Jan/Feb 2021

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 HIPAA Guidelines for the Dental Office 2020 ADAA Fellows and Masters CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION: Infection Control for COVID-19

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 Volume 89, No. 6 ADAA President Betty Fox, AS, CDA, RDA, FADAA Executive Director John E. Kasper, PhD, CAE Managing Editor Judith A. Jones 877-874-3785 X220 Advertising Sales Manager John E. Kasper, Jr. 877-874-3785 X214 Editorial Review Board Sharon Dickinson, CDA, CDPMA, RDA, CRFDA CPFDA Kristy Eddleman MaLea Flynn, CDA, CDPMA Dianne Gwaltney Veyann Henry, CDPMA, RDA, FADAA Darrin Wan, CDA, EDDA The Dental Assistant Journal 140 N. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1017 General inquiries 877-874-3785 • fax 630-351-8490 e-mail: [email protected] • www.adaausa.org To obtain a copy of our Writer’s Submission Guidelines or the Editorial Calendar, please go to the ADAA website, www.adaausa.org. Copyright 2020 by the American Dental Assistants Association. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: “Authors and advertisers are solely responsible for the accuracy of any and all material provided to The Dental Assistant. Authors and advertisers are also solely responsible for checking that any and all material relevant to dental care in a clinical setting meets OSAP standards. The information and opinions expressed or implied in articles and advertisements that appear in The Dental Assistant are strictly those of the authors and advertisers. They do not necessarily represent the opinion, position or official policies of the American Dental Assistants Association.” November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 3

FEATURES 8 HIPAA Guidelines for the Dental Office By Linda Bartolomucci Boyd, CDA, RDA, BA Every dental office—and every dental assistant—needs a thorough understanding of the guidelines established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. 12 Relieving Dental Anxiety: The Key Role of the Dental Assistant By Dr. Charles Sutera, FAGD Studies estimate that as many as 60% of dental patients have anywhere from mild to severe dental fear. The dental assistant plays a vital role in helping patients cope with those anxieties. 14 Refocusing for a More Professional You in 2021 By Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA 2020 has challenged everyone in different ways. But 2021 offers opportunities for a fresh start. What’s your goal for the coming year? 15 Continuing Education: Infection Control, COVID-19 Contributed by OSAP Dental infection prevention and control is a system of policies and procedures designed to ensure the use of best practices to reduce the risk of transmitting potentially dangerous microbes from the treatment environment and support areas. This CE course focuses specifically on understanding your responsibility for implementing COVID-19 guidance in dental settings. 28 ADAA Fellowships and Masterships Awarded Fellowship or Mastership in ADAA represents a standard of professional achievement and a coveted level of professional recognition. Meet the 2020 awardees. 32 From the Archives: President’s Address By Ethel Mays Whitenton, Memphis, Tenn. Presented before the 16th Annual Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1940. Published in the Nov/Dec 1940 issue of The Dental Assistant journal. DEPARTMENTS 37 Trustee News 42 Member Spotlight 5 Editor’s Desk 6 President’s Page 34 News Briefs The Dental Assistant (lSSN-1088-3886) is published bi-monthly (every other month). Non-member subscriptions are $30. Allow 6-8 weeks for subscription entry. Publisher is the American Dental Assistants Association, 140 N. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1017 PG 4 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

Editor’s Desk Judith Jones Managing Editor The Dental Assistant Turning the page on 2020 This time last year, I wrote that we were read the stories of the 2020 ADAA Fellows and Masters. “Celebrating 2019, Anticipating 2020.” Who knew? You will most likely find stories similar to your own. The None of us could have anticipated this long, professional standards achieved and the credentials strange year that is finally drawing to a close, and now earned by these hard-working members offer them not we are heading into a holiday season like none of us only professional recognition but also increased value have ever experienced. And in this issue of The Dental to their patients and practices. Think about setting Assistant we look toward the coming year, bringing its out on your own journey toward ADAA Fellowship and own challenges and opportunities. Mastership in the coming year. On the President’s Page, new ADAA President Betty This issue also offers a special continuing education Fox, AS, CDA, RDA, FADAA, introduces herself and the section, with a CE course from OSAP’s Infection Control: rest of the association’s 2020-2021 leadership team, In Practice publication. Dental assistants can earn one newly installed following October’s Annual Session. continuing education credit by reading the article and President Fox encourages every ADAA member to be submitting the attached post-test to our education part of moving ADAA forward and advancing the profes- department. Take advantage of this simple opportunity sion of dental assisting. to review the principles of infection control in this time of COVID-19 and earn CE credit. Every dental professional is responsible for observ- ing HIPAA protocols, and staying current on HIPAA ADAA’s priorities of professional development and guidelines is essential. In “HIPAA Guidelines for the continuing education are part of the association’s long Dental Office,” Linda Bartolomucci Boyd, CDA, RDA, BA tradition. Our regular From the Archives feature looks offers a review of HIPAA requirements along with a look at the President’s Address presented by Ethel Mays at the potential risks for HIPAA violations. Whitenton of Memphis, Tennessee at the 16th Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 9, 1940. Ms. It is not news to any dental assistant that many Whitenton’s themes prefigure the ADAA of today. patients come to their dental appointments bringing myriad fears and anxieties. Studies estimate that as Be sure to take note of our other regular features, many as 60% of dental patients have anywhere from our Member Spotlight and the latest national and mild to severe dental fear. In “Relieving Dental Anxiety: international News Briefs. In Trustee News, our trustees The Key Role of the Dental Assistant,” Dr. Charles share news from their respective districts across the Sutera, FAGD, discusses the essential role of the dental country. assistant in alleviating their patients’ trepidation and setting a calming atmosphere. Please remember that The Dental Assistant journal is your publication. As your editor, I want to hear your As we bid farewell to this unusual year, you may be comments and ideas. What would you like to know thinking about your personal and professional goals for more about? What topics or features would you like us the year to come. You won’t want to miss “Refocusing to feature? I’m also interested in receiving your articles. for a More Professional You in 2021,” in which Natalie I’m happy to help you polish your manuscript. Send Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, your queries and comments to me at publications@ CRFDA, MADAA, BA offers practical considerations to adaausa.org. help you establish and actively pursue those goals. Lastly, best wishes from The Dental Assistant for a In setting new professional development goals for safe and happy holiday season and a wonderful New your dental assisting career, consider ADAA Fellowship Year. or Mastership. As you peruse this issue, take time to November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 5

President’s Page Betty Fox, AS, CDA, RDA, FADAA President 2020-2021 American Dental Assistants Association ADAA Leadership Moving Forward Together into 2021 We are dental assistants from all walks of life and we love what we do! We’re young, career as a dental assistant in ADAA old, educated, on-the-job trained, certified, Leadership roles. She has been a member since 1974 and brings her Expanded Function Assistants, Business Assistants, previous experience as an ADAA Past some are hygienists and some hold Doctorate Degrees. President on board this year, as well Yet, we all give our time and attention to the things we as her expansive knowledge as a love, we prioritize what’s important to us and do what Registered Parliamentarian to assist we can to help each other as fellow dental assistants. us with governance. That’s the common bond of who we are and why we New Jersey native Sarah Siroka Vice President lives in Lincoln Park and is our Cathy Roberts are here: we love the dental assisting profession, the Secretary this year, using her organi- opportunities it has given us and the true friendships we have made all across the United States and abroad. zational skills to keep minutes of our meetings to assist You might be curious about who I am and where I in maintaining accuracy. She has also served in the past came from if we have not had the opportunity to meet. as an ADAA Second District Trustee So briefly: I reside in the Knoxville, Tennessee area. I and served on various councils and attended an ADA Accredited Dental Assisting Program committees for her state and local and was introduced to ADAA as my professional dental assisting organizations, as well organization from my dental assisting instructors, Mary as several other community service Ellen Vaughn and the late Imogene Myers. I joined as and volunteer work. a student member and have been an ADAA member We are fortunate to have the and a CDA for 42 continuous years. I am now a Life experience and knowledge of our Member, an ADAA Fellow and I am close to completing Immediate Past President Robynn my Mastership. I served as a member of the Tennessee Rixse, who has worked tirelessly to Secretary Board of Dentistry from 2000-2012, which was an promote ADAA to dental assistants, Sarah Siroka enlightening learning experience. DA students, private and public Serving alongside me this year corporations as well as government entities. She is in your ADAA Leadership will be currently the Practice Manager for Buehler Family President Elect Sue Camizzi, who is Dentistry in New Holland, PA. She will also be serving as a dental assistant educator, and a President of our PDAEF this year. hygienist from Buffalo, New York. Listed below are the newly elected Board of Trustees She recently accepted a position representing the states: at the University of Buffalo School 1st District: David Prudovsky (MA), representing CT, of Dental Medicine as the Infection ME, MA, RI and VT President-Elect Control Monitor. Sue has held several 2nd District: Mary Beth Sojka (NY), representing NY, Sue Camizzi leadership positions at the state, local and national level, including having NJ, and PA 3rd District: Erin Hendricks (MD), representing DE, DC, served as Second District Trustee. Sue brings a wealth MD, OH, VA and WV of information and knowledge from the dental assisting 4th District: Veyann Henry (KY), representing KY, NC, educator viewpoint that we can learn from and will help SC and TN us in the upcoming years. 5th District: Sandy Nicholas (MS), representing AL, FL, Vice President Cathy Roberts is a returning board GA, MS, PR and VI member from Bloomington, Indiana, having served in 6th District: Jacob Rexing (IN), representing IL, IN and many roles on a state and national level throughout her MI PG 6 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

ADAA Leadership Moving Forward Together into 2021 continued 7th District: MaLea Flynn (WI), representing MN, ND, district to publish, so send them her way. SD and WI Jennifer Porter, who serves as Director of Membership 8th District: (TBA) representing IA, KS, MO and NE and works hard in many ways to retain and recruit 9th District: Lisa Childers (AR), representing AR, LA, members. She is the contact person for the membership OK and TX booths at various regional and national meetings as well 10th District: (TBA) representing AK, ID, MT, OR and WA as helping states and locals prepare for events. 11th District: Anna Ogburn (CO), representing AZ, CO, NM, UT and WY Sidonia Peto, Director of Education, who is respon- 12th District: Claudia Pohl (CA), representing CA, GU, sible for assuring our ADAA Education Courses are in HI and Nevada compliance and maintaining our AGD/PACE approval, Federal District Trustee: CMSgt. Elvin Bonilla Muniz, which is a very important and tedious process. representing the U.S. Air Force We will be filling the 8th and 10th District Trustee Catherine Kasper, Director of Finance, who oversees positions soon, so we will update that information on the Accounts Receivable/Payables, tax forms for both the website as soon as it is available. If you have not the ADAA and our foundation, the Professional Dental had the opportunity to speak with your District Trustee, Assistants Education Foundation (PDAEF). please take the opportunity to introduce yourself to them when you have a chance. They are always willing For those who do not know about our PDAEF, it is to listen and assist state and local organizations as part a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The purpose is to of their duties. If you would be interested in serving in promote, assist, encourage, aid, and sponsor education an ADAA Leadership position, we could connect you with for dental assistants. This organization helps fund our a mentor to teach and guide you through the process. continuing education presented at regional and national We will be working on a formalized Mentorship Program meetings. More information can be found on our this year, so if you are interested in this program, please website at www.adaausa.org. let us know. Our management company, Solutions for I personally invite you to become involved in your Associations, does a wonderful job overseeing the daily professional organization. We have a great leadership operations of our organization. They are a very caring, team for the 2020-21 year with a wealth of knowledge dedicated, talented group of individuals who collectively and will be reaching out to our state and local organiza- bring a plethora of knowledge and expertise. Executive tions to help grow, educate and serve with each other Director John Kasper, Ph.D., leads the staff and guides us as we unite to become the best we can be as a dental using his years of experience as an Association Manager. assistant professional and healthcare worker. His capable staff consists of: Associate Executive Director Jay Kasper, who is very Please reach out to me, any officer, your trustee or knowledgeable with the daily operations of ADAA and staff if we can be of service to you, your state or local helps leadership with many daily tasks. organization. Together, we are brighter, better, stronger, Pat Nutter, Customer Service Manager, who is usually braver and can accomplish more alongside each other. If hard at work fielding the many phone calls coming into you are considering volunteering for ADAA, please let us the office and answering members’ questions. know your interest and we will work to connect you with Logan Hammel, our State and Local Organization the right group. As they say, it takes a village working Manager, who also serves as the Assistant Customer together to make things happen. Service Manager. Peter Kasper, our Social Media Manager, who works Did you know that ADAA is on Facebook? with our Facebook Page, Face-book Live Events and Town Hall Events. Join the conversation at Judith Jones, Director of Publications, who works with The Dental Assistant journal, and ADAA Update. She https://www.facebook.com/adaa247/ is always looking for events and happenings in your November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 7

HIPAA Guidelines for the Dental Office By Linda Bartolomucci Boyd, CDA, RDA, BA It is imperative to understand and be able to plan information, biometric identifiers, such as finger implement the HIPAA guidelines for the dental and voice prints and photographic images. practice. This article will navigate through the principles of the Health Insurance Portability and This consent form is an agreement to release the Accountability Act of 1996, HIPAA, that pertain to the patient’s information to submit information to insurance dental profession regarding Privacy Rule, Covered companies regarding procedures and images. It also Entity, and Security Rule. HIPAA is regulated by the gives consent to release information to referrals or re- U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. These HIPAA ferring dentists. These safeguards for PHI include paper guidelines will assist the office staff to develop a plan to charts as well as computer-generated charts, ePHI. keep office polices efficient and effective in compliance with HIPAA regulations as well as keeping current with Other areas in the office to assist in developing the COVID-19 environment. effective and efficient protection of PHI and ePHI: “The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards • Patients’ handwritten sign-in sheets or computer to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal sign-in’s that must be kept safeguarded not to allow health information and applies to health plans, health any other patient to view the names on the sheet or care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that computer. conduct certain health care transactions electronically. The Rule requires appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy • Properly calling a patient from the reception room of personal health information (PHI) and sets limits and to the treatment room. Only the patient’s first name conditions on the uses and disclosures that may be made should be used. of such information without patient authorization.” – The HIPAA Privacy Rule1 • Patient’s charts should not be left out to be viewed by other patients. Guidelines and safeguards for protecting patient privacy under the HIPAA Privacy Rule must be efficient • Daily schedules must be out of view of other patients. and effective, with all dental office staff following the HIPAA guidelines, including both front and back office • Computer screens in the treatment room with staff. First, a proper form must be signed by each patient information must be changed prior to anoth- patient unless they have a caretaker then the caretaker er patient entering the room. signs for the patient. Also, parents or guardians of patients under 18 years old must sign as well. • Computer screens in any part of the office that are in view of patients must be logged off when leaving The patient form for HIPAA is called your computer. “Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices.” The signed acknowledgement form helps the • Employees who have access to patient data must not practice validate that they are in compliance with the use or disclose information. HIPAA guidelines. The patient should be given a copy of the form. After the age of 18 the patient must sign • Access patient data on a “Need to Know” basis. their own “Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of You may only look up a patient’s chart for specific Privacy Practices.” A parent or guardian does not have information regarding patient treatment, insurance, the right to medical or dental information after the child financial, and pertinent information. You may not turns 18 unless the 18-year-old patient signs the HIPAA look up patient information for mere inquisition. agreement that information can be discussed with the parent or guardian. • It is inappropriate to consult a colleague regarding a patient: The Privacy Rule includes: patient’s name, address, *In public places such as the elevator phone numbers, emails, fax numbers, internet informa- *At lunch tion. Also, it includes any medical records, lab results, *In another treatment room when other patients radiograph or other images, treatment plans, any health are present in the office. • Always consult in a private area of the office. • Fax machines must be in a limited access place and not in view of patients. PG 8 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

HIPAA Guidelines for the Dental Office continued The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically. – The HIPAA Privacy Rule • File cabinets with patients’ charts must be closed and protects the information with firewalls and encryption. locked at the end of the work day. A firewall protects and filters all information that comes through the internet to your network or computer • Secure areas of the office from third party access systems. This forms a barrier between trusted and such as delivery services, cleaning crews, dental untrusted networks and could be incorporated in the representatives in the office or any visitor. hardware or software. Encryption is a way of protecting the Patient Health Information, ePHI, for transferring Ways to develop plans as a dental team to be HIPAA- information in electronic form. Encryption is the most ef- compliant in the dental office: fective way to achieve data security. To read an encrypt- ed file you must have access to a secret key or password • Develop training strategies for all staff members. that enables you to decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called plain text; encrypted data is referred to as cipher • Provide professional training (ADA staff training is text. Data encryption systems secure information to available for HIPAA). only the designated receiver and only a corresponding system can decode the data. The email sent can only be • Present update meetings on a regular basis for opened/decrypted by having a code that is sent by the changes in regulatory rules, at least once a year. dental office in a separate email. Some dental software has incorporated encryption into their systems. • Devise a plan to maintain implementation of office policies. Encryption services are available. If the office chooses not to send electronic Patient Health Information, • Document training and meetings to show that dental ePHI, with encryption then you are putting the patient’s practice is in compliance with HIPAA regulations. information at risk. If the office decides not to use encryption then it must be documented with the The Covered Entity is also under the HIPAA decision on why you are not encrypting the information. regulations requiring that all health plans, health care The storage encryption in your office needs to be within clearinghouses, health care providers, and all electronic the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health information that is transmitted for health information and Human Services (HHS). Some dental offices use remain private. As mentioned above, with the passage texting to communicate with patients, mostly to confirm of HIPAA it is important to protect PHI, for all paper patients’ appointments or video calling. This also needs charts, or ePHI, for electronic charts. When Covered to have an encryption in place. Many companies are Entity is used, for any reason, then patient authorization available for this service leaving messages on a phone, must be obtained with a signature. An example would email or text. Some patient forms in the dental office be for submitting claims to insurance companies. The Security Rule establishes national standards that set security protection for Electronic Protected Health Information, ePHI, that is in the dental office or transferred in electronic form to another entity. This November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 9

HIPAA Guidelines for the Dental Office continued ask the patient which device they would prefer to Violation Penalties: $100 minimum fine per viola- receive messages. Many offices use different methods tion, $50,000 maximum fine.4 in communicating with patients’ appointments. On the patient’s information form it is a good idea to ask which • Category 2: “A violation that the covered entity method of communication is best to correspond with should have been aware of but could not have them. Then ask if that is a private way of communicating avoided even with a reasonable amount of care with them. (falling short of willful neglect of HIPAA Rules).”3 Violation Penalties: $1,000 minimum fine per With COVID-19, many offices are communicating or screening patients via text, Facetime, video calling violation, $50,000 maximum4 and/or Zoom. These methods of communication need to be encrypted to secure the communication. Dental • Category 3: “A violation suffered as a direct result staff should not communicate with patients regarding of “willful neglect” of HIPAA Rules, in cases where an appointments and such without a secure device on their attempt has been made to correct the violation.”3 equipment. Violation Penalties: Minimum fine of $10,000 per Dental office training is important; all dental office violation up to $50,000. 4 staff should be trained with the HIPAA guidelines. HIPAA requires that the training in the office be documented. • Category 4: “A violation of HIPAA Rules constituting willful neglect, where no attempt has been made to HIPAA does not specify how the office needs to correct the violation.”3 document the training. Violation Penalties: Minimum fine of $50,000 per Efficiency and effectiveness of a dental practice for violation.4 HIPAA guidelines is of the utmost importance for the protection of the patient’s private information. Following HIPAA Violations through with training of all staff members is important The fines are issued per violation category, per year, to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the practice and to be compliant with the HIPAA guidelines. that the violation was allowed to persist. The maximum fine per violation category, per year, is $1,500,000.3 What is a HIPAA violation? HHS Office for Civil Rights is the main enforcer of It is extremely important to continue to implement HIPAA and they investigate complaints of HIPAA the HIPAA guidelines for the dental practice. violation reported by patients, health plan members, or employees. There are checklists available to assist in keeping the dental office in compliance with HIPAA guidelines. State Attorneys General also have the power to investigate complaints due to potential HIPAA violations Linda Bartolomucci Boyd has her degree in Psychology and when reported. Common violations of the HIPAA guide- a Community College Teaching Credential. She has been lines are:2 a Certified Dental Assistant, CDA, for 36 years and has her Registered Dental Assistant license, RDA, from California. • Compromising PHI or ePHI. She has been in the profession of dentistry for several years. During her career in dentistry she has experienced many • Failure to provide HIPPA training changes in the profession. She began her career as an RDA and then became an educator teaching at three community • Theft of patient records colleges in Northern California. She then became a full time professor and Program Coordinator at Diablo Valley College • Releasing patient information to unauthorized in Northern California where she led the RDA/CDA Program individuals by keeping abreast of and implementing the new curricu- lum as it evolved. She is currently an Emeritus Professor. Four Categories for Penalty Structure She is the author of the “Dental Instruments: A Pocket Guide” published by Elsevier Publishing Company. Ms. • Category 1: “A violation that the covered entity was Bartolomucci Boyd has published seven editions of this text, unaware of and could not have realistically avoided, which has been translated into five other languages besides had a reasonable amount of care had been taken to English. She has presented two live webinars on HIPAA as abide by HIPAA Rules.”3 PG 10 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

HIPAA Guidelines for the Dental Office continued well as being on the educational council for the ADAA; she also speaks on Professionalism. She has also authored a chapter in a health professional text called “Ethics and Professionalism” regarding Medical Records and HIPAA. Ms. Bartolomucci Boyd is a lecturer as well. She has been a member and involved with the Ameri- can Dental Assistants Association, ADAA, and the California Dental Assistant Teachers, CADAT. Professionalism and Dentistry has been her lifelong passion. Sources 1. https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/ privacyrule 2. https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-a-hipaa- violation/ 3. https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-are-the-penalties- for-hipaa-violations-7096/ 4. https://www.hipaaguide.net/hipaa-violation-penalty November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 11

Relieving Dental Anxiety: The Key Role of the Dental Assistant By Dr. Charles Sutera, FAGD Everyone is always amazed by a professional Bringing a friend. magician. You know those incredible illusions The same goes for the dental office. When a patient where the magician disappears and then feels alone in a cold environment, their mind can begin reappears in an impossible location? Everyone in to wander. A great dental assistant serves the role of a the audience holds their breathe. All eyes are on the friend and an advocate for the patient to some degree. magician. By creating an environment where the patient views the team not only as trustworthy professionals, but also But do you know who is responsible for many of the as reassuring friends, it builds confidence. steps required to complete those tricks? And confidence reduces anxiety. The magician’s assistant. How a Dental Assistant Can Reduce Patient Anxiety Without the magician’s assistant, all those incredible Below are some pointers for helping patients work illusions would not be possible. through dental anxiety: The same goes for a dental practice. The magic of a dental practice is not only created by the doctor. 1. Wow Them from the Start – The dental assistant It’s created by the entire team. is usually the first clinical staff member that greets As a dental assistant, your role is a very important the patient. When you greet the patient, show one. And just like a magic show, with all the razzle dazzle them you care. The better job you do at projecting of a dental practice, it’s a good reminder to not forget a sincere interest in seeing the patient, the more your significance in the patient’s experience. trust is established. Consistently greeting patients with enthusiasm engrains a sense of rapport and Why the Patient Experience is Equally Important to likeability over time. the Dental Care One of the most intangible ways a dental assistant can 2. Communicate – The dental assistant has a key enhance a patient’s experience is through building trust advantage over the doctor. They have more and rapport. chair time with the patient. So, use it wisely. Communicate in a respectful manner and discuss Studies estimate that as many as 60% of dental topics that are positive. A good way to do that is patients have anywhere from mild to severe dental fear, to take interest in the patient. And the key is to and as many as 20% of Americans actually avoid going remember, listening to the patient matters more to the dentist because of their anxiety. than speaking. That’s a lot of terrified people. 3. Set Expectations – A big component of fear is Though the exact cause of dental anxiety can vary, created when people don’t know what to expect, the most common is believed to stem from a past bad or when they are expecting one thing but are experience at the dentist. Other causes can include surprised by something unexpected. Utilize your hearing or reading about negative encounters, as well as time with the patient to help ease their fears parental modeling. by setting proper expectations. Try to deliver Anxiety can arise whenever a person just thinks realistic expectations of the procedure while also about a dental office, the patient room, dentist, and balancing reassurance to reduce anxiety. Setting dental procedures. expectations is a dance between giving enough People who suffer from dental anxiety often have information but omitting ghastly details that a difficult time sleeping the night before a dental ap- can overwhelm. If you don’t know the answer to pointment. The phobia may also cause sufferers to feel something, no worries. Just offer to ask the doctor. physically ill, faint, and/or short of breath. Just as dental phobia starts from a negative experi- 4. Be Mindful to Make Eye Contact – Studies ence, helping patients overcome dental phobia starts by show that making eye contact is important in creating a positive experience for them. establishing a social connection. Be sure to maintain a healthy balance of eye contact with A Dental Assistant is a Patient Advocate Whenever you’re in a situation that is challenging or foreign, what usually helps? PG 12 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

Relieving Dental Anxiety continued the patient throughout the appointment. During Remember, working through anxieties and phobias treatment, periodically check in with the patient takes time. So, don’t get discouraged if a patient re- by making eye contact and ask them how they sponds with various emotions. are doing. Read their body language. If they seem excessively stressed, consider suggesting taking a Let them know that the key with dental anxiety is to break for a moment. make a commitment to move forward at their own pace. Every person deserves to be healthy, and a big part of 5. Share calming techniques – Most people with good health starts with the mouth. anxiety disorders have their own go-to methods for lowering anxiety. Nevertheless, be prepared Dr. Charles Sutera , FAGD, is a doctor with information about different techniques of dental medicine, TMJ specialist, that patients might find helpful. Distractions board-certified in moderate dental are great for lowering anxiety. Be prepared anesthesiology, and renowned for high to offer concessions that may help, like taking profile cosmetic dental reconstructions. breaks, using distractions like music or a movie, a He is a Fellow of the Academy of Gen- weighted blanket, and/or simply learning as much eral Dentistry and is the founder of his about the procedure as possible. dental practice, Aesthetic Smile Recon- struction. Got News? Send your press releases to [email protected]. November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 13

Refocusing for a More Professional You in 2021 By Natalie Kaweckyj, LDA, RF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPFDA, CRFDA, MADAA, BA One of the positive things a new year brings to or too all-encompassing, these resolutions become us is the opportunity to restart with a different repetitive year after year because we never attained our mindset if the previous year was a challenge… goals. Many career and life coaches recommend writing and what a challenge 2020 was to all of us in one resolutions or goals that are SMART: respect or another! With the onset of the pandemic in the early part of 2020 and the uncertainty of the health • Specific – deciding exactly what you want to achieve, status of the nation in the last six weeks of the year, and by when. Set both short-term and long-term many of us are rethinking personal and professional goals with different start and end dates. goals. Each of us have experienced different things throughout this year from personal or family health to • Measurable – know what a successful outcome disruption of our work environment. A few of us may would look like. have reconsidered our career path while for others, the chaos and crises experienced may have solidified our • Attainable – make your goals challenging but passion for what we do on a daily basis. achievable. For the students enrolled in their programs during • Relevant – address areas of your personal and these extraordinary times: we are here to help you professional life that are important to you. through your journey on becoming a dental assisting professional! For our student members, we do have a • Trackable – establish how you are going to gauge network of dental assistants that can help navigate you your progress, which will be ongoing. on your journey. We know from experience how truly Getting into the right mindset to make changes, large frightening it can be to start on a path to a new career with a new vocabulary and knowledge base, networking or small, takes motivation. Understand WHY you want (especially during a pandemic) and making sense of to achieve a particular goal. Make a list of all of the ways regulatory compliance. We are here to help! you will benefits in achieving it because you need to un- derstand why it will be worthwhile to make the change. For the established dental assisting professional, Analyze where you currently are in reaching that goal: feeling a little stagnant or lacking the energy you once the strengths that will help you, the weaknesses that had? Perhaps you need a little spark of passion in your may deter you and the opportunities along the way that professional life. Take advantage of what ADAA has to will assist in reaching your goal. offer in terms of leadership opportunities at the local and state level, or request to serve on a council or com- Determine what you will need to invest in your goals, mittee on the national level. It is a fulfilling way to meet whether time, money, sanity, etc. If it is important like minded individuals and generate some renewed enough to you, your sacrifices will pay off in the end. passion in your career. Consider challenging yourself Lastly, look for support to achieve your goals and with ADAA’s professional development in Fellowship and resolutions. This is where having a colleague as a men- Mastership…a truly rewarding experience for all who tor can make your dreams a reality. We exist temporarily complete their quest! by what we take, and live on forever through what we give…consider giving back to your profession. Visit the For those who may have retired from the profession ADAA website at www.adaausa.org for opportunities but maintain your membership within the ADAA, abounding. Resolve to make it a great New Year! consider mentoring another dental assistant. We can all learn from one another…Most professionals who Natalie Kaweckyj, a two-time ADAA yearn success focus almost entirely on themselves, not President, is a licensed dental assistant other professionals, when they begin their professional practicing in Minneapolis, MN holding journey. all six of DANB’s certifications. She is very active in the expansion of the Many of us make New Year’s resolutions for our- dental assisting profession through selves personally, but do you also make professional leadership, education and regulation, resolutions? We tend to focus on areas that need both nationally and internationally. change. When we make resolutions that are too general She enjoys giving back to dentistry the passion she has through mentoring. [email protected] PG 14 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

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ANSWER SHEET Name: CIRCLE ONE: Address: Member / NonMember City/State/Zip: Membership#: Daytime Phone: Email: _________________________________________________________ TEAM HUDDLE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING COVID-19 GUIDANCE IN DENTAL SETTINGS - 1 credit Select one answer per question. 1. A B C D 6. A B C D 2. A B C D 7. A B C D 3. A B C D 8. A B C D 4. A B C D 9. A B C D 5. A B C D 10. A B C D TO RECEIVE CE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE If you are a member of ADAA, please enclose a check in the amount of $10 payable to ADAA to cover the cost of grading and processing. If you are not an ADAA member, please enclose a check in the amount of $15 payable to ADAA to cover the cost of grading and processing. The Answer Sheet must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2021, in order for the post-test to be graded. All post-tests received not postmarked by, or received after, Jan. 31, 2021, will not be graded. Certificates will be emailed to all who pass the test. PLEASE MAIL THE COMPLETED ANSWER SHEET TO: AMERICAN DENTAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION 140 N Bloomingdale Road Bloomingdale, IL 60108-1017 QUESTIONS? CONTACT: 877.874.3785 PG 26 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

COURSE EVALUATION We would love to hear your thoughts on course TEAM HUDDLE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING COVID-19 GUIDANCE IN DENTAL SETTINGS Please take the time to fill out the course evaluation. It helps us in our effort to give you the best quality courses available! Please circle your response to the following statements. (5=Excellent to 1= Poor.) Please rate the course overall 5 4 3 3 1 Clarity of test questions 5 4 3 2 1 Did this course meet its educational objectives? Yes No Would you take another ADAA course? Yes No How much time did it take you to finish the course? Hrs. Mins. Topics that are of interest to you? 1. 2. 3. Return the evaluation to ADAA with your answer sheet November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 27

ADAA Fellowships and Masterships Awarded Fellowship and Mastership in the 2020 Masters American Dental Assistants Association Cathleen L. Meyer-Butler, CDA, MADAA A standard of professional achievement, the status of Cathleen currently lives in Indiana and received her Fellowship or Mastership in one of America's healthcare Mastership in February 2020. She is a life member of organizations is a coveted level of professional the ADAA since 1990, was active in different committees recognition; recognized and accepted accomplishments and was the ADAA 6th District Trustee from 2008-2011. among one's peers. The benefits of obtaining these Cathleen has been very active with the IDAA as an officer credentials are numerous for the practice with and delegate and held various offices, numerous times which you are affiliated and for the dental health as President and Treasurer, since 1999. She is Treasurer care consumer. Some of the benefits are advanced for Big Long Lake Cottager’s Association (2019-2020). knowledge leading to increased value to your patients Ms. Meyer-Butler is currently on the ADAA Council of and practice, enhanced confidence in your dental Governance committee and the Indiana U./Purdue U., assisting capabilities, public recognition of professional Fort Wayne Advisory Board, Secretary and Chairman achievement and increased self-esteem! committees. The American Dental Assistants Association offers Gilah E. Gersten, AS, BA, CDA, Fellowship and then Mastership within its membership. MADAA There are two paths to these goals, clinical and business. Gilah has worked in the dental field for over 12 years and is Fellowship is available only to ADAA members and currently employed (for eight only to those who have documented the prescribed years) as a dental assistant and educational achievements. To obtain Fellowship status, office manager for Dental Works a person must complete a minimum of 300 hours of in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. She continuing education in specific dental topics through resides in Bristol, Connecticut and a combination of lecture, participation and home study has been an active ADAA member courses. since 2009. Ms. Gersten is the Co- Treasurer and past Co-Vice President for the CTDAA and To obtain Mastership status, a member must first is also a delegate. Other community interests for Gilah become an ADAA Fellow. Candidates will then complete have been the Connecticut Mission of Mercy and various 400 hours of additional continuing education in a variety mission trips. Gilah was educated at A.I. Prince Technical of advanced subject categories through a combination School, Johnson & Wales University and finished dental of lecture, participation, and home study courses. hygiene school at Goodwin University in the spring of Mastership candidates must also document hours in 2019. volunteer community dental service. Candidates have ten years to complete each of the Fellowship and Mastership requirements. If you have any questions about these programs, contact Jennifer Porter, ADAA Membership Director, at jporter@adaausa. org. PG 28 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

ADAA Fellowships and Masterships Awarded continued 2020 Fellows Monica S. Patel, BDS, CDA, FADAA Jillian Lomax, EdM, CDA, COA, Monica Patel lives in Boston, EFDA-RF, EFODA, FADAA Massachusetts and has evolved Ms. Lomax, who resides in Salem, in the dental field from relocating Oregon, has been a dental to the U.S. after graduating dental assistant for over 12 years and a school from Rajasthan University member of ADAA and ODAA since of Health and Science in 2017 2010. Jillian has been working for to pursue further education. In three years for the Chemeketa between her path to get into Community College and is the the Advanced Standing Program in the U.S., Monica is Dental Assisting Program Chair. working as a full-time dental assistant at East Boston She was the Oregon Dental Assistant CODA Consortium Neighborhood Health Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Liaison from 2019-2020 and is now on the Community She has been an active ADAA member since January Involvement Committee for the ODAA (2020-2021). Jillian 2020, finished her fellowship in May 2020, and is onto was educated at Oregon State University and received the Mastership. She is also on the Committee of Student a Master’s degree in Adult Education. Jillian’s husband Involvement and has volunteered in co-authoring Adam and her children, Grace and Emma, have been CE courses for ADAA. Monica’s family has been very her source of encouragement and support during her supportive and encouraging throughout her journey. professional journey. She is excited to start the Advanced Standing Program at Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Sally A. Mucha, CDA, RDA, CTA, Medicine Class of 2023. FADAA Sally Mucha currently lives Stacey Lorraine Simon, BA, in New York and has been a RDA, CDA, COA, EFDA, FADAA dental assistant for 40 years! Stacey Simon lives in Cedar Ms. Mucha has been an active Rapids, Iowa and has been ADAA member since 2016. She working in the dental field has been employed by Michael for three years. She has been McCormick, DMD in E. Aurora, employed with Eastern Iowa New York, for 16 years as a dental Dental Center for two years. assistant and clinical coordinator. Ms. Simon has been an ADAA Sally was educated at Monroe Community College. Ms. member since 2017 and is Mucha is supported by her husband Chris and their son currently the IDAA Treasurer. Christopher. She was educated at Kirkwood Community College and University of Northern Iowa. Stacey earned an AAS in Dental Assisting, her CDA and COA in 2017 and became an EFDA in 2018. Ms. Simon volunteers at His Hands Free Clinic as a PRN Dental Assistant. Stacey’s husband, Larry, has been her source of encouragement and support during her professional journey November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 29

ADAA Fellowships and Masterships Awarded continued Carman R. Duerr, CDA, RDA, Sarah L. Siroka, CDA, RDA, FADAA FADAA Carman Duerr, who resides in Sarah Siroka lives in Lincoln Wolverton, Minnesota, has been Park, New Jersey and has been a dental assistant for 17 years working in the dental field for 43 and is currently employed with years. She has been employed Anderson & Breding Dental, with IQ Dental Education as an located in Fargo, North Dakota. instructor over two years and Carman has been an ADAA previously was a chairside dental member since 2017 and is assistant for 42 years. Ms. Siroka currently a state representative for the NDDAA. Carman has been an ADAA member since 1991, is the current was educated at Wahpeton-NDSCS and volunteers President of the NJDAA, and was recently elected as the at Red River Valley Dental Access project. Carman’s ADAA Secretary. Sarah is also an active member of the husband Bradley and children Decker, Archer, and Lincoln Park EMS as Deputy Chief (2017, 2014, 2020), new baby Braya have been her sources of support and Chief (2007-08, 2015), and President (2006, 2014, 2018). encouragement during her professional career. She was awarded the Maggie Banta Achievement Award and Outstanding Leadership Award. Ms. Siroka was Guinevere B. Juckett, CDA, educated at Davenport University. EFDA, CPFDA, CRFDA, FADAA Guinevere Juckett currently lives Jessica R. Campbell, EFDA, in Rome, Ohio and has been FADAA working in the dental field for 30 Jessica Campbell, who resides years. She has been employed in Gladstone, Oregon, has been with Amir P. Shaibani, DMD, as a dental assistant for five years an Office Manager/EFDA for over and is currently employed as a 20 years. Ms. Juckett has been an lead dental assistant with Gentle ADAA member since 2016. She is Dental, where she has worked for also a member of AADOM, Ohio four years. Jessica has been an EFDA Association, and is serving her second term on ADAA member since April 2020. the Board of Trustees for The DALE Foundation. Other Mrs. Campbell was educated at Concorde Career College career activities include the OSAP-DALE Foundation and received her EFDA in 2018. Jessica’s husband Erik Dental Infection Control Certificate Program in 2020 has been her source of support and encouragement and the Great Lakes Education Center Level 1 and Level during her professional career. 2 Cerec Design Assistant Certificate in 2009. Guinevere completed her EFDA education at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Her children, Kristen and Kevin, along with the appreciation from her employing doctor, have been her source of encouragement and support during her professional journey. PG 30 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020

ADAA Fellowships and Masterships Awarded continued Matthew Robert Wilkinson, BA, CDA, FADAA Matt Wilkinson works in South Portland, Maine, and has been a dental assistant for four years. He is employed with Jean-Paul Boudreau DMD, LLC as a Dental Assistant/Infection Control Coordinator. Mr. Wilkinson has been an ADAA member since February of 2020 and is an Allied Dental Team Member with the Maine Dental Association. He is also a member of OSAP and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Matt earned the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate in March of 2020. Mr. Wilkinson was educated at the University of Southern Maine, earning a degree in Political Science with Minors in Biology and Biochemistry. On behalf of the ADAA Board of Directors, Trustees, Members and Staff, we congratulate you all on this fine accomplishment! Congratulations to all our new Masters and Fellows! November/December 2020 The Dental Assistant PG 31

From the Archives President’s Address By Ethel Mays Whitenton, Memphis, Tenn. Presented before the 16th Annual Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1940. Published in the Nov/Dec 1940 issue of The Dental Assistant journal. As we come to this Sixteenth Annual Meeting Ohio, and the Los Angeles Junior College, Los Angeles, of the American Dental Assistants· Association California. we are filled with mingled feelings of joy, satisfaction and hope. Our organization continues to discourage the itiner- ant commercial instructor whose object is to sell knowl- There are listed in our Official Program—for edge not in accord with the ideals of this association. the first time—twenty-eight societies that were affiliated during the past year. Seven The A.D.A.A. offers the opportunity of writing hundred and seventyf­ive members were and speaking. Its varied activities and added to our roster. The theme for the study classes add stimulus year was Progress, which has been effected to lives and kindle in many ways, due to the loyal efforts of keener interest in the the membership as a whole. “Give Your pursuit of duties. The Best To Get Its Best” was the slogan. use of the A.D.A. Library The whole-hearted co-operation and Bureau is our privilege. achievements of members this year The A.D.A.A. inspires its have been heartening. They have members to expend their worked hard to build and maintain best efforts toward the an organization that would continue association and to their to be a source of inspiration, individual offices. helpfulness and pride. Emerson The enthusiasm of the said in speaking of achievement: meetings is contagious and “The height of the pinnacle is carries over for many months. determined by the breadth of the For our annual dues we base.” The base or foundation of also receive six copies per our splendid organization has year of our Dental Assistant the depth and breadth that the Journal, which has long been a American Dental Association recognized organ among dental helped our Founder to estab- editors. Through its pages we read lish. It was with the sanction of plans of other societies; we have and guidance of the A.D.A that we were the benefit of reading splendid organized and the addition of departments and papers published therein; the features during development have brought our associa- Journal is a means of self expression tion to greater heights. through which we share ideas. It is well to recount some advantages offered to Too much cannot be said in praise of members of the A.D.A.A. and to take an inventory of and tribute to our editor, Juliette A. Southard, who on ourselves in relation to the parent body. The A.D.A.A. September 1, 1939, accepted full-time editorship. Her Membership makes fellowship and friendship of more devotion to the cause of our association, her constant than 3,150 members throughout the United States and interest in its developments are a definite part of her Canada. It also offers an added incentive to travel. The life. What more appropriate means of expressing our A.D.A.A. steers the course of dental assistants towards sincere devotion and appreciation could we offer than professionalism and protects them from unionism. to honor her with a Testimonial Dinner? So I hereby Many educational advantages are the privilege of mem- recommend that the American Dental Association bers. Through the work of the Education Committee sponsor a Testimonial Dinner for Juliette A. Southard, there are now established courses for dental assistants founder, to be held at a suitable time and place before in the following reputable dental schools: North Pacific the conclusion of the 1941 Annual Meeting. College, Portland, Oregon; Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Now, it is apropos to review some things that the assistant can offer her association. First of all, she can be a good member. To do that she will cooperate with PG 32 The Dental Assistant November/December 2020