Evaluating Patient Care by Life Stage The summer is nearly over. Back-to-school shopping has begun and it is time to return to a regular patient and staffing schedule. The summer is typically quiet for dental group events, but I did have the opportunity to attend Dykemas Third Annual Definitive Conference for Dental Service Organizations. Held in Dallas, Texas, it covered a wide range of topics including regulatory issues, funding, valuation and trends. There were over 170 attendees, with representation from many DSOs, as well as smaller groups. As is true for most events like this, the highlight was the networking opportunity. Representatives from emerging groups and DSOs mingled and shared ideas, opinions and experiences. In this issue of Efficiency, we dedicate our attention and focus on pediatric and geriatric patient care. Looking at the two ends of the age spectrum, we find commonalities in patient care, as well as some distinct differences in reimbursement and access. In our Meeting the Medicaid Challenge piece, we dissect Kool Smiles approach and success treating pediatric patients. While most solo practices are turning away Medicaid and CHIP patients due to low reimbursement rates, Kool Smiles has been able to continue to provide and grow access to this patient base while remaining profitable. Ninety percent of Kool Smiles patients are Medicaid or CHIP enrollees. One of Kool Smiles goals is to provide a dental home for patients who have traditionally not had regular access to care. Small groups, as well as larger DSOs, can learn a lot from Kool Smiles success with pediatric patients and their conservative, consistent dental visit approach. In our article, Senior Service, we examine how DSOs care for patients at the opposite end of the age spectrum. We provide insight from Paul Kim DDS, a clinical partner at Great Expressions, on how the industry is changing to help treat senior patients more effectively. Dr. Kim also reveals GEDCs strategy on how to handle the growing senior population. Kristine Rose, RDH at Enhanced Hygiene, explains how to slow down with senior patients and pay special attention to their medical history. Whether the patients are young or senior, there are successful dental group practice strategies provided in this issue that are essential for you to know. Serving all, Bill Neumann
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