Southborough, Mass.—For nearly 40 years, Massachusetts dentists have had to abide by a regulatory order that allowed Delta Dental Plan of Massachusetts to receive an additional 5 percent discount off reimbursement fees in addition to other plan discounts.

Kabul—Dr. Thomas Grams, a dentist who retired from his Durango, Colo., practice in 2007 to dedicate his life to providing volunteer dentistry to children in remote areas in the Americas, Nepal, India and Afghanistan, was one of 10 members of a health care team reported killed Aug. 5 by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

In response to a recent tax and financial report, the ADA Foundation Board of Directors voted at its July meeting to cancel the Health Screening Program for the 2010 annual session in Orlando.

The American Dental Association Aug. 4 released a statement regarding New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s investigation into patient financing programs.

Richmond, Va.—The Virginia Dental Association lost its headquarters to a July 29 fire when the building's roof was struck by lighting.

While today's economic environment is challenging, there are still a number of financing options available to dentists looking to own their practice or build.

Orlando, Fla.—Dr. Luiza Campos, the winner of the annual scientific contest at the Congresso Internacional de Odontologia de São Paulo, or CIOSP, in São Paulo, Brazil, will showcase her presentation at the ADA annual session Oct. 12.

Orlando, Fla.—During this slow economy, annual session courses can be a wise investment for any dental practice.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is asking dentists to come forward if they've been solicited to invest in a fine wines company, which they say is possibly a scam.

San Francisco—One of the biggest things Dr. Jane Weintraub hopes her research imparts in the effort to decrease childhood caries, is that "dentists in their operatories can't do it alone" and "prevention works."

Executives from public and private health companies will share their expertise at the 2010 National Dental Benefits Conference Aug. 20.

Orlando, Fla.—Annual session registrants can learn the latest approaches to dentin hypersensitivity management, the impact of wearing dentures on oral and systemic health and investment strategies—straight from the companies who develop products and services for these needs—by attending Satellite Symposia courses at annual session.

Philadelphia—This time was different. They were used to working with no light or suction and helping people for whom oral hygiene is not often part of their daily routine. They were even used to doing it in a third-world country with limited supplies in impoverished conditions.

Scottsdale, Ariz.—The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Justice Information Services Division is sponsoring a workshop Sept. 11-12 in Scottsdale, Ariz., on coding dental forensic information for the National Crime Information Center and the National Dental Image Repository.

Orlando, Fla.—The ADA has secured free or discounted in-room Internet access for meeting guests in most ADA official annual session hotels in Orlando this fall.

KPMG, a well-regarded firm of financial and tax advisors, recently completed an independent Tax and Financial Review of the ADA Foundation. KPMG's report includes a number of recommendations pertaining to the Foundation's governance, operation and financial reporting.

Charleston, S.C.—Having dedicated its new state-of-the-art facility named for alumnus and benefactor James B. Edwards, the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine is now recognizing new patrons.

In June, the ADA Board of Trustees selected 12 participants for the 2010 Institute for Diversity in Leadership.

Candidates seeking ADA-elected offices prepared platform statements and profiles for the ADA News. Each candidate was sent a profile form with the same questions and asked to list no more than five items for professional memberships, volunteer posts/elective offices and main qualifications. Publication of these statements and profiles should not be construed as an endorsement of any candidate by the ADA News or other staff of the ADA or its subsidiaries. These statements and profiles are provided as information for Association members.

Orlando, Fla.—Save time and money at some of Orlando's most popular attractions during the ADA annual session in October by purchasing specially discounted tickets offered by the ADA through Hello Florida before Sept. 17.