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.

In case you missed it – Handout From Dr. Willhite’s lecture.

arkansasstated on September 28, 2022

Transitional Bonding: Non-Traditional Composite Restorations for Major Occlusal and Esthetic Changes

Link to handout HERE

MEDICARE DEADLINE: ASDA Provides Synopsis for Informed Decision

WebAdmin on March 7, 2022

MEDICARE DEADLINE: ASDA Provides Synopsis for Informed Decision

By now, you have probably been exposed to decisions you need to make as a dentist as it relates to Medicare. Working with legal council, the Arkansas State Dental Association has created a concise, one-page synopsis to help in your decision making process. While ASDA does not have a recommendation for all dentists to follow, this information sheet should reflect a clear set of options that you may consider based on your practice or provider situation.

To view the Medicare Enrollment Application Information, please click here.

Ben Burris Sentenced to Year in Prison for Bribing Jeremy Hutchinson

WebAdmin on March 7, 2022

Ben Burris Sentenced to Year in Prison for Bribing Jeremy Hutchinson

Reprinted from Arkansas Business, January 25, 2022:

Dr. Ben Burris, formerly of Fayetteville, was sentenced Monday to a year and a day in federal prison for bribing former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks also sentenced Burris, 50, of Florida, to a year of probation and fined the orthodontist $157,500, according to the Sentencing Minute Sheet filed in Burris’ case in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.

In a deal with federal prosecutors in the Western District of Arkansas, Burris pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss 14 additional counts of honest services fraud that were alleged in a grand jury indictment. The maximum sentence for the crime of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud is 20 years.

Burris’ plea agreement acknowledged multiple bribes of an elected official. He acknowledged that he paid Hutchinson $157,500 between February 2014 and November 2016, and gave Hutchinson’s children free braces, with the intent of influencing Hutchinson’s official actions as a legislator.

Read the full story on Arkansas Business

Obituary: Dr. James Burgess, ADA Member for 67 Years

WebAdmin on March 7, 2022

Obituary: Dr. James Burgess, ADA Member for 67 Years

Dr. James A. Burgess, Jr. went to his eternal home on Friday, February 18, 2022. He was a barber, a dentist, a rancher, a community servant, but most of all he was a child of God. He was proud of his community of Greenwood, Arkansas and loved the Greenwood Bulldogs and Arkansas Razorbacks.

Dr. Burgess was a 1949 graduate of Greenwood High School, graduate of Fort Smith Jr. College, University of Arkansas and University of Missouri School of Dentistry. He also received his barber license at the age of 16 which served him often while working his way through college. After graduating dental school, Dr. Burgess served the Greenwood community as a Dentist for 51 years. He also helped establish the Dental Hygienist program at UAFS and volunteered his time at the Community Dental Clinic.

Burgess served in the United States Navy during the Korean War before attending dental school in Kansas City. He later became a member of the Army National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In addition to serving his country, Dr. Burgess served on the following boards: MRDDS Board, Arkansas Pharmacy Board, Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, Degan Foundation Board, Sparks Hospital Board, Westark College Board, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Board, Greenwood Education Foundation Board, James Fork Water Users Association Board, Sebastian County Soil Conservation Board, and various other local boards and organizations. He also was a Liaison to Governor Frank White, member of Focus on Greenwood, assisted with the Trail of Lights project at Bell Park, was a member and Elder of Northside Church of Christ, and was President Elect of the UMKC Alumni Association. He and his wife, Myra were named Arkansas Parents of the Year and Dr. Burgess was named to the Greenwood Education Hall of Honor in 2008.

Dr. Burgess was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Burgess and Jewel Farrar Burgess, his stepmother, Mary Burgess and his son, Trey Burgess. He is survived by his wife, Myra of the home; two sisters, Yvonne Mizell of Greenwood and Linda Bewley (Bart) of Rogers, AR; one brother, John Paul Walker of Greenwood; one son, Dane Burgess (Tara); two daughters, Rozanne Sterling (Mark) and Suzanne Wilson (Don) all of Greenwood; nine grandchildren, Brooks Coatney (Amie) of Fayetteville, AR, Holly Elarbee (Glen) of Knoxville, TN, Ryan Sterling (Christen) of Greenwood, Taylor Sterling (Alexis) of Greenwood, Tyler Wilson of Little Rock AR, Allie Deacon (Adam) of Little Rock, AR, Jabe Burgess of Nashville, TN, Jax Burgess of Malibu, CA and Jett Burgess of Greenwood, AR and nine great grandchildren, Cruz Coatney, Cali Coatney, Crosby Coatney, Campbell Coatney, Griffin Elarbee, Peyton Sterling, Roman Sterling, Luxleigh Sterling and Davis Deacon.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, February 23 at the Greenwood Performing Arts Center with burial at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.

Pallbearers were Brooks Coatney, Tyler Wilson, Jabe Burgess, Jax Burgess, Jett Burgess, Ryan Sterling and Taylor Sterling. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Howard Brownfield, Dr. Neal Treece, Dr. Paul Evans, Dr. Brent Dunavin, Paul Rush, Glenn McDaniel, Curtis Weaver, Jim Barker, Dr. Mark Bailey, Rusty Mizell, Randy Mizell, Travis Hawkins and Ken Edwards.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Greenwood Education Foundation, 420 North Main St. Greenwood, AR 72936.

ASDA among groups seeking more COVID-19 aid for health care

WebAdmin on March 7, 2022

ASDA among groups seeking more COVID-19 aid for health care

Republished from ADA Morning Huddle, February 28, 2022:

Representatives of state health organizations in Arkansas, including the Arkansas State Dental Association, met with US Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., to request more federal funds to ease the financial strain on the state’s health care system from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Terry Fiddler, D.D.S, said dental and medical providers graduate with high levels of student debt, which is affecting health care labor shortages. Sen. Boozman has co-sponsored the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, which would allow dental and medical students to pause payments on principal loans and interest during internships and residencies. The ADA supports the legislation.

Full Story: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Fayetteville) (2/24)

Dentist receives $100,000 gift to help open Arkansas practice

WebAdmin on March 3, 2022

Dentist receives $100,000 gift to help open Arkansas practice

Reprinted from ADA News, 12/15/21:

Giles Willis Jr., D.D.S., received $100,000 from actor Melissa McCarthy, singer-talk show host Kelly Clarkson and Wayfair to help him open a dental practice in Stamps, Ark., an area that had not had a local dentist in almost 20 years, ADA News reported. Stamps is near where Dr. Willis, who graduated from Howard University, grew up, and his goal had been to return home to practice dentistry. “I’ve always wanted to help rural and underserved communities,” he said.

Full Story: ADA News (12/15)