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Beyond the Bite

The Official Blog of the Florida Dental Association

Disability Overhead Insurance — Protect Your Practice!

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By Dan Zottoli, Director of Sales – Atlantic Coast, FDA Services Inc.  

How hard have you worked to build your business? I would assume that all of you answered that in your head and came up with, “I WORK HARD!” Now, what if you became ill or injured and could no longer work? So much time, money and effort was spent building your practice — how do you protect what you have built to ensure that your practice can survive if something should happen to you and prevents you from seeing your patients?

Disability overhead insurance is designed to pay the practice expenses in the event that the dentist becomes disabled. Unlike personal disability insurance, disability overhead insurance policies are shorter in term. They are designed to pay a benefit for 12-24 months (in most cases) to keep the practice current on its financial obligations in the event a dentist becomes disabled. The idea behind this type of policy is simple. If you became disabled, you need money coming in until you develop a strategy for your next move. The duration of a disability will vary from case to case. By having cash coming in from a disability overhead insurance policy, you will have the time to determine whether you will be back to work or in permanent disability situations, when you will be back to work, whether to sell the practice or get an associate to come in to see the patients.

There are many factors to consider when looking at disability overhead insurance. The most important factor is finding the right agent to assist that can explain and clarify the details of each company. The FDA Services’ experienced staff is ready to get to work for you. For more information, contact FDA Services at 800.877.7597 or insurance@fdaservices.com.

5 Things Every Florida Dentist Should Know About Records

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By Graham Nicol, Esq., Health Care Risk Manager, Board Certified Specialist (Health Law)

1. Records are evidence (exculpatory or damaging).

2. They must be kept a minimum of four years post-treatment, but preferably at least seven years (statute of repose for medical malpractice).

3. They should contain an entry every time an examination, treatment or dispensing of drugs occurs.

4. They document the doctor who is primarily responsible for all dental treatment regardless of who actually did it.

5. If you get in trouble with the Florida Board of Dentistry, a count for “failure to keep adequate records” will be alleged.


This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. If you have a specific concern or need legal advice regarding your dental practice, you should contact a qualified attorney.

What to do When the Media Calls

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By Moore Communications Group

Media attention is a valuable tool to garner free publicity and allow you to deliver your message to a large audience. However, an unexpected phone call from a reporter asking for a statement or an interview can be nerve-wracking. Don’t let it be — always look at a media request as an opportunity. So, what do you do when the media calls?

Here are five quick tips on handling a media call:

1. Be courteous.

Don’t view reporters as the enemy. Most are simply trying to do their job, get the story and package it for distribution. Always be professional and polite as every media call presents an opportunity to tell your story.

2. Be sure what you say is accurate.

If you are unsure of how to answer a question, it’s OK to say “I don’t know, but I’ll make sure I get you that information. What is your deadline?” Don’t rush to say the first thing that comes to your mind if you are caught off guard. Wrong information is more harmful than providing no information.

3. Be mindful if you’re the right person to respond.

If you’re uncomfortable providing a statement, we encourage you to reach out to the FDA for further assistance. The FDA along with its communications agency, Moore Communications Group, is happy to be a resource to both you and the inquiring media outlet. Simply ask for the reporter’s information, the deadline and let them know someone will be in touch with them shortly.

4. Be cognizant of deadlines.

Remember that media is often working on stories that will air or print within 24-48 hours of the request. If you do refer them to the FDA, don’t wait to pass along the information. Do so immediately so we can take advantage of the opportunity and respond within the deadline.

5. Use the FDA as your media resource.

The FDA and Moore Communications Group are here to serve as a resource whenever the media calls. Whether it’s coordinating a statement or helping you prepare for an interview, we are happy to help you deliver the best message possible.​

Remember, a request or call from a media outlet is a great thing! Above all, it’s an opportunity to share our message with the world around us. If you need assistance with a media request, please contact the FDA Director of Communications Jill Runyan at 850.350.7113 or jrunyan@floridadental.org.

FDC2015: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

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1. NEW! Automatic CE Verification

Continuing education (CE) verification automatically is provided for all attendees. Your badge is now your course ticket! To receive CE credit for course attendance, you must scan your badge upon entering and exiting a course, and be present in a course a minimum of 50 of the 60 minutes to receive one hour of CE credit. The system will calculate and record the amount of time you are present in a course and award the credit appropriately. Your CEU certificate will be emailed to you after the event. Course attendance will be submitted automatically to CE Broker on your behalf no later than June 30, 2015.

2. Where to Pick Up Your Badge When You Arrive

When arriving at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, you may pick up your badge in the hotel lobby from 4-9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, or in the City Hall lobby from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. If you need to add courses or register additional people, you are able to do so at the on-site registration in the City Hall lobby. NEW! Badges must be worn to all courses and events. Don’t forget that guests, spouses and children over 12 who will be attending events with you need to be registered to obtain a badge. ​

3. Room Finder

Download the FDC Mobile App! You’ll find the most current list of courses and event room locations, as well as additional convention information. Visit www.floridadentalconvention.com and download it today! In addition, there will be a large display with room names, as well as digital signage, directing you to room locations. ​

4. Exhibit Hall Hours and Info

Great products, new innovations, cutting edge technology … make sure you visit our Exhibit Hall, with more than 300 exhibitors offering products and services to help your practice excel. Short on time? Be sure to schedule your one-on-one appointment with the exhibitors you want to see. The deadline to make appointments is Friday, June 5.

NEW! Once you’re on-site, look inside the Official FDC Program for special exhibitor coupons and offers available only at FDC.

  • Thursday, June 11 — 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 12 — 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13 — 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

5. Parking and Shuttles

Parking is free to attendees staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. If you are driving in or staying at an off-site property, self-parking is $18 per day and valet is $26 per day at the Gaylord Palms. Parking on-site is limited for non-hotel guests. Free parking is available at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. Free shuttle service from ESPN’s Wide World of Sports to the Gaylord Palms begins Thursday, June 11 at 7 a.m. and continues through Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m. For the Thursday and Friday night events, the shuttle will continue until 10 p.m. to accommodate attendees staying off-site.

6. Food Options

We have worked with the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center to ensure you have ample food outlets during the convention. In the Exhibit Hall you’ll find drink and snack stations available all day, as well as lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Additional grab n’ go locations will be available in the Atrium, as well as additional restaurants open during peak lunch and dinner hours, such as an express lunch buffet at Wreckers and taco stations on the lawn. Look for the monitors located throughout the hotel and convention center listing the available food options and wait times for each. ​

7. Table Clinics

Table Clinics will be in the Exhibit Hall each day. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about the research dental residents, dental students and dental auxiliary students from Florida are working on. You’ll earn one hour of CE credit by listening to each 10-minute presentation in a session and getting your Table Clinic Sign-off Sheet signed by all presenters. The sign-off sheet will be located at the table clinics entrance in the Exhibit Hall. Turn in completed sign-off sheets to the Gainesville room upstairs in City Hall lobby by Saturday at 4 p.m.

  • Thursday, June 11 — 10 a.m.-1 p.m./2-5 p.m.
  • Friday, June 12 — 10 a.m.-1 p.m./2-5 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13 — 10 a.m.-1 p.m

8. Get Social

We encourage you to share your experiences and photos during the convention on social media with the hashtag #FDC2015. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook: Florida Dental Convention
Twitter: FL Dental Convention
Instagram: florida_dental_convention

9. Make Notes

Before you head off for socializing, jot down some key points you collected from the day in the back of your FDC2015 Official Program. You’d be surprised how quickly things can get muddled or forgotten. ​​​

10. Come for the CE, Stay for the FUN!

After your day of earning CE, join your colleagues for two evenings of great entertainment and activities. On Thursday at 7 p.m., join us for “Sweet Success” featuring Karaoke Live where you are the star of the show! On Friday at 7 p.m., join us for a Caribbean-themed celebration, “Junkanoo!,” featuring a steel drum band, wire writing, rush out parades and much more! Both of these events are held in the Gaylord Palms’ Atrium.

NEW! Name badges are required for entry into these events for all attendees. Children under 12 years of age do not need a name badge. Now after “Junkanoo!” on Friday, the party doesn’t have to end! Join the New Dentists for drinks and dancing at “The After Party” in Wreckers from 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

See you there!