President’s Message

In dentistry, long days are spent focused on all sorts of connections: we strive to insure margins connect flawlessly, interproximal connections are intact, occlusal connections balanced, periodontal connections healthy. The only connection we avoid is the pulp!

Without connecting, things begin to drift and decay. The same applies to human connections. The connections that matter most are the interpersonal relationships we build with our patients, our staff, friends, and more importantly, our families. Our third annual ETDS Christmas party proved the perfect night to kick off the holiday season, celebrate the culmination of a good year, and connect with our fellow colleagues.

Again, thank you to everyone behind the scenes who worked so hard to put on this festive event, who sponsored a prize, and also to everyone who attended. What better way to connect and foster camaraderie than by sharing a delicious holiday meal? I was seated with peers less than ten years into their careers and embarking on brand new practices as well as a seasoned practitioner who practiced dentistry over fifty years and just recently embarked on the adventure of retirement.

Scanning the crowded ballroom, I recognized familiar faces from almost every ETDS meeting I’ve attended over the past 18 years mixed with new faces I haven’t yet had the opportunity to meet. Most of the dental specialties were represented, and many general dentists were in attendance. I observed dentists who practice here in Tyler, dentists who drove over from Longview, along with dentists with more rural practices such as myself. I spotted active leaders at the local and even state level next to those who quietly support our society through annual membership and regular attendance at our meetings (both integral to the continued success of our society). The evening encapsulated the different sectors of our shared profession that comprise the 3rd District of the Texas Dental Association and highlighted the advantages of connecting through organized dentistry.

We started 2023 with Dr. Andrew Johnson connecting us to the future with informative CE regarding advancements in 3D printing and even robotics! Dr. Duc “Duke” Ho, TDA president, provided insight into happenings at the state level: connecting us to our legislature, making connections with our dental schools, connecting with our dental hygienist colleague, and connecting with underserved communities.

The East Texas Dental Society is making it easier for members and their staff to connect with our new registration platform, CE-Go, providing easier CE registration and certification. Our spring meeting is an excellent way to connect with your staff and learn impressive ways to connect with your patients as Dr. Tal Wilkins provides a hands on course on dental photography. Additionally, we are creating some mentoring opportunities. If interested, please complete the survey included in this newsletter.

Finally, one of the best ways to connect is through service. Our board continually seeks fresh ideas and innovative leadership. If you’re willing to serve in any capacity, let one of us know.

Wishing you all a very happy new year,

Delaine Daniels, DDS

Recognition of Service

Presented to ETDS President, Dr. Delaine Daniels. Presented by, TDA President, Dr. Duc Ho.

Legislative Day

By: Dr. Mark Camp

District 3 was represented by Drs. Debrah Worsham, Dee Rea and Mark Camp at the Texas State Capitol for TDA Legislative Day. Although I don’t have official numbers, it appeared as though there were well over 100 TDA members present for this event. Our ETDS group had very productive conversations with Staff Members of multiple Legislators from our region.

The morning introductory session included a briefing from the State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who shared some interesting facts. The most recent Texas budgetary cycle yielded a surplus of over 33 Billion dollars. Over the past 30 budget cycles, average State increases in tax collections have averaged about 5%, with the largest outlier from that range being 13%. This prior budget cycle saw an increase in tax revenues of 25.6%, which is not expected to be repeated in the future. With a strong economy, growing population (roughly 400 new births and 600 new residents per day), and inflationary forces, Texans are spending about 4.5 Billion more dollars per month than before January 2021. In January 2021, Texas had the 11th largest economy in the world. Today we have the 9th largest world economy and will soon move to 8th place.

During this 88th session of the Texas Legislature, there will be many groups trying to get some of the 33 Billion Surplus from the last budget cycle. One of TDA’s priorities is increasing funding for Medicaid Dental Services, which was last increased in 2007 and afterwards decreased from 2007 levels by about 3%. Recurring expenses are a tough sale at the Legislative level, but TDA is diligently fighting during the budgetary process to increase this funding to an inflation-adjusted level. Another funding priority of the TDA is to reinstate the Dental Education Loan Repayment Program (DELRP) for dentists who agree to practice at least 4 years in an underserved area. The repayment would be for a 4 year commitment and would repay loans up to $180,000.

Other priorities of the TDA include multiple topics. Proposed Dental Insurance Reform would include a time limit of 180 days on Retroactive Denials, ban the practice of insurance companies from prohibiting Dentists from charging for disallowed procedures, and allow Dentists to opt out of a contract when an insurance company leases a network to another company. Senate Bill 384 introduced in the Senate and supported by TDA would require dental exams before companies can start treatment with clear aligners. There are efforts to maintain current Scope of Practice issues and to maintain current Dental Practice Models to insure that licensed dentists remain the gatekeepers of dental services.

Until the Legislature dismisses on May 29, I encourage all members to pay attention to the TDA emails and “The Root” newsletter for details on current legislative issues. If you see something that is important to your practice, please call your legislator’s office and speak to someone about your concerns. We are all participants in a great profession in one of the greatest states, and lets fight to keep it that way.

UPCOMING EVENTS: