AAOMS
saving faces | changing lives®
Volume 10, Issue 3
May/June 2012
In This Issue
AAOMS President’s
Column............................... 2
Coding Corner..................16
Treasurer’s Account..........16
Practice Management
Matters..............................20
Calendar............................22
PAGE 4
The specialty’s presence was at the OR, AAOMS fellow Dr. Eduardo
it’s strongest yet at the 2012
Day on the Hill.
PAGE 8
The two candidates for AAOMS
vice president speak their mind on
the issues before the specialty.
PAGE 14
Learn where a 2008 OMS
Foundation-supported study
on TMJ tissue engineering
stands today.
saving faces | changing lives ®
2012 AAOMS
Annual Meeting
Registration
Now Open
Register by July 1SanHilton
Diego Convention Center
for Sanbest
Diego Bayfront
selection, best value
The 94th AAOMS Annual Meeting,
Scientific Sessions and Exhibition
will convene September 10-15, 2012
in picture-perfect San Diego, CA.
AAOMS members who register for the
meeting by July 1 will save $200 on
the meeting registration fee. The fee
increases $100 on July 2 and another
$100 on August 1. Early registrants
also have the best chance of securing
their first choice of educational
sessions as tickets to limited
attendance courses are distributed on
a first come-first served basis.
Complete information on educational
sessions, meeting registration and
housing accommodations is available
at aaoms.org. Check the Web site
regularly for the latest in annual
meeting details.
TODAY A publication of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Life-changing transplant expands the
future of facial reconstruction
A
fter seven years of research,
10 rehearsals with 10 pairs
of cadavers, a real time
surgical rehearsal, and 36 hours in
Rodriguez and his team of four
surgeons and more than 150 nurses
and support staff at the University
of Maryland Medical Center in
Baltimore succeeded this past March
in performing the most extensive face
transplant in history. Not only did
they give Richard Norris new skin
and a new nose, they also gave him
upper and lower jaws, teeth and a
portion of the tongue.
“It was the biggest surgical event
I’ve witnessed in my life,” Rodriguez
reflects, 15 days after the surgery. “It
was like landing the Apollo mission
on the moon. Having done it, it still
feels surreal. It’s amazing. Everything
went so well because everyone
worked so well together.”
Rodriguez is perhaps one of the
few people in the world qualified
to lead such a production: not only
is he an OMS, he’s also a plastic
surgeon who completed a fellowship
in reconstructive microsurgery in
Taiwan, 23 years of training in all.
Rodriguez first met Norris in 2005—
the same year a team of French
surgeons completed the world’s first
Face transplant team (from left to right): Amir H. Dorafshar, MBChB, Michael R.
Christy, MD, MA, Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS, Branko Bojovic, MD, and
Daniel E. Borsuk, MD
facial transplant—when he tried
through more conventional
surgeries to repair Norris’s face,
which had been destroyed in a
shooting accident in 1997.
“We did 12 surgeries,”
Rodriguez recalls, “and they
did improve his appearance a
bit. We gave him a maxilla, a
mandible and soft tissue in the
face, but it wasn’t solving the Patient before surgery
primary problem: he had no lips
and was missing the anterior
two-thirds of his tongue. He didn’t
look normal.”
“He wore surgical masks when he
had to go out in public,” Rodriguez
continues. “He was embarrassed.
Humanity is cruel. He couldn’t eat
in public because he had no teeth. It
was difficult to watch him. He would
break up the food with his hands—
his hands became his teeth—and
move it to the back of his throat. He
wants to be a functioning member
of society. He’s the most giving and
courageous person I know. He didn’t
want to live that way anymore.”
But to perform a surgery as radical
as a complete face transplant and
maxillofacial reconstruction took
years of preparation. Rodriguez and
his team did a thorough review of
all the medical literature and clinical
Photograph Courtesy of Coos Hamburger
Patient after surgery
research, from the basic science
behind the procedure to the latest
medicines available.
Because the surgery is considered
experimental, Rodriguez and his
team had to get the approval of the
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
at University of Maryland School
of Medicine, which was a lengthy
process. “When you talk about
removing the face from one person
and putting it on another, it raises a
lot of questions,” Rodriguez notes
wryly.
With such an extensive surgical
plan, plenty of rehearsals were
necessary to make sure everyone
knew what to do and when. The
other four surgeons involved had
either been trained by Rodriguez
or were longtime associates, but
there were also residents, nurses,
anesthesiologists and scrub techs all
rotating in and out of the operating
room over the course of multiple
shifts. The team did 10 practice
surgeries on 10 pairs of cadavers; the
final “dress rehearsal” in November
2011 was done in real time.
“By the time of the transplant,” says
Rodriguez, “we had exercised every
opportunity. We were truly ready.
There were no flaws. We didn’t miss
a beat.”
The surgeries began simultaneously
on the morning of March 19 in
adjacent ORs, with the doctors
recreating Norris’s facial defect and
Continued on page 20
 AAOMS TODAY
Volume 10, Issue 3
IN MY VIEW
May/June 2012
AAOMS Today is published six times a year by the
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
United we stand
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the opinions expressed
and statements made in AAOMS Today do not imply
endorsements by, nor official policy of, AAOMS.

Daniel M. Laskin, DDS, MS, Editor

It was a chilly March day in 1799, as advantageous, supportive and
Robert C. Rinaldi, PhD, CAE, Executive Director orator Patrick Henry spoke out against effective for almost a century. Given
Janice K. Teplitz, Associate Executive Director the Kentucky and Virginia Resolves, the tremendous changes in oral and
Janie K. Dunham, Manager, Editorial
which favored the right of states to maxillofacial surgery over the last
AAOMS declare unconstitutional any acts of decade and the predictions for even
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701 Congress that were not authorized by greater change in the future, this
847/678-6200, fax 847/678-6286
www.aaoms.org
the Constitution. In what was to be his seems to be an opportune time to
final public address, Henry proclaimed, consider whether AAOMS continues
OFFICERS
Arthur C. Jee, DMD, President
“United we stand, divided we fall. Let us to serve a purpose for its specialized
301/498-3900 Fax: 301/317-4758 not split into factions which must destroy fellows and members. Are we still Arthur C. Jee, DMD
E-mail: ajeeone@aol.com
13934 Baltimore Avenue
that union upon which our existence the answer for all OMSs? Do we still
Laurel, Maryland 20707 hangs.” represent all OMSs in the United
Miro A. Pavelka, DDS, MSD, President-elect
States? Health care in the United States is

W
972/231-6661 Fax: 972/231-3161
E-mail: mapavelka@msn.com henever and wherever I changing by virtue of the recent
400 S. Cottonwood
Richardson, Texas 75080-5708 promote the specialty of Although a rather small health care enactment of health care reform
Eric T. Geist, DDS, Vice President oral maxillofacial surgery, organization in terms of fellows and legislation and its consequential
318/388-2621 Fax: 381/388-2835
E-mail: etgoms@comcast.net I most frequently state that the members (approximately 9,500), reimbursement models. If we are
Oral Surgery Associates advantages of oral and maxillofacial AAOMS commands significant to survive the coming health care
2003 Forsythe Avenue
Monroe, Louisiana 71201-4938 surgery as a specialty are its broad prestige and influence in the revolution, it is critical we hone
Brett L. Ferguson, DDS, Treasurer scope of practice, and the latitude national healthcare arena. And a potent organization, amass
816/404-4355 Fax: 816/404-4359
E-mail: brett.ferguson@tmcmed.org this scope confers upon every OMS AAOMS’s influence is continuing the largest membership numbers
Truman Medical Center, Dept. of Dentistry, OMS
practitioner—from to be recognized as possible, and develop strategic
2301 Holmes Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64108 hospital to private office a result of our many coalitions and collaborations that
Larry J. Moore, DDS, MS, Immediate Past President
to academician, research, "Despite practice collaborations and espouse the association’s goals.
909/606-0160 Fax: 909/606-4061
E-mail: drljmoore@aol.com teaching, surgery from diversities... there coalitions within and Fortunately, AAOMS has the
4200 Chino Hills Pkwy, Suite 805
dentoalveolar to head organizational structure already
Chino Hills, California 91709 has always been one outside the healthcare in place with our Committee on
Robert C. Rinaldi, PhD, CAE, and neck cancer, cranial industry.
Executive Director and Secretary
847/678-6200 Fax: 847/678-4302 base and clefts, from indissoluble element Governmental Affairs, our grass
E-mail: brinaldi@aaoms.org dental implants to that unified us—we I am very cognizant roots advocacy network, OMSPAC,
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701 reconstructive implants of the duality of the and our legislative and regulatory
are all dentists lobbyist in Washington, DC.
Steven R. Nelson, DDS, MS to sleep apnea­—the British model—office-
Speaker, House of Delegates
303/758-6850 Fax: 303/758-0729 scope of OMS covers the and we are all oral based “oral surgeon” AAOMS’s efforts are supporting
E-mail: snelson.omsf@gmail.com
gamut. and maxillofacial and the hospital-based such legislation as the Patients’
6850 E. Hampden Ave., Suite 202
Denver, Colorado 80224 “oral and maxillofacial Freedom to Choose Act, which
surgeons." would repeal the provisions of
TRUSTEES When I am promoting surgeon.” Because
Lawrence J. Busino, DDS, District I the American Association the British healthcare the Affordable Care Act that limit
518/446-1001 Fax: 518/446-0802
E-mail: lawrencebusino@gmail.com of Oral and Maxillofacial system and its training employee salary contributions to
Albany OMS Group
Surgeons, I state that its strength is system are quite different than that Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs);
2 Executive Park Drive
Albany, New York 12203 its “big tent” or “big umbrella” that of the United States, the duality Help Efficient, Accessible Low cost,
Louis K. Rafetto, DMD, District II
encompasses the width and breadth of their structure is not difficult Timely Healthcare (HEALTH)
302/477-1800 Fax: 302/477-0343
E-mail: lkrafetto@gmail.com of this extraordinary specialty. to understand. Likewise, it is Act of 2011, which would set
3512 Siverside Road, Suite 12
Wilmington, Delaware 19810-4941 AAOMS not only accommodates inappropriate to compare the US conditions for lawsuits arising from
J. David Johnson, Jr., DDS, District III the surgical diversities within model to the European or Asian healthcare liability claims regarding
865/482-1319 Fax: 865/481-3067
E-mail: jdjj1@aol.com OMS, we understand the absolute models because of the differences in healthcare goods or services, or any
OMS Specialists, PC surgical uniqueness of each type their education and training models. medical product affecting interstate
420 Laboratory Road
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830 of “diversity” and its value to the The US model of education and commerce; the Children’s Access
William J. Nelson, DDS, District IV specialty as a whole and to our training is truly unique, as is the US to Reconstructive Evaluation and
920/336-0989 Fax: 920/347-0868
E-mail: wnelson445@gmail.com patients. Our diversity has grown healthcare environment! Therefore, Surgery Act (CARES), which would
480 St. Mary’s Blvd.
more visible in recent years, perhaps, it is my belief that a single, unified require insurance companies,
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
Douglas W. Fain, DDS, MD, District V because our scope of practice has organization is still in the best including ERISA plans, that already
912/381-5194 Fax: 913/381-5215
continued to evolve and training interests of all oral and maxillofacial provide surgical benefits, to cover
E-mail: dfainddsmd@aol.com
Oral and Facial Surgical Assoc. has become even more specialized. surgeons in the US. This is especially corrective procedures that address
3700 W. 83rd St. Ste 203
Prairie Village, Kansas 66208-5120 Despite the practice diversities that true given the changing reality of congenital craniofacial anomalies
Henry C. Windell, DMD, District VI have come to characterize oral and today’s healthcare in the United for children age 21 and under; the
503/665-7882 Fax: 503/665-6983
E-mail: windellh@gmail.com maxillofacial surgery, there has States. Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative
24850 SE Stark Street, Ste 100 always been one indissoluble element Enhancement Act of 2011, which
Gresham, Oregon 97030-8317
that unified us—we are all dentists would make a technical fix to the
AAOMS ASSOCIATE
and we are all oral and maxillofacial existing Medicare statute to allow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Mark Adams, General Counsel, ext. 4350 surgeons. Together the resilience of OMSs to refer Medicare patients for
Randi V. Andresen, Advanced Education these two distinct bonds has proved physical therapy, and amending the
and Professional Affairs, ext. 4337
McCarran-Ferguson Act’s antitrust
Barbara S. Choyke, Continuing Education, Meetings
and Exhibits, ext. 4309 exemption for insurance companies.
Scott C. Farrell, Chief Financial Officer,
Business and Operations, ext. 4352
Janice K. Teplitz, Communications and Publications,
ext. 4336
Karin K. Wittich, Practice Management and
Governmental Affairs, ext. 4334

2 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012

Just as important, AAOMS advocacy
actively responds to regulatory
issues. This year we had direct
dialog with the White House Office
of National Drug Control Policy
regarding the issue of drug abuse
and drug diversion by patients and
the steps AAOMS believes can help
address the problem. It is critical
that AAOMS be at the table to assist
in the interpretation of these new
laws that are being enacted. Over
the years, AAOMS has labored to
develop meaningful representation
for all OMSs at the Relative Value
Update Committee (RUC), at the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS), and with Health and
Human Services (HHS). AAOMS’s
advocacy efforts represent all
AAOMS fellows and members,
including those whose practices are
concentrated in specialized areas.
AAOMS has also developed
strong relations with allied dental
and medical organizations. Our
relationship with the American
Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
has continued to strengthen with
AAOMS’s emphasis on the OMS
culture of safety. Our office-based
OMS anesthesia team model,
our Office Anesthesia Evaluation
program, and our educational
standards are also recognized by
our dental and medical colleagues.
AAOMS’s interactions with the
American College of Surgeons
(ACS) have resulted in the creation
of a section for OMSs who are
members of ACS, and we continue to
communicate with the ACS regarding
the role of oral and maxillofacial
surgeons on Level I and II trauma
teams. AAOMS also works with the
Institute for Safety in Office Based
Surgery (ISOBS), American Cleft
Palate – Craniofacial Association
(ACPA), American Association
for Dental Research (AADR), and
the American Dental Education
Association (ADEA), among others,
in activities that benefit all members,
including those with special interests.
AAOMS, likewise, provides a broad
range of educational opportunities
that address the needs of all fellows
and members. Whether it is the
annual meeting, the dental implant
conference, or the pre-annual
meeting symposia on Maxillofacial
Oncology and Reconstructive
Surgery and the Anesthesia Update
for the OMS, AAOMS’s Committee
on Continuing Education and
Professional Development (CCEPD)
has the depth of knowledge
to deliver quality educational
programs to these diverse venues.
The CCEPD and its subcommittees
are composed of members who
practice the full and diverse scope of
OMS. Webinars, online education
and distance learning programs
are all components of AAOMS’s
educational arsenal that addresses
every segment of the association.
The always important roles of OMS
research and academia
are prominently
recognized in the "I submit that
AAOMS strategic AAOMS clearly
plan and represented represents all OMSs, own governance and
through the
association’s activities. including our 'special programs directly to
The bi-annual Research interest' groups."
Summit and Young
Investigators Day,
and the valuable
support of the OMS
Foundation advance the future of
OMS and validate the full scope of
our practice.
The Resident Organization of
AAOMS (ROAAOMS) represents
our specialty to dental school
students and encourages the best
and brightest of them to consider a
career in OMS. AAOMS’s support of
fellowships—producing standards,
accreditation, and developing
“matching” opportunities­—
encourages those OMSs with an
interest in a particular segment of
practice to explore their interests.
Working with the OMS National
Insurance Company (OMSNIC)
and the American Board of OMS
(ABOMS), AAOMS helps support
important professional activities,
including board certification,
specialty qualifications, and risk
management in practice. AAOMS’s
juried Journal of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery promotes
current research in the specialty
and, as the premiere journal in our
specialty, to dental and medical
audiences worldwide.
Therefore, in response to the
question “Do we still represent all
OMSs in the United States?” I submit
that AAOMS clearly represents
all OMSs, including our “special
interest groups.” But is there more
that AAOMS can do, especially for
broad scope members
and special interest OMSs?
I understand that those fellows
and members whose practices are
concentrated in particular areas of
the specialty want and need more
recognition and representation
at AAOMS. To aid in this, I can
envision possibly restructuring our
existing Clinical Interest Groups
(CIGs) and transitioning them to
“Sections” within AAOMS. Special
interest groups who concentrate
in such areas as obstructive sleep
apnea, maxillofacial oncology and
reconstructive surgery, TMJ, and
cleft and craniofacial, could develop
their own “Sections,” each of which
would have a representative to an
“Advisory Board.” This Advisory
Board would have an officer level
liaison from the AAOMS
Board of Trustees.
These Sections could,
in fact, develop their
leadership, and submit
CCEPD for symposia
and other educational
programs. Additionally,
they could interact with
other AAOMS committees
(eg, CHCA, CHIA, CGA, CRPTA)
regarding issues of mutual concern.
This would promote collegialism,
connectivity and communication
among all fellows and member
of AAOMS, and ensure direct
communication with the board of
trustees on many levels.
Conceptually, Sections could define
their own issues, strategies and
MEMBERSHIP MINUTE
I
f you’re looking for a practice
partner or a new business
opportunity, be sure to familiarize
yourself with all the benefits of
the AAOMS Career Line. Or
maybe you’re looking to sell your
practice and begin that long-awaited
and much-deserved retirement.
AAOMS’s partnership with
HEALTHeCAREERS will allow
you to get your ad top placement on
all major search engines, including
Google, MSN and Yahoo.
For those OMS residents who will
be graduating next month but
haven’t found employment, the
AAOMS Career Line has several
exciting FREE features for job
seekers, including a résumé builder,
the ability to create a personalized
employment Web site and a career
self-evaluation tool.
Planning on attending the AAOMS
Annual Meeting in San Diego this
September? Now is the time to
resolutions. However, in accordance
with AAOMS ByLaws, all functions
and actions of these Sections would
require approval from the AAOMS
Board and ultimately the House
of Delegates. The Section concept,
similar to that at the ACS, in my
view, provides each special interest
group a level of autonomy within
the guidelines of AAOMS and under
its “umbrella.” Of course, I did not
mention AAOMS’s greatest asset
accruing to such “Sections.” That is
AAOMS staff! Under the AAOMS
umbrella, AAOMS staff will assist
and function on behalf of these
Sections. Again, let me state that
this Section concept will require the
approval of the AAOMS House of
Delegates.
As I stated in my inaugural speech,
the mission of AAOMS is to
promote, protect and advance the
specialty—that is, all fellows and
members and the full scope of their
practice—individuals or groups.
So, back to the question—Is AAOMS
still the answer for all OMSs? My
answer—an unqualified YES! n
update your candidate information
or post an available position on
Career Line. Those who want
assurances that job possibilities
will await them when they
arrive at the meeting should take
advantage of Event ConnectionTM,
the feature that allows employers
and candidates to connect with
each other before or during the
annual meeting. Employers and
job seekers can indicate that they
will be attending the conference
and how to contact one another
there. Before arriving in San
Diego, find available opportunities
by filtering your search to include
only those who will be attending
the conference.
For more information on Event
ConnectionTM or Career Line,
visit the Members and Healthcare
Professionals section of aaoms.org
or call our partners at 888/884-
8242 or e-mail membership@
aaoms.org. n
AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 3
 Advocating for the specialty: 12th Annual AAOMS Day on the Hill
A
record 138 oral and state of the presidential primaries
maxillofacial surgeons and and some notable interactions
guests representing 38 states between members of Congress,
attended the 12th annual AAOMS while sprinkling his comments with
Day on the Hill, which took place humorous anecdotes about the
Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, political system as a whole. The
March 28, 2012 at the Mayflower audience appreciated his political
Renaissance Hotel in Washington, knowledge, wit and intelligence.
DC. Approximately 30 attendees
were either first-time participants or Wednesday morning’s breakfast
had not attended the event in at least program featured comments from
five years. three members of Congress—
Representative and dentist Paul
Tuesday’s program began with an Gosar (R-AZ), Senator Rand
in-depth discussion of specialty Paul (R-KY), an ophthalmologist
issues led by AAOMS Washington and member of the Senate
lobbyists, Bill Applegate and Chris Health Education Labor and
Rorick of Bryan Cave, LLP. Assisting Pensions (HELP) Committee, and
the lobbyists was Ms. Courtney Representative Ron Kind (D-WI),
Austin, legislative director for
From left to
right: Matt Doyle,
healthcare aid to
Congresswoman
Rosa DeLauro
(D-CT), David A.
Fenton, DDS, MD,
Jeffrey S. Berkley,
DDS, Stuart E.
Lieblich, DMD,
Farzin Farshidi, DDS
Keynote speaker and political pundit Tucker Carlson addresses a group of nearly 150
Day on the Hill attendees during the event’s dinner program.
Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) a member of the House Ways and
and daughter of Georgia oral Means Health Subcommittee, as
and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. well as Mr. R. Gil Kerlikowske,
Gordon Austin, who provided Director of the Office of National
helpful suggestions for conducting Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the
a successful congressional visit. nation’s “drug czar.”
Attendees were provided examples
of what to expect during their Congressman Gosar discussed
congressional visits and the proper the recent House passage of his
ways to advocate on behalf of antitrust reform bill (H.R. 1150) as
AAOMS issues while on Capitol an amendment to a larger medical
Hill. malpractice reform bill (H.R. 5). He
encouraged AAOMS members to
Tuesday’s cocktail reception and seize the opportunity to meet with
dinner, co-hosted by AAOMS and their members of Congress, as input
OMSPAC, featured political pundit from constituents on congressional
and keynoter, Tucker Carlson. matters is more important this year
Mr. Carlson reviewed the current than ever.
4 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012
Congressman Kind seconded Dr. unique perspective on these issues.
Gosar’s statement that now is a The Senator told attendees that
critical time for constituents and Congress and the Administration
healthcare providers to meet with went overboard in trying to fix
their members of Congress. The the healthcare system. He believes
Congressman noted that events that congressional Republicans can
like the AAOMS Day on the Hill achieve a “do over” to fix things
program are vital to conveying the properly.
important role of dentistry and
dental issues in health reform, and Director Kerlikowske spoke at length
that oral care must continue to about the current prescription drug
be a part of the overall national abuse epidemic in the US and noted
healthcare agenda. several ways in which healthcare
providers, specifically dentists,
Explaining his sentiments regarding can help address the problem. He
the implications of the health stated that the epidemic is growing
reform law, Senator Paul, as a exponentially and cited statistics that
small business owner, physician, indicate more people die as a result
and freshman senator, provided a of prescription drug abuse than in
car accidents.
Following the morning program,
AAOMS attendees headed to Capitol
Hill for their scheduled visits with
approximately 134 congressional
members and staffers. Attendees
were charged with three main goals:
1) inform members of Congress
about the scope and practice of oral
and maxillofacial surgery; 2) initiate
and reinforce relationships with
Continued on page 6
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AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 5
 CAPITOL CONNECTION

AAOMS Committee on Governmental

Affairs meets in Washington, DC

T
he Committee on
Governmental Affairs (CGA),
the AAOMS committee
that monitors and works with the
AAOMS Board of Trustees in setting
the association’s advocacy agenda
on state and federal legislative
and regulatory matters, traveled
to the offices of Bryan Cave, LLP,
the association’s Washington, DC
representative in March for its 2012
annual meeting.
Central to the CGA’s agenda was
discussion of such current specialty
concerns as drug shortages, Medicare
reimbursement, requirements
for providing in-office imaging,
implementation of the Affordable
Care Act, scope of practice and
insurance coverage/reimbursement.
The Committee also sought
suggestions for encouraging member
involvement in advocacy activities
via the OMS Action Network, the
association’s grassroots advocacy
program.
Mr. James Paluskiewicz, legislative
director to Rep. Michael Burgess,
MD (R-TX), House Energy and
Commerce Health Subcommittee
Chairman, spoke with committee
members about healthcare-related
issues currently being addressed in
Congress. He discussed the possible
ways in which the Supreme Court’s
decision on the health reform law
will shape health care in the United
States, as well as the revolution
in health IT, Medicare physician
reimbursement, the prospects for
AAOMS-supported legislation, and
the growing prescription drug abuse
“epidemic.”
Following their meeting, committee
members traveled to Capitol Hill
where they met with several members
of Congress and their staff to discuss
issues of particular interest to OMS.
Additionally, they made a special
stop at the National Democratic
Club Townhouse for an OMSPAC-
sponsored fundraising luncheon for
Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind
(D), a member of the House Ways
& Means Health Subcommittee.
The successful event, which raised
nearly $18,000, was attended by
representatives from several other
associations. CGA members agreed
that holding the committee’s annual
meeting in Washington, DC helped
to increase the specialty’s visibility
on Capitol Hill. n
From left to right: AAOMS President Arthur C. Jee, DMD, Congressman Emmanuel
Cleaver (D-MO), AAOMS Treasurer Brett L. Ferguson, DDS, AAOMS Immediate Past
President Larry J. Moore, DDS, MS
Day on the Hill
continued from page 4
key congressional contacts; and 3)
advocate for the co-sponsorship/
support of AAOMS’s 2012 legislative
priorities – antitrust reform (H.R.
1150), prevention of essential drug
shortages (S. 296/H.R. 2245, H.R.
3839), the repeal of restrictions on
Flexible Spending Accounts (H.R.
605/S. 312, H.R. 1004/S. 1404),
and the repeal of the excise tax
on medical devices (H.R. 436/S.
17). Attendees were also able to
discuss other issues of interest,
such as the CARES Act, long-term
Medicare physician reimbursement
(SGR) reform, and AAOMS's
physical therapy referral bill, the
Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative
Enhancement Act.
The 2012 Day on the Hill was
successful in that so many new
OMSs were motivated to participate
and advocate for the specialty. As
a result, many vital connections
were developed between AAOMS
members, staff and federal legislators
that will be very helpful in the
coming year. The advancements
made by Day on the Hill attendees
were apparent in their program
evaluations and congressional
visit feedback forms. AAOMS
governmental affairs staff and
lobbyists now have a multitude of
legislators with whom to collaborate
on AAOMS-supported issues and
a clearer understanding of which
legislators to target when seeking
support for particular issues.
Be sure to mark your calendars for
the 2013 Day on the Hill event,
scheduled for Wednesday, April 17,

CONGRESS YOU
at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
in Washington, DC. n

Has a say in how you practice. Have a say in who’s in Congress.

AAOMS’s Washington, DC representative Bill Applegate

explains the association’s federal legislative priorities to
members during a “tips & training session.”

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons’ voice in national politics for over 40 years.
9700 West Bryn Mawr | Rosemont, Illinois 60018 | 800/822-6637 | www.omspac.org

6 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012

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AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 7

Meet the
Candidates
AAOMS officer elections
will be held during the
2012 annual meeting on
Thursday, September 13,
immediately preceding
the third session of the
House of Delegates.
At press time, Eric T.
Geist, DDS and Steven
R. Nelson, DDS, MS are
running unopposed for
the offices of president-
elect and speaker of the
House of Delegates.
Two candidates, William
J. Nelson, DDS, and
Henry C. Windell, DMD
are seeking election to the
office of vice president.
To better acquaint
members with the
candidates, AAOMS
asked Drs. Nelson and
Windell to provide
platform statements to
AAOMS Today.
In addition to the
material presented here,
members are encouraged
to meet the candidates at
their state and regional
society meetings when
candidates are scheduled
to appear, and at the
open forum with the
candidates, which will
be held at 2:00 pm on
Tuesday, September
11, during the annual
meeting.
8 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012
Candidate for and Training, Commission Statement:
I
Vice President on Dental Accreditation
t is a privilege to seek the office of
William J.
Residency Review
Committee Oral and
AAOMS vice president. The strength
that the AAOMS currently enjoys as a
Nelson, DDS Maxillofacial Surgery,
and the Committee
premier healthcare association testifies to
the commitment and vision of the many
on Hospital and
Dr. Nelson, the current fellows and members who have held
Interprofessional Affairs.
District IV trustee on leadership roles in our specialty.
He served as a residency
the AAOMS Board of
training program site
Trustees, completed his The AAOMS mission statement is a two-
visitor for the Commission
undergraduate training at part declaration of purpose that provides
on Dental Accreditation
Creighton University in William J. Nelson, DDS direction to the Board of Trustees. The
for 10 years. In addition,
Omaha, NE, and his oral first part, “to promote, protect and
Dr. Nelson served seven
and maxillofacial surgery advance oral and maxillofacial surgery,”
years on the examination
residency at Gundersen Lutheran serves as the basis for our strategic plan
committee of the American Board of Oral
Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI. Dr. and operational initiatives. The second
and Maxillofacial Surgery followed by
Nelson was in group practice in part of the mission statement—“to
seven years as a member of the ABOMS
Green Bay, WI, for 26 years, the assure excellence for surgeons and their
Board of Directors, and ultimately
last 15 years as a founding partner patients”—is equally important as it
serving as president of the American
of a 150 physician medical specialty clearly delineates the constituencies of the
Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
group. He is currently pursuing AAOMS—surgeons and their patients.
his academic interests as adjunct When considering matters before the board,
He has been an OMS Foundation
associate professor in the Division of I use the “constituency test” to assist me as
ambassador, is a member of the Robert
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the we develop the positions of the association,
V. Walker Society, and has served with
University of Minnesota. commit our finite resources, and prepare
Health Volunteers Overseas in Colombia
our association to forge the future direction
and at St. Jude Hospital in St. Lucia,
Dr. Nelson was a member of the of our specialty.
West Indies. Dr. Nelson is a diplomate
AAOMS House of Delegates for
of the ABOMS, and a fellow of the
15 years, serving as District IV The significant and dynamic challenges
American College of Dentists, Pierre
Caucus secretary and Caucus chair. and issues now confronting oral and
Fauchard Academy, and the International
His committee service includes the maxillofacial surgery, whether new or
College of Dentists.
Committee on Residency Education longstanding, contain elements that are
familiar to us all. How we respond to
Candidate for of several AAOMS Statement:
I
Vice President committees including
am honored to be a candidate for the
the Committee on
Henry C. Government Affairs, the
office of vice president of the AAOMS,
and I approach the coming months with
Windell, DMD Committee on Hospital
and Interprofessional
a great deal of anticipation and enthusiasm.
Service to the AAOMS and organized
Affairs and the Committee
Dr. Henry Windell received dentistry is a passion of mine, as I feel
on Anesthesia for six
his dental degree from the the need to give back to the organization
years, the last two of
University of Oregon School that has enabled me to advance on both a
which he served as chair
of Dentistry, Portland, OR, professional and personal level.
and consultant before
in 1967. He then went on to
becoming District VI
general practice in Seattle, Henry C. Windell, DMD Many of the issues we confront today have
trustee on the AAOMS
WA, for six years, at which affected our profession and individual
Board.
time he sold his practice practices for years: the right to deliver
and moved his family to Buffalo, NY, outpatient anesthesia, removal of third
Dr. Windell is a fellow of the
where he completed his OMS residency molars, advocating for our profession,
International College of Dentists, the
at The Buffalo General Hospital, State being an active mentor, and meeting head
American College of Dentists, The Pierre
University of New York in 1976. on those yet unknown challenges that have
Fauchard Academy and a member of
a way of appearing when least expected.
OKU. He also served as an associate
A fellow of the AAOMS for 36 years,
clinical instructor at OHSU in the
Dr. Windell served as a member of Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial
the House of Delegates for nine years, administered anesthesia for more than half
Surgery until he was elected District VI
and as District VI caucus secretary a century with very successful outcomes
trustee in 2008.
and chair for eight years. In addition and a very low rate of morbidity and
he spent 10 years as a delegate in the mortality. As a member of the Committee
Dr. Windell has been in the private
American Dental Association House on Anesthesia, I was involved in the
practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery
of Delegates. Dr. Windell has also development of what is now the Dental
in Gresham, OR, since 1976. He was
served as president of the Oregon Anesthesia Assistant National Certification
born and raised in Oregon where he lives
Dental Association, the Oregon Examination (DAANCE), which establishes
today with his wife of 49 years, Donna.
Society of Oral and Maxillofacial training and testing standards that enable
They have four children, Dave, Brian,
Surgeons, and the Western Society our anesthesia assistants to become
Greg and Jennifer, and five outstanding
of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. certified by a national credentialing body.
grandchildren.
During that time he was also a member In the state of Oregon, this certification
through the Oregon Board of Dentistry has
helped us counter arguments that our staff
is not properly trained.
these concerns has taken on added
importance as we strive for clarity of
purpose and unequivocal positions.
The instantaneous availability of
information, or misinformation,
makes it imperative that we deftly
act and react in a consistent
and measured manner. It is the
responsibility of the board to move
the association to factually based
positions and solutions. Therefore,
we must clearly articulate and label
accordingly what we know, what we
do not know, and what we believe.
The fellows and members of the
AAOMS are the experts when it
comes to the surgical care of the
oral and maxillofacial region, the
provision of office-based anesthesia,
the determination of who should
provide irreversible diagnostic and
surgical care, the management
of third molar teeth, and OMS
residency education and training.
Not only is it important that we have
a “seat at the table” when issues of
patient care and residency training
are discussed and decided, it is vital
that we “sit at the head of the table.”
We must also be able to validate
our positions with evidence-based
As mandated by the AAOMS House
of Delegates, fellows and members
must complete the Office Anesthesia
Evaluation (OAE) to maintain
membership in their state societies,
and by extension, the AAOMS. This
mandate further establishes OMS as
a specialty concerned with the safe
and effective delivery of anesthesia.
With DAANCE and the OAE in
place, it will be more difficult for
outside entities to challenge our right
and privilege to deliver the safe and
effective anesthesia as we have for
years.
Going forward, we need to be
continually aware of changes in the
dental practice acts and legislative
measures on the local and national
levels that might affect this aspect of
our practices. We need to maintain
our relationship with the American
Society of Anesthesiologists and
work with them to support our OMS
anesthesia team model. We must
maintain the respect of others who
also deliver outpatient anesthesia and
present our recent outcomes from
the now active anesthesia registry.
I implore all who are asked to please
participate in the registry as the
data will create meaningful informa-
tion to support our concern for
patient safety.
research and outcomes assessment
as this allows us to separate emotion
and sensationalism from the facts.
I believe that contributing to the
OMS Foundation is not optional; it
is the responsibility of every OMS to
support specialty-focused research,
as this is the primary source of our
validation efforts.
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Our presence, especially in the pre-
doctoral area, is critical if we are
Continued on page 10 Platform Grafts
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Osteo-i Platform Grafts are an excellent option to restore bone
Advocacy is a necessity for the volume while avoiding an autogenous graft. In patients experiencing
AAOMS and I endorse our bone atrophy Osteo-i Platforms can be employed to add volume and
interactions with our state and stability at the implant area.
federal legislators. Every senator/
representative has a constituent
1.0 0.7 1.5
0.7
oral and maxillofacial surgeon. 1.5 1.5
Make your legislators aware of 1.5
1.5
who we are and what we do. Our OST041 OST042
lobbying efforts help advance and
maintain our profession. Therefore,
it is imperative that we help fund 0.6 1.2 0.6 1.5
the campaigns of those who would
listen to our legislative agenda 0.9 0.9
through OMSPAC. I realize the
economy is less than favorable,
OST039 OST040
but with the impending changes to
health care we must consider that all measurements are in centimeters + .3cm
without our voice at the table we
may be unaware of pending change
until it becomes law and we are For more information please call:
too late to weigh in. When oral 1.800.624.5926 or visit:
and maxillofacial surgeons have
become more politically active and
help contribute to local campaigns,
ww w.o ste oi .c om
we have seen such positive changes
as having OMSs appointed to
state boards of dentistry and other
committees committed to health
care. AAOMS’s Day on The Hill is distributed exclusively by:
an opportunity for each of us to meet
with our respective legislators and
their healthcare staff to express our
concerns.
Continued on page 10
AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 9
 Dr. Nelson organizations and individuals that
continued from page 9 have a like-minded purpose. The

to successfully maintain oral and
maxillofacial surgery as the surgical
specialty of dentistry.
The future of our specialty also
requires that we recognize and
adapt to the changing models of
practice. It is not our intent to
dictate a particular practice model,
but rather to create an environment
where all oral and maxillofacial
surgeons recognize the benefits of
active participation in our specialty
association. By preserving our core
competencies, our scope of practice,
and our commitment to advance
surgical science, we create the
environment and opportunities for
all members to flourish. As a result,
Could a Lawsuit
strong relationships that fuel our
advocacy efforts require significant
funding to assure their continued
viability. Contributing to OMSPAC hit you
must become a priority for all OMSs.
All of us benefit when we support the
campaigns of candidates for elective
Out of the Blue?
office at the federal, state and local
levels.
My last four years as District IV
trustee have been professionally and
personally rewarding. As a member
of the Board of Trustees, I am always
mindful that our membership and
our patients are our primary focus as
we articulate association positions,
and develop strategies and initiatives
for AAOMS. As an officer of our Statistics say Yes. Every year nearly one in ten OMS is
national organization, I will continue sued. For over 20 years, OMSNIC has provided the most

our patients will also reap benefits. to leverage the breadth of knowledge powerful claims defense in the industry. Our unparalleled

and experience that I have gained professional liability coverage and risk management program
are designed to help protect OMS.
Advocacy efforts in the legislative from my involvement in many Owned and operated by OMS, OMSNIC has a deep

and regulatory arenas must continue aspects of our specialty. It has been understanding of the specialty and only insures Oral and

to be substantive and carefully an honor to serve on the AAOMS Maxillofacial Surgeons. The OMSNIC Advantage is our single-
minded dedication to protecting, defending and strengthening
developed. We need to collaborate Board of Trustees and I look forward your OMS practice. For more information call 800-522-6670 or

on an issue-by-issue basis with those to continued service as your vice visit our website.

president. n

www.omsnic.com

Dr. Windell Ray White’s long-term third molar Exclusively Endorsed

continued from page 9
We are all too aware of concerns
relating to the removal of third
molars. Each of us has seen negative
publicity in several newspaper
articles, press releases from some
public health organizations and
coverage actions by various third
party payers who apparently want
to abolish what they consider the
routine removal of third molars. I
do not believe that OMSs routinely
extract these teeth. After a thorough
examination and appropriate
discussion with the referring dentist,
we provide our patients with useful
information in helping them decide
what is the best choice for their
health situation. In my opinion, third
molars are sometimes asymptomatic,
but can be a problem waiting to
happen. We see this daily in elderly
patients who must have a third
molar removed because of infection,
decay or other pathology that
developed over time. The OMS is the
highly educated and knowledgeable
professional who can make an
evidence-based recommendation
about removal. I do not believe we
are given the proper respect by some
commentators on these decisions;
therefore, we need to publicize the
evidence-based findings from Dr.
clinical trials and the CHCA’s
Advocacy White Paper on Evidence-
based Third Molar Surgery.
Drug shortages have been on our
radar for some time. We are hopeful
that a solution to the problem is on
the horizon as both the US Senate
and the House of Representatives
have proposals for changing the
way the FDA looks at this issue.
This may also change the way the
FDA deals with medications, both in
dentistry and medicine. AAOMS has
posted an alert on aaoms.org listing
AAOMS’s suggestions for addressing
this crisis and our commitment to
work with our legislators to find a
permanent solution. We can and
must be part of the solution as
the shortages affect our ability to
deliver outpatient anesthesia in a
safe and practiced manner. I would
like to see us partner with other
concerned groups, manufacturers,
and legislators to discuss the issues.
Perhaps manufacturers should be
mandated to keep an inventory of
frequently used medications on hand
so that they do not run out.
The OMS scope of practice has
evolved rapidly over the past
years. We see this evolution in
many of the programs offered
by AAOMS
at the AAOMS annual meeting, lose this group from our specialty
including the preconference and our association. Definitely a new
program on Maxillofacial Oncology and exciting challenge that I believe
and Reconstructive Surgery. I can be accomplished.
would like to see this program
combined with our other fellowship In conclusion, I believe I am well
trained individuals in the areas of prepared to undertake the position
craniofacial/clefts, reconstructive, of vice president of the AAOMS.
cosmetic, and micro-vascular surgery I can and will make a difference
to have a separate meeting that through my continued service to my
would provide them an opportunity profession. The issues I have spoken
to share ideas and have continuing to are not the only ones we will face
education that will enhance their now and in the future, and we need
education beyond what we are able exceptional leaders on the Board
to provide in the time constraints of Trustees if we are to meet and
of our current annual meeting. address those issues that challenge
With this in mind I would like to us. I look forward to meeting many
see these areas of training remain of you over the next several months,
under the AAOMS umbrella. There sharing my ideas for the future and
are those who would oppose this listening to your concerns regarding
suggestion, but the downside is that our profession. n
not providing quality educational
opportunities could easily lead to
formation of a separate subspecialty
or incorporation of a portion of
OMS scope into medicine. I believe
such a split would only weaken our
specialty. I would rather see this
new group maintain membership in
the AAOMS and partner with our
association to reach a common goal.
I realize this is a touchy subject, but
we must move forward before we

10 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012

 We’ve always liked the
idea of Now.

Now is better than someday.

Now is better than two months
from now.
Thanks to our association with
over 150,000 enrolled practices,
millions of patients have been
able to get the care they want,
right when they want it. Without
postponing treatment.
So, as we celebrate our 25th year,
we wanted to thank you.
And there’s no better time than
Now.

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CareCredit_AAOMS_032112_CS5.indd 1 3/23/12 2:18 PM

AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 11
 OMS Foundation news
Bioengineering + Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery = Regenerated tissue in the TMJ
T
he interdisciplinary osteochondral regeneration in the
collaboration of oral and TMJ.”
maxillofacial surgery and
bioengineering produced a The long-term goal of this
significant research study that study is to regenerate defects in
could affect many patients with the mandibular condyle and,
localized temporomandibular ultimately, possibly the entire
joint (TMJ) disorders. mandible. Tissue engineering
strategies of this nature
Michael Detamore, PhD, is could open a new sphere of
associate professor of Chemical treatment strategies for oral and
and Petroleum Engineering, maxillofacial surgeons. The tissue
University of Kansas. With a engineering strategy employed in
PhD in bioengineering, Dr. their study is a microsphere-based
Detamore’s research focuses “gradient” utilizing biomaterials
on tissue engineering, with that release osteogenic and
efforts directed toward bone chondrogenic signals across the
and cartilage regeneration. He gradient. It is their hypothesis
is particularly interested in the that this dynamic will promote a
temporomandibular joint. seamless transition from bone to
cartilage in the regenerated tissue.
Working together, Dr. Detamore
and Kamal Busaidy, DDS, “It was a crazy, middle-of-the-
FDSRCS, associate professor, night idea,” said Dr. Detamore.
Department of Oral and He first began work on this
Maxillofacial Surgery at The idea in the knee joint. Once the
University of Texas Medical gradient material was a success
School at Houston, were the in the knee joint, he applied the
recipients of a 2008 OMS concept to the TMJ. Ultimately,
Foundation Research Support tissue engineering in the TMJ was
Grant for “Novel biomaterial for the focus of his PhD studies.
Career Line
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OMS employment
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For more information, visit the
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click on Career Line or
call
(888) 884-8242
12 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012
In order to do this, Dr.
Detamore recognized the need
for a collaborator with oral
and maxillofacial surgical
skills. While working on his
PhD at Rice University and
chairing a conference on TMJ
Bioengineering, Dr. Detamore
met Dr. Busaidy, then an oral and
maxillofacial surgery resident. He
approached Dr. Busaidy about
collaborating with him on the
research. Dr. Busaidy, a 2006
Faculty Educator Development
Award (FEDA) recipient, shares
Detamore’s interest in TMJ
research. “Dr. Busaidy was very
receptive and enthusiastic about
working together,” said Dr.
Detamore.
For the study, Dr. Detamore’s
team created the biomaterial.
Dr. Busaidy’s team created the
defects in the rabbits, implanted
the engineered tissue, and later
harvested the tissue, returning
it to Dr. Detamore to study the
results.
Their findings were published
in the Journal of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery in 2011,
and Dr. Busaidy and Dr.
Detamore presented at both
the AAOMS Annual Meeting
and the American Society of
TMJ Surgeons Annual Meeting
in 2010. Dr. Detamore has
received funding from other
sources, including the NIH, to
continue the research. “My OMS
Foundation award has allowed
me to successfully complete
a TMJ-related study that I
otherwise would not have been
able to do, and will hopefully be
leveraged as preliminary data for
another grant from the NIH,” he
said.
“Support from the OMS
Foundation is one of the most
important ways that we are able
to get research done,” noted Dr.
Busaidy. “Research pushes the
boundaries of our specialty for
better care for patients.”
Both Dr. Busaidy and
Dr. Detamore lauded
multidisciplinary collaboration.
When collaborating with a
different specialty or discipline,
each individual brings his own set
of skills, filling in the gaps where
other skills are lacking.
“No one can be an expert at
everything,” said Dr. Detamore.
Collaboration in research is
truly an example of where “the
whole is greater than the sum of
its parts,” he said. In applying
for funding from institutions
like the NIH, multidisciplinary
collaboration can ensure that all
areas of expertise are represented
in a research study.
REAP and Research
Awards and Fellowships
The OMS Foundation is proud
to support research like the
important work of Dr. Detamore
and Dr. Busaidy, along with
student research training awards,
clinical surgery fellowships,
and practitioner innovation
development awards. The
OMS Foundation is the only
nonprofit to solely support
the OMS specialty, and has
proudly disbursed more than
$11 million back to the OMS
specialty through support of
critical research and important
educational initiatives.
There remains a great need for
support of research and education
in our specialty. The OMS
Foundation program, REAP,
helps support research awards
and fellowships that define the
future of our specialty. Through
REAP, Research and Education
Advance Patient care, the OMS
Foundation will continue to
strengthen our outstanding
researchers and educators with
more support.
Continued on page 14
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 OMS Foundation
continued from page 12
With your gift to REAP, more
funding would be available to
support diverse areas of research
for innovative discovery in
our specialty, and to support
specialized surgical skills through
clinical surgery fellowships.
Donors of $1,500 or more to REAP
become members of an exclusive
group, the REAP Society. As a REAP
Society member, you receive a wall
plaque with dates for your yearly
gift(s). In addition, your name is
listed on the REAP Society roster on
our Web site, in publications, and at
the OMS Foundation exhibit booth
Dr. James F. Kelly, 1932–2012
T
he OMS Foundation is
saddened to report the death
of Dr. James F. Kelly, who
was executive director of the OMS
Foundation from 1997–2003. Dr.
Kelly passed away in February 2012.
“What a tremendous loss to our
profession. Jim was the most
important individual supporting the
OMS Foundation. As our first full-
time executive director, his ongoing
efforts made OMSF so successful. He
truly believed that research would
lead our specialty into the future.
We all owe a great debt to Jim and
will miss him deeply,” said Gerald
Laboda DMD, 1999–2000 OMS
Foundation chair.
Dr. Kelly was raised in La Crosse,
WI, and followed in his father’s
footsteps by earning a DDS degree
from Marquette University in 1956.
He went on to join the Navy where
he served on the aircraft carrier
USS Ranger upon its commission.
After serving in the Navy, Dr. Kelly
began his oral and maxillofacial
surgery residency at the University
of Michigan, which included an
MS degree in 1962. He received his
ABOMS certification in 1964 while
living in Hawaii.
Dr. Kelly’s illustrious career in the
US Navy included directing the
OMS residency programs at Boston
Naval Hospital and the Naval
14 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012
at AAOMS Annual Meetings. If you
attend the AAOMS annual meeting
or the dental implant conference, you
will receive a REAP Society lapel pin
and ribbon to attest to your critical,
all-important support.
Make your REAP gift today at
www.omsfoundation.org/REAPgifts.
OMS Foundation
Research Award and
Fellowships applications
due July 15, 2012
The deadline for OMS Foundation
research award and fellowship
applications is Sunday, July 15,
2012.
Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.
He was also appointed professor
of surgery, School of Medicine,
Uniformed Services University.
Other appointments included
visiting professor at the University
of Missouri-Kansas City and at
the University of North Carolina.
During his Navy career, Dr. Kelly
attained the rank of captain, which
included a major duty in 1980 as
special assistant for research to the
Surgeon General of the US Navy.
He then advanced to commanding
officer, Naval Medical Research and
Development, where he served until
retirement in 1985.
Dr. Kelly’s first post-retirement
position was director of research,
Sinai Hospital of Detroit and
consultant to the hospital OMS
Department. In 1990, he was
asked to join the AAOMS staff as
consultant and director of Research
and Quality Standards. In this
position he directed research through
important clinical studies and, with a
co-investigator, helped establish the
Parameters of Care Project.
In 1994 he was appointed AAOMS
senior director for Health Care
Delivery/Research, and, in 1997,
became the executive director of the
OMS Foundation.
Applications for research support
grants, student research training
awards, and practitioner innovation
development awards can be found
at: www.omsfoundation.org/
researchawards.
Applications for clinical surgery
fellowships can be found at: www.
omsfoundation.org/fellowships.
Instructions for downloading
applications and submitting the
necessary documentation via
Dropbox appear on the OMS
Foundation Web site pages listed
above.
“Dr. Kelly was an exceptional
administrative manager of the OMS
Foundation, without interfering in
the decision-making of the Board
of Directors. His development, with
assistance from a former Board
member, of the spreadsheet the
OMS Foundation uses to determine
research award and fellowship
amounts helped impose the
discipline necessary to stay within
established funding guidelines. His
quiet, gentlemanly demeanor helped
maintain the professional atmosphere
of the OMS Foundation,” said
Markell W. Kohn, DDS, 2007–2008
OMS Foundation chair.
Dr. Kelly retired as OMS Foundation
executive director in 2003 to the
warmth of the Arizona desert sun.
He spent his days reading, golfing
and traveling with his best friend and
wife, Lois.
Memorial contributions for
Dr. Kelly can be made to the OMS
Foundation, Tucson Symphony
Orchestra in care of Lucey Perry,
or the Retirement Fund for
Religious (RFR). n
July 1 deadline for Resident
Spouse Scholarships
The OMS Foundation Alliance is
pleased to again offer the Norma L.
Kelly Resident Spouse Scholarships.
Named for Ms. Norma Kelly, who
was Alliance Chair from 2005–2007,
these $500 scholarships are for
spouses of residents. They will be
awarded by the Alliance to help
offset travel and personal expenses at
the 2012 AAOMS Annual Meeting.
In order to be eligible, applicants
must be the spouse of a resident
who will be attending the AAOMS
Annual Meeting.
Qualified recipient names will be
selected at random. Awardees will
be notified in mid-August 2012.
In addition to the $500 to offset
travel expenses, recipients will be
given one ticket each to attend the
2012 Alliance Annual Event, where
they will be introduced. Recipients
are required to attend all Alliance
activities at the 2012 AAOMS
Annual Meeting and are obligated
to provide the Alliance with
feedback on what the scholarship
meant to them after the meeting.
To apply for the scholarships, go
to http://www.omsfoundation.org/
normakellyscholarship. The deadline
for scholarship applications is
July 1, 2012.
Support the OMS
Foundation Alliance
Scholarships
Remember residency—or your
spouse’s residency? Make a
difference in the lives of OMS
residents and their spouses during
these years of hard work and
arduous training. Gifts to the OMS
Foundation Alliance Norma Kelly
Resident Spouse Scholarships
help the Alliance to increase the
number of scholarships awarded
each year. Make your gift today
at www.omsfoundation.org/
normakellyscholarship. n
discounts
How Can ASI® Approved Programs
Enhance Your OMS Practice?
AAOMS Services, Inc.
(ASI®), is the for-profit
subsidiary of AAOMS.
For complete descriptions,
current offers and
discount information for all
of these programs, visit
aaomsservices.org. Be
sure to identify yourself as
an AAOMS member when
you call an AAOMS/ASI
approved program.
Follow AAOMS Services, Inc. on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/AAOMSservices for
product/service specials and for information
about new ASI approved programs.
rebates residual income
“We have been using Dispensing Solutions, Inc. (DSI) for the past several years. Not
only does e-Dispense keep us compliant, but DSI personnel are extremely pleasant to
work with. The patients absolutely love getting their prescriptions at our practice. It saves
them a trip to the pharmacy and saves them money. Win-win!”
AAOMS/ASI®
Approved Programs
ASI Programs that offer
special savings and/or benefits
to AAOMS members:
Southern Anesthesia & Surgical: Pharmaceuti-
cals, surgical supplies and OMS specialty products.
Receive 5% discount and an annual rebate with
purchases of $10,000+. 800/624-5926.
CareCredit: Patient financing program.
800/300-3046, ext. 4519.
NEW Dental Recycling North America (DRNA):
AAOMS members receive specially discounted pricing
on a variety of waste management services through
DRNA. Call 800/360-1001, ext. 17 for more informa-
tion and ask for the AAOMS Member Price List.
Bank of America® Merchant Services:
Credit card processing with new, improved pricing.
888/317-5402.
Office Depot: Call ASI® staff at 800/822-6637, ext.
4319, to enroll in the Office Depot program.
NEW OptumInsight™ (formerly Ingenix): Order the
2012 Coding Guide for OMS, purchase other essential
practice resources, and enroll in a powerful online
coding program — EnCoderPro.com — all at a discount
to AAOMS members. Visit www.optumcoding.com/
AAOMS or call 800/464-3649, option 1, for details.
AAOMS Business Credit Card Through Bank of
America: Call 800/598-8791. Source code UABN3H.
AAOMS Personal Credit Card Through Bank of
America: Call 866/438-6262. Source code VAAEVX.
Nuell, Inc.: Repair of powered dental instruments.
800/829-7694.
I.C. System: Debt collection service. 800/279-3511.
National Electronic Attachment (NEA): Transmit
claim attachments and view payer requirements.
800/782-5150, ext. 2.
Powertome® Periotome: Perform atraumatic
extractions with the Powertome® much faster than a
manual periotome. The Powertome® will save bone
and save time. Find out more about the Powertome®
at www.westportmedical.com or call 503/798-6378.
As an AAOMS member, receive a 5% discount on your
purchase of a Powertome®.
aaomsservices.org
Dr. Jeffrey Capes, Georgia
ASI Programs that offer
residual income to an AAOMS member’s
practice:
DSI Medication Dispensing Program: New,
lower pricing on pre-packaged prescriptions not only
saves you money, but also provides you with a lower
wholesale price for retail mark-up to your patients.
Web-based eDispense also assures you of compliance
with state FDA regulations. Call 888/374-7378 for
information about new pricing.
Scientific Metals: Refine your old crowns and
bridges. Call 888/949-0008.
SockIt!® Oral Hydrogel Wound Dressing: Drug-
free, post surgical wound care dressing is used by
OMSs for in-office surgical procedures and can also
be sold at retail pricing to patients for take-home pain
management after surgery. Call 800/755-0044 for
more details. Source code AAOMS.
NEW StemSave, Inc.: Enhance your practice and
expand your care by providing stem cell banking ser-
vices to your patients. You receive a payment for your
assistance with each successful tooth collection.
Visit www.stemsave.com or call 877/783-6728.
2012 ASI Member Award
ASI and AAOMS will once again thank
members who are enrolled in 6 or more
ASI Approved Programs at the AAOMS
Annual Meeting. If you have been
considering enrollment in one of the
ASI programs, the time to do it is now.
AAOMS members who are enrolled in
6 or more approved programs before
April 1, will receive a commemorative
silver bar with one troy ounce of .999 fine
silver. If you are not sure how many ASI
approved programs that your practice
is enrolled in, please contact ASI staff
at suem@aaoms.org
enroll today!
AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 15
 CODING CORNER

Coding for aborted Erupted teeth: If less than 25% of the crown
remains, it is considered a residual
supplied the parts/abutment to the
general dentist. The general dentist
extractions D7140 extraction, erupted tooth
or exposed root (elevation
root and the appropriate codes are: feels they can charge since they
placed the abutment. What is the

E
xtractions that are attempted
and then aborted by dentists
are often referred to oral
and maxillofacial surgeons for
completion of care. The coding for
these types of situations depends on
the position of the tooth (erupted
vs. impacted) and on the amount
of tooth that remains at the time
of presentation to the oral and
maxillofacial surgeon. In order to
determine the correct code, the oral
and maxillofacial surgeon must
first establish if the remaining tooth
structure is classified as a residual
root. The CDT defines a residual
root as “remaining root structure
following the loss of the major
portion (over 75%) of the crown.”
Therefore, if more than 25% of the
crown remains, it is considered an
entire tooth and appropriate coding
is then based on the position of the
tooth with the following codes:
and/or forceps removal)
D7210 surgical removal of erupted
tooth requiring removal
of bone and/or sectioning
of tooth, and including
elevation of mucoperiosteal
flap if indicated
Impacted teeth:
D7220 removal of impacted
tooth – soft tissue
D7230 removal of impacted
tooth – partial bony
D7240 removal of impacted
tooth – complete bony
D7241 removal of impacted
tooth – complete bony,
with unusual surgical
complications
D7251 coronectomy – intentional
partial tooth removal
D7140 extraction, erupted tooth
or exposed root (elevation
and/or forceps removal)
D7250 surgical removal of residual
tooth roots (cutting
procedure)
In order to avoid a duplicate claim
for the procedure, the dentist who
aborted the procedure should use
D7999 – unspecified oral surgery
procedure, by report as described
in the CDT question and answer
section, and not a code for removal
of the tooth.
Question:
Please clarify who may bill for
D6056 – “prefabricated abutment-
includes placement”? Our office
places the implant and supplies the
abutment to the general dentist.
Our office feels we can report
code D6056 since we ordered and
proper way to bill for this procedure?
Answer:
The CDT code D6056 descriptor
“prefabricated abutment - includes
placement” currently does not lend
itself to the situation described
where two different providers are
completing a portion of the single
code. It is essentially unbundling
the code D6056 since it includes
obtaining the abutment and
placement. Currently the first
provider/office to submit the code
will be the one adjudicated and the
second will look like a duplicate
claim from another provider to
the payer. The only option at this
time is to report D6199 by report,
from each provider – the 1st claim
for obtaining the abutment and the
2nd for reporting the placement by
another provider.

TREASURER’S ACCOUNT

Financial results in 2011 provide positive returns

T
he AAOMS audit team at
Blackman Kallick completed
their field work in late March,
and I’m pleased to say in my first
year as your treasurer that they will
be issuing an Unqualified Opinion
on the audit of our 2011 financial
results. Despite challenges in the
investment markets, our consolidated
financial results reflected positive
returns, primarily due to strong
performance in our operating fund.
Consolidated revenues over expenses
totaled $338,000 in 2011. The
major contributors to this included
the following: 1) revenues over
expenses for AAOMS operations
totaled over $700,000; 2) after-tax
results for AAOMS Services, Inc.
totaled $116,000; 3) net spending
from the House of Delegates Reserve
Fund totaled $114,000 (the HOD
Reserve Fund provided a portion
of the funding for the Third Molar
Study and the Faculty Educator
Development Award); and 4)
depreciation expense, a non-cash
item, totaled $443,000.
Net operating results of $703,000
were $555,000 better than the
budgeted results of $148,000. The
strong performance versus budget
was particularly noteworthy given
the fact that, due to market volatility,
net investment revenues of $45,000
fell short of budget by $148,000.
I’d like to highlight some of the
more significant budget variances
that contributed to the positive
performance in operations in 2011.
First, headquarters administration
expenses were $186,000 below
budget. Savings included salaries
and wages (primarily due to
vacancies in several staff positions
during the year), employee benefits
(payroll taxes and medical insurance
premiums), and office expense
(renegotiated the contract for the
mailroom/copy center services).
Second, as I mentioned in my last
column, strong attendance at the
dental implant conference and its
pre-conference courses resulted in
revenues over expenses of $178,000
more than the original budget
expectations. Third, the association
annually budgets $250,000 in a
contingency fund that is meant to
cover unanticipated, but critical,
items that surface during the
budget year. In 2011, we spent only
$152,000 on such activities (which is Treasurer
low based on historical experience), Brett L. Ferguson, DDS
resulting in a budget savings of
$98,000. Finally, membership dues,
our most critical revenue source that
our investment reserves totaled 94%
funds many programs, exceeded
of our annual operating expenses,
budgeted revenues by $97,000 in
which is far above a common
2011.
targeted goal for associations of
50%, or six months of reserves. I’m
In summary, AAOMS posted
thankful that my predecessors in
strong financial results for the third
the treasurer position have provided
consecutive year. As a result, our
such a sound financial footing upon
operating reserve investments hit
which we can continue to build. n
an all-time high at the end of 2011,
totaling over $14.2 million. Reserves
are a key measure of an association’s
financial health. At year-end 2011,

16 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012

Question:
We recently purchased a Cone Beam
CT Scanner for our office. How
should these scans be reported?
Answer:
Both CPT and CDT contain codes
that can be used to report this
service. The available CDT codes and
their nomenclature are as follows:
D0360 cone beam CT –
craniofacial data capture,
includes axial, coronal and
sagittal data.
D0362 cone beam –
two-dimensional image
reconstruction using
existing data, includes
multiple images.
D0363 cone beam –
three-dimensional image
reconstruction using
existing data, includes
multiple images.
The first of these three codes
describes the technical component
of actually obtaining the scan as
well as the professional component
of the OMS interpretation and
report generation. The second and
third codes describe any associated
image reconstruction into different
views. These latter two codes
are differentiated by the type of
reconstruction (two dimensional
[2D] versus three dimensional [3D]).
It is possible that more than one of
the above codes could be reported at
the same time.
The available CPT codes for this
service and their descriptors are as
follows:
70486 Computed tomography,
maxillofacial area; without
contrast material.
76376 3D rendering with
interpretation and reporting
of computed tomography,
magnetic resonance
imaging, ultrasound,
or other tomographic
modality; not requiring
image postprocessing on an
independent workstation.
76377 3D rendering with
interpretation and reporting
of computed tomography,
magnetic resonance
imaging, ultrasound,
or other tomographic
modality; requiring image
postprocessing on an
independent workstation.
As on the dental side, it may be
possible that more than one of these
three codes is reported for the same
patient encounter. CPT code 70486 is
similar to D0360 in that it describes
both the technical and professional
components of the service.
The CPT and CDT image
reconstruction codes however are
designed a bit differently. According
to CPT guidelines, two-dimensional
reconstructions are not reported
separately but, rather, included in
the radiologic capture code (eg,
70486). This is in contrast to the
dental coding system where separate
reporting of 2D reconstruction (via
D0362) is permissible. That said,
on the medical side the surgeon may
be able to bill for interpretation
(the professional component) of the
reconstructed 2D image. For instance,
if the surgeon is reconstructing the
cone beam image into a panorex, he
may be able to report 70355 -26 in
addition to the code for obtaining
the scan/initial interpretation (70486)
and the work of reconstructing the
image (76376 or 76377).
As a reminder, accreditation
is required in order to receive
reimbursement by Medicare and
some third party payers for advanced
imaging services. Please visit www.
aaoms.org for information related to
advanced imaging accreditation. n
Coding decisions are personal choices to be
made by individual oral and maxillofacial
surgeons exercising their own professional
judgment in each situation.  The information
provided to you in this article is intended for
educational purposes only.  In no event shall
AAOMS be liable for any decision made or
action taken or not taken by you or anyone
else in reliance on the information contained
in this article.  For practice, financial,
accounting, legal or other professional advice,
you need to consult your own professional
advisers.
CPT only © 2012 American Medical
Association
Current Dental Terminology
copyright © 2012 American Dental
Association. All rights reserved.

Phase II Associates Joel C. Small,

DDS, MBA, SBA,
is proud to announce Endodontist
the newest member
of our team,
Dr. R. Lynn White.

R. Lynn White, DDS, FACD, FICD Kathy Hamilton,

Oral Surgeon DDS, MBA, CMEA
Past President of the AAOMS

Call today to speak with a Phase II Associate

214.540.8085
info@phasetwoassociates.com | www.phasetwoassociates.com

AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 17

 The University of Minnesota’s 12th Annual Names in
Oral and the news
Maxillofacial Dr. Kaban delivers Kitty

Surgery Review Robinson Lecture

F
ebruary 4, 2012 Dr.
Leonard Kaban delivered
Saturday-Sunday • August 18-19, 2012 the Kitty Robinson
Lecture and discussed
19.25 credit hours Diagnosis and Management
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Available of Hemifacial Microsomia
in Adults and Children. This Left to right: Charles A. McCallum, Jr., DMD, MD, Kitty
Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport – Mall of America lectureship recognized Dr. Robinson, and Leonard B. Kaban, DMD, MD at the Kitty
Bloomington, Minnesota Charles McCallum’s long Robinson Lecture.
time administrative assistant
Leadership Institute. Dr. Norris has
Topics to be Covered over his academic career and is designed
been the recipient of numerous honors
to bring orthodontists and oral and
• Medicine • TMJ Surgery including the Distinguished Alumni
maxillofacial surgeons together for topics
• Anesthesia • Maxillofacial Pathology Award from Harvard School of Dental
of mutual concern.
Medicine and the Tufts University
• Dentoalveolar Surgery • Maxillofacial Trauma Provost’s Medal. The Tufts University
• Implant Surgery • Reconstruction Dr. Norris receives ADEA School of Dental Medicine Alumni
• Orthognathic Surgery • Infections Distinguished Service Award Association presented him with an
• Cleft Lip and Palate/ • Cosmetic Facial Surgery Lonnie H. Norris, DMD, MPH, Alumni Achievement Award in 2010.
received the American Dental Education Also, he has been recognized with a
Craniofacial Surgery Association (ADEA) Distinguished National Dental Association President
Service Award, which recognizes Award. 

You Will Benefit From significant contributions to education,
• a concise course format scheduled over a single weekend. research, and ADEA. He was presented Dr. Reisman named to
with the award during the 2012 ADEA state dental board
• evidence-based updates on the complete scope of oral and Annual Session & Exhibition.
maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Richard J. Reisman of
Queensbury, NY has been appointed
• knowledgeable speakers/clinicians with expertise in the topics Dr. Norris has dedicated his career to
to the New York State Board of
they will address. teaching, research, and patient care.
Dentistry by the Board of Regents of
• an excellent study guide for further review. He earned his DMD degree from the
the NYS Department of Education.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine and
Dr. Reisman is a graduate of the
Master of Public Health degree from
Faculty (*Course Co-Directors) Harvard University School of Dental
the Harvard School of Public Health
Medicine and completed his residency
*Deepak Kademani, DMD, MD, FACS before completing a postgraduate
in oral and maxillofacial surgery at
*James Q. Swift, DDS residency in oral and maxillofacial
Mr. Sinai Hospital, New York City.
Christopher J. Bacsik, DMD surgery at Tufts University. He has been
He is currently chief of the Division
a faculty member at Tufts University
Karyn D. Baum, MD, MSEd* of Dentistry at Glens Falls Hospital
School of Dental Medicine since 1980
Tirbod Fattahi, DDS, MD, FACS and is a member of the teaching staff
and is a tenured professor of oral and
Rui P. Fernandes, DMD MD, FACS at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady. He is
maxillofacial surgery. He was appointed
Pamela J. Hughes, DDS chairman of the Ethics Committee
interim dean at Tufts University School
of the Fourth District Dental Society
Stephen P.R . MacLeod, BDS, MBChB, FDS RCS(Ed), FRCS(Ed) of Dental Medicine in July 1995 and
and a representative to the NY State
Noah A. Sandler, DMD, MD dean in February 1996. He retired as
Dental Association Ethics Council. In
Paul S. Tiwana, DDS, MD, MS, FACS dean in 2011 and was named dean and
addition to AAOMS, he is a fellow
professor emeritus. He is a fellow of
of the American College of Dentists,
the American Association of Oral and
Course Sponsors the New York Society of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons, the International
Maxillofacial Surgeons and American
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Continuing College of Dentists, the American College
Dental Society of Anesthesiology and
Dental Education Program at the University of Minnesota School of Dentists, the American Academy of
a diplomate of the National Dental
of Dentistry. Dental Science, and the Pierre Fauchard
Board of Anesthesiology.
Academy. Dr. Norris is also a diplomate
of the American Board of Oral and
For additional information or to register, Maxillofacial Surgery and has been
Dr. Reisman mantains an active oral
please contact: a member of its advisory committee
and maxillofacial surgery practice in
Continuing Dental Education Queensbury, NY here he resides with
as a board examiner. He has served
his wife Jane. n
6-406 Moos HS Tower, 515 Delaware St. SE. ADEA in numerous ways including as
Minneapolis, MN 55455 a commissioner on the Commission on
Dental Accreditation, as chair of the
(800) 685-1418 • (612) 625-1418 ADEA Council of Deans, on the Board of
www.dentalce.umn.edu Trustees for the ADEA Gies Foundation,
and as an advisor in the ADEA
The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical
education for physicians. The University of Minnesota designates this educational activity for a maximum of 19.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the course.
This continuing education course is offered for your professional development. It is not endorsed or sponsored by the American Board of Oral
and Maxillofacial Surgery or the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

18 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012

THE EDITOR’S CORNER
Deciding when to retire
W
ith the increasing average
age of the membership
of our Association it is
probably time for many to at least
start thinking about retirement. As
one who is still working far beyond
the usual retirement age, I may not
be the one to give advice on this
subject. On the other hand, it may
make me better equipped to discuss
the various pros and cons.
Deciding when to retire is a personal
decision and it will vary from person
to person. The generally cited time
is age 65, because that is when one
becomes eligible for Social Security
and Medicare, and when most
retirement plans go into effect.
However, many still have the mental
and physical capacity, as well as the
desire, to continue beyond this age.
So what are some of the factors that
should be considered in making this
decision?
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Download an application at www.aaoms.org/alliedstaff and sponsor your staff members today!
AAOMS Allied Staff Membership Benefits OMS
Staff and the Practice
No matter what their role, AAOMS Allied Staff
Membership has something to enhance the
knowledge and skills of all staff members in the
practice and is a bargain at only $40*!
• Reimbursement staff have first-hand access
to coding and billing advice that can reduce
claim errors and shorten reimbursement time.
• Practice managers learn the latest in infection
control and recommendations and manage-
ment strategies to help them excel in their
many roles in the practice.
• Clinical staff education includes anesthesia
assistants review course, assisting skills labs
and protocols for managing office emergencies.
• All Allied Staff Members receive direct online
access to AAOMS Today and other important
publications related to OMS, like the OMS Staff
Communiqué.
Perhaps first and foremost is having In many families the
enough wealth to allow one to spouse is also currently
live the rest of his or her life in the employed and retirement
manner in which they have been often needs to be
accustomed. There are various coordinated between
formulas that can be used to make a the two persons. Men
reasonable approximation of what generally tend to be older
this might be. However, one needs than their wives and this
Daniel M. Laskin,
to have enough flexibility in the plan may lead to a delay for the DDS, MS
to account for any adverse financial man if there are plans for
crises or economic downturns. post-retirement activities
that will involve both partners.
Health status is another important
factor. Obviously, poor general Perhaps the most important factor in
health can lead to a decision for early the final decision about when to retire
retirement. However, more localized is one’s satisfaction with their current
problems such as impairment in practice situation. Do you consider
eyesight or reduction in fine motor what you do merely a job and you
skills can have a similar result. One get your satisfaction elsewhere, or do
should also consider their family really love what you do? If you really
history in terms of longevity and enjoy your practice, you may not
causes of death. want to retire at age 65. On the other
H E A LT H IT BYTES
In this new section of the AAOMS
Today, we highlight health
information technology (health IT)
issues affecting OMS practices.
Strengthen • Providers and system developers
received a break from the
American National Standards
your team
Institute's Accredited Standards
Committee X12 (ASC X12) when
it announced it would hold off on
recommending adoption of the
updated 5010 standard known
as 6020. HIPAA 5010 standards
regulate the transmission of
certain healthcare transactions
among hospitals, physician
practices, health plans and claims
The Allied Staff Membership category is just
beginning its second year and we are already
clearinghouses. Converting to the
planning new programs, like the upcoming coding HIPAA 5010 standards is seen
workshop to prepare OMS practices for the major as key to the larger switch from
transition to ICD-10. Allied Staff Members will
receive a discounted meeting registration rate on
the ICD-9 clinical coding system
this workshop, as well as the many other courses to the ICD-10 system. HIPAA
and programs that will be available in the 2012 6020 contains technical updates
membership year.
to the 5010 standard. Citing
*The initial application fee is $40 and will cover your staff
membership fees through the end of the year. Annual dues the enforcement of the HIPAA
will not be assessed until the end of 2012, for the 2013
membership year.
5010 standards until March
31, 2012, the committee said it
hopes to reassure the healthcare
industry that HIPAA 5010
implementations will have time
saving faces|changing lives®
hand, if you are tired of
your practice, no longer
enjoy acquiring new
skills, and are having
difficulty adapting to
new technology, it may
be time to quit.
A successful retirement
depends on sound
planning done well in
advance of leaving your practice.
However, when the time comes,
but you do not wish to give up the
specialty entirely, you may want
to consider devoting some time
to teaching. Your knowledge and
experience can make an important
contribution to the education and
training of dental students and
residents, as well as help resolve the
teacher crisis. n
to mature before it recommends
the adoption of HIPAA 6020
standards.
• In late February, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) released its criteria for
stage 2 of the electronic health
records incentive program known
as meaningful use. Among the
requirements that participating
providers will need to meet
are additional clinical quality
measures.The electronic health
records incentive program is open
only to Medicare or Medicaid
providers and it is not mandatory
to participate. For additional
information, please contact CMS
or visit the practice management
section of the AAOMS Web site.
Do you have questions about the
numerous health IT and e-prescribing
incentive programs? If so, be sure to
visit the AAOMS Web site at http://
www.aaoms.org/practice_mgmt.php
for additional information on these
issues and much more! n
AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 19
 Practice Management Matters
Question:
I am an OMS with two offices and
would like to know if I can transfer
prescription drugs from one of my
practices to the other practice?
Answer:
Yes, but you must have a different
DEA number for each location to
transfer controlled substances. Then
you would need a DEA Controlled
Substance order form (DEA 222)
for schedules I and II controlled
substances. If transferring schedules
III-V controlled substances you must
document in writing (not on any
specific form unless required by state
law) the drug name, dosage, strength,
quantity and date transferred. The
document must include the names,
addresses and DEA registration
numbers of the parties involved in
the transfer. You can obtain the
form free of charge online at www.
deadiversion.usdoj.gov or by calling
the DEA Headquarters Registration
Unit at 800/882-9539. It will be
mailed within 3 working days. If you
have any further questions you can
call the nearest DEA Registration
Office in your state.
Question:
How long should our practice keep
an Explanation of Benefits after the
account has been paid?
Answer:
Per the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) Web site
(http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ma.../
downloads/qio110c15.pdf):
15750 - Retention Of Financial
Records - (Rev. 1, 05-23-03)
states that all financial records and
supporting documents are to be
retained for three years by a desig-
nated, responsible individual of the
outgoing contract or in accordance
with Government contract require-
ments. If any litigation claims or
audits are begun before the expira-
tion of the three-year period, all
records shall be retained until the
completion of the action or until the
end of the regular three-year period,
whichever comes last.
Question:
Which workers in our OMS practice
need the hepatitis B vaccine?
Answer:
The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) requires
that hepatitis B vaccine be offered
to healthcare workers (HCWs) who
have a reasonable expectation of
being exposed to blood on the job.
This requirement does not include
HCWs who would not be expected
to have occupational risk, such as
receptionists, billing staff and general
office workers. n

Face transplant
continued from page 1
procuring the face of the anonymous
donor. (The man’s family would
also donate five of his vital organs;
to recover and transplant those
required an additional 36 hours of
surgery.) The facial procurement was
a painstaking procedure that took
place over the course of 12 hours.
The surgeons had to detach and
protect the blood vessels, identify the
various nerves that move the facial
musculature and dissect the soft
tissue and associated facial bones—
all on both faces, Norris’s and the
donor’s.
Next the doctors operated on
Norris’s bones. The transformation
began with a skeletal fixation of the
osteotomies. Then they connected
all the blood vessels and the nerves
and recreated the soft palate and
the tongue. Finally, they tailored
the soft tissue of the face. Rodriguez
and his team of four surgeons were
in the operating room for the entire
36-hour procedure.
Unlike the movie Face/Off in which
Nicolas Cage and John Travolta
exchanged faces seamlessly, Norris
looks neither completely like his old
self nor the donor. “He has some
features of the donor,” Rodriguez
observes, “the nose, the lips and
chin; but if you put the donor
next to Richard, you can see the
combination of both people. I can’t
help but stare. It’s the most amazing
thing you’ve ever seen in your life.”
Two weeks after surgery, Norris’s
recovery was proceeding nicely.
“Everything’s going as planned,”
reports Rodriguez. “He’s healing
normally. There’s no evidence of
rejection. He’s functioning normally.
The swelling’s down. His skin color’s
improving. The lab values look
excellent. He’s physically perfect,
thank God.”
Rodriguez anticipates some
psychological issues as Norris gets
used to his new face, but for now,
the patient thinks it’s perfect. In two
weeks, a month after the surgery,
he’ll move to an independent living
facility near the hospital and undergo
a regimen of speech and physical
therapy. Within three months,
Rodriguez hopes Norris will be
able to return home to Virginia
where his primary-care physician
will keep him on a strict regimen of
checkups, including monthly visits to
Baltimore.
As big a production and triumph
as Norris’s surgery was, Rodriguez
sees it as one more step in a chain
of events that will improve facial
transplant surgery and make it
accessible to more patients. “We
want to keep moving the process
forward and help people with severe
facial disfigurement have a new “But,” he adds, “the real heroes are
chance for life,” he says. “It’s also the patient, Richard Norris, and the
important to recognize the surgeons donor’s family that provided such an
who performed operations before us. incredible gift. It’s hard to contain
Learning from their experiences has your emotions when you recognize
allowed us to improve our results.” the amazing power this gift had.” n
Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez received a BS in
neurobiology from the University of Florida, and a
DDS degree from New York University. He pursued
oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Montefiore
Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
in New York and continued on to the Medical
College of Virginia, receiving his MD degree in
1999. He completed his prerequisite general
surgery training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2001
and was accepted to the combined plastic surgery Eduardo Rodriguez,
program at Johns Hopkins Hospital/University of MD, DDS
Maryland Medical Center, where he completed
training in 2003. He subsequently completed an international reconstructive
microsurgery fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan
in 2004. 
Dr. Rodriguez is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery and Plastic Surgery. He is currently chief of the Plastic, Reconstructive
and Maxillofacial Surgery Division at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center,
associate professor of surgery at University of Maryland School of Medicine
and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and program director of the
Craniofacial Fellowship at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and Johns
Hopkins Hospital.
He is currently involved in basic science, translational and clinical research
projects focused on novel strategies of immunosuppression for composite
facial allotransplantation.
Dr. Rodriguez specializes in craniomaxillofacial reconstruction, reconstructive
designer microsurgery and complex wound management. n

20 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012

 saving faces | changing lives ®

Register online at
aaoms.org/SanDiego

AAOMS 94th Annual Meeting, Scientific Sessions and Exhibition

San Diego, California

September 10-13: Business Sessions

September 11: Preconference Maxillofacial Oncology and

Reconstructive Surgery
Q The state of clinical and basic science research.

September 11-12: Preconference Anesthesia Update for the OMS

Q Including the first-ever AAOMS SimWarsTM
competition!

September 12-15: Scientific Sessions

Q New formats – hands-on, case studies, point-
counterpoint, refresher & innovative technologies.

September 13-15: Exhibition

Q Hundreds of companies to meet your
practice needs!

AAOMS CORE PALETTE COLORS:

cmyk:18,4,81,0

cmyk:99,75,13,2

cmyk: 99,75,13,45

San Diego Convention Center

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

AAOMS Today • May/June 2012 21

 PRST STD
U.S. POSTAGE
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
PAID
9700 West Bryn Mawr Avenue KELMSCOTT
Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701
aaoms.org

AAOMS

TODAYA publication of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

AAOMS CALENDAR
Educational September 11: Preconference
Maxillofacial Oncology and
November 29-December 2
AAOMS Dental
Regional and July 28-29
Colorado Society of Oral
Opportunities Reconstructive Surgery
September 11-12: Preconference
Implant Conference State Society and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Anesthesia Update for the
Sheraton Chicago Hotel &
Meetings Broadmoor Hotel
2012 OMS Towers Colorado Springs, CO
Chicago, IL
August 4
September 12-15: Scientific
Sessions November 29: Preconference 2012 November 7
September 13-15: Exhibition Courses Middle Atlantic
Coding Workshop:
November 30 - December 1: May 1-6 Society of Oral and
ICD-10-CM
September 12-13
Dental Implant Conference Southeastern Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg,
Coding Workshop:
November 30 - December 1: Oral and Maxillofacial Turf Valley Resort
Chicago Exhibition
Beyond the Basics Surgeons 63rd Ellicott City, MD
Schaumburg, IL November 30 - December 1:
In conjunction with AAOMS Annual Meeting
Anesthesia Assistants Review
94th Annual Meeting Ponte Veda Beach, FL
September 10-15 Course (AARC)
The Westin Gaslamp
AAOMS 94th Annual December 2: Anesthesia
Quarter, San Diego Assistants Skills Lab (AASL) July 21-24
Meeting, Scientific
San Diego, CA Western Society of Oral
Sessions and Exhibition
and Maxillofacial Surgeons
San Diego Convention
Suncadia Resort
Center
Cle Elum, WA
Hilton Bayfront San Diego
San Diego, CA
September 10-13: Business
Sessions

ADVERTISING
Advertising inquiries other than classifieds should be directed to Ms. Joan
Coffey, Elsevier, Corporate Partnership Manager, 360 Park Avenue South,
New York, New York 10010; Tel: 212-633-3806; Fax: 212-633-3820;
e-mail: j.coffey@elsevier.com. The publication of an advertisement is not to
be construed as an endorsement or approval by the American Association of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of the product or service being offered in
the advertisement unless the advertisement specifically includes an authorized
statement that such approval or endorsement has been granted. n

22 AAOMS Today • May/June 2012