DTA Announces Strategy for Next Steps on Health Care Legislation
Dental manufacturers will be subject to an excise tax of 2.3% under the health system reform legislation passed recently by the Congress. Here is a letter sent to all DTA members which explains the DTA strategy and asks members to help in the effort to modify the law. Review our discussion points on the strategy and see sample letters to Congress.

Oral Health America announces the launch of Fall for Smiles^®, a public messaging campaign conducted in collaboration with Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait^®, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance.

DTA Members Help Rebuild Haitian Oral Health Care
Dear Colleague:

The Dental Trade Alliance has joined a coalition of organizations with the goal of meeting the immediate oral health needs of the citizens of Haiti. As their country begins to stabilize, it is critical to begin the process of restoring and improving oral health. Our coalition includes the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the ADA, Latin American Dental Association, ADEA, the Hispanic Dental Association and many others. Our goal is to provide the necessary equipment, supplies and human resources to meet the tremendous challenge of ‘starting over’ to improve oral health in Haiti. Many DTA members have contacted us to volunteer equipment and product. We ask that others come forward to meet this need.

In collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, the dental community in Haiti has completed an evaluation of the status of their facilities and the immediate needs in the community. Working with DTA, PAHO has also developed a mechanism to assure that donated equipment and supplies will reach the appropriate parties in Haiti.

Here is a list of equipment and supply needs provided by the oral health professionals on the ground in Haiti. You can see it is extensive. If you can help in any way with donated equipment or supplies, your donation will be used appropriately. Please contact me if you are able to contribute and we will supply you with the necessary information to get these needed supplies to the people in Haiti.

Thank you for your help.

Gary W. Price
Chief Executive Officer

Don Lavanty, DTA legislative counsel, provides healthcare update.
DTA held a special Legislative Update session in Boston on January 28^th. DTA Legislative Counsel, Don Lavanty reported on the status of health care system reform legislation and its possible effects on the dental industry.

Don Lavanty, DTA legislative counsel, and Gary Price, DTA CEO at the Boston Legislative meeting.

John Scott (Pentron), Don Lavanty and Al King (Preventech), DTA Board Chairman, chat after the DTA Legislative session in Boston.

DTA's "Oral Healthcare Can't Wait^™ Awareness Campaign
DTA has launched a multifaceted "Oral Healthcare Can't Wait^™ awareness campaign to dental professionals and consumers alike. The "Oral Healthcare Can't Wait^™ campaign will encourage all members of the dental team to communicate positive, compelling messages to their patients about the importance of seeking and accepting recommended oral care treatment.

Maintaining optimum oral health is important to everyone, despite the state of the economy. Now is the time for the entire oral health care community to communicate this message to dental professionals and consumers alike. The negative effects of postponing oral care treatment are significant, with existing and new research indicating that a person’s overall health can be put at risk. But it doesn’t have to be this way - although we face economic challenges on a global basis, the majority of Americans still have the ability to make continued and comprehensive oral care an integrated part of their lives.

Read more about our plans for dental and mainstream media relations, a practice-level communications tool kit, internet and social media marketing, and how you can help improve America's dental health. And visit the new informational site for dental professionals and site for consumers.

Oral Health America Dental Survey
Read the analysis of a recent survey of 1000 people regarding dental health and insurance. DTA CEO Gary Price presented key findings at the launch of National Smile Month at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore. Full survey information is available to DTA Members with their on-line member account.

DTA monitors and advocates for our members regarding health care legislation.
DTA speaks for dental industry members in opposition to fees or taxes on medical device manufacturers and importers. Read more about this rapidly changing issue.

Results of the DTA Survey
Results of an October 2009 membership survey are available to DTA members with their member login. The report compares these responses to those from early 2008.

DTA CEO Spring Update
DTA members can read an update on a variety of topics, including "Oral Health Care Can't Wait", the next Annual Meeting, trade shows and an FDA request for comment on Unique Device Identification (UDI). See his entire spring news update.

DTA has developed a Position Paper on Dental Meetings, which came about after a great deal of study of US dental meetings. Beginning with a 2005 survey of US dentists' opinions about trade shows and followed by creation of a special DTA Task Force on Trade Shows, DTA has focused its efforts on finding ways to improve the trade show experience for dentists and for the trade. The Position Paper on Dental Meetings contains guidelines for what the trade considers a successful exhibition and dental meeting. Read about the process and the position paper itself.

Now Available - the Introduction to Dental Learning Training Modules are now available on-line! This includes two new modules, entitled The Digital Office and Pharmaceuticals and Injectables. Learn more, and order this on-line capability now.

FDA Quality Systems Training - available to DTA Members only! Topics include: Production, Process and Equipment Control; Corrective and Preventive Actions; and FDA Export Certificates. A $2500 value, this 10 CD set is just $445, and shipping is free. See our Products and Services Overview for these and other products.