Dentistry Commons^™

Department Of Health Exerts Strong Control Over Cbct In Dental Offices: Regulations, Adopted Over Objection From Nysda, Take Effect Immediately., Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

On July 22, the New York State Department of Health finally adopted an entire set of new regulations covering all aspects of ionizing radiation. Contained in Article 16 of Title 10 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (10 NYCRR), the new regulations repealed and replaced the old Article 16. It is important to note that the new regulations are in effect only in counties outside of New York City. Dentists in New York City should still rely on guidance from the city Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. The regulations contain …

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.

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 …

The Power Of The Tripartite: Defending Fluoridation Together, Sarah Stuefen Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article describes a successful grassroots effort to preserve community water fluoridation in Vinton, Iowa. The author details how local dental professionals, state dental associations, the American Dental Association, public health experts, and community stakeholders collaborated to educate decision makers and advocate for evidence-based public health policy. The experience demonstrates the importance of coordinated advocacy and organized dentistry in protecting oral health initiatives.

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.

The Invisible Work: On Expertise, Showmanship, And The Trust That Makes Surgery Work, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This commentary examines how clinicians can make their expertise more visible to patients through communication, education, and clinical narration. Drawing parallels to surgical checklists and professional mastery, the author argues that trust is built not only through excellent outcomes but also through helping patients understand the complexity and judgment behind treatment. The article emphasizes communication, transparency, education, and mentorship as important elements of patient-centered care.

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 …

Ada Lobby Day 2026

Bulletin of the Ninth District Dental Association

Dr. Renuka Bijoor recounts her experience representing the Ninth District as part of NYSDA’s delegation for Lobby Day 2026. She expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to "advocate for ourselves, our profession, our team members and our patients" and makes particular note of the engaged and excited students that attended.

2026 Lobby day legislation and issues included:

• ERISA and the Improving Dental Administration Act, H.R. 7931
• Student Loans and Postgraduate Educational Debt, H.R. 2028/S.942
• Protect and Restore the Federal Oral Health Infrastructure

The article discusses to whom and how each topic was presented and concludes with one-page fliers for each.

May 2026 News You Need, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This source provides comprehensive updates on organized dentistry, including the appointment of Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi as the new ADA executive director. It reports on the MDA's current membership market share, which remains high at approximately 70% despite national trends. Significant health topics covered include Mental Health Awareness Month resources like the Well-Being Index and a patient fact sheet linking oral health to systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

J Mich Dent Assoc May 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 May 2026 (Volume 108, No. 5) 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 May 2026 issue of the MDA Journal introduces Dr. Melanie Mayberry as the new association president, highlighting her …

Dental Offices Subject To New Legal Mandates, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Several new workplace laws, applicable to dental practices, have been enacted, as New York continues its aggressive push in the employment law arena.

J Mich Dent Assoc March 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+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The March 2026 (Volume 108, No. 3) issue of the Journal is published in a 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.

This issue includes feature articles on Most-Asked Dental Benefit Questions, an interview with ADA Speaker Dr. Deb Peters, …

Credit Card Reform Tops Legislative Wins For Dentistry, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Several new laws of interest to dentistry were passed in 2025 and two of them were NYSDA’s own proposals, making the 2025 legislative session a productive one for the State Association, arguably the best in years.

N Y State Dent J March 2026

The New York State Dental Journal

In the March 2026 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Pebbly Gingival Nodule in an Older Male
• Extraction of Teeth or Root Tips from Underneath Fixed Partial Denture Abutments or Pontics
• Successful Regenerative Endodontic Therapy of an Immature Dens Evaginatus Mandibular Second Premolar with Apical Periodontitis

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Dr. Deb Peters: Opening Doors As The Ada’S New Speaker, Debra Peters, Christopher J. Smiley

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This interview profiles Dr. Deb Peters, the first female speaker of the ADA House of Delegates. Dr. Peters shares her vision for making the ADA more accessible, transparent, and responsive to its members. She discusses her leadership philosophy, emphasizing listening and mentorship, and explains how effective governance can lead to significant real-world impacts, such as the removal of taxes on dental prosthetics. Dr. Peters also outlines her goals for modernizing the House of Delegates process, including the creation of a "Resolution Dashboard" to help members track policy progress.

Update On Colorado Non-Compete Agreements For Dentists, Josh Austin

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Colorado’s Senate Bill 25-083 (SB 83) makes non-compete and non-solicitation agreements unenforceable for associate dentists, regardless of compensation. While non-competes tied to the sale of a dental practice or minority ownership remain valid if reasonable, most employment-based restrictions are now void. The law also preserves dentists’ rights to inform patients of their new practice and maintains penalties for non-compliance.

J Mich Dent Assoc February 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+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The February 2026 (Volume 108, No. 2) issue of the Journal is published in a 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.

This issue includes feature articles on Risk Management and 2025 Servant Leadership as well as a clinical reprint …

Government & Insurance Update, James Budd Mpp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This governmental update details Michigan House Bills 4593 and 4594, which aim to restore statutory standards for dental specialty advertising The proposed legislation restricts the use of specialty titles and letters to dentists who hold state-recognized specialty licenses in one of twelve specific fields, such as endodontics or pediatric dentistry Supported by the MDA, these bills seek to enhance patient protection and ensure transparency by preventing practitioners without accredited training from misleading the public.

Could Have Seen That Coming: New York State Department Of Health Taken To Task For Failing To Provide Proper Oversight Of Medicaid Managed Care Provider Networks, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

A recent audit conducted by the Office of the New York State Comptroller (OSC) found that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) oversight of Medicaid managed care healthcare provider networks was largely illusory and a paperwork sham. This raises the much larger question of whether Medicaid managed care is really serving the population of Medicaid patients. It is already almost a given that it is not serving healthcare providers well.

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2b

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care.

The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

Government And Insurance And Access (Cgia) Update, James Budd Mpp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The MDA Board of Trustees has established its 2026 legislative priorities, focusing on dental loss ratios, assignment of benefits, and virtual credit card payment reform. Key issues include addressing the workforce shortage, student debt, and improving Medicaid anesthesia reimbursement. The update also tracks several House Bills, such as those regarding voluntary license surrender (HB 4929) and foreign-trained dentist licensure (HB 4921), which the MDA opposes to maintain standards. Despite a slow legislative session in 2025, the MDA continues to advocate for transparency in third-party litigation and updates to specialty advertising rules. These efforts aim to protect the profession and ensure …

Is Being A Shareholder ‘In Name Only’ A Problem?, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column addresses the legal risks for Michigan dentists entering "shareholder in name only" agreements with non-dentist entities. Michigan law requires dental practices to be owned by licensed dentists to ensure professional control over public healthcare. Arrangements where management companies or manufacturers can reclaim stock for a nominal fee effectively strip the dentist of true ownership. This lack of control can lead to ethical conflicts, such as pressure to sell specific appliances regardless of professional judgment. Engaging in such schemes may endanger a dentist's license by thwarting state laws intended to protect clinical independence.

J Mich Dent Assoc January 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+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons. The January 2026 (Volume 108, No. 1) issue of the Journal is published in a 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 issue includes feature articles on Pediatric Dentistry and 2025 Life Membership recipients.

Regular monthly contributions include:

• Editorial …

Dental Professionalism In A Changing World: Challenges & Opportunities, Robert P. Iovino, Dds, Ma Dds, Ma

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This manuscript examines the erosion of traditional dental professionalism amid rising educational costs, declining membership in professional associations, and the growing influence of corporate ownership and private equity in dentistry. Drawing perspectives from economics, sociology, philosophy, law, and ethics, it traces the historical development of professional licensure and its role in safeguarding clinical autonomy, ethical integrity, and public trust. The analysis highlights how deregulation and profit-driven practice models challenge the profession’s social contract. The manuscript argues that preserving strong civic institutions, restrictive licensure standards, and humanities-informed education is essential to sustaining dentistry as a learned profession rather than a commodified …

Impact In Action: Your Michigan Dental Association Foundation, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, works to promote better dental health and support the future dental workforce through educational scholarships. The Foundation’s impact is increasing yearly, evidenced by a 42% increase in scholarship awards in 2024, providing $44,000 to 15 recipients. It also provides grants to statewide organizations delivering dental care to uninsured, impoverished, and underserved populations, awarding $141,500 in 2025. A high-profile program is the biannual Michigan Mission of Mercy (MOM), which provided over $1.1 million in donated care in Flint in 2024. Support is generated through various fundraisers, including the Year-End Fundraising Campaign.

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2025

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+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons. The December 2025 (Volume 107, No. 11) issue of the Journal is published in a digital-only format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions will resume in the new year.

This issue includes feature articles on the Michigan Dental Foundation, A Case for Credentialing Dental Assistants, and a feature …

Mda At Your Service: A Deaf Person Wants To Become My Patient, Rachel Sinacola Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The column clarifies that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), dental offices must provide auxiliary aids or services for patients with hearing impairments, which may require a professional interpreter paid for by the dentist in complex visits. Members are encouraged to notify the MDA about practice/life changes (e.g., address changes or caseload shifts) to ensure proper benefits and dues discounts. New associates are strongly urged to utilize the MDA resource for contract review, which offers a 10% discount with Kerr Russell Attorneys. Additionally, the MDA Store provides free Labor Poster Packets, fulfilling state and federal employer requirements.

The Case For Credentialing Dental Assistants, Michelle Godofsky

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Credentialing dental assistants is presented as a method to enhance productivity and address workforce shortages; currently, only about 15% of Michigan dental assistants are Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs). A case study at Thunder Bay Community Health Service, an FQHC in Northern Michigan, illustrates success, where RDAs perform expanded functions—like placing restorations and monitoring nitrous oxide—boosting clinic productivity by 16%. The clinic supports its dental assistants by covering education and exam expenses and providing study time during work hours. This investment improves job satisfaction, confidence, morale, and patient communication among staff, strengthening employee retention.

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2025

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+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The November 2025 (Volume 107, No. 11) issue of the Journal is published in both hard copy and with a digital-only format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions will resume in November.

The November issue focuses on membership along with a reprinted clinical article on the Oral Manifestations …

The Ethical Imperative Of Preserving Federal Oversight In Academic Dentistry, Jennifer Talley, Linda Olszewski

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article argues that federal oversight of academic dentistry by the US Department of Education (DOE) is essential to maintaining academic quality, professional standards, financial accessibility, and ethical governance. It examines the role of the DOE in the accreditation process, preserving access to financial aid, ensuring licensure eligibility, and upholding civil rights protections. The authors contend that proposals to dismantle the DOE risk undermining quality assurance, public trust, and equitable access to the profession. Without viable alternatives, preserving federal oversight remains an ethical imperative to protect students, patients, and the integrity of the dental profession.