The Georgia Rural Physicians’ Workforce Board is still taking applications for 2 open slots for the Rural Dental Student Loan Repayment Program.  It is imperative that we get dentists to fill all 12 slots, otherwise the legislature will cut our funding next year.

Here is an overview of the program and details for submitting applications:

The Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance Program (DRAA) provides service-cancelable loans of up to $25,000 per year in return for dental practice in an underserved, rural county in Georgia. Contracts are awarded for one year and are renewable three times for a maximum of four years.  Funding for this program is provided by the State of Georgia.

Download DRAA information flyer.

Please click on the link below for the DRAA program requirements and application materials.

Download Dentist RAA Loan Repayment Program Application

If you have questions please let contact Scott Lofranco, GDA General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs, Georgia Dental Association at scott@gadental.org or 404-636-7553

Dear GSOMS colleagues,

The 2017 AAOMS House of Delegates (HOD) convened in San Francisco October 9-11. Despite the tragedy which was occurring in the Napa and Sonoma areas, the caucus sessions, reference committee meetings and the HOD were focused and productive, characterized by poignant discussion and debate, humor, and, solemnity as the HOD recognized fellows and members who had passed away since the 2016 meeting in the third session.

During the first session, the HOD elected Dr. Pushkar Mehra as an ABOMS Director in two ballots.

In keeping with the continued focus, both nationally and at the state level, on the opioid epidemic, the HOD authorized the AAOMS Board of Trustees (BOT) to appoint a Special Committee on Responsible Prescribing to serve as a content expert to existing committees and the BOT. This committee will report to the 2018 HOD. Our specialty continues to be in the crosshairs of political debate with regard to the opioid crisis. Georgia legislators are seemingly more brazen to publicly blame us for the introduction of opioids to “minor” populations via wisdom teeth procedures. For this reason, I recommended to Hank and Dr. Al Pesto that the GSOMS appoint an Ad Hoc committee on opioid legislation which will work separately and in conjunction with the GDA in preparation for the next General Assembly. We will also work with the Georgia Attorney General Task Force on Opioid Abuse as well as the MAG “Think About It” campaign advisory council. Grant Hogan and Amy Kuhmichel agreed to also serve on this important committee.

A resolution was introduced to sunset the AAOMS Committee on Hospital and Interprofessional Affairs. This committee’s function and accomplishments were vigorously defended by previous chairs in our caucus and on the floor of the HOD. The resolution was thusly referred back to the BOT for further evaluation with a report to follow to the 2018 HOD.

The AAOMS Committee on Anesthesia remains a very busy committee with ongoing projects which include an update of the Office Anesthesia Evaluation and development of the AAOMS National Simulation courses. Phase I (Basic Emergency Airway Management – BEAM) is ready for roll out to the membership. Phase II (Office based crisis management) and Phase III (IV Sedation) are in development. A resolution was proposed that would allow extension of the current chair’s term of service from 9-10 years (total time on committee) to allow continuity for completion of the previously mentioned projects. This resolution was defeated.

The HOD voted to approve Resolution B3 (RC) which would increase the consecutive Trustee tenure to three full 2 year terms (previously was two terms). The motivation behind this resolution was to avoid what happened last year when 3 candidates ran for the office of AAOMS Vice President. It was felt that too much BOT experience was lost at one time under that scenario.

There were many resolutions presented to the HOD pertaining to the AAOMS Foundation’s realignment under the AAOMS BOT’s. Many AAOMS committees will now be populated with AAOMS Foundation Directors. The AAOMS Treasurer will now oversee the finances of both the Foundation and the ASI Board. These resolutions all passed under the consent agenda.

The AAOMS 2018 operational budget was approved with Rev/Exp of 20,979,823 and 20, 760, 093 respectively.

Our caucus introduced a resolution to the HOD directing the AAOMS BOT to investigate independent specialty recognition and accreditation. This resolution passed also via the consent agenda and a report will be presented next year. This resolution addressed the ADA’s formation of a new commission for specialty recognition (composed of 9 GD’s, 1 rep from each of the nine ADA recognized specialties and a public member) and CODA’s initiation of a process removing the term “dental specialty” and substituting in its place “advanced dental education”. AAOMS officers and Trustees were present at the recent ADA reference committees and HOD sessions. You will hear much more about this from our District 3 Trustee, Dr. Robert Clark in the near future.

A resolution was proposed to rescind the Life Fellow/Member dues and assessment requirement that was passed last year. This item was defeated. On a humanitarian note, 2018 dues and assessments for OMFS’s practicing in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands were waived.

It remains a privilege to serve our component society as a delegate in the AAOMS House of Delegates. I know I speak for our other Delegates and Alternate Delegates, Vinny Perciaccante, Solon Kao and Bob Wunderle, in thanking you for your continued support of us and our specialty.

Jeffrey D. Schultz,
DDS AAOMS Delegate

On Wednesday evening, the House passed the medical malpractice legislation  (HR 1215) that AAOMS has vigorously advocated. The near party-line vote was 218-210 with 6 members not voting.

One amendment was agreed to during the floor debate and was included in the bill. It does the following:

• Allows a physician to apologize to a patient for an unintended outcome without having the apology count against them in the court of law.
• Requires a plaintiff to provide a notice of intent to the physician 90 days before the lawsuit is filed.
  Defers to sundry state laws regarding lawsuits and outlines requirements witnesses must meet for testimony during trial.
• One amendment failed that would have given affirmative defense to defendants in health care liability cases if they can show they complied with clinical practice guidelines.

It will be an uphill battle in the Senate so our work is not done. We must support AAOMS’ legislative efforts.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Please click on this link to send a letter to your Senators:

Grassroots campaign aimed at the Senate.

Simply fill in your name and demographic information and the system will develop a letter to go to your Senators from you. Freely edit the letter or send as is.

Thanks for your help!

Alfred E. Pesto, Jr., DMD
President

Dr. Patrick G. Allen, of Highlands, North Carolina, passed away suddenly on May 15. He was in the arms of his loving wife, Patricia Flewellyn Allen, who shared his love for 33 years.

Pat was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Millsaps College, where he earned a double Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and physics and a minor degree in biology. He then attended the University of Tennessee, Memphis, dental school where he earned a Doctor of Dental Science degree. He was then commissioned to the United States Air Force as a dentist and served as a Colonel at Aviano Air Force Base in Italy. He enjoyed traveling throughout Italy and Germany during his time in Europe. He returned to the US and practiced dentistry in Atlanta for a short time before furthering his career as an oral surgeon. He trained in oral surgery as a fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he also received a Master of Science degree. He then moved to Macon, Georgia, where he practiced for almost 30 years.

He was a member of the American Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Association and served as president of the Georgia Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. His compassion for his patients was felt by all.

He lived in Highlands, North Carolina for 23 years where he and his wife opened the Morning Star Inn and operated it for 7 years before retiring. He lived a full life and enjoyed traveling the world, scuba diving, theater, classical music and reading.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Pat) Allen, children Julie Johnson Osborn, Henry Lee Johnson, III, Kevin Drew Allen, Stephanie Lynn Allen, Jennifer Allen Johannessen and six grandchildren.

He was the epitome of a fine southern gentleman and his kindness and loving spirit will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717 in honor of Miss Lucy, who brought so much joy to Pat’s life.

Dear GSOMS Members:

HB 71 is legislation currently in the Georgia House Rules Committee addressing various aspects of network adequacy, surprise billing and reimbursement, and other related matters. The Georgia Society of the ACS, along with the Medical Association of Georgia and other state medical organizations, are working to keep this legislation from passing.

The bill has two prominent antitrust concerns:

• As a condition of medical staff participation, physicians are mandated to accept the same insurance plans as the hospital;
• As a condition of medical staff participation, the hospitals “shall receive the power to contract for the network participation of its providers (employed and private practice) with health benefit plans of such insurers, provided that such health care providers shall be responsible for negotiating all other terms, conditions and prices.”

Please contact the House Rules Committee (contact information below) and do the following:

• Share the attached legal opinion that states the legal flaws with HB 71 (HB 71 – Legal Opinion.pdf); and
• Request that HB 71 stay in Rules and NOT go the floor of the House of Representatives.

If your representative is a member of the Rules Committee please focus on him or her; otherwise, make your voice heard to the chair and vice chair of the committee.

Click here to view a list of the Rules Committee roster.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE

June 9 – 11, 2017
Chicago, Illinois

Please join Geistlich Biomaterials and the symposium sponsors at a one of a kind Multidisciplinary Treatment Solutions for Peri-Implantitis Symposium in Chicago. This interactive and didactic three-day event will cover topics addressing Peri-Implantitis, presented by world-class international speakers with expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment associated with Peri-Implantitis complications.

This multidisciplinary approach engages all dental professionals who are interested and are responsible for the placement, maintenance, restoration and preservation of dental implants.

Download Flyer