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McFadden argues Occam’s razor is the only feature differentiating science from superstition, pseudoscience or fake news.⁶ Occam’s razor, the principle or law of parsimony, is the principle of using the simplest solution or explanation since it likely contains the least variables. In other words, when choosing between competing hypotheses, one should choose the hypothesis that requires the fewest assumptions. Occam refers to William of Occam (1287–1347), a Franciscan friar and noted logician to whom the concept is attributed. Occam is the name of the English town where William was born. Razor distinguishes between two hypotheses by “shaving away” unnecessary assumptions or cutting apart two similar conclusions.⁷

In modern vernacular, this is often referenced as “When you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras”⁸ or KISS, “Keep it simple, stupid.”⁹ The idea that perfection equals simplicity and vice versa has been attributed to Aristotle and the phrase, “The more perfect a nature is, the fewer means it requires for its operation.”¹⁰ Occam’s razor alone proves nothing. It merely serves as a heuristic device, a guide to distinguish between the various hypotheses.

Science is a dynamic process. What is true today may not be true tomorrow. However, the changes are based on new information, experimentation and reproducibility rather than the whim of unsubstantiated opinions, emotions or feelings. Pseudo-science can be bad for your health, so unbiased investigators vet the scientific literature and use the scientific method to debunk the plethora of false information masquerading as science. This uniquely distinguishes the sciences from other fields of endeavor. In a world of increasingly complex problems, perhaps the scientific method can offer some simple solutions.

This is not just dangerous, it’s insulting to those
of us who believe in, honor and advocate for the scientific method.

The logic, certainty and reproducibility provoked my interest in the sciences and mathematics, eventually leading me to a career in dentistry. In this world, 2+2=4. It always has and likely always will. True mathematics and science are not subordinate to modish whims nor subject to a specious majority vote.

Changes in science occur through observation, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation and statistical analysis. Unfortunately, STEM education and proficiency have been declining in the United States since the 1980s.^{1, 2, 3} The proliferation of social media has amplified opinions, allowed fringe theories to gain widespread traction and served as a primary source of science discreditation. It makes one wonder: Does real science still have value?

Mathematics and experimentation alone do not science make. Astrologists use mathematics to generate horoscopes, and yet this is not considered science. Alchemists routinely used experiments to transform base metals into gold without success. Alchemists were not considered scientists.⁴ So, what is the true nature of science? Wikipedia defines science as “a rigorous, systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the world.”⁵ However, this definition fails to capture the essence of science since this can be vaguely applied to nearly any endeavor. A better definition is needed.

This technology, which allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects from digital models, has transformed some dental practices by improving the efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of a wide range of procedures. In 2023, Grand View Research pegged the global market value for 3D printing in dentistry at more than $2.5 billion, and that valuation is projected to grow more than 23% by 2030.

Dr. Patrick Dionise, of Dionise Dental in Lansing, Michigan, is an early adopter of 3D printing tech and said the decision was a solid one.

“My experience has been very positive so far,” said Dionise. “Patients are impressed when they see the technology, so it could also be used as a marketing tool. If you have a team member that is interested in the technology, it helps keep them engaged. Another added benefit is that when a team member has downtime, they can be working on printing or the lab work involved with printing.”

One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing is the extreme precision it offers. Traditional methods of creating dental prosthetics (crowns, bridges and dentures) often involve manual work done by human hands. Human hands are, of course, subject to human error. With 3D printing, these processes are handled digitally, resulting in highly accurate renderings. Digital scanning technologies allow for the creation of detailed 3D models of a patient’s oral cavity and these near-perfect scans can then be used to design near-perfect prosthetics.

Some practices are taking a hybrid approach to digital dentistry, utilizing a “partial” digital approach that melds traditional subtractive/milling techniques done in the lab with 3D printing and/or scanning practices.

The traditional fabrication of dental prosthetics can be a lengthy process, often requiring several weeks from initial impression to final fitting. 3D printing can reduce this time frame significantly. The integration of 3D printing with computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems also enhances workflow efficiency in dental laboratories. A survey conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 2022 found that dental practices utilizing 3D printing technology reported a 30% increase in productivity. This boost in efficiency allows dental professionals to serve more patients and focus on providing high-quality care.

Dionise can attest to this increase in efficiency.

“I was unhappy with bite splints I was receiving from the lab. We had to scan the patient’s teeth, send the scan out, the lab would make them, send them to us in the mail, and we brought the patient back. It was usually around a two-week turnaround,” he said. “If they didn’t fit properly, I had to send them back. If there was an issue in the coming months (broken splint, dog ate it, etc.) the lab had to remake it at significant cost. “The printer allows us to remake them for a very low cost to the patient if something is to happen. Files stay in the cloud and we can access them at any time.”

While the initial investment in 3D printing technology can be substantial, the long-term cost savings are significant. Traditional dental prosthetics require multiple materials and labor-intensive processes, leading to higher production costs. In contrast, 3D printing reduces material waste and minimizes the need for manual labor, resulting in lower overall expenses.

“We started 3D printing surgical guides for implants. The CBCT (DICOM file) is merged with the intraoral scan (STL file) and a surgical guide can be designed and printed fairly easily,” Dionise said. “We are also printing models of patients’ teeth for various applications, which has been nice getting away from pouring up models.”

A cost analysis published in the Journal of Dental Research showed that dental laboratories using 3D printing technology experienced a 40% reduction in production costs compared to traditional methods.

The versatility of 3D printing materials has expanded the range of dental applications. Early 3D printing technologies were limited to a few types of resins and plastics, but advancements have introduced a variety of biocompatible materials suitable for dental use, and Food and Drug Administration approvals are regularly updated as new materials are developed and tested.

Biocompatibility is a critical factor in dental prosthetics, as materials obviously must not cause adverse reactions in the mouth.

Perhaps the area of dentistry most visibly impacted, in the eyes of the public anyway, by the advent of 3D printing technology is orthodontics. Ever heard of Invisalign™? Those semi-transparent straightening devices are made possible by 3D printing and scanning technologies.

The scanning systems and manufacturing processes of 3D printers have made it possible to create ultra-customized orthodontic systems tailored to each patient and to do so in a relatively short period of time.
Traditional ortho devices certainly remain viable (and still the best solution in many cases) but even those time-honored systems are seeing 3D printed options in play. LightForce™, for example, creates 3D-printed ceramic brackets that can be customized to the shape and orientation of each tooth using 3D scans and software.

Dental schools are also tapping into 3D technology, using 3D-printed models to enhance the learning experience for students. These models can replicate a wide range of dental conditions and anatomical variations, providing hands-on training opportunities that are more realistic and comprehensive than some traditional methods, while also providing increased convenience and reduced lab costs.

Dental educators have reported improved student engagement and understanding when using 3D-printed models. These models also allow for repetitive practice without the concerns associated with working on people.

The future of 3D printing is fascinating and offers plenty of promise. Advancements in bioprinting point to a future in which 3D-printed items are made of materials that incorporate living cells in tissue-like structures that can encourage cell-to-cell growth to regenerate tissue to enhance the functionality and longevity
of dental prosthetics. Add to this technology, the prospect of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems that continue to improve, and the potential offered to dentistry could be profound.

Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana’s mission is to improve oral health in the communities we serve.
We can’t fulfill that mission without the network of dentists who provide much-needed care to our members.

I’m fortunate to work with our local field representatives to support the dentists who are the tip of the spear when meeting our mission’s demands. That’s just one of the reasons that I love my job.

Our field rep force is unique in our industry, allowing us to reach out to dental offices quickly, including in-person visits if necessary. When we recruit individuals to join our team, we emphasize the applicant’s experience in the dental profession. I want individuals who can be involved in solutions to make life easier for the dentist and dental office staff. No one can understand the needs and experiences of a dental office like someone who has experience working in one.

When we hire new staff, one of the most common pieces of feedback

I hear is that they had no idea how much Delta Dental really cares about our network dentists. We do care about our network of dentists, and we work every day to strengthen the relationship between Delta Dental and the dentist.

Over the past two years, we’ve launched several enhancements and improvements in our systems and processes, including the ability to submit supporting documentation, such as X-rays, through the Dental Office Toolkit™ (DOT).

DOT was already an industry-leading system. Now, it’s even better, and we are in just the first phase of a long-term plan to support dental offices and to make the claims submission process faster, easier and more reliable than ever. Up next? Secure messaging via DOT.

We have tasked our provider relations teams with adopting a proactive approach to their jobs. We want to identify potential issues facing dentists/dental offices before they become problems. We can often see when an office may have issues with a claim denial based on an innocent error or overlooked step. Our job isn't to wait for those errors to trigger a claim denial. Our job is to do all we can to support your claims efforts and create a painless claim-processing experience.

Today, 95% of all claims are currently processed without manual review. This means claims filed via DOT process within seconds, and if you

have agreed to voluntary electronic funds transfer payments, your claim is paid in a matter of hours. We are also streamlining the process used for those claims that do require manual review, which will result in getting these claims paid faster.

We have also recently revamped our credentialing system, rolling out the new Provider Application and Credentialing Toolkit™ (PACT). This system is designed to greatly improve and simplify the credentialing process in response to direct requests from network dentists.

As terrific as these enhancements and improvements are, they are just the beginning. We are committed to continual improvement and are laser focused on our mission. My team and I recognize that we need to always do better because the end result will make life easier for our network of dentists, which ultimately means more time to provide dental care for our members.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE DELTA DENTAL NETWORK. I’m proud of the work we do together, and I look forward to a bright future.

Hungarian obstetrician Ignac Semmelweis (1818–1865), working in Vienna General Hospital, treated these women and, upon their deaths, performed autopsies in an attempt to elucidate an etiology and eventually a treatment. He studied the two maternity clinics, one with all deliveries by physicians and medical students, the other with all deliveries by midwives. Maternal mortality in the first clinic was 16% compared with 7% in the second clinic. In the first clinic, physicians and medical students began their day doing autopsies on women who had died the night before. They then proceeded to the labor room with no hand hygiene. Midwives of the second clinic never conducted autopsies. Semmelweis hypothesized that certain “death particles” from body tissues of the deceased stuck to the hands of physicians and medical students during autopsies and their unclean hands carried these particles to the women in labor. Presumably, these particles caused the puerperal fever. Keep in mind that the microscope and cell theory by Schleiden and Schwann (1839) had yet to be accepted. Surgical gloves were not invented until 1889.⁴ Thinking that hand-washing might reduce transmission of these death particles, Semmelweis advocated a hand-washing policy of brushing the hands and nails with a calcium hypochlorite solution before entering the labor room. He chose hypochlorite because, at the time, it was the best way to remove the smell left behind by the residual pieces of a corpse. This resulted in a 90% decrease in mortality.⁵

1 Williams Obstetrics (24th ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. 2014. pp. Chapter 37. 2 Loudon I. “Deaths in childbed from the eighteenth century to 1935”. Med History 1986; 30: 1–41. 3 https://www.gotquestions.org/divine-providence.html. 4 Robert Lathan (2010). “Caroline Hampton Halsted: the first to use rubber gloves in the operating room.” Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 23 (4): 389–92. 5 Caplan, Caralee E. (1995). “The Childbed Fever Mystery and the Meaning of Medical Journalism.” McGill Journal of Medicine. 6 http://www.med.mcgill.ca/epidemiology/hanley/c609/material/Semmelweis1860.pdf. 7 Wyklicky H, Skopec M (1983). “Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, the prophet of bacteriology”. Infect Control. 4 (5): 367–370. 8 Smith KA. Louis Pasteur, the father of immunology Front Immunol. 2012 Apr 10;3:68. 9 Worboys M. Joseph Lister and the performance of antiseptic surgery. Notes Rec R Soc Lond. 2013 Sep 20;67(3):199-209. 10 Tyagi U, Barwal KC. Ignac Semmelweis-Father of Hand Hygiene. Indian J Surg. 2020 Jun;82(3):276-277.

Publication of his findings and his book “The Etiology, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever”⁶ in 1861
was met with great contempt by the medical profession. Semmelweis’ theories conflicted both with conventional medical concepts and with the image of doctors, as it insinuated physicians were the ones giving childbed fever to women.⁷ Semmelweis was forced to move from Vienna to Budapest to end his career at a city hospital. Suffering from depression and paranoia, he was eventually institutionalized, where he died in 1865.

Semmelweis’ contribution was recognized 20 years after his death as the medical profession became more receptive after the germ theory of disease by Louis Pasteur⁸ and the concept of antisepsis by Joseph Lister⁹ were accepted. He was hailed as the “Father of hand hygiene,” the “Father of infection control,” and the “Savior of mothers.”¹⁰ Semmelweis discovered something that still holds true today: Hand washing is one of the most important tools to prevent disease transmission. This story celebrates those who dare go against conventional wisdom to challenge professional dogma.

The Library of Congress, the Alamo, the White House and…stannous fluoride.

No, this isn’t a game of “one thing is not like the others.” The familiar locales listed above are all national historic landmarks. Stannous fluoride? Well, the creation of a formula featuring that compound was a turning point in oral health and is one of Indiana University’s crowning achievements. Earlier this year, nearly 70 years after IU chemistry and dentistry researchers discovered the formula that led to the development of Crest toothpaste, the IU Department of Chemistry was honored with a National Historic Chemical Landmark designation from the American Chemical Society.

One of the world’s largest scientific organizations and leading sources of authoritative scientific information, the American Chemical Society, created the National Historic Chemical Landmark Program to recognize locations where groundbreaking achievements in the chemical sciences took place.

For IU, that place of recognition is the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences in Bloomington. Procter & Gamble, the company that commercialized stannous fluoride toothpaste under the product name Crest, received a landmark at its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“The creation of the chemistry that ushered in Crest toothpaste in 1955 is representative of IU’s long record of translating research to impact countless lives,” President Pamela Whitten said. “This recognition from the American Chemical Society is not only a reminder of the remarkable achievement that took place at this university, but also underscores IU’s commitment to multidisciplinary research that addresses society’s
most critical needs.”

Interestingly, creating the Crest formula was not IU’s last foray into oral health products.

In 1991, IU School of Dentistry researchers led the development of DentaShield, a formula licensed to pet product producer Hartz to reduce tartar on dogs’ teeth. There is no word on whether a National Chemical Landmark honor is coming for that achievement, but there is no doubt abundant appreciation from our
furry friends.

if you’re into the history of dentistry, you likely have heard it said that Indiana University invented fluoride. You may even think it was for this reason that IU earned its national chemical landmark accolades. Alas, that is not entirely accurate.

IU researchers, brilliant as they were (and remain), did not invent fluoride. What they did was invent a formula using stannous fluoride to fluoridate toothpaste. The formula became known as fluoristan in Crest’s marketing materials.

This feat continues to positively impact global oral health today.

But how did they do it? Let’s dive in.

The earliest forms of toothpaste were crude concoctions that featured various abrasives and flavorings to freshen breath. For thousands of years, the formula remained essentially unchanged. Then, in 1901, a dentist named Dr. Frederick McKay found that residents of Colorado Springs, Colorado, often had strange brown stains on their teeth…and those with the stains had a much lower rate of tooth decay.

In 1930, chemists from the Aluminum Company of America tested the water in Colorado Springs and found that it contained high fluoride concentrations. The two observations meshed and the benefits of fluoride on oral health were revealed. In 1945,

Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water (see blue section below). Adding fluoride to water proved far more straightforward than adding it to a shelf-stable toothpaste.

Joseph Muhler, a dentist at the IU School of Dentistry, working alongside IU chemistry professor Harry G. Day, discovered that stannous fluoride made tooth enamel more resistant to acid than any other combination of chemical compounds.

Procter & Gamble funded the research with the hopes of producing a fluoride toothpaste.

When Muhler and Day teamed up with IU chemistry professor William Nebergall, that’s precisely what happened when they discovered a method to deliver the fluoride ions into a toothpaste.

When clinical trials began in 1952, thousands of kids and adults in the Bloomington, Indiana community helped illustrate how effective the product could be. Studies showed that using the stannous fluoride toothpaste reduced the number of cavities by 30% compared to
a control group.

A patent was granted to IU and Procter & Gamble licensed the formula. Crest toothpaste (which received the American Dental Association’s first-ever seal of approval) was born.

The initiative to fluoridate water in Grand Rapids stemmed from extensive research on fluoride’s effects on dental health. Studies conducted in the 1930s and early 1940s indicated that communities with naturally occurring fluoride in their water supplies had significantly lower rates of dental caries. These findings led to the hypothesis that adding fluoride to public water supplies could have similar benefits.

In 1945, Grand Rapids embarked on an ambitious project to test this hypothesis. The Grand Rapids water fluoridation program was a collaborative effort between the city, the Michigan Department of Health and the U.S. Public Health Service. The primary goal was to determine whether adding

The success of the Grand Rapids experiment had a profound impact on public health policy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) both endorsed water fluoridation as a safe and effective means of preventing dental decay. By 1960, over 2,500 U.S. cities had implemented water fluoridation programs, benefiting millions of Americans.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous other health organizations continue to advocate for water fluoridation. It is estimated that over 400 million people worldwide receive fluoridated water, resulting in improved oral health and reduced health care costs.

To say Jelani and Chemani Holliday are excited about life would be an understatement as broad as the smiles on their faces when asked about a future that’s right around the corner.

“It’s exciting. Full of potential. It’s really what we’ve both wanted to do for so long,” Jelani said. “We’re ready to make a difference.”

The Hollidays do, indeed, exude an enthusiasm and outlook on life dripping with optimism.

Jelani, an almost-brand-new dentist, is in his second year at My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) in Hillsdale, Michigan. Chemani, a recent graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy’s dental school, kicks off her dental career this month at MCDC’s Coldwater, Michigan, location. And, oh yeah, they’re getting ready to celebrate daughter Ciana’s first birthday in September.

“We are very, very blessed,” said Chemani. “It’s a lot of ‘firsts’ for us and we’re just excited to see what’s next.”

The Hollidays represent a new generation of dentist. It’s a generation that shares some commonalities with the generations before: Demanding academic standards, stringent accreditation processes.

A TRADITIONAL PATH,
A MUCH HIGHER COST

Both Jelani and Chemani took fairly traditional paths to becoming dentists.

Jelani, who grew up in rural Georgia, attended Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, before attending dental school at the University of Michigan. Why leave the warmer climate of the south for the sometimes-frigid confines of Ann Arbor?

“Because Michigan is the greatest dental school of all time,” Jelani laughed.

For him, his career path was always certain.

“Since high school, I wanted to be some type of clinician. I shadowed a lot of physicians and dentists. The dentists seemed a lot happier,” he said. “The dentists were always so welcoming. Very good energy. I decided to become a dentist.”

so were personal…and painful.

“When I was 11, I was injured and broke both of my front teeth,” she said. “When I went to the dentist, they were very friendly, and the work they did to repair my teeth seemed like art. I’ve always liked to draw, and I saw dentistry as artistry. I wanted to use my abilities to help repair people’s confidence.”

To veteran dentists, the Hollidays’ academic experience may not seem much different from their own. The cost? Well, that’s just a bit different.

In 1978, four years of dental school cost about $43,000 at a public university and $85,000 at a private institution.

In 2020, those numbers had grown dramatically: $205,000 at public schools and $335,000 at private

the rate of tuition increases…and it’s not even particularly close.

Both Jelani and Chemani were aware of the financial tolls of dental school.

Their response to the fiscal reality likely isn’t what you might expect.

“For me, I didn’t care what it cost. I was going to get it done one way or another,” Jelani said. “My goal was getting accepted into U-M. From there, I knew I would need to look for scholarships. The cost of dental school is high. There’s no question about that. But I told myself, ‘I can do this. I can buckle down and take care of it.’”

For Chemani, the cost was daunting but not deterring.
“It was discouraging. Coming from a low-income family, it was a real challenge, but I knew what I wanted to do,” she said. “I just had to make it work.”

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
With Jelani just two years removed from graduation and Chemani starting her first year as a dentist, the Hollidays have a unique view on the world of dentistry.

“The business is definitely evolving. When I get input or advice from veteran dentists, they focus on how they started a practice right out of school. I’m not sure that’s really an option

anymore,” he said. “The cost

of everything now is much higher; the situation is much different. We also have a child and have to navigate childcare. That likely wasn’t the same then either.”

Chemani and Jelani said they haven’t ruled out

“I really didn’t see that as a viable option for me. The cost is just too high and I’m not sure the opportunity
is really there.”

The number of dentists participating in a private practice has, indeed, been on a steady decline.

Data from the ADA Health Policy Institute shows that 13% of dentists nationwide were affiliated with a DSO in 2022. In 2019, that number was 10% and it was at 8.8% in 2017.

For new dentists (those less than 10 years out of dental school), the numbers are much higher: Almost one-fourth (23%) of newcomers are opting to work at a DSO.

Upon graduation, Jelani didn’t hesitate in taking the first step in his career path and chose a DSO.

working in (or owning their own) private practice in the future. They did, however, say that dentisty may look even more different then than it does now. “Overall, dentistry is going to change just as everything does. The technology, I think that’s a big aspect of the future. Technology is going to play a much bigger role,” Chemani said. “I hope it focuses more on underserved communities and finding ways to make dental care accessible for more people. There’s so much opportunity there.”

Jelani agreed.

“I do see dentistry continuing to become more corporate (on the ownership side). The downside is that it

“I became a dentist to help people. That’s what I want to do, and I know there are underserved communities that really don’t have access to oral health care. I asked my professors about where I should go and they told me about (MCDC). It didn’t matter much where I was—I just wanted to go where I was needed,” he said. “To me, it was a pretty easy decision. I didn’t want to go to a private practice. I wanted to work at a clinic that accepts Medicaid. I wanted to help people.

Being fresh out of dental school, I wanted the focus to be on the patients.”

Chemani will also start her career working for MCDC and echoed many of Jelani’s thoughts about starting at a corporate location.

“My decision to not go into private practice from the start was an intentional one,” she said. “I didn’t need to follow my husband (to MCDC). I just wanted to

could become less “The upside is that it might mean more people receive dental care.

Helping people…that’s the most important thing to us.”

DEALING WITH DEBT

Given the increased cost of dental school, today’s young dentists are dealing with unprecedented student loan debt. How are the Hollidays handling it?

“We’ve got a plan to pay it off in 10 years,” Jelani said. “That said, I do think it slows things down. We have a baby, and I’d love to have more (children). But you have to think about the financial side of things.

continue doing what I enjoy and the reason I decided to become a dentist, and that’s helping people and working in areas of need.”

DSO OR PRIVATE PRACTICE?
For veteran dentists, the decision of where to work after graduation was an obvious one: A privately owned practice they started or one already established by a colleague.

For the new generation, the path isn’t as clear.

The reasons behind the Hollidays’ choice to join a DSO after graduation mimic those often cited by young dentists when asked why they chose corporate establishment over private practice: work/life balance, concerns over liability and desire to impact underserved communities.

“We’ve talked about (the DSO vs. private practice decision) a lot,” Jelani said. “I do think the student loan debt is a factor in the decision. You already have this tremendous student loan debt; can you really go in on a private practice as well? We also wanted more freedom over our time, our weekends. We also thought private practice was a very saturated market in some areas. It’s not in the underserved communities, though, and that’s where we wanted to be.”

Working in underserved communities, we aren’t going to make as much, but it’s something we believe in doing. It's a balance.

Chemani said that while the student loan load is significant, she’s keeping her focus on the reasons behind the debt.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said. “Detroit Mercy is not an inexpensive school. I knew that going into it. It was a great, great experience and I learned a lot. I wouldn’t change anything. We know where we’re going, and we'll get there."

IN MICHIGAN, OHIO AND INDIANA, ABOUT 3.7 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN A DENTAL CARE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA (HPSA), A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA, POPULATION OR FACILITY THAT HAS A SHORTAGE OF DENTAL PROVIDERS.

In these areas, it can be especially challenging to find providers who accept Medicaid or offer other types of affordable options for people who are under or uninsured. As a result, many people have few options for care, negatively impacting their oral and overall health. In an effort to attract more dentists to HPSAs, the Delta Dental Foundation offers Community Commitment Awards to graduating dentists from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental

Medicine, The Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry, and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Recipients commit to practicing in an HPSA in the state in which they attended dental school for at least one year immediately following graduation.

In 2022, Jelani Holliday was one of those recipients.

“The Delta Dental Foundation scholarship was such a big deal for me,” he said. “I was able to just buckle down and focus on school and working the plan I’d put together and not have to worry as much about money. It was just a huge blessing for me.”

You’ve asked for it and we’ve delivered.

One of the most requested enhancements to Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana’s provider network bundle of resources is an improved credentialing system. We’re extremely proud to announce that we have rolled out the all-new Provider Application and Credentialing Toolkit (PACT), an online self-service portal that streamlines and simplifies your credentialing needs.

Replacing AppCentral, PACT is Delta Dental’s advanced credentialing platform. It offers a streamlined process, allowing providers to create

an account, initiate an application, and complete the credentialing process all within the application, a significant improvement over the previous system.

PACT provides a user-friendly interface, ensuring accurate information is recorded. The dashboard allows easy management of applications, with reactive questions and clear instructions that streamline the credentialing workflow for dentists and administrators.

If additional information is needed after submission, providers will receive an email linking them back to PACT, where clear comments and instructions for further edits will be

displayed. You can quickly correct an existing application and resubmit to resume the credentialing process with minimal delay.

With PACT’s upload capabilities, users can easily attach files such as certificates, state licenses, or other required documents to supplement the credentialing application.
Agreements can be viewed and signed digitally, with customized agreements for each individual depending on state licensing and network selection.

You can give the new PACT system a run by visiting www.providerwebportal.com.

Women undergo a variety of hormonal and physical changes as they age, including puberty, pregnancy and menopause. These changes may have a significant impact on their overall health, but also their oral health, and the connection between the two is critical. The importance of regular dental visits in young children, establishing a dental home and an effective home care routine that can be maintained long-term is a key part of minimizing the negative effects of hormonal changes in women. With improved oral hygiene habits and an overall improvement in oral health, not only will women see decreased impact on the mouth as they age, but also avoid irreversible changes that lead to decay, gum disease, and ultimately, tooth loss.

This course provides dentists with essential knowledge and skills to effectively manage fraud, waste and abuse risk, along with strategies for ensuring business continuity and maintaining comprehensive recordkeeping in their practice. This presentation will demonstrate practical applications and strategies to minimize professional liability while maintaining accurate records for compliance with regulatory requirements. We will also provide dentists with an understanding of fraud, waste and abuse. The course will explore various forms of fraudulent activities, unethical behaviors and regulatory compliance related to dental practices. Participants will learn how to identify, prevent and report fraudulent activities, ensuring compliance with regulations and ethical standards through case studies, discussions and practical examples. Participants will be able to develop strategies to safeguard their practices and promote integrity in health care delivery.

That’s the idea behind a new chairside recruitment program developed by the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) and the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA). For the DDF, workforce development and access
to care are key components of its strategic plan.

“When we asked hygienists how they chose their careers, we were hearing time and time again that they’d been recruited chairside,” said Holli Seabury, EdD, executive director of the DDF. “They hadn’t known anyone who was a hygienist, but that personal invitation had power.”

The American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute (HPI) reports that more than one-third of dentists are actively recruiting dental hygienists, and nearly 95% state that it’s extremely or very challenging to do so. In that same survey, 60% of providers list staffing shortages, recruitment or retention as a top challenge facing their practices.

economic opportunity and dental care to communities that experience disparities.

Representatives from the DDF and the ADHA have formed an advisory board that is developing the program’s structure, materials, implementation and benchmarks. The program will initially be piloted in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana by dental hygiene ambassadors who will spread the word, disseminate materials in their local and state communities, and effectively train hygienists to inspire the pursuit of the dental hygiene profession.

The program will support candidates with financial aid, scholarships, mentorship and support at every stage. Ultimately, it will be rolled out with a nationwide marketing campaign, partnering with dental hygiene schools to track enrollment trends and measure any increases in applicants or indications of greater diversity entering the profession.

Delta Dental’s efforts to push through Public Act 316 of 2023, which requires all Michigan kids entering kindergarten beginning in the 2024–2025 school year to have an oral health assessment, were a success. The program is rolling out now.

The Delta Dental Foundation provided $1.5 million in funding to help with the program, and the State of Michigan devised the KOHA program to offer free assessments, improve school readiness and raise awareness of the new requirement.

It’s important to note that the program, while required to begin this fall, will be implemented in phases over three years. County health departments are performing the assessments. To see if your county is participating, refer to the map on this page: bit.ly/koha-about.

Under the law, any dentist, registered dental hygienist (RDH) or dental therapist licensed in Michigan can conduct the assessments. The assessments may be done through the local health department or within a private dental office.

If you’re not currently adhering to new prior authorization guidelines for Michigan Medicaid members receiving service for procedure codes D2710–D2794, D2950, D4341 and D4322, you have until October 1 to do so.

Any claim containing these procedures submitted without a completed prior authorization on or after October 1, 2024, will be denied and not billable to the patient. A preliminary launch of this process began on May 1, 2024.

As a reminder, please submit prior authorization for these codes in preparation for their full implementation on October 1, 2024. This will ensure that you are fully prepared for the changes and will avoid payment delays.

LANDMARK HONORS

FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY

BRIGHT FUTURES

NAVIGATING A NEW WORLD OF DENTISTRY

FASTER, SIMPLER

CLAIMS

A publication of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana

SCIENCE IS UNDER ATTACK.

SIMPLE

solutions for

complex problems?

Jeffery W. Johnston, DDS, MS

EDITOR'S NOTE

Delta Dental's network of dentists: A dream team of care

Hand-washing heresy

Chemical landmark honors go to IU

News you can use

Keys to hassle-free claims

We'd love to hear from you!

AUGUST 2024

CONTENTS

The new stars of dentistry

3D printing: An office tool of the present and future

CONTENT

ART & PHOTO

3D PRINTING

AN OFFICE TOOL OF THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

(Adding a 3D printer to your practice) is worth considering. There are many different 3D printer setups, and the barrier to entry doesn’t have to be very high.

—Dr. Patrick Dionise Dionise Dental | Lansing, Michigan

UPPING PRECISION

UPPING EFFICIENCY

THE ADVENT OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY HAS USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF INNOVATION ACROSS VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING DENTISTRY.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

MATERIALS AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY

ORTHODONTICS AND ALIGNERS

EDUCATION IMPACTS

WHAT'S NEXT?

DELTA DENTAL'S

NETWORK OF DENTISTS:

A DREAM TEAM

OF CARE

JASON SNIDER, DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH DELTA DENTAL OF MICHIGAN, OHIO, AND INDIANA, SHARES A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE EFFORTS TO MAKE YOUR DELTA DENTAL EXPERIENCE THE BEST IT CAN BE.

Hand-washing heresy

In 19th-century Europe, puerperal fever, also known as childbed fever, was a significant public health problem with high maternal mortality.

EVER WONDER HOW THIS COMMON PRACTICE GOT ITS START?

Putting the funds to use

CHEMICAL LANDMARK HONORS GO TO IU

The Library of Congress, the Alamo, the White House and…stannous fluoride.

The creation of the chemistry that ushered in Crest toothpaste in 1955 is representative of IU’s long record of translating research to impact countless lives.

—Pamela Whitten

Indiana University President

IU invented fluoride?

The ions have it

MICHIGAN

FLUORIDATION

PIONEERING

WATER

In the annals of public health history, Michigan holds a distinctive place as the first state to implement community water fluoridation, a practice that has significantly improved oral health nationwide.

The birth of fluoridation in Grand Rapids

Demonstrated success

National and global impact

To say Jelani and Chemani Holliday are excited about life would be an understatement as broad as the smiles on their faces when asked about a future that’s right around the corner.

"We're ready to make a difference."

—Jelani Holliday, DDS

Couple starting their careers provide insight into what it takes to become dentists today.

THE

NEW STARS

OF

DENTISTRY

"I became a dentist to help people."

—Jelani Holliday, DDS

DDF

SCHOLARSHIP

MADE A

DIFFERENCE

NEWS

NEWS you can USE

Browse through the news articles below, or use the quick links to jump directly to your story of interest.

Quick links

FIND THE FORM / INFO

NAVIGATING A NEW
WORLD OF DENTISTRY

THE ADVENT OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY HAS USHERED
IN A NEW ERA OF INNOVATION ACROSS VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING DENTISTRY.

The creation of the chemistry that ushered in Crest toothpaste
in 1955 is representative of IU’s long record of translating research
to impact countless lives.

At Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, we want the claims process to be a painless, efficient experience for network providers. Dental Office Toolkit^TM (DOT) is the most efficient way to submit claims.