by Great Expressions expands in Texas with Dallas and San Antonio affiliations
Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) (Southfield, MI) expanded its presence in Texas through an affiliation with eight Floss practices. With the addition of the eight Floss practices, GEDC’s footprint now spans 30 offices across the state, including locations in the Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin metropolitan areas. This partnership will help GEDC further strengthen the exceptional and convenient care it provides and develop future doctor leaders. GEDC provides comprehensive affordable dental services through a network featuring more than 900 dentists and hygienists, all under a single brand and operating philosophy. Terms of the affiliation were not disclosed.
OSAP announces new executive director
The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) (Atlanta, GA) announced Christina Thomas as the new executive director, effective July 1, 2017. Since joining OSAP in 2016 in a senior management capacity, Thomas has enhanced corporate member partnerships, provided oversight to policy development, introduced new marketing initiatives and expanded the reach of the association. Therese Long, current executive director, will move into the role of emeritus director.
Patterson announces leadership transition
Patterson Companies Inc announced that Scott P. Anderson, president, CEO, and chairman of the board, will step down from those roles effective immediately. He will continue to serve as a director until the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, but will not stand for re-election to the board. James W. Wiltz, a current director and Patterson’s former CEO, will assume the role of interim president and CEO. John D. Buck, currently the company’s lead director, will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board. The company’s board of directors has formed a search committee and retained Spencer Stuart to begin an immediate search for a permanent president and CEO.
Aspen Dental opens first of 11 new offices in Louisiana
The first of 11 Aspen Dental-branded practices in Louisiana opened in Covington on May 18, 2017. The dental office is led by Dr. Chedly Schatzie Vincent. Dr. Vincent and her team will provide dental services ranging from dentures and preventive care to general dentistry and restoration. As part of Aspen Dental’s Healthy Mouth Movement community giving initiative, the Covington office will provide free dental care to veterans on June 24. Ten additional Aspen Dental practices are scheduled to open in 2017. The 11 new Aspen Dental practices are located in 10 different parishes, eight of which have dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indiana University School of Dentistry Student Outreach Clinic wins $100K grant to expand treatment for poor
The Indiana University School of Dentistry Student Outreach Clinic has won a $100,000 grant from a new USA Today Network nationwide program called A Community Thrives. The program provides free dental care to uninsured adults in a poverty-stricken Indianapolis neighborhood. With the money, the program will be able to expand services at its east-side health center, where student dentists treat those who have nowhere else to go. Additionally, the program serves as a training ground for the dental students. Patients can get oral cancer screenings, cleanings, fillings, and extractions. All student dental services are supervised by IU faculty dentist volunteers.
Washington state passes DSO bill
Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that will help ensure continued access to affordable, quality dental care for every Washingtonian. SB 5322 passed unanimously in both the House and Senate before being sent to Governor Inslee in late April. The bill covers agreements between dentists and third parties that provide supportive services to dentists. The new law will allow persons not licensed to practice dentistry to: own or lease assets used by a dental practice; employ or contract for the services of personnel other than dental professionals; provide business support and management services to a dental practice; and receive fees for any of these services as agreed to by the dental practice owner or owners. SB 5322 goes into effect July 23, 2017.
Hu-Friedy launches company blog
Hu-Friedy (Chicago, IL) launched its company blog, with the goal of enhanced digital engagement with the dental community. The company believes that for dental professionals to perform at their best, they must have access to the best information. The Hu-Friedy Blog will focus on a broad array of topics including, instrumentation, infection prevention, implantology, and many more. The blog will also address issues such as social responsibility in dentistry, continuing education trends, and new ways for dental professionals to connect and collaborate via social media. A key component of Hu-Friedy’s blog will be to leverage its extensive network of key opinion leaders (KOLs). The company plans to feature a point-of-view from one of its 600+ KOLs on every blog post and is looking forward to comments and questions from blog readers and subscribers. Visit the blog at: http://www.hu-friedy.com/blog
