likely cost of the government’s student loan forgiveness plans at around $400 billion over three years, CNN and the Washington Post reported. The CBO noted, however, that any estimate is subject to uncertainty as it depends on a number of assumptions, including the number of applicants for loan forgiveness. The plan calls for up to $10,000 debt of cancellation for people who made less than $125,000 during 2020 or 2021 or married couples or heads of households with incomes less than $250,000 annually. Individuals who received a federal Pell grant could get up to $20,000 of debt forgiveness.

Full Story: CNN (9/26), The Washington Post (9/26)

Medicaid Fee Increase and Negotiations

Billy Tarpley on September 28, 2022

As reported earlier, the Arkansas State Dental Association has begun negotiations with the Arkansas department of human services for a significant fee increase for Medicaid providers. The last published increase occurred 15 years ago and ASDA promises a strong and definitive push to save the current program. An earlier survey indicated that 84% of Medicaid providers would stop seeing Medicaid patients if these are not adjusted within three years.