With increasing professional and personal demands, the overall well-being of dentists in the Oregon community is more important than ever. The ODA's Wellness Program offers a robust network of compassionate Wellness Ambassadors armed with resources to help support ​colleagues dealing with wellness issues, including, but not limited to: stress management, practice issues, debt, fraud, family obligations, illness, injury, depression, loss, grief, and addiction. Wellness Ambassadors are available to assist dentists at all levels of their career, including dental students. Learn more about serving as a Wellness Ambassador or request support here.

The ODA recently launched our brand new member benefit—ODA Member Connection. This new, members-only, private Facebook group is designed to connect members throughout the state and provide you with a platform to share and collaborate. Join the conversation here!

ODA is seeking your and your team's input on experiences with third-party insurers. The information gathered here may be used to inform future ODA policy and potential legislative/regulatory actions. All information will be kept confidential. We appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts, examples, and concerns with us so that we ensure ODA tackles the issues of most importance to you and your patients. Feel free to have your staff help with this survey. Please reach out with any additional questions or comments at insurance@oregondental.org.  Take the survey now!

All dentists who hold an active DEA license must register with the Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). If you have not already registered, please access the registration portal here.

The ODA is gathering examples from our members of issues they have had with dental insurance and prior authorization. These stories will be used to inform conversations with policymakers on ways to improve prior authorization rules for providers and patients. Send your stories, examples and comments on insurance prior authorization issues to ODA Director of Government Affairs Jen Lewis-Goff.

Dentists can have a powerful impact on health care policy in Oregon by participating and voicing your expert opinions. Please click here to view current opportunities to serve on external committees on behalf of the ODA. If interested in serving, please reach out to Jen Lewis-Goff for more information and assistance in applying.

The 2019 ODA House of Delegates will be held Saturday, September 28, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Portland. Contact your local component society to serve as a delegate!

Save the Date! The 2020 Oregon Dental Conference® is the 128th Annual Session of the Oregon Dental Association (ODA) and marks the association's ​23rd year at the Oregon Convention Center. The conference is the concurrent meeting of the ODA, the Oregon Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OSOMS), the Oregon State Association of Endodontists (OSAE), the Oregon Society of Periodontists (OSP), the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry (OAGD), the Oregon Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (OAPD), the Oregon Dental Assistants Association (ODAA), The Oregon Dental Executives' Association (ODEA), the Oregon Dental Hygienists' Association (ODHA) ​and the Oregon Association of Dental Laboratories (OADL).

This fall the Oregon ECHO Network is excited to announce the new Responsible Opioid Prescribing in Dentistry ECHO program. Project ECHO, is a nationwide movement that started at the University of New Mexico. ECHO’s mission is to connect the healthcare workforce with specialist faculty for case-based education and community building. This new collaborative learning program, led by Dr. Richie Kohli, OHSU Department of Community Dentistry and Dr. Karan Replogle, OHSU Department of Endodontology, will utilize the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model to help dentists tackle the opioid epidemic.

The highly interactive ECHO sessions are designed to be joined virtually. Each session includes a brief lecture followed by a case presentation and discussion that allows participants to present tough cases and receive feedback from a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Didactic topics will range from non-opioid pain management to identifying patients with substance use disorder. This 6-session program takes place on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 12:30-1:30 p.m., starting September 19, 2019.

The Responsible Opioid Prescribing in Dentistry ECHO is designed for OHSU School of Dentistry Faculty, Residents, OHSU Dental Preceptors, and community-based dentists. The program is offered at no cost to participants. Participants will earn no cost continuing dental education credits based on attendance and participation. To register, please go to: https://www.oregonechonetwork.org/programs/#dental.