September 7, 2011 Alert for Dentists who Provide Orthodontic Services Under Medicaid Medicaid is currently accepting comments on proposed changes to the orthodontic benefit. There has been some recent public concern over the amount of money spent on Medicaid orthodontic codes and some misunderstanding about what is covered. The policy on orthodontic services is likely being revised to help address …

June 29, 2011 Starting July 1, healthcare professionals who prescribe controlled substances must comply with new patient notification requirements. Prescribers, including dentists, must notify any patient who gets a prescription for a controlled substance that the patient’s identifying information will be entered into a statewide database of controlled substance prescriptions. The database is called the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program or …

June 6, 2011 Each spring, the American Dental Association hosts a legislative and lobbying conference in Washington, D.C.  Dentists from around the U.S. participate in a three-day conference that provides a mix of prominent speakers, issue briefings, grassroots education and political training. This year’s event, held May 9-11, was organized by Colorado’s own Dr. Rhett Murray.  Eight CDA dentists were …

June 6, 2011 The Colorado Medicaid program has asked for input on revisions that would help streamline and improve the enrollment process and application form for providers.  If you or your office staff have any suggestions, please let us know. Contact Jennifer Goodrum at 303-996-2847 or jennifer@cdaonline.org.

June 6, 2011 For the ninth year, dentists in Boulder County participated in the annual Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) Adopt-a-Smile/Free Dental Care Program.  Teresa Marshall, R.N., M.S.N., and Susan Rowley, R.N., M.S., C.P.N.P., have administered the program for its entirety and contacted the CDA to express their gratitude toward the dental profession. “I am so impressed, considering our current …

June 6, 2011 The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is seeking a new director to oversee oral health activities for the state of Colorado. We want to help ensure that the state gets qualified applicants who have a thorough understanding of oral health issues and will help improve the oral health of Coloradans. The job opening is a …

June 6, 2011 The Colorado state legislature completed its regular session on May 11 this year.  As always, the CDA worked hard on your behalf at the statehouse.  This year, the CDA monitored more than 40 bills with direct and indirect impacts on the dental profession.

June 6, 2011 In an effort to assist taxpayers with compliance, the Internal Revenue Service has implemented a Tax Center Website with information for the small business owner.  This site contains a plethora of information including educational videos on many tax topics and virtual tax workshops.  To access this information, go to http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small.

April 14, 2011 On April 14, President Obama signed a bill to exempt small businesses from burdensome 1099 tax reporting requirements. Before this bill passed, small businesses would have been required to issue a 1099 tax form to all vendors that were paid $600 or more during a year, creating hundreds of pages of new paperwork in each dental office. …

April 6, 2011 Don’t miss the CDA Annual Session! June 9-12, 2011 Snowmass, CO This weekend has something for everyone: CE: Several courses are available including Dr. Roger Wise speaking on a “Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Dental Alveolar Trauma.” House of Delegates: This annual business meeting of the CDA is thrilled to welcome a keynote address by American …