U.S. Surgeon General Releases Advisory on E-Cigarette Epidemic Among Youth

On Tuesday, December 18, U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Jerome M. Adams, issued an advisory stressing the importance of protecting children from a lifetime of nicotine addiction and associated health risks by immediately addressing the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use.

E-cigarette use among youth has skyrocketed in the past year at a rate of epidemic proportions.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration’s National Youth Tobacco Survey, the percentage of high school-age children reporting past 30-day use of e-cigarettes rose by more than 75 percent between 2017 and 2018. Use among middle school-age children also increased nearly 50 percent.

For facts about the risk of e-cigarettes, and how to protect our youth, visit e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov. 

The ADA also provides member dentists with knowledge and resources to help patients quit smoking (tobacco and non-tobacco alternatives). Visit mouthhealthy.org for more information. 

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Save Time and Money While Going Paperless with Electronic Funds Transfer

Looking for ways to make practice administration more efficient? Receiving claim payments via electronic fund transfers, or EFT, instead of by paper check is one answer.

EFT is a method of instructing financial institutions to transfer money electronically from one bank account to another, eliminating the use of paper checks. The EFT program is free and easy to set up. Providers are paid faster, securely, and more efficiently because funds are deposited directly into your bank. End to end encryption of all information is used, helping to ensure safety and confidentiality.

The ADA has resources for dental professionals who need guidance on implementing or using EFT in their offices. Other information addressing the how, the why and the myths related to EFT is available in ADA's on-demand webinar on EFT, available at ADA.org/EFTwebinar.

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Is an In-Office Dental Plan Right for your Practice?

Studies have shown that patients with a dental plan are much more likely to seek dental care and accept treatment plans.

Under such a plan, the patient pays the doctor or dental office a fixed amount of money on a monthly or annual basis. In return, the patient generally receives preventive services at no charge, with other procedures offered at a discounted fee.

The ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs has developed a toolkit to help dental practices evaluate whether an in-office dental plan option is right for them.

An on-demand webinar, "Increase Value in your Practice! How? Start your own Dental Plan," is also available to help dentists gain a basic understanding of how in-office dental plans work, how to create a plan for your office, and the advantages/risks of implementing a plan.

CMS Rule Rescinds Medicare Parts C, D Enrollment Requirements

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have published a final rule, effective as of June 15, 2018, revising the Medicare Advantage program (Part C) regulations and Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D) regulations and to implement certain provisions of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.

The final rule rescinds a previously announced rule that would have required dentists who provide dental care and prescriptions for Medicare Advantage patients and Part D beneficiaries to be enrolled in Medicare or to have opted out in order for their services to be covered.

As a substitute for the enrollment/opt-out requirement, CMS will utilize a preclusion list, which will go into effect on January 1, 2019. 

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Best Practices for Amalgam Separators and Waste Management

We've had some questions from members recently regarding amalgam separators. Dentists are encouraged to follow dental best management practices, set forth by the ADA, for amalgam waste handling and disposal.

The EPA requires amalgam separators to achieve at least a 95% removal efficiency. The EPA final rule on amalgam separators went into effect on July 14, 2017, and the date for compliance is July 14, 2020. Most practicing dentists who discharge wastewater into a publicly owned treatment work (POTW), such as a municipal sewer system, must comply.

Additional highlights and exemptions to the rule can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page at ada.org/recycleamalgam.

KDHE Radiation Control Program: Information for Inspection of Dental Offices

Radiation has been a hot topic over the past year, due to increased dental office inspections and a letter/email sent by Kansas Department of Health and Environment Radiation Control Program regarding continuing education. Both have prompted many questions from member dentists regarding radiation regulations. 

In an effort to help our members, the KDA sat down with representatives from KDHE Radiation Control Program to discuss ways we could better inform dentists of the responsibilities in their dental offices, pertaining to radiation.

View 2016-2017 dental noncompliance issues and an explanation of 2018 dental regulations at ksdental.org/radiation.

If you have questions about radiation regulations or an inspection, contact the KDHE Radiation Control Program at 785-296-1560.

   
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