Late last week, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) released its long-awaited report concerning the regulation of a type of dental assistant who could practice with an expanded scope to help address the workforce needs of the dental profession in Colorado. For several reasons, detailed in the linked report below, DORA recommended, “Do not regulate oral preventative dental assistants.” …
OSHA Updates Standard to Improve Hazard Information on Chemical Labels
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a final rule that will improve the amount and quality of information on chemical labels and safety data sheets to better protect workers. The final rule updates the current Hazard Communication Standard to align with the seventh revision of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. The …
The GPS Approach to Living a More Rewarding Life
The GPS Approach to Living a More Rewarding Life, By Eric Chatterley, D.D.S. From the Spring 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association In the journey of life, finding direction and purpose is crucial for a meaningful and rewarding existence. Just as a GPS (global positioning system) guides us physically on our journey throughout the world, we can adopt an …
Safeguarding Your Dental Practice: The Importance of Monitoring and Tracking Financial Statements
Safeguarding Your Dental Practice: The Importance of Monitoring and Tracking Financial Statements By Larry Chatterley, From the Spring 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Did you know that, on average, dental practices lose approximately 9% of their production revenue due to uncollected revenues? This alarming statistic highlights the crucial importance of diligently monitoring and tracking financial statements and other …
Honoring a Legacy of Service
Honoring a Legacy of Service By Becky O’Guin, CDA Director of Communications From the Spring 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Defined not only by herself, but by her coworkers and colleagues, Sharyn Markus’ 48-year career at the Colorado Springs Dental Society (CSDS) has been a true labor of love and a tale of epic proportions, but alas retirement …
FTC Bans Noncompete Clauses in Employment Agreements
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a new rule in 2024 banning noncompete clauses in employment agreements (effective 120 days from publication in the Federal Register). This rule potentially affects practice-owning dentists who have employment agreements with associates, hygienists or other staff as well as dentists who are employees and currently subject to a noncompete clause. The new FTC final …
Mom’s Meatloaf
Mom’s Meatloaf By Carrie Mauterer, D.D.S., CDA Editor From the Spring 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association I want to remind you of the most leaned upon, but rarely acknowledged, ADA resource: ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. It is a member benefit we all use on the daily, but we never really give them knuckles or a high five. …
ADA Releases Comprehensive Medicare and Dentistry Overview
If you take Medicare or want to provide service to Medicare patients, the ADA has released a comprehensive overview of what dentists need to know. This comprehensive overview goes over Parts A, B, C, and D and shows how Medicare has recently changed its coverage of routine dental services in the ADA’s “The Basics of Medicare”. The overview also answers …
Oral Screening Bill for Elementary Students Awaits Governor’s Signature
Senate Bill 142 (SB 142) was overwhelmingly approved by the legislature in the final days of the 2024 Colorado legislative session. It is waiting for the governor’s signature to become law. The CDA created this legislation as an initial step in a broader plan to incorporate dental screenings in schools as a “norm” in Colorado—much like they are already for …
Access to Care/Workforce Expansion: Dentist/Hygienist Compact Signed by Governor
With Gov. Polis signing SB24-10 late May 17, Colorado became the eighth state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-010). The CDA strongly supported this legislation that seeks to provide licensees with opportunities to practice in other participating states, which increases mobility for individuals who are relocating, improves public safety and promotes workforce development by reducing unnecessary licensure …
