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

Patrick Brennan, DDS—Mid-Columbia Dental Society

Angelo Cacciatore, DMD—Marion Polk Dental Society

Pauline Flamion, DDS—Washington County Dental Society

Beatriz Fortanely, DDS—Coastal Cascades Dentist Society

Paul Hansen, DMD—Clackamas County Dental Society

Madison Malone, DDS—Coastal Cascades Dentist Society

Tetyana McCain, DDS—Coastal Cascades Dentist Society

Hannah Nguyen, DMD—Southern Oregon Dental Society

Sarah Nguyen, DMD—Clackamas County Dental Society

Shayda Sarrami, DDS—Multnomah County Dental Society

Fei Yang, DMD—Klamath County Dental Society

From advancing legislation to new innovations and member perks designed with you, for you, the ODA, ADA, and your local dental society are here to provide the support you need to propel your success. Renew your membership today to continue accessing the tools you need to thrive personally and professionally.

Did you know you can set your membership to auto-renew and choose your payment plan? Renew today to select your preferred payment option.

The Oregon Dental Association is excited to announce a new initiative aimed at supporting early-career dentists. With the passage of Resolution BOT 1-25 at the 2025 House of Delegates, early-career dentists will benefit from a new dues structure for state dues. This is designed to ease financial pressures during the transition from student to practitioner.

Here’s how it works:

• Year of graduation + first full year: $0 state/local dues
• Second year post-graduation: 25% of active state dues
• Third year: 50% of active state dues
• Fourth year: 75% of active state dues
• Fifth year and beyond: Full active dues

Learn more and explore membership benefits at www.oregondental.org.

The Winter Webinar Series for members only will feature one webinar a month in January, February, and March. Follow along with the series to receive your required CE before the Oregon Board of Dentistry deadline for licensure of March 31st.

Mark your calendars: 

• Tuesday, January 13th, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.: Ensuring Effective Communication with Clients Who are Hard of Hearing with Deb Marinos, MS, CRC. Register Here. 
• Tuesday, February 10th, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.: Beyond the Surface: Infection Control That Actually Works with Kelli Ngariki, MAOM, MaEd. Register Here.
• Saturday, March 14th, 8 a.m. — 12 p.m.: Preparation & Management of Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office with Andrea Fonner, DDS. Register Here.

ODA member dentists can now register their team members for our upcoming Winter Webinar Series. Team members must be associated with an ODA member dentist, and registration is $50 per webinar, per team member.

Click the links below to secure their spot!

• Tuesday, January 13th, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.: Ensuring Effective Communication with Clients Who are Hard of Hearing with Deb Marinos, MS, CRC. Register Team Members Here.
• Tuesday, February 10th, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.: Beyond the Surface: Infection Control That Actually Works with Kelli Ngariki, MAOM, MaEd. Register Team Members Here.
• Saturday, March 14th, 8 a.m. — 12 p.m.: Preparation & Management of Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office with Andrea Fonner, DDS. Register Team Members Here.

Volunteer to be a speaker host at the 2026 Oregon Dental Conference and receive free conference registration! The speaker host dinner and training will be on January 15th, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the ODA Building in Wilsonville and will also be streamed live via Zoom. Sign up here.

Do you know someone who should be considered for the 2025 Tom Tucker Humanitarian Award?

Please send all nominations to leadership@oregondental.org before February 1st. We can’t wait to celebrate this year's recipient at the 2026 Oregon Dental Conference. Find out more information, including award criteria, and see past winners on the ODA website here.

If you’re looking for ways to give back these last 16 days of the holiday season, your gift to The Dental Foundation of Oregon will go directly to children who are uninsured, underinsured, unhoused, rural-based, and/or living in poverty. The Willamette Week's Give!Guide makes it easy to give online, and when you donate on their “Big Give” days, you’ll be entered in a raffle to win fun prize packages. Upcoming Big Give days are Dec. 17 ($500 of groceries from New Seasons); Dec. 27 ($500 gift certificate at Powell’s); Dec. 28 (five tattoo/beer/music packages); Dec. 29 (a free e-bike from Splendid); and Dec. 30 (getaway package for two to southern Oregon). Go here for more details. And if you are 35 and under, you have more chances to win with your gift of $10 or more!

Winter is here, and it’s time to get outside and explore the beauty of Oregon! Better yet, head to the Columbia Employee Store for all those last-minute holiday gifts. We're excited to partner with Columbia Sportswear to bring you this ODA members only experience and invite you and up to four guests to shop the Columbia Employee Store December 5-28, 2025.* The Columbia Sportswear Employee Store offers 40-50% off retail prices and features all the latest products from the Columbia Sportswear Company family (SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, prAna, and of course Columbia Sportswear). Plus, it's Golden Ticket Time—Save 50% off select styles plus an additional 10% on your entire purchase! Please watch for your email for your member pass and additional details.

*This offer is for store access only and does not allow for online shopping. Member Pass, Valid Photo ID, and ADA Card required for entry.

We're excited to enhance your member experience! To better protect and personalize your access to exclusive resources, many pages on the Oregon Dental Association website are now available only through your ADA member login. This change ensures that valuable, members-only content stays just that—a benefit just for you. Simply log in with your ADA credentials to explore all the tools, updates, and insights curated specifically for ODA members. If you need assistance logging into your ADA portal, please email Heather at hlangdon@oregondental.org.

Are you passionate about mental health and supporting others? Wellness Ambassadors are vital in offering a compassionate ear and guiding colleagues through life’s challenges—whether it’s stress, mental health, financial struggles, or more. If you're ready to be a source of support and hope, complete the Wellness Ambassador interest form today and be part of a movement that truly matters. Email Heather at hlangdon@oregondental.org and complete the Wellness Ambassador interest form.

The Oregon Dental Association has been awarded a 2026 ADA State Public Affairs (SPA) Program grant following a highly competitive process. Last year’s SPA funds supported efforts on dental insurance reform, licensure portability, and Medicaid reimbursement.  This grant will allow it to continue working with its trusted lobbyist and PR consultant to maintain momentum and continuity.

In 2026, the focus will be on dental workforce challenges, enabling ODA to expand outreach to elected officials, build coalitions, and strengthen strategic communications. This grant is a critical step toward addressing workforce shortages and ensuring access to quality dental care in Oregon.

We’re excited to announce ODA Lobby Day—a chance for dental professionals to come together and advocate for the future of oral health.

Date: February 5th
Location: Oregon State Capitol, Salem

Why attend?

• Meet with lawmakers and share your expertise
• Influence legislation that impacts patient care and dental practices
• Strengthen the voice of organized dentistry

Be at the table or be on the menu

For more information, please contact Brett Hamilton at bhamilton@oregondental.org. 

Starting Jan 1, 2024, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to require dental insurers to:

• Get opt-in consent before reimbursing providers via credit card.
• Disclose any processing fees upfront.
• Offer a fee-free payment alternative.

This landmark law, championed by the Oregon Dental Association, protects dental providers from hidden costs and ensures fair, transparent payment practices. As a reminder, this applies to new contracts and renewals only (not existing contracts). Make sure you review your agreements carefully!

The Oregon Board of Dentistry met on December 12, 2025, to begin discussions for its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. This planning process will continue over the next few months, and your participation is encouraged!

Members of the public can attend virtually. To join, visit www.oregon.gov/dentistry, click About Us > Meetings, then scroll down and select the Meeting Agenda link. Agendas and public packets are posted about one week before each meeting.

Board meetings cover governance, policy, regulatory updates, strategic planning, and oversight of profession-wide standards. If you’d like to participate in the Open Sessions, contact Brett Hamilton, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, at bhamilton@oregondental.org.

2026 Meeting Dates:

• February 27
• April 24
• June 12
• August 21
• December 11

New workforce resources have been added as a webpage to the ODA website. The intention is to create a place for members to access workforce resources and information. This is just the start; please provide feedback to ODA’s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs Brett Hamilton at bhamilton@oregondental.org.

The ADA is collecting patient and provider stories to help advocate for protecting oral health in Medicaid programs. As we continue to advocate for dental services in state programs for low-income families and adults, personal experiences will demonstrate what dentists and dental professionals are doing to improve oral health. Some things we want to know:

• What impact has their dental care had on their lives? Any specific patients come to mind that would not have been able to get by without Medicaid dental coverage?
• Do you treat adults, and does your state have an adult dental benefit?
• What would happen if your state cut adult dental benefits due to loss of funding from the federal government?

Share your story with the ADA here to help advocacy efforts.

While the ODA team is busy in Salem and Washington, D.C., there is no substitute for the voices of those working with patients and running dental offices every day and who can advocate for patients’ rights. The ODA is building its team of dental advocates, and we need YOU to get involved in the legislative process!

Advocacy can take many forms, depending on your comfort level, experience, and expertise. As a member of the ODA Legislative Action Team, you may be invited to write a letter to legislators, attend Dental Day at the Capitol, or write an op-ed for a local publication, among other opportunities.

Sign up HERE or email ODA’s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs Brett Hamilton at bhamilton@oregondental.org and express your interest directly.

The ADA Fluoride Ambassador program is a group of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, medical providers and community leaders who want to help stem the tide of fluoride disinformation.  Learn more and get involved If you would like to get involved or need more information, please contact Jane Grover, D.D.S., senior director for the ADA Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, at groverj@ada.org or 312-440-2751.

Providing healthcare as a small business can be tough. That’s why the Oregon Dental Association has partnered with Associated Industries Trust (AIT) to provide members with access to affordable, comprehensive coverage, leveraging the buying power of the association! With AIT + Moda, you get better rates and stability, so you can focus on running and growing your business. Open year-round enrollment for all ODA members. Visit the website to get started.

The Dentists Insurance Company Insurance Solutions has worked with BuddyIns to develop a special offering for ODA members: long-term care with life insurance benefit by Allstate.

Here’s what you can do now: 

• Build your benefit with a customized calculator 
• Get answers through the FAQ 
• https://enroll.buddyins.com/ODA

Having a long-term care plan before your family needs it will ensure that your wishes are carried out. A plan that includes a long-term care plus life insurance benefit can provide you and your family with more care options when that time comes. 

The newly redesigned ADA Find-a-Dentist® makes it easier for patients in your area to find you. With enhanced search features, patients can now search by address or zip code and filter results by specialty, language spoken, insurance accepted, and travel distance.

This powerful marketing tool is included in your member benefits. Increase your visibility and stand out by keeping your profile updated. Log in to your My ADA account portal to update your profile and check the “Include in Find-a-Dentist” box to appear in search results.

Talkspace Go, a self-directed therapy app, is now available to all members and dental students as part of membership. Talkspace Go is designed to support mental well-being through personalized, science-backed courses on topics ranging from work stress to relationships through therapist-led live workshops, daily journaling, and more.

To get started, members and dental students must visit //ADA.org/TalkspaceGo and use their ADA login to receive an exclusive access code. Once they have the access code, they can download the Talkspace Go app to start their own well-being journeys.

It’s important for members to understand their insurance provider contracts before signing so that they can decide what is best for the members and their patients, as well as to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. ADA offers a free contract analysis service that provides members with a plain-language explanation of the insurance provider contract terms to allow them to make informed and independent decisions on the merits of the contract. The analysis is not a substitute for legal advice. The service also provides analysis of certain dental management service organization agreements. Members can utilize the service at no charge by submitting an unsigned contract and an analysis request through their state dental society. To learn more about the Contract Analysis Service and for other dental insurance contract resources, go to the Support on Dental Insurance Contract Issues page on ADA's website.

The ADA also offers resources to help members navigate employment-related contracts, such as an e-book on employment agreements and articles on getting the contract you deserve, compensation basics, negotiating your salary, and general negotiating tips. Further resources related to DSO contracts are also available.

If you have any questions regarding the Contract Analysis Service, please reach out to Maria Reyes at reyesm@ada.org.

Tap into a pool of top talent: Post your open positions on ODA’s Dental Career Center Connect and gain access to a vast pool of talented dental professionals actively seeking new opportunities. Our platform is the go-to destination for the brightest minds in dentistry. Looking for a change in your career? Discover a world of possibilities with our extensive job listings catering to every aspect of the dental field. Whether you’re a seasoned dentist, a passionate dental hygienist, or an aspiring dental assistant, find your perfect match with just a click. Visit the career center at https://careers.oregondental.org/.

Put yourself at the center of dentistry with ADA Continuing Education’s Online Courses. These on-demand, science-backed CE courses deliver the latest knowledge and practical applications, empowering you not only to improve patient care but also to help shape the future of the profession itself. ADA CE brings you a new course every week, satisfying your need to keep learning and growing as a clinician. View the ADA CE library.

Get up to 8 hours of free opioid continuing education, which is acceptable for your DEA licensure renewal!  OHSU's School of Dentistry online ECHO program, “Pain Management and Substance Use Disorder in Dental Settings,” is an 8-session program beginning January 21st, 2026.  Register here for this free program.  The goal of this ECHO program is to help build the capacity of dentists and their teams to identify and manage patients with oral pain or substance use disorders in the dental setting. OHSU selects community-based dentists, other oral health professionals, OHSU School of Dentistry faculty, OHSU dental preceptors, OHSU School of Dentistry residents, and other relevant health care professionals to participate based on their interest in the program, geographic distribution, and ability to commit to attend the sessions.

The Children’s Health Fair is back this year on Saturday, February 7 at Powell Butte Elementary School. If you’re interested in making a charitable donation to the event, please contact Lora Mattsen at multdental@aol.com.

OHSU third-year dental students are seeking support to make the Philippines mission trip possible and need dental supplies or any dollar amount to serve approximately 3000 patients at the Philippines clinic:

— 200 packages of Lidocaine Anesthetic HCl 2% with Epinephrine – 1.7 ml Cartridges, 50/Pkg

— 100 packages of 4% Articaine HCl with Epinephrine – 1.7 ml Injection Cartridges, 50/Pkg—10 boxes of 27 Gauge Long Yellow—5 boxes of 30 Gauge Short Blue

— 45 boxes of Gloves in sizes small, medium, and large (mostly medium)

— 30 packages of Level 2 or 3 masks

— 6 packages of 5000/pkg of 2×2 gauze

— 100 Sutures

— Hand sanitizer

— Ibuprofen/acetaminophen

If you would like to contribute or need more information, please feel free to contact Roya Moradi at roya.moradi798@gmail.com or check out the GoFundMe to donate: Support OHSU Dental Mission to the Philippines.

Mark your calendars for next year's conference, April 9-11, 2026! In the meantime, be sure to enter your course completion codes online at https://www.prereg.net/2025/odc or the ODC mobile app to claim your 2025 ODC CE certificate. See you next year!

New Careers Hub Launched on ADA.org

In 2024, the ADA House of Delegates passed Resolution 323 to strengthen the dental workforce pipeline by updating ADA/state resources, creating engaging digital content about dental careers, and distributing materials in customizable formats for local use. The result is a newly revamped website hub at ADA.org/careers, which features web pages, PDFs, and videos about different dental careers.

To achieve this, the Council on Dental Practice (CDP) oversaw the development of a digital-first strategy focused on raising career awareness among high school students, early college students, or career changers. Materials such as new videos from dental professionals and social media content creators were developed so that professionals who work with these audiences, such as state and local societies like you, educators, and guidance counselors, can share with students. These materials are also currently being promoted through targeted social media and search advertising.

Please share the information at ADA.org/careers with schools, career fairs, and any other opportunities in your community!

For the first time, the ADA is also offering a continuing education series to explain some of the changes coming to CDT 2026. The 2026 CDT Codes: Clinical Practice Series includes eight on-demand courses that give a comprehensive look into the structure, maintenance, and ongoing updates of CDT codes. The eight courses can be purchased individually or as a bundle at ADAStore.org.

A newly published national study of U.S. adolescents reports that childhood exposure to fluoride at levels typical of community water fluoridation is associated with modestly better cognitive performance in secondary school, with no evidence of harm to cognitive functioning in later adulthood. Read more on ADA News and CNN. 

The ADA, Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), and American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) are collaborating to enhance clinical licensure competency exams and uphold the highest standards in dental education and patient care. Learn more.

The ADA's Practice Institute has released the Medicaid Financial Sustainability Toolkit. Developed with the help of dentists treating Medicaid beneficiaries across the country, this toolkit is designed to help support dentists and their practices that wish to deliver care to Medicaid beneficiaries with greater confidence, efficiency, and financial sustainability.

Been waiting to take that Alaskan cruise? Now is the time! Join your fellow dentists on the Ovation of the Seas May 15-22, 2026. Special ADA member group rates are available starting at $3730 for a 7-night cruise in an Ocean View Balcony stateroom when you book through Avid Traveling by February 3, 2026.