Auburn University alumnus Jim Phillips Jr., D.M.D., president of the Alabama Dental Association, has been the school's volunteer athletics dentist for more than 20 years, beginning with making mouthguards for the men's and women's basketball teams, according to the Auburn Plainsman. "We just try to take care of the kids," Dr. Phillips said. "The most rewarding thing is being able to be there for them." Dr. Phillips' volunteer efforts also include working as an adviser for pre-dental students through the College of Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Leadership Council. Dr. Phillips received his undergraduate degree in geology from Auburn and went to dental school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he began his involvement in organized dentistry as the student dental association representative. He has owned Phillips Dentistry in Auburn for more than 30 years.

Up to 50% of adults with COVID-19 may have dysgeusia, or a loss of taste, but what about children? Researchers assessed the odds ratio for dysgeusia associated with COVID-19 in a pediatric population of a major health center. Sign up or sign in to PracticeUpdate Clinical Dentistry to read more. It's free!

SmileCon's Virtual Pass will give people unable to attend the Oct. 11-13 conference in person access to the meeting and some exclusive content, ADA News reported. The opening and closing sessions will be livestreamed and there will be a roving camera in Dental Central, the reimagined exhibit hall. Virtual Pass users can view a DENT Talk and the Mock Trial: Topic Oral Sepsis (2115), and talk with pharmacology expert Tom Viola. Endodontist Brett E. Gilbert, D.D.S., will present Saving Teeth by Blending Modern Endodontic Materials with New Techniques (4004V). The Virtual Pass also provides access to virtual continuing education through Dec. 31. Find more information at SmileCon.org.

In a SmileCon panel discussion, slated from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12, a cross-disciplinary group of dentists will offer their perspectives on the many ways augmented intelligence will be used in dentistry -- from ongoing advances in imaging and clinical decision support to transformative business applications. The session, moderated by Robert Faiella, D.M.D., past president of the ADA and chief dental officer of Overjet, includes Aruna Ramesh, D.M.D., associate dean for academic affairs and professor in oral and maxillofacial radiology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Christopher Smiley, D.D.S., general dentist and editor of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association; Kyle Stanley, D.D.S., chief clinical officer of Pearl; and, Gregory G. Zeller, D.D.S., professor emeritus of oral health practice at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. "With ongoing advances in imaging and technology, AI in dentistry has a proven potential to offer assistance as an adjunct to the diagnostic clinician," Dr. Ramesh says. The AI Panel Discussion: Augmented Intelligence will take place in Banyan B at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center and is included in the meeting's Smile Pass and Platinum Smile Pass.

Centrist Democrats such as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., want any expansion of Medicare to add dental, vision and hearing benefits to include means testing, which has created tension with progressives as the party debates how to move forward on a slimmed-down spending package that can garner enough votes for passage, Politico reported. The ADA has proposed extending a new dental benefit only to Medicare beneficiaries with incomes below 300% of poverty, arguing it would free up money for other health care priorities. "If you have scarce federal dollars, this is where you want to put your money," said Mike Graham, the ADA's senior vice president of government affairs. The ADA has been advocating for its proposal through advertising and in meetings with lawmakers and staff but Mr. Graham said that's not likely to move progressives or Republicans to support it. "So our focus is the moderate Democrats," Mr. Graham said. "They're telling us our plan makes sense, but they're also waiting to see what the Senate does."

The ADA is encouraging dentists to apply for the fourth phase of the Health Resources and Services Administration's Provider Relief Fund as soon as possible ahead of the Oct. 26 deadline, according to ADA News. "Any dentist, regardless of Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program status, who directly billed or owns a subsidiary that directly billed a patient or health insurance company for oral health care-related services during the period of Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2020," is eligible to apply, according to HRSA.
To see a full explanation of providers who are eligible to apply for a Phase 4 General Distribution, visit the HRSA website.
The ADA has an FAQ to help dentists who may have questions and HRSA also is assisting providers with a Provider Support Line at 1-866-569-3522 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Gregory Chadwick, D.D.S., who served as ADA president from 2001 to 2002 and trustee from 1996 to 2000, was chosen as president-elect of the FDI World Dental Federation during the organization's virtual General Assembly, ADA News reported. The assembly also elected Chad Gehani, D.D.S., immediate past president of the ADA, to the FDI Council, while past ADA Vice President Irene Marron-Tarrazzi, D.M.D., was elected to the FDI Membership Liaison & Support Committee. "He will be great for the FDI and I have every confidence he will continue to lead the world to optimal oral health," past FDI President Kathryn Kell, D.D.S., said of Dr. Chadwick's election.

Coordination of benefits is a common source of frustration for dental offices as dentists often have difficulty determining which plan is primary and what fee can be charged. Join us for a free webinar at noon CT on Oct. 26 to get the answers to these questions and much more. You will also learn why plans must coordinate benefits, how COB works and how it may affect front office staff. 1 CERP credit.

Register today!

Get educational, ready-to-use dental insurance solutions at ADA.org/dentalinsurance.