West Virginia Board
Of Dental Examiners
PO Drawer 1459
Beckley, WV 25802
2002 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
My fellow colleagues:
When I came on the Board five years ago I knew there would be some out of pocket expenses and some time commitments. Five years later I found out there was much more involved. As a member of the Board you automatically are a member of the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) and the American Association of Dental Examiners (AADE).
In March of my 1st year on the Board I went to Morgantown on a Thursday and Friday as the Board gave mock board exams to help WVU students. The following Monday and Tuesday I was in Chicago attending the AADE Mid-Year meeting. I returned home on Wednesday to catch a flight on Thursday to Washington DC for the Spring meeting of NERB.
Yes I found out fast there was a little involvement of time.
The NERB Spring meeting is mandatory in order to give licensing exams for graduating dentists and dental hygienists in April and May. NERB also offers retake licensing exams in the Summer (August) and Winter (December).As a NERB examiner you are expected to give a dental and a couple of hygiene exams in the Spring and possibly a Summer or Winter exam to help out.
The West Virginia Board this past year is also aligning itself with the Southern Regional Testing Agency. SRTA gives licensing exams in seven southern states.
The need to become examiners on Regional Board is because only a few states administer their own licensing exams for dental and dental hygiene students.
NERB gives licensing exams in 15 states from Illinois to Maine and SRTA likewise in 7 southern states.
Besides the March Mid-Year meeting the AADE holds a meeting just prior to the ADA annual meeting. Four years ago former West Virginia Board member Dr. James D. Mendenhall was president of this national organization. This year Dr. George D. "Buck" Conard, Jr. has thrown his hat in the ring to be
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Members of the Board
Bernard J. Grubler, DDS, President
H. Richard Marshall, Jr., DDS, Secretary
George D. Conard, Jr., DDS
John C. Dixon, DDS
Richard D. Smith, DDS
Dina Agnone Vaughan, BSDH, MS
Debra D. Dent, CDA
Dolores L. Gribble, Consumer Member
WELCOME!!
TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Richard Duff Smith was appointed to the Board by Governor Wise January 8, 2002. He is a general dentist and practices in Charleston. Dr. Smith fills a newly created position with his term expiring June 30, 2006.
Mrs. Debra D. Dent, CDA was appointed to the Board by Governor Wise January 4, 2002. She is a certified dental assistant and is employed by Dr. Mark Kilcollin in Union. Mrs. Dent fills a newly created position with her term expiring June 30, 2006.
REAPPOINTED!!
Dr. John C. Dixon was re-appointed to the Board by Governor Wise January 8, 2002. He is a general dentist and practices in Charleston. His second term expires June 30, 2006.
REMINDER
Renewals must be received in this office on or before the first day of February, 2003. If you do not meet the February 1 deadline your license is considered expired until it is received. This could cause problems with your malpractice insurance and you may not be covered during such a lapse.
As of September 23, 2002, the license population for the State of West Virginia was as follows:
DENTAL HYGIENE
Total Active Licenses 1,398 1,169
Total Retired Licenses 172 108
Total Practicing In State 813 656
CE AUDITS
The Board of Dental Examiners will be conducting an audit of continuing education credits in the near future of those credits reported for the period of February 1, 2000 through January 31, 2002.
If you are audited a copy of your continuing education reporting form will be provided to you in order for you to fulfill the audit requirements.
If you did not report the required continuing education credits for this period you also may be audited and your license renewal may be delayed until they are reported.
Disciplinary actions can be taken by the Board if credits are not reported or audits are not conformed to.
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elected 3rd Vice President, with support and a little luck Buck will become the 2nd Mountaineer to be president of the AADE. Not bad for a little ol' state like West Virginia. GOOD LUCK BUCK!!!
No the Board doesn't spend all of it's time at out of state meetings and exams, but it's at these meetings where we have an opportunity to talk to colleagues about what dentistry is doing in other parts of the country. This is where invaluable information comes from to help us for example to deal with expanded functions for hygienists and assistants.
Our most serious concern and deliberation arises out of written complaints from patients. The Board seeks the best possible dental care for West Virginians. The Board diligently strives to be fair not only to the patient but also to the licensees, as required by the Due Process laws of the state. Our most difficult task is taking disciplinary action on our fellow colleagues. The Board tries to get the dentist and patient to reconcile their differences. If this does not occur we sometimes use our staff investigators Bradford A. Vaughan or Dr. Donald Neil whose on site investigation aid us, or we may refer the complaint to a peer review committee for assistance.
The members who comprise the Board (dentists, hygienist, assistant and public member) and staff along with a Subcommittee on General Anesthesia and Parenteral Conscious Sedation all participate together to accomplish the correct result.
We are fortunate that in West Virginia, we as members of the dental profession, still have the ability to regulate ourselves. Only if we act proactively and in the best interest of the public can we assure our future in charting our own destiny.
The Board meets at least four times a year to deal with complaints, administer law exams, give interviews to dental and dental hygiene applicants from other states, and handle all other matters that come before the Board to maintain the oral health of our citizens. All of our meeting minutes, information and records are handled by our very competent Office Manager, Mrs. Susan Combs, without whom we would be totally lost. Anytime you have a question or problem please call her.
Over the past year the Board had a 35% increase in written complaints. I don't feel from this increase that we are offering poorer dentistry, but I think the public is demanding a higher standard of oral care. The public tends to push the panic button quicker. We can all help in this regard by having a better understanding and rapport with our patients (happy patients don't complain).
All of our meetings are open meetings, however, there are executive sessions concerning specific matters for personnel, complaints and hearings. All hearings are conducted in an executive session unless the practitioner requests the hearing be held in an open meeting. All decisions are made in an open session.
The Board holds their meetings in different areas of the state and have been held in Charleston, Beckley, Morgantown, Flatwoods, White Sulphur Springs, Parkersburg, Snowshoe and Wheeling.
This past year, through the new Dental Practice Act, a Certified Dental Assistant, Mrs. Debra Dent was added to our Board. Debbie's participation on the Board has raised the bar for future dental assistant members.
One thing every married Board member agrees on is that they could not serve without an understanding and supportive spouse.
This message is not written to boast nor discourage members from seeking Board appointments, but is intended to be informative and hopefully excite candidates who are willing to serve.
All the members thank you for the privilege to serve on your Board.
Sincerely yours,
Bernard J. Grubler, DDS, President
SCHEDULED BOARD MEETINGS
December 6 & 7, 2002
HOLIDAY INN - Parkersburg
March 7 & 8, 2003
DAYS INN - Sutton, WV
July 18 & 19, 2003
THE GREENBRIER - White Sulphur Springs, WV
September 19 & 20, 2003
BOARD OFFICE - Beckley, WV
MOVING???
Your license renewal notices are mailed to addresses that are on file with the Board office. Please remember when you move to report your new address to the Board within 30 days.
If your address is not updated with the Board office and you forget to renew your license by May 1 each year, your license will be canceled possibly causing you to be practicing illegally. It is the responsibility of the licensee to remain in touch with the Board.
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Licenses Cancelled May 1, 2002 for Failure to Renew
Dental
Drake J. Battista
Del R. Boni
Robert L. Bradford
James L. Bramble
James P. Brown
Benjamin F. Clark
Earnest D. Coalter, Jr.
Joseph L. Corey
Neil R. Cornell
Laurence P. Crigger
Scott A. Dunaway
John N. Fayad
Karl J. Foose
Dayton C. Ford
Marcellious Gladney
Ada C. Goldsmith
James L. Goldsmith
Alim J. Grant, Sr.
James A. Griffin, Jr.
Arne F. Gruspe
Mark R. Harrison
Raymond A. Hinerman, Jr.
William H. Hitt
John M. Holovak
Patrick L. Hughes
Timothy K. Hughes
Charles R. Joseph
Gregory M. Joseph
Bradley F. Kendzior
Maurice W. Lewis
Gregg A. Lombardo
Ellen D. Malcomson
Charles A. Manilla
Michael C. McCutcheon
Neil T. Miller
Ballard F. Morgan
David A. Nash
Brad W. Neville
Charles D. Parks
Joseph M. Pelle
Patrick H. Pierce
Adam C. Plaster
William T. Rogus
Lester H. Roth
Andrei Rudic
Jennifer L. Sarantos
Melanie R. Schamp
Robert E. Schneider
Roy F. Schoppert, III
Matthew E. Simmons
Ronald A. Sparks
William Z. Spatz
Patrick E. Sprague
Warren D. Surface
Sandra A. Thompson
Wayne W. Triplett
Robert B. Tyre
Robert E. Wallace
Arnold L. Weese
Philip J. Wells
David A. Whiston
Aaron H. Wilson, Jr.
Charles T. Withers
Thomas Witzenberger
Richard A. Woelfel
Michael S. Wooddell
Thomas F. Yoho
Hygiene
Tina L. Armbruster
Carie S. Blair
Elizabeth A. Blake-Dow
April L. Booth
Marsha D. Boram
Lillian A. Boyles
Donya M. Byard
Kristen L. Cage
Rebecca J. Campbell
Karen S. Chilton
Deborah L. Christenson
Patricia K. Coiner
Ronceverta A. Craft
Tammy J. Daniel
Susan L. Dillow
Kimberly B. Dunford
Linda L. Eckley
Andrea B. Gardner
Marie D. George
Allison N. Griffith
Marian R. Holder
Mary E. Holovak
Kathy L. Hopper
Janice W. Jones
Jaime K. Livezey
Bobbie J. Maynard
Susan K. Milby
Misty D. Morse
Tracy K. Norris
Tracy L. Parker
Donna J. Patrick
Christine S. Pfund
Karen M. Pomeroy
Catherine W. Puhala
Margaret S. Rogerson
Laura L. Rummel
Margaret H. Seibert
April D. Slaughter
Kimberly B. Steckline
Mareda J. Stevens
Faith A. Sutherland
Cathy B. Taylor
Laura L. Thompson
Becky H. Wade
Kelley P. Weber
Penelope L. Williams-Smith
Lisa L. Wright
Patricia J. Younger
Eve H. Zirkle
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DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Dr. George F. Becker - Violation of Chapter 30, Article 4 by allowing his dental assistant to place a temporary filling. Fined $1,000 and assessed costs of $500.
Mrs. Teena M. Wisecup - Violation of Chapter 30, Article 4 by under the direct supervision of her employer placed a temporary filling. Fined $250.
Dr. Stephen C. Bird - Violation of Chapter 30, Article 4 by being guilty of unprofessional conduct by abusing alcohol or drugs. Fined $1,000 and assessed costs of $500.
Dr. Graham K. Philp - Licensure Denied due to denying having been charged with a violation of the dental law in any other jurisdiction when in fact he had.
Dr. William R. Bartholomew - Licensure Denied due to prior revocation of his licensure in another State.
CE'S TO BE COMPLETED
JANUARY 31, 2004
The current continuing education period started February 1, 2002 and will end January 31, 2004. During this time period Dentists must obtain 20 hours including 3 hours of infection control. Hygienists must obtain 12 hours including 3 hours of infection control.
You are exempt from this period if you graduated from Dental or Dental Hygiene school within one year prior to February 1, 2002 or during this period.
You are required by regulations to maintain and compile accurate records relating to all continuing education courses that are successfully completed. These records and information must be maintained for a period of six years.
The West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners shall randomly audit the continuing education records maintained by each dentist and dental hygienist.
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STAFF
James G. Anderson, III Executive Secretary
John F. Parkulo Assistant Executive Secretary
Susan M. Combs Office Manager
Bradford A. Vaughan Investigator
Phone # (304) 252-8266 toll free 877-914-8266
Fax # (304) 252-2779
E-Mail Address - apsa@citynet.net
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FROM THE ANESTHESIA COMMITTEE
The Subcommittee for General Anesthesia and Parenteral Conscious Sedation would like to know if you use oral sedation. The committee has asked the Board to add the question that is located at the bottom of each licensed dentists renewal forms concerning the use of combination inhalation-enteral conscious sedation.
It would be appreciated if you would answer by circling yes or no whenever filling out your renewal form this year.
Currently a permit is not required for the use of oral sedation.
ANESTHESIA COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Lewis D. Gilbert, DDS, Summersville, Chairman
William R. Marshall, DDS, Morgantown
Bryan D. Weaver, DDS, MD, Morgantown
Don E. Skaff, DDS, Charleston
H. Richard Marshall, Jr., DDS, Board Liaison
RELEASE OF PATIENT RECORDS
Make available to patients copies of their records when requested. (note do not release original records - only copies) Charges not to exceed .75¢ per page and search fee not to exceed $10.00 per West Virginia Code §16-29-1 and 2.
The Board sees quite a few complaints throughout the year on this subject. Records can not be held hostage for unpaid account balances.
THE BOARD'S WEBSITE
The following information is available on the Board's website:
Board member's names and term expirations;
Staff members names;
The Board's address, telephone & fax number;
The Board's Calendar;
The Board's newsletters;
Dental application for licensure;
Dental Hygiene application for licensure;
Anesthesia application for permit;
Specialty application for specialty licensure;
CE Course Approval application;
Dental Corporation application;
PLLC application;
Complaint form;
Dental Laws 30-4, 30-4A & 30-4B; and
Dental regulations Series 1 through 5.
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