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.”

Officials at the Arkansas Department of Human Services have ceased their Arkansas Medicaid Dental Managed Care vendor procurement process and are currently “reviewing options to either rebid the procurement or to move beneficiaries back to Fee for Service,” DHS spokesman Gavin Lesnick tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Lesnick cites an impasse in the negotiation process, saying that “during active negotiations with vendors who bid on the Dental Managed Care contract, it became apparent we [would] not reach agreement.”

Current contract holders Delta Dental and MCNA ranked highest in DHS’ proposal scoring, at 774.01 and 766.90, followed by DentaQuest at 759.97 and Liberty Dental at 759.20.

In December 2023, after learning DHS anticipated awarding contracts to all four vendors—not the “two or three” cited in the DHS’ request for proposal—Delta Dental attorney Mark Hodge wrote a letter of protest to DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam, contending Delta is “an aggrieved party due to the impacts of a four-vendor award decision which fails to adhere to the procurement rules set forth in the RFP and the results of the evaluation conducted by the DHS.”

The Office of State Procurement dismissed the protest, citing that the “two or three” language in the RFP was “aspirational” and “more akin to a statement of intent or recitals in a contract rather than a statement prescribing required conduct or action for either the offerors or the DHS”

More from Michael R. Wickline at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

ADA News reports that a recent study released by Texas Health and Human Services shows vaccination and immunization exemptions are on the rise. Data from the 2022-23 school year indicates that 3.24% of Texas kindergarteners—with rates as high as 25% in King County—received exemptions “for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief” through the Texas Department of State Health Services. This represents nearly twice the number of vaccine exemptions from ten years ago.

While this study sample is limited to Texas, it has implications both nationally and in states adjacent to Texas. As such, ADA and ASDA encourage our members to take note of this upward trend and respond accordingly.

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.