Pennsylvania Dental Journal Pennsylvania Dental Journal - Achieva

Pennsylvania 

Dental Journal 

Vol. 74, No. 5 • September/October 2007 

20 

Pennsylvania’s Donated Dental 

Services Program 

29 

Seeking Access Solutions For 

Special Needs Patients 

33 

How Pennsylvania Mediciaid 

Measures Up

FPO

FPO

2 

Pennsylvania Dental Journal • www.padental.org 

September/October 2007 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal 

Dr. Richard Galeone (Editor) 

3501 North Front Street, Harrisburg, 17110 

(717) 234-5941 • FAX (717) 234-2186 

rjgdds59@comcast.net 

Dr. Bruce R. Terry (Associate Editor) 

85 Old Eagle School Road, Wayne, 19087-2524 

(610) 995-0109 

pullpulp@aol.com 

Caroline Power Gangl 

(Senior Communications Strategist) 

P.O. Box 3341, Harrisburg, 17105 

(800) 223-0016 • FAX (717) 234-2186 

cpg@padental.org 

Rob Pugliese (Director of Communications) 


(800) 223-0016 • FAX (717) 234-2186 

rap@padental.org 

Dr. Judith McFadden (Editor Emerita) 

3386 Memphis Street, Philadelphia, 19134 

(215) 739-3100 

Officers 

Dr. Jon J. Johnston (President) ✸✸✰ 

106 West Mahoning Street 

Punxsutawney, 15767-2017 

(814) 938-4210 • docjjj@adelphia.net 

Dr. Thomas W. Gamba (President-Elect) ✸✰ 

255 S 17th Street Suite 2807 

Philadelphia, 19103-6228 

(215) 546-2311 • twgamba@mac.com 

Dr. Linda K. Himmelberger (Imm. Past Pres.) ✰● 

227 Lancaster Avenue, Devon, 19333 

(610) 688-2211 • himmelberger@msn.com 

Dr. Harry E. Kunselman (Vice President) 

473 Main Street, Reynoldsville, 15851-1250 

(814) 653-2227 • einsteinbr@comcast.net 

Dr. Dennis J. Charlton (Speaker) ●● 

P.O. Box 487 • Sandy Lake, 16145-0487 

(724) 376-7161 • djcdmd@alltel.net 

Dr. Gary S. Davis (Secretary) ●✸ 

420 East Orange St. • Shippensburg, 17257-2140 

(717) 532-4513 • doctord@epix.net 

Dr. R. Donald Hoffman (Treasurer) ✰✰✸ 

105 Penhurst Drive, Pittsburgh, 15235 

(412) 648-1915 • rdh2@pitt.edu 

Trustees By District 

1st...Dr. Peter J. Carroll...2009 

7946 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, 19152-3321 

(215) 725-8901 • pjcpc@aol.com 

2nd...Dr. Bernard P. Dishler...2011 

Yorktowne Dental Group Ltd. 

8118 Old York Road Ste A, Elkins Park, 19027-1499 

(215) 635-6900 • dishyork@aol.com 

3rd...Dr. Richard R. Grossman...2008 

489 Market Street, Kingston, 18704 

(570) 283-0664 • rrgrossmandds@aol.com 

4th...Dr. Jack A. Aughenbaugh, Jr....2009 ✸ 

P.O. Box 369, Hegins, 17938-9401 

(570) 682-8143 • jaaefb@aol.com 

5th...Dr. William T. Spruill...2009 ● 

520 South Pitt Street, Carlisle, 17013-3820 

(717) 245-0061 • wspruill@comcast.net 

6th...Dr. John P. Grove...2011 

PO Box 508, Jersey Shore, 17740-0508 

(570) 398-2270 • jdgrove@uplink.net 

7th...Dr. Peter P. Korch, III...2010 

4200 Crawford Ave., NorCam Bldg. 3 

P.O. Box 1388, Northern Cambria, 15714-1388 

(814) 948-4449 • gamlam9@excite.com 

8th...Dr. William J. Weaver...2011 ✰ 

Brookville Dental, 123 Main Street 

Brookville, 15825-1212 

(814) 849-2652 • wjweaver@gmail.com 

9th...Dr. Andrew J. Kwasny...2008 ✸ 

3219 Peach Street, Erie, 16508-2735 

(814) 455-2158 • kwas2@earthlink.net 

10th...Dr. Donald A. Stoner...2011 

Oakmont Dental Associates 

154 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, 15139-1801 

(412) 828-7750 • oakmontdental@msn.com 

ADA Third District Trustee 

Dr. William G. Glecos 

3408 State Street, Erie, PA 16508-2832 

(814) 459-1608 • glecos@adelphia.net 

PDA Council Chairs 

Council on Communications & Public Relations 

Dr. John L. Meci 

Council on Dental Practice 

Dr. Bruce Parker 

Council on Government Relations 

Dr. Steven B. Grater 

Council on Membership 

Dr. Frederick S. Johnson 

PDA Committee Chairs 

Annual Awards Committee 

Dr. Michael Cerveris 

Concerned Colleague Committee 

Dr. Mark C. Hagan 

Environmental Issues Committee 

Dr. Cynthia L. Schuler 

Forensic Odontology Committee 

Dr. Raymond Juriga 

New Dentist Committee 

Dr. Wade I. Newman

PDA Central Office 

3501 North Front Street 


(800) 223-0016 • (717) 234-5941 

FAX (717) 232-7169 

Camille Kostelac-Cherry, Esq. 

Chief Executive Officer 

Mary Donlin 

Director of Membership 

Marisa Fenice 

Director of Legislative Affairs 

Caroline Power Gangl 

Senior Communications Strategist 

Dawn Marron 

Director of Government Affairs 

Rob Pugliese 

Director of Communications 

Rebecca Von Nieda 

Director of Meetings and Administration 

Leo Walchak 

Controller 

Board Committees Legend 

✸ Executive Committee ✸✸ Chairman 

✰ Budget, Finance & Property ✰✰ Chairman 

● Bylaws Committee ●● Chairman 

EDITORIAL Board 

Dr. Daniel Boston 

Dr. Allen Fielding 

Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat 

Dr. Kenneth G. Miller 

Dr. Andres Pinto 

Dr. Deborah Studen-Pavlovich 

Dr. James A. Wallace 

Dr. Charles R. Weber 

Dr. Gerald S. Weintraub 

Pennsylvania 

Dental Journal 

The Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Dental Association 

September/October 2007 • Volume 74, Number 5 

Features 

20 Pennsylvania’s Donated Dental Services 

29 Seeking Access Solutions For Special Needs Patients 

by Dr. Wayne Zaayenga 

37 Treatment Options For Trigeminal Neuralgia 

by James McInerney, M.D. 

Departments 

5 Impressions 

7 Government Relations 

13 Lettere to the Editor 

14 Membership Matters 

17 Cyber Salon 

39 It’s Your Money 

41 On the Lighter Side 

43 Insurance Connection 

44 In Memoriam 

45 Awards & Achievements 

47 Continuing Education 

51 Classified Advertisements 

The mission of the Pennsylvania Dental Journal is to serve PDA members 

by providing information about topics and issues that affect dentists practicing 

in Pennsylvania. The Journal also will report membership-related activities of 

the leadership of the association, proceedings of the House of Delegates at the 

annual session and status of PDA programs. 

PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL (ISSN 0031-4439), owned and published by the Pennsylvania Dental Association, 3501 

North Front Street, Harrisburg, 17110, is published bi-monthly: Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec. Address 

advertising and subscription queries to 3501 North Front Street, P.O. Box 3341, Harrisburg, 17105. Domestic subscriptions are 

available to persons not eligible for membership at $36/year; International subscriptions available at $60/year. Single copies $10. 

Periodical postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. “The Pennsylvania Dental Association, although formally accepting and publishing reports 

of the various standing committees and essays read before the Association (and its components), holds itself not responsible for 

opinions, theories, and criticisms therein contained, except when adopted or sanctioned by special resolutions.” The Association 

assumes no responsibility for any program content of lectures in continuing education programs advertised in this magazine. The 

Association reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. Copyright ©2007, Pennsylvania Dental Association. 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pennsylvania Dental Association, P.O. Box 3341, Harrisburg, PA 17105. 

MEMBER: American Association of Dental Editors 


3

FPO

The Picnic 

Johnny Martin was a year ahead of 

me in high school. He had a pool 

table in his basement and both of his 

parents worked, so we spent a lot of 

time at his house where we could 

sneak cigarettes and drink beer. He 

also had a gasbag of a dog named 

Caravaggio, who directed offended 

looks at his own skinny butt upon the 

discharge of any noxious effluvium. 

He would then jump up and leave the 

room until the air cleared. 

I was thinking of Caravaggio one 

day when, out of the blue, I got an 

email invitation to attend a Labor Day 

picnic at Johnny Martin’s house, 

which is located somewhere in the 

abyss of southern New Jersey. One 

crosses the Walt Whitman Bridge and 

enters a miasma of roads designed 

by the folks of the witness protection 

program. I had never attended this 

soiree before but Johnny promised 

that another high school chum, Joey 

Murphy, who had never married and 

was a tax lawyer, would be there. We 

had no previous plans and I certainly 

had no intention of throwing a spontaneous 

holiday party. So, on Labor 

Day, we found ourselves out back of 

Johnny Martin’s house amongst platters 

of hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian 

sausages, potato salad, macaroni salad, 

tubs of beer and soda, chips, pretzels, 

cheese curls, one lawyer, 15 retired 

IRS agents and 15 retired IRS agent’s 

wives including our host and hostess. 

After spending some time catching 

up with Joey Murphy, who had had a 

checkered legal career of public and 

private employment, I started to work 

the yard. How civil they all were. 

Impressions 

Dr. Richard J. Galeone 

Well, I thought, they are civil servants. 

But inevitably, they discovered I was 

a dentist and the conversation turned 

to the less than civil topic of why 

they were all leading the good life of 

retired public servants while I was still 

getting up every morning at 6 o’clock 

to exercise so that I wouldn’t die of 

a heart attack at the chair. Surely, if 

they could afford to retire, then I too 

could cash in my chips. 

I tried to tell them that it was a 

myth that all dentists were wealthy. 

But their eyes did a collective roll as 

they recalled tax returns of yore. 

“Dentists come out of school in a 

lot of debt,” I told them. “And they’ve 

been depriving themselves of things 

for so long that, when they finally do 

start making some money, they usually 

go out to buy a new car and a house.” 

“Harry, did you ever meet a poor 

dentist?” asked a large fellow in a 

Hawaiian shirt. Harry shook his head 

no. The Hawaiian shirt gave me a 

haughty look. 

“That’s not the point,” I said. 

“Dentists have to establish their own 

pension plans. No one funds it for 

them. And the first years, the really 

important years, are so tough that 

very few put away any money at all.” 

I heard a distinct sigh from Harry as 

the Hawaiian shirt guy gave me a 

sympathetic look and turned to talk 

to someone else. 

“And dentists don’t get any paid 

vacation,” I stammered looking at 

Harry. “They don’t get any sick leave. 

They have to pay for their own health 

insurance.” A small voice in me was 

saying, “Let it go, Richie. Let it go.” 

I was losing Harry’s attention, too. 

Several other conversations started in 

the background. 

Who is this guy?, they thought. 

No, I could tell. He probably makes 

three to four times what any of us 

ever made and he’s complaining. NO! 

I screamed inside my own head. I’m 

not complaining, I’m trying to 

explain. Don’t you see? I’m explaining, 

not complaining. But sometimes it’s 

better to keep your mouth shut. 

Oh, brother! I went back to Joey 

Murphy with whom I had more in 

common. Joey was still working and 

just bought a new car, a 1996 Cadillac. 

The gas was killing him. We reminisced 

for a while about Caravaggio 

and then I turned to join in on the 

women’s’ discussion, but they were 

talking about something called foundation. 

Hamburgers were sizzling on the 

grill and a cool breeze came across 

the covered patio. I got a light beer 

out of the tub, sat in a lawn chair and 

tried to enjoy the summer afternoon. 

(continued on page 6) 


5

Impressions 

Why are so many dentists unable to 

retire at a reasonable age? When I was 

in dental school I received almost no 

training in practice management. I 

received absolutely no information 

about financial planning. My impression 

was that the business end of dentistry 

was considered an undignified 

topic. We were there to learn a science 

to help mankind and not to figure 

out how we were going to make our 

fortunes. Now, I am not blaming 

dental school for my lack of foresight. 

Nevertheless, if it is not already being 

done, I do think it would be a good 

idea to teach senior dental students 

some basic principles of financial 

planning. 

How important is it when we fail 

to save during those first years? Well, 

if you graduated from college at 22 

years of age and went to work for a 

large company and they put away 

$4,000 dollars a year for you at 8 percent 

interest until you were 65 years 

old, you would have accumulated 

$1,533,000 dollars. 

On the other hand, if you graduated 

from dental school at 26 years, did 

an internship, bought your first new 

car, got married and bought a home 

and started saving for retirement at 35 

years of age, you would have to put 

away $11,600 of your own money 

every year to save the same amount by 

65 years of age. 

As Albert Einstein famously said, 

“The most powerful force in the 

universe is compound interest.” 

Retirement planning should start on 

the first day of a dentist’s career. 

—RJG 

6 September/October 2007 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal 

FPO

PDA is gearing up for another busy 

legislative session, during which 

Governor Rendell will continue to 

push for passage of more elements of 

“Prescription for Pennsylvania”, his 

health care reform package that 

focuses on insurance coverage for all 

Pennsylvanians, the reduction of 

hospital-acquired infections and the 

elimination of any regulatory barriers 

to health care personnel working to 

the fullest extent of their education 

and training. The General Assembly 

will convene on September 17 for 

a special session on energy policy that 

had been agreed upon as part of the 

budget deal struck between the 

Governor and the legislature. This 

special session will run concurrently 

with the regular session that ends in 

December. 

PDA is working in tandem with its 

lobbyists and public relations consultant, 

other dental organizations such 

as the Pennsylvania Academy of 

General Dentistry (PAGD) and other 

health-care and advocacy organizations, 

such as the ARC of Pennsylvania, to 

garner support for PDA’s legislative 

initiatives outlined below. But PDA 

needs help from members and spouses 

to build the grassroots momentum 

that is necessary for the passage of any 

of these bills. The chances of PDA 

being successful in passing legislation 

this session hinges on members’ 

making personal contact with their 

legislators. Please come to PDA’s 

Lobby Day October 16 at the State 

Capitol in Harrisburg. The schedule 

and registration form can be found 

on page 11. Or contact PDA’s 

government relations staff at (800) 

223-0016, or msf@padental.org, for 

more information. 

PDA’s Legislative Goals for 

the Remainder of the 2007/2008 

Legislative Session 

Expanded Duties for Dental 

Assistants (DAs) and Expanded 

Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) 

PDA will seek a sponsor in the 

House of Representatives to introduce 

legislation that would expand scope 

of practice for DAs by allowing them 

to perform coronal polishing for 

children up to age 17 and fluoride 

treatments, both under dentists’ direct 

supervision. The legislation would 

also allow EFDAs to perform supragingival 

scaling, coronal polishing and 

fluoride varnish. This legislation 

garnered public support from Rep. 

Michael Sturla, chair of the House 

Professional Licensure Committee, 

and other Democratic and Republican 

House members before the legislature 

adjourned for the summer. PDA will 

lobby this legislation as part of the 

legislature’s continued dialogue on 

the Governor’s “Prescription for 

Pennsylvania” to provide solutions to 

problems in accessing dental care. 

Community Water Fluoridation 

PDA will continue to lobby for 

passage of the Community Water 

Fluoridation Act as an access to care 

initiative that will provide the 

important preventive benefit of an 

optimal level of fluoride in public 

water supplies servicing 500 or more 

domestic lines. Rep. Stephen Barrar 

introduced HB 1649, which passed 

the House Health and Human Services 

Committee on June 29. PDA will 

lobby House Democratic Leadership 

to place HB 1649 on the calendar 

Government Relations 

for consideration by the full House 

of Representatives in the fall. 

PDA is building a consortium of 

other health care groups and advocacy 

organizations to assist in lobbying the 

legislature and Governor’s 

Administration about the importance 

of community water fluoridation. 

These groups include the PAGD, the 

Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists 

Association, the ARC of Pennsylvania, 

Partnership for Children and Delta 

Dental’s Well-Being Foundation. 

Prohibit Insurers From Retroactively 

Denying Claims After One Year 

PDA is lobbying in support of 

legislation introduced by Rep. Stephen 

Barrar that would limit the time in 

which insurers may retroactively deny 

claims submitted by health care 

providers. HB 337 was assigned to the 

House Insurance Committee, where 

it has not yet been considered. This 

bill allows for retroactive denials that 

do not exceed a 12-month period for 

the following reasons: 

• The provider submitted fraudulent 

information to the insurer 

• The provider submitted improperly 

coded information and the insurer 

had given the provider sufficient 

information regarding the coding 

guidelines at least 30 days prior to 

the date the denied services were 

rendered 

• The provider submitted a duplicate 

claim 

This legislation applies to dental 

practitioners. As a member of the 

Alliance of Health Care Providers, PDA 

is working with other groups to lobby 



7


in support of a one year or less 

timeframe in which insurers may 

retroactively deny claims. PDA is 

hopeful this bill passes the House of 

Representatives in the fall. 

Insurance Coverage for General 

Anesthesia When Administered to 

Children Six Years of Age and 

Younger and Special Needs Patients 

PDA is seeking sponsors in both the 

House of Representatives and Senate 

to introduce legislation that would 

require all insurers to cover the costs 

associated with administering general 

anesthesia to children six years of age 

and younger and special needs 


patients. A majority of states requires 

that medical plans pay for hospitalization 

and related medical expenses, 

such as the administration of general 

anesthesia, when dental treatment 

must be performed in hospitals. Not 

providing this coverage limits access 

to care for those patients who require 

extensive dental work or need general 

anesthesia because of behavior management 

issues. These patients simply 

do not get the care they need because 

they cannot afford the significant costs 

associated with the administration of 

general anesthesia. PDA has garnered 

support from the Governor’s 

Administration and key members of 

the House Democratic and Republican 

caucuses to advance this legislation. 

FPO 

Increased Reimbursement in the 

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs/ 

Financial Incentives for Dentists Who 

Open Practices in Underserved Areas 

In response to a resolution passed 

by the House of Representatives to 

address health professional shortages 

in Pennsylvania, PDA will advocate 

for the expansion of Pennsylvania’s 

student loan repayment program to 

increase reimbursement for dental 

providers willing to serve in health 

professional shortage areas or to devote 

a certain percentage of their practice 

to treating the underserved. PDA 

recommends that the loan repayment 

program also apply to dental hygienists.

PDA is also lobbying for legislation 

for the state to offer low-cost loans 

for dental practitioners who wish to 

open practices in underserved areas 

or to treat a certain percentage of the 

underserved population. 

Reasonable Regulations for the 

Removal of Amalgam Waste from 

Dental Offices 

PDA is continuing to lobby members 

of the Philadelphia City Council to 

defeat or, at the very least, amend an 

ordinance proposed by Councilwoman 

Blondell Reynolds Brown to require 

Philadelphia dentists to install amalgam 

separators, display posters about the 

hazards of “mercury amalgam” and 

disseminate brochures educating 

patients about restorative options and 

the risks associated with “mercury 

amalgam.” PDA presented testimony 

and was successful in stalling this 

ordinance after it was voted out of 

Committee in May, allowing time to 

educate the full Council about the 

safety of dental amalgam and some of 

the difficulties dentists face in installing 

separators. PDA will continue its lobbying 

efforts in the fall while monitoring 

activity at the state level to prevent 

a statewide mandate. 

Reforms to the Medical Assistance 

(MA) Program, Which Include 

Increased Reimbursement for Dentists 

PDA continues to work with officials 

at the Department of Public Welfare 

(DPW) to affect positive reforms to the 

MA system. Though PDA and DPW 

acknowledge that there are insufficient 

funds in both the federal and state 

budgets to reimburse dentists at usual 

and customary rates, there is continued 

dialogue between the two organizations 

to determine the dental codes most 

frequently used, particularly by pediatric 

dentists, and how the limited funds 

should be allocated per procedure. 

PDA is also discussing with DPW 

officials and legislators the idea of 

creating mid-level practitioners 

designed to serve as members of the 

oral health team and improve access 

to dental care in underserved areas. 

An example would be Community 

Dental Health Coordinators (CDHCs), 

who would be tasked with providing 

community-focused oral health 

promotion, prevention and coordination 

of dental care to underserved 


populations. These alternative workforce 

personnel include specific 

educational and training requirements 

that prepare them to provide care 

without compromising patient safety. 

PDA believes that the CDHC module 

can be integrated into the dental 

team to ensure continuity of care for 

those patients with difficulty keeping 

appointments due to childcare and 

transportation issues. 

FPO 


9


Are you convinced yet that you need 

to come to Harrisburg for PDA’s 

Lobby Day on October 16? If not, 

here are some more reasons to talk 

with your Representative and 

Senator on October 16: 

• Governor Rendell’s insurance 

proposal may adversely impact small 

business owners, including dentists. 

• The Administration and legislature 

may soon require amalgam separators, 

should they perceive dentistry as 

indifferent to environmental and 

patient health concerns. 

• Other groups are trying to convince 

the legislature that they are better 

suited to solve dental access problems. 

Dentists must be part of the equation, 

or public and private dental practice 

may be significantly impacted. 

• Funding for dental Medicaid, residency 

programs, and public dental 

programs may be cut if dentistry 

does not convey the importance of 

oral health in maintaining overall 

health. 

Some things you need to know 

about Lobby Day: 

• Please schedule your own legislative 

appointments, between 10:00 a.m. 


Mark Your Calendars 

PDA Lobby Day 

October 16th 

and 12:00 p.m. It is much better for 

you, the constituent, to contact 

your Representative and Senator to 

arrange these meetings. Please 

notify PDA’s government relations 

department of appointments that 

you have made so that accurate 

assignments are made. 

• Spouses are encouraged to attend! 

Please note your spouse’s name on 

the registration form. 

• PDA has made every effort to 

schedule Lobby Day for a day that 

the legislature will most likely be in 

session. However, the legislature 

has not yet set its fall schedule, and 

there may be unforeseen circumstances, 

in which your legislator 

may be called early to session or 

session is cancelled entirely. Should 

this happen, you will be able to 

meet with staff. PDA appreciates 

your understanding and cooperation 

should this occur. Meeting with 

legislative staff is often just as 

effective. No matter what, the 

presence of hundreds of dentists at 

the Capitol WILL be noticed! Due 

to scheduling conflicts with ADA 

Annual Session and the Columbus 

Day holiday, PDA selected October 

16 as the best available option 

without scheduling Lobby Day too 

late in the legislative session to have 

an impact. 

• Tuesday may be a bad day of the 

week for you, but it really is the 

only day to choose. The General 

Assembly is only in session Monday- 

Wednesday. Many legislators travel 

from their districts on Monday, 

arrive later that afternoon and leave 

Wednesdays to return to their 

districts. Tuesday provides the 

optimal opportunity for you to see 

your legislator at the Capitol. 

• PDA may randomly assign you to 

legislative offices should there not 

be enough attendees to cover all 

253 offices. You will receive the 

assignment sheet a week prior to 

Lobby Day. Please feel free to arrange 

appointments — though you are 

not a constituent you should be 

able to make an appointment as a 

PDA representative. Or, we ask that 

you simply stop by the office to 

drop off PDA’s position folder and 

dental hygiene kits. 

• You are free to team up with another 

dental colleague, your spouse, or 

dental student, as long as you visit

with all assigned legislators. PDA 

will not pair up attendees but will 

assist you in finding a “buddy” upon 

request. 

• PDA’s Lobby Day is not the time to 

advance your own agenda. PDA 

requests that you lobby PDA’s issues 

and positions only. 

Dentists’ collective presence and 

voice at the state Capitol is obviously a 

very effective means to communicate 

on dental issues. PDA strongly 

encourages you to attend this worthwhile 

event. However, if you are truly 

unable to come to Harrisburg on 

October 16, please consider visiting 

your legislators in their district offices. 

PDA will send you the talking points 

you need prior to your visit. Also, PDA 

will assist any district or local dental 

society interested in arranging a “mini” 

Lobby Day in other areas of the state. 

Contact Marisa Fenice, PDA’s 

Participant’s Name 

Address 

Director of Legislative Affairs, at (800) 

223-0016, or msf@padental.org, to 

register today or for more information. 

You may also download a registration 

form from PDA’s website at 

Lobby Day Schedule (tentative) 


www.padental.org; Or simply return 

the registration form on the following 

page. Don’t forget to register! PDA 

needs an accurate count for meals and 

transportation. 

8:30-9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast & Legislative Briefing by 

PDA Lobbyists 

9:30 a.m. Board buses for the Capitol 

10:00-12:00 p.m. Visits with legislators and/or staff 

12:15 p.m. Group photograph at the Capitol (Rear entrance 

of the Capitol on Commonwealth Avenue, 

weather permitting, or inside on the Rotunda 

steps if inclement weather) 

12:30 p.m. Depart Capitol for return to PDA Central Office 

(buses located at rear entrance of the Capitol on 

Commonwealth Avenue) 

1:00 p.m. Boxed lunch and debriefing with PDA’s lobbyists 

PDA Lobby Day Registration Form 

October 16, 2007 • PLEASE REGISTER BY October 1, 2007 

Fax: (717) 232-7169 • Email: msf@padental.org 

Government Relations Department • 3501 North Front Street • Harrisburg, PA 17110 

City State Zip 

Phone Number 

Fax Number 

Email 

Legislative Visits at the Capitol 

Please check one of the following: 

❑ I will schedule appointments with the following 

legislators (please schedule appointments between 

10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.) 

❑ Please assign me to visit legislators (note: because 

these assignments are last minute, PDA will not 

arrange these meetings. You are asked to make 

appointments as PDA’s representative or drop off 

PDA’s material) 

❑ I will need transportation from PDA to the Capitol 

❑ I will arrange my own transportation to the Capitol 


11

FPO

Dear Dr. Galeone, 

I enjoyed your editorial from the 

March/April 2007 issue of “The 

Pennsylvania Dental Journal” concerning 

dental treatment of pediatric 

patients. It is especially noteworthy 

that you treat children in a hospital 

setting and children with special 

needs, where there is a great need for 

access to dental care. 

I would make a few comments 

about each patient that you mentioned. 

First, pediatric patients with congenital 

cardiac anomalies do need to eliminate 

any source of infection that might 

compromise their cardiac condition. 

I suspect that one of the reasons you 

treated the patient with Tetralogy of 

Fallot was to eliminate a source of 

infection from a dental etiology that 

might threaten the corrective cardiac 

surgery. You mentioned that a pulp 

exposure would be an indication for 

extraction of a primary tooth in a 

pediatric patient with congenital cardiac 

defect. The new guideline that is 

being taught at Pennsylvania dental 

schools and pediatric dental graduate 

programs is pulp therapy is not 

recommended for primary teeth with 

a poor prognosis because of the high 

incidence of associated chronic infection. 

Extraction of such teeth with 

appropriate fixed-space maintenance is 

preferred. That means judgment must 

be exercised for a vital pulpotomy on 

a carious or mechanical pulpal exposure 

of a primary tooth in a pediatric 

cardiac patient. The tooth must be 

asymptomatic, with radiographic 

evidence of a dental abscess, without 

resorption, restorable, and otherwise 

absent of any clinical signs of a 

dental abscess. The eighth edition of 

“Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent” 

by McDonald, Avery and Dean also 

documents this recommendation. 

I treat many pediatric dental 

patients in my practice and many 

hospital sites in this fashion and have 

not had any incidence of subacute 

infective bacterial endocarditis in over 

23 years. The new American Heart 

Guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis 

suggests that dental treatment may 

not always be the culprit for bacterial 

endocarditis, that everyday activities 

are more likely to trigger infective 

endocarditis. Another interesting note 

was scientists also found no compelling 

evidence that taking antibiotics prior 

to a dental procedure prevents infective 

endocarditis in patients who are 

at risk of developing a heart infection. 

I experienced such a case with a 

patient who had a history of mitral 

valve prolapse with regurgitation during 

a dental prophylaxis. The patient 

received the correct dosage of 

antibiotics on time, but still developed 

infective endocarditis. During a 

previous prophylaxis appointment, the 

same patient omitted the antibiotics; 

the hygienist didn’t ask if an antibiotic 

was taken, the dental prophylaxis was 

completed. I subsequently examined 

the patient, discovered the omission 

and delivered the recommended dose 

of antibiotics and the patient did not 

develop infective endocarditis. 

The patient who was severely 

medically compromised, that suffered 

a larynogospasm while being treated 

by the hygienist and you treated the 

child with rescue breathing, may have 

Letters to the Editor 

had something other than a larynogospasm. 

The recommended treatment 

for a larynogospasm is positive pressure 

100% oxygen and may require 

up to several minutes to break the 

spasm. Your breaths cannot produce 

100% oxygen. Whatever it was that 

this patient experienced, it was indeed 

fortunate that you were available to 

rescue them. 

I totally support your recommendation 

for mandated hospital coverage for 

very young and handicapped individuals 

in our state when necessary. It is 

the right thing to do for these patients. 

It is also the safe way to treat them. 

Sincerely, 

Peter J. Ross, D.M.D 

Diplomate, American Board of 

Pediatric Dentistry 

Dr. Galeone, 

Harold James Edward Lantz was a 

great friend. I graduated in ‘64, loved 

and respected him (and some of his 

antics) as a teacher, taught in the 

Prosthetics Department after graduation 

and loved my years of teaching with 

him as well. 

Your piece (“Have Fun,” May/June 

2007) brought back many happy 

memories. 

Thanks 

Dr. Richard M. Hochman 

Savannah, Ga. 


13

Membership Matters 

Increasing Pennsylvania’s Membership Market Share 

The American Dental Association’s 

end of 2006 report shows that its membership 

market share has increased 

to 71.8 percent. This is a phenomenal 

achievement for the ADA, which has 

shown a steady increase in membership 

since 2001, when their market 

share was at 70.4 percent. 

The Pennsylvania Dental Association 

is optimistic it will experience the 

same market share increase in the 

future. Currently, PDA’s market share 

is 62.8 percent. The PDA Council on 

Membership and New Dentist 

Committee are actively pursuing a 

number of projects that could improve 

PDA’s market share: 

• The Tripartite Grassroots 

Membership Initiative (TGMI), 

created by the 2001 ADA House of 

Delegates, is a dentist-to-dentist 

outreach program designed to 

increase organized dentistry’s membership 

market share to 75 percent. 

• Past experience shows that 

individualized efforts at the grassroots 

level are most effective in 

recruiting and retaining members. 

To achieve the initiative’s goal, PDA 

asks members to serve as TGMI 

field representatives. Field representatives 

make personal contact with 

new members, non-members or 

non-renewing dentists. The Council 

on Membership has established a 

goal to increase the number of new 

field representatives and to rejuvenate 

existing field representatives. 

• To accomplish this goal the council 

is requesting districts and locals to 

contact Mary Donlin, director of 

membership, to schedule a TGMI 

field representative training program. 


During the program attendees learn 

how to communicate the value of 

organized dentistry by helping 

them to develop listening skills to 

uncover non-member needs and 

overcome objections to membership. 

• PDA is in the process of holding 

focus groups to identify the reason 

why Pennsylvania’s dentists opt not 

to be members of the PDA. Results 

of the focus groups will help PDA 

market existing membership benefits 

more effectively, and perhaps 

discover areas in which we are deficient. 

The Council on Membership 

is anxious to tackle the challenges 

posed by the focus groups and find 

better ways to serve PDA members. 

• The PDA Council on Membership 

is obtaining a better handle on the 

aging demographics and continues 

to monitor the situation. Similarly, 

it is also monitoring the input/output 

ratio of new dentists in the 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The 

Council on Membership reported 

these important figures to the 2007 

House of Delegates and will continue 

to keep a close watch on those 

patterns. The PDA New Dentist 

Committee is also tackling the input/ 

output ratio issue by publishing a 

booklet encouraging Pennsylvania’s 

dental students to consider staying 

in Pennsylvania. Consider PA! will 

be distributed to all 2nd and 3rd year 

dental students this fall. 

• PDA is lobbying the Governor’s 

Administration and members of the 

Pennsylvania General Assembly to 

pass legislation that would increase 

the money available in the state’s 

student loan repayment program 

for dentists who agree to serve in 

designated health professional 

shortage areas (HPSAs) or to devote 

a certain percentage of their practice 

to treating the underserved. 

Pennsylvania’s student loan repayment 

program currently reimburses 

dentists up to $64,000 for a minimum 

of four years practice in a 

HPSA. PDA is also lobbying for the 

state to expand its student loan 

repayment program to include 

dental hygienists willing to practice 

in HPSAs. 

• The PDA New Dentist Committee is 

committed to holding New Dentist 

Receptions around the state, encouraging 

new dentist non-members to 

join and new dentist members to be 

more involved. A reception was held 

in Erie in July, and another is planned 

for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area 

in the fall. 

• In July 2007, PDA sent customized 

letters to non-members that highlighted 

benefits and accomplishments 

based on the non-member’s 

specialty. The letters also included a 

customized half-year dues quote. 

• The Council on Membership is 

currently researching new recruitment 

and retention strategies. 

A few of the prospective strategies 

include: newspaper advertising, 

financial incentives to locals for 

recruitment, alternate venues for 

exhibiting the PDA membership 

booth, the development of a 

Presidents-Elect Training program, 

and ways PDA staff can provide 

additional support to local societies.

Although PDA’s member market share 

is below the national market share as 

well as the TGMI goal, the good news 

is that PDA has a very large pool of 

TGMI representatives, and recruitment 

and retention programs appear to be 

leading the PDA in the right direction. 

For the end-of-year 2006, PDA’s 

active member non-renew was equal 

to the ADA’s non-renew rate. With 

your help PDA can increase its member 

market share! Contact PDA today to 

find out how you can help us meet 

this member challenge. 

2008 Dues Invoices! 


Just a reminder that your 2008 dues invoices will be mailed the first week 

of November. Please watch for them in your mail! Your prompt attention 

to the invoice would be greatly appreciated. If you’ve recently retired, or 

plan to in the near future, please communicate that to the PDA membership 

department at (800) 223-0016. Similarly, if you are currently experiencing 

financial hardship and are concerned about your dues payment, 

please contact Mary Donlin, director of membership, at (800) 223-0016, 

ext. 131. 

Members are encouraged to continue submitting 2008 coupon payments 

until late October. All coupon payments received by October 31, 2007 

will be reflected on your 2008 dues invoice. 

FPO 


15


Welcome New Members! 

Following is a listing of members who have recently joined PDA, along with the dental schools from which they graduated 

and their hometowns. 

Dr. Maaen Aboafch 

University of Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia 

Dr. Mostafa Aboulkhair 


Philadelphia 

Dr. Nicholas S. Agapis 

Howard University 

York 

Dr. Jon Jarrod Blackledge 


Phoenixville 

Dr. Christopher D. Coyner 

University of Washington 

Pennsdale 

Dr. Jahnavi R. Dave 


Wayne 

Dr. Mayura K. Ginde 

State University of New York at Buffalo 

Wexford 

Dr. Wanda C. Gordon 


Philadelphia 

Dr. Sok Woong Daniel Han 


Philadelphia 

Dr. Jarrette R. Kalp 

University of Pittsburgh 

Munhall 

Dr. Anthony Joseph Kash 

Temple University 

Glenside 

Dr. Suzanne Kinnear-Adams 

Case Western Reserve University 

Erie 

Dr. Leonardo J Galletto 

Georgetown University 

Kimberton 


Dr. William D Mestichelli 


Moorestown, NJ 

Dr. Prince Ofosu-Mensah 


Philadelphia 

Dr. Debra A. Pisarcik 


Philadelphia 

Dr. Matthew S. Rudolph 


Chambersburg 

Dr. Puja Sainju 

New York University 

Stroudsburg 

FPO 

Dr. Douglas B. Sherly 


Media 

Dr. Sarah J. Sibbach 


Jim Thorpe 

Dr. Ning Zhang 


King of Prussia 

Dr. Mark D. Zeigler 


New Castle 

Dr. David Alan Zimliki 


York

Digital Radiograph Etiquette 

Dr. Bruce R. Terry, Associate Editor 

With the rapid rise in digital radiography 

I thought a discussion on image 

reproduction was in order. A 2005 

Dental Products survey report showed 

that 22 percent of general dentists are 

using intraoral digital radiography in 

their offices. I would venture a guess 

that we are somewhere near 25 percent 

this year. With both intraoral and 

panographic images now in digital 

format there are some areas of concern. 

I have spoken in the past about the 

importance of backing up these files 

in the event you have an electronic 

meltdown (i.e. server hard drive failure, 

fire, flood or theft). In Pennsylvania, 

paper and digital records must be kept 

for at least five years. 

Once you have this image it is 

always available to you onscreen. But 

what do you do when someone 

requests an image be sent? Currently 

many of you print out your images 

on a laser printer with normal copy 

paper. Sorry, but that is a poor image 

of little or no diagnostic value. Often 

when an image like that is received in 

my office we take another image and 

don’t even charge the patient. 

For many digital offices receiving a 

digital image would be the best of all 

options. An email transfer is the 

easiest way I can think of as long as 

the sending office and receiving office 

have an Internet connection. At present, 

the number of offices with internet 

connections is also around 25 percent. 

This surprises me because 75 percent 

of dentists use or have Internet access 

at home. 

Dr. Bruce R. Terry 

Cyber Salon 

With the increase in digital imaging 

there is certainly a trend toward email 

communication between colleagues. 

Offices with traditional film-based 

radiographs are buying $99 scanners 

and “digitizing” those images to send 

to specialists and as attachments to 

electronic dental claims. In my office 

a traditional film brought or sent to 

us is scanned and converted to a 

digital image that can then be viewed 

on the monitor in the treatment room. 

Seeing a larger image is often very 

helpful for diagnosis. 

But sometimes there is a need for 

paper. Currently the preferred option 

for printing digital images is with an 

inkjet printer and glossy photo paper. 

Printers from Canon, HP and Epson 

are relatively cheap at $100 to $300. 

It is really not necessary to buy a high 

end printer because you really don’t 

need to print with quality higher 

than 600 dpi to 1200 dpi. Surely the 

higher the resolution the better the 

image, but the reality is that a 2 inch 

by 3 inch radiograph printed on 

glossy paper will be of sufficient 

quality because the size helps improve 

the diagnostic value of the image. 

We don’t need to be restricted by the 

actual size of the intraoral image any 

longer because we can enlarge the 

image for both viewing and printing. 

There are many inexpensive all-inone 

inkjet machines in the $250 price 

range that can both scan traditional 

radiographic film as well as print photo 

quality images. Ink and paper will 

eventually be more expensive than the 

machines themselves. Typically ink 

cartridge replacements can be $10 to 

$40 depending upon the machine. 

Canon currently has the least expensive 

cartridges because they separate the 

print head from the ink cartridge. Most 

other manufactures combine both, 

raising the per cartridge cost. There are 

many online discount ink remanufactures 

that sell refilled cartridges for 

one-third the cost. I have used these 

for years with total success. 

The other key to good quality 

images is using the proper paper. Copy 

paper is inadequate for the job. Instead 

use glossy photo paper from Kodak, 

HP or Epson. This paper can be bought 

at Costco, Sam’s Club or online at 

deep discounts. Consider what you 

want to print and format the paper for 

that image. For example, a single 

image does not have to be printed on 

8 X 10 paper wasting both ink and 

paper. You may want to cut the paper 

to half sizes or even quarter sizes when 



17

Cyber Salon 

necessary. You can format the image 

and printer to accept the smaller paper. 

This will considerably reduce the cost 

to print images. 

The advantages of sending an 

“electronic film” are significant. First, 

the image is sent immediately without 

additional cost to the sending office 

(i.e. postage or printing image costs). 

Second, the receiving office can import 

the image into the patient’s electronic 

record. It gets complicated when 

a patient has some printed images and 

some digital images. As more offices 

switch to digital imaging they will 


demand to have all patient images 

stored electronically. Third, finding the 

images in one electronic location 

will ultimately prove easier and more 

efficient for the office staff and doctors. 

Last, the receiving office will have the 

advantage and full power of the 

digital film. That is to say that with a 

digital image the dentist can manipulate 

the image’s size, brightness and 

contrast to better diagnose and treat 

the patient. 

We have entered a new age of 

imaging. We no longer need to feel the 

constraints of traditional intraoral film. 

FPO 

With digital images we can manipulate 

the size, contrast and brightness 

of any image. We can print, store and 

send electronically to others. We can 

save time and money when we eliminate 

duplicating films and mailing to 

colleagues and insurance companies. 

If you are taking digital films consider 

speaking with colleagues when images 

are requested. Many may prefer you 

send the images digitally. If you must 

use paper, remember to produce an 

image of good quality.

FPO

20 September/October 2007 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal

DONATED DENTAL SERVICES 

DDS Volunteers Are Superheroes 

They may appear to be mild-mannered dental 

health professionals, but Donated Dental Services 

(DDS) volunteers are really superheroes who 

transform lives. They may not be faster than a speeding 

bullet, but their speedy dental drills are always at the 

ready. They may not have X-ray vision, but they do 

control X-ray machines. And above all, DDS volunteers 

are generous in spirit and kind in heart—giving back 

to their communities and returning smiles to the faces 

of those most in need. 

DDS is a program of the Pennsylvania Dental Association 

and the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped 

(NFDH). It is a community of volunteer dental health pro- 

fessionals who make heroic differences in the lives of the 

often overlooked and at-risk population of elderly or disabled 

people who cannot afford dental care. Without access to care, these 

patients frequently fall through the cracks of public health programs, 

especially Medicaid and Medicare. 



21

Designed by dentists to be as simple and efficient as 

possible, DDS is one of the nation’s largest dental health 

volunteer programs. If you’re already a volunteer, THANK 

YOU! If you’re not, read on to learn about the superheroes 

in your community, and find out how easy it is to make a 

difference by assisting as few as one or two patients per year. 

The rewards are immeasurable. DDS patients are genuinely 

gracious and grateful, and our dentists feel privileged 

to serve them. We have a list of deserving patients who 

need your help. Be a hero today — call Pensylvania 

Donated Dental Services (DDS) at (800) 716-8721 (Eastern 

Pennsylvania) or (888) 683-9158 (Western Pennsylvania), 

or sign up online at www.nfdh.org. 

Sensational Sidekicks 

In addition to our league of extraordinary volunteers, 

we are also indebted to the Pennsylvania Department of 

Health, which helps DDS patients through its financial 

support. Pow! Zowie! Buzz! 

Local Hero — Dr. Stephen D. Muench 

“If I could, I would do dentistry for free,” says Dr. Stephen 

D. Muench, who has volunteered for DDS for the last five 

years. “This gives me the opportunity to provide dentistry 

for people who truly are in need.” 

Born and raised in Pottsville, Dr. Muench started a private 

practice in his hometown after graduating from Temple 

University School of Dental Medicine. When a fire destroyed 

his office, he re-established his practice in Pine Grove in 

1992. 

“I chose Pine Grove because I thought it was an underserved 

community,” he recalls. It was also an opportunity 

to redefine his practice by scaling down the patient volume 

to focus on providing more hands-on care. Dr. Muench, 

who has earned the Academy of General Dentistry’s 

Mastership Award, also volunteers his services to other 

programs in his area because, “I really believe in giving back 

to the community.” 

He adds, “I’m not trained to assess who qualifies for my 

help. If Jennifer Gillette (the DDS coordinator for Eastern 

Pennsylvania) thinks that patients are qualified, we’re going 

to treat them.” 

Dr. Muench recalls a woman who had previously been 

refused treatment by a dentist who didn’t approve of the 

patient’s home care. 

“She was very appreciative that we took her case,” he 

says. “It was heartwarming for me – but with DDS, they’re 

all heartwarming stories.” 



You’ve Got the Power 

You don’t need super powers — as a DDS volunteer, you 

already have the power to make dreams come true! You 

and everyone on your staff will be touched by the DDS 

experience. It’s easy… 

YOU… 

• Choose your patient(s) 

• Will receive a patient bio and can decline any 

patient, for any reason 

• Determine your own treatment plan 

• Do not pay for lab costs - labs also volunteer 

• Treat patients in your office, at your convenience… 

DDS does everything else! 

Whether you’re a general dentist or a specialist, someone 

in peril needs your help today! Our list of patients is growing 

faster than our volunteer corps. Try just one and learn 

how fulfilling it is to make a significant difference in the 

life of a deserving patient. 

Visit www.nfdh.org to learn more about the program and 

to volunteer. 

Superhuman Results in Pennsylvania 

During the fiscal year 2006 (July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006), 

660 dentists and 150 labs volunteered for the DDS program. 

Treatment worth $895,457 was donated to 413 individuals. 

An additional 310 people were referred to volunteer dentists 

and were undergoing care at the end of June. Dental labs 

contributed $90,709 worth of fabrications. 

How to Contact Us 

Pennsylvania Donated Dental Services 

An affiliate of the National Foundation of Dentistry 

for the Handicapped (NFDH) 

Eastern Pennsylvania 

P.O. Box 5025 

Harrisburg, PA 17110-5025 

800-716-8721 

Fax: 717- 238-8343 

www.nfdh.org 

Western Pennsylvania 

907 West Street, 2nd Floor, Room 7 

Pittsburgh, PA 15221 

888-683-9158 

Fax: 412 247-7815 

www.nfdh.org

Donated Dental Services (DDS) 

A national humanitarian program developed and coordinated 

by the National Foundation of Dentistry for the 

Handicapped (NFDH) in collaboration with 12,500 volunteer 

dentists and 2,600 volunteer labs. 

With assistance from: 

Argen 

BIOMET 3i 

Dentsply 

Ivoclar Vivadent 

Nobel Biocare 

Patterson Dental 

Philips Sonicare 

Straumann 

Sullivan-Schein 

Zimmer Dental 

National partners: 

American Dental Association 

Academy of General Dentistry 

American Academy of Implant Dentistry 

American Academy of Periodontology 

American Association of Endodontists 

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 

American Association of Orthodontists 

American Association of Women Dentists 

American College of Dentists 

American College of Prosthodontists 

American Dental Assistants Association 

Hispanic Dental Association 

National Association of Dental Laboratories 

The Pankey Institute 

Pennsylvania Donated Dental Services 

(DDS) Program 

2006 Fiscal Year 

PATIENTS 

# of Patients Treated 413 

# of People in Treatment 310 

APPLICANTS 

# Received 768 

# of Applications Pending (as of 6/30/06) 532 

VOLUNTEERS 

# of Volunteer Dentists 660 

# Involved with Patients Treated 392 

# of Volunteer Labs 150 

# Involved with Patients Treated 109 

FINANCIAL 

Value of Care to Patients Treated $895,457 

Average Value of Treatment/Case $2,168 

Value of Donated Lab Services 1 

$90,709 

Value of Paid Lab Services $8,799 

Operating Costs 

Ratio/Donated Treatment per 

$140,195 

Dollar of Operating Costs $6.39 

TOTALS SINCE START OF PROJECT IN 1996 

Total Patients Treated 2,116 

Total Value of Care to Patients $3,659,870 

SUPPORT AND REVENUE 

Contributed Services $895,457 

Grants and Other Contributions $140,595 

$1,036,052 

EXPENDITURES 

Donated Dental Services $895,457 

Program Support $113,123 

Management and Fundraising $27,072 

$1,035,652 

1 Value also included in value of care to patients treated. 


23


Who are the superheroes in Pennsylvania? 

They’re dental health professionals like you who lend a helping hand to disabled, elderly or medically compromised people 

in their communities. Join us in sending a super thank you to the PDA member volunteers who performed heroic feats 

for DDS in 2006: 

Dr. James Abildness 

Dr. Jim Adams 

Dr. William Adams 

Dr. Maxwell C. Adams 

Dr. Frank Aiello 

Dr. Francis J. Aigner 

Dr. Fred J. Alba 

Dr. Scott Aldinger 

Dr. Martin Alfano 

Dr. Dan Alleman 

Dr. Steven Alten 

Dr. P. N. Amin 

Dr. David A. Anderson 

Dr. Kenneth D. Andryc 

Dr. Bukaris Anugerah 

Dr. Warren Apollon 

Dr. Jack Aughenbaugh 

Dr. Jerrod H. Axler 

Dr. Yuval Azulay 

Dr. John Bailey 

Dr. Thomas Balshi 

Dr. G. Vance Barber 

Dr. Melvin L. Barber 

Dr. John L. Barczynski 

Dr. Brian Barket 

Dr. Alan Barnett 

Dr. Frank J. Barnish 

Dr. Thomas J. Barra 

Dr. James Basara 

Dr. Richard Beatty 

Dr. Robert Beaudry Jr. 

Dr. William Belcastro 

Dr. David Bellet 

Dr. Jeffrey A. Benson 

Dr. Marvin Berger 

Dr. Sheldon Bernick 

Dr. Thomas P. Birris Jr. 

Dr. Jeffrey Blank 

Dr. Russell S. Bleiler 

Dr. Mark Blimline 

Dr. Theodore Blinder 

Dr. Gary Bloch 

Dr. Gary R. Bodmer 

Dr. L. Wayne Bossola 

Dr. Thomas L. Bost 

Dr. Michael Bowser 

Dr. James S. Boyd 

Dr. Harry Boyle 

Dr. James Boyle 

Dr. Barry Brenner 

Dr. John F. Brent 

Dr. Michael Breskiewicz 

Dr. David Bresler 

Dr. Ronald J. Briglia 

Dr. Mark G. Brody 

Dr. Joel M. Brooks 

Dr. Carson Brown, II 

Dr. Bert M. Bullington 

Dr. Joseph A. Burger 

Dr. Tim Burke 

Dr. David Burt 

Dr. Lorri Burt 

Dr. John M. Bush 

Dr. John F. Buzzatto 

Dr. Michael Callahan 

Dr. R. Paul Campbell 

Dr. Thomas J. Capriotti 

Dr. Robert Carber 

Dr. Christian N. Carlisle 

Dr. Jill R. Carré 

Dr. Jeffrey Cavalancia 

Dr. Michael Cerveris 

Dr. Amy Chaballa-Wilde 

Dr. Dennis J. Charlton 

Dr. J.C. Charnitski 

Dr. A.L. Checchio 

Dr. William Cherry 

Dr. John D. Chips 

Dr. Tzichung Chou 

Dr. Frank Cianci 

Dr. John Cimini 

Dr. Nicholas Civillico 

Dr. Byron L. Clark 

Dr. Richard J. Clark, III 

Dr. David J. Cobb 

Dr. Marvin Cohen 

Dr. Harold J. Cohen 

Dr. Barry Cohen 

Dr. Bruce Cohen 

Dr. Jonathan K. Cole 

Dr. Joseph C. Cole 

Dr. James Coll 

Dr. Dale Collins 

Dr. Maria Conde-Cavalier 

Dr. John Cooper Jr. 

Dr. G. Michael Craig 

Dr. Robbin Cramer 

Dr. Steven Crandall 

Dr. Allen Crawford 

Dr. Marie Crocker 

Dr. Donald Currie 

Dr. William Currie 

Dr. Daniel J. Daley, Jr. 

Dr. Eugene Dasent 

Dr. Marvin A. Dash 

Dr. Lawrence P. Dattilo 


Dr. MaryAnn Davis 

Dr. Stephen Debuski 

Dr. Joseph Deering 

Dr. John DeFinnis 

Dr. Richard DeForno 

Dr. Stephen M. DeFusco 

Dr. John J. Della Croce 

Dr. Thomas A. Dell’Aglio 

Dr. Frank DeMarco 

Dr. Daniel L. DeMarco 

Dr. Niranjan Desai 

Dr. Michael S. DeSalvo 

Dr. Robert DeShong 

Dr. Robert DeSipio, Jr. 

Dr. Aleta Detwiler 

Dr. Jason P. Devey 

Dr. Theresa Devine 

Dr. Wayne DiBartola 

Dr. Bruce Dietman 

Dr. Bruce C. Dietterick 

Dr. Angelo P. DiPiazza 

Dr. V.I. DiSalvo 

Dr. Bernard Dishler 

Dr. Carroll Ditzler 

Dr. Robert Doleva 

Dr. Charles J. Dombrowski 

Dr. Prafull Doshi 

Dr. John D. Dougherty 

Dr. G.T. Dowd 

Dr. James Dvorchak 

Dr. R. Blake Edmonds 

Dr. William Edwards 

Dr. Deborah L. Edwards 

Dr. Craig A. Eisenhart 

Dr. Mark R. Eisner 

Dr. Paul Elliot 

Dr. Mark Elstein 

Dr. Mark Enea 

Dr. Stephen Engroff 

Dr. Jere Eshelman 

Dr. Robert Evans 

Dr. Frank Falcone, Jr. 

Dr. Paul Farrell 

Dr. Nick Fedorka 

Dr. Stanley Feldman 

Dr. William P. Ferencz 

Dr. Kenneth A. Fetter 

Dr. M. Claire Field 

Dr. Charles Fields 

Dr. Gerald Fisher 

Dr. Edwin L. Fitzpatrick 

Dr. Deborah Fiume 

Dr. Gilbert Fleischman 

Dr. Steven Fleischman 

Dr. Robert Follett 

Dr. Michael Fontana 

Dr. Richard Frank 

Dr. John Franklin, Jr. 

Dr. Bryan Frantz 

Dr. Daniel L. Frattaroli 

Dr. Brian N. Frey 

Dr. Tomoyasu Fuji 

Dr. Robert J. Funk 

Dr. Scott Garrison 

Dr. Dennis D. Garrow 

Dr. Eric Garver 

Dr. Durwin L. Gates 

Dr. Jay R. Gaunt 

Dr. Edward S. Geyer 

Dr. Albert Giallorenzi 

Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso 

Dr. Dennis Gilbert 

Dr. Keith Gjebre 

Dr. Joel Glickman 

Dr. Ronald Goldenberg 

Dr. Thomas Good 

Dr. Donald Gordon 

Dr. Steven Gould 

Dr. Timothy C. Gould 

Dr. Scott Gradwell 

Dr. Robert Graeff 

Dr. Jordan Grant 

Dr. Joseph G. Graver 

Dr. Shelly M. Greene 

Dr. George B. Griffin 

Dr. John Grimes 

Dr. Ronald Gross 

Dr. Richard Grossman 

Dr. Loren Grossman 

Dr. John Gruendel 

Dr. Clement A. Guarlotti 

Dr. Peter A Guevara 

Dr. James Gustainis 

Dr. Brian Haber 

Dr. Dirk W. Hagen 

Dr. Donald Haines 

Dr. G.L. Hamm, III 

Dr. John Hankle 

Dr. Thomas A. Harhai 

Dr. William Harkins 

Dr. Richard V. Hartzell 

Dr. Nicholas A. Hatges 

Dr. Fredrick Hecht, III 

Dr. John Heckman 

Dr. Ronald Heier 

Dr. Norbert P. Heinle 

Dr. Thomas Helfst 

Dr. J.D. Hensler 

Dr. Ronald Hersh 

Dr. Hal S. Hershman 

Dr. Bruce Highberger 

Dr. Carole Hildebrand 

Dr. Christopher Hill 

Dr. Roy Himelfarb 

Dr. Linda Himmelberger 

Dr. Michael Hladio, Jr. 

Dr. Eric Hodges 

Dr. David Hoffman 

Dr. Todd P. Hollander 

Dr. Charles Horn 

Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz 

Dr. Robert Hosko 

Dr. Kelly Hostetler 

Dr. Richard C. Howells 

Dr. Robert E. Howes 

Dr. Chung Chu Hsu 

Dr. F.E. Hunter 

Dr. Gary Huntington 

Dr. Craig Hurtt 

Dr. Chris Hussin 

Dr. S.E. Irwin 

Dr. Jeff W. Irwin 

Dr. James D. Isett 

Dr. Francis A. Jacobyansky 

Dr. Joel Jaspan 

Dr. Darlene A. Jeffries 

Dr. Carl Jenkins 

Dr. Jean D. Johnson 

Dr. Jon Johnston 

Dr. Charles S. Jones 

Dr. Jens Jorgensen 

Dr. Gregory Kadel 

Dr. Jay Kalola 

Dr. Joyce Kasunich 

Dr. John L. Kautz 

Dr. John R. Kelly 

Dr. Greg F. Kewitt 

Dr. Mohammed A.R. Khan 

Dr. Joseph Kielty 

Dr. Willard Kile, Jr. 

Dr. A.E. Kilic 

Dr. Spencer T. King 

Dr. George A. Kirchner 

Dr. Kerry W. Kirsch 

Dr. Kenneth Knipe 

Dr. Richard Knowlton 

Dr. John A. Kokai 

Dr. Peter Korch 

Dr. Heywood R. Kotch 



25

Dr. Seymour Kovnat 

Dr. Robert Kramer 

Dr. Robert Kravitz 

Dr. Leon S. Kulinski 

Dr. David Kuntz 

Dr. Cynthia A. Labriola 

Dr. Fred Lally 

Dr. Christopher Lance 

Dr. Kent Landin 

Dr. A. Kenneth Lang 

Dr. David Larson 

Dr. William S. Laubach 

Dr. Walter Laverick 

Dr. John F. Lehrian 

Dr. Henry Leis 

Dr. Michael F. Lentz 

Dr. Joseph Leonetti 

Dr. Eric J. Lepine 

Dr. David Leshock 

Dr. Robert Lesniak 

Dr. Fred J. Levin 

Dr. Gary R. Liberati 

Dr. John Lignelli 

Dr. Scott Little 

Dr. John P. Livengood 

Dr. Mark Livezey 

Dr. Michael Loftus 

Dr. Jerald K. Lowry 

Dr. James R. Ludwig 

Dr. Sarah Lynch 

Dr. Saleh Malik 

Dr. John Manganello 

Dr. John A. Mangin 

Dr. Stephen Maniaci 

Dr. Joni Marcus 

Dr. Howard W. Mark 

Dr. Daniel Martel 

Dr. Anthony D. Maslo 

Dr. Craig Mathias 

Dr. Richard A. Mathieson 

Dr. John R Matthews 

Dr. John Maynard 

Dr. James Maynes 

Dr. Edward W. McCarthy 

Dr. Robert H. McCoy 

Dr. Eugene McGuire 

Dr. Edmund McGurk 

Dr. J Gary McHugh 

Dr. Barry D. McKnight 

Dr. Albert Melli 

Dr. Annette Merlino 

Dr. Kurt Meyers 

Dr. John Michael 

Dr. Carl J. Milano 

Dr. Patricia Miller 

Dr. Brian Miller 

Dr. Kenneth Miller 

Dr. Glenn Miller 

Dr. Joseph Miller 

Dr. Ross S. Miller 

Dr. Don Miller 

Dr. Gary Minchau 

Dr. James D. Minford 

Dr. Lawrence P. Montgomery, III 

Dr. Kevin L. Moore 

Dr. William D Morosky 

Dr. Bart & Melanie Morrow 

Dr. Neil L. Moscow 

Dr. M. Barry Moskowitz 

Dr. Steven Moskowitz 

Dr. J. Edward Movic 

Dr. Stephen Muench 

Dr. Gary Nataupsky 

Dr. Richard Nelson 

Dr. John Nester 

Dr. Howard Neuman 

Dr. Randy Nolf 

Dr. Thomas Nordone 

Dr. William H. O’Shurak 

Dr. Vincent Paczkoskie 

Dr. Frank Padula 

Dr. Charles D. Pagano 

Dr. Christopher Paluch 

Dr. Yogesh Parikh 

Dr. Natalie Parisi 

Dr. Bruce Parker 

Dr. Graham Parkinson 

Dr. Scott Parkinson 

Dr. Steven M. Parrett 

Dr. Randal P. Patterson 

Dr. Thomas C. Patton 

Dr. Anthony Pedicino 

Dr. Gregory Pedro 

Dr. Gregory Pence 

Dr. Gerald E. Pepe 

Dr. Larry Pepper 

Dr. Gerry B. Perez 

Dr. Gretchen S. Perkins 

Dr. Patrick J. Perry 

Dr. John Peterman 

Dr. James L. Petraitis 

Dr. J. Jerome Petro 

Dr. Arnold Pfannenstiel 

Dr. Jason A. Phillips 

Dr. Mark Piacine 

Dr. John Paul Piccolo 

Dr. Jerome Plastow 

Dr. Richard Plotkin 

Dr. Samuel J. Popovich 

Dr. Jeffrey J. Price 

Dr. Samuel Prisco 

Dr. Edward A. Pristernik 

Dr. Nicholas Prusack 

Dr. J. Mark Prybyl 

Dr. Jeffrey Putt 

Dr. John Jr. Radomile 

Dr. Mark Radomile 

Dr. Stephen Raffensperger 

Dr. Henry Rambo 

Dr. Harry Randel 



Dr. Henry Rankow 

Dr. Peter Rattigan 

Dr. Thomas Regan 

Dr. John M. Reihner 

Dr. Richard Reisner 

Dr. David H. Reiss 

Dr. John Reitz 

Dr. Michael Renaldo 

Dr. Jay I. Reznik 

Dr. John Rinehart 

Dr. Daniel L. Ritchey 

Dr. David Robinson 

Dr. Edward R. Robison 

Dr. Christopher Rohrbach 

Dr. John Rokita 

Dr. Daniel Roland 

Dr. Harold Romesburg 

Dr. Jeffrey Rosen 

Dr. Jeffrey Rosenberg 

Dr. Nancy Rosenthal 

Dr. Peter Ross 

Dr. Edward Roth 

Dr. Richard C. Rothrock 

Dr. Richard Rothwell 

Dr. Donald Rudolf 

Dr. David Russell 

Dr. Wesley Sabocheck 

Dr. John Sadowski 

Dr. Gerald Salko 

Dr. Joseph Salkowitz 

Dr. Marc I. Samuels 

Dr. Wayne Saunders 

Dr. James Sauve 

Dr. Robert M. Scarazzo 

Dr. P. M. Schelkun 

Dr. Edwin R. Schlemmer 

Dr. JoAnne Schmidt 

Dr. James Schmoyer 

Dr. Martin Schroeder 

Dr. Cynthia L Schuler 

Dr. Gary Schultz 

Dr. Thomas Seibert 

Dr. Samuel Selcher 

Dr. Iraj Shafagh 

Dr. Ralph Shaffer 

Dr. Noor Shamim 

Dr. Robert S. Shandrick 

Dr. David E. Shapter 

Dr. James Shearer 

Dr. David Shemo 

Dr. Linda Shen 

Dr. John Sherwood 

Dr. Sam Shialabba 

Dr. Bruce V. Shipe 

Dr. Drew Shulman 

Dr. Walt Shutty 

Dr. Bryan Siegelman 

Dr. Richard Silberman 

Dr. Joseph A. Silvaggio 

Dr. Robert Silverman 

Dr. Keith Silverstein 

Dr. Robert W Simon 

Dr. Oscar V. Simpson 

Dr. Robert Singer 

Dr. James Sirotnak 

Dr. Richard Skalosky 

Dr. Rodney Smith 

Dr. M. Esther Smith 

Dr. Robert J. Smith 

Dr. William L. Smith, Jr. 

Dr. Stephen X. Solfanelli 

Dr. David E. Sparks 

Dr. Daniel J. Spellman 

Dr. Christine Stanley 

Dr. Marc Steel 

Dr. Barry Stein 

Dr. Keith Stewart 

Dr. Andrew T. Stewart 

Dr. William M. Stiffler 

Dr. Teresa Stiteler 

Dr. Albert Stofko 

Dr. C. Malcolm Stone 

Dr. Donald A. Stoner 

Dr. Jack Storey 

Dr. Angela Stout 

Dr. Kenneth Stout 

Dr. Earl L. Stover 

Dr. Mark Strang 

Dr. Mark Sullivan 

Dr. Dilshad Sumar 

Dr. Lyn Super 

Dr. Andrew Swenda 

Dr. Matthew Swiatek 

Dr. Ronald Szish 

Dr. John Takach 

Dr. James Tamaroff 

Dr. David Tecosky 

Dr. Michael Terrery 

Dr. Bruce Terry 

Dr. David S. Teufel 

Dr. Stephen Thomas 

Dr. Vineetha M. Thomas 

Dr. Walter M. Thomas 

Dr. Edward Thornblade 

Dr. Carl Tinkelman 

Dr. James W. Tinnemeyer 

Dr. Stephen J. Todorovich 

Dr. Alan Trachtenberg 

Dr. Charles F. Tremont 

Dr. Timothy J. Tremont 

Dr. Cynthia Trentacosti 

Dr. Bruce E. Triplett 

Dr. Burton Tucker 

Dr. W. Michael Tuman 

Dr. William G. Tylavsky 

Dr. Jack D. Utley 

Dr. K. C. Vaidya 

Dr. Joseph M. Valentich 

Dr. Stephen A. Vargo, Jr. 

Dr. R. Paul Vidunas 

Dr. Pranav Vohra 

Dr. Ginger Vondell 

Dr. Robert Walinchus 

Dr. Derrick Wang 

Dr. George E. Watters 

Dr. Steven Waugh 

Dr. Charles Weber 

Dr. Benjamin Weinberger 

Dr. Hugh Wenger 

Dr. Glenn L. Wenger 

Dr. R. Drew Wetzel 

Dr. Philip Wiegand 

Dr. Lewis Wilk 

Dr. Robert Williams 

Dr. Alvin R. Williams 

Dr. Mark A. Wilson 

Dr. Larry E. Wise 

Dr. C. Robert Wolcott 

Dr. Erwin Wolf, II 

Dr. Glenn Wolfinger 

Dr. Philip M. Woo 

Dr. John Worsley 

Dr. Geoffrey Wozar 

Dr. Harold Yaffe 

Dr. Rama Yerneni 

Dr. Dennis A. Zabelsky 

Dr. Ronald W. Zartarian 

Dr. Barry J. Zeichner 

Dr. William Ziegler 

Dr. Robert R. Zimmerman 

Join our growing list of volunteer dentists, 

specialists and labs TODAY! 

Call Pensylvania Donated Dental Services 

(DDS) at (800) 716-8721 (Eastern 

Pennsylvania) or (888) 683-9158 (Western 

Pennsylvania), or visit www.nfdh.org and 

sign-up online.

FPO


Seeking Access Solutions For 

Special Needs Patients 

By Dr. Wayne Zaayenga 

Kari is an inspiration. She was 28 years old when she presented 

for dental treatment with a missing maxillary central incisor. Kari told me 

her tooth was fractured as a result of a fall during a seizure and was 

treated endodontically, but the tooth was eventually extracted due to 

recurrent infections. She was very self-conscious of her missing 

tooth; she had it replaced with a flipper years ago. Unfortunately, Kari 

had difficulty eating with the flipper and subsequently lost it when she 

didn’t put it back in her mouth after eating in a cafeteria. Kari’s treatment 

plan was a Maryland Bridge based on her Class II occlusion and the fixed 

prosthesis was fabricated and cemented; current standards call for an 

implant. Kari brought a camera with her to record the event and had pictures 

taken with the office staff followed by hugs and tears of gratitude. Kari 

had numerous physical challenges related to her cerebral palsy, yet she 

was most concerned about her beauty appearance – her hair and teeth in 

particular. Her emotional response and gratitude early in my career helped 

shape my appreciation for treating special needs patients. 



29

Access to dental services is an 

ongoing problem for individuals with 

disabilities. Legal barriers to education, 

employment and access to public 

spaces have been lowered with the 

Americans with Disabilities Act, but 

medical treatment barriers, especially 

in dental care, are still high. 

Pennsylvania is one of only a handful 

of states that provide any dental 

coverage for Medicaid recipients over 

age 21. In Pennsylvania, nearly 3.7 

million people have physical disabilities; 

over a million rely exclusively on the 

state Medical Assistance (MA) plan to 

cover dental treatment. We are 

fortunate to have some coverage, but 

everyone involved – the patients, the 

dentists, the caregivers and lawmakers 

– agrees that the current system is not 

adequate to get everyone the dental 

treatment they need when they need it. 

As a dentist treating special needs 

patients everyday, I see numerous barriers 

limiting access to dental services. 

Dental providers, individuals with 

disabilities, caregivers and advocates 

report these same issues around the 

state. These lists are not exhaustive, but 

I want to illustrate the problems that 

policymakers share when seeking 

solutions to the access to care issues. 

Barriers to treatment include: 

• Patients with disabilities often take 

more time to treat. Not all, but 

enough to see a trend. Many have 

poor daily oral hygiene; some have 

none. Procedures are paid for on 

a code basis, not an hourly rate, 

and truly do not reflect the time a 

dental team takes to treat a special 

needs patient. 

• More staff time is often needed. 

Smaller offices without additional 

staff are not always able to 

accommodate. 


Seeking Access Solutions For Special Needs Patients 

• Behavioral management problems, 

on an individual basis, can be 

overwhelming when compared to 

the general population. 

• The referral network for specialty 

services is inadequate. 

• Dentists admit to inexperience in 

treating patients with disabilities. 

• Disruptions in the waiting room are 

common. 

• Complex medical conditions can 

complicate even routine procedures. 

• Incomplete or vague health 

histories make treatment planning 

more difficult. A patient or caregiver 

may not be able to communicate 

accurately on medication or existing 

medical conditions, and treatment 

depends on accurate information. 

• Reimbursements from government 

programs are inadequate. Dentists 

choose whether to make a contract 

with the state to provide care for 

medical assistance patients, but the 

procedures are often paid 35 to 40 

percent of their regular fee schedule. 

Some dentists simply cannot 

afford to absorb this loss, especially 

solo practitioners. 

• A high incidence of cancellation 

and no shows for appointments 

makes dentists leery of filling their 

calendar with special needs 

patients, and double booking can 

lead to the disruptive waiting room 

mentioned above. 

• Dental offices have accessibility 

issues in configuration, layout 

and location that sometimes limit 

patients in wheelchairs or on 

crutches. 

• Dental schools offer limited exposure 

to patients with disabilities. 

Hands-on training is rare. 

Individuals with disabilities, 

caregivers, and special needs advocates 

see similar barriers to treatment: 

• Finding a dentist in some parts 

of the state is hard for everyone. 

The added burden for medical 

assistance patients is finding a 

dentist who participates in the state 

program and is willing to treat 

special needs patients. Restorative 

dentistry is difficult to obtain. 

• “Aging out” is a problem for adult 

special needs patients. Pediatric 

dentists frequently involved in treatment 

of patients with disabilities 

may elect not to continue to treat 

beyond a certain age. 

• Transportation can be a burden. 

At times, excessive distance must 

be traveled to get to a participating 

dentist. If the family does not have 

a car or van, county programs for 

including the Medical Assistance 

Transportation Program or buses 

must be relied upon. 

• Offices are not all handicapped 

accessible. Even if changes were 

made to get into the building, 

advocates notice that operatories are 

not accommodating to wheelchairs 

or extra people in the room. 

• Long waiting periods for dental 

appointments are frustrating 

for any patient who needs care, 

and worse for a mentally disabled 

person in pain. 

• Waiting rooms can be a source of 

anxiety if the special needs patient 

must wait for any length of time. 

Disruptive behaviors are hard on 

the patient, the others waiting and 

the staff.

Donated Dental Services is a collaborative, direct way that the dental profession reaches out to individuals 

with special needs. Pennsylvania Dental Association is a sponsor of this program through the National Foundation 

of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH), a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association. The program 

is committed to arranging comprehensive dental treatment and long-term preventive services to needy disabled, 

elderly or medically compromised individuals. To donate, go to www.donateddental.org. 

Elwyn’s dental clinics in Delaware County and Philadelphia provide comprehensive, quality dental care to individuals 

with physical and developmental disabilities as well as those with mental illness. Elwyn is a non-profit human 

services organization in the education and care of individuals with special challenges and disadvantages. Current 

research includes People with Developmental Disabilities and Oral Health in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 

(September 2006). This project was funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. 

See www.elwyn.org for more information or call PDA Government Relations staff at (717) 234-5941. 

ACHIEVA, formerly Arc Allegheny, hosted a Disability Health Policy Forum in late 2005. The forum, funded by 

the FISA Foundation, included an expert panel of speakers that engaged dentists, people with disabilities, family 

members, other health care professionals, legislators, advocates and other leaders in the state. ACHEIVA is western 

Pennsylvania’s largest provider of comprehensive services and supports for children and adults with disabilities 

and their families. The forum report is available at http://www.achieva.info/docs/DHPFreport.doc or call PDA 

Government Relations staff at (717) 234-5941. 

Special Smiles, Ltd. is a state-of-the-art outpatient dental facility specializing in the treatment of patients with 

intellectual and physical disabilities. Their Philadelphia clinic is located at the Episcopal Hospital division of 

Temple University Health System. Dentists can volunteer! For more information, see their website: www.specialsmilesltd.com 

or call (215) 707-0575 or email specialsmilesltd@msn.com. 

• Treatment is frequently palliative. 

Hassles can cause treatments plans 

to be ignored. Other non-dental 

medical issues can also cause treatment 

to be disrupted. 

In June, I participated in the 2007 

Dental Summit sponsored by the 

Philadelphia Health Care Alliance. Policy 

makers, government officials, provider 

associations including PDA, insurers 

and health systems talked to each 

other in breakout sessions searching 

for solutions. The official recommendations 

are being compiled by a steering 

committee, and a report will be available 

upon request from the PDA when 

the results are published. 

PDA has formed an Access to Care 

Task Force with seven members 

appointed by PDA President Dr. Jon 


Johnston. I will be sharing these recommendations 

with the task force, and 

I look forward to hearing from other 

dentists interested in finding solutions. 

The recommendations are as follows: 

• Support federal and state legislation 

to fix the dental Medicaid and 

SCHIP programs. For example, the 

federal Essential Oral Health Care 

Act (Rep. Wynn, D-MD) would significantly 

improve the participation 

of private sector dentists in state 

Medicaid and SCHIP programs by 

offering additional federal funding 

to states that elect to increase 

reimbursements to levels consistent 

with market rates and address 

administrative barriers. The bill will 

also provide grants for community 

dental health coordinator training 

programs and volunteer dental 

projects, and provide tax credits for 

donated dental services. This funding 

will change the debate on MA. 

• Increase the MA reimbursement 

schedule to allow and emphasize 

preventive dental services without 

age and frequency restrictions. 

Contact your state representative 

today. 

• Advocate for change to the current 

MA fee schedule to differentiate 

between the special dental needs 

population and the general MA 

population. 

• Negotiate with insurance providers 

for additional codes more relevant to 

special needs populations (see inset). 



31

• Establish regional centers across 

the state to allow for different levels 

of dental treatment utilizing intravenous 

and general anesthesia as 

a referral network for patients who 

are resistant to dental treatment in 

an office setting. 

• Require exposure to special needs 

patients in dental school as part of 

the curriculum. Patients can be 

prescreened, and the student can 

be educated on what to expect. Any 

exposure would be an improvement 

on current practice. 

• Provide additional training in 

post-doctoral residency programs. 

Specialties could be developed. 

• Participate in a local program, like 

Special Smile LTD or Elwyn, who 



provide hands-on instruction for 

dental students and community 

dentists interested in expanding 

treatment options for patients with 

disabilities. Our profession could 

take it a step further and create 

mini-residencies for dentists who 

want to treat patients requiring 

intravenous sedation and general 

anesthesia. 

• Treat a patient with special needs, 

at least one more than you did last 

year. Let’s show the legislators, 

advocates and caregivers that patient’s 

needs come first. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Dr. Wayne Zaayenga started working 

with special needs patients at Devereux, 

a care home facility, as a part time 

FPO 

dentist upon 

graduation 

from Temple 

University 

School of 

Dentistry. He 

soon realized 

the unmet 

dental needs 

and the number 

of patients 

required a 

full time commitment, and he dedicated 

his last 18 years to caring for the 

residents. Go to www.Devereux.org to 

learn more about this program 

providing services around the nation 

for persons with emotional, developmental 

and educational disabilities.

By H. Barry Waldman, DDS, MPH, PhD 

“Health care has been a hot political issue 

in Pennsylvania. This is not surprising given 

the state’s deficient Medicaid program…” 1 

Enacted over 40 years ago, the national Medicaid program: 

Covers approximately 55 million individuals 

Accounts for one out of every five health care dollars 

Pays for 41 percent of all births and 50 percent of all long-term care costs 

Supports tens of thousands of health care providers 

Represents the largest source of federal grant support to states. 

The federal government feels the program is costly and the states chafe 

under what they feel is a federal straightjacket that limits their choices. Given 

this setting, a national survey conducted by the Health Research Division of 

Public Citizen (a consumer advocacy organization) evaluated each state program 

in terms of four categories or criteria: eligibility, scope of services, quality of 

care and reimbursement. These were in turn measured by 55 indicators, 

and the resulting scores were weighted according to the relative value given 

to each category by experts. The ranking system gives a state a score 

for each category as well an overall score. 



33

Nationally, state Medicaid programs 

are severely challenged: even the best 

state, top-ranked Massachusetts, scored 

only 646 points on a scale of 1000; 

the worst state, with a rank of 50, 

Mississippi, scored only 318 points. 

Pennsylvania ranked 33 rd with a score 

of 438 points. 

Pennsylvania Medicaid 

In 2006, there were 1,833,769 

Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania in 

the average month. Medicaid-covered 

health care is available through about 

68,000 providers, including hospitals, 

long-term care facilities, physicians 

and dentists. Children represent the 

largest proportion of those enrolled in 

the program with approximately onethird 

of the children in the state covered; 

on a county-by-county basis, ranging 

from 12.3 percent to 63 percent. 

Although children and their families 

represent 61 percent of all Medicaid 

recipients, they account for just 24 

percent of the total expenditures. It is 

the elderly (over 65 years) who account 

for the largest share of Medicaid costs 

– just over a third. The total costs of 

the program in 2006 was $16.6 billion 

($9,052 per recipient) 2,3 

Rankings 

Eligibility: Although the state’s 

Medicaid program earns its highest 

state rank (20th) in eligibility, it 

nevertheless excludes particular 

populations and has set low poverty 

levels for some eligibility groups 

leaving those with slightly higher 

income without coverage. 

(Note: within federal guidelines, states 

establish poverty levels for Medicaid 

eligibility purposes. Families with 

incomes even slightly above these 



poverty levels can lose all Medicaid 

benefits. Thus, lower poverty levels 

reduce the number of eligible individuals, 

while higher poverty levels 

increase the number of individuals 

eligible for Medicaid assistance. In an 

effort to overcome the impact of the 

cut-off of Medicaid benefits, the federally 

legislated State Children’s Health 

Insurance Program (SCHIP) was 

enacted to maintain the Medicaid type 

program support for children living in 

families with near-poverty incomes 

(i.e. families with incomes of 150 percent, 

200 percent or more of the state 

defined poverty level). 

In Pennsylvania, Medicaid eligibility 

based on financial status is particularly 

poor for the coverage of: 

• Children 

• Pregnant women 

• The medically needy 

• Supplemental payments for the 

aged, disabled and blind. 

In addition, the coverage is poor for 

the number of screening options 

offered for breast and cervical cancer. 

Scope of services: The state ranks 

28 th in the scope of services. It scores 

particularly poor in the subcategories 

of women’s services, rehabilitation, 

and devices and equipment. While the 

coverage of the Medicaid population 

for dental services is satisfactory, the 

scope of services is noticeably limited. 

Medicaid dental services are required 

for children but are an elective service 

for adults. Many states limit Medicaid 

adult dental services to the relief of 

pain and infection. As a consequence, 

many children receiving needed dental 

services under the auspices of the 

Medicaid program “age out” of dental 

care. This is particularly true for 

children with special health care needs, 

for whom the Medicaid program is 

the primary source for health services. 

(Note: The federal government specifies 

the minimum services that must 

be offered, which the state can broaden 

but not narrow. States must provide 

care for children on welfare and poor 

pregnant women. All states and the 

District of Columbia also choose to 

cover uninsured poor women needing 

care for breast or cervical cancer, even 

though this is not a requirement. 

Thirteen states also cover uninsured 

people for tuberculosis. 4 ) 

Quality of care: Pennsylvania ranks 

26 th as a reflection of its poor scores 

for nursing home services and the low 

childhood immunization rates. 

Provider reimbursement: “In the 

reimbursement category, Pennsylvania 

is among the bottom 10 states, having 

earned a reputation of miserliness.” 1 

The state ranks 46 th in the reimbursement 

category. The state pays 

Medicaid physicians markedly less 

than the national mean and less than 

what Medicare providers in the state 

earn for comparable services. Although 

people may be eligible for Medicaid 

support, and the services they need 

are covered, “…the stingy reimbursement 

policy (in particular, for primary 

care) makes it less likely that all patients 

will be able to get these services.” 

And in the future 

There has been continuing disagreement 

between the federal government 

and the states as a result of efforts by 

federal government desires for national 

standards and the states’ efforts for 

greater individual discretion. In recent 

years, “…the states have prevailed, 

often to the detriment of patients.” The

current system of waivers has given 

states great latitude in deciding on 

coverage, the package of services and 

payment parameter for providers. 

The states have an interest in maximizing 

federal financial support; while 

the federal government tries to shift a 

greater proportion of costs to the states. 

This conflict can only be further exacerbated 

with the increasing numbers of 

the uninsured population and a growing 

aging population requiring more 

costly long-term care. In January-June 

2006, 42.4 million persons of all ages 

—14.5 percent of the total population 

— including 800,000 Pennsylvania 

residents, were uninsured; 53 million 

(18.1 percent) had been uninsured for 

at least part of the previous year and 

more than 30 million (10.3 percent) had 

been uninsured for more than a year. 5 

The realities for the future may be that 

the current Medicaid programs may 

need to consider: 

• Providing only certain services to 

given segments of the population 

or require cost-sharing. 

• Providing care only under specific 

conditions. 

• Limiting the duration, frequency, 

or amount of services covered. 

In addition, the fact that Medicaid is 

the largest single health program in 

the United States accentuates the need 

to consider: 

• Whether oversight is adequate 

to assure that federal and state 

agencies are allocating their 

resources where they will do the 

most good. 

• How to establish parity between 

Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement 

to providers. 

How to recast Medicaid programs to 

loosen requirements and allow, 1) a 


greater proportion of the uninsured to 

buy into the program by paying a sliding 

fee schedule, 2) caps for the amount 

available for each covered person 

and 3) disease management strategies 

which ensure greater compliance with 

preventive and treatment regimes. 

Whether Pennsylvania deserves a 

“reputation for miserliness” and having 

“a stingy reimbursement policy” or is 

just attempting to assure fiscal responsibility, 

is irrelevant to individuals and 

families unable to secure needed care 

due to financial exigencies. Their 

personal reality is simple – they need 

help. Until such time as federal 

legislation provides the mechanism(s) 

to assure the needed health services, 

then Pennsylvania (and other states) 

Medicaid programs may require 

modification and/or supplementation 

to assure the needed care. 

For example, Governor Rendell’s proposed 

plan (“Cover All Pennsylvanians”) 

would rely on a 3 percent payroll tax 

on employers who fail to provide 

health insurance, plus tax hikes on 

tobacco products. The proposal would 

require Blue Cross of Northeastern 

Pennsylvania and other nonprofit Blue 

Cross companies to offer medical 

insurance to the state’s 767,000 

uninsured adults and provide a basic 

health care package with prescription 

drug coverage. 6 

Or, is the dental and other health 

professions to be faced with the death 

of other youngsters and the not so 

young comparable to the “…apparently 

avoidable death of 12-year-old 

Deamonte Driver, Prince George’s 

County, Md., from a severe brain 

infection that may have resulted from 

his deplorable degree of untreated 

dental disease…(in part, reflecting 

the limitations of the Medicaid and 

SCHIP programs.)” 7,8 

References 

1 Public Citizen. Unsettling scores: a ranking of state 

Medicaid programs (2007). Available at: http:// 

www.citizen.org. Accessed March 25, 2007. Note: 

Except where specifically stated, all data for this 

presentation were drawn from this extended report. 

2 Medical News Today. Understanding Pennsylvania’s 

Medicaid program. Available at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=65309. 

Accessed April 30, 2007. 

3 Social Security Administration. Annual Statistical 

Supplement. Available at: http://www.ssa.gov. 


4 Brown D. Medicaid programs ‘severely challenged,’ 

report says Massachusetts ranked best in US. 

Boston Globe. Available at: http:www.boston.com. 

Accessed March 24, 2007. 

5 Cohen RA, Martinez ME. Health insurance coverage: 

early release of estimates from the National Health 

Interview Survey, January - June 2006. Available at: 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/insur 

200612.pdf. Accessed April 30, 2007. 

6 Birk C. Pennsylvania among states attacking 

health care crisis. The Times Tribune. April 4, 2007. 

Available at: http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/ 

printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2185&dept_id=415898&ne 

wsid=18161713. Accessed April 30, 2007. 

7 American Dental Association Statement on Death 

of Maryland Child. Available at: http://healthnewsdigest.com/news/Dental_330/American_Dental_Associ 

ation_Statement_on_Death_of_Maryland_Child_pri 

nter.shtml. Accessed April 30, 2007. 

8 Cardin BL. Prince George’ boy’s death from tooth 

abscess is a national tragedy. Available at: 

http://cardin.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=270013 


About The Author 

Dr. Waldman is a Distinguished 

Teaching Professor in the 

Department of General Dentistry 

at Stony Brook University, NY 

e-mail: hwaldman@notes.cc.sunysb.edu 


35


Treatment Options for Trigeminal Neuralgia 

by James McInerney, M.D., assistant professor, department of neurosurgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center 

Facial pain can have many causes, but trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureaux can be particularly severe and often sends 

patients on a desperate search for a clinician who can help. Those suffering from trigeminal neuralgia often describe it as 

a severe lancinating or electric pain that usually involves only one side of the face. The pain is often restricted to a region 

of the face on that side, such as the jaw or eye. Though the pain is usually intermittent in nature, it is often severe and 

attacks can last for extended periods of time. These attacks can often be triggered by stimulation of the face or mouth. 

Such innocent stimuli as a breeze on the face, brushing teeth, shaving, or eating cold foods can bring on a sudden and 

severe episode of this excruciating pain. This disorder most commonly affects people over the age of 50, though it can be 

seen in younger patients as well. 

Even though it is a fairly common disorder, it is not uncommon for patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia to see a 

variety of specialists before a definitive diagnosis can be made because it can mimic other disorders. Temporomandibular 

joint pain and dental pain can both be similar in nature. Trigeminal neuralgia will not respond to treatments for these 

other disorders because it is a disorder of the trigeminal nerve. This is the nerve that transmits sensory information from 

the face to the brain and is frequently compressed by a blood vessel, usually an artery in trigeminal neuralgia. 

Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia usually starts with medical management. The symptoms almost always respond to the 

anti-epileptic medication carbamazepine. Unfortunately, the relief is sometimes incomplete, or the side effects are not 

well tolerated. If that is the case, there are a variety of other medications that can also be used, and any medication that 

controls the pain with little or no side effects is certainly an acceptable and appropriate treatment. 



37

In situations where medical management does not 

provide satisfactory pain relief, or causes unacceptable 

side effects, there are surgical options available. The 

goal of these treatments is to control the pain – with 

or without medication. There are several surgical 

approaches available. An open surgical procedure 

known as microvascular decompression often offers 

the most long-term relief. This procedure involves a 

traditional operation with general anesthesia. The 

trigeminal nerve is exposed where it exits the brainstem 

and the offending vessel is moved away from the 

nerve. The nerve is then usually padded with a Teflon 

pad. Though this usually offers the best long-term 

relief, it comes with significant risk and recovery. For 

older patients, the vessel itself can be so hard and 

twisted from atherosclerosis that it can be difficult to 

move. As a result, this procedure is often not the best 

choice for older patients. For them, lesioning procedures 

are often a better option. In these procedures, the 

goal is to injure the nerve in order to prevent it from 

conducting these abnormal pain signals. 

One class of lesioning procedures involves introducing 

a needle through the face to where the trigeminal nerve 

exits the skull. There, using either heat, alcohol or 

compression, the nerve can be injured. Usually after 

this procedure the patient experiences good pain relief 

almost immediately. Unfortunately, these procedures are 

almost never a permanent cure to the problem, though 

they can be repeated if the pain recurs. 

Another option is Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Here 

the goal is still to injure the nerve, but the technique 

is entirely different. In Gamma Knife radiosurgery, the 

nerve is injured with radiation, which is a largely 

painless process. The most dramatic part of this 


Treatment Options for Trigeminal Neuralgia 

In Gamma Knife radiosurgery, 

the nerve is injured with radiation,which 

is a largely painless process. 

procedure is the attachment of a stereotactic frame to 

the head. This frame is a localization device that allows 

for the meticulous accuracy required for this procedure. 

It is affixed to the skull with four aluminum pins, 

which are placed with a local anesthetic. The patient 

then has an MRI study, which allows the surgeon to 

localize the nerve. A plan is then developed to target 

the nerve and treat it with large doses of radiation. 

The Gamma Knife is a focused radiation technique, 

which means that multiple low dose beams are aimed 

at the same point. As a result, even though radiation 

goes through everything in the head, the only place 

where the radiation is high enough to cause damage is 

at the point where the beams meet. This is where the 

nerve is positioned, through the use of the stereotactice 

frame. Patients usually tolerate the painless delivery 

of radiation without difficulty and go home the 

same day after the frame is removed. The biggest 

drawback to radiation is that it works over time. It 

can take two weeks to several months for the lesion to 

fully mature. Nevertheless, the long-term pain relief is 

very good. For patients who have infrequent attacks, 

or whose attacks are partially controlled by medication 

are often excellent candidates for Gamma Knife 

radiosurgery. Arguably, radiosurgery is the best tolerated 

of all of these procedures and, like the other lesioning 

procedures, it can also be repeated.

Is There A “Cavity” In Your Financial Health? 

By Mark J. Funt DMD, MBA 

After completing my MBA in 1994, 

I started a study club, which I named 

the Successful Dentistry Study Club. 

No clinical issues were discussed. The 

study club focused solely on practice 

management and financial/investment 

issues. What I learned was how 

uneducated many of my colleagues 

were when it came to finance. I have 

always said that we work hard for our 

money, so we should have our money 

work hard for us. The truth of the 

matter is that you do not have to make 

a lot of money to be worth a lot of 

money. 

In the book The Millionaire Next 

Door: The Surprising Secrets of 

America’s Wealthy (1998) by Thomas 

J. Stanley, Ph.D and William D. Danko, 

Ph.D, the authors find some surprising 

similarities among millionaires. 

In summary, the majority of them are 

self-employed with a median income 

of $131,000. Most lived in the same 

home for more than 20 years. They 

live below their means, wear inexpensive 

suits, drive and own (not lease) 

American made cars (as opposed to 

Mercedes, BMWs, etc.). They are 

fastidious investors and invest 15-20 

percent of their yearly income in stocks 

and mutual funds and the majority 

make their own investment decisions. 

At age 57, they have accumulated a 

“slush” fund large enough to live without 

working for at least 10 years. Only 

25 percent of the interview group 

were professionals. (The sample was 

males.) 

It’s Your Money 

As dentists, we have a lot in common 

with this group. I believe those 

interviewed sacrificed a little to have 

a lot. The millionaires surveyed by 

Stanley and Danko believed that accumulating 

wealth was more important 

then having high status material 

possessions. Early on they developed 

a plan, which they implemented, 

monitored and adjusted as necessary. 

In this and future articles, I hope to 

set forth a few principals that I have 

learned over the years to get you 

started on the road to financial independence. 

Financial planning is more than 

just money management and investing. 

It encompasses one’s total financial 

health. Most importantly, you must 

protect your assets and your income. 

Make sure you have adequate life, 

health and disability insurance. As you 

get older, you should start to look 

into estate planning and long-term 

care insurance. Seek out the advice of 

professionals to help you with these 

decisions. It will be money well spent. 

Also make sure you have at least 

3-6 months worth of living expenses 

tucked safely away before investing. 

Most disability policies have a 90-day 

wait period before the policy will 

kick in. You also need to have some 

extra cash for unexpected emergencies. 

With that out of the way, let’s look at 

how to grow your assets. 

Pay yourself first. Our millionaires 

above saved 15-20 percent of their 

income. That’s great if you can do that. 

But for those of you just starting out, 

you should take 5-10 percent of your 

paycheck and save/invest it and live 

on the rest. This may seem like a type 

of force budgeting and it is. Only you 

can determine the balance of living 

for today and saving for tomorrow. 

The problem is tomorrow will be here 

before you know it and you want 

something to show for it. Get in the 

habit of paying yourself first. 

Start as early as financially feasible. 

If you take nothing else out of this 

article, this is the point to remember. 

Take advantage of the power of compounding. 

Albert Einstein has called 

compounding “the greatest mathematical 

discovery of all time.” Let me 

give you an example. 

Dr. A, at 20 years old puts $2,000 

per year into his retirement plan 

and stops after 20 years for a total 

of $40,000. Dr. B. starts contributing 

his $2,000 into his retirement 

at age 40 and stops 25 years later 

at age 65 for a total contribution 

of $50,000. Who has more money? 

Assuming a 10 percent return on 

their investments, at age 65, Dr. A 

had $1,365,000 and Dr. B had 

$218,300. Bottom line — invest 

young and invest regularly. 

Establish a retirement plan as part 

of your business plan. Now that we 

have discussed how important it is to 

start young, how can you best do this? 

The government gives us very few 

tax-advantaged investments but this 

is a terrific one. You want to set up a 

retirement plan such that pre-tax 



39

It’s Your Money 

dollars can be contributed. This may 

mean you will have to contribute for 

your employees as well but it is well 

worth the cost. Plans can be set up in 

many different ways. Some favor the 

oldest participants, some favor the 

highest paid participants, but all allow 

you to contribute pre-tax dollars. 

Why is this advantageous? Number 

one, you will never see the money. 

You won’t miss money you don’t have. 

Number two, you are paying with 

pre-tax dollars. After all the various 

and sundry taxes are taken out of your 

paycheck, Uncle Sam will be giving 

you a 35-45 cent gift (depending on 


your tax bracket) for every dollar you 

save. What a guy! Finally, it may place 

you in a lower tax bracket. When it 

comes to saving for retirement-invest 

young, invest regularly and invest as 

much as you can with pre-tax dollars. 

In future issues of the Journal, I will 

continue to discuss those ideas you 

can implement to put you on the road 

to becoming the millionaire next door. 

Authors’ note: Before making any 

final decisions, please do your own due 

diligence and consult with your 

accountants, financial advisors and 

attorneys. 

FPO 

About the Author 

Dr. Funt is a Board Certified Oral 

and Maxillofacial Oral Surgeon who 

maintains a full-time practice in 

Elkins Park. He received his MBA 

from Temple University in 1994. 

Since that time he has lectured and 

written articles on practice management 

and investing topics.

Starbucks 

By Howard Rice 

I really enjoy Starbucks. 

Not just any Starbucks, mind you, 

but “my” Starbucks. 

Not just any time in my Starbucks, 

but at “Howard” time. 

My Starbucks is about five minutes 

from where I live, and Howard time 

starts at 5:30 in the morning. On weekdays, 

when I’m not teaching or don’t 

have a business meeting, I arrive at 

5:30 in the morning, say hello to the 

“Baristas,” go straight to a corner chair 

and plop down a stack of newspapers 

and magazines I will read during the 

next two hours. Playing in the background 

is classical music. Waiting on 

a table next to the chair is my coffee 

and a small orange juice; Deciding what 

to eat is the remaining issue. 

Typically, for about 15 minutes I am 

the only customer in the store. Then, 

at about 5:45, others begin drifting in: 

college students, housewives, businessmen 

who anxiously check their 

watches when they become concerned 

they’ll miss a train or a conference 

call. I enjoy everything about what has 

become a regular and satisfying part 

of my life. 

The only problem is that you — or 

I — can’t simply get just a small cup 

of coffee in Starbucks. Now understand, 

I don’t go to Starbucks because 

I’m a coffee snob. Truth be told, put 

three cups of coffee in front of me — 

one could be Mississippi mud, one a 

Juan Valdez reject, and one Starbucks’ 

— and I could not tell the difference. 

I go for all the other aforementioned 

reasons. But get a small coffee? No 

way. The first problem is that here is 

no small in Starbucks language. “Tall” 

is small. And you can’t get a medium. 

Or large. You need to have majored in 

Latin and minored in Spanish to 

order properly. 

And then come the cockamamie 

names. Just for fun, one morning I 

counted the different variations people 

asked for. I stopped when I reached 

37. And, of course, not one of the 37 

was simply a cup of coffee. What’s 

with this carmelato machimino soy 

grande latte red bull frappuccino? 

I have visions of someone audacious 

enough to order a small cup of coffee 

being ceremoniously drummed out 

of the store. He would walk through 

the gauntlet of humiliation. The drums 

banging, the fifes fifing, the Baristas 

On the Lighter Side 

FPO 

chanting, “Shame shame shame! This 

infidel dared to ask for a cup of coffee. 

The arrogance. The presumption! 

You’re never to enter these hallowed 

grounds again.” 

And, embarrassed, the heathen 

would slink away to, perhaps, a Dunkin’ 

Doughnuts where he could ask for 

coffee and get coffee without a side 

of snickers or scorn. What I order, in 

case you’re interested, is a tall mild 

with two shots of mocha. It is satisfying, 

just the right size to get me 

through most of the newspapers and 

magazines. Maybe one day I’ll venture 

beyond those comfortable confines 

and risk ordering something more 

daring. 

If only I could pronounce it. 


41

FPO

Third-Party Complaints 

Experiencing problems with thirdparty 

insurance? Let PDA know with 

this easy to use Third-Party Complaint 

form. This form gives dentists and 

dental staff the opportunity to provide 

PDA and ADA with basic information 

regarding payer concerns. The 

information received will be used to 

keep a close watch on carrier trends 

and problems. 

PDA’s Council on Dental Practice 

(CDP) meets regularly with third-party 

insurance representatives to discuss 

issues raised by members. This ongoing 

dialogue has resulted in greater 

cooperation in billing procedures, 

faster reimbursement timelines and 

network referrals. Dentists throughout 

Pennsylvania need to report the 

problems they are having with thirdparty 

payers so PDA may advocate 

effectively during these meetings. 

PDA is a dedicated advocate for the 

dental profession regarding insurance 

issues. Members can assist PDA in 

this effort by keeping CDP informed 

of the insurance problems encountered 

in daily interactions. Questions 

may be addressed to Ryan Alexander, 

at rga@padental.org or by phone at 

(800) 223-0016, x105. 

Insurance Connection 

THIRD-PARTY COMPLAINT FORM 

Date: 

Dentist Name: 

County: 

Third-Party Name: 

Dentist contracted with plan: 

How was the claim filed, paper or electronic: 

What type of complaint or problem applies to you? 

❏ Coordination of benefits 

❏ EOB language 

❏ Downcoding (changed code to a less complex or lower cost procedure) 

❏ Bundling (combining procedures that results in a reduced benefit) 

❏ Review by a non-dentist 

❏ Utilization review (a system to evaluate procedure utilization 

frequency/plan abuse) 

❏ Delayed payment 

❏ Denial of claim or pre-authorization 

❏ No direct pay to non-participating provider 

❏ Denial of payment after pre-authorization 

❏ Lost claims, x-rays or other documentation by carrier 

❏ Extensive or additional documentation requested 

❏ Interference with the doctor-patient relationship 

❏ Other 

Please give a brief description of the problem and the actual or proposed solution: 


43

Dr. George J. Castanzo, Jr. 

Scranton 


(1955) 

Born: 12/6/27 

Died: 8/17/07 

Dr. S. Eugene Coben 

Meadowbrook 


(1949) 

Born: 8/27/26 

Died: 8/11/07 


In Memoriam 

Dr. John L. Frye 

Blue Bell 


(1948) 

Born: 8/27/23 

Died: 6/12/07 

Dr. Aaron Gayer 

Philadelphia 


(1965) 

Born: 3/31/41 

Died: 8/14/07 

Dr. Herbert G. Gebert 

Sarasota, Fla. 


(1952) 

Born: 1/1/27 

Died: 8/21/07 

Dr. James L. Larson 

Lancaster 


Born: 1/1/1931 

Died: 6/13/07 

FPO 

Dr. Calvin W. Taylor 

Harrisburg 


(1953) 

Born: 2/13/25 

Died: 7/3/07 

Dr. Zacharia S. Zacharia 

McKeesport 


(1950) 

Born: 7/12/25 

Died: 7/19/07

Saccone Honored 

Dr. Nicholas D. Saccone, a past president 

of PDA, was honored in June with the Frank 

J. O’Hara Alumni Award at the University of 

Scranton, in recognition of his outstanding 

University Service. This is the highest honor 

bestowed by the University of Scranton and 

the Alumni Society. 

Dr. Saccone is a 1943 graduate of Scranton 

and a former member of the University’s 

Board of Trustees, of which he served as vice 

chairman. This is not the first time that 

Dr. Saccone has been honored by his alma 

mater. He received an Honorary Doctor of 

Science in 1991 and has also received the 

Alumni Achievement Award and the Purple 

Club Outstanding Service Award. 

He has served organized dentistry in 

many lofty positions throughout his life, as 

president of PDA in 1983-84, president of 

the Pennsylvania Academy of General 

Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and 

the Dental Alumni Society of the University 

of Pennsylvania. Among his many other 

honors, Dr. Saccone received PDA’s prestigious 

Annual Award in 1991. He resides in 

Scranton with his wife, Jeanne. 

Awards & Achievements 

PDA MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT — 

“Got Teeth” Program Improves Access to Dental Care 

For Lancaster County Children 

Several PDA members in the New Holland area continue to 

step up to the plate to help improve access to dental care for 

local children, grades K-12, through the “Got Teeth” program, a 

community-based partnership between numerous New Holland 

dentists and the Eastern Lancaster County School District. This 

program provides dental care for those children in the district 

who do not have dental insurance and qualify for free and 

reduced lunches, have dental insurance provided through the 

Department of Public Welfare (DPW) or have been previously 

diagnosed with dental problems through school-provided dental 

screenings. Children in kindergarten, third-grade and seventhgrade 

are eligible for free dental screenings at school. 

There are currently 11 New Holland dentists involved in this 

worthwhile initiative, all of whom are PDA members. They include: 

Dr. Lewis Storb Dr. John Sheaffer 

Dr. Heather Larrimore Dr. Daniel West 

Dr. James Amor Dr. C. Rebecca Shelby 

Dr. John Backof Dr. Charles Pitt 

Dr. Tim Mednianick Dr. Ken Loeffler 

Dr. Robert Berstecher 

Through the “Got Teeth” program, the school nurse or dental 

hygienist refers a child in need of dental care to Kathy Kuhn, 

school social worker and coordinator of the program, who then 

refers the child to a participating dentist. Once referred to the 

“Got Teeth” program, it is the parent’s responsibility to schedule 

an appointment for their child with the participating dentist. 

The only cost to the parent is a $10 co-pay at each visit. The 

dentist is then compensated on a significantly reduced fee schedule. 

“I think this is a great program to help children in my [New 

Holland] community,” Dr. Larrimore said. 

“It is a worthwhile program and a way to help meet the needs 

of students who are not being cared for,” Dr. Berstecher said. 

“I live in the community and feel it is a small way to give back.” 

For more information on the “Got Teeth” program, contact 

Kathy Kuhn at kathy_kuhn@elanco.org. 

— Rachel Damrauer, Communication Coordinator 


45

FPO


Contact: Lori Burkette 

Administrative Secretary 

(412) 648-8370 

September 21 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certification 

— Part 1 

Michael A. Cuddy, DMD 

and Joseph A. Giovannitti, Jr., DMD 

October 5 

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Update 

W. H. Milligan, DMD, PhD 

October 6 

Review of Dental Radiography for the 

Dental Assistant 

Judith E. Gallagher, RDH, MEd 

October 12 

Temporary Anchorage Using Implants 

and Microscrews in Orthodontics 

Leena Palomo, BA, DDS, MSD 

October 13 

Oral Health Care for People 

with Disabilities 

*Sponsored by Delta Dental 

John Geary, DMD 

Joseph A. Giovannitti, Jr., DMD 

Abdel Mohammad, DDS, MS, MPH 

Dennis N. Ranalli, DDS, MDS 

Sara Rashedi, DMD 

Stella L. Smetanka, J.D. 

Deborah Studen-Pavlovich, DMD 

Ms. Barbara Taylor 

October 26 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certification 

— Part 2 

Michael A. Cuddy, DMD 

and Joseph A. Giovannitti, Jr., DMD 

October 27 

Full Removable Dentures 

Medick M. Capirano, DMD 

November 2 

Potpourri 

Topics will include the following: 

Facial Cosmetic Surgery 

Peter Demas, DMD, M.D. 

Basic Diagnosis and Management 

of the TMD Patient 

Donald J. Pipko, DMD, MDS 

and Mr. Tasso Spanos 

Challenges in Animal Dentistry 

David Regine, DMD 

Successes and Failures in 

Periodontics: A Restrospective Look 

at 50 Years of a Periodontic Practice 

Alan Timko, DMD 

November 5-6 

Individualized Endodontics — 

Participation and Lecture Workshop 

(Limited to three participants at each 

two-day session) 

James A. Wallace, DDS, MDS, MSD, MS 

November 9 

Potpourri 

Topics include the following: 

Review of Bone Grafting and Guided 

Tissue Regeneration Materials in 

Periodontics and Implant Dentistry 

Andrejs Baumhammers, DDS, MS 

Culturally Competent Care for the 

H.I.V. Positive Patient 

Teresa Bezak, RDH, Med 

Severely Resorbed Jaw Restorative 

Options and Update on 

Biophosphonate Therapy 

Joseph E. Cillo, Jr., DMD 

Continuing Education 

Available at Your Fingertips 

Peter H. Guevara, DMD, MAGD 

November 16 

Endodontics 

C. Russell Jackson, DDS, MS 

November 16 

Dental Photography: Shooting Digital 

Ali Seyedain, DMD, MDS 

November 17 

How to Optimize the Results with 

Photoshop 

Heiko Spallek, DMD, PhD 

December 1 

Surgical Crown Elongation — 

Hands On/Limited Attendance 

Pouran Famili, DMD, MDS MPH, PhD 

and Ali Seyedain, DMD, MDS 

December 7 

Ultrasonics: An Evidenced Based 

Approach to Nonsurgical 

Periodontal Therapy — Hands 

On/Limited Attendance 

Marie D. George, RDH, MS 

December 14 

Potpourri 

Topics include the following: 

Oral Pathology 

Bobby Collins, DDS, MS 

Over Dentures 

Jack Gruendel, DDS 

Review of Occlusal Concepts 

Dave Donatelli, DMD 

Treatment of Pediatric Dental 

Emergencies 

Deborah Studen-Pavlovich, DMD 



47



Contact: Dr. Ronald D. Bushick, 

Leslie Briceño-Yanez or 

Nicole Carreno 

(215) 707-5399 / (215) 707-7541 

(215) 707-7006 

(215) 707-7107 (Fax) 

Register at 

www.temple.edu/dentistry/conted.htm 

October 12 

Taking Your Practice to the Next Level: 

Increasing Production and Profit 

While Reducing Stress 

Roger P. Levin, DDS, MBA 


October 17 

Precision Based Endodontics 

(Hands-On) 

Dennis Brave, DDS 

October 24 

An In-Depth Review of Forensic 

Dentistry 

Barry E. Lipton, DDS, D-ABFO, 

FICD, FACD 

November 2 

Drugs, Herbals, Nutraceuticals 

and Dentistry: Update for You and 

Your Practice 

Richard L. Wynn, BSPharm, PhD 

Save the date for the Mediterranean 

Cruise & Learn — July 12-19, 2008 

FPO 


Contact: Lauren M. Rocca 

(215) 573-9098 

October 5 

Newer Diagnostic Techniques for 

Oral Cancer Detection 

Faizan Alawi, DDS 

and Scott S. DeRossi 

October 13 

Endodontics in the 21st Century: 

Latest Techniques for Instrumentation 

and Obturation 

Samuel I. Kratchman, DMD 

and Mian K. Iqbal, BDS, DMD, MS

October 26 

‘Dual-Top’ Temporary Anchorage 

Device (TAD) for Orthodontics 

Friday, (lecture and participation) 

Robert L. Vanarsdall, DDS 

and Antonino G. Secchi, DMD, MS 

November 2 

Multidisciplinary Treatment of TMD: 

A Novel Approach 

Andres Pinto, DMD 

and Antonino G. Secchi, DMD, MS 

November 17 

Nitrous Oxide Refresher 

Helen Giannakopoulous, DMD, MD 

December 1 

Infectious Endocarditis From A to Z: 

A historical perspective and current 

recommendations 

Andres Pinto, DMD, MPH 

Frank E. Silvestry, MD 

Brian Strom, MD, MPH 

December 3-December 5 

Contemporary Periodontal Prosthesis 

Morton Amsterdam, DDS, ScD 

Ernesto Lee, DMD 

Myron Nevins, DDS 

Arnold Weisgold DDS, FACD 

December 7 and December 8 

Feeling Rusty: Update Your 

Knowledge and Sharpen Your Skills! 

Nancy J. Lieberman, RDH, BS 

and Terri McCurdy, RDH, BS 

Wellsboro 

Pennsylvania College of Technology, 

Wellsboro 

Contact: Rebecca Von Nieda, PDA 

(800) 223-0016, ext. 117 

October 12 

Effective Management of Medical 

Emergencies 

Dr. James L. Rutkowski 

Chambersburg 

The Orchards Restaurant 


(800) 223-0016, ext. 117 

October 12 

Selected Topics in Oral Diagnosis 

Dr. Bobby M. Collins, II 

November 16 

Drugs, Herbals and Nutraceuticals: 

New Reports to Keep Your Practice 

Current 

Dr. Richard L. Wynn 

Danville 

Geisinger Medical Center 


(800) 223-0016, ext. 117 

October 17 

Immediate Loading of Implants with 

the Teeth In A Day ® And Computer 

Guided Teeth In An Hour Protocols 

Dr. Glenn J. Wolfinger 

November 28 

Drugs, Herbals and Neutraceuticals 

Dr. Richard L. Wynn 

Pennsylvania Dental 

Association 


(800) 223-0016, ext. 117 

November 30 

(Allentown) 

The Real World of Medical 

Emergencies in Dentistry 

Dr. Brian K. Smith 


Philadelphia County 

Dental Society 

Philadelphia County Dental Society 

Philadelphia Hilton City Avenue 

Hotel 

Contact: Teresa Ravert 

(215) 925-6050 

http://www.philcodent.org 

October 3 

Shared Secrets of a Successful Esthetic 

& Restorative Practice 

Dr. Ara Nazarian 

November 2 

Your choice of 2 courses at the 

Liberty Dental Conference at Citizens 

Bank Park — Select any 2 courses 

from the program book 

(Lunch NOT included on this date) 

November 2 

Anesthesia for the Non-Permit 

Holder — Part 1 

(Held at Liberty Dental Conference. 

Part 2 will be held in April 2008 at 

the Hilton City Avenue Hotel) 

December 12 

Restoration of Implants 

Dr. Steve Lewis 

March 12, 2008 

Successful Evidence-Based Fixed 

Bridgework for the General 

Practitioner 

Dr. Edward M. Feinberg 

April 18, 2008 

Pearls for the Pediatric Patients in 

Your Practice 

Dr. Rochelle G. Lindemeyer 

Dr. Susan M. Chialastri 

Dr. Constance Killian 

Dr. Arnold Malerman 



49


Dental Society of Chester 

County and Delaware County 

DKU Continuing Dental Education 

Springfield Country Club, 

Delaware County 

Contact: Dr. Barry Cohen 

(610) 449-7002 

DKUdental@aol.com 

November 7 

How to Be an Extraordinary Dentist: 

Mind Your Chairside Manners 

Marvin H. Berman, DDS 

December 13 

The Cosmetic Occlusal Connection 

John C. Cranham, DDS 

February 7, 2008 

Mastering Aesthetic Challenges 

with Adhesive Restorative Materials 

Douglas A. Terry, DDS 

April 4, 2008 

Minimally Invasive and 

Ultraconservative Restorative 

Dentistry 

Randolph K. Shoup, DDS 

April 5, 2008 

Half-day Optional Hands-On 

Workshop with Lasers, Air Abrasion 

and Microscopes 

Randolph K. Shoup, DDS 


Third District Dental Society 

The Woodlands Inn and Resort 

Wilkes-Barre 

Contact: Dr. Michael R. Everett 

(610) 826-2001 

November 9 

Street Drugs — How Their Abuse 

Impacts on You and Your Dental 

Practice 

Dr. Harold Crossley 

Members’ Library Materials Added 

Fourth District Dental Society 

Reading 

The Riveredge 

Contact: Dr. David Schwartz 

(610) 670-6910 

www.padental.org/4thdistrict 

October 19 

Esthetics, Dental Materials, Occlusion, 

Team Building & More! 

Drs. Bill Dickerson 

Mike Miyasaki 

Heidi Dickerson 

Ashley Johnson 

The Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) Members’ Library 

would like to thank Pennsylvania Dental Association 

Insurance Service (PDAIS) for underwriting the purchase of the 

following DVDs from the Seattle Institute for Advanced Education 

and Frank M. Spear, DDS, MSD. 

If you wish to borrow any of the listed DVDs, please contact 

Linda Platzer at (800) 223-0016, ext. 112. 

10182 The Anterior Bite Plane Appliance: Indications, 

Contra-Indications, Fabrication and Adjustment 

10183 Anterior Esthetic Crown Cementation 

10184 Anterior Esthetic Crown Preparation 

10185 The Case Presentation Process 

10186 Centric Relation Bite Records 

10187 Choosing and Setting a Digital Camera 

10188 Clinical Exam 

10189 Color Managing Digital Photography for the 

Dental Office: Camera Settings, Monitor Calibration, 

Printing and Projection 

10190 Creating Excellent Anterior Veneer Temporaries: 

Materials, Techniques and Utilization 

10191 Creating Excellent Full Crown Temporaries: 

Materials, Techniques and Utilization

Rates: $45 for 45 words or less, $1 for each additional word. $1 for each word set in boldface 

(other than first four words). $10 to box an ad. $5 for PDA Box number reply. One free ad to 

deceased member’s spouse. 

Website: All Journal classified ads will be posted on the public section of the PDA website, unless 

otherwise requested. Ads will be posted within 48 hours of receipt, but no earlier than one 

month prior to the date of the Journal issue. Ads will be removed at the end of the two months 

of the Journal issue. 

Deadlines: Jan/Feb Issue — Deadline: Nov 1 • Mar/Apr Issue — Deadline: Jan 1 • May/Jun Issue 

— Deadline: Mar 1 • Jul/Aug Issue — Deadline: May 1 • Sept/Oct Issue — Deadline: Jul 1 • 

Nov/Dec Issue — Deadline: Sept 1 

Payment: Upon submitting ad. 

Mailing Address: Send ad copy and box responses to: 

PDA Dental Journal • PO Box 3341 • Harrisburg, PA 17105 

Classified Advertising Policy: The Pennsylvania Dental Association is unable to investigate the 

offers made in Classifieds and, therefore, does not assume any responsibility concerning them. The 

Association reserves the right to decline to accept or withdraw advertisements in the Classifieds. 

The Journal reserves the right to edit classified ad copy. 

How to reply to a PDA Box Number: 

Your Name 

& Address Here 

Attn: Box S/O____ 

Pennsylvania Dental Journal 

PO Box 3341 

Harrisburg, PA 17105 

Opportunities Available 

Associate Dentist — Chambersburg 

Long established group dental 

practice seeks quality associate dentist 

interested in career track to partnership. 

Beautiful new office. Excellent 

starting salary and benefits. $5,000 

sign-on bonus. Come grow with us! 

Contact Mrs. Barnhart, office manager, 

at (717) 264-2011 or e-mail 

DDSGWS1954@AOL.COM. 

Outstanding Career Opportunities 

In Pennsylvania, providing ongoing 

professional development, financial 

advancement and more. Positions also 

available in FL, GA, IN, MI, VA and 

MD. For more information contact Jeff 

Dreels at (941) 955-3150, fax CV to 

(941) 330-1731 or e-mail dreelsj@ 

dentalcarealliance.com. Visit our web 

site: www.Dentalcarealliance.com. 

Northwest Pennsylvania — 

General Dentist Wanted 

Progressive group practice situated in 

northwestern Pennsylvania is seeking 

an ambitious, self-motivated general 

dentist as an associate, leading to a 

part ownership in the practice. There 

are no limitations to your development. 

Reply is confidential. Please call (814) 

723-4488, ext. 14, fax CV to (814) 

723-0769 or email wdah@westpa.net. 

TRI CITY AREA 

Unbelievable buy-in opportunity! 

Earn $125K first year, guaranteed 

increases, full ownership through 

sweat equity. 25+ year-old, cosmetic 

aesthetic reconstructive dentistry 

practice. Looking for motivated doctor 

to take on this great opportunity. 

Buyer receives majority of profit 

from growth. Includes practice management 

(coaching) and tremendous 

Classified Advertisements 

seller assistance. Call Professional 

Practice Advisors, Inc. (800) 863-9373. 

www.practiceadvisors.com. 

Lancaster Group Practice 

Associateship or Associate to 

Partnership in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

Large group dental practice. Income 

potential of $100,000 to $200,000 

plus. Must be a multi-skilled, excellent 

dentist. This may be one of the best 

dental practices in the state! Call (717) 

394-9231 or email SJRDMD@aol.com. 

Philadelphia Multi-Specialty 

Group Practice 

Respected, established suburban 

Philadelphia multi-specialty group 

practice seeks associate for long-term 

relationship leading to equity 

ownership. Advanced training in 

restorative or experience desired. 

Please reply to PDA Box S/O 5. 

Hanover Group Practice — 

General Dentist 

Hanover Group Practice has an 

outstanding opportunity for General 

Dentist quickly leading to partnership. 

Our fee-for-service practice offers 

a guaranteed starting salary and an 

income potential of $100,000 to 

$200,000 plus. We are heavily crown 

& bridge and technology oriented. 

Associate will also receive 401(k), 

profit sharing, payable CE, malpractice 

and medical insurance. Interested 

dentist may contact Drs. Fink & 

Grimes at (717) 632-4164 or e-mail 

SmilebyJohn@hotmail.com. 

Allentown/Lehigh Valley Area 

GENERAL DENTIST needed. Group 

practice is seeking a general dentist 

for full time employment. Salary commensurate 

with experience. Associate 

position available with partnership 



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potential. Beautiful Allentown area 

location with general dentists and 

specialists under one roof. Fax resume 

and cover letter to (610) 820-9922 

or call (610) 820-9900. 

Associate Needed — 

Central Susquehanna Valley 

Do you aspire to be a partner in a 

growing group practice? Do you have 

management abilities? Then you may 

be the kind of associate we are seeking. 

Our group is located in the Central 

Susquehanna Valley near Bucknell 

and Susquehanna universities. We are 

seeking a general dentist capable of a 

wide range of procedures. No HMOs. 

Medical assistance is optional. Want 

to know more? Call (570) 742-9607, 

e-mail copdha@sunlink.net, or fax 

your resume to (570) 742-9638. 


Outstanding Opportunity — 

Loan Repayment 

Keystone Rural Health Consortia is 

looking for a fulltime General Dentist 

to staff our Emporium, Pa. office. 

We offer competitive salary, excellent 

benefit package and Loan Repayment. 

Newly remodeled office fully staffed. 

Contact Mike at (814) 486-1115 or 

micgal@krhc.net. 

Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre and 

Pittsburgh Areas 

Would you like the exceptional 

benefits of having your own practice, 

but without the administrative hassles? 

Our group practice is seeking caring 

dentists who desire to provide the 

highest level of quality patient care in 

a challenging and rewarding setting. 

We currently have F/T or P/T 

FPO 

positions available in the Harrisburg, 

Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh areas. 

We offer an excellent compensation 

package. We provide you with an 

established patient base, all equipment 

and supplies, complete office support, 

and a family-friendly flexible schedule 

with no nights or weekends. Please 

fax or email your CV to (toll free) (866) 

657-5400 or caring@healthdrive.com, 

or please call Maria Kelleher at (toll 

free) (877) 724-4410. 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR — 

Clinician Educator Track 

The Department of Restorative 

Dentistry at The Maurice H. Kornberg 

School of Dentistry invites applications 

for a full-time Clinician Educator 

Track faculty position available 

September 1, 2007. This is a non-

tenure track position at the level of 

assistant professor. Responsibilities 

may include classroom, laboratory 

and clinical teaching of predoctoral 

and postgraduate (AEGD) students in 

the disciplines of general dentistry, 

restorative dentistry and treatment 

planning. Assignments may also 

include course, clinic or program 

directorships or assistant directorships. 

Specific assignments will vary according 

to the needs of the department 

and school. DMD or DDS degree and 

PA dental license or eligibility required. 

Experience in teaching the clinical 

disciplines of restorative dentistry 

including implant restoration preferred. 

AEGD or GPR graduate preferred. 

Interested applicants should send a 

cover letter indicating date of availability 

and curriculum vitae to: 

Dr. Klara Alperstein, Search Committee 

Chair, Department of Restorative 

Dentistry, The Maurice H. Kornberg 

School of Dentistry, 3223 North 

Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. 

Temple University is an equal opportunity 

/ affirmative action employer. 

Minority and female applicants are 

encouraged to apply. 

ENDODONTIST 

Will consider 2nd year graduate student 

or 2nd year resident in accredited 

endo program. Join Prosthodontist 

and Periodontist in quality Center 

City office. Compensation up to 55% 

of collections no HMO’s. Fax resume 

and cover letter to (215) 627-0778 or 

call (215) 627-0777 

Part-time Associate — South Jersey 

Part-time associate for quality family 

and cosmetic fee for service practice 

in vibrant South Jersey community, 

near Philadelphia. Comprehensive care 

model. General Practice Residency 

with experience in conscious sedation, 

implants and invisalign preferred. Call 

Dr. Joseph Cohen at (856) 854-5543 

or fax resume to (856) 854-0758. 

South Central Pennsylvania 

Great opportunity for the right 

individual. Long established, well 

respected, thriving group practice 

with three dentists, three hygienists 

and a well trained staff. Seeking 

experienced and motivated general 

dentist for short-term associateship 

leading to corporate partnership and 

real estate ownership. Guaranteed 

base salary plus percentage of 

collections. Call (717) 865-5211 or 

fax resume to (717) 865-6047. 

For Sale 

Western Pennsylvania/Greater 

Pittsburgh Area 

Several practices available with 

collections ranging from $230,000 

to $635,000. 

Moon Township, $339,000 in 

collections; Penn Hills, $635,000 

in collections; Clairton, $400,0000 in 

collections; Canonsburg, $235,000 

in collections. 

Please contact Bob Septak at (724) 

869-0533 Ext. 1 or email 

bob@ubba.biz. 

As always, we treat these matters with 

the highest amount of confidentiality 

and any contact with United Business 

Brokers of America will be kept 

completely confidential. 

Western Pennsylvania 

Multiple General and specialty dental 

practices for sale in Western PA. 

Associateships/ Partnerships also 

available in and around Erie. Please 

contact Brian P. Hudson & Associates 

at (716) 633-0550 or e-mail 

info@brianphudson.com. 

NORTHEAST PA 

Established fee-for-service general 

practice in new retail bldg. 35 percent 

cash. Close proximity to great golfing, 

skiing, hunting and fishing. 20 miles 

from junction of 4 interstate hwys. 

Good schools and low property taxes. 

2 ops plus full size hygiene room. 


Great opportunity for start-up practice 

or satellite office. Interested parties 

must be skilled in exodontia, fixed 

and removable prostho. Doctor has 

chronic, possible terminal illness. 

Value priced to sell. Serious inquiries 

only. Respond to PDA box S/O 1. 

DENTAL PRACTICE SALE – 

CENTRAL PA 

Not far from Penn State! Well est., 37 

hrs/wk, 4 ops, freestanding building 

(also avail). 2006 Gross Revenue 

$700k. More than 1,000 active pts. 

Call Donna at (856) 988-7588. 

Montgomery County 

General/Family Dental Practice Sale!! 

Heavily populated area that is still 

growing!! 3 ops., brand new equipment. 

Gross $700,000, 1200 active 

pts. Mixed pt base. Call The Snyder 

Group at (800) 988-5674. 

General Practice — Central PA 

General practice of 29 years with four 

ops, networked, digital X-ray sensors 

and pan in owned, freestanding 

building in growing suburban area of 

central PA with much outdoor 

recreation. Excellent financials. Priced 

well below appraised value. Email 

samejr.46wbdg@yahoo.com for 

details. 

Philadelphia County 

Well established. 4 ops, 1,800 s/f. 

Excellent hygiene program! Digital, 

ALL FFS. R/E available. Call Donna 

at (856) 988-7588. 

Erie – Oral Surgery Practice 

Located on busy street near Presque 

Isle State Park. 1,100 square ft. office 

with low overhead. One fully equipped 

operatory with room to expand. An 

excellent start-up practice or satellite 

office. Call (814) 881-9880. 



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UNIONTOWN 

State of the art practice, collected over 

250K in ‘06 only working 80 days. 

Owner moving out of state, motivated 

seller. Call (724) 322-3804. 

PRACTICES FOR SALE — 

HARRISBURG METROPOLITAN 

AREA 

Periodontic, $500,000, 5 operatories. 

Practice Sales & Transitions, (877) 

539-8800, check listings at www.dentalsales.org 

FOR SALE — DENTAL OFFICE 

AND RESIDENCE 

In Bethlehem, Pa. First floor dental 

office includes 1,729 SF, with two 

operatories. 2nd and 3rd floors are a 

1,753 SF residence. Contact Earl 

Stafford or Sonia Castro at Coldwell 


Banker Commercial Heritage Real 

Estate. (610) 398-8848. 

Harrisburg 

4 operatories, computerized, great 

location. Net income for 2006 – 

$217,000. Real Estate available. 100 

percent financing for qualified buyer. 

Contact smuench@paragon.us.com 

or call Steve at (877) 678-1647. 

Professional Services 

Practice Transitions 

Selling — buying — merging — 

establishing associateships. 

VALUATIONS FOR ALL PURPOSES. 

Certified, experienced DMD specialist. 

No charges unless we perform. 

Professional Practice Planners, 332 

Fifth Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132. 

Call (412) 673-3144 or (412) 621-2882 

(after normal hours). 

Suburban Philadelphia — 

Financial Planning 

Financial Advisor offers a personal 

more meaningful approach to financial 

planning. I specialize in education 

and retirement planning, risk management, 

asset allocation and small business 

strategies. Call Ted McGurk Jr. of 

Waddell & Reed at (610) 358-9450 

ext 111 or emcgurk@wradvisors.com. 

TEMPORARY PROFESSIONAL 

COVERAGE (LOCUM TENENS) 

Our distinguished team of dentists 

keep your revenue spigot “open wide” 

during vacation, maternity, personal 

or disability leaves. Short-notice 

coverage our specialty. Always seeking 

TIRED OF THE SAME OLD CE COURSE? 

Let the 4th District help. 

We have arranged for FOUR WORLD CLASS PRESENTERS 

to come to Reading, PA on Friday, October 19, 2007 

Dr. Bill Dickerson — The Future of Dentistry 

Dr. Mike Miyasaki — Systematically Approaching 

the Advanced Functional Case 

Dr. Heidi Dickerson — Let’s Give Them Something 

To Smile About – Creating Beautiful Smiles 

Dr. Ashley Johnson — Getting Your Team Involved: 

It’s No Longer An Option – It’s A Necessity! 

Check out www.PADental.org/4thdistrict for more details! 

The 4th District is not responsible for life-changing events that 

are a result of hearing these speakers.

docs to join our referral network, 

no charge, no obligation. Doctors 

per Diem, Inc. (800) 600-0963. Visit 

http://www.doctorsperdiem.com or 

email docs@doctorsperdiem.com. 

Consulting Services 

CPA having 19+ years’ experience 

(including with AFTCO Associates) 

offers independent dental advisory 

services involving Buying, Selling, 

Mediation, Valuation, Expert Witness 

or Tax Planning. Joseph C. Bowers, 

MBA, CPA/PFS, (610) 544-4100 or 

email jcbowers@verizon.net. 

Practice Transitions 

We specialize in practice sales, 

appraisals and partnership arrangements 

in Eastern PA. Free Seller and 

Buyer Guides available. For more 

details on our services, contact Phillip 

Cooper, DMD, MBA, American 

Practice Consultants, at (800) 

400-8550 or cooper@ameriprac.com. 

PDA Spotlights Volunteerism 


FPO 

We strive to highlight and recognize member volunteerism in the Pennsylvania Dental Journal. In order to do 

that, the Journal staff needs to be informed about the volunteer efforts of you and your colleagues. 

If you are involved in a dental volunteer effort (such as, but not limited to, participating in a dental mission or 

volunteering at a dental clinic), please let us know by completing the following form and faxing to Rachel 

Damrauer, communications coordinator, at (717) 234-2186. 

NAME: 

ADDRESS: 

CITY: STATE: ZIP: 

PHONE NUMBER: FAX NUMBER: 

BEST TIME TO BE REACHED: E-MAIL ADDRESS: 

Preferred Method of Communication: ❑ email ❑ phone 


55

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