​The deadline for Round 3 of the Drinking Water Fluoridation Fund is approaching fast.  The funding opportunities from the NYS Department of Health support costs related to the construction, installation, repair, replacement, or upgrade of fluoride equipment in drinking water facilities. Both opportunities are now posted on the NYS Grants Gateway.
 
One opportunity supports municipalities with funding up to $50,000 for the planning and implementation of community water fluoridation.  Component 1 (Grants Gateway # DOH01-DWF1R3-2016) will pay for development of an engineering report to initiate or maintain water fluoridation.  Component 2 (Grants Gateway # DWF2R3-2016) will pay for the upgrade, replacement, repair or purchase of equipment to initiate or maintain water fluoridation. 
 
The second opportunity (RFA- Grants Gateway # DOH01-DWF3R3-2016) supports municipalities seeking to upgrade, replace or repair existing water fluoridation equipment or install fluoridation systems in public water systems that have authorized the implementation of fluoridation.  Applicants may request between $50,001 and $1 million in funding.
 
Applications for both components will be accepted until November 4, 2016. 
 
More information on the grants and important dates can be found on the Department of Health website or by contacting oralhealth@health.ny.gov.

CHICAGO, Sept.  30, 2016 – The ADA Foundation Board of Directors this week elected William R. Calnon, D.D.S. as president, and also elected several new and continuing members to its Board of Directors. 
 
Dr. Calnon, who practices general dentistry in Rochester, New York, has served as a member of the ADA Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2013, most recently as vice president of scientific research. He was the 2011-2012 president of the ADA after serving a four-year term on the ADA Board as the trustee from the Second District, which represents New York.  Dr. Calnon will follow the two-year term of Dr. Reneida E. Reyes, a pediatric dentist in Brooklyn, New York.
 
ADA Foundation Board Appointments
 
Newly elected ADA Foundation Board members include:

-Ann Bruck, RDH, U.S. Industry Relations and Professional Services Manager, 3M Oral Care, St. Paul, Minnesota
-Howard I.A. Lieb, D.M.D., Staten Island, New York
-Mary J. Hayes, D.D.S., M.S., Chicago, Illinois, elected to complete the one-year unexpired term of Dr. Calnon
 
Directors chosen to renewed terms are:
 

-Maritza Morell, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.S., Andover, Massachusetts, elected to a full four-year term after having completed Dr. Reneida Reyes’ remaining term when she was elected ADAF President in 2014
-Michele Penrose, Director of Global Professional Relations, Henry Schein, Inc., Melville, New York, elected to a second four-year term
 
ADA Foundation Executive Committee Appointments
 
Directors newly elected to the ADAF Executive Committee from among the ADAF Board of Directors Members at Large are:

​-Vice President of Scientific Research: Gary Jeffers, D.M.D., M.S.
-Vice President of Finance: Roger L. Kiesling, D.D.S.
-They join current Executive Committee members Edward Green, D.M.D., Vice President of Grants; and Frank Maggio, D.D.S., Vice President of Development, who will continue their service on the ADAF Executive Committee.
 
Visit adafoundation.org <http://www.adafoundation.org/>  for more information or to make a donation.
 
Editor’s Note: Photographs available upon request.  Please contact Cathy Haibach, haibachc@ada.org <mailto:haibachc@ada.org> , or 312.440.2544.
 
###
 
About the ADA Foundation
 
As dentistry's premier philanthropic and charitable organization, the ADA Foundation is a catalyst for uniting people and organizations to make a difference through better oral health. The ADA Foundation provides more than $800,000 in grants, scholarships, and awards annually to programs that are in alignment with the organization’s four mission pillars: Charitable Assistance, Access to Care, Research, and Education (C.A.R.E.). As part of these efforts, the ADA Foundation oversees Give Kids A Smile® and also oversees the ADA Foundation Volpe Research Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland (formerly the Paffenbarger Research Center). For more information about the ADA Foundation, visit www.adafoundation.org <http://www.adafoundation.org/> .
 

Many provisions of the final rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, went into effect July 18, while others take effect October 16. One of the rule’s requirements is that covered entities must post taglines in the top 15 non-English languages spoken in their state. A tagline is a short statement that indicates that language assistance services, free of charge, are available.
 
The ADA has been working throughout the summer to alert members about Section 1557 and the resources the Association has developed, including a list of frequently asked questions and a checklist for dental practices. Although the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has provided a sample tagline, the ADA developed a more targeted sample tagline related to language assistance services.
 
The ADA tagline is being translated into the languages needed to comply with the tagline requirement and will be available in mid-September. Translations of the OCR sample tagline are available on the OCR website. Taglines are not required until October 16, thus allowing members sufficient time to post the ADA’s taglines, which will be available in a convenient state-by-state format. Sample taglines are available below.
 
Covered entities may develop their own taglines, as long as the tagline is compliant with the final rule. The covered entity would need to have the tagline translated into the top 15 languages in its state.
 
Several members have inquired about documenting patient encounters where an interpreter or translator were necessary, and/or coding for interpretation or translation services. In addition to including any narrative in the patient record, and beginning in 2017, a new CDT code can be used.  D9994 dental case management – patient education to improve oral health literacy will be available. An ADA News story was just posted online regarding the new code; the story will be in the print edition of ADA News on September 19. 
 
The Department of Health and Human Services has released an updated list of the ‘Top 15’ non-English languages spoken by state.  The ADA is in the process of comparing this new list with the one previously provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and plans to provide more information on the differences in its next Leadership Update. 
 
Finally, members can view all of the ADA’s Section 1557 resources at ADA.org/1557. And don’t forget to watch the recent webinar Understanding Section 1557.
 
Sample Taglines
 
OCR Sample Tagline
ATTENTION:  If you speak [insert language], language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you.  Call 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx (TTY: 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx).
 
ADA Sample Tagline
We will take reasonable steps to provide free-of-charge language assistance services to people who speak languages we are likely to hear in our practice and who don’t speak English well enough to talk to us about the dental care we are providing. 

​As part of the NYSDA/Foundation Dental Demonstration Project, through which volunteer dentists provide dental treatment to people in need of such care within Article 28 facilities and Federal Qualified Health Centers, we are happy to announce the following upcoming events:
 
Oak Orchard Community Health Center in Brockport, Saturday, 15 October
 
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Saturday, 12 November
 
Regional Primary Care Network/Wayne Community Health Center in Lyons, Saturday, 19 November
 
In addition to providing dental treatment, the NYSDA/Foundation Dental Demonstration Project raises awareness of the importance of oral health to overall health, and, in the process, enrolls new patients into ongoing treatment in a dental home, thus eliminating the need for these patients to seek emergency room care for dentistry.
 
Dr. Brendan Dowd, NYSDA Vice President and former Foundation Trustee, has been instrumental in providing the leadership necessary in recruiting volunteer practitioners to events. “By participating in these demonstrations,” explains Dr. Dowd, “you not only do a great service to individuals, but you also prove, once again, to our elected officials that our profession gets things done.”

Betsy Bray is the newly hired Oral Health Workforce Director who is responsible for developing the public health/dental home piece of the Dental Demonstration Project. Says Bray, “Getting patients into ongoing treatment – into a dental home – is a huge part of what we’re doing. It’s integral to NYSDA’s potential for continued and ongoing State funding to conduct these private/public partnerships.”
 
Dentists and dental hygienists who volunteer as part of any of the above mentioned Dental Demonstration Projects will be recognized by the New York State Dental Foundation’s new Volunteer Registry; this is also where you can sign up to volunteer for any and/or all of the NYSDA/Foundation Dental Demonstration Projects. For more information, contact Cyndy Fiegl, project coordinator, at cfiegl@8ddsny.org. See this site for continuous updates and further information. 

​The New York State Dental Foundation maintains an ongoing inventory of dental supplies for donation to dentists and organizations which conduct outreach programs, either here in the USA or overseas. Recently, the Foundation donated dental supplies to the Mayfield Presbyterian Church Mission Group, which included NYSDA members  Vincent Filanova, DDS and Gary DiSanto-Rose, DMD. The Foundation’s donation enabled the Group to treat more 140 people and provide more than 500 dental services, including 51 cleanings, 89 fillings, 155 extractions and one incision and drainage of an infected hematoma swelling.
 
In order to continue to help those who do so much to help people desperately in need of oral health care, the Foundation has established an ongoing “call for product,” to include the items listed below. PLEASE NOTE, donators will be acknowledged for their generosity in Foundation communications, including website and newsletters, as well as in any press relations created as part of charitable missions.
 
Seeking:
 
2X2 gauze
Acid etch
Amalgam
Amalgamator
Amoxicillin
Articulating Paper
Bonding agent
Burs
Chromic gut sutures
Contra angle latch attachment
Copalite
Cotton rolls
Dental instruments
            Aspirating syringes
            Explorers       
            Hygiene
            Mirrors and handles
            Oral surgery
            Restorative
Dental ultrasonic unit
Disinfecting cleaners and wipes
Disposable lab coats
Dry socket paste
Face masks
Floss
Local anesthesia (lidocaine, mepivaine, etc.)
Needle hubs
Nitrile gloves
Pain medicine
Patient bibs
Prophy angles
Prophy past
Q tips
Sealants
Tooth brushes
Toothpaste
Topical anesthetic
Ultrasonic scalers

The New York State Dental Foundation has a simple mission: to improve the oral health of all New Yorkers. It’s a simple mission, but one that is profoundly significant and daunting.
 
As dentistry’s premier philanthropic and charitable organization in New York State, the Foundation builds relationships to help make a difference in our communities through better oral health. To that end, the Foundation has created the Donated Equipment Program; working with industry partners, the Foundation will provide donations of equipment (e.g., sterilizers, handpieces, etc.) to help community programs throughout New York State increase their capacity to provide dental treatment to vulnerable populations. . 
 
To apply for consideration for the Foundation’s Donated Equipment Program, submit the completed attached application to: Laura Leon, director, NYS Dental Foundation, 20 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 602, Albany, NY  12211, or fax to (518)465-3219. ​

​Governor Cuomo has signed into law, as Chapter 71 of the Laws of 2016, the opioid abuse legislative package passed by the New York State Legislature.  This new law limits initial prescriptions of controlled substances for acute pain to no more than a seven day supply.  It also mandates three hours of continuing education every three years in pain management for all health care professionals who hold a current United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number.  The continuing education can be taken online and can be applied to the existing 60 hours of mandatory continuing education required for dentists.  The first such course must be taken on or before July 1, 2017.  Governor Cuomo also issued his comprehensive report on the conclusion of the 2016 legislative session and its accomplishments.  To read the Governor's announcement of his signing of the opioid abuse legislation, including a summary of the provisions in the new law, use the first link below.  To read the Governor's speech on signing the opioid abuse legislation, use the second link below.  To read the Governor's complete 2016 legislative session report, use the third link below.  To read the Governor's announcement and summary of his 2016 legislative session report, use the last link below.
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-combat-heroin-and-opioid-crisis  (Governor Cuomo announcement of signing and summary of opioid abuse legislation)
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-photos-transcript-governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-combat-heroin-and-opioid-crisis  (Governor Cuomo speech on signing opioid abuse legislation)
https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/2016EndofSessionReport.pdf  (Governor Cuomo complete 2016 legislative session report)
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-highlights-achievements-2016-legislation-session  (Governor Cuomo announcement and summary of 2016 legislative session report)

​The ADA News (6/30) reported the University at Buffalo announced its S-Miles To Go Mobile Dental Program received $371,000, a 50 percent increase in state funding, to “expand to three counties and double access to care for underserved children in rural areas.” The mobile dental program “seeks to address barriers to health care that exist in rural settings, which include inadequate transportation, few sources of fluoridated water, a shortage of pediatric dentists and a lack of clinics that accept Medicaid.” The bump in state funding “allows the programs to purchase portable dental equipment than can be transported to schools, allowing dental hygienists to visit the sites and perform oral health screenings, cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatment.” Dr. Stephen Abel, associate dean for student, community and professional initiatives, said the mobile dental program helps train dental students and demonstrates the challenges of treating patients in rural settings.

​Good afternoon, and thank you, as always, for allowing me the opportunity to present to you about the activities of the New York State Dental Foundation.
I want to start with an update on the dental demonstration project that the Foundation worked on with NYSDA. I am happy to report that we are receiving another year of funding from the State – more details regarding what’s next will follow once we get the paperwork from the Governor’s office, but today I can focus on what we were able to accomplish to date.
NYSDA and the Foundation conducted four dental demonstrations: Ovid Community Health in Ovid (13 November 2015 and 4-5 March 2016) and Oak Orchard Community Health in Brockport (19 March 2015).
 
The expenditures from the Year One grant only amounted to $60,597.39 (out of the initial $250,000 outlay). We were able to provide $78,000 worth of dental treatment to 167 patients ranging in age from 2 to 87. This shows a $1.25:$1 ratio of treatment value to expense. However, it is important to note that this ratio does not take into consideration the amount and dollar value of time volunteered by members of the dental profession and auxiliary staff and volunteers. As we move forward with Year 2 of the project, we confidently anticipate that, by leveraging our experience to date, the dollar value of treatment provided will multiply, even as the number of potential patients increases.
 
For the rest of my report, I’m going to focus on three very exciting new initiatives. The first is the New York State Dental Foundation Donated Equipment Program. As dentistry’s premier philanthropic and charitable organization in the state, the Foundation builds relationships to help make a difference in our communities through better oral health. Working with industry partners to provide donations of equipment and supplies, we will assist organizations to further their outreach and improve access to care to those in need.
 
Secondly, on May 16th, we will launch the NYSDF Volunteer Registry, which, as you may remember, is our way to recognize the volunteerism done by our profession. The registry will record hours spent providing pro bono charitable dental care to vulnerable and at risk populations. Participants will receive an annual certificate commemorating that commitment; in turn, NYSDA will be able to show policymakers the total number of hours volunteered by the profession that dentists truly go the distance to ensure a healthier population.
Finally, to further promote the Volunteer Registry, we are spearheading a statewide Veterans Smile Day promotion, during which participating dentists can screen and treat veterans in their offices on Veterans Day – or throughout that week. Dentists may also decide for themselves the amount of care they wish to provide veterans, and also whether they would like to open up the program to that veteran’s immediate family.  Participants can determine how many patients they wish to see, depending on their availability and wishes. All veterans qualify for the program. And, of course, participating dentists can then submit their hours to the Volunteer Registry.
 
With this promotion, we will work closely with Membership & Communications as well as with the Journal to really try to get a lot of promotion out of this initiative.
 
I wanted to end by saying that I look forwarding to hosting all of you at our annual Foundation of Excellence luncheon, which will be Saturday, June 4, at the House of Delegates meeting.