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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 …

Mda Public Relations Grant Program Opens Applications For 2026 Cycle, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Michigan Dental Association is opening applications for its 2026 Public Relations Grant Program, offering individual grants of up to $5,000, with $30,000 in total funding, to support component dental societies. The program funds creative community-focused initiatives scheduled for 2027 that educate the public and promote oral health, excluding purely charitable clinical care. Eligible projects emphasize relationship-building and community engagement. Highlighted success stories from previous cycles include oral health kit distributions, youth-focused educational events, and the expansion of the 'Give Kids A Smile' exams and preventive care clinics across Michigan.

Patient-Centered Imaging In Dentistry, Erika Benavides Dds, Phd, Fabiana Naomi Soki, James R. Geist Dds, Ms, Angela M. Hoikka, Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This clinical feature discusses joint guidelines by the ADA and AAOMR for patient-centered dental radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), emphasizing individual risk-based needs rather than routine schedules. It covers the principles of radiation safety: justification, optimization (ALARA/ALADA), and dose limitation. The article maps out specific imaging modalities recommended for caries, periodontal disease, endodontics, orthodontics, implants, and TMJ disorders. Additionally, it summarizes Michigan's administrative rules for X-ray installation shielding, equipment alignment, stable mechanical support, operator positioning, and the mandatory radiography training program requirements for dental assistants.

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.

Sexual Harassment In Dentistry: Understanding The Issue And Steps To Prevent It From Happening

Journal IDA

The #MeToo Movement in 2017 shone a light on how widespread sexual abuse and sexual harassment were in the workplace.1 A survey completed in 2020 reported that 38 percent of women experienced different forms of sexual harassment in the workplace, while approximately 15 percent of men reported similar experiences.2 The data indicate, that sexual harassment was not unique to women as men, as well as nonbinary people also reported facing sexual harassment.

Radiation Safety In Dental Offices: Where Do We Stand In 2025?

Journal IDA

Dental x-rays were first invented in 1896.1 Dr. Otto Walkhoff, a German dentist, who is credited with taking the first dental radiograph, used himself as the subject and required a 25-minute exposure time for that first blurry radiographic image to be seen.

An Annotated Walkthrough Of Dental And Dental Hygiene Professional Oaths

Journal IDA

Most of the information contained in this article was taken using AI search engines. It is meant to be a refresher for dentists and dental hygienists as it relates to the oaths we took when we graduated from our training programs. It is also meant to be an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on their journeys since graduation as to have true they stayed to the oaths that they took. Dental assistants are not required to take a professional oath in Indiana.

Protecting Dentistry’S Ethics: Ida’S Peer Review Program

Journal IDA

All members of the dental profession are responsible for protecting the Principles of Ethics: Autonomy, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence, Justice and Veracity. Peer Review is:

• A dispute resolution program.
• Available to all Indiana patients.
• A resource for disputes for both IDA members and non-members.
• Part of what makes dentistry a profession.
• Voluntary for the subject dentist regarding participation.
• Initiated by patient complaints onlNot permitted to have findings entered as evidence in court.
• Not disclosed as part of dental license renewal.

When a patient submits a request for mediation, the complaint involves an alleged violation of at least one of the Principles …

Ethical Considerations In Cosmetic Dentistry

Journal IDA

Dentistry is both an art and a science. Patient care revolves around treatment for pain, missing teeth while also ensuring that appearances or the esthetic outcomes are maintained or enhanced. These two facets are not contradictory, but are intertwined for optimal, complete and customizable care for each patient. Dentists are often faced with requests from patients for a stereotypical “perfect” smile, which includes perfectly aligned teeth that are white in color resembling the image commonly conveyed by the media. As clinicians, we respond in our own way to these increasingly demanding esthetic demands. Some specialize in developing “esthetic” treatments; others …

Overview Of Indiana Health Records Law

Journal IDA

Inquires regarding the use, access, ownership, retention and disposal of health records have ranked in the top three questions from dentists, dental offices and patients over the last 25 years. As every dental office has dental health records, it is important to understand the legal and professional liability implications for properly handling and safeguarding records.

Dental Treatment: Who Has The Final Say On Oral Health Care?

Journal IDA

Is a patient's autonomy really his or her own? Or like an onion with many skins, is it buried under layers of financial factors, insurance coverage, quality of discussion with the dentist, family obligations and emotional health, and so much more!

Safeguarding Ethics: The Work Of The Indiana State Board Of Dentistry, Kathy Walden

Journal IDA

Dentists pride themselves on belonging to a profession that maintains high standards, strong patient satisfaction and professional excellence. At the heart of these guiding principles of dentistry in our state is the Indiana State Board of Dentistry (ISBD), which focuses on establishing and enforcing ethical conduct and adherence to state law for Indiana’s 4,769 dentists and 5,500 hygienists.

Defining Prescriptive Supervision And Delegation In Indiana: The Essential Roles Of The Dental Hygienist And The Dental Assistant On The Dental Team

Journal IDA

According to the 2025 Bowen Policy Snapshot: Indiana Dental Workforce in Context, Indiana faces ongoing dental workforce shortages, with 63 of 92 counties (68 percent) designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (a federal designation indicating insufficient dental providers). This shortage presents growing challenges for licensed dentists in recruiting and retaining qualified dental assistants and hygienists, roles essential to patient care and practice efficiency. In Indiana, the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene are governed by statutes in the Indiana Code (IC) and administrative rules in the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC). Statutes are laws enacted by the legislature; rules are …

Guided Tissue Regeneration Of Localized Deep Combined 2-To-3- Wall Angular Defects: A Clinical Case Report With 15-Month Follow-Up

Journal IDA

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting nearly 50 percent of U.S. adults. It is characterized by the irreversible destruction of the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and gingival tissues supporting the teeth. Periodontal breakdown results from a dysbiotic relationship between the plaque bacteria and host-immune response. Initiated by the bacterial plaque biofilm, the once normal and homeostatic host defenses intended to contain the subgingival inflammation become dysregulated and hyperactive. A diagnosis of an infrabony defect, also known as intrabony, vertical, or angular defects, is made when the base of the pocket is apical to the alveolar crest. It has been …

Factor V Leiden Heterozygosity And Hypertriglyceridemia In 88 Patients With Chronic Jaw Pain And Alveolar Osteonecrosis

Journal IDA

Objectives: Our specific aim was to evaluate the relationships of thrombophilia-hypofibrinolysis and hyperlipidemia with alveolar osteonecrosis of the jaws in 88 patients with chronic jaw pain who had failed to respond to conventional medical and dental treatments.

Study Design: In the temporal order of referral, we evaluated 88 patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain to assess whether and to what degree thrombophilia-hypofibrinolysis and hyperlipidemia were pathoetiologic for biopsy proven alveolar osteitis-necrosis.

Results: Of the 88 cases, 14 (16 percent) had Factor V Leiden heterozygosity compared to 2 of 109 (2 percent) healthy controls without jaw disease, p=.0004. Fasting plasma triglycerides …

Diagnostic Challenge: Oral Pathology

Journal IDA

The challenge: We present a case of a 27-year-old female patient who presented to the Fritts Screening Clinic at Indiana University School of Dentistry. She takes metformin for pre-diabetes and levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Her extraoral exam reveals no pathologies. The intraoral clinical examination reveals a non-wipeable unifocal hyperkeratotic papillary lesion measuring 0.8 x 0.5 cm on the left lateral border of the tongue (Figure 1). The patient reports noticing it approximately a month before the screening appointment; however, she did not experience any pain or other symptoms in the area. An excisional biopsy is performed to obtain a definite diagnosis …

Role Of Microsurgery In The Evolution Of Periodontal Surgery

Journal IDA

Microscopes and microsurgery techniques have revolutionized the field of periodontology, offering enhanced visualization, precision, and improved clinical outcomes. This review explores the role of magnification in periodontal treatments, the benefits of microsurgical techniques, and their impact on patient recovery and procedural success. It examines how these advancements align with evolving surgical principles and addresses their implications for clinical practice and patient outcomes. By integrating microsurgery into periodontics, clinicians can achieve minimally invasive procedures with superior aesthetic and functional results. This paper also discusses the challenges and future directions of microsurgical applications in periodontics, emphasizing the importance of continual advancements and …

Recent Advances In Periodontology

Journal IDA

Periodontology is a dynamic discipline focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting structures of the teeth and dental implants. Given the complex and multifactorial pathogenesis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, the field continually evolves to address diverse clinical needs through evidence-based innovations. Recent years have witnessed significant advances in biomaterials, biologics, diagnostic tools, and minimally invasive therapies that have transformed the clinical management of periodontal conditions. These developments aim not only to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes but also to expand the scope of regenerative and patient-centered care. The purpose of this paper is …

Teaching The Next Generation: Challenging The Narrative And Shifting Perspectives

Journal IDA

The accessibility of information in today's digital age, especially with integration of Generative AI across all platforms, has shifted the role of education from merely transmitting facts to cultivating the skills necessary to navigate, analyze, and synthesize this wealth of knowledge. We are moving beyond foundational knowledge acquisition to higher order thinking within Bloom’s taxonomy. The future demands learners who are not just informed but inspired - individuals capable of questioning the status quo, solving complex problems, and innovating in diverse and interdisciplinary ways. To achieve this, we must invest in pedagogical practices that nurture critical thinking and digital literacy. …

Journal Ida 2025 104 2

Journal IDA

In the Spring 2025 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Teaching the Next Generation: Challenging the Narrative and Shifting Perspectives
• Recent Advances in Periodontolgy
• Role of Microsurgery in the Evolution of Periodontal Surgery
• Diagnostic ChallengeL Oral Pathology
• Factor V Lieden Heterozygosity and Hypertriglyceridemia in 88 Patients with Chronic Jaw Pain and Alveolar Osteonecrosis
• Guided Tissue Regeneration of Localized Deep Combined 3-to-3 Wall Angular Defects: A Clinical Case Report with 15-Month Follow-up

This issue also includes regular columns from the editor, the executive director as well as membership news.

A View From The Podium: Preparation For The Ida House Of Delegates

Journal IDA

The House of Delegates, as the legislative and governing body, is the supreme authority in the Indiana Dental Association. As such, it speaks for the more than 2,800 members of the Association and for the dental profession in Indiana. The House meets once a year, during the Association’s Midwest Dental Assembly held each Spring. The essential officers of the House are the Speaker and the Secretary. The Executive Director of the Association serves as Secretary of the House of Delegates.

Introduction To The Friday Events: An Inspired Ida Initiative

Journal IDA

Professional organizations in general that depend on membership to effectively function are facing challenges because of lower membership renewals as well as a seeming lack of interest among new members that are joining organizations. The ADA, which represents a significant portion of U.S. dentists, has seen declines in membership, with some reports showing around 57 percent market share in 2022 and a decrease to roughly 115,731 active members by late 2024. Recent data point to around 152,000 to over 160,000 total members out of a total of approximately 202,485 active dentists in the USA.

The Tortuous Path Of A Bill: From Conception To Implementation

Journal IDA

In dentistry, the process for a resolution to become a rule or policy, is driven by professional associations like the Indiana Dental Association at the state level and nationally by the American Dental Association (ADA). A proposal goes through committee review and debate before being voted on by the Association’s House of Delegates. A resolution passed by the House of Delegates becomes an official policy that governs members, but it does not carry the force of law without further action at the state level.

Is It True? Rumors And Misinformation Surrounding Dentists, The Ada And The Ida

Journal IDA

The professional organizations that represent dentists across Indiana and the United States, set standards for dental care, promote oral health, and advocate for the dental profession. Despite its long-standing reputation and contributions, both the ADA and the IDA have often been the target of misinformation and myths. The public also often gather misinformation about dental care and then question their dentist about it. This article aims to shed light on some of the most common misconceptions about organized dentistry, discuss member benefits, and answer the question ‘why you should be a member.

What If There Was No Ida Or Ada? Would You Be Able To Practice The Same Way As You Do Today?

Journal IDA

Organized dentistry refers to the combined and coordinated efforts of dental professionals through local, state, and national associations to advance the field. It involves working together to promote oral health, advocate for beneficial policies, provide continuing education, and uphold standards of practice. Examples include the American Dental Association (ADA), state dental societies, like the Indiana Dental Association and all its component societies and specialty organizations that offer resources, networking opportunities, and a collective voice for the profession.

Journal Ida 2025 104 4

Journal IDA

In the Fall 2025 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• 12 What If There Was No IDA or ADA? Would You Be Able to Practice the Same Way As You Do Today?
• Is it True? Rumors and Misinformation Surrounding Dentists, the ADA and the IDA
• The Tortuous Path of a Bill: From Conception to Implementation
• Introduction to the FrIDAy Events: An Inspired IDA Initiative
• A View from the Podium: Preparation for the IDA House of Delegates
• Health Insurance Options for Dentists and Employees

This issue also includes regular columns from the editor, the executive director as well …

Journal Ida 2025 104 3

Journal IDA

In the Summer 2025 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Dental Sticky Situations
• Defining Prescriptive Supervision and Delegation in Indiana: The Essential Roles of the Dental Hygienist and the Dental Assistant on the Dental Team
• Safeguarding Ethics: The Work of the Indiana State Board of Dentistry
• Dental Treatment: Who Has the Final Say on Oral Health Care?
• Overview of Indiana Health Records Law
• Ethical Considerations in Cosmetic Dentistry
• Protecting Dentistry’s Ethics: IDA’s Peer Review Program
• An Annotated Walkthrough of Dental and Dental Hygiene Professional Oaths Using AI Search Engines
• Radiation Safety in Dental Offices: Where Do We …

Journal Ida 2025 104 1

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2024 103 4

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Journal Ida 2024 103 3

Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.