🦷 SDDS September Enews

Message From the President

I want to take a moment to share some thoughts on the importance of supporting our local dental society and the American Dental Association (ADA). Having served our local dental society for the past seven years—as a member of the executive council, treasurer, president-elect, and now as president—I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible impact our collective efforts can have. Whether it’s our work advocating for community water fluoridation in Spokane, collaborating with the state dental association to hold insurance companies accountable, or our efforts advocating for legislation that affects our entire profession, our society is making a real difference in our community. But none of this would be possible without your continued involvement and support. Our local dental society is more than just an organization; it’s a place where we come together to share our experiences, learn from one another, and support each other through the challenges and triumphs of our profession. Personally, I’ve found immense value in the relationships I’ve built here. By actively participating, we all benefit—not just from the continuing education and updates on the latest developments in our field, but from the camaraderie and mutual support that make our work so much more rewarding.
On a broader scale, the ADA plays a crucial role in advocating for our profession. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the ADA ensures our voices are heard in legislative and regulatory discussions. Whether it’s addressing the integration of new technologies, responding to changes in healthcare policy, or protecting the interests of our practices, the ADA is there to represent us. Supporting the ADA is an investment in the future of our profession, helping to ensure we can continue to provide the highest standard of care to our patients.
In an era of rapidly evolving patient expectations, the ethical standards and best practices guidelines our organizations promote are essential. They help us navigate the complexities of modern dentistry while maintaining the trust and respect of the communities we serve. I encourage each of you to continue your support of our local dental society and the ADA. Together, we can ensure that our profession not only survives but thrives in the years to come. Thank you for your dedication to our profession and your commitment to excellence in patient care.
Daniel Fenn, DDS, FAGD

Member Benefit: Peer Review

DYK that one of the benefits of your tripartite membership was Peer Review?

What is Peer Review? Peer Review is a credible system for resolving disputes between member dentists and patients when informal resolution fails. A Peer Review Committee, consisting of local volunteer dentists with relevant credentials, conducts hearings, reviews evidence, and makes objective decisions on the disagreements.The process is voluntary and does not have punitive or disciplinary powers. Its aim is to educate, mediate and clarify. Peer review applies to situations regarding quality of care and does not apply to billing-related disputes.

Doctors are encouraged to be sensitive and willing to discuss and resolve patient complaints independently. However, if a more formal response is needed, utilize our Peer Review process, which is exclusive to ADA/WSDA/SDDS members. The patient must initiate the complaint through filling out this FORM

and the Peer Review Committee will follow-up.

Are you Available for Temporary Coverage?

If you are a PT, or retired dentist with an active license, and may be available to provide locum tenens coverage, please Email Lacy. We often receive requests for temporary coverage from members due to illness, injury, family emergency or other conditions and would love to connect them with you if needed!

Upcoming SDDS Events

October 11th: 2nd Annual Medical-Dental Practice Health & Wellness Business Symposium Register Here

November 12th: Elevate Your Practice With All-Tissue Dental Lasers

Speaker: Dr. Topher Chaffin DDS

Register Here

The Inland Northwest Dental Conference has been extended by an EXTRA DAY!

Bring your team back for a bonus day of programming from 8:00 AM-1:00 PM

on Saturday!

Mark your calendars for April 24-26th, 2025 and keep an eye out for registration details, coming soon!

Recent Retirement Plan Legislation Applies to Dentists

SECURE 2.0 introduces changes like higher contribution limits and new Roth account options, effective this year. A key tip for dentists with SIMPLE IRAs is that contribution limits will increase for some plans. For those with 25 or fewer employees, deferral contributions rise by 10%. Employers with 26 to 100 employees can match enhanced deferral limits by increasing matching contributions to 4% or nonelective contributions to 3%.

Link to article with additional information HERE

Can Patients Find You?

Our new SDDS website features the ‘ADA Find-A-Dentist’ tool, where patients can search for ADA member providers by zip code, specialty and/or name.

For your profile to appear in this search you must have chosen to display your address in the ‘Find-A-Dentist’ directory when originally setting up your ADA Profile OR you can update the preference now.

Please take a moment to search your name HERE. If it is not listed or has missing/outdated information go to myada.ada.org/account/profile to make updates so patients can find you!

First US Standard on Clear Aligners Available - Comment by October 10th

The ADA has proposed the first US standard for orthodontic sequential aligners, known as ANSI/ADA Standard No. 188, for review. This standard aims to establish criteria for the materials' physical, thermal, and mechanical properties, allowing for product comparisons. It also includes requirements for materials, packaging, and labeling. Comments on the draft are accepted until October 10. Read more HERE

National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Fluoride in the News

The National Toxicology Program released an updated monograph on fluoride exposure and its potential effects on neurodevelopment and cognition. The ADA's expert committee reviewed the report and found no new evidence warranting changes to current community water fluoridation practices. Notably, the studies reviewed were from areas with high natural fluoride levels, not the U.S. The ADA, alongside the National Academies of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering, recommended revisions to address deficiencies in study inclusion and data presentation, offering suggestions for improvement. Read the full article HERE

Did You Know adult turtles have no teeth? Hatchlings, however, are born with one tooth, located at the front of the upper jaw. This tooth is used to break out of their egg and falls off a few months later.