2003 Annual Session
Special Interest Groups (SIGS) Update

> View the 2002 SIG Report

As the ADHA Special Interest Groups (SIGS) entered their second year, attendance grew and participation continued to build. This year several of the SIG sessions were coordinated with other related annual session events in order to maximize the use of time. In addition, participants were asked to complete a survey to assist in the ongoing effort to be responsive to the members’ needs. The vast majority who took the survey reported that they were pleased with the structure of their SIG and favored the group-leader/networking format featured so many of the SIGs this year used. More than half of those completing the surveys noted satisfaction with the dental hygiene profession and noted they plan to continue with their careers. As in the past, the participants viewed the SIGs as a means to provide information and assistance in potential career change for those contemplating such a move. Finally, more than 60% attending this year’s annual session already have decided to attend the 2004 annual session in Dallas and the SIG sessions!

Geriatrics SIG: This year’s meeting was chaired by Judith Corbin, RDH, BSDH, FADPD who provided a list of resources available to dental hygienists to provide services for geriatric patients. Elder abuse was a main topic of discussion, along with basic/minimal insurance coverage for seniors and a Medicare bill that discusses the definition of medically necessary dental care. Other topics included the possibility of working with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the role of scope of practice restrictions, and the involvement of children of nursing home residents in the delivery of oral health care.

Education SIG: The education SIG focused on the 2005 revision of the Accreditation Standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs. Quality of care standards also were discussed in relationship to ensuring quality, measurement tools, examination, chart audits, patient surveys and regulatory compliance.

Periodontics SIG: The periodontics SIG primarily focused on the American Dental Association Current Dental Terminology, fourth edition (CDT-4) codes.

Public Health SIG: The public health SIG’s highlight was the presentation of three dental hygienists who were very involved in the forensic dentistry work in the aftermath of the terrorist attach on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. One dental hygienist in particular, Winnie Furnari, RDH, served on the front lines just blocks from Ground Zero. The session was extremely well-attended with over 100 people in the audience. There was a lengthy question-and-answer period with many attendees asking questions of the panelists regarding their backgrounds and their work on forensic dentistry. The handouts given to attendees were a compendium of information put together by the panelists. The other two panelists were Nancy Barnes, RDH and Marilyn Cortell, RDH.

Independent Practice SIG The independent practice SIG was held on Wednesday with approximately 13 members in attendance. The session consisted of introductions and free-flowing conversation. The topics covered included Medicaid reimbursement, practice act changes, small business challenges and some specific issues in a couple states, one of them Washington. The audience was a very diverse group, ranging from actual independent practitioners to people looking to learn more about independent practice.

Pediatric SIG: The pediatric SIG’s met on Wednesday afternoon and welcomed approximately 25 participants including student members. Led by member JoAnn Walters, RDH, of New Mexico, this year the group held a round robin of member-generated practice-related questions and answers as the feature of the session.

Tobacco Cessation SIG: The tobacco SIG was held early on Friday morning and was sponsored by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Over 80 members met for a continental breakfast to hear speaker Carol Southard, MSN, tobacco cessation specialist with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago as she presented an overview of current tobacco cessation information and strategies.

Research SIG/Research Mentor Forum: These two annual session events were combined for a special program designed to emphasize research skills. The focus of the evening session was a special trip to New York University where the members had a box supper courtesy of the New York University Dental Hygiene Education Program director Cheryl Westphal, RDH, MS. Following the supper, members learned about and performed an online literature review, led by Director of the NYU Waldmann Memorial Dental Library, Van B. Afes.

Special Needs SIG The special needs SIG was held on Friday morning and followed the course presentation “Practical Management of the Patient with Special Needs: Developmental & Acquired Disabilities” presented by Mae Chin, RDH, M.Ed.

Corporate SIG The corporate SIG was chaired by Carol Jahn, RDH, MS. There was general discussion regarding the corporate role and the group determined that the goal of the SIG would be “to mentor dental hygienists to be successful in corporate settings.” Several suggestions were generated to facilitate this process including altering the timing of the SIG to encourage more corporate representatives to attend and provide opportunities such as the SIG to network. Other suggestions included holding a formal program and publication of an article in Access on different types of corporate positions.