MCOH 2026 Oral Health Champions T


Impersonation Calls Reported Nationwide


S


tate dental boards around the country are reporting a scam in which callers impersonate board investigators or


federal agents and claim a dentist’s license is under investigation for illegal prescribing or drug related off enses. Callers may spoof offi cial phone numbers, reference real agency names, or transfer the dentist to someone posing as an FBI or DEA agent. Their goal is to create urgency and fear so the dentist will provide personal information or pay an im- mediate “fee.” Key reminders:


• Legitimate state boards, the DEA, and the FBI do not demand payment by phone or threaten immediate arrest.


• Regulatory agencies normally commu- nicate offi cial notices in writing, such as certifi ed mail or verifi ed email.


• Dentists should hang up immediately if they receive a suspicious call and avoid sharing personal or fi nancial information.


• Members should directly contact their state dental board using the number listed on the board’s offi cial website to verify any inquiry.


• Incidents should be reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.


he Missouri Coali- tion for Oral Health (MCOH) honored


Dr. Herbert Silva, Dr. William Kane, and Kevin DeArman as the 2026 Oral Health Cham- pions for their signifi cant contributions to improving oral health in Missouri. The awards were presented on March 5 during the 2026 Missouri Oral Health Policy Conference. The awardees are recognized for their signifi cant eff orts in advancing oral health access, primarily for Missouri’s Veterans, through the Smiles of Hope (SOH) clinic.


From left: Dr. Mack Taylor, MCOH Chair, Mr. DeArman, Dr. Kane, Dr. Silva, and Jessica Emmerich, MCOH Executive Director.


DR. SILVA, St. Louis, is an assistant professor at ATSU-MOSDOH where he serves as a Comprehensive Care Unit Director and coordinates the Smiles for Veterans program. He partnered with SOH to increase care in Southeast Missouri. His background as a service member provides a level of trust and respect for the growing veteran patient base served by the organization and gives additional perspectives to his students.


DR. KANE, Dexter, maintains a general practice and has a passion for recovery and wellness. He co-founded the SOH clinic in Dexter in 2010, which provides emergency dental care for individuals having diffi culty accessing care. A second location in Fenton, Mo., was launched in 2024. To date, SOH has treated more than 11,000 patients and provided more than $10 million of dental treatment. SOH provides dental treatment to many veterans and serves those in recovery houses and inmate populations.


KEVIN DeARMAN, Dexter, is the Dental Minister for SOH, through which he has facili- tated the clinic’s expansion and secured resources for future growth. In the early years, SOH operated small, monthly clinics with limited local providers and patients at Lighthouse Ministries. In July 2015, the ministry hosted a two-week Military Innovative Readiness Train- ing mission that revealed the signifi cant regional need for dental care and what could be achieved through a unifi ed, large-scale eff ort. In 2016, SOH partnered with ATSU-MOSDOH to launch a Community Dental Care collaboration that continues to this day. Upon his retire- ment from Southeast Missouri State University in 2019, Kevin volunteered full-time with SOH. In 2025, SOH broke ground on a new 33 chair dental operatory with plans to open in 2026, further expanding the mission to bring hope and healing through dental care to those in the community.


Clicks & Consequences CE: Social Media Considerations M


edPro is off ering this free 1 Hour CE program that examines the diff erent types and potential benefi ts of social media


platforms, identifi es legal regulations and professional guidelines af- fecting social media use, explores the risks of using social media, and includes various strategies to mitigate those risks. Visit bit.ly/4lVFKhE for the CE link and to access these additional, related resources:


• Checklist: Managing Social Media Risks in Healthcare • Risk Q&A: Managing Negative Online Patient Reviews


• Social Media in Healthcare: A Slippery Slope


To learn more about other MedPro CE and how it can help you get a discount on your malpractice policy, contact MDIS at info@mdis4dds. com or visit mdiS4dds.com/insur- ance-for-your-practice/malpractice.


ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2026 | focus 13


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