This year's CDA Annual Session was held on June 10-12, 2011 in the beautiful Snowmass Village.
Being a new member of CDA/MDDS and starting my own private practice within the last year, I was eager to get my feet wet and involve myself in the political and legislative arenas of organized dentistry.
Overall, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about what goes on "behind-the-scenes" in organized dentistry that is affecting and will affect how dentists practice and patients receive dental care.
As a newbie, I gleaned information from several "veterans" such as Dr.
Eric Rossow, Dr.
Ian Paisley and Dr.
Brian Gurinsky.
They were very helpful in describing the delegate process and explaining some of the important issues facing organized dentistry.
Dr.
Brandon Owen ( CDA Editor) was also very approachable and he seems very excited about all of the new dentists that are becoming part of the process.
He debriefed all of the new delegates the night before the House of Delegates Session.
The morning session began around 8:30 and started off with several speeches and addresses including ones by ADA President Dr.
Raymond Gist and CDA President Dr.
Pasco Scarpella.
I was able to catch-up on all of the main issues and challenges facing organized dentistry.
The overriding sense was that this is a VERY important time for us as dentists and we need to be very aware of what's going on.
Three huge issues that seemed to permeate through were mid-level providers, non-covered services and reimbursement cuts from insurance companies.
All three of these are looming large not only on the national level but the local and state levels as well.
These three issues could/will potentially affect each and every one of us dentists.
On the lighter side, there was quite a lot of witty banter between the officers which made it entertaining.
There were at least a hundred delegates from all over the state.
I met several delegates from other constituent societies as well.
After the morning speeches, the resolutions that were to be voted on in the afternoon session were discussed.
Among them were the fiscal year operating budget, a proposed dues increase, changes in membership retention/payment plans and dues for retired members.
Following presentation of each resolution, delegates then debated and gave their opinions on why they were for or against the resolution.
Two of the most heated debates were about a possible dues increase and how to structure payments for current and potential new members.
Many of the delegates (especially newer) feel as though the cost of joining organized dentistry can be overbearing for the first years out in the "real world.
" On top of school loans and other debt, several hundred dollars can be overbearing for new dentists.
I know this from experience.
However, I strongly believe once people see the benefits of joining and participating in organized dentistry the cost of dues pales in comparison.
The afternoon session consisted of voting on the resolutions, organization reports (ADPAC, ADA, UCSDM, etc.
) and installation of new officers.
Awards were also given to several upstanding members who have contributed outstanding service towards organized dentistry.
Finally, several issues were touched upon that would be upfront in the coming years.
All-in-all the day was chock full of information to absorb and it was all very important to us as dentists.
I'm excited about being an integral part of CDA/MDDS/ADA going forward.
With enormous challenges ahead such as the "non-covered services" bill, mid-level provider legislation/education and cuts in insurance reimbursement it's more vital now than ever for not only new dentists but established dentists to get involved with organized dentistry and voice their opinions.
I feel I have to stand up against legislation and changes that will negatively impact our profession.
We cannot let insurance companies and corporations dictate our livelihood.
Now that I have experience first hand, I feel as though I'm prepared to educate other dentists and voice my opinion.
For anyone looking to get involved, The House of Delegates meeting at the CDA Annual Session is a great start!
Being a new member of CDA/MDDS and starting my own private practice within the last year, I was eager to get my feet wet and involve myself in the political and legislative arenas of organized dentistry.
Overall, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about what goes on "behind-the-scenes" in organized dentistry that is affecting and will affect how dentists practice and patients receive dental care.
As a newbie, I gleaned information from several "veterans" such as Dr.
Eric Rossow, Dr.
Ian Paisley and Dr.
Brian Gurinsky.
They were very helpful in describing the delegate process and explaining some of the important issues facing organized dentistry.
Dr.
Brandon Owen ( CDA Editor) was also very approachable and he seems very excited about all of the new dentists that are becoming part of the process.
He debriefed all of the new delegates the night before the House of Delegates Session.
The morning session began around 8:30 and started off with several speeches and addresses including ones by ADA President Dr.
Raymond Gist and CDA President Dr.
Pasco Scarpella.
I was able to catch-up on all of the main issues and challenges facing organized dentistry.
The overriding sense was that this is a VERY important time for us as dentists and we need to be very aware of what's going on.
Three huge issues that seemed to permeate through were mid-level providers, non-covered services and reimbursement cuts from insurance companies.
All three of these are looming large not only on the national level but the local and state levels as well.
These three issues could/will potentially affect each and every one of us dentists.
On the lighter side, there was quite a lot of witty banter between the officers which made it entertaining.
There were at least a hundred delegates from all over the state.
I met several delegates from other constituent societies as well.
After the morning speeches, the resolutions that were to be voted on in the afternoon session were discussed.
Among them were the fiscal year operating budget, a proposed dues increase, changes in membership retention/payment plans and dues for retired members.
Following presentation of each resolution, delegates then debated and gave their opinions on why they were for or against the resolution.
Two of the most heated debates were about a possible dues increase and how to structure payments for current and potential new members.
Many of the delegates (especially newer) feel as though the cost of joining organized dentistry can be overbearing for the first years out in the "real world.
" On top of school loans and other debt, several hundred dollars can be overbearing for new dentists.
I know this from experience.
However, I strongly believe once people see the benefits of joining and participating in organized dentistry the cost of dues pales in comparison.
The afternoon session consisted of voting on the resolutions, organization reports (ADPAC, ADA, UCSDM, etc.
) and installation of new officers.
Awards were also given to several upstanding members who have contributed outstanding service towards organized dentistry.
Finally, several issues were touched upon that would be upfront in the coming years.
All-in-all the day was chock full of information to absorb and it was all very important to us as dentists.
I'm excited about being an integral part of CDA/MDDS/ADA going forward.
With enormous challenges ahead such as the "non-covered services" bill, mid-level provider legislation/education and cuts in insurance reimbursement it's more vital now than ever for not only new dentists but established dentists to get involved with organized dentistry and voice their opinions.
I feel I have to stand up against legislation and changes that will negatively impact our profession.
We cannot let insurance companies and corporations dictate our livelihood.
Now that I have experience first hand, I feel as though I'm prepared to educate other dentists and voice my opinion.
For anyone looking to get involved, The House of Delegates meeting at the CDA Annual Session is a great start!
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