The November 2022 elections were exciting for Oregon dentists. ODA would like to extend our congratulations to member dentists Dr. Cedric Hayden (Senate District 6), Dr. Cyrus Javadi (House District 32), and Dr. Hai Pham (House District 36), who were all elected to serve in the Oregon Legislature. Dr. Javadi and Dr. Pham are newcomers, while Dr. Hayden previously represented House District 7. Dr. Frank Girod, who was not up for re-election this cycle, represents Senate District 9 and makes the fourth dentist serving in the legislature. We are excited to work alongside all four dentists in the coming years.

Massachusetts residents voted overwhelmingly “yes” on Question 2, requiring that dental insurance carriers establish a medical loss ratio for dentistry, as well as requiring state's carriers to spend at least 83% of premium dollars on patient care rather than on administrative costs, salaries, and profits. The measure is seen as a win for consumer protections and insurance reform, and ODA was a proud supporter of the ballot measure. The ODA Board voted to contribute financially to the campaign advocating for Question 2.  You can read more about the ballot measure here.

Join your ODA colleagues on Thursday, February 9th for a day of advocacy at the state capitol in Salem. You’ll have the opportunity to educate legislators and their staff on critical issues impacting dentistry, tour the capitol, and network with colleagues. No previous training or experience is required, ODA will provide you with the tools you need to advocate for dentistry! Register here: https://bit.ly/2023dentalday

Advocacy is one of the most valuable yet least talked about benefits of membership in the Oregon Dental Association. Every year, new laws and regulations are proposed that could have a big impact on the practice of dentistry in Oregon, and ODA brings members like you to the table to make sure dentists’ voices are heard at the Capitol in Salem. Every dentist in Oregon has the power to make meaningful change for the profession — especially when we work together. To help our members learn more, we recently released a new video highlighting ODA's advocacy work! You can hear from members who help drive ODA’s legislative agenda by watching the advocacy video here.

Welcome to our newest members! Please reach out to these new members and welcome them into the ODA community.

• Tony Nguyen, DMD – Marion & Polk Dental Society
• Levi Shull, DMD – Marion & Polk Dental Society
• Whitney Smith, DDS – Lane County Dental Society
• Sonja Sproul-Hamon, DDS – Lane County Dental Society
• Riza Thaiba, DDS – Southern Oregon Dental Society

It’s that time of year to renew your membership for 2023! Please check your email as electronic invoices were emailed on November 1st. Choose any of the available renewal programs and be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 Amazon gift cards. We encourage you to set it and forget it to experience uninterrupted membership! Pay your membership online, here. We’re grateful for your membership as we’re stronger together!

Do you have an associate or colleague who may be interested in joining the ODA? There’s a current campaign which allows qualifying non-members the ability to lock in their 2023 membership at 2022 rates by enrolling in the 12-month auto-renew program. In addition to locking in 2022 rates, the non-member receives complimentary membership for the last quarter of 2022. This is a great way to understand the tangible benefits (wellness, finance, career, and CE) of membership as well as experience the tripartite community by attending local fall events. Use this link to sign-up for membership.

Members can tap into resources, support, and community, all in the palm of their hands with the re-imagined ADA Member App. This app isn’t just made for dentists, it’s made with them. When designing the app, ADA team members worked directly with dentists from different practice modalities, including dental students. Features, include 1:1 and group chat, digital wallet, curated newsfeed, career path insights, and stream the new “Dental Sound Bites™” podcast. Learn more at ADA.org/App or search “ADA Member App” in the App Store or Google Play to download now.

Let the Oregon Dental Association guide you on your journey in continued excellence and leadership growth. This program provides you with a unique backstage pass to ODA offerings and experiences, while developing and enhancing your leadership and interpersonal skills. Customized to each participant, depending upon area(s) of interest, the Academy guarantees a deeper understanding and growth where it matters most to you! Nominate yourself or a colleague to join our 2023 class! Find out more information, here.

We’re living through a time of uncertainty, and it’s normal to feel stressed and anxious. We have many challenges that lie ahead, and if you feel the need to reach out to someone, we are here, and you are not alone. The ODA's Wellness Program offers a robust network of compassionate Wellness Ambassadors, armed with resources to help support colleagues. The wellness program is open to all members, non-members, and dental students. If you need help or know of someone that needs help, please request support. Find ODA website wellness resources here.

Catch up on the latest ADA webinars and on-demand video learning opportunities on your own schedule. From managing your practice to caring for your staff or your own mental health, new events are added regularly. See all digital events here. Many CE opportunities are free of charge.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory regarding dental waterlines because of recent outbreaks of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. In addition to the recommendations listed in the CDC HAN notification, Oregon health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report all cases and test results indicative of and specific for extrapulmonary NTM within one working day to their local public health authority.

The Oregon Board of Dentistry voted to delay the implementation of the new CE requirements for providers placing implants until January 1, 2024. Providers are encouraged to use this time to take any additional training to ensure compliancy beginning on that date. Read the original rules and FAQ here, and watch more additional information forthcoming soon.

November 15 | Noon CT | CE credit pending

Would you like to learn about key changes to the 2023 CDT code? Join Drs. Chris Bulnes and Mark Mihalo at noon CT on November 15 for a free webinar outlining key changes seen in CDT 2023 and how this affects treatment planning, documentation of services on a patient’s record and benefit claim submissions. Their experience in the CDT Code’s maintenance process will also be discussed. This program is one of a continuing series addressing significant administrative activities that enable practice success. Register today!

ODA Member Connection, a members-only, private Facebook group, is designed to connect members throughout the state and provide you with a platform to share and collaborate. Join the conversation here!

The holidays are here! Let UPS® help you prepare and manage your shipments, so they arrive as expected. Here are a few tips to help you during this peak shipping season:

• Download or bookmark the 2022 Year-End Schedule from ups.com/holidays
• Use the schedule to answer questions about holiday season shipping, services, and recommended ship by dates.
• Sign up for a new account or login to your existing account to ensure you are taking advantage of your ADA UPS® Savings Program discounts. Save Now

The 2023 Oregon Dental Conference will be 100% in-person! Join the ODA at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR April 13-15, 2023 for exceptional CE courses, the chance to shop the exhibit hall, and to catch up with your fellow dental professionals! Please check our Oregon Dental Conference website regularly for new developments and updates. http://www.oregondentalconference.org

Wednesday, November 16 | 7 p.m. CT | 1 CE credit (pending)

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the ADA and the Society of American Indian Dentists invite you to the webinar, “Amplifying Voices: Decolonizing Dentistry.” In this discussion, panelists will discuss ways to make dentistry more inclusive to indigenous populations (patients and professionals), identify the barriers indigenous people face, and will share ways they incorporate their cultures in their practices. This webinar is open to dental professionals and brought to you by the ADA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the ADA New Dentist Committee, and the Society for American Indian Dentists. Register today.

In the fourth episode of “Dental Sound Bites,” our hosts chat with Marko Vujicic, PhD, chief economist and vice president at the ADA’s Health Policy Institute. They explore the changing landscape of dentistry, including who’s graduating from dental school, where and how they choose to practice, new tech changing the field and what it all means for you and your patients. Listen to “Dental Sound Bites” on the ADA Member App for exclusive bonus episodes. You can also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.