National Association of Dental Plans

[Members Only Webinar] The Value of Enhanced Coding in Care and Benefit Decision Making
2024-08-13 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[Members Only Webinar] The Value of Enhanced Coding in Care and Benefit Decision Making
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CDT)

This webinar is a NADP Member Briefing and is available for only NADP Members.

As we are well aware, dentistry has fallen behind our medical colleagues in the use of coding tools. Specifically, medicine has been able to combine (and now apply AI) to the combination of diagnostic codes with the procedures provided for a patient, literally beginning to understand why (diagnostic code) a clinician did what (the procedures provided for the patient).
This seemingly simple idea has largely eluded our profession to date. Our medical colleagues have successfully used this to develop much improved care guidelines, and improved decision support tools to assist in more efficient workflows and improved patient outcomes.
This presentation will cover how dentistry fell behind, the many advantages of enhanced coding and how the profession might move forward to improve outcomes for patients.

Dr. Linda Vidone
Chief Clinical Officer & Vice President of Clinical Management at Delta Dental of Massachusetts

Linda Vidone, DMD, is Delta Dental of Massachusetts’s (DDMA) chief clinical officer and vice president of clinical management. She has 20 years of dental experience in clinical private practice, dental school faculty, and the dental benefits industry. She is responsible for all clinical programs at DDMA, which include dental/medical integration, utilization review, and management, oral health analytics, benefit criteria, clinical and contractual appeal review, and sets standards for quality care, confirming that DDMA maintains a quality network of providers. She continuously stays abreast of innovations in oral health, ensuring that DDMA continues to enhance and provide the best dental benefits to its customers. Dr. Vidone is a liaison to the National Scientific Committee and Policy Committee for Delta Dental Plans Association.
Dr. Vidone is a hands-on leader in the dental insurance industry. Beyond her work with DDMA, she is the immediate past president and chair of the American Association of Dental Consultants Certification and Program Committees. She is the chairperson of the National Association of Dental Terminology workgroup, a voting member of the American Dental Association’s Code Maintenance Committee, representing American Health Insurance, and a voting member of the Dental Quality Alliance and serving on their educational committee. She holds membership with the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology, National Healthcare Fraud Association, and New England Dental Society. She lectures nationally on Dental insurance, Claim coding, Opioid Epidemic in Dentistry, and Quality in Oral Health.
She received her DMD and advanced certificates in Prosthetics and Periodontology at Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Providence College. She maintains a private practice in Periodontology in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Dr. Mark Jurkovich
Research Investigator at HealthPartners Institute

Mark W. Jurkovich, BS, DDS, MBA, MHI, MAGD, is a research investigator at the HealthPartners Institute in Bloomington, MN. He provided direct patient care in various private practice formats for 38 years. Dr. Jurkovich currently works in quality measures, terminology development, information exchange, standards development, and data analytics, focusing on the dental field. He was the primary editor for the recent ADA Standards Committee Whitepaper on Augmented Intelligence in Dental Imaging. Dr. Jurkovich is the voting representative for the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) on the Dental Quality Alliance (DQA). He is vice chair of the American Dental Association’s (ADA) oversight committee of the Standards Committee on Dental Informatics. Dr. Jurkovich is chair of the ANSI SNODENT Maintenance Committee and lead for the SNOMED International Dental CRG. Additionally, he has served as the CDO for 3 different care systems, two of which were early users of value-based payment formats.

[WEBINAR] How To Find And Implement The Right Dental A.I.
2024-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[WEBINAR] How To Find And Implement The Right Dental A.I.
The do’s and don’ts of evaluating artificial intelligence – How To Find And Implement The Right Dental A.I.
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, but how can you be sure the AI you implement is built responsibly with the best intentions for your members and provider network? Join us for a discussion with industry experts, Dr. Chris Balaban VP of Clinical Affairs at Overjet and Dr. Dan Croley, Chief Dental Officer at Delta Dental of California, as they delve into the essentials of finding and implementing artificial intelligence that is built responsibly and the impact it has on the entire industry.
What You’ll Learn:

What is Responsible AI? Understand the concept of responsible AI and its impact on your members, providers, and the entire industry
Debunking AI Misconceptions: Learn about the common misconceptions that hinder the development of responsible AI.
Best Practices: Discover best practices for identifying and implementing responsible AI systems

Christopher Balaban, DMD, MSc, FACD
Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Overjet

Dr. Christopher Balaban is the vice president of clinical affairs for Overjet, one of the industry’s top leaders in dental artificial intelligence. Dr. Balaban has written numerous articles on artificial intelligence and its application to dentistry, published in Compendium, IDH, IDT, and JADA. Dr. Balaban is a leading contributor to the ADA’s seminal white paper on Augmented Intelligence, where he leads the authorship of the Clinical Use of Dental AI section. He holds a master’s degree in biomedical science and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where he had a faculty position in the department of general dentistry at the rank of a clinical instructor.

Dan Croley, DMD
Vice President and Chief Dental Officer
Delta Dental of California

Daniel Croley, DMD, is Vice President and Chief Dental Officer for Delta Dental of California, an enterprise that encompasses 15 states and Washington, D.C.
Dr. Croley is responsible for the clinical vision of the Delta Dental of California enterprise and building a culture of health care quality, which enables Delta Dental to deliver exceptional care to its members. He oversees the development of Delta Dental’s quality program, which is focused on improving oral health outcomes through product and service development. Dr. Croley represents Delta Dental in many industry and professional organizations including Dental Quality Alliance’s workgroup, where he helps develop dentist and dental practice-level quality measures, as well as UCLA Center for Health Policy Research in their study about the use of general anesthesia in California. His advocacy to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services led to the inclusion of medically necessary dental services in core Medicare programs. Dr. Croley is also on the Delta Dental Plans Association Dental Policy Committee and is a past National Association of Dental Plans board member.
Prior to joining Delta Dental in 2004, Dr. Croley worked in private practice in the Chicago area. He has served in various clinical and network delivery roles within the dental benefits industry and as the Director of Dental Informatics for the American Dental Association. Dr. Croley is a passionate advocate for oral health and the integration of dentistry and oral health into total patient health.
Dr. Croley is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in Lexington and completed a general practice residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

[WEBINAR] Pathway to Value | Industry Perspective on How to Chart a Path that Meaningfully Accelerates the Shift to Value-Based Dental Care
2024-09-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[WEBINAR]
Pathway to Value | Industry Perspective on How to Chart a Path that Meaningfully Accelerates the Shift to Value-Based Dental Care

NADP Members – FREE
NON-MEMBERS – $99

With evolving market dynamics in mind, HealthScape Advisors, in collaboration with the National Association of Dental Plans and CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, conducted a market survey of dental payors and dental providers to assess payors’ and providers’ perspectives on, and experience with, the transition of dental reimbursement constructs from a traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model to a value-based (VB) model. During this webinar, we’ll share findings from the survey with the ultimate objective of promoting collaboration and driving organizations to advance the dental industry toward more meaningful implementation of value-based care.
Brian Goetsch
Senior Partner, HealthScape Advisors

Brian Goetsch, a Senior Partner with HealthScape Advisors, a Chartis company, advises health plans, specialty health organizations, and private equity investors on a variety of strategic and operational topics. He co-leads our Ancillary Practice, focusing on the dental and vision ecosystems, which include managed care, providers, labs, and emerging technologies.
Brian has led successful healthcare engagements on a wide range of topics, including market entry and expansion, product development and launch, transaction advisory services, and performance improvement. [more]

Caitlin Walsdorf
Partner, HealthScape Advisors

Caitlin Walsdorf, a Partner with HealthScape Advisors, a Chartis company, co-leads the firm’s Ancillary Practice. She has extensive experience advising clients across the healthcare landscape on a broad spectrum of strategic and operational engagements. Her consulting experience includes health plan-ancillary partnerships, market entry support, diversification strategy, sales excellence strategy, product strategy, network and cost of care analytics and management, operational assessment and improvement, and transaction advisory. [more]

Rebekah Mathews
Vice President of Health Transformation, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

Rebekah Mathews serves as vice president of health transformation for CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. In this role, Rebekah leads the efforts for CareQuest Institute to partner with public and private stakeholders across the health continuum to develop, test, and measure prevention-focused, person-centered strategies to create an oral health system that meets the needs of everyone. [more]

CONVERGE 2024
2024-09-23 08:00 - 2024-09-26 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
Gear up for an unparalleled experience at CONVERGE 2024! Join us from September 23-26, 2024, at the Hilton Minneapolis for two and a half days of face-to-face interaction with the trailblazers in the dental benefits industry.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Why CONVERGE 2024?

Unrivaled Networking Opportunities: Immerse yourself in dynamic networking sessions, social events, and invaluable face-to-face connections with industry experts, decision-makers, and colleagues.
Cutting-Edge Professional Development: Elevate your knowledge with tailored educational sessions covering diverse facets of the dental benefits industry, ensuring you stay ahead in this dynamic field.
Dental Interact: Seamless Communication: Engage, communicate, and connect with speakers, industry leaders, and fellow attendees through Dental Interact.
CONVERGE Mobile App: Enhance your onsite experience with our user-friendly mobile app, facilitating easy connections, event updates, and downloadable attendee lists with contact information.
Cost-Effective Exploration: Explore a myriad of products and services in one place at the Discovery Zone exhibit hall, offering money-saving opportunities and express learning through DZ Demos.
Sponsored Events and Prizes: Immerse yourself in fun sponsored events, interactive games via the mobile app, and exciting opportunities to win prizes, adding fun to your learning experience.
Extend Your Stay in Minneapolis: Maximize your trip by exploring all that Minneapolis has to offer, transforming your visit into a well-rounded experience. [learn more]

Don’t miss this chance to be part of CONVERGE 2024 and take your dental benefits expertise to new heights. Register now to secure your spot at the forefront of industry innovation!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER
See you at CONVERGE 2024 – Where Expertise Meets Excellence!
Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring in 2024? Learn more.
2024 REGISTRATION PRICES

Until March 29

March 30 – June 3

June 4 – Sept. 13

After Sept. 13 + onsite

NADP  Member – $1,295
Non-Member – $2,195
Sponsor / Exhibitor – $895

NADP Member – $1,395
Non-Member – $2,295
Sponsor / Exhibitor – $995

NADP Member – $1,495
Non-Member – $2,395
Sponsor / Exhibitor – $1,095

NADP Member – $1,695
Non-Member – $2,595
Sponsor / Exhibitor – $1,295

FIRST-TIMER RATE (FOR NADP MEMBERS ONLY)

Are you a member of NADP and you’ve never attended CONVERGE? Take advantage of our First-Timer Rate!

Until March 29 - $750
March 30 – June 3 – $850
June 4 – Sept. 13 – $950
After Sept. 13 and onsite – $1150

A few important things to note about the first-timer discount:

Attendee must be an employee at a company that is a current member of NADP. Employees at companies not current on NADP dues do not qualify for the discount code.
The discount code only applies to the attendee rate.
This discount can’t be combined with other discounts like sponsors, exhibitors, or new members

[FREE WEBINAR] How to Build the Ultimate Dental Provider Network
2024-10-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[FREE WEBINAR] How to Build the Ultimate Dental Provider Network
When: Wednesday, October 16
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM (CT)
Price: FREE!

Building and maintaining a solid provider network is at the top of everyone’s mind. However, it could be more convenient for all involved. Insurers must populate applications manually, providers wait months for in-network approval, and patients are left with surprise bills when they find out their provider isn’t in the network. It is a process that is long overdue for transformation.
Join in on a discussion with industry experts as they dive into why network management is such a pressing issue, the innovative solutions they are implementing to transform it, and get a glimpse into the future of optimized, efficient networks.
What you will learn:

Revolutionizing Network Management with AI: Discover how AI streamlines everything from provider recruitment to re-credentialing, making the process faster and more accurate.
Data-Driven Network Optimization: Learn how to use claims and provider data to build a strong network.
Industry Innovations in Action: Gain practical insights from the pioneers of network transformation and learn how to apply their strategies directly to your organization.

[FREE WEBINAR] Getting the Most out of Dental AI
2024-11-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Getting the Most out of Dental AI: A Conversation with Sanjith Kodangil, CTO, DentaQuest, a Sunlife Company

[FREE WEBINAR] FROM THE DESK OF A CHIEF AI OFFICER - Trends, Impact, and Insights with Ameritaʼs Chief AI Officer
2025-01-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
FROM THE DESK OF A CHIEF AI OFFICER – Trends, Impact, and Insights with Ameritaʼs Chief AI Officer

2025 Leadership Conference
2025-01-27 18:00 - 2025-01-29 12:00 (America/New_York) | Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key, 1201 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater Beach, FL, 33767, United States
2025 Leadership Conference

Get ready to lead with sun, sand, and strategy at the 2025 Leadership Conference-where business meets the beach! For the first time ever, the 2025 Leadership Conference will be held in sunny Clearwater, Florida! This exclusive, members-only event promises to combine powerful volunteer leadership insights with a refreshing dose of sun and surf.
Get ready to lead with sun, sand, and strategy at the 2025 Leadership Conference—where business meets the beach! For the first time ever, the 2025 Leadership Conference will be held in sunny Clearwater, Florida! This exclusive, members-only event promises to combine powerful volunteer leadership insights with a refreshing dose of sun and surf.
Mark Your Calendar: January 27-29, 2025
Pack your sunscreen and prepare to dive deep into the world of leadership, politics, and advocacy for the dental benefits industry. At the 2025 Leadership Conference, you’ll gain the knowledge, connections, and strategies to shape the future of the dental benefits industry—all with a stunning ocean view.
Exclusive In-Depth Overview from Our Federal Lobbying Team
On Tuesday, be prepared for something truly impactful: an exclusive, in-depth overview from our seasoned federal lobbying team. Their guidance through the complex political landscape will equip you with key insights and strategies, ensuring you’re well-prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the dental benefits industry.
Register today and don’t miss this exceptional chance to elevate your leadership, deepen your political knowledge, and enjoy the beauty of Clearwater Beach. Together, we’ll make waves, shape the future, and emerge as true leaders in the dental benefits industry.

$585 per person
This is an NADP members’ only event.
Online registration closes after 1/20/25

[NADP MEMBER WEBINAR] How Leased Partners Are Navigating the Network Leasing Landscape
2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[NADP MEMBER WEBINAR] How Leased Partners Are Navigating the Network Leasing Landscape
When: February 20
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM (CT)

THIS WEBINAR IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO NADP MEMBERS
Join us to hear the leased partner perspective on the evolution and challenges of Network Leasing. The panelists will discuss the main topics they see from Network Leasing and ways to improve these challenges for all parties, ultimately resulting in a better patient experience.

Valerie DeBruin
VP, Specialty Benefit Sales
Careington International

Valerie DeBruin, Vice President of Specialty Benefit Sales, began her career with Careington International Corporation in 2008. During her tenure, she has held leadership roles in Sales, Account Management, Product Development and Network Development. In her previous role as VP of Network Operations, she helped Careington’s expansive national discount and PPO provider networks experience tremendous growth and widen client opportunities. As VP of Specialty Benefit Sales, Valerie brings her years of dental expertise and experience to the sales team and provides unique benefit solutions and product selection strategies to market.

Andy LaCour
Manager, Dental Network Partnerships
United Concordia Dental

With over 21 years of experience at United Concordia, Andy LaCour has built a career focused on fostering strong relationships and driving strategic partnerships within the dental network space. As Manager of Dental Network Partnerships, Andy leads a team dedicated to supporting external partners who lease UCD’s dental networks across the country, including private insurers and Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations. His team plays a crucial role in managing these unique relationships and overseeing data exchanges that support partner dental plans.
Since joining UCD in 2003, Andy has held various roles, including customer service representative, supervisor, partnership lease consultant, and partnership manager. His deep expertise in network partnerships and commitment to delivering value-driven solutions have shaped his approach to collaboration and customer support. Andy holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Penn State University.

Kathy Larkin
Sr. Manager Regulatory Oversight & Compliance
Dearborn Group

Kathy has over 40 years of legal and regulatory experience, including HMO, Medicare, Medicaid, Life, Disability, and dental network compliance. In her current role, Kathy oversees regulatory compliance for the Dearborn Group and its affiliates, including Dental Network of America and DenteMax. She is also an Ethics Ambassador, Civil Rights Coordinator, Risk Chair, and Divisional Privacy Officer for the Dearborn National enterprise. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Religious Studies from Rochester College. She also has a Master of Science and Administration with a concentration in Leadership from Central Michigan University. Kathy has received the NADP Star Award three times, won the NADP Galaxy Award, and is a Gabryl Award nominee.

AADOM Insurance Symposium
2025-03-09 08:00 - 2025-03-10 17:00 (America/Chicago) | YM Dental Lab, Chantilly VA 14100 Park Meadow Dr #100, Chantilly, VA 20151, YM Dental Lab, Chantilly VA, Chantilly, 20151, United States
AADOM

Insurance Symposium

Navigating the Complexities of Dental Insurance Together

Date: May 9 & 10, 2025

Location: YM Dental Lab, Chantilly VA
14100 Park Meadow Dr #100, Chantilly, VA 20151
(easily accessible to Dulles Airport)

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM

The AADOM Insurance Symposium is designed to equip dental office managers with the tools, knowledge, and strategies they need to streamline insurance processes and overcome common challenges in the industry.
From state-of-the-industry insights to in-depth sessions, this exclusive conference offers unparalleled opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.
NADP Speaking at Symposium
Friday, May 9
3:00pm – 3:30pm

Jerry Berggren, MBA, NADP Director of Research
Michael Adelberg, MPA, MA, NADP Executive Director

Dental Carrier Perspectives and Insights: Bridging the Gap

Explore dental benefit plans from the carrier’s perspective. Using survey results from AADOM members, participants will gain insights into administrative challenges faced by both providers and payers in the dental industry. By sharing perspectives and promoting understanding, participants will learn strategies to streamline processes and improve patient care.
Learning Objectives:

Discover how dental insurance contributes to the healthcare landscape.
Discuss how to foster collaboration between dental providers and insurance carriers.

[WEBINAR] AI for Dental Insurers: Calculating Return on Investment
2025-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
AI for Dental Insurers: Calculating Return on Investment
This webinar is FREE and sponsored by NovoDynamics, Inc.
AI is ready and able to help dental insurers optimize their claim review workflow and maximize staff efficiency and effectiveness. But how do you choose the right dental AI solution for your business?

Critical Capabilities: Does the solution have the features your organization needs to succeed?
Affordability: Can it fit into your budget?
Return on Investment (ROI): What value will it deliver for your business?

In this webinar, we’ll guide you through evaluating these key questions and explain:

Our rigorous approach to AI ROI calculation
Why NovoDynamics set the industry standard for dental AI ROI analysis
How you can receive an exclusive ROI analysis using your company’s own claim data.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how AI can benefit your business and boost your bottom line.
NovoDynamics’ award-winning NovoHealth® Dental AI platform automatically analyzes dental claims — in real-time, at enterprise volume — to assess whether claim submissions are complete; uncover fraud, waste, and abuse; identify unusual provider practice patterns; and flag the claims for clinical review that are most likely to result in denials and associated plan payment savings.

2025 Advocacy in Action [Members Only]
2025-04-02 14:30 - 2025-04-03 19:00 (America/New_York) | Kimpton George Hotel, 15 E Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States

[WEBINAR] The 2025 AI Playbook for Payer Execs: 5 Key Strategies to Stay Ahead
2025-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
The 2025 AI Playbook for Payer Execs: 5 Key Strategies to Stay Ahead
Sponsored by OVERJET

When: April 22, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT
Price: FREE
Join Overjet and industry expert Mike Tilton for an insightful fireside chat on the top priorities for payer executives in 2025. This session will cover the most pressing issues shaping the industry and provide you with actionable strategies to prepare for them. Key topics include:

Navigating Legislative Changes: What regulations are on the horizon, and how can your organization stay compliant and ahead of the curve?
Embracing Real-Time Approvals: Discover how real-time decision-making is transforming payer-provider relationships and learn how to integrate this capability into your operations.
Optimizing Provider Network Management: Why improving the provider experience is more important than ever, and how to make meaningful improvements that benefit both providers and payers.
Rising Consumerism Trends: How ICHRA’s, LSA’s, and other consumer-focused financing vehicles will change how we think about consumer experience.

Mike Tilton brings decades of leadership experience at top health insurance companies like Cigna, UnitedHealth Group, and Humana, along with a unique perspective on the evolving healthcare landscape. He currently advises several health tech startups, offering invaluable insights into the future of the industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a seasoned expert and gain strategies to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond!

[WEBINAR] 4 Win-Win Strategies to Elevate the Member Experience and Meet Plan Goals
2025-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[WEBINAR] 4 Win-Win Strategies to Elevate the Member Experience and Meet Plan Goals
When: June 24
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT
Price: FREE

It’s no secret that the experiences delivered by dental plans play a critical role in keeping members engaged, happy, and healthy. However, finding ways to improve the member experience while still meeting organizational goals can be a difficult balance to strike. That’s why we’re here to break down four strategies that can benefit both you and your membership.
Join Drew Corbett, VP of Engagement and Design at Clarity Software Solutions, as he shares expert insights on how to:

Capture member communication preferences.
Incorporate a digital wallet option for ID cards.
Use explanation of benefits data to personalize the member journey.
Effectively meet timely utilization management requirements at scale.

By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with actionable tactics your organization can implement to boost member engagement and achieve key plan objectives.

[WEBINAR] CDT 2026 Update
2025-07-01 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[WEBINAR] CDT 2026 Update
This webinar is for NADP Members Only.
When: July 1
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM CDT
Price: FREE.
With 60 changes to CDT 2026, hear from leadership of the NADP Codes Subworkgroup (SWG) and attendees at the March 7, 2025 Codes Maintenance Committee (CMC) meeting, outlining the changes that will be effective January 1, 2026. Please join presenters Drs. Katie Deffke (United Concordia) and Dr. Cherag Sarkari (LIBERTY Dental), Co-Chairs of the SWG and representatives to the CMC, along with Dr. Mary Lee Conicella (Aetna Dental), former SWG chair and longtime participant in the CMC process, as they share discussions from the CMC meeting and expectations of how CDT 2026 changes may impact dental benefit plans and claim processing. Attendees of this complimentary members-only briefing will have the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar and will receive the NADP CDT 2026 Change Document prior to the broadcast.

2025 CONVERGE
2025-09-15 10:00 - 2025-09-18 12:00 (America/New_York) | Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, 44600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA, 92210, United States

[Webinar] Changing Dynamics of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse and how to address it
2025-10-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Changing Dynamics of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse and how to address it
When: October 22, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 PM
Price: FREE

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) schemes are evolving faster than ever, costing payers valuable resources and threatening the integrity of benefit programs. Traditional tactics are no longer enough. To protect your organization, you need proactive strategies that anticipate—not just react to—emerging risks.
In this webinar, Michael Urbach will break down:

The acceleration of new FWA schemes and what payers must know now
A holistic defense model that connects benefit plan language, network management, and utilization review
Actionable steps to strengthen detection and interception before losses occur

This isn’t theory—it’s a proven, integrated approach to outpacing FWA and safeguarding your plan’s future.
Why Attend?

Get ahead of rapidly changing fraud tactics
Learn how to align teams and processes for maximum protection
Walk away with a clear framework you can apply immediately

Michael Urbach
Chief Alliance Officer and President, New Markets at Fluent

Mike oversees all aspects of driving revenue growth for Fluent’s dental analytics business solutions in new markets. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare informatics space and has developed and successfully sold a variety of informatics solutions to all stakeholders in the healthcare marketplace, including payers, providers, suppliers, and consumers. He has worked at informatics companies large and small, public and private, including HCIA, Solucient, Pharmetrics, and IMS Health. Mike has a BA from Syracuse University, an MBA, and an MHA from the University of Pittsburgh.

[Webinar] Pragmatic Solutions for Provider Data and Credentialing Challenges
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[Webinar] Pragmatic Solutions for Provider Data and Credentialing Challenges
When: November 6, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT
Price: Free
sponsored by:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Credentialing and provider data management remain some of the most persistent challenges in dental benefits administration. Providers face redundant paperwork and re-credentialing chaos, while payers struggle with manual intake, compliance risks, and inconsistent records.
Join John Schaak, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at SKYGEN, as he explores the credentialing and provider data landscape, exposes common pitfalls, discusses how you can distinguish genuinely valuable tech solutions from the hype, and shares best practices that create efficiency, reduce risk, and strengthen provider relationships. Learn how pragmatic, collaborative approaches can help both payers and providers move beyond outdated processes and achieve better outcomes.

John Schaak
SKYGEN’s Chief Innovation and Growth Officer
As Chief Innovation & Growth Officer, John Schaak leads company efforts to solve industry problems by identifying new opportunities and markets, as well as innovative new products and services. With his strong commitment to exemplary client service and collaborative approach to both internal and external relationships, John has a demonstrated ability to help players in the healthcare continuum grow their businesses while reducing costs, improving operations, and serving their members more effectively.
John brings extensive leadership experience to his position. He was previously the President of Scion Dental and SKYGEN’s Chief Operating Officer. Before that, John was a Partner with the national law firm Quarles & Brady. John is actively involved with the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), currently serving as a member of the workgroups for both Operations and Government Funded Programs. John also serves on the Board of Directors for the Medicaid|Medicare|CHIP Services Dental Association (MSDA) and previously served as a board member of the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP).

[Webinar] Oral Health Value-Based Care 101
2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Oral Health Value-Based Care 101
[NADP + ADSO Member’s Only Webinar]
Value-Based Care Webinar Series
REGISTER NOW

DATE: November 19, 2025
TIME: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
PRICE: FREE
Please join us for a primer on value-based, whole-person care (VBC) and how it applies in the oral health space. We’ll cover VBC principles and discuss real-world examples of VBC and alternative payment model (APM) success in both integrated care models and dental-only contexts.

Andrea L. Clark
Director, Healthcare Economics
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
Andrea Clark is a seasoned health economist and data scientist. As Director for Healthcare Economics at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Andrea leads the team responsible for designing tools to accelerate and evaluate the adoption of integrated value-based payment models in oral health and advises the Institute’s analytics team on data acquisition, governance, and strategy. Prior to joining the Institute in 2023, Andrea consulted for many years to state Medicaid agencies and health insurance regulators. She lives with her family in Maine, where she enjoys walks, yoga and knitting in her spare time.

Rebekah Mathews, MPA
Vice President, Health Transformation
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
Rebekah Mathews is the vice president of health transformation at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, where she leads efforts to partner with public and private stakeholders across the health care continuum. Her work focuses on developing, testing, and measuring prevention-focused, person-centered strategies to build an oral health system that serves everyone. Mathews brings decades of experience in health policy and health care administration. Prior to joining CareQuest Institute, she held leadership roles at DentaQuest, advancing program innovations and managing client relationships in Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and South Carolina. She also spent five years working in state policy and government relations in South Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina.

[Webinar] The Federal Budget Reconciliation Law: What it Could Mean for Medicaid Dental Coverage
2025-12-01 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
[Webinar] The Federal Budget Reconciliation Law: What it Could Mean for Medicaid Dental Coverage
When: Monday, December 1
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (ET)
Price: FREE
NADP MEMBERS ONLY

The federal budget reconciliation law (H.R. 1/P.L. 119-21) is estimated to cut nearly $1 trillion in federal Medicaid dollars by 2034. Join NADP/DDPA for a 90-minute webinar on DATE/TIME to better understand the provisions most likely to affect dental coverage. Experts Tricia Beckmann and Kacey Dugan from Faegre Drinker Consulting will break down the must-know provisions, what’s next on the timeline, and the big questions still in play for dental stakeholders.

Tricia Beckmann
Principal
Faegre Drinker Consulting
Tricia Beckmann has more than 14 years of experience developing and interpreting health insurance regulations for health plans, trade organizations, and provider organizations. She has led projects servicing dental plans, including advising on nondiscrimination and loss ratio requirements, performing a Medicaid program compliance audit, and conducting 50-state Medicaid dental managed care survey.

Kacey Dugan
Director, Policy & Regulatory Affairs
Faegre Drinker Consulting
Kacey Dugan is an experienced health policy analyst focused on Medicaid and other major government health programs. She offers deep knowledge of these programs, including how they function and their underlying regulatory structures, how decisions are made and their unique roles in providing health coverage to Americans. Prior to joining Faegre Drinker, Kacey served as a senior analyst at the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission — Congress’s advisory agency on Medicaid and CHIP issues.

[Webinar] Value-Based Care: Actuarial and Contracting Dimensions
2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[Webinar] Value-Based Care: Actuarial and Contracting Dimensions
When: January 20, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CT)
FREE for everyone
Join us for the second webinar in our series exploring whether new payment and care models can work in the dental sector. Actuaries from Milliman and a healthcare contracting attorney from Epstein Becker Green will walk through the financial and legal considerations behind these approaches. Although dental differs from medical, the past decade of experimentation and growth on the medical side offers valuable lessons. This webinar will outline the core financial assumptions underlying value-based models, explain how provider contracts may differ from traditional fee-for-service arrangements, and address the key challenges dental plans and providers may encounter when adopting these models. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how these frameworks could function in dental and what it takes to build sustainable, compliant programs.

Joanne Fontana, FSA, MAAA
Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman

Joanne has consulted for insurance companies, including many major dental carriers, as well as employers, government entities, and other organizations. Her focus has been largely on managed care and dental insurance, with experience in premium rate development, product development, provider contract analysis, and health care reform. Over the past decade, Joanne has come to be known as an industry expert in dental product and pricing topics; she regularly presents on dental-related issues at industry forums and has authored many topical articles. Joanne has worked closely with the National Association of Dental Plans, the California Association of Dental Plans, the American Dental Association, and other dental clients to assess the impact of health care reform on the dental industry. She manages Milliman’s Dental Actuarial Analytics PPO Network Study, a product that uses a vast contributor database of dental claims to provide competitive insights on dental network discounts and utilization to study participants. Joanne has worked with carriers and employer groups on the dental insurance procurement process. She has worked on Medicaid dental procurements with both state entities and bidders and has done core actuarial dental pricing and underwriting work for many carriers in the commercial, ACA, and Medicare Advantage dental markets. In addition to Joanne’s dental consulting, she also manages Milliman’s GASBhelp.com, an online tool allowing small government entities to complete valuations of post-retirement health benefits. Prior to joining Milliman, Joanne spent more than 10 years as an actuary with Cigna, where she held various healthcare financial leadership roles, including chief actuary of Cigna’s dental insurance business.

Simon J. Moody, FSA, MAAA
Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman
Simon is a principal and consulting Actuary based out of the Milwaukee office of Milliman, Inc. He has over 30 years of experience in the global healthcare industry. Originally from the United Kingdom, Simon transferred from Milliman’s London health practice to Milwaukee in November 2012. He has been actively focused on the United States healthcare industry for the past 13 years. Simon provides actuarial and strategic consulting services and advice to multiple stakeholders, including health plans, health systems, primary and specialty care practices, accountable care organizations, and healthcare investors. Simon is an expert in value-based care contracting. He has significant experience working with providers and payers in the design, evaluation, audit, and performance monitoring of various population-based reimbursement agreements. He also works with several health systems and ACOs to design and implement internal distribution models. Simon also leads the development and certification of Medicare Advantage bids for several MA health plans, including regional provider-owned health plans. His work with MA health plans extends to assisting with product and market strategy. Working extensively with both providers and MA health plans, Simon has deep expertise in understanding reimbursement, risk adjustment, population health, quality and outcome measures, and more generally, the key levers for success.

Christine Burke Worthen, LLM, JD, BA
Attorney at Epstein Becker Green
Christine is a nationally recognized health care attorney known for guiding providers, payers, digital health innovators, and investors through the complex regulatory and business challenges shaping today’s health care landscape. With deep experience across reimbursement, managed care, and value-based payment reform, she helps organizations design strategies that support both immediate operational needs and long-term transformation goals. Christine advises clients across the full health care ecosystem, including health systems, hospitals, physician groups, behavioral health providers, digital health companies, post-acute care organizations, third-party administrators, and health plans. Her work spans Medicare reimbursement and Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid, CMS Innovation Center models, risk-based contracting, price transparency, revenue cycle, payment integrity, clinically integrated networks, value-based enterprise development, risk adjustment, and provider compensation structures. She helps clients navigate emerging payment environments and build sustainable reimbursement and network strategies tailored to their markets. New entrants to the health care market frequently rely on Christine to develop compliant care delivery and reimbursement models across brick-and-mortar, home-based, and virtual settings. She also works closely with investors, offering regulatory due diligence and identifying payer-contracting opportunities to support financial performance and growth. Her background includes advising on licensing, mental health parity compliance, fraud and abuse considerations, HIPAA/Part 2, and payer disputes. Christine’s practice also extends to ERISA matters. She counsels employers on retirement plans and self-insured and fully insured welfare benefit plans, and has represented clients in audits conducted by the IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor. Throughout her career, Christine has held senior leadership roles within health law practices. Before joining Epstein Becker Green, she served as Vice President and Senior Counsel at a Maine health system and previously chaired a regional law firm’s Healthcare Services Practice Group. Her broad industry perspective allows her to support clients in designing practical, innovative solutions to payment reform, managed care strategy, and network development. Christine’s professional involvement reflects her commitment to advancing the field. She has served in multiple leadership roles within the American Bar Association and the American Health Law Association, including vice chair and chair positions across employee benefits, delivery and payment reform, and payer and managed care groups. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Portland Recovery Community Center. Christine holds an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law, a J.D. from New England Law Boston, and a B.A., cum laude, from Boston University. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and before the U.S. Tax Court.

2026 Leadership Conference
2026-01-26 - 2026-01-28 | Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key, 1201 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater Beach, FL, 33767, United States
The annual NADP Leadership Conference is a members-only event. This conference provides opportunities to increase your leadership skills as you join with colleagues to provide direction for NADP programs and services while gaining insight and new perspectives on timely topics in the educational sessions. Leadership Conference brings together all of the NADP volunteer groups to share a vision of where the dental benefits industry and association are going over the coming year. Generally held in the winter, Leadership Conferences are traditionally face-to-face meetings.
Join Us at the 2026 Leadership Conference
Are you ready for a members-only event that combines the power of leadership with the excitement of a presidential election year? Look no further because the 2025 Leadership Conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida is here to offer you an unforgettable experience.
Mark Your Calendar:
January 26-28, 2026
Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
Be a part of this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the dynamic world of volunteer leadership, politics, and advocacy for the dental benefits industry.
Join us for this exceptional opportunity to elevate your leadership skills and deepen your political knowledge at the NADP 2026 Leadership Conference. Together, we will make an impact, shape the future, and emerge as true leaders in the industry.

[FREE WEBINAR] Value Based Dental – A Look at Promising Initiatives that Are Underway
2026-02-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[FREE WEBINAR] Value-Based Dental – A Look at Promising Initiatives that Are Underway
When: Thursday, February 26
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CT)
Price: FREE!

Following on prior webinars, this third webinar in the Value-Based Dental series focuses on promising value-based initiatives that are already underway. Speakers will outline three promising initiatives underway in different parts of country and focused on different dental markets. A moderated discussion with three clinician executives will consider the upsides and challenges of launching value based dental programs. The speakers will also bring forward dental plan and DSO perspectives and thoughts on what happens next in terms of greater adoption of value-based approaches in the dental market.
If you missed the first two webinars in this series, you can view them here.

Jeremy Jonckheere
Vice President Strategic Payor Partnerships
PDS Health
Jeremy Jonckheere’s work at PDS Health focuses on ways to grow new, profitable revenue and spans strategic partnerships, medical integration, insurance markets and enterprise strategy. Prior to his time with PDS, Jeremy held several positions at DaVita HealthCare Partners engaged on strategy, operations and government affairs. He also worked at BMO’s Investment Bank on the Diversified Industries division team. Jeremy holds an MBA in Finance, Marketing and Biotechnology from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and an HBA from the University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business. A former professional volleyball player and member of Canada’s National Team, Jeremy spends his time with his wife and son traveling central America and exploring Florida’s winter activities.

Dr. Cherag Sarkari
Chief Dental Officer
LIBERTY Dental Plan
Dr. Cherag Sarkari leads LIBERTY’s national clinical oversight and quality improvement. His 30-year career includes roles as provider, academic, and C-suite executive focused on innovation and outcomes. Dr. Sarkari joined LIBERTY Dental Plan in 2020 as the Dental Director of California, and was promoted to National Dental Director for Quality Improvement and Clinical Innovation in 2023, before he assumed his current role of Chief Dental Officer of LIBERTY Dental Plan. He is responsible for clinical oversight of all of LIBERTY Dental Plan’s quality improvement activities and clinical innovations to improve member outcomes and experiences, in addition to providing clinical oversight, policy, and quality management leadership. He brings 27 years of experience in the dental industry as a provider, academic, administrator, and C-suite leadership. Dr. Sarkari holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Prosthodontics and was conferred a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) by the Dental Board of California in 2003. He also received a Master’s in Oral Laser Applications at the University of Vienna.

Michael Scialabba
Chief Clinical and Operations Officer
42 North Dental
Dr. Michael Scialabba is the Chief Clinical and Operations Officer at 42 North Dental, where he leads clinical strategy and operational excellence across one of the region’s leading dental support organizations.
Raised by parents in the medical profession, Dr. Scialabba knew early on that he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. While earning his undergraduate degree in Finance from Boston College, he gained hands-on experience working in an Emergency Room. It was during a volunteer experience at the Campus School for children with disabilities that he discovered his passion for dentistry. Seeing the measurable impact improved oral health had on medically complex children solidified his decision to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, graduating in 2003.
He completed his residency at the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, providing care to veterans with complex medical needs. Serving veterans during and after the events of 9/11 was particularly meaningful and further reinforced his belief in the connection between oral health and overall health.
Dr. Scialabba later became Chief of Dental at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Peabody, Massachusetts. When the opportunity arose to build and expand multiple dental practices, he embraced the challenge, ultimately founding Great Hill Dental Partners. The organization became known for its focus on whole health dentistry, multi-specialty integration, and a strong emphasis on patient education.
Today, as Chief Clinical and Operations Officer at 42 North Dental, Dr. Scialabba oversees clinical quality, operational performance, and provider engagement across a broad network of practices. His leadership philosophy centers on patient-first care, strong clinical culture, and advancing the understanding that oral health plays a critical role in systemic health. Despite his executive responsibilities, he remains closely connected to patient care and clinical teams.
Dr. Scialabba’s career reflects thoughtful risk-taking, strategic growth, and a sustained commitment to improving patient outcomes through comprehensive, evidence-based dentistry.

[FREE WEBINAR] Beyond Automation: AI Agents Unlock Up to 10x Productivity in Credentialing
2026-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
[FREE WEBINAR] Beyond Automation: AI Agents Unlock Up to 10x Productivity in Credentialing
When: Wednesday, March 18
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT
Price: FREE!
sponsored by:

Scaling networks has historically meant adding headcount. But as dental insurers face growth targets, tighter resources, and rising attrition risk, agentic AI changes the equation.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how Verifiable’s CredAgent™, the industry’s first AI credentialing agent, enables one credentialing specialist to oversee a team of autonomous agents, unlocking up to 10x productivity and stronger operating margins.
You’ll walk away with a clear view of where AI is headed in credentialing, plus practical ways to reduce administrative burden and scale performance without growing your team.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Brett Dooies, Head of Product, Verifiable
Brett Dooies is the Head of Product at Verifiable, where he leads the development of AI-powered solutions to simplify healthcare credentialing and monitoring. With a decade of experience building enterprise software, he specializes in applying advanced AI and analytics to enhance the customer experience and deliver transformative solutions. Drawing on his background modernizing banking software, Brett is dedicated to creating products that drive operational excellence, uphold regulatory compliance, and improve data accuracy for Verifiable’s partners, helping them scale with confidence in a complex ecosystem.

Rehan Mirza, Chief Growth Officer, Verifiable
Rehan Mirza is the Chief Growth Officer at Verifiable, where he leads go-to-market strategy and growth initiatives focused on modernizing healthcare credentialing and provider data operations. He brings healthcare expertise from working in management consulting for health systems and deep experience across product marketing, growth, and customer strategy from high-growth technology companies, such as CultureAmp, Checkr, and Zenefits.

[Webinar] Value Based Care in Dental: Infrastructure and Analytical Needs
2026-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Value Based Care in Dental: Infrastructure and Analytical Needs
When: April 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CT
Price: FREE
In the fourth webinar of the Value-Based Dental series, speakers will address one of the most important competencies for success in value-based care — the development of internal analytics that identify high-value care and steer incentives to providers who deliver that care. Coming from different backgrounds and drawing upon different data — claims, clinical, and practice management — presenters will discuss ways to identify optimal care and develop the processes to reward it.

View prior webinars in the series here.

Andrea L. Clark
Director, Healthcare Economics
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
Andrea Clark is a seasoned health economist and data scientist. As Director for Healthcare Economics at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Andrea leads the team responsible for designing tools to accelerate and evaluate the adoption of integrated value-based payment models in oral health and advises the Institute’s analytics team on data acquisition, governance, and strategy. Prior to joining the Institute in 2023, Andrea consulted for many years to state Medicaid agencies and health insurance regulators. She lives with her family in Maine, where she enjoys walks, yoga and knitting in her spare time.

Brian Goetsch
Senior Partner, HealthScape Advisors
Brian Goetsch is a Senior Partner at HealthScape Advisors, a Chartis company, where he advises health plans, specialty health organizations, and private equity investors on strategic, financial, and operational initiatives. His work focuses on helping organizations navigate complex healthcare markets, expand products and services, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth. Brian co-leads HealthScape’s Ancillary Center of Excellence, where he focuses on the dental and vision ecosystems, including managed care organizations, providers, laboratories, and emerging technologies. He also has extensive product experience across supplemental health, financial protection, and lifestyle offerings. Throughout his consulting career, Brian has led engagements on a wide range of healthcare topics, including product expansion and diversification, market and line of business entry, network and cost of care management, partnership strategy and execution, and inorganic growth strategies. Before joining HealthScape, Brian served as a senior executive at EyeMed Vision Care, where he led the development and execution of the company’s partner channel “One Stop Shop” strategy. During his tenure, he led several cross functional initiatives, including EyeMed’s expansion into Medicaid, investments in its Medicare Advantage solution, and the launch of its medical surgical vision solution. He also helped structure and contract multiple strategic partner agreements. Earlier in his career, Brian worked at Huron Consulting Group. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and previously held certifications as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner.

Michael Urbach
President, New Markets, Fluent
Mike oversees all aspects of driving revenue growth for Fluent’s dental analytics business solutions in new markets. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare informatics space and has developed and successfully sold a variety of informatics solutions to all stakeholders in the healthcare marketplace, including payers, providers, suppliers, and consumers. He has worked at informatics companies large and small, public and private, including HCIA, Solucient, Pharmetrics, and IMS Health. Mike has a BA from Syracuse University, an MBA, and an MHA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Natalia I. Chalmers DDS, MHSc, PhD
Dr. Chalmers is a board-certified pediatric dentist, oral health policy expert, and public health advocate who brings more than 20 years of clinical, research, industry, and regulatory experience to CMS as Chief Dental Officer in the Office of the Administrator. Previously, Dr. Chalmers served as a Dental Officer at the US Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Chalmers has devoted her career to transforming scientific and healthcare data and information into actionable insights to address equity, improve care, and better inform policy and funding. Dr. Chalmers completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the Medical University of Sofia, a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and a Ph.D. in oral microbiology from the Graduate Partnerships Program of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health, Post-doctoral Fellowship at the Forsyth Institute, and Clinical Research Fellowship at the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Chalmers’ research has not only advanced our understanding of oral care but has also led to significant improvements in the field. Her master’s degree in clinical research from Duke Medical University and a Certificate in Drug Development and Regulatory Science from the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy have equipped her with the necessary tools to turn her research into action. Her advocacy for health policy that encompasses dental well-being as a crucial aspect of overall care is a testament to her commitment to improving healthcare across the lifespan.

2026 Advocacy in Action
2026-04-15 - 2026-04-16 | Hilton Washington D.C., Capitol Hill 525 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, 20001, United States
As key players in the dental benefits industry, it’s time to make your voice heard where it matters most. Representatives and senators are eager to listen to the invaluable insights and expertise that only you can provide as a leader in the industry. This is your golden opportunity to be the catalyst for change.

When: April 15-16, 2026

Where: Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill

Price: Free – NADP Members Only

Registration Closes After Feb. 28

Click here to view the schedule.

2026 Consortium Session #1
2026-04-23 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
This year’s consortium topic is Innovations to Dental Benefits and Building Support for Them. This collaborative program will examine and consider the ways that dental plans can innovate their benefits, including new cost-sharing structures, member incentives and transparency tools, and tools that incentivize providers and members to select high-value services. Relatedly, the consortium will deepen the toolbox regarding how dental plans can influence key stakeholders, including employers, brokers, and providers, toward embracing innovations.

Session 1: April 23, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 PM (CT)
Consortium Kick-off: Building Support for Innovation by Understanding What Stakeholders Care About
In this consortium session, after kicking off with a review of our goals and a preview of the exciting content to come, we’ll delve into how to view dental innovations through the eyes of stakeholders: members, employers, brokers, providers, and insurers. We will discuss what each stakeholder wants (and doesn’t want) from a dental plan, drawing on industry surveys and research, Milliman consultant expertise, and your interactive, real-time input! This exercise will form a consistent framework for future sessions, so we may view innovations through the lens of how they improve one or more stakeholders’ experience.
Recommended Job Areas: All areas

Speakers:

Joanne Fontana, FSA, MAAA
Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman

Joanne has consulted for insurance companies, including many major dental carriers, as well as employers, government entities, and other organizations. Her focus has been largely on managed care and dental insurance, with experience in premium rate development, product development, provider contract analysis, and health care reform. Over the past decade, Joanne has come to be known as an industry expert in dental product and pricing topics; she regularly presents on dental-related issues at industry forums and has authored many topical articles. Joanne has worked closely with the National Association of Dental Plans, the California Association of Dental Plans, the American Dental Association, and other dental clients to assess the impact of health care reform on the dental industry. She manages Milliman’s Dental Actuarial Analytics PPO Network Study, a product that uses a vast contributor database of dental claims to provide competitive insights on dental network discounts and utilization to study participants. Joanne has worked with carriers and employer groups on the dental insurance procurement process. She has worked on Medicaid dental procurements with both state entities and bidders and has done core actuarial dental pricing and underwriting work for many carriers in the commercial, ACA, and Medicare Advantage dental markets. In addition to Joanne’s dental consulting, she also manages Milliman’s GASBhelp.com, an online tool allowing small government entities to complete valuations of post-retirement health benefits. Prior to joining Milliman, Joanne spent more than 10 years as an actuary with Cigna, where she held various healthcare financial leadership roles, including chief actuary of Cigna’s dental insurance business.

Andrew Timcheck, FSA, CERA, MAAA
Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman
Andrew Timcheck is a principal and consulting actuary with the Chicago office of Milliman. He joined the firm in 2018.Andrew is a credentialed actuary with over 15 years of experience working with plan sponsors, health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Andrew has assisted his plan sponsor clients in all aspects of plan strategy and plan management, including benefit design, budgeting, contribution strategy, benchmarking, vendor procurement, stop loss analyses, reserve development, retiree benefits, and health care reform strategy. He also has extensive experience in the pharmacy space, including comprehensive pharmacy benefit design, contract reviews, procurements, market checks, analytics, and audits. In addition, he has supported his health plan clients in providing statements of actuarial opinion, rate development, and product strategy support. Lastly, he has assisted his PBM clients with pricing strategy, procurement, and analytics.
Prior to joining Milliman, Andrew spent time as a healthcare benefits consultant to large employers.

Consortium Session #2: Dental insurance benefits innovation
2026-05-14 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Session 2: May 14, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 PM (CT)
Topic: Dental insurance benefits innovation
Differentiating plan design through emerging benefit structures and implementation considerations.
Recommended Job Areas: Product Development, Product Strategy, Actuarial, Underwriting, Network Strategy, Sales and Account Management, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Operations

Jill Purcell
Head of Dental and Vision Product and Network Management
Guardian Life
Jill has been in the group insurance industry for 17 years and has been with Guardian, leading the dental product since 2019. She currently leads the Dental and Vision Product team as well as the Network Management team responsible for ensuring Guardian’s products remain profitable while ensuring innovation and member experience are at the forefront.

Mark Burkhard, MBA
National Dental & Vision Practice Leader
Willis Towers Watson
Mark Burkhard, MBA, is a highly accomplished professional who, since July 2018, serves as the National Dental & Vision Practice Leader at Willis Towers Watson. With an extensive 36-year career, Mark specializes in providing expert consultation on group dental and vision plans, supporting the firm’s efforts to advise its largest clients in the Health and Benefits line of business. In his current role, Mark excels at evaluating and recommending dental and vision plans on a national scale, emphasizing the value of quality benefits within an employer’s overall package to enhance employee well-being. Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Mark held leadership positions at major insurers, including CIGNA Dental, Humana Dental, MetLife, and Aetna Dental & Vision, where he led the dental and vision National Accounts growth team. As the leader of Dental and Vision vendor relations at Willis Towers Watson, Mark maintains strong connections with the leadership teams of major national and regional carriers. He actively engages with industry organizations like the National Association of Dental Plans and the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, providing crucial insights into market trends. Mark’s expertise spans provider contracting, plan evaluation and modernization, clinical integration, and financial analysis and negotiation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in New York and holds an MBA from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. Currently residing in Valencia, California, with his wife and two children, Mark is a distinguished consultant, bringing unparalleled insight to the dynamic field of dental and vision benefits.
Consortium Session #2 Sponsorship Available!
Are you looking to elevate your brand and engage with key industry decision-makers? Sponsorship opportunities are now available!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS

Consortium Session #3: The mouth is part of the body
2026-06-17 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Session 3: June 17, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 PM (CT)
Topic: The mouth is part of the body
Holistic health-focused dental innovations, chronic condition programs, and medical dental integration.
Recommended Job Areas: Clinical Affairs, Product Development, Value Based Care, Population Health, Medical Dental Integration Teams, Provider Network, Care Management, Quality Improvement

Dr. Suzanne Ebert
Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer
USAble Life
Dr. Suzanne Ebert, DMD, FAGD, ICD, is Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at USAble Life. She leads the Dental4Health® initiative, which auto-enrolls members based on medical diagnoses to improve outcomes for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Ebert previously served as Vice President at the American Dental Association. She earned her dental degree from the University of Louisville, completed residency at the University of Florida, and holds leadership and volunteer roles in several dental organizations. She is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Robert Lewando, DDS, MBA
Executive Director, Specialty Benefits Professional Services
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Robert Lewando, DDS, MBA, is executive director of Specialty Benefits Professional Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, where he oversees dental coverage for 1.1 million members. Lewando spent about 20 years at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, a multispecialty medical and dental group practice in Boston, where he held both clinical and administrative roles. He served as chief of the organization’s largest fee-for-service dental practice for most of that time. He continues to practice periodontology one day per week while focusing the remainder of his time on his role at BCBSMA. He has contributed to the development of strategies aimed at improving overall member health by identifying medical conditions where dental care plays a key role. This work led to the creation of condition-specific, member-focused dental benefits, including the Total Health program. Lewando earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Tufts University. He received his dental degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and completed specialty training in periodontics through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He also holds an MBA from Boston College. He serves as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s voting representative on the American Dental Association’s Code Maintenance Committee, which oversees CDT code updates. Lewando is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and holds a clinical appointment at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Daniel Croley, DMD
Vice President and Chief Dental Officer
Delta Dental of CA, NY, PA & Affiliates
Daniel Croley, DMD, serves as Vice President and Chief Dental Officer for Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, serving more than 27 million customers across 15 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. He leads the organization’s clinical vision and quality strategy, advancing evidence-based care and driving innovation to strengthen oral health care and support overall health outcomes. Beyond Delta Dental, Dr. Croley is actively engaged in the broader oral health ecosystem, fostering collaboration among insurers, dental professionals, professional associations, healthcare standards organizations, and quality improvement initiatives. His work emphasizes access to care and the integration of oral health into whole-person health strategies. He was recognized for his collaboration with the American Heart Association to help develop cardiovascular screening standards for the oral healthcare setting. Dr. Croley earned his dental degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
Consortium Session #3 Sponsorship Available!
Are you looking to elevate your brand and engage with key industry decision-makers? Sponsorship opportunities are now available!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS

Consortium Session #4: Technology innovation in dental insurance
2026-07-15 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Session 4: July 15, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 PM (CT)
Topic: Technology innovation in dental insurance
AI, automation, teledentistry, and advanced data tools for insurers, providers, and members.
Recommended Job Areas: Information Technology, Digital Transformation, Operations, Claims and Payment Integrity, Data Analytics, Fraud Waste and Abuse, Provider Network Operations, Member Experience
This session is sponsored by 8 West Consulting

Eric Kirchner
Senior Advisor, Dental Business Intelligence & Innovation
Cigna Dental Innovation Studio
Eric Kirchner is a dental industry veteran with thirty years of experience. With stints as a sales person, sales leader, and product development lead Eric now works as part of the Cigna Dental Innovation Studio. The Cigna Dental Innovation Studio, drives rapid piloting and program development to Cigna clients and customers. Additionally, Eric’s role includes providing market insights and competitive intelligence.
Eric’s background includes roles as Chief Operating Officer of Christ’s Hope, an International AIDS relief organization based in Namibia. His career includes stops with Allstate, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Prudential, General Electric, and dental-industry consulting work.

John Schaak

Chief Innovation and Growth Officer
SKYGEN

As Chief Innovation & Growth Officer, John Schaak leads company efforts to solve industry problems by identifying new opportunities and markets, as well as innovative new products and services. With his strong commitment to exemplary client service and collaborative approach to both internal and external relationships, John has a demonstrated ability to help players in the healthcare continuum grow their businesses while reducing costs, improving operations, and serving their members more effectively.
John brings extensive leadership experience to his position. He was previously the President of Scion Dental and SKYGEN’s Chief Operating Officer. Before that, John was a Partner with the national law firm Quarles & Brady. John is actively involved with the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), currently serving as a member of the workgroups for both Operations and Government Funded Programs. John also serves on the Board of Directors for the Medicaid|Medicare|CHIP Services Dental Association (MSDA) and previously served as a board member of the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP).

Teresa Duncan, MS
President, Odyssey Management
Founder, Dental Revenue Network
Teresa is a speaker and writer with over 25 years of experience in healthcare. Her areas of expertise include revenue protection using proven accounts receivable and insurance methods; and helping doctors and managers establish solid management systems. She recently founded Dental Revenue Network to bring carriers, billers and revenue cycle companies together. She is the author of Moving Your Patients to Yes: Easy Insurance Conversations and a regular contributing author to the ADA’s Annual CDT Companion Guide™. Teresa is a frequent contributor to multiple dental publications. She was a founding Trustee for the auxiliary learning focused DALE Foundation. Teresa is a member of several organizations including Dental Entrepreneurial Women and the National Association of Dental Plans. She has been named one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry by Dental Products Report Magazine and is recognized annually as a Leader in Consulting by Dentistry Today. Her podcasts “Nobody Told Me That!” and “Chew On This!” provide regular coding and management updates. Teresa received her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management from Marymount University.
