A new study released by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute shows dental spending in the U.S. increased by 2.5% between 2022 and 2023. The near-entirety of the year’s $4 billion growth is attributed to $3 billion in increased Medicare spending by seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and $1 billion in increased Medicaid spending.

While government spending on dentistry has increased substantially, private insurance and out-of-pocket spending has dipped slightly by 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively.

For more information and data, click here.

Now that the decision has been made to move back to fee-for-service (FFS) for Arkansas Dental Medicaid, the state Department of Human Services has initiated provider training to help dental offices prepare for the coming change following 7 years of managed care.

DHS sponsored its first outreach on July 19 with a webinar in which multiple presenters offered advice and suggestions prior to the November 1 go-live date. Seasoned Arkansas dentists will recall the days of FFS, but many young providers and others who were not Medicaid providers earlier in their career may never have been exposed to the older system. The webinars and other resources outlined below are designed to make the transition easier to understand. The DHS Division of Medical Services will continue to host webinars in the weeks and months to come, and will be available to answer queries from participating dental offices at email addresses and phone numbers located in the July 19 recording below.

Meantime, the managed care organizations (MCO), Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas and MCNA, will continue under the current contract through November 15, but DHS indicated last week that new Medicaid enrollees will not be assigned to either MCO beginning August 15.

Although the move to the FFS system will require ASDA’s attention for the near future, the association’s primary objective is to secure an increase in the Medicaid fee schedule, which has not been updated in 16 years.

Below are available downloads:

Information for Providers – Arkansas Department of Human Services

Recording and Powerpoint from July 19 webinar

Dental Provider Update

Press Release from Lyon College, July 25, 2024:

Lyon College marked a historic milestone today with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, the first dental school in the state of Arkansas. The event at the school’s Riverdale campus was celebrated with a symbolic sledgehammer strike, marking the official start of renovations for the new dental school.

“The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will be a beacon of innovation and excellence, providing comprehensive dental education and services. We will feature an on-site clinic offering high quality dental care to the community, including specialized services for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with special needs. This clinic will not only serve as a training ground for our students but also as a vital resource for the citizens of Arkansas, ensuring access to essential dental care, quote said Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine. “Our innovative 3 year curriculum is designed to accelerate learning while maintaining the highest standards of dental education. Upon receiving approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, we eagerly anticipate welcoming our inaugural class of 80 students. These students will be the pioneers of a new era in dental education in Arkansas, benefiting from high quality facilities and a curriculum that emphasizes both academic rigor and practical experience. Our goal is to cultivate a new generation of dental professionals who are not only skilled clinicians but also compassionate caregivers dedicated to improving oral health outcomes across the state.”

Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College, expressed her appreciation for the team behind this historic project.

“This moment represents an incredible achievement for Lyon College and the state of Arkansas. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our board of trustees, Dr. Soffe, and all of our faculty and staff who are making this school a reality Their dedication and hard work have turned vision into reality, setting the stage for a transformative impact on dental education and health care in our state. Together, we are making history and paving the way for future generations of dental professionals in Arkansas. I especially want to thank the city of Little Rock, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the many other local organizations for their constant support and efforts to make this possible.

U.S. Senator John Boozman praised Lyon College’s efforts and the broader impact of the dental school.

“Establishing a school of dental medicine is an investment in the future of Arkansas. This institution will expand access to dental care by training the next generation of dental professionals to serve our communities. I’m particularly proud of Lyon College’s enthusiasm toward achieving this dream,” Senator Boozman said.

Earlier this year, Senator Boozman championed a $15 million federal appropriation to the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine to address the shortage of dental professionals in Arkansas. Including the 50 States and Puerto Rico Arkansas ranked 50th in the United States – ahead of only Alabama – in the number of dentists per capita with 41.82 per 100,000 residents in 2019, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders also congratulated Lyon College on this significant achievement.

“This is an amazing moment in the school’s 152 year history, for the city of Little Rock and for the entire state of Arkansas. Central Arkansas is our state’s healthcare hub. Just in the past few years, expansions like this one have put us on the cutting edge of the Medical Sciences,“ Gov. Sanders said. “Today, we’re taking another leap and opening the first dental school in the Natural State right here in our capital city. This will only add to the network of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals here who help every Arkansan live a better, healthier life.

Little Rock mayor Frank Scott welcomed Lyon College to Little Rock and Central Arkansas.

“With the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine here in Arkansas’ capital city, it further cements Little Rock’s place as the center for health care and innovation for the entire state of Arkansas, “said Mayor Scott. “We are excited to welcome the state’s first ever dental school to the Riverdale neighborhood and anticipate the positive transformational outcomes for our community from having the best and brightest future dentists who will call Little Rock home. We appreciate Lyon’s trustees, Dr. Taverner and everyone who has worked to make this school a reality as we improve dental care in our city and region.”

Dr. David Hutchison, vice president for advancement at Lyon College, expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported the project. “Oral health is essential to a thriving Arkansas, which is why it matters so much that Lyon College is making this critical, enduring investment in the health of our residents and the vitality of our state. We are deeply thankful to everyone who has contributed to this project, from our dedicated board of trustees and board of visitors to our generous donors and community leaders,“ Dr. Hutchison said. “This groundbreaking marks a significant step forward in improving the oral health and overall well-being of our state.”

 The groundbreaking event brought together community leaders, college officials and supporters to celebrate the start of a new chapter in healthcare education in Arkansas.

Baldwin and Shell Construction Company of Little Rock is construction manager for the project. WDD Architects of North Little Rock is project architect.

For more information about the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine and its programs, please visit lyoninstitute.com or contact Carol Langston at carol.langston@lyon.edu.

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About Lyon College

Lyon College is a private, liberal arts institution founded in 1872. Located in Batesville, Arkansas, Lyon is the oldest College in the state with its original charter. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a 2022 “Best College”, Lyon currently enrolls approximately 500 students from more than 30 States and 18 countries. Students can tailor their education, selecting from 25 majors, as well as pre-professional and individualized options. Learn more at lyon.edu.

See the Arkansas Democrat Gazette coverage of the dental school announcement here.

See the coverage from KTHV Channel 11 Little Rock here

See the coverage from KARK Channel 4 Little Rock here

Meredith Rogers, Executive Director of the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE), notified state dentists today of a scam:

“The office of the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners has recently learned of scam artists posing as Board office staff calling Arkansas licensed dentists as part of an attempted fraud scheme.

The callers identify themselves as Board staff members or investigators and may say that the licensee is “under investigation”.

The callers may be “spoofing” the Board’s telephone number to make the calls appear to be legitimate on caller ID.

Please be advised that the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners will never contact licensees demanding money or payments of any form. We always contact/notify licensees in writing regarding any complaints.

If you or your front office staff receive such a call, you should refuse any demand for payment and DO NOT disclose any personal information.

If the caller states that they are with the DEA, click here for more information.

Feel free to contact the Board office at 501-682-2085 or email us at asbde@arkansas.gov if you have any questions.“

Dentists should exercise caution when receiving calls of this nature. Report all incidents to the ASBDE office at 501-682-2085

After its plan to open a dental school on the Heifer International campus fell through in November 2023, Lyon College announced the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will be located in Little Rock’s Riverdale neighborhood, in the former Blue Cross and Blue Shield space at 5 Allied Drive.

Reprinted from Arkansasonline.com:

In the announcement Tuesday, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. expressed excitement that the college would keep its dental school in the capital city, “where it will be an excellent addition to a world-renowned medical ecosystem that serves the entire region.”

“It has taken a total team effort among city officials, business and community leaders, and developers to bring the state’s first dental school to Little Rock,” the mayor added. “I appreciate Lyon College for its partnership and commitment and look forward to the arrival of the first class of students in fall 2025.”

Lyon is collaborating with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on the dental school, joining forces where practicable and identifying opportunities for joint teaching, research, graduate education and professional development that benefit students and faculty, under a memorandum of understanding announced in 2022.

The college is also partnering with the Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Oral Health Coalition to increase awareness of oral health in Arkansas.

In March, Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman championed a $15 million federal appropriation for Lyon’s dental school, according to the college. Additional educational support has been secured by the college from the state’s dental community.

Arkansas is one of only 14 states that do not have a dental school or college, according to listings from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Arkansas fares poorly in dental health, ranking near the bottom for U.S. states, according to the national Library of Medicine.

“We remain committed to addressing the oral health needs of the underserved across Arkansas, and I am excited about the new possibilities that this location offers us to positively impact the community, improve oral health literacy, and increase access to quality oral health care,” Soffe said in the news release. “Lyon College’s new school will feature cutting-edge facilities equipped with advanced technology, fostering innovation and collaboration among students and faculty.”

Posted January 10, 2024:

The American Dental Association provided the synopsis below on the new Corporate Transparency Act enacted by Congress in 2021 to combat illegal activities, such as money laundering, by foreign or domestic threats in all sectors of the US economy. Thanks to Chad Olson and members of the Washington DC team for this information.

“A new law effective Jan. 1, 2024, requires certain businesses to report beneficial ownership info to the U.S. Dept of the Treasury. The Corporate Transparency Act, enacted by Congress in 2021, intends to combat the use of businesses as money-laundering operations. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the law now requires certain businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Unit. Reporting companies created or registered to do business in the U.S. before Jan. 1, 2024, must file by Jan. 1, 2025. All existing dental practices and companies that meet the requirements have one year to file before facing penalties.

“The ADA created a FAQ document to help dentists with any questions. Visit fincen.gov/boi to file a report, view informational videos and webinars, find answers to frequently asked questions, connect to the contact center and learn more about how to report. For sharing out with members, the ADA News article explains who is subject to reporting requirements and other relevant details.

“As of January 2024, there is pending federal legislation that, if passed, would extend some of the filing windows outlined in the FAQ document. This legislation has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting action by the Senate. Should this legislation be signed into law, this FAQ will be updated, and we will let you know. Currently, existing practices will need to report information on both the practice itself and its beneficial owners unless Congress changes that.”

For the past two years, ASDA actively has been advocating for an increase in Medicaid dental fees, which have not been adjusted for 15 years. Although earlier efforts fell flat, a new push with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) points to the possibility of at least bringing the issue to the attention of those who can make the change.

In preparation for the current campaign, ASDA conducted a Medicaid Workforce Survey during the last week of July 2022 in which more than 20 percent of current Medicaid providers participated. The results were astonishing:

• 98% indicated that current Medicaid fees do not adequately reimburse dentists
• 84% indicated they will have to stop accepting Medicaid patients if fees are not increased.
• 80% indicated they would have to stop accepting Medicaid patients in the next 3 years if fees are not increased.

It goes without saying that the Medicaid dental program would be in critical trouble if fees are not increased. Considering the high rate of no-shows among Medicaid patients and the impact on all dental practices regardless of size or business model, its no wonder that more and more dentists are facing the difficult decision to discontinue participation in the program.

Presently, Medicaid reimburses at a rate roughly equal to 95% of the 2007 Delta Dental of Arkansas Premier Schedule. The new ask is that the fees be updated to the 2022 DDAR schedule, in addition to other administrative and procedure additions.

ASDA continues to work toward increases that will keep the Medicaid program valid with an adequate number of dentists. If a Call-to-Action is necessary, staff will reach out. So, stay tuned.

Call ASDA for a copy of the letter to DHS and Governor’s Office.