Generated by All in One SEO Pro v4.9.9, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Dentists Choice Dentists Choice is the leading dental malpractice insurance program connecting dentists to customizable insurance products, proprietary risk management and a select community of industry professionals. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://dentistschoice.insure/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Pages - [Your practice, Your Choice, Our Commitment](https://dentistschoice.insure/) - Protect your career and practice with dental malpractice insurance, professional liability coverage and risk management support. - [Contact](https://dentistschoice.insure/contact/) - Contact our team for help with dental malpractice insurance, risk management services and coverage options. - [Our Products](https://dentistschoice.insure/products/) - Explore business insurance for dentists, including malpractice, professional liability, cyber and practice coverage. - [Our Community](https://dentistschoice.insure/community/) - Learn about the organisations, partners and professionals supporting the Dentists Choice community. - [Meet the Team](https://dentistschoice.insure/community/meet-the-team/) - Meet the insurance and dental industry professionals behind Dentists Choice. - [Risk Management](https://dentistschoice.insure/risk-management/) - Access dental practice risk management resources, guidance and tools designed to help dentists reduce risk. - [Risk Management Contact](https://dentistschoice.insure/risk-management-contact/) - Contact our risk management team for dental risk management services, guidance and educational support for dental practices. - [Risk Management Seminars](https://dentistschoice.insure/risk-management-seminars/) - Explore educational seminars focused on patient safety, compliance and dental practice risk management. - [Sample Letters and Informed Consent Form](https://dentistschoice.insure/risk-management-letters/) - Read risk management updates, guidance and insights created to support dentists and dental practices. - [Risk Management Articles](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/) - Read expert articles on dental malpractice insurance, risk management, compliance and practice protection. - [National Advisory Committee](https://dentistschoice.insure/community/national-advisory-committee/) - Learn about the dental professionals and industry leaders guiding the Dentists Choice programme. - [Council of State Administrators Members – COSA](https://dentistschoice.insure/community/council-of-state-administrators-members-cosa/) - Information about COSA members and their role in supporting dental professionals and associations. - [Corporate & Regulatory Information](https://dentistschoice.insure/corporate-regulatory-information/) - Access corporate disclosures, regulatory information and important programme documentation. - [Endorsing Associations](https://dentistschoice.insure/community/endorsing-associations/) - Discover the dental associations that endorse Dentists Choice and support dental professionals. - [New Grad](https://dentistschoice.insure/new-grad/) - Affordable malpractice insurance for dental students, residents and newly qualified dentists entering practice. - [Professionals We Cover](https://dentistschoice.insure/who-we-cover/) - Insurance solutions for dentists, specialists, associates and practice owners seeking professional liability protection. - [Graduate, Then Activate – Your Malpractice Policy Awaits](https://dentistschoice.insure/graduate/) - Thank you for your interest in securing your New Graduate Policy through Dentists Choice. While our payment portal is currently being finalized, we invite you to complete the application to begin the process. Submitting the application ensures you a spot on our waitlist and allows our team to prepare your policy details in advance. Once - [test](https://dentistschoice.insure/test/) - [Find an Agent](https://dentistschoice.insure/find-an-agent/) - Find a trusted dental malpractice insurance provider and connect with local agents offering insurance solutions for dentists and practices. - [Get A Quote](https://dentistschoice.insure/get-a-quote/) - Request a personalised insurance quote for your dental practice, including malpractice, professional liability and business insurance coverage. - [Online CE & Education](https://dentistschoice.insure/online-ce-education/) - Online Risk Management Course This series is broken down into 8 short modules. To obtain the risk management professional liability premium discount and full CE Credits, all 8 modules are to be completed in their entirety. Please review these instructions prior to and during your completion of the course as they contain critical information to assist you in obtaining your certificate. - [Efficiencies](https://dentistschoice.insure/efficiencies/) ## The Agents - [Denice Akers](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/denice-akers-2/) - [Nancy Wuenne](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/nancy-wuenne-2/) - [Sandi East](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/sandi-east-2/) - [Ken Asheim](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/denice-akers/) - [Mark Wright](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/mark-wright/) - [Jennifer Russo-Bowey](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/jennifer-russo-bowey/) - [Herb Ford](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/herb-ford/) - [Ann Hettrick](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/ann-hettrick/) - [Jennifer Goss](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/jeff-spindler/) - [Barb Amft](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/barb-amft/) - [Brandon Bowman](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/brandon-bowman/) - [Bethany Kramarich](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/bethany-kramarich/) - [Shari Modene](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/shari-modene/) - [Shelley Fontaine](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/shelley-fontaine/) - [Nick Defusco](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/nick-defusco/) - [Andrew Gerner](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/andrew-gerner/) - [Tim Girard](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/tim-girard/) - [Greg Glasser](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/greg-glasser/) - [Jorge Rivera](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/jorge-rivera/) - [Dwight Callaham](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/dwight-callaham/) - [Skip Nesbitt](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/skip-nesbitt/) - [Sue McFadden](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/sue-mcfadden/) - [Sandi East](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/sandi-east/) - [Natalie Cambron](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/natalie-cambron/) - [Michael Hale](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/michael-hale/) - [Megan Sharpshair](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/megan-sharpshair/) - [Kathleen Sukley](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/kathleen-sukley/) - [Eric Elg](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/eric-elg/) - [Lona Ross](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/lona-ross/) - [Nancy Wuenne](https://dentistschoice.insure/agent/nancy-wuenne/) ## The Team - [Dr. Adel "Al" Rizkalla, DDS](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/dr-adel-al-rizkalla/) - Dr. Adel "Al" Rizkalla graduated from Georgetown University School of Dentistry with honors in 1988. He also completed a General Practice residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Rizkalla was the President of the Northern Virginia Dental Society (NVDS) and also represented Northern Virginia for many years as a member of - [Marilyn Valenciano](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/marilyn-valenciano/) - As Vice President, Healthcare Claims, Marilyn G. Valenciano, oversees and manages both the medical and dental professional liability claims at Aspen. She has over 20 years of experience in litigation, claims and insurance. Prior to joining the insurance industry in 2010, Marilyn worked as a healthcare defense attorney defending a wide range of healthcare providers - [Timothy A. Girard](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/1269-2/) - Tim Girard, CLU®, President of R.K. Tongue Co., Inc., has been active in the insurance industry since 1998. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola College in Maryland and was commissioned as an Army Officer, serving eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves. Following college, Tim began his career in the banking industry - [E. Andrew Gerner](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/e-andrew-gerner/) - E. Andrew Gerner, CFP®, is President and equity member of R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. and Principal/Founder of Tongue | GERNER Financial Services, LLC. He is a licensed independent insurance agent and broker specializing in property & casualty, life & health insurance, and a Series 7 and 66 Investment Adviser. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ - [Ed Gerner](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/ed-gerner/) - Ed Gerner, Esquire, CLU, CPCU, Executive Chairman of R.K. Tongue Co., is a second generation principal active in the business since 1966 (much longer than he cares to admit). A graduate of Loyola University Maryland and the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, a member of the Maryland Bar and the U.S. Supreme Court - [Ashley Lacourse](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/ashley-lacourse/) - Ashley Lacourse brings more than 15 years of experience in the dental industry to their role as Dental Professional Liability Risk Management Analyst. With expertise spanning marketing, content creation, and event management, Ashley thrives on delivering innovative solutions under pressure. Ashley’s deep knowledge of the dental profession along with strategic creativity ensures impactful results in - [Dr. O’Neill](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/dr-oneill/) - Born in southern Wisconsin, Dr. Shaun O’Neill has spent the last decade in Iowa attending both Luther College and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He was recognized with numerous awards from the college, university and the American Student Dental Association for his leadership and clinical skills. Dr. O’Neill was the Iowa American Student - [Dr. Toomey](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/dr-toomey/) - Dr. Toomey is an Annapolis native, who has lived in Baltimore since 1996. His DDS was earned from the University of Maryland, College of Dental Surgery. He continued his training at the Baltimore VA Hospital’s Dental Residency Program as Associate Director after serving as the chief resident. He has served on the Dean’s Faculty of - [Dr. Genrich](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/dr-genrich/) - Dr. Genrich has been on the National Advisory Board for 6 years and have been in Private Practice General Dentistry for 40 plus years. He has also been a Clinical Restorative Instructor at the UNMC College of Dentistry for 40 plus years, Member of ADA, NDA and LDDA, was on the NDA Insurance Committee for - [Dr. Mersinger](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/dr-mersinger/) - Dr. Mersinger graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from dental school Dr. Mersinger opened a private general practice about 25 miles outside of Baltimore which he continued for 43 years. Dr. Mersinger served as president of the Maryland State Dental Association in two separate terms, served as Speaker of the - [Mike Wensel](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/michael-wensel/) - Seasoned Sales Underwriting Leader with over 20 years in the Property and Casualty Insurance industry. With a proven track record of aligning leadership, underwriting, and marketing to drive sales and expand market share, Mike’s role will be focused on optimizing operational workflows along with fostering collaboration between leadership and distribution partners to expand current product - [Brandon Bowman](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/brandon-bowman/) - Brandon is originally from Louisville, Ky, and he attended Western Kentucky University. While there, he was a founding member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Upon graduation, Brandon returned to Louisville where he first worked at a law firm. He then started as an insurance agent and later purchased that insurance agency with the partnership of - [Eric Elg](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/eric-elg/) - After a diverse background in the insurance industry since 1995, Eric began work with Terry Arp & Associates/Professional Benefits & Insurance in 2013, offering risk management services to dental and oral surgeon practices in Idaho, Utah, and Montana. Eric became the agency owner and manager in 2015 and enjoys being a resource to the dental/oral - [Marie Torres](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/marie-torres/) - With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, I have spent the last 17.5 years specializing in Dental Underwriting. I am excited to take on a new role as a Professional Liability Dental Underwriter, where I will continue to apply myself. - [Sue McFadden](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/sue-mcfadden/) - Sue McFadden has worked within the dental industry since 1985 is the exclusive state administrator for Iowa. Sue is very active within the Iowa Dental Association and an instrumental part of the Iowa Mission of Mercy, attending all sixteen and putting together the insurance policy that covers the events. Specializing in several lines of business - [Craig Start](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/craig-start/) - Mr. Start is a 1985 graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his Master’s in Business Administration at Wayne State University in 1994. After a nine-year tenure as an agent and sales manager for Prudential Insurance, Craig assumed his current position as president of MDA Insurance & Financial Group in 1994.Under Craig’s leadership, MDA - [Steve Little](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/steve-little-2/) - Steve Little, Vice President of Medical Professional Liability, comes with over two decades of dental malpractice insurance expertise. Steve works closely with senior management in the development and implementation of the underwriting policy, marketing and business strategy. As an innovator in underwriting, claims management and risk assessment, Steve collaborates closely with agents to develop strategic - [Barbara Kees](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/barbara-kees/) - Barbara Kees serves as the Assistant Vice President of Dental Professional Liability, bringing over 30 years of insurance experience. Her expertise spans training and development, auditing, compliance, underwriting, and management. She currently holds the position ofAssistant Vice President of Professional Liability Dental Underwriting at Aspen American Insurance Company. Before joining Aspen, she held several roles - [Chad Nice](https://dentistschoice.insure/team/chad-nice/) - Chad is a seasoned insurance professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. Over the last 10 years, he has specialized in professional lines underwriting and product development with a unique focus on the dental profession. Since 2014, he has served in various leadership capacities devoted to delivering a best-in-class underwriting and ## Articles - [How patient selection can affect treatment outcome](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/how-patient-selection-can-affect-treatment-outcome/) - [Behind the smile: Managing Hidden Risks in Veneer Dentistry](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/behind-the-smile-managing-hidden-risks-in-veneer-dentistry/) - [A dangerous mix: periodontal disease and implants](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/a-dangerous-mix-periodontal-disease-and-implants/) - [ADA and AAOMR patient selection for dental radiography and CBCT](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/american-dental-association-and-american-academy-of-oral-and-maxillofacial-radiology-patient-selection-for-dental-radiography-and-cone-beam-computed-tomography-clinical-recommendations/) - Clinical recommendations - [ADA Guide to Salivary Testing](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/ada-guide-to-salivary-testing/) - [AI in Dentistry](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/ai-in-dentistry-2/) - [Ethical concerns arising from trends toward commercialized overtreatment](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/ethical-concerns-arising-from-trends-toward-commercialized-overtreatment/) - [Ethics: Informed Consent](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/ethics-informed-consent/) - [From The Headlines](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/from-the-headlines/) - [PDF-Icon Business Income Q&A](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/ada-disaster-manual/) - [Basic Suggestions for Claim Mitigation](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/basic-suggestions-for-claim-mitigation/) - [Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Dental Treatment](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/pdf-icon-business-income-qa/) - [ADA Disaster Manual](https://dentistschoice.insure/articles/ada-disaster-manual-2/) ## Agency - [Hale & Associates, Inc.](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/hale-associates-inc/) - [Nesbitt and Associates, Inc.](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/nesbitt-and-associates-inc/) - [Bowman Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/bowman-insurance/) - [Professional Assocation Ins.](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/professional-assocation-ins/) - [Pearl Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/pearl-insurance/) - [Davis & Towle](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/davis-towle/) - [RK Tongue](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/rk-tongue/) - [Terry Arp](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/terry-arp/) - [McFadden Insurance (True North)](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/mcfadden-insurance-true-north/) - [ARM of Illinois](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/arm-of-illinois/) - [USI Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/usi-insurance/) - [MDA Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/mda-insurance/) - [HUB International](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/hub-international/) - [Professional Insurors](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/professional-insurors/) - [GAD Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/gad/) - [Professional Association Agency](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/professional-association-agency/) - [R&R Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/r-r-insurance/) - [Jorge E. Rivera Jimenez](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/jorge-e-rivera-jimenez/) - [Wallace Specialty/Risk Strategies Dental Practice](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/wallace-specialty-risk-strategies-dental-practice/) - [Nevada Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/nevada-insurance/) - [HUB International Mountain States](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/hub-international-mountain-states/) - [Total Dollar Insurance](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/total-dollar-insurance/) - [The Liberty Company](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/the-liberty-company/) - [Professional Insurors of the Black Hills](https://dentistschoice.insure/agency/professional-insurors-of-the-black-hills/) ## States - [Alabama](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/alabama/) - [Alaska](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/alaska/) - [Arizona](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/arizona/) - [Arkansas](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/arkansas/) - [California](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/california/) - [Colorado](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/colorado/) - [Connecticut](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/connecticut/) - [Delaware](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/delaware/) - [Florida](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/florida/) - [Georgia](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/georgia/) - [Hawaii](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/hawaii/) - [Idaho](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/idaho/) - [Illinois](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/illinois/) - [Indiana](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/indiana/) - [Iowa](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/iowa/) - [Kansas](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/kansas/) - [Kentucky](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/kentucky/) - [Louisiana](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/louisiana/) - [Maine](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/maine/) - [Maryland](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/maryland/) - [Massachusetts](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/massachusetts/) - [Michigan](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/michigan/) - [Minnesota](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/minnesota/) - [Mississippi](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/mississippi/) - [Missouri](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/missouri/) - [Montana](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/montana/) - [Nebraska](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/nebraska/) - [Nevada](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/nevada/) - [New Hampshire](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/new-hampshire/) - [New Jersey](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/new-jersey/) - [New Mexico](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/new-mexico/) - [New York](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/new-york/) - [North Carolina](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/north-carolina/) - [North Dakota](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/north-dakota/) - [Ohio](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/ohio/) - [Oklahoma](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/oklahoma/) - [Oregon](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/oregon/) - [Pennsylvania](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/pennsylvania/) - [Rhode Island](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/rhode-island/) - [South Carolina](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/south-carolina/) - [South Dakota](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/south-dakota/) - [Tennessee](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/tennessee/) - [Texas](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/texas/) - [Utah](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/utah/) - [Vermont](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/vermont/) - [Virginia](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/virginia/) - [Washington](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/washington/) - [West Virginia](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/west-virginia/) - [Wisconsin](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/wisconsin/) - [Wyoming](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/wyoming/) - [District of Columbia](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/district-of-columbia/) - [Florida - North Florida](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/florida-north-florida/) - [Puerto Rico](https://dentistschoice.insure/state/puerto-rico/) ## Questions & Answers - [Risk Management Articles](https://dentistschoice.insure/qanda/risk-management-articles/) ## Team Categories - [Council of State Administrators](https://dentistschoice.insure/teamcategory/council-of-state-administrators/) - [Meet the Team](https://dentistschoice.insure/teamcategory/meet-the-team/) - [The National Advisory Council](https://dentistschoice.insure/teamcategory/the-national-advisory-council/)