We need your voice and perspective to influence what’s next for dentistry! Annual dues should have been paid by December 31, 2021, or through the ODA’s monthly installment payment plans. For your convenience, various payment options are available.  We look forward to serving you in 2022! It’s a new day for dentistry and there’s a place for you in it! Click here to renew your membership! 

Welcome to our newest members! Please reach out to these new members and welcome them into the ODA community.

• Efren Almeida, DMD – Washington County Dental Society
• Richard Barrett, DMD – Washington County Dental Society
• Thao Chu, DDS – Multnomah Dental Society
• Aaron Davis, DMD – Klamath County Dental Society
• Melissa De Mattos, DDS – Clackamas County Dental Society
• Stephen Erwin, DMD - Clackamas County Dental Society
• Malin Friess, DMD – Multnomah Dental Society
• Robert Frome, DMD – Southern Willamette Dental Society
• Evan Harpster, DDS – Lane County Dental Society
• Jennifer O'Connor, DMD – Marion & Polk Dental Society
• Shayd Shinsato, DMD – Multnomah Dental Society
• Cristina Sola Martin, DDS – Lane County Dental Society
• Peter Snyder, DDS – Lane County Dental Society
• Amber Watters, DDS – Washington County Dental Society

Make a difference in the life of a student or early career dentist by serving as an ODA Mentor! We’re looking for mentors from all practice modalities, specialties, new dentists (0-10 years out), established dentists, and retired dentists to share their knowledge about the profession. The program resumes in January where small mentor pods will be meeting in-person or virtually once a month. Please contact Melissa Juenger, ODA Member Specialist, to volunteer.

Registration for the 2022 Oregon Dental Conference is open! This year’s conference is hybrid which means you will be able to register for the in-person portion or the virtual portion of the conference. Full conference, in-person registration includes all virtual courses, so you don’t need to register for both. Be sure to register before February 25th to take advantage of our early bird rate! Visit www.oregondentalconference.org to learn more and register today!

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to Reconnect with your dental community at the 2022 Oregon Dental Conference! Not only do you receive a discount for being an ODA member, there will be a New Dentist course on Thursday, April 7 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and a first-time New dentist social on Friday, April 8 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. All the information on 2022 ODC New Dentist offerings and links for registration can be found here. We can’t wait to reconnect with you at the conference!

Join your ODA colleagues and ASDA students virtually for an evening of advocacy! Held in the evening, this year's event will allow you to participate from anywhere in the state without missing time with your patients.

We have planned an exciting meeting and look forward to your engagement. Our guest presenter list continues to grow, and we hope you’ll join with your camera on, ready to participate. Our evening will include speakers such as the Speaker of the House, Dan Rayfield, OHA dental director Dr. Kaz Rafia, State Representative Dr. Cedric Hayden—and more!

No previous training or experience is required. We will give you all the tools you need to be successful! Learn more and register here.

Did you miss the latest LIVE Wellness Webinar? Great news - the Wellness Webinars are available to view on-demand! The ODA Wellness Initiative is happy to offer this benefit to ODA members only. In session two of the Wellness Webinar series, "Emotional Wellness: Awareness, Understanding, and Tips for Success", content expert, Bailey Andersen, LMSW, brings "Coping Skills: Self-Parenting the Mind, Body & Spirit". Please note: No CE will be granted for the recorded version. To view the recorded webinar visit our website here.

We’re living through a time of uncertainty, and it’s normal to feel stressed and anxious. We have many challenges that lie ahead, and if you feel the need to reach out to someone, we are here and you are not alone. ODA's Wellness Program offers a robust network of compassionate Wellness Ambassadors, armed with resources to help support ​colleagues. The Wellness Program is open to all members, non-members, and dental students. If you need help or know of someone that needs help, please request support. Find ODA website wellness resources here.

The state recently announced its intent to repeal indoor mask requirements by March 31st. This repeal is NOT expected to repeal requirements for healthcare offices. Providers should continue to require patients and employees to wear masks in all medical and dental facilities.

The Oregon Health Care Provider Loan Repayment (OHCPLRP) offers licensed health care providers, as well as pre-licensed mental health providers, an opportunity to apply to receive tax free funds to repay qualifying educational loan debt.

The current provider application cycle closes at 12:00 noon April 28, 2022. Eligible providers are highly encouraged to apply as early in the cycle as possible to allow time for information requests about their application. For more information on the program, including qualification requirements, FAQs, and applications visit the program’s webpage. 

The Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) is currently accepting applications for its 2021-2022 cycle. Unlike most loan repayment programs, SLRP’s provider application process is not competitive. As long as SLRP funds are available, if an eligible provider (meeting all program requirements) working at a SLRP qualifying practice site submits a complete SLRP application, that provider will be awarded. An awardee’s practice site must provide 50% of the award amount, plus a 10% administrative fee.

If an awardee is funded at an amount that is fiscally unfeasible for their practice site to participate, the awardee and practice site may negotiate an award amount that would allow the practice site to participate. For more information on this program, including provider and site applications, please visit the program’s webpage.

ODA continues to update the COVID-19 Resources page on our website. Click here to access resources from ODA, ADA, OHA, CDC, and more.

ODA Member Connection, a 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!

Now through February 27th, 2022, the President’s Day deals bring the best of Lenovo.com savings, up to 69% off legendary ThinkPad, Yoga convertibles, and Legion gaming devices for one and all, while supplies last. Visit www.ada.org/lenovo to learn more.

Celebrate President’s Day with free delivery on orders over $299 and additional savings on select appliances. Plus, take advantage of special financing options. Visit ada.org/ge to shop all sales!

Dentists and other dental professionals are invited to participate in the Pain Management and Substance Use Disorders ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program, a 7-session program designed to build the capacity of dentists and their teams to identify and manage patients with oral pain or substance use disorders. Sessions for the upcoming cohort will occur via a virtual meeting space, beginning January 5, 2022. Learn more and register here.

Tuesday, February 22 | 11 a.m. CT | 1 CE credit 

Join Dr. Luke Andrew for this must-see beginner’s course on the latest in dental insurance (PPO plans). This webinar will help new and existing staff understand the basics of PPO plans. Dr. Andrew will walk attendees through topics including:

• PPO plan design
• Contract clauses and policies that affect your revenue
• Coordination of benefits
• How to file an effective and proper claims appeal
• Plan terminology
• How to talk to your patients about dental insurance

Register for the Dental Insurance 101 webinar today!

Wednesday, February 23 | Noon CT | 1 CE Credit
Presented by the ADA Council on Advocacy for Access & Prevention

Human trafficking is more prevalent than most think. Many ask, "What can I do as a dentist?" Get the ED physician perspective on what dentists need to know to increase awareness, best practices for screening & what to do when faced with these potential sensitive situations. Learners will be able to recognize potential victims of human trafficking & implement strategies for screening at risk patients; apply interventions for potential victims of trafficking & discuss healthcare worker obligations in reporting/documentation of suspected trafficking and resources available to them. Register for the Human Trafficking webinar today.