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 …
Legislation to Counter Harmful Ballot Measures Awaits Governor’s Signature
The Problem The Colorado Trial Lawyers Association introduced a series of ballot initiatives earlier this year that would completely eliminate the cap on non-economic damages, essentially meaning that if a healthcare provider (including a dentist) were to get sued by a patient, there would be no limit on how much could be collected in a successful judgement for things like …
Gov. Polis Signs State Budget: CDA Secures Substantial Medicaid Rate Hike for 28 Dental Codes
Gov. Polis signed the fiscal year 2024/2025 state budget, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024. Among several important budget inclusions was over $78 million dedicated to meaningful reimbursement rate increases for Medicaid dental providers. This increase resulted from 18 months of work by the CDA Medicaid Task Force initially chaired by Dr. Carol Morrow in 2022/2023 and …
The Breath of Life
By Brett Kessler, D.D.S., CDA Past President and ADA President-Elect, From the 2024 Spring Journal of the Colorado Dental Association The interesting thing about trauma is that sometimes you don’t know you even went through it. As dentists we spend so much time helping others that we often internalize our own needs and experiences. This happened to me last fall …
Roundtables Provide Opportunity to Have a Voice
In 2023, CDA leadership began holding virtual roundtable discussions to provide CDA member dentists detailed updates on current CDA priorities and also listen to members and get their feedback. Here are links to those roundtables. April 2024, Dental Assistant Scope of Care March 2024, Medicaid for Dummies November 2023, Solutions to Workforce Shortages October 2023, How are your colleagues addressing staffing shortages and …
Program Seeks to Enrich Diversity in Dentistry
The Colorado Welcome Back: Oral Health program at Spring Institute supports internationally trained dental professionals to navigate licensure or alternative pathways as they reclaim their careers in Colorado. The cohort-based program includes support through 1-1 career coaching, licensure navigation, exam preparation (INBDE and TOEFL), employability skills training, and networking opportunities to 6 internationally trained dentists per year. The program seeks to enrich the diversity of Colorado’s oral …
X-ray Shielding Interpretation
On Feb. 27, 2024, CDPHE issued interpretation on shielding for dental imaging. None of this is new information or guidance, however, due to the increased number of articles on this topic nationally, the department issued guidance. (In January of 2020 the Colorado Board of Health adopted the requirements in place now related to the use of protective apparel or shielding …
X-Ray Rectangular Collimation Rule Rescinded
On Feb. 21, 2024, the Colorado Board of Health adopted the request to rescind the requirement for rectangular collimation, mainly due to lack of market availability. Rectangular collimators will not be required by the state but the Board of Health does support the recommendations for their use if practices voluntarily implement them. This rule change will go into effect in …
Dentist License Renewal Deadline and Requirements
Dentist and dental hygienist licenses must be renewed by Feb. 29. The Colorado Dental Board oversees this process and you can renew your license by logging into your DORA account HERE. You must have 30 hours of CE credit to renew your dental license. If a license is issued within one year of a renewal date, no CE will be …
