A Round Table Discussion: Dental Support Organizations’ (DSO) Views on the Opioid Epidemic, Part II

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To continue our round table blog series, we shed light from the technical side of dentistry’s role in the opioid epidemic. This time, we sat down with Jason Wolan, Director of EHR Implementation at Great Expressions Dental Centers.

How does your organization view the opioid epidemic as well as your dentists’ role in this crisis?

Great Expressions Dental Centers recognizes an opioid epidemic in this country driven largely by what has historically been a very lax approach to responsible prescribing. Today a lack of commitment by major stakeholders to take hard stances on better regulating the manufacturing and supply of these drugs continues to fuel the fire. In many cases, exploration of alternative pain management therapies and more rigid prescribing protocols that mitigate excess supply and drive more frequent doctor-patient interaction for those on long-term pain management therapies would likely result in major strides to not only reduce excess supply, but reduce unnecessary consumption as well. As a leading DSO and supplier of these medications, it is our job in the dental industry to lead by example and set progressive prescribing protocols that focus on responsible pain management therapies reinforced by firm controls and processes that deter abuse.

Are you having internal conversations about how your organization can curb the use of opioids or dispense trends?

Internally, our transition to an electronic prescribing platform has really been the catalyst for all of this primarily allowing us to gain insight into the prescribing habits of our providers. Prior to prescribing electronically, we relied heavily on spotty computerized provider order entry (CPOE) and “good faith” prescribing based on paper prescriptions being written with little or no audit trail. Today, we are phasing out paper prescribing with an ultimate goal of reporting on prescribing habits, particularly as they relate to opioid prescribing, allowing us better insight into drug-volume and drug-frequency combinations that may raise red flags.

How do you think e-Prescribing assists in efforts to curb opioid prescribing habits?

First and foremost, e-Prescribing, as is the case with most transitions to electronic mediums, will allow for better organizational oversight which will likely cause an industry shift as providers begin to recognize the results of increased transparency. Access to this aggregated data will create an unprecedented level of ad-hoc and scheduled reporting of prescribing habits with the ability to begin to profile behaviors and automatically intervene as necessary. In the past, while prescribing could be tracked, much of the data was burdensome and time consuming to compile, but as electronic prescribing platforms and the industry standards have become so available, the ease with which most organizations can monitor and proactively engage providers today should be a major driving force in deterring abusive prescribing. Reinforcing the latter will come with a societal transformation of less tolerance for prescriber supported prescription drug abuse and the increased media coverage, both at the state and federal level, prosecuting the offending prescribers.

Do you have access to data that you currently, or plan to, utilize in regards to proving how your practices are focused on responsibly prescribing these substances?

Great Expressions Dental Centers is currently generating weekly reports of prescribing focused on drug-volume/drug-frequency combinations. While the organization has not completely transitioned to electronic prescribing, we have significantly reduced access to paper prescribing and expect to see the true value of electronic prescribing when we are able to profile our organizational prescribing practices in its entirety.

Are there any policies in place, or may be in the future, regarding how many pills should be dispensed per controlled substance?

As a DSO, our clinical operations, policies, and procedures, and guidelines are all set by our Chief Clinical Officer. A consistent patient experience defined by responsible care coordination for all Great Expressions Dental Center’s patients is the cornerstone of the brand we have established. A large part of that includes driving responsible practicing techniques and ensuring that our patients’ interests are front and foremost, this of course includes responsible prescribing to mitigate the risks associated with opioid prescribing and has existed prior to our engagement with electronic prescribing. In the future, we hope to leverage the platform further in this regard.

To listen to the full round table, download your copy here.

Some responses have been slightly edited for clarity and length.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

A Round Table Discussion: Dental Support Organizations’ (DSO) Views on the Opioid Epidemic, Part I

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As the opioid epidemic continues to grow across the nation, DoseSpot recently sat down with Key Opinion Leaders from Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) to discuss how their organization is implementing best practices to decrease opioid overdose deaths and increase patient safety, as well as their viewpoint on what dentistry’s role is during this crisis.

For part I of our blog series, our focus is on the clinical element of dentistry’s role in the opioid epidemic with Dr. John Zweig, Chief Dental Officer of Dental Associates.

How does your organization view the opioid epidemic as well as your dentists’ role in this crisis?

Dental Associates is keenly aware of the problem with opioids and we take a very deliberate role in managing patients’ pain appropriately with the minimum required medication. Educating patients and matching pain relief management with the present dental problem is very important.

Do you provide your dentists education, training, or resources regarding controlled substances?

Continually, Dental Associates has educated its providers on appropriate pain control measures and the use of controlled drugs. The challenge remains with patients whom insist on strong medications and working with them to minimize the prescriptions and the type of drugs used. More patient education is required, and our use of patient prescription histories is becoming more widely used to discover how to explain the minimum amount of medication used.

Within your dental practices, how do you communicate the important relationship between dentists and controlled substances?

Within our provider education, orientation and our monitoring of prescriptions, we continue to provide feedback to minimize prescriptions for controlled drugs both in type and quantity of medication provided.

How do you think e-Prescribing assists in efforts to curb opioid prescribing habits?

It actually reduces fraud; it ensures that we are writing the prescriptions the way we want them to be and that they get to the right people. Electronic prescriptions allows us to monitor this because potentially we may have a provider who is unknowingly or unwittingly giving out large amounts of drugs and we can have a conversation with them, potentially educate them, or make them aware of the situation. This isn’t about a “gotcha game,” it’s about educating providers on best practices.

How do you handle/communicate with patients that may have a substance abuse issue?

Well, many times, first, we use the Wisconsin prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). That has been in existence and the state has been encouraging us to use it. When using it, we find that many of the patients we’re concerned about are in pain management programs and so we refer them back to their pain managers to resolve their pain needs, so we’re not making it too complicated. For those not in a pain management program, we communicate the facts on their known prescriptions and advise them that we may be unable to prescribe more. We discover with that information, the push-back is minimal.

Anything else you think would be relevant in addressing dentistry’s role in curbing this epidemic?

The issue is a big problem, but I still think it requires education for patients and also the providers, because people have the expectation to reduce demand for pain medication. We need to educate the doctors on best practices with medications that are not controlled substances. We need to monitor and educate everyone.

Stay tuned for Part II: DSOs’ technical insight into dentistry’s role in the opioid epidemic.

To listen to the full round table, download your copy here.

Some responses have been slightly edited for clarity and length.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Through an Attendee’s Lens: Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting Recap

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On February 23-24, 2017, I had the privilege of visiting the Windy City to attend the 152nd Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Midwinter Meeting. With the show theme of “leadership”, the bustling event attracted more than 28,000 attendees and the agenda was full of influential speakers, enticing exhibits, insightful lectures, and networking opportunities.

Opening Day

The conference kicked off with a bang on Thursday to a packed exhibit hall featuring more than 6,000 exhibitors comprised of 500+ booths. The opening session that evening was led by John F. McDonough, President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks. Through his speech he discussed leadership and its direct correlation to success. Something that really resonated with me was when he said, “In sports it’s hard to win, really hard to win. So much more goes in to it than just talent.” In retrospect, I think this thought applies to much more than sports, but also in industry. It takes a lot more than just talent, or a great product, or great service to be a leader in your industry, be that in dental practice management solutions, running a dental practice, or in e-Prescribing.

Awards

A number of prestigious awards were presented throughout the weekend to individuals who best portray the key values of not only the Chicago Dental Society, but also the dental industry as a whole. The winners were as follows:

• Dr. K. William ‘Buddy’ Mopper was presented the Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award as an acknowledgement of his contributions to the dental profession in the area of conservation dentistry which places a value on conserving teeth opposed to extraction and implants.
• Dr. Thomas Sullivan, past President of the Illinois State Dental Society and former Vice President of the American Dental Association (ADA), was awarded the George H. Cushing Award for his contribution to public awareness and importance of oral health.
• Dr. Flava Lamberghini was awarded the CDS Foundation Vision Award in recognition of philanthropy by providing preventive dental care to students in more than 60 Chicago public schools.
• An award was also provided to third-year dental student, John Tran, who wrote an interesting essay titled, “Thinking about Another Sweet Gulp? Think Again”, that reviewed the risk that sugar and sweetened drinks have on your teeth. You can read the full essay here.

Continuing Education

Continuing education drew large crowds with over 200 courses offered on a wide variety of topics ranging from clinical topics like 3D imaging, prosthodontics, implants and CPR, to business development topics such as communication and technology. Again, an overall theme of leadership could be seen throughout many of the courses with topics covering Practical Leadership, Strategic Leadership, Visionary Leadership, Business Decision-Making and Leadership, and of course the Leadership 101 course.

Networking and Special Events

A number of networking events were held as a means to gather individuals from similar locations and experience. Some well attended events included the New Dentist Reception held for dentists who have practiced for ten or fewer years and a special breakfast reception for the Wisconsin residents. There was also a special buffet luncheon provided for dental students and dentists alike to learn about the Chicago Dental Society’s Mentor Program and there was even a Country Night which offered the musical tunes of a country cover band. In staying with the yearly theme of ‘leadership’, fashion leaders were highlighted at the Fashion Show and Luncheon. The show wrapped up on Saturday with the ever-special President’s Dinner Dance which featured the Chicago Dental Society President Phillip Fijal and the music of the High Society Orchestra.

Reflection

Overall, I found the Chicago Midwinter Meeting to be impressive and inspiring. Throughout my time on the exhibit room floor, I was able to witness dentists old and new, dental students, hygienists, office staff, and even supportive family members taking in all the show had to offer. New skills were learned, new equipment was tested, and new business relationships were made. I look forward to seeing how this show will continue to grow at the 153rd Midwinter Meeting next year which will focus on “A Dental Triad: Pride, Passion, and Professionalism.”

Author: Lindsey W.

Sources: Chicago Dental Society; Chicago Dental Society Facebook; Chicago Dental Society Honorees

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

The Relationship Between Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) and the Evolving Healthcare Delivery Model

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The significant role of oral health and its contribution to an individual’s well-being has come under scrutiny as of late. In 2014, it was estimated that more than 181 million Americans would not visit a dentist because of several barriers to care, or a self-diagnosis of “my mouth is healthy – I do not need to visit the dentist.” Other reasons noted by individuals not seeing their dentist on a consistent basis were: cost or no insurance, limited dental access in their area or lack of transportation, or they simply did not have the time.

With this data in tow, a more efficient and readily available business model has become increasingly popular within dentistry: Dental Support Organizations.

What is a DSO?

According to the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) contract with dental practices to provide critical business management and support, including non-clinical operations, and range from small to large size organizations serving dental practices throughout the country.

The business models of DSOs do differ and while the neighborhood family dentist typically treats the general patient population, dental practices supported by DSOs often focus on specific populations. For example, some DSOs are entirely focused on meeting the needs of pediatric patients, while others are focused on more rural populations. This is not to say that DSOs do not serve the general population, as many still do.

The Patient Experience

The true patient benefit of a DSO model lies in the integrated technologies and streamlined processes. DSOs offer patients many time saving benefits including:

• Online appointment booking systems
• Online bill pay
• Flat rate appointments
• Flexibility to visit dentists between multiple offices
• Electronic prescription routing

Dental Infographic by Dental Care Alliance

The Role of Technology Within DSOs

DSOs are at the forefront of technology, both from a clinical and administrative standpoint. They pride themselves on remaining innovative, not only to better treat their patients, but to also have a competitive advantage and to attract and maintain new dentists. From billing software to detailed patient charting to specific treatment mechanisms, technology is embedded in nearly every workflow.

While many DSOs have thrown out their dentists’ paper prescription pads and have adopted electronic prescribing (e-Prescribing) software, there is still plenty of room to grow. e-Prescribing software provides dentists with the ability to send non-controlled and controlled prescriptions electronically directly to the patient’s pharmacy which adds convenience to the patient’s experience.

In addition to the prescription writing feature, e-Prescribing includes high value functionality for the dentist, patient and management teams such as:

• Insight into a patient’s current medication regimen.
• Ability to check for drug-to-drug and drug-to-allergy interactions at the point of care to help improve treatment decisions.
• Reporting capabilities that share what is prescribed and in what quantities to assess for in regards to compliance. This is especially crucial with the current opioid epidemic and having the ability to track prescriptions for controlled substances.
• Documentation for both the dentist and the patient including dental specific dosing information, as well as medication monographs.

What’s Ahead for DSOs

DSOs are continuing to shake up the dental industry. New DSOs continue to emerge, while existing ones are frequently acquiring new dental practices, therefore expanding and continuing to growing throughout the country. As previously discussed, cost and limited access to care were the most popular barriers, but DSOs offer streamlined solutions for both barriers as they are committed to the improvement of oral health in the United States through the accessibility of high-quality dental care. It is only a matter of time before more and more dentists hop on board.

Sources: American Dental Association; Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO); ADSO Whitepaper; National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Dental Care Alliance

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Nuts and Bolts of e-Prescribing: The Tools You Need to Get Started

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Now that you’re well-versed in the world of e-Prescribing, let’s go one step further and prepare you for your own health care software’s e-Prescribing journey.

Here are some helpful tools to get you started.

Integration Tool Kit

The DoseSpot e-Prescribing Integration Tool Kit reviews everything you need to know about e-Prescribing integrations and what a partnership with DoseSpot e-Prescribing entails. Specifically, you will learn:

• DoseSpot’s e-Prescribing Integration Platforms: Integration JumpStart and Integration Plus+
• The markets we serve: Medical, Dental, and Digital Health
• Development features, functionality, and API
• Integration project cycles
• The benefits of partnering with DoseSpot

Get your copy here.

How to Prepare Guide

With more than 150 e-Prescribing integrations under our belt, we know a thing or two about what an e-Prescribing integration requires. In our How to Prepare Guide, we take the guesswork out by providing you with the following information:

• Specific patient demographic requirements
• Character limits and field requirements
• How to correctly transmit patient demographic information from your health care software to DoseSpot

Get your copy here.

Need more information? Feel free to schedule a meeting with us!

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

The 7 Benefits of e-Prescribing for the Dental Community

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The role of oral health and its contribution to the population’s overall health, as well as the nation’s bottom line, has been in frequent discussions lately. With advocated access to dental care by a number of entities, governments and foundations, patients now understand that visiting their dentist is much more than receiving that fresh, clean feeling. It’s improving their quality of life.

However, with the ever increasing numbers of dentists and patients, along with Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) gaining significant prominence in the industry, the practice of dentistry is becoming more and more competitive. Patients now have more options to choose from when selecting their dentist and several factors weigh on their decision.

To align with this market shift, what is one component that the dental community can implement with ease to enhance their competitive advantage and attract and retain more patients? Or better yet, increase patient satisfaction, efficiency, and revenue, while simultaneously decreasing risks for dentists?

The solution: e-Prescribing.

Electronic Prescribing, known in short as e-Prescribing, has become a pertinent technology within dental practices that addresses the above conflicting goals. By incorporating e-Prescribing into the dental workflow at the point of patient engagement, several inherent efficiencies are presented:

1. Medication History

During a patient and dentist encounter, e-Prescribing enables dentists to verify a patient’s medication history and view up to two years of prescribed medications. This level of transparency allows for smarter treatment decisions and recognition of a patient who may be “doctor shopping” for controlled substances.

2. Safety

From a safety perspective, any drug-allergy or drug-drug interactions are flagged instantaneously while the clinical judgement of the dentist is still maintained if he/she elects to prescribe the medication. Dental-specific information such as a medication’s particular dental use, effects on dental treatment, and effects on bleeding are all seamlessly provided at point of care as well.

3. Productivity

With e-Prescribing, the totality of time to write a prescription for the patient is reduced from the traditional manual paper method, resulting in more time for direct interaction with the patient. The intrinsic productivity of e-Prescribing and its resulting patient interaction time may lead to incremental revenue as the opportunity is presented to discuss other dental issues and procedures.

4. Quality

Assessing e-Prescribing from a quality perspective, patient outcomes are significantly more accurate, consistent with quality initiates practiced in industry. It is getting it right the first time. As healthcare in general shifts to more measured and predictable patient outcomes, e-Prescribing goes a long way in addressing this new dynamic as it assists in providing a full panoramic view of a patient’s health.

5. Risk Reduction

Another benefit of e-Prescribing is risk reduction, especially when it comes to prescribing controlled substances. When controlled substances are electronically prescribed, the patient cannot lose the prescription or alter the dispense quantity or the medication itself. The prescription will be sent directly to the pharmacy with no chance of intermediaries touching it. In turn, this also banishes the need for paper prescription pads, thus eliminating the risk and liability involved with stolen prescription pads.

6. Patient Satisfaction

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the e-Prescribing equation is the increase in patient satisfaction. The extra time spent on dropping off and waiting for a prescription to be filled at the pharmacy is essentially eliminated as e-Prescribing diminishes the middle man and creates a seamless transaction for the patient.

7. Profitability

Due to improved efficiencies and increased patient satisfaction with e-Prescribing, a snowball effect is created relative to rising revenue. Not only will an increase in patient volume and retention occur, but administrative duties for office staff will lessen. Thanks to the more cost-effective vehicle of e-Prescribing, there will be no staff time required to manage the ordering and stocking of costly paper prescription pads and tamper-proof printing paper for controlled substances.

Overall, e-Prescribing is one tool in the dentist’s arsenal to meet the challenges of practicing dentistry today, which will allow for a more patient-centric strategy to be implemented, resulting in happier patients and dentists!

Author: Mark H.

Sources: Science Direct; Deming; Surescripts

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Addressing Dentistry’s Role in the Opioid Epidemic

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Unfortunately, the opioid epidemic that is currently grappling the United States isn’t exactly news. Headlines appear on a daily basis in regards to this addiction, the overdoses and fatalities, as well as the healthcare community’s contribution to this crisis, both the good and the bad.

We’ve seen Congress, the Surgeon General, and many other organizations make extreme efforts to combat this crisis, yet despite the widespread media attention, many healthcare professionals still don’t realize how dangerous the drugs can be or how addictive they are.

DoseSpot recently conducted a live webinar in an effort to educate and discuss the critical role that dentists in particular play in mitigating the current opioid epidemic that is upon us and during that time, the following crucial points were made:

The blame game needs to stop

Blaming others only diverts the necessary action of collectively coming together as a nation, regardless of one’s associated industry. Healthcare, Law Enforcement, Politics – there needs to be a strong, unified foundation for which we can assemble and fight this battle together.

Break the habit: prescribing patterns of pain medication

Dentists serve a unique role in overcoming this epidemic due to the nature of their work and the procedures they perform, specifically wisdom teeth extraction. It’s a fair statement that the majority do not enter the healthcare industry with ill intent of harming their patients, yet it’s also fair to say that lack of proper education and prior pharmaceutical marketing tactics have fueled poor prescribing patterns. In order to change one’s behavior, programmed thoughts and approaches must be reevaluated.

Opioid addiction does not discriminate

This addiction can affect anyone regardless of one’s socioeconomic status or in some cases, a person’s relationship to their dentist. What DoseSpot coins as “The Insider Threat,” we reveal how certain folks pose a potential risk relative to obtaining controlled substances, both knowingly and secretively. Stories of addiction that are shared during our recent webinar further prove that opioids do not discriminate.

Solutions are available

The truth of the matter is, there is not one single solution that can work independently. It needs to be a collective effort and innovation is critical to success. There needs to be multifaceted solutions to tackle this complex problem ranging from increasing specialty training and education to proper treatment technology, data, and analytics.

To learn more on dentistry’s role in the opioid epidemic, watch the full webinar here.

Presenters:

Greg Waldstreicher, CEO, DoseSpot

Dr. John Zweig, Chief Dental Officer, Dental Associates

Donald Whamond, Chief Technology Officer, Dental Associates

Jason Wolan, Director of EHR Implementation, Great Expressions Dental Centers

Daniel Smelter, Director of Business Analysis, Benevis, Inc.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Dental Associates Realizes Clinical Efficiencies and Increased Patient Satisfaction with DoseSpot’s e-Prescribing of Controlled Substances Solution

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Dental Associates, a leading family group dental practice managing 14 dental clinics and over 100 dentists in Wisconsin, has realized clinical efficiencies and increased patient satisfaction since their launch of DoseSpot’s e-Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) solution in March of 2015.

Prior to the launch of DoseSpot’s e-Prescribing of Controlled Substances solutions, Dental Associates had deployed e-Prescribing software, but their dentists could only transmit non-controlled prescriptions electronically. As such, dentists wasted time electronically prescribing antibiotics and subsequently printing controlled substance prescriptions. DoseSpot now marries the two and gives Dental Associates’ dentists the ability to streamline care, spend more time with patients and discontinue the use of costly prescription printers and the associated tamper proof prescription paper.

Click here to learn how your company can simplify clinical workflows with e-Prescribing!

“We understand that healthcare technology is shifting and remaining innovative is in Dental Associates’ best interest. Our dentists find DoseSpot to be top-notch and they’re now able to spend more time with their patients rather than running back and forth between the patient’s chair and the prescription printer,” commented Donald Whamond, Chief Technology Officer, Dental Associates. “Printing prescriptions was not only wasting time and money, but also taking valuable time away from the provider-patient relationship.”

Dental Associates chose DoseSpot as its e-Prescribing partner due to DoseSpot’s unique boutique-style approach to customer service, the ease of e-Prescribing controlled and non-controlled prescriptions, and to enhance the overall security measures surrounding the prescription writing process within Dental Associates’ clinics.

“DoseSpot has made writing prescriptions easier and less time consuming. With the development of my prescription favorites list, it is easy for my staff and I to build a prescription and even change it if need be. Once the prescription is built, it is simple to select and send the prescription to the pharmacy. Life is good with DoseSpot!” said Dr. John Zweig, Chief Dental Officer, Dental Associates.

Register today for our free webinar addressing dentistry and the opioid epidemic on 9/22!

Dental Associates also wanted to stay ahead of the IT curve which in turn has allowed the company to better recruit and attract new dentists.

“Dental Associates prides itself on the patient-centric care model, therefore our patients’ well-being is of utmost priority and DoseSpot simply aligns with our company values,” Whamond added. “We can call any DoseSpot team member at any time and know they will answer right away. That includes Greg Waldstreicher, CEO, DoseSpot.”

“Like Dental Associates, DoseSpot is committed to offering innovative solutions to the dental market and we put our partners first in everything we do,” said Greg Waldstreicher. “To have the opportunity to deliver a comprehensive, personalized, and integrated platform for Dental Associates is a homerun for both parties.”

Simplify clinical workflows and improve patient outcomes with DoseSpot e-Prescribing integration for both controlled and non-controlled prescriptions. Schedule your free demo today at www.DoseSpot.com or contact Shauna Leighton, Shauna@DoseSpot.com.

About Dental Associates

Founded in 1973, Dental Associates is Wisconsin’s largest family-owned dental group practice with multiple clinics throughout the state and nearly 800 staff members. Dental Associates provides complete family dental services, both general and specialty dentistry, under one roof, from pediatric dentistry to specialized dental services for older adults with a focus on excellent care that is affordable, accessible and personalized. For additional information please visit www.DentalAssociates.com.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts™ certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit www.DoseSpot.com.

Steering the Path to Change: Dentistry’s Role in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

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In recognition of Pain Awareness Month, DoseSpot will be hosting a live webinar to discuss:

• Our nation’s current opioid epidemic by the numbers
• Dentists’ roles regarding prescribing habits and how they can help steer the path to change
• The face of addiction: understanding how prescription opioids from a dentist can fuel a painful, and often fatal, battle for patients
• The path ahead including state mandates, PDMPs, e-Prescribing, and other helpful tools to properly educate and promote safe prescribing habits within dental practices

Presenters:

Greg Waldstreicher, CEO, DoseSpot

Dr. John Zweig, Chief Dental Officer, Dental Associates

Donald Whamond, Chief Technology Officer, Dental Associates

Jason Wolan, Director of EHR Implementation, Great Expressions Dental Centers

Daniel Smelter, Director of Business Analysis, Benevis, Inc.

Register now to reserve your spot! We hope you can join us.

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.DoseSpot.com.

The Insider Threat: The Dentist

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In our last installment of the Insider Threat series, we look to fellow dentists within a dental practice as a potential risk for prescription fraud. How, or better yet why, would a dentist commit such a crime if they are lawfully allowed to authorize prescriptions for their patients? With the opioid epidemic upon us, it’s an unfortunate reality that individuals dealing with a substance abuse issue will go to great lengths to obtain such substances. These drugs do not discriminate regardless of one’s socioeconomic status and sadly, that includes those whom are meant to help combat this crisis: dentists and doctors.

Dr. Joseph Gorfien, a partner at a dental practice in Florida, utilized a fellow dentist’s professional license information and paper prescription pad to forge and fill prescriptions for Oxycodone without his partner’s knowledge. Gorfien took advantage of not only his own position’s authority, but his partner’s as well.

Dr. Mark Horowitz, although being investigated for a multitude of bad behaviors, had a suspended license and decided to utilize a fellow dentist’s prescription pad to obtain 130 pills of Oxycodone for personal use. The dentist in which he stole from only worked in that particular office one day per week and left his prescription pad readily available for anyone to swipe. Horowitz forged the prescriptions as well as the other dentist’s signature.

If a dentist is not utilizing another dentist’s DEA number for their own personal or financial gain, they may be abusing the professional relationships with those that they employ. Dr. Maurice Zybler, a dentist in Massachusetts, was recently accused of fraud because he was using his employees to acquire pain medications for more than a decade. He used his ability as a dentist to prescribe pain killers for his own personal use and wrote fraudulent prescriptions in his employee’s names in which they would fill and return back to him. If they didn’t fill the prescriptions, they expected to be fired.

 Click here to learn more about e-Prescribing and start saving time and money today!

While most dentists are generally aware of potential theft of DEA numbers or prescription pads from patients or staff, they may not question their equivalent peers. A recent survey conducted by Dentist’s Money Digest, further proves this state of ignorance. Nearly one in three dentists claim that they are personally aware of a dentist colleague with a painkiller problem and 65% said they see opioid abuse as a “minor” problem, while another 28% said it is a “significant, but not pressing” issue.

“However, dentists’ roles in the opioid epidemic extend beyond the prescription pad. Many dentists end up addicted themselves. Addiction can stem from stress, personal issues, or simply the access healthcare workers have to such drugs.” Dentist Money Digest

The role of dentists, or any healthcare provider for that matter, within this opioid epidemic is crucial to the success of overcoming this crisis. Not only should dentists consider establishing office policies that can prevent or mitigate the diversion of opioids, but should also partake in ongoing education initiatives regarding responsible practices for prescribing such substances. With colleagues suffering from their own substance abuse issues, assistance, respect and understanding should be of utmost priority, regardless of any role within a dental practice and especially with the perceived stigma associated with addiction.

As part of these policies, dentists should consider e-Prescribing as a beneficial tool to safeguard their prescriptions from patients, staff and fellow dentists. Since e-Prescribing requires the entry of two unique passcodes for controlled substances, it will diminish the element of risk pertaining to stolen prescription pads and DEA numbers that are left out in the open for anyone to take. Furthermore, e-Prescribing is a proven method to help curb the opioid dilemma relative to doctor shopping and places a checks and balances system on prescribing behaviors. The benefits are exceedingly visible and with 3-9% of opioid abusers using forged written prescriptions, it’s a commonsense solution.

We hope you enjoyed our Insider Threat series and that it has given you informative, yet eye-opening insight into the potential threats your dental practice may harbor. This is not to say that employees or dentists cannot be trusted, but with 58% of dentists falling victim to prescription fraud, a change must occur for the safety and wellbeing of a dental practice, as well as their patients.

Sources: University of Kentucky; Boston.com; SunSentinel; prweb; Dentist’s Money Digest

About DoseSpot

DoseSpot is a Surescripts certified e-Prescribing platform specifically designed to integrate with electronic health record, electronic dental record, practice management and telehealth software. DoseSpot is certified to e-Prescribe controlled substances and has provided simple, affordable and integratable e-Prescribing solutions to healthcare IT companies since 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.DoseSpot.com