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The American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) has approved CIGNA (NYSE:CI) as a recognized provider of continuing dental education courses. The program, which evaluates and recognizes organizations that provide continuing dental education, helps ADA members and the dental community select quality courses that promote continuous improvement.

CIGNA offers continuing education courses to network dentists through its secure dental professional website – http://www.cignaforhcp.com. These online courses offer busy dental professionals the opportunity to stay current in their practice and obtain required continuing education credits.

“Investing in continuing dental education is one important way that we help dental professionals stay current on the latest clinical and administrative developments,” said Dr. Michael Hahn, national dental director for CIGNA.

Featured courses include:

Dental Insurance 101 (developed with assistance from CIGNA Dental Clinical Advisory Panel* member Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, D.M.D., Professor and Dean Emeritus of the School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania)

- This course reviews common dental insurance concepts, industry trends, and practice management processes. In addition, it examines the connection between oral health and overall health, as well as the importance of preventive care.

Practical Oral Pathology (developed by CIGNA Dental lab equipment Clinical Advisory Panel member Michael A. Kahn, D.D.S., Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine)

- This course covers the description, differential diagnosis, guidelines for observing or referring, and appropriate treatment of common oral soft tissue lesions.

In addition to online continuing education courses, CIGNA offers time and money saving tools exclusive to CIGNA network DHMO or DPPO dentists, including discounts on products and services through the CIGNA Network Rewards Program®.

*About the CIGNA Dental Clinical Advisory Panel

The CIGNA Dental Clinical Advisory panel helps to create innovative approaches to new technologies, medical/dental integration and evidence-based strategies. Organized by CIGNA, this independent panel consists of leaders in the dental profession; many of whom are published and have served in leadership roles within their specialty or the American Dental Association. Several panel members have current academic appointments in major schools of dentistry, including the University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, State University of New York, and University of California at Los Angeles.

Sedation dentistry treatments should be performed under the guidance of a dentist and staff specifically trained in sedation procedures. In the case of oral conscious sedation, for example, such training typically involves between 18 and 25 hours of education.

The American Dental Association and most state dental lab equipment boards and colleges (the government entities in U.S. and Canada that oversee professional licensing) require dentists to have specialized training in sedative techniques, equipment, medications and medical history analysis to ensure that they are appropriately skilled in the practice of sedation dentistry.

If you consider yourself an anxious patient and are apprehensive about routine dental visits, let alone any necessary dental treatment, you might consider looking for a qualified sedation dentist. You may find the following considerations helpful when selecting a sedation dentist and determining if the sedation option is right for you:

Education: Inquire about the dentist and staff members’ specific level of education in sedation dentistry. There is limited training provided by dental schools specific to sedation dentistry. However, continuing education programs provided by organizations such as the DOCS Education offer more specialized training programs. Additionally, specialty training in anesthesia can be obtained during a dentist’s post-graduate study.

Ongoing Training: Participation in organizations such as DOCS provides opportunities for ongoing education and training in sedation dentistry techniques, practices and related procedures. Additional training opportunities are also available through the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and the American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists. Ask if the dentist regularly attends education programs sponsored by these groups.

Your Medical History and Medications: Bring a complete list of your medical history, including any medications and supplements you are taking, and review the list with the dentist to ensure that sedation dentistry is the right choice for your particular situation.

In-Office Patient Monitoring: The safe practice of sedation dentistry requires the use of monitoring equipment – including a pulse oximeter, oxygen equipment and reversal medication agents in case of an adverse reaction (a very rare occurrence) – while a procedure with sedation is performed. – Be sure to check that monitoring equipment is readily available in the procedure room where your treatment will be performed.

Once you have made the decision to move ahead with sedation dentistry, be sure to review the Informed Consent form for additional details about the procedure, equipment, advantages and risks associated with your treatment. Experienced sedation dentists should have a comprehensive form and be willing to spend time with you to discuss any aspect of sedation dentistry. Inquire about pre- and post-procedure instructions. This list will better prepare you and your companion for the day of the procedure.

Two years ago, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) entered the national debate on reforming the U.S. health care system. The cornerstone of ADEA’s position, as approved by the ADEA House of Delegates in March 2009, was that any comprehensive health care reform proposal should provide universal coverage to all Americans and access to high-quality, cost-effective oral health care services.

On March 21, the U.S. House of Representatives approved health care reform legislation (H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872) that will effect significant change in our health care system. “The legislation extends coverage to nearly all U.S. citizens, includes important provisions related to improving their oral health, addresses key issues of importance to academic dental institutions, and is entirely compatible with the Guiding Principles for Health Care Reform adopted by the ADEA House of Delegates,” said Sandra C. Andrieu, Ph.D., ADEA President.

The American Dental Education Association is pleased with the outcome of the lengthy congressional debate and applauds the efforts of the House of Representatives and the Obama Administration in passing this historic legislation. The U.S. Senate should quickly pass the reconciliation bill, H.R. 4872, to conclude the health care reform legislative process.

Containing significant provisions for which ADEA dental lab equipment has been advocating, the health care reform legislation approved by the House of Representatives will:

- Require insurance plans to include pediatric oral health services for children up to 21 years of age

- Require an essential health benefits package to include ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorders, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, prevention and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services, including oral and vision care

- Expand Medicaid eligibility for adults and children

- Increase federal support to states to pay for expanded Medicaid coverage

- Extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years

- Establish an oral health prevention program and fund states to develop oral health leadership

- Enhance oral health data systems

- Improve the delivery of oral health

- Implement dental sealants, water fluoridation, and preventive programs

- Establish a five-year national public education campaign focused on oral health care prevention and education and targeted to certain populations, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women

- Award demonstration grants in consultation with professional oral health organizations to eligible entities to demonstrate the effectiveness of research-based dental caries disease management activities