The Newsletter of the Tidewater Dental Association VOL. LXII, NO. 1 EDITOR: ROD M. ROGGE, D.D.S. WINTER 2019 ANNUAL VDA DAY ON THE HILL Twelve members of the Tidewater Dental Association attended the Annual VDA Day on the Hill on January 18, 2019. The key note address featured Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, an attorney, a graduate of Duke and Columbia Universities, and a board member of Duke University. He spoke to the Virginia Dental Association members on several dental issues, and enthusiastically applauded the VDA’s Missions of Mercy, Donated Dental Services, and Give Kids a Smile programs. His wife is a practicing dentist in Fairfax, and he spoke very knowledgably about the finan- cial and business challenges dentists face today. Later on that same day, he stepped on the dais of the Virginia Senate to protest a commemoration of Robert E. Lee. He described the freedom document of his great-great- Drs Laxa, Clark, Morgan, Meares, Zapatero, Leidy, Rogge great grandfather, which he received only last year. Before with Sen DeSteph’s aide he went to the General Assembly, he gave the VDA mem- bers a brief history of how this document was presented to him last January at his inauguration, and how his family name was acquired from Lord Fairfax, who freed his ances- tor. It was a very moving story, and was a stirring example of an American success story. Drs. Clarke, Hendricks, Hamlin, Morgan, Meares, Zapatero, Laxa with Del Chris Stolle New Phone Number for TDA Office 757-481-2200 Please update your records Drs. Rogge, Meares and Zapatero with Del Jason Miyares WINTER 2019 TIDE-DENT NEWS PAGE 2 Drugs Issues OFFICERS Drugmakers Raise Prices on Hundreds of Medicines PRESIDENT: Dr. Adrian Laxa ................... 497-1450 The Wall Street Journal (1/1, A1, Hopkins, Subscription Publication) reports that a new analysis from Rx Savings Solutions shows pharmaceutical compa- PRESIDENT-ELECT: nies are increasing prices on hundreds of drugs this year. According to the Dr. Harlan Hendricks .......... 486-4469 analysis, more than three dozen drugmakers raised prices on hundreds of VICE PRESIDENT: medicines Tuesday. The Journal adds that overall, the price increases are in Dr. Zaneta Hamlin .............. 623-0283 excess of inflation. Price-Fixing is Rampant TREASURER: Dr. C. Danielle Howell ........ 539-7695 in Generic Drug Industry, Investigators Say The Los Angeles Times (12/13, Rowland) reports investigators say that the RECORDING SECRETARY: generic drug industry is full of price-fixing schemes, and that executives at Dr. Stephen Haupt .............. 340-7602 big generics companies “had a form of shorthand to describe how they con- PARLIAMENTARIAN: ducted business.” The article outlines some of the terms used by insiders to Dr. Neil Landy .................... 490-3830 fix prices, and describes the evolution of a small antitrust lawsuit brought in 2016 that “has exploded into an investigation of alleged price-fixing involving EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE at least 16 companies and 300 drugs.” Dr. J. Patrick Baker .................... 440-1360 ••• Dr. Jessica Clark ........................ 467-7797 ADA, Other Organizations Ask Congress Dr. Carmen Cote ........................ 587-4433 Dr. Greg Engel ........................... 486-7857 To Permanently Repeal Medical Device Tax Dr. Nichols Maddux .................... 499-3530 The ADA News (12/12, Garvin) reports that the American Dental Association Dr. David T. Marshall .................. 489-4221 Dr. Pam Morgan ......................... 627-7550 and “more than 140 other organizations” are “asking Congress to permanently Dr. Richard Quigg ...................... 496-6690 repeal the medical device tax, although it appears the only move Congress is Dr. Rod Rogge ........................... 333-7444 taking so far is a proposed 5-year moratorium.” Dr. John Ross ............................ 340-2356 The article reports that in a December 5 letter to congressional leaders, the “stakeholders shared their ‘deep concern’ regarding the impact of the IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT medical device excise tax – which is scheduled to be reinstated in 2020 – and Dr. David T. Marshall .................. 489-4221 the future of medical technology innovation.” In the letter, the groups call for a “full repeal” of the device tax so that “the medical technology industry VDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Anthony Peluso ..................... 420-4035 can continue innovating new approaches to managing chronic health issues, improving the overall quality of life and developing technologies that could FERRIS-DONNE FOUNDATION revolutionize the way we treat disease and illness in this country.” Dr. James Krochmal ................... 440-7777 A week after the stakeholders sent the letter, “the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee introduced legislation that called for a 5-year moratorium on the TIDE-DENT NEWS medical device tax – delaying it until 2025.” ••• ROD M. ROGGE, D.D.S., Editor Settlement In Class Action Lawsuit Against Dental Companies 762 Independence Blvd The ADA News (1/10, Garvin) reports that a federal court “approved the $80 Virginia Beach, VA 23455 million settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit against dental product [email protected] companies accused of violating antitrust laws by fixing prices on dental equip- ——— ment and supplies.” The preliminary approval of the settlement issued on Tuesday, Jan. 8, indicates “any person or company that purchased dental prod- ANGIE DEACON Executive Secretary ucts directly from Henry Schein, Patterson, Benco, Burkhart or any combi- PO Box 986 nation of those companies between Aug. 31, 2008, and March 31, 2016, may Virginia Beach, VA 23451 participate in the class.” The article reports that “dental products and equip- [email protected] ment covered in the suit include such items as gloves, hand instruments, Telephone: ............................... 481-2200 face masks, toothbrushes, anesthetic solutions, imaging devices, dental chairs, CAD/CAM systems, and the like.” PAGE 3 TIDE-DENT NEWS WINTER 2019 President’s Message January 18 marked the annual Virginia Dental Associa- team effort that I enjoy most about my membership with tion Day on the Hill in Richmond, Virginia. This was my first the TDA, VDA, and ADA. time attending this event along with the other members As we all know, our profession goes through many changes. from throughout the Commonwealth. The Virginia Dental I think it is safe to say there will be more issues that arise in Association member dentists had a great showing, filling our profession that will require “boots on the ground” to con- up the ballroom at the Omni Richmond Hotel. Lieutenant tinue to protect it. Without all of the volunteers at the TDA Governor Justin Fairfax was our guest speaker for the morn- and VDA levels, what would happen to our profession? For- ing breakfast meeting. To have someone in that position, tunately, our membership at the VDA and TDA has stayed that is personally tied to our profession, is such a privilege. strong. We have reached historic numbers in membership His wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, is a VDA member practicing in with over 3000 active licensed members. Let us continue Northern Virginia. this upward trend, and I urge you to take advantage of the renewal process for your membership. Reach out to your colleagues who may not be members, and remind them how much your tripartite membership does for our profession. Benefits at the local level: — Legislative Committee (addresses issues affecting the dental profession) — Patient Relations/Peer Review Committee (mediation - hearing patient disputes) — Continuing Education (TDA is an ADA-CERP recognized provider and AGD PACE provider) Drs. Laxa, Hamlin, Hendricks, Zapatero, Morgan, Meares, Clarke with Del Barry Knight — Quarterly Newsletter (Tide-Dent News) — Socials Our main efforts for this year was focused on House Bill — Camaraderie of fellow professionals No. 1682. This bill would require transparency when insur- — Volunteer Opportunities ance companies lease out their networks. Our Tidewater Sincerely, Dental Association members went room to room in the Pocahontas Building, meeting with different legislators to Adrian M. Laxa, D.D.S. discuss the bill, and its impact on our profession. It is this ••• A Step Closer! Jan 23, 2019 •VDA Bill HB1682 advances! Many thanks to the nearly 100 VDA dentists and VCU and talking points, available at dental students who attended the VDA Day on the Hill on (https://www.vadental.org/docs/librariesprovider51/default- January 18! Largely due to the legislative contacts made document-library/vda-hb1682-talking-points.pdf?sfvrsn=2) by members during that day and prior, HB1682 passed the — Request a meeting with your legislators and meet with full House on January 21. It is now moving forward to be them- schedule a visit with them in Richmond or reviewed by the Senate. back in the district. Share the information on If you were unable to attend the Day on the Hill? You HB1682 with them during the meeting. can still make an impact! — Call your legislators’ offices and ask to speak with an • Thank your Delegate for supporting HB1682 and contact aide or assistant to share the bill information with your state Senator today and ask that they support them over the phone. HB1682 and sign on as a co-patron. • How should you communicate with your legislators? Need Assistance finding your legislators or contacting them? — Email or mail a personal note to your legislators with • To find your legislators (Delegate and Senator), please a copy of the HB1682, available at visit http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/ and fill (https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+ful+HB1682) in your home address. WINTER 2019 TIDE-DENT NEWS PAGE 4 FALL SOCIAL AND NEW MEMBER GREET The Tidewater Dental Association had a Social on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at the historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. Members gathered in the Hunt Room, enjoying delightful hors d’oeuvres and fine beers and cock- tails. It was particularly rewarding to see new dentists and non-members engaging with the executive committee of the TDA. Future social events are being planned, so look for postings on the TDA website and the TideDent News.