Benefits of Membership
The following are member services only:
Auxiliary Training
The revised "On the Job Training Manual" is an excellent resource for training beginning dental assistants, teaching proficiency in clinical skills, or for cross-training front office staff. Cost of the manual is $60 for CDA members. CDA can also provide information on education programs in radiation safety, coronal polish, RDA exam preparation, and can provide program location information for RDA, RDAEF, RDH and laboratory technology training. To order the On-the-Job Training Manual or for information on education programs, please call (800) 736-7071, ext. 6362.
Auxiliary Recruitment
Members may contact the SJDS staff if you need additional staff. A job placement service is available for members who need staff or auxiliaries who are seeking employment. Call the dental society office or e-mail the staff to list your position.
Buying a Practice
This document outlines recommended steps to take for protecting your liability when purchasing a practice. For more information, contact The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) at web site www.thedentists.com.
The local San Joaquin Dental Society maintains a current listing of practices for sale or associateships. Contact the dental society staff for more information.
CDA Endorsed Programs
California Dental Association partners with a variety of excellent companies to offer an array of personal and professional products and services for members of the CDA. Each program is researched extensively before it
is selected for endorsement. CDA-endorsed Programs are designed with the CDA member in mind. We offer both personal and professional financing services as well as practice management services. Following is a listing of
CDA-endorsed Programs:
Dental Patient Financing
Personal and Business MasterCard, VISA, and AMEX
Money Market and Certificate of Deposit Accounts
Travel Rewards Program
Merchant Credit Card Processing
Spore Checking System
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Demographic Site Analysis
Practice Sales & Acquisition Financing
Dental Equipment Financing
Practice Management Supplies
Practice Management Consulting |
For more information about cdaendorsedprograms.com, visit their web site at or by e-mail at endorsedprograms@cda.org
CDA SelectChoice Loans
The CDA is pleased to offer a program designed exclusively for CDA members to help manage student loan debt. CDA SelectChoice Loans enable new dentists and their spouses to lock in low federal student loan interest rates. Consolidating your loans with CDA SelectChoice Loans can save you money and help you manage your debt efficiently. For more information, please call (866) 302-7367 or visit www.selectchoiceloans.org.
CDA's Regulatory Compliance Manual
Fighting through the regulatory jungle? CDA's "Regulatory Compliance Manual" can help members prepare compliance documents for Cal-OSHA and for the Department of Health Services, which enforces the medical waste laws. The manual contains sample forms and copies of the regulations dentists must have. The cost to members is $48.49 including tax and shipping. Call (866) CDA-Member (232-6362) to order the manual.
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Issues
Are you aware that CDA staff is available to answer your questions regarding child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, and domestic violence? Call CDA at (800) 736-7071, extension 4560 for more information.
Code of Ethics
The CDA Code of Ethics provides member dentists with clear principles and guidelines with regard to the conduct, which a dentist is expected to follow in carrying out professional duties. For more information, call (800) 736-7071, extension 4340.
Continuing Education
Short on CE units? The San Joaquin Dental Society offers continuing education (including the required Dental Board courses) at our monthly general membership meetings. Continuing education locally includes monthly CPR courses. Each issue of the membership newsletter offers 1 unit of continuing education by submitting an answer sheet with each issue. Contact the dental society staff for upcoming course information.
Also, members receive continuing education units by attending free courses at Scientific Sessions, but also have the opportunity to obtain CE at home. Many of the courses at sessions are available for sale on audio and videotapes. Call (800) 776-5454 for a catalog of courses on tape. Online courses are available at www.cda.org. This service is available through the "Professional" entrance to the web site.
Delinquent License Notification
Did you know that each year CDA compares delinquent license information from the Dental Board of California with members' license information on file? Many times, members are unaware that their license is delinquent. After receiving a courtesy notice from CDA, members have the opportunity to correct the licensure status before penalties are assessed. This service is available to CDA members only.
Dental Career Information
Are you planning or participating in a career fair? If you would like a CDA representative to assist you, or to request free literature regarding dental or dental auxiliary careers, call (800) 736-7071, extension 6362, or check with the San Joaquin Dental Society for materials.
Dental Management Service Organization Contract Analysis
Dental Management Service Organization (DMSO) Contract Analysis is now available to CDA members free of charge. This service can greatly benefit those members who are considering selling their practice to a DMSO. Members interested in this service should call CDA at (800) 736-7071, extension 4256.
Dental Plan Contract Analysis Service
Did you know that CDA offers a contract analysis service? This service can be very helpful if the dentist is thinking of signing up with an insurance carrier - and is a free service available only to members. For more information, call CDA at (800) 736-7071, extension 4256.
Direct Reimbursement
Frustrated with the diminishing provider options available in this managed care environment? Tell your employer patients about Direct Reimbursement, the self-funded dental benefits concept that preserves freedom of choice. There are no provider lists and few, if any, exclusions or restrictions. Brochures, plan documents and assistance are available to employers and members. Empower the fee-for-service practice today. For more information, call (800) 736-7071, extension 4961.
Electronic Dues Payment Program
The Electronic Dues Payment (EDP) program is a dues payment option that allows members to spread their dues in seven equal monthly installments. This program is offered to members free of interest charges, processing fees and down payment. Call for deadlines and information on participating in this program. (866) CDA-Member (232-6362).
Insurance Services
All CDA-sponsored insurance plans are brokered and administered by The Dentist Insurance Company Solutions. TDIC Solutuions is a CDA company, wholly owned by the CDA Holding Company, Inc. Each year, they pays dividends back to the holding company to be used by CDA as the need determines.
As the sponsored insurance plans, the company specializes in the personal and professional insurance needs of today's dentists.
TDIC Insurance Solutions offers a complete line of personal and professional insurance plans sponsored by the California Dental Association. The association's Council on Insurance oversees all sponsored insurance plans. The council is a group of practicing dentists who are the membership's "voice" in assuring the insurance programs 1201 offers are high quality, competitive, and serve the CDA membership's needs.
All of TDIC Insurance Solutions plans are designed to provide protection for you, your family, and your practice at every stage of your career. The following is a complete list of the insurance plans offered through TDIC Insurance Solutions:
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Professional & Business Liability
Health & Vision
Individual Non-cancelable Disability Income
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Long-term Care |
Building & Business Personal Property
Worker's Compensation
Business Overhead Expense
Hospital Income
Group Disability Income |
For more information about the CDA-sponsored insurance plans or to receive an online quote visit CDA-endorsed Programs through TDIC Insurance Solutions
Legislative Advocacy
CDA's Council on Legislation reviews more than 4,000 pieces of legislation and tracks more than 400 each year that impact the health care arena and, specifically, the practice of dentistry. The council actively sponsors, opposes, and tracks legislation, taking a proactive approach to the issues that affect dentists and their patients. For legislative updates, call (800) 736-7071, extension 6770.
Peer Review
Peer Review was established by CDA and its 32 component dental societies to assist its members in resolving disputes with patients regarding quality and/or appropriateness of dental treatment, utilization, and/or potential irregular billing practices. Peer Review is a relatively simple process and an extremely effective alternative to legal action. Inquiries can be directed to (800) 736-7071, extension 4290.
Practice Interruption Guidelines
The Practice Interruption Guidelines were developed by CDA to help member dentists form mutual aid groups, which act to sustain a group member's practice in the event of disability or death. The Guidelines also offer tips on organizing financial data and storage of patient records. To request a copy of the guidelines, call the dental society office (209) 951-1318 or e-mail DentalSociety@sbcglobal.net . These guidelines are free to SJDS members.
Professional Liability Insurance
The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) offers Professional & Business Liability and Building & Business Personal Property coverage designed specifically for dentists. This is a benefit offered exclusively to California Dental Association members. For more information, call (800) 733-0635 or contact TDIC's web site. at www.thedentists.com.
Publications
The San Joaquin Dental Society published six (6) newsletters a year and it is designed to keep members updated on local component programs and activities, and informative practice information.
The CDA Journal is a monthly publication designed to keep members abreast of the latest in dental technology, scientific issues and practice management information. The CDA Update provides a forum for discussion of issues confronting organized dentistry and association happenings.
Required Postings
There are several items an employer and a dentist must post in their office. CDA has a poster set, which includes required posters from Cal-OSHA, California Department of Industrial Relations, U.S. Department of Labor, and the Dental Board of California. To order a set of posters call (866) CDA-Member (232-6362), or e-mail contactcda@cda.org.
Risk Management
Risk Management Advice: TDIC's risk management staff gives free, one-on-one advice for members seeking assistance with questions or concerns about liability. Our risk management staff is available to assist member dentists and their employees who have questions or concerns about potential claims or patient situations that are troublesome. Whenever you are in doubt about handling a difficult patient, a risk management coordinator will help you find a solution. Call (800) 733-0634.
Risk Management Education Courses: TDIC's risk management seminars have helped thousands of dentists practice more confidently and productively. We have also helped them pay less for TDIC professional liability coverage. By attending RM10: Sharing Patients and Risks, TDIC policyholders or members who become TDIC policyholders receive a two-year, 5 percent premium discount. This course is available to dentists and their spouses only. For more information, visit the TDIC Web site at www.thedentists.com.
Liability Lifeline Newsletter: TDIC's quarterly newsletter, Liability Lifeline, is sent free of charge to all members of the California Dental Association. The newsletter provides analysis and practical advice on a variety of issues relating to liability risks. Each issue includes a case study and answers to common questions.
Forms & References: TDIC offers forms and reference guides free to CDA members to help them manage and reduce their liability. Available forms include informed consent forms in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean, sample letters, the RM Reference Guide, risk management and employment practices resources lists, and many others. For more information on the above services, please contact TDIC's Web site: www.thedentists.com.
Scientific Sessions
CDA sponsors two scientific meetings each year, one held in Anaheim and the other in San Francisco. These meetings provide an opportunity for members to obtain the necessary continuing education credits for licensure renewal and to visit hundreds of vendor exhibits displaying the latest in dental equipment and dental materials. To preregister for sessions or for more information, call (866) CDA-Member (232-6362), or e-mail contactcda@cda.org.
Separating From Practice Packet
If you are thinking of retiring or leaving your practice, you want to be sure that you've taken the necessary steps to ensure that your patients are adequately informed in reasonable time to find another dentist. Information to assist you is available in The Dentists Insurance Company's publication “Separating From Practice.” For more information, or to obtain a copy, please call TDIC at (800) 733-0635 or online at www.thedentists.com.
Starting a Practice
CDA has prepared a checklist for the new practitioner entitled "Starting a Practice?" which details key regulatory and personnel requirements that need to be considered when making plans to start your own practice. To obtain the checklist, call (866) CDA-Member (232-6362), or e-mail contactcda@cda.org.
Well-Being Program
Well-being Committees of the California Dental Association provide confidential assistance to members of the profession, their spouses and staff members. For alcoholism and chemical dependency information and/or help, call (866) CDA-Member (232-6362) for the number of the well-being volunteer near you.
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