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Oct. 2026 - At The Table: How Mda Advocacy Turns Member Concerns Into Action, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The cover story provides an in-depth examination of the Michigan Dental Association’s grassroots advocacy framework, highlighting the successful enactment of Senate Bill 105. SB 105 addresses "virtual credit cards" by requiring dental insurers to offer reimbursement options without transaction fees. The article details how MDA staff, legislative leaders, and Political Action Committee (PAC) donors collaborate to identify member priorities, build legislative relationships, and educate policymakers. Emphasizing the essential role of practicing dentists in state capitol discussions, the story illustrates how grassroots participation turns practice challenges into legislative victories.

Oct. 2026 - A Lifetime Of Saying Yes To Service, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This biographical feature profiles Dr. Raymond Gist, celebrating his receipt of the key to the city of Flint, Michigan, and his six-decade career in dentistry. Tracing his journey from Flint to becoming the first Black president of the American Dental Association (ADA), the story highlights his dedication to patient care, mentorship, and leadership within organized dentistry. Dr. Gist encourages early-career and underrepresented dentists to embrace leadership roles and community involvement, demonstrating how committing to service elevates the profession and advances oral health equity.

Oct. 2026 - Lead: Find Your Place In The Room, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article spotlights the Michigan Dental Association’s Leadership Exploration And Development (LEAD) program, designed to cultivate early-career dental leaders. Featuring experiences from program participants during a visit to ADA headquarters, the piece highlights insights on emerging practice models, demographic shifts, and membership trends shared by national experts like Dr. Marko Vujicic. The article details how LEAD fosters generational diversity, governance training, and peer networking, encouraging early-career Michigan dentists to apply for upcoming cohort opportunities.

Oct. 2026 - Mastery Creates Presence, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Written by oral surgeon Dr. Anish Gupta, this reflective essay explores the connection between clinical mastery and patient-centered hospitality in surgical practice. Defining practice core values as "be the best, do the best" and "unreasonable patient-centeredness," the author illustrates how technical expertise frees clinicians to be fully present and empathetic with anxious patients. The article emphasizes that clinical competence should serve to alleviate patient fear, remove practice friction, and elevate the healthcare experience through mindful, compassionate service.

Oct. 2026 - Mda Insurance: Online Open Enrollment Now Available For Mda Health Plan, Craig Start

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article details the 2027 health insurance open enrollment process and deadlines for Michigan Dental Association members, their families, and practice staff. It introduces a new, secure online portal via Employee Navigator for managing the MDA Health Plan, specifying enrollment windows for plan sponsors and employees. The guide covers individual Marketplace plans, group health coverages, Medicare Supplement plans, and Medicare Advantage options. MDA Insurance account executives offer personalized assistance to help practice owners and individuals compare plans, navigate coverage choices, and ensure seamless enrollment.

Oct. 2026 - Staff Matters: How Can We Support Employees Who Are Also Caregivers?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This human resources column offers actionable advice for dental practice owners on supporting staff members managing caregiving responsibilities for aging parents, spouses, or children. Recognizing the financial and operational constraints of small dental practices, the author outlines low-cost supportive strategies, including flexible scheduling, clear communications, and empathetic management. Practice leaders are encouraged to establish consistent time-off request protocols, train managers to respect employee privacy, and connect staff with community caregiver resources and employee assistance programs to maintain staff retention and practice productivity.

Oct. 2026 At Your Service - Answers On Address Changes, Staff Credentials, And Retirement, Mda Membership Department Staff

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This member service Q&A feature provides practical administrative guidance for Michigan Dental Association members. It addresses legal requirements regarding patient requests for dental hygienist licensing credentials, clarifying that practices must provide names but are not required to provide license numbers. It outlines retirement procedures, detailing eligibility for reduced dues, retired life membership status, and continued participation in continuing education and volunteer initiatives. Additionally, the article guides members on seamlessly updating home address information and personal profiles using the online MDA Member Compass portal.

Oct. 2026 From The Editor - Advocacy Works. We've Seen It., Romesh Nalliah

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this editorial, the Editor-in-Chief emphasizes the vital role of professional advocacy in protecting patients and sustaining dental practices. Drawing inspiration from historical advocacy efforts, such as Benjamin Ricci's fight for institutionalized care standards, the article highlights recent victories achieved by the Michigan Dental Association. Key achievements include securing increased Medicaid reimbursement rates after decades of stagnation and advocating for the passage of Senate Bill 105 to eliminate burdensome virtual credit card fees. The author underscores that health policy change requires active engagement from dentists advocating on behalf of their patients and profession.

J Mich Dent Assoc Oct. 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The October 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association highlights advocacy, leadership, clinical practice, and practice management for Michigan dentists. The cover story examines how MDA advocacy led to the passage of Senate Bill 105, prohibiting forced virtual credit card transaction fees. Features include a profile on Dr. Raymond Gist, first Black ADA president; clinical guidance on caries management with Dr. Melissa Seibert; insights from the LEAD leadership program; and surgical mindfulness by Dr. Anish Gupta. Regular departments cover unlicensed employee legalities, supporting caregiver employees, open health insurance enrollment, and MDA organizational updates.

Pearls From Local Dentists: The Problem In Your Practice Probably Isn’T A Staffing Problem

West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

"Clinical Corner: Pearls from Local Dentists" is a section of the WMDDS Bulletin where local dentists share clinical wisdom for fellow practitioners. This edition discusses The Problem in Your Practice Probably Isn’t a Staffing Problem.

Mda At Your Service - Protecting Your Practice, Finding Talent And More, Mda Membership Department Staff

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Q&A compiled by MDA staff provides critical guidance to support practice owners. It outlines key warning signs of employee embezzlement, such as closely guarding job duties or refusing cross-training, and highlights complimentary risk assessment tools and endorsed investigative services available through Prosperident. Furthermore, the article introduces free recruitment resources on the MDA Job Board for searching job-seeker profiles and posting openings. It also provides practical advice for resolving communication and online portal login issues by verifying registered email addresses with the MDA membership department.

Um Dean's Report - Meeting The Challenge Of Educating Dentists In A Constantly Evolving Profession, Jacques E. Nör

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dean Jacques Nör highlights the school's historical legacy during its 150th anniversary and details recent academic, clinical, and research progress. Key developments include the establishment of the state-of-the-art Digital Dentistry Center for in-house digital workflows, a pediatric certificate program in Social Epidemiology funded by a $2.1 million federal grant, the transition to Epic electronic health records (integrated with MyChart), and the community-based collaborative care rotation program in Marquette. The report also highlights national faculty leadership roles and $24.1 million in research funding.

From The President - The Transformative Value Of Our Profession, Melanie E. Mayberry, Dds, Ms-Hcm

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Melanie E. Mayberry, MDA President, reflects on the transformative value of dentistry on both patients and the personal lives of practitioners. The article emphasizes how the dental profession builds stronger communities through service, empathy, mentorship, and continuous learning. Highlighting student and patient resilience in the face of adversity, Mayberry draws inspiration from events like the Kalamazoo Mission of Mercy, where volunteers provided over one million dollars in free dental care. She encourages dentists of all generations to foster a community of belonging, embrace professional evolution, and appreciate the spiritual and personal rewards of their service.

Staff Matters - How Can We Strengthen Our Hiring Process?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Jodi Schafer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, provides practical strategies to help dental practice owners navigate the highly competitive labor market and strengthen their hiring process. The article advises practices to update outdated job descriptions, evaluate competitive salary data for geographical areas, and look beyond traditional job boards to employee referrals and patient networks. It stresses the significance of positive candidate experiences during recruitment, formalizing written job offers with clear compensation and benefit terms, and establishing structured onboarding programs to significantly enhance staff retention, job performance, and long-term practice success.

J Mich Dent Assoc Sept. 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The September 2026 (Volume 108, No. 9) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

This full compilation of the September 2026 Journal of the Michigan Dental Association features the deans' reports from the …

The Back Page - A New Chapter For The Mda Journal, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Tim Rath, MDA's Content and Editorial Manager, introduces himself as the managing editor of the MDA Journal. He outlines a new strategic chapter focused on aligning the journal's clinical content with the association's broader advocacy, educational, and membership events. Celebrating the legacy of Dave Foe and welcoming new Editor-in-Chief Dr. Romesh Nalliah, Rath emphasizes that the best story ideas originate from practitioners in the field. He invites Michigan dentists to share personal narratives of unique career paths, fascinating hobbies, unique patient cases, and life outside the clinic to foster professional inspiration.

Udm Dean's Report - A Look At The Student Of Today As We Prepare Them For Tomorrow, Mert N. Aksu Dds, Jd, Mhsa, Cert. Dph

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

UDM Dental School Dean Mert N. Aksu discusses the profiles, expectations, and challenges of modern dental students, highlighting their collaborative nature, tech-savviness, and focus on wellness and work-life balance. The report outlines UDM's clinical curriculum enhancements, including systems-based biomedical integration, and extensive clinical practice labs. Aksu addresses the substantial 58% inflation-adjusted rise in educational debt since 2008 and updates on community service rotations (Corktown Clinic, Titans for Teeth), the implementation of the new Vermont Track for rural care, the adoption of AI radiographic analysis, and comprehensive student mental health support programs.

Staff Matters: Is Our Dental Practice's Culture As Strong As We Think It Is?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article explores how workplace culture influences employee retention, team morale, and patient experience in dental practices. The author discusses indicators of healthy and unhealthy workplace cultures, leadership behaviors that shape organizational climate, and practical strategies for gathering employee feedback, improving communication, and reinforcing accountability. Small, consistent actions are presented as effective tools for building a positive work environment.

J Mich Dent Assoc August 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The August 2026 (Volume 108, No. 8) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The August 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association explores clinical, professional, legal, leadership, and public …

Mda At Your Service: Updating Your Practice Roster With The Mda, Mda Membership Department Staff

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This question-and-answer article provides practical guidance for MDA members on updating practice rosters, accessing continuing education opportunities, addressing staffing shortages through virtual assistants, and participating in the MDA LEAD Program. The article highlights available member resources and emphasizes professional development, workforce support, and leadership growth within organized dentistry.

The Back Page: A Toast To The Future: From Boomers To Gen Z Zoomers, George T. Goodis Dds, Gerald J. Halk Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article highlights a leadership brunch that brought together multiple generations of dental leaders to encourage engagement in organized dentistry. The gathering emphasized mentorship, leadership development, and the transfer of institutional knowledge to younger dentists. Participants celebrated the future of the profession while discussing the importance of community involvement, leadership participation, and professional growth.

July 2026 Cover Story — 40 Years Of Mda Insurance And Mda Services, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article celebrates the 40th anniversary of MDA Insurance and MDA Services, the Michigan Dental Association's for-profit subsidiary. It outlines the history of the subsidiary, its evolution from small beginnings to a robust provider of commercial and personal insurance products, and its significant financial impact, returning over $42 million to the MDA since 1994. The piece emphasizes the subsidiary’s "by dentists, for dentists" philosophy, its role in keeping member dues stable through non-dues revenue, and its successful innovation of endorsed programs like Bank of America Practice Solutions and precious metals refining.

July 2026 From The Editor — 40 Years Of Success And Value To You, Romesh Nalliah

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

• Editor-in-Chief Romesh Nalliah uses the historical example of King Hammurabi's loan agreements to illustrate the foundational concept of risk management and insurance. He celebrates the 40th anniversary of the MDA Insurance & Financial Group, highlighting its growth into a full-service agency that addresses the specific needs of dentists. Nalliah emphasizes the "multiplicative effect" of supporting these member-governed services: they offer individual cost savings and generate non-dues revenue that funds broader MDA benefits and reduces dues. He credits the association's volunteer leadership for establishing this successful model of value-driven professional support.

July 2026 Staff Matters® — Is It Time For Our Dental Practice To Consider Outsourcing Hr?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column examines the practicalities of outsourcing human resources (HR) functions for growing dental practices. Jodi Schafer explains that as administrative burdens like hiring and compliance become overwhelming for small teams, bringing in outside HR support offers a flexible and expertise-driven solution. Benefits include peace of mind regarding evolving employment laws, formalized internal operations, and streamlined technology integration for payroll and benefits. The article outlines key indicators for when a practice should consider this move and emphasizes that an effective HR partner should function as an extension of the practice’s unique culture and values.

July 2026 Mda Insurance — Voluntary Benefits Help With Employee Recruitment, Satisfaction, Retention, Craig Start

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Craig Start, president of MDA Insurance, addresses the ongoing dental staffing shortage by advocating for comprehensive employee benefit packages. He explains how offering a mix of employer-paid and voluntary benefits, such as disability, life, and vision insurance, can make a practice a more desirable employer. The article specifically highlights the MDA Health Plan and employee-paid options like critical illness insurance, which help offset financial exposure from high-deductible plans. Start notes that these voluntary benefits are cost-effective for employers and can be administered through pre-tax cafeteria plans to improve employee economic security and retention.

J Mich Dent Assoc July 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The July 2026 (Volume 108, No. 7) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The July 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association celebrates the 40th anniversary of the association's …

July 2026 Feature Article 1 — The Real Importance Of The Dental Team, William Chase Dds, Maom

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Drawing on over 40 years of experience, Dr. William R. Chase identifies a cohesive dental team as the primary key to practice success. Moving away from the "solo performer" mindset often developed in dental school, the article highlights the necessity of trust and commitment among staff. Chase offers strategic advice for leadership, including sharing a clear practice vision, holding regular meetings, and recognizing staff through bonuses or continuing education opportunities. He underscores that maintaining a strong, appreciated team is vital for practice longevity and providing optimal patient care.

Mda At Your Service: How Often Must I Contact A Patient To Finish Her Treatment?, Mda Membership Department Staff

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This department feature answers member questions regarding clinical standards and association benefits. It clarifies that no specific law dictates the number of times a patient must be contacted to complete treatment, advising the use of professional judgment based on treatment severity. It also highlights vehicle discounts available through the ADA and the MDA's locum tenens program, the COVER Program. Finally, it introduces the "Women in Dentistry" Facebook group as a supportive community for women in the profession.

J Mich Dent Assoc June 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The June 2026 (Volume 108, No. 6) issue of the Journal is published in digital format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The June 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides association updates, legal advice, and clinical …

Mda Insurance: Why You Need A Financial Safety Net — Just In Case, Craig Start

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Craig Start, President of MDA Insurance, emphasizes the critical need for dental professionals to have a comprehensive plan for career-ending injuries or illnesses. He outlines a necessary financial safety net that includes life insurance for heirs, disability income insurance to maintain personal lifestyle, and business overhead expense insurance to protect practice value. The article provides data showing many individuals are underinsured and urges dentists to obtain professional reviews of their insurance portfolios to protect against unpredictable risks.