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Beyond the Bite

The Official Blog of the Florida Dental Association

Tag: Beyond the Bite

#FDCYouSoon

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By Dr. Becky Warnken, FDC2021 Program Chair

We will have gone 727 days without a Florida Dental Convention (FDC) when we arrive for FDC2021. One year, 11 months and 27 long days missing our colleagues, completing our continuing education (CE) remotely, and working diligently in our offices to provide care during an unprecedented time. Needless to say, I cannot wait to #FDCYouSoon!

Your entire Committee on Conventions and Continuing Education has worked without pause during this time to continue to offer you the dynamite CE and family fun you have come to know and love. We are bursting with excitement to welcome you back to the Gaylord — safely!

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about FDC2021.

When is FDC2021? When can I register?

The FDC2021 is June 24-26 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Registration is OPEN! Early Bird Registration closes on April 16 and regular registration ends June 11. Register online at floridadentalconvention.com. On-site registration will apply June 12-26. Register yourself and your team early for the best savings and a chance at a space in any of the courses. As a reminder, FDA members receive free pre-registration!

What courses are available for doctors?

We know you are excited to get back to some in-person and hands-on CE! This year’s program is jam packed with exciting courses and hands-on workshops and mini-residencies. The list is endless, however there is sure to be a plethora of options for everyone. The Dawson Academy will be teaching the first in-person “Dawson Seminar 2” on Thursday and Friday. Be sure to check out the “Head and Neck Cancer Symposium,” which will offer incredible insights into diagnosing, treating, and supporting patients with head and neck cancers throughout their treatment and survivorship. There are countless hands-on workshops featuring everything from full-arch reconstruction, mastering the single central with CEREC, oral surgery techniques, posterior composites, Botox, tongue and lip tie treatment, and so much more. This program also features two separate mini-residencies, “You Need Sleep and So Does Your Dental Practice” and “Dental Implant Therapy.” There are too many dynamite speakers to list, so I encourage you to check out the entire program! This year’s registration site has some fantastic upgrades that allow you to search by topic, audience, day and more, as well as suggested courses for those you pick to help you build three solid days of CE. Be sure to check out the expanded Saturday options as well — they will not disappoint! Visit floridadentalconvention.com for information.

Should I bring my dental team?

We know that everyone on the dental team is ready for some in-person, hands-on CE action and I am confident that the entire team will find courses that they can be excited about. There are quality, free keynotes to begin your days together. Be sure to check out all three days of programming, as there are courses for the team Thursday morning through Saturday afternoon. Whether you are looking for coding courses for your administrative team, treatment planning and presentation for your entire team, implant parts, temporaries and even impressions for your assistants, or anesthesia and non-surgical debridement techniques for your hygienists — the opportunities for quality CE for your team members are plentiful! There is a killer lineup of speakers for your team to choose from and I can’t wait for them to enjoy the wide range of CE that will be available. They are sure to enjoy the social events as well.

Early Bird registration ends on Friday, April 16! Register yourself and your team early for the best savings and a chance at a space in any of the courses.

What is there for my family to do?

This year we have added new programming for all attendees, including “Yoga on the Lawn” each morning. Guests also are invited to “Dueling Pianos” on Thursday and our “Wonderland Party” on Friday night. The Gaylord has amazing facilities to keep everyone entertained as well — be sure to check out the pool and new rapid river! This amazing venue continues to expand and welcome families for a much-needed getaway that everyone can enjoy. Beyond the Gaylord, be sure to check out the discounted tickets for Walt Disney World theme parks. Orlando has so much to offer, and everyone deserves a little getaway this year!

I personally cannot wait to #FDCYouSoon!

Reprinted from Today’s FDA, March/April 2021. Visit floridadental.org/publications to view Today’s FDA archives.

Providing Dental Care for the Patient with Autism

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By H. Barry Waldman, DDS, MPH, PHD; Steven P. Perlman, DDS, MSCD, DHL (HON); and, Karen A. Raposa, RDH, MBA

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disorders defined by a significant impairment in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests. Many individuals with ASDs have atypical ways of learning, paying attention or reacting to different sensations and stimuli. The assessment and learning abilities of youngsters and adults with ASDs can vary from gifted to severely challenged. ASDs begin before the age of 3 and last throughout a person’s life. It occurs in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 2018 that one in 37 boys and one in 51 girls have some form of autism. It is unclear if the increase is due to changes in how one identifies people with ASDs or whether it is an increase in prevalence.

General Symptoms

People with ASDs differ greatly in the way they act and their capabilities.

Social skills: They have limited or no interaction with other people, might not make eye contact and just want to be alone. They may have difficulty understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings. Children might not like to be held or cuddled. They may not know how to talk, play or relate to other people.

Speech, language and communication: About 40% of ASD children do not talk at all. Others repeat words or questions directed to them, rather than responding. They may not understand gestures. Some can speak well, but have a hard time listening to others.

Repeated behaviors and routines: Individuals with ASDs may repeat actions. They may want to maintain routines and have trouble with changes. Children with ASDs may have significant delays in language, social and cognitive skills, but may be great at solving puzzles or computer problems.

Causes and Treatment

It is suspected that there are numerous causes for ASDs due to complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors. Studies of twins have shown that in identical twins, there is about a 75% rate of both twins having autism, while in fraternal twins this occurs about 3% of the time. The cause of ASDs in most people is unknown, however, it tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have other particular medical conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome and untreated phenylketonuria.

Although there is no known cure for ASDs, early and intensive education can help children develop and learn new skills. The goal of these efforts is to help the child to talk, interact, plan, learn and care for his/her needs. While some medications can relieve some of the symptoms, structured teaching of skills (often called behavioral intervention) is currently the most effective treatment.

Associated Oral Conditions

The complex neuro/developmental disabilities compound and exacerbate the all too frequent oral health disorders in the general child and adult populations, including: poor oral hygiene, increased risk for caries, generalized periodontal problems, oral-facial pain, xerostomia, poor nutrition and poor diet.

Dental Services in a Private Practice

The actual technical aspects of care are similar to the delivery of services for the general population of patients. Modifications in practitioner-patient-staff-parent or guardian interactions, however, may be necessary. Providing dental care and ensuring follow-up home care for individuals with ASDs will vary by patient age, type and level of the particular disorder, as well as an appreciation of family/living arrangements. An underlying understanding of patients with ASDs will facilitate the actual provision of care.

  • Not all patients with ASDs are alike.
  • They may be hypo- or hypersensitive to sight, sounds and smells.
  • Nonverbal patients may carry out self-abusive behavioral acts as their only means of expression for pain.
  • You may need to attempt different modalities of behavioral guidance.
  • Additional time may be necessary.
  • Schedule appointments in line with behavioral medication.
  • Keep wait times to a minimum to help reduce anxiety.
  • With proper consent, medical immobilization/protective stabilization may be a necessary behavioral guidance technique.
  • Use simple verbal and nonverbal communication.
  • Use adequate pain control for both restorative and surgical procedures

H. Barry Waldman, DDS, MPH, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University, NY.

Steven P. Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (Hon), Global Clinical Director, Special Olympics, Special Smiles; Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

Karen A. Raposa, RDH, MBA, Published Author and International Speaker, Clinical Education Manager, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Raynham, Massachusetts

Reprinted from Today’s FDA, Jan/Feb 2020. Visit floridadental.org/publications to view Today’s FDA archives.

Cyberattacks: Prevention May be the Cure from Ransomware

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By Robert McDermott, President/CEO, iCoreConnect

Just as you wash your hands regularly so you don’t get sick, it’s critical to adopt good habits of “digital hygiene” to prevent cyberattacks on your practice. The “illness” threatening your practice is called malware. Malware is an umbrella term for any malicious software criminals use to steal your or your patients’ data.

Ransomware, a particularly sinister malware, burrows into your system and begins encrypting all your data so you can’t access it. Then a cybercriminal holds your data for ransom, demanding you pay a hefty sum of money for them to give you access to your own files.

Just like a human virus sometimes can be undetected, malware can be in your computer system long before you realize it. By the time you see symptoms, it’s too late. Cybercriminals are continually developing sophisticated methods for infecting computers and servers without you catching on. There are two primary ways malware gets into your system and holds your practice ransom.

HACKING

Hackers secretly tap into your data by exploiting weaknesses in your IT security. Outdated, unmaintained systems often make smaller, older practices particularly easy targets. Working with a proactive team of IT experts, known as managed IT services providers (MSP), is an important layer of defense against attacks. These folks can save you money, time and headaches over the long run. They detect threats early to eliminate or reduce damage well before it gets out of hand.

A particular vulnerability is how you are using email. Only use Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. for personal or non-patient specific messages. For anything beyond that, set up a fully HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based email system that protects your information whether it’s sitting in your inbox or sending to another doctor’s inbox. There are big differences between an encryption-only email for general security and a truly HIPAA-compliant email fulfilling every HIPAA security requirement. These requirements range from verifying recipient identity to making sure no email is altered.

PHISHING

Phishing occurs when a criminal tricks any employee into thinking something is a trustworthy source, then convinces them to click a corrupt link or provide sensitive information directly (like a credit card number). The attacker is preying on a lack of awareness on the part of you or a staff member. You must educate your whole team to recognize suspicious messages, links and questions to avoid falling victim. If the sender is unknown or claims to be your IT person, MSP or someone in your office yet asks you to click an unusual link, verify the email first with the actual person on your team.

No one is inherently immune from cyberattacks. Take action now by working with a qualified dental IT services provider to assess, boost and maintain your IT immune system. Work directly with your staff to understand what to look for and how to prevent these types of criminals from getting in the door. Healing from an attack is much more difficult and costly than preventing it in the first place.

iCoreConnect, an FDA Crown Savings merchant, specializes in comprehensive software that speeds up workflow for dentists. The FDA endorses these products from iCoreConnect: iCoreExchange HIPAA-compliant email and iCoreDental cloud-based practice management. FDA members receive substantial discounts on both products. Book a demo at icoreconnect.com/fda or call 888.810.7706.

Top 6 Ways to be Prepared for a HIPAA Audit

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By Abyde

Let’s be real — there’s probably a few things in life we all have an “Oh, it won’t happen to me” mentality about. For many medical professionals, that may be exactly how you feel about HIPAA audits, yet HIPAA investigations are becoming more common than you might think. 

While the odds of facing a totally random HIPAA audit might not be high, they increase significantly when you factor in additional investigation triggers like data breaches, cyber attacks, and patient complaints — none of which a dental practice is immune to.

Proactively preparing for anything that might be thrown your way is imperative for your practice to have the ability to handle a HIPAA audit without the consequence of a hefty violation. Here are the top six things you should have in place before a breach, complaint or audit investigation occurs:

1. Security Risk Analysis
The first thing the OCR looks for upon investigation is a properly documented and up-to-date Security Risk Analysis. This shows that you’ve assessed your practice operations and identified any vulnerabilities — before an audit occurs. While it’s the first step of HIPAA compliance, only 17% of practices audited by the OCR met this requirement.

2. Practice-specific Policies and Procedures
Proper documentation is key for all aspects of your compliance program, including your practice-specific HIPAA policies and procedures. These policies and procedures serve as the guidelines for how protected health information (PHI) should be handled within your practice and the proper documentation is necessary to prove the expectations and standards you have set for your organization. 

3. Disaster Recovery Plan
Disasters happen, most of the time without warning. Having a disaster recovery plan in place is important to ensuring continuity of patient care and continued access to important medical records. As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

4. Implement Proper Administrative, Technical and Physical Safeguards
Securing all forms of PHI with the necessary safeguards already implemented within your practice is essential to successfully meeting HIPAA requirements, and ultimately protecting your patients.

5. Staff HIPAA Training
Properly train your staff on all HIPAA privacy and security policies and procedures. This training should be ongoing to ensure that staff is staying up to date with any changes to HIPAA regulations or practice operations.

6. Business Associate Agreements
It’s important to be on the same page with everyone who has access to your patient’s secure information. Implementing the proper business associate agreements with all third-party vendors that could potentially access PHI ensures patient data is secure while also offsetting liability to business associates should they be the cause of a data breach.

There’s a lot that goes into your HIPAA program, even more than the top six items listed here, which is why it’s all the more important to have a true culture of compliance in place and a complete HIPAA program to prevent and minimize threats to your patients’ data.

Abyde is an FDA Crown Savings Endorsed Partner and the Abyde software solution is the easiest way for any sized dental practice to implement and sustain comprehensive HIPAA compliance programs. FDA members save 20% on Abyde services that help their practices meet government-mandated HIPAA standards that protect patient health information by identifying and correcting key security safeguards. Visit fdaservices.com/abyde or call 800.594.0883.

This article was originally posted on Abyde’s blog on Aug. 14, 2020. Reprinted with permission.