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Va Dent J July, August And September 2025

Virginia Dental Journal

The July–September 2025 issue of the Virginia Dental Journal highlights the continued dedication of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) to advocacy, education, and professional development. In his message, President Dr. Justin Norbo reflects on his visits across the state, underscoring the importance of peer-to-peer engagement and unity within the tripartite (ADA, VDA, and local components) to protect and strengthen the profession. Editor Dr. Sarah Friend shares a candid narrative of workforce challenges, burnout, and mismanagement in dental practices, calling for proactive involvement in both private practice and organized dentistry to prevent decline. ADA Trustee Dr. James Mercer provides updates on …

Meet The Candidates

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

A Meeting With Senator Tim Kaine On Virginia’S Dental Medicaid Benefit: Our Federal Representatives Want To Hear Our Stories, Laura Settles Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Laura Settles participated in a meeting with Senator Tim Kaine to advocate for Virginia’s Medicaid dental benefits, sharing impactful patient stories and highlighting the importance of expanding the Medicaid provider network. She also organized Wythe County’s first Mission of Mercy (MOM) project, addressing critical dental care needs for underserved patients. Senator Kaine pledged to bring these stories to the Senate to protect Medicaid benefits and improve access to essential dental care.

Virginia Board Of Dentistry Meeting Notes June 13, 2025, Ursula Klostermyer Dds, Phd

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Board of Dentistry (BOD) meeting on June 13, 2025, covered topics such as regulations for digital scan technicians, infection control training, licensure pathways for foreign dental graduates, and the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. Updates were provided on workforce trends, disciplinary actions, and financial health. The meeting emphasized teledentistry protocols, dental assistant training models, and efforts to engage dental students and professionals.

Medical Billing For Dentists: Integrating A Different Tool To Boost Case Acceptance, Tontra Lowe Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Medical billing for dentists is a powerful tool to boost case acceptance and make comprehensive care more affordable by accessing medical insurance benefits for oral treatments. Proper training and patient education about the oral-systemic link are essential for successful implementation, enabling practices to improve workflows, elevate patient care, and enhance overall health outcomes.

What We Learned: Key Takeaways From Delta Dental And Vda Discussions, Chris Pyle

Virginia Dental Journal

Delta Dental of Virginia collaborated with the Virginia Dental Association to address dentist grievances, leading to policy updates, improved processes, and enhanced support tools. Key changes include extended predetermination validity, revised claims rules, and better coverage for specific treatments. Feedback from dentists continues to shape improvements, supported by the VDA's Dental Insurance Grievance Tracker.

When “Just Sign Here” Is Too Good To Be True!, W. Scott Johnson Esquire

Virginia Dental Journal

Dentists are often pressured into purchasing expensive technology at conferences, with contracts governed by out-of-state laws and high-interest rates. These agreements may include personal guarantees, teaser rates, and restrictions on prepayment, leading to financial risks and potential legal consequences. Dentists are advised to carefully review terms and seek professional counsel before committing.

Tune In: Podcast Industry Continues To Grow, Michaela Mishoe

Virginia Dental Journal

The podcast industry continues to grow, offering diverse content for education and engagement. Health-related podcasts are particularly popular, with platforms like Spotify reporting significant increases in streams. The Virginia Dental Association launched The Fulcrum Podcast in 2025, addressing key dental topics and providing tips for being a successful podcast guest. Additionally, dental practice transitions and sales are highlighted, showcasing opportunities across Virginia and beyond.

Dental Detective Series - Word Search, Zaneta Hamlin Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Through The Looking Glass, Sarah Glass

Virginia Dental Journal

The document discusses three oral pathology cases presented by a dental student, focusing on diagnoses of lateral periodontal cyst (LPC), odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), and unicystic ameloblastoma (UAM). It provides clinical, radiographic, and histopathological features, along with treatment options and recurrence rates for each condition.

Do Orthodontists And Patients Prefer Different Linguistic Resources To Overcome Language Barriers In The Clinical Setting?, Phuong Tran Dds, Bhavna Shroff Dds, M.Dent.Sc, Caroline K. Carrico Ph.D, Steven J. Lindauer Dmd

Virginia Dental Journal

Introduction: This study examines communication methods used by patients and clinicians to overcome language barriers in dental settings, aiming to determine the most preferred and beneficial resource.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to a randomized sample of orthodontists in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and Spanish-speaking limited English proficient (LEP) patients in Central Virginia. Questions assessed linguistic resources and their impact on visit perception, decision-making, doctor patient relationships, compliance, and satisfaction.

Results: Among 31 providers and 64 patients, bilingual staff members and friends/family members were the most utilized resources. However, both groups selected bilingual staff as the most preferred resource …

Virginia Dentists And Dental Students Unite, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

Over 1,200 dentists and dental students, including representatives from Virginia, attended the eighth annual ADA Lobby Day in Washington, DC, to advocate for legislative priorities such as fair provider contracts, student loan reform, and community water fluoridation. Virginia's delegation was uniquely featured by ADA News, highlighting their dedication to dentistry and patient care.

Vda Pac Update, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

The VDA PAC update highlights legislative successes for dentistry in 2025, including expedited licensure pathways, repealing sunset provisions for foreign dental program graduates, and transparency in health insurance payment methods. Contributions are encouraged to meet the PAC's funding goals. Past legislative achievements include advancements in dental insurance transparency, teledentistry, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and workforce mobility.

The Fulcrum Podcast - New Episodes, Shannon Jacobs

Virginia Dental Journal

The Fulcrum Podcast explores diverse topics in dentistry, including practice transitions, dental education, legal considerations for patient reviews, and mental health challenges like burnout. Episodes feature expert insights on dental practice ownership, workforce development, social media reviews, and strategies for managing stress and fostering supportive office cultures.

2025 Virginia Dental Showcase - Event Details

Virginia Dental Journal

The 2025 Virginia Dental Showcase will take place on September 26-27, 2025, at Hilton Norfolk The Main in Norfolk, VA. This premier event for dental professionals features dynamic speakers, hands-on workshops, CE courses, an exhibit hall, networking opportunities, and receptions. Registration fees vary by attendee type, with early bird discounts available until July 31. The event includes access to CE courses, receptions, coffee breaks, boxed lunches, and a Membership Party. Parking and transportation options are provided, including on-site parking, nearby garages, and public transit. Exhibitors and sponsors will showcase the latest dental products and services.

Dental Ai Roundup, Paul Supan Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) has taken a proactive stance on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry, emphasizing ethical use, patient privacy, and the importance of licensed dentists maintaining accountability for clinical decisions. The newly formed Artificial Intelligence Resource Committee (AIRC) aims to provide updates on AI developments and address challenges such as corporate influence, insurance misuse, and unethical practices. The Dental-AI Roundup column will serve as a platform to inform the dental community about AI advancements and emerging threats to traditional private practice dentistry.

The Drill, July 2025, Ryan Dunn

Virginia Dental Journal

In the inaugural episode of The Drill, Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), provides a concise update on the latest activities and initiatives. The episode covers three key areas from the VDA's strategic plan: powerful advocacy, professional development, and practice success. Dunn discusses the workforce challenges, including a shortage of dental hygienists, and highlights efforts such as the new Richmond hygiene school opening in 2026. Other topics include the introduction of an affiliate membership program for dental office staff and the D.I.G. Tracker for monitoring dental insurance grievances. Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and share the …

Focused Leadership, Transparent Communication, A Stronger Future Together, James Mercer Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The ADA is undergoing significant changes under Interim Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Shapiro, focusing on leadership transition, transparency, financial sustainability, and operational improvements. Key initiatives include the implementation of a new Association Management Software (AMS), financial recovery measures, and the decision to sunset SmileCon as the annual meeting after 2025. The ADA is committed to enhancing communication, stabilizing operations, and exploring new meeting models to better serve its members.

Cleanings And Conundrums, Sarah Friend Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The document highlights the challenges faced by an associate dentist in a poorly managed dental practice, including workforce shortages, unprofessional behavior, and lack of support from management. It emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement in solving systemic issues within dentistry and introduces the SafeHaven program as a resource for addressing burnout and mental health concerns among healthcare professionals.

No Off-Season For The Vda, Justin Norbo Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Justin Norbo, President of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), reflects on his year of leadership, emphasizing the importance of member engagement and the unified strength of the tripartite structure (ADA, VDA, and component societies). He likens the profession to a family unit, urging members to stay involved to protect and advance dentistry. He highlights his visits to various component societies and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to serve, encouraging continued collaboration and participation.

From Adjustment To Transformation: Applying An Evidence-Based Figure-8 Model To Guide Students Through Transformation Before, During, And After Study Abroad, Susan L. Ross, Lily A. House-Peters, Alison R. Holmes

csuglobalaction

The 23-campus California State University (CSU) system has an excellent record of sending students abroad and remains a champion of this high impact practice. Despite system-wide policies and Executive Orders that include requirements to promote pre-departure information sessions and support for returning students - gaps remain. This research argues that the popular models of culture adjustment no longer adequately frame the processes that students experience before, during, and after transformative (and potentially traumatic) study abroad. This is particularly the case for BIPOC, First Gen, undocumented/DACA, URM, and LGBTQ+ students who are increasingly represented in study abroad cohorts. The authors therefore …

Klasifikasi Penggunaan Kontrasepsi Pada Pasangan Usia Subur Di Kalimantan Timur Dengan Metode Chaid (Analisis Hasil Pendataan Pemutakhiran Keluarga Bkkbn Tahun 2023), Rifky Irlika Akbar, Rahmi Susanti, Ismail Andi Baso

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Data BKKBN Kalimantan Timur menyebutkan, dari sekitar 800 ribu pasangan usia subur (PUS), hanya 60,1% yang menggunakan alat kontrasepsi. Hampir 40% PUS belum berpartisipasi dalam program keluarga berencana yang berdampak pada peningkatan angka kelahiran dan beban kesehatan reproduksi. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui karakteristik dan variabel penggunaan kontrasepsi pada PUS di Kalimantan Timur, serta hasil klasifikasi dan evaluasi model CHAID berdasarkan akurasi, recall, presisi, dan F1-score. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode non-reaktif dengan populasi 510.319 PUS di Kalimantan Timur. Analisis data dilakukan dengan metode CHAID, menggunakan perbandingan data training dan testing 70:30. Hasil analisis CHAID menunjukkan bahwa …

The Effect Of Temperature For Producing Thayer-Martin Agar Media Using Sheep Blood On Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Growth With Various Inoculums, Ika Ningsih, Kayla Adyapratista Sumadiyo

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative bacterium in the form of diplococci that infects mucous membranes through direct inoculation, is fastidious, and requires special media for growth because it is susceptible to heating and dryness, so it cannot survive long outside its host. Thayer-Martin agar media is a selective culture medium for the diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterial infections enriched with sheep blood. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum temperature for various temperature variations of making Thayer-Martin agar when mixing with sheep blood, compared to the temperature according to the manufacturer's procedure. Determining this ideal temperature may …

Health-Related Quality Of Life In Children With Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome, Mohamed Mahgoob, Marwa W.E. Ali

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is considered as a major global health concern, and a higher proportion of children with NS have steroid resistance (SR). This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with SRNS. Methods: This case-control study was conducted from January to June 2023 at University Children’s Hospital, Minia, Egypt. There were 160 participants in total who were divided into 3 groups: 60 participants with SRNS and 2 control groups (one of which had steroid-sensitive NS) that were matched appropriately. Each participant’s QoL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0 …

Rapid Access Chest Pain Assessment Clinic: An Australian Virtual Care Experience, Marwan Shawki, Thalys Sampaio Rodrigues, Hussein Al-Fiadh, Karen Sanders Mnursing, Ali H. Al-Fiadh

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: The Rapid Access Chest Pain Assessment Clinic (RACPAC) streamlines the evaluation of low to intermediate-risk chest pain patients, reducing hospitalisation and healthcare costs. However, there is limited data on the virtual model of care for RACPAC.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the structure, cost-effectiveness, and imaging modalities performance of face-to-face and virtual RACPAC in an Australian setting.

Methods:A retrospective analysis of patients attending the RACPAC within a large Australian quaternary hospital between 2012 and 2021. We described the clinic parameters and imaging modality utilisation with parametric and non-parametric descriptive statics. Patterns of diagnostic modality utilisation were assessed with …

Co-Design Of A Program For Medical Students’ Experiential Learning In Community-Engaged Research, Daenique H. A. Jengelley, Tess D. Weathers, Dustin O. Lynch, Morgan E. Ness, Luis Garcia, Gina E. Claxton, J. Dennis Fortenberry, Tamara S. Hannon

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Medical education may lack experiential training on authentic community engagement (CE). Employing a human-centered design approach with medical faculty and students to identify goals, opportunities, needs, and barriers to implementing CE research, we developed an Experiential Community Engagement Learning Series (EXCELS) pilot program. EXCELS supported both our community partners and medical students as a platform from which to learn from each other. EXCELS can be accomplished virtually, incorporated in medical training, and disseminated broadly.

Feasibility Of A Peer-Facilitated Video-Based Mental Health And Substance Use Service-Learning Program, Mara Carmina A. Tamayo, King Filart, Maria Regina Hechanova

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study examined the feasibility of implementing a peer-facilitated mental health and substance use video-based program delivered by psychology students as part of service learning. The program was delivered on-site and online. Findings reveal improvements in knowledge, attitudes, refusal self-efficacy, and adaptive coping among on-site participants. However, there was no effect on online participants given many implementation challenges. Recommendations include delivering the program on-site, strengthening training for facilitators, increasing program duration, and shortening the videos.

Teaching About Substance Use Recovery: The Pedagogical Power Of Community-Based Learning, Jumi Hayaki, Isabelle Jenkins

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Community-based learning (CBL) is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic theory and content with active service in an applied setting. CBL is especially well suited for teaching about complex social issues. We present the case study of a psychology course on substance use recovery that leverages CBL to dismantle stereotypes, humanize a highly stigmatized mental health problem facing society, and afford students the opportunity to consider their own privilege and positionality.

Being Well: Stories Of Coping And Resilience, Simiao Li-Sauerwine, Abbas Husain, Al'ai Alvarez, Gillian Baty, Manish Garg, Ryan Bodkin, Andy Grock, Marc Borenstein, Pamela Dyne

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The approach to physician well-being has transformed from a focus on identification of distress to embracing a comprehensive model that values vulnerability, growth, self-compassion, and a sense of purpose and community in the profession. This manuscript, a collaborative effort by the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine Well-being Committee and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Wellness Committee, presents the personal narratives of academic emergency physicians during which they faced challenges and stressors, as well as supportive resources they found helpful. The scenarios are written by the individuals themselves as they experienced them.

Discussion: Through these shared and …

Monitoring Of African Horse Sickness Virus-Specific Antibodies In Horses, Northeastern Thailand, Napawan Bunpapong, Kitikhun Udom, Ekkapat Chamsai, Patchara Phuektes, Suphattra Jittimanee, Suphannika Phutthachalee, Supassama Chaiyawong, Kamonpan Charoenkul, Alongkorn Amonsin Prof. Dr.

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

African horse sickness (AHS) is caused by infection with the African horse sickness virus (AHSV). In March 2020, AHS was first reported in Thailand due to the importation of subclinically infected host animals, such as zebras. In this study, we conducted a serological survey for AHSV-specific antibodies across 21 horse farms in the northeastern provinces (n=3) of Thailand. A total of 600 serum samples were collected for cross-sectional (n = 292) and longitudinal serological monitoring (n = 308). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020, during which serum samples (n = 292) were collected and tested for AHS antibodies using …