President’s Message
Happy New Year to you all. I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Holiday.
I am honored to serve as your President for 2012.
I have truly enjoyed being on the Board and giving back to the community who gives
so much to me. Being on the Board has not only given me friendships I will value for
life but has also made even clearer to me how powerful and necessary organized
dentistry can be.
In November a few of us in the Board represented our dental society at the CDA House
of Delegates. It truly was an honor. A number of issues very important to all of us were
brought forward. It was very refreshing to see the passion dentists have on these
issues. Also the feeling of responsibility, the representation had to the dentist they
represent. There was open and fair discussions and decisions were made.
The largest issue at this House of Delegates was the issue of Barriers to Dental Care
and what we as dentist were willing to do to help overcome this very large and real
issue. It came as a shock to me that California is home to over 38 million and that 11
million Californian’s do not have any form of dental coverage benefits.
Also California has over 200 dental professional shortage areas, areas where the ratio
of dentists to population is so low that the state considers the area underserved.
Needless to say California has a huge population in need of oral care, in large part
because of limited state resources & chronic budget shortfall, to top it all California
does not have a state dental director and relies on one state employee to carry out
necessary functions. Some of us may say -This is not my issue- it is an issue for the
state. A few years ago I probably would have said exactly that. But having been in the
Board I have been able to better understand this issue.
There are multiple organizations and non profits who have recognized these issues
and want a solution. They even have proposals for solutions. One such solution is to
have a mid level provider. We as Dentist have 2 choices, we stay un-involved and
accept the solution given to us, or we can be part of the solution and provide what we
know is best for our patients. I am glad organized dentistry choose the later.
To address the issue, in November 2008 the CDA House of Delegates directed the
association to undertake a comprehensive study aimed at improving access to dental
care for the underserved population. A work group and task force were created and a
report provided. The report included the challenge, the profession, and a consideration
for a solution. This was passed at the 2011 CDA, with that we have a document to
present to the legislature and so we became part of the solution. Without organized
dentistry we would have received the solution from people who had not done one day
of dentistry in their lives. It is experiences like this that make me proud to be part of a
noble profession and organized dentistry.
I want you all to get involved and feel the excitement! I am including the summary of
that report from the document, if anyone wants to view the entire document please
contact me or Mary, we would be very happy to provide you with a copy.
I wish each and everyone the very best in 2012.
Please remember, the Dental Society Board is your Board. You are welcome to attend
Board meetings and bring issues you consider important to them. Even better become
one of them!
Lets make our society truly, the best society in California by becoming involved.
Happy New Year to you all. I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Holiday.
I am honored to serve as your President for 2012.
I have truly enjoyed being on the Board and giving back to the community who gives
so much to me. Being on the Board has not only given me friendships I will value for
life but has also made even clearer to me how powerful and necessary organized
dentistry can be.
In November a few of us in the Board represented our dental society at the CDA House
of Delegates. It truly was an honor. A number of issues very important to all of us were
brought forward. It was very refreshing to see the passion dentists have on these
issues. Also the feeling of responsibility, the representation had to the dentist they
represent. There was open and fair discussions and decisions were made.
The largest issue at this House of Delegates was the issue of Barriers to Dental Care
and what we as dentist were willing to do to help overcome this very large and real
issue. It came as a shock to me that California is home to over 38 million and that 11
million Californian’s do not have any form of dental coverage benefits.
Also California has over 200 dental professional shortage areas, areas where the ratio
of dentists to population is so low that the state considers the area underserved.
Needless to say California has a huge population in need of oral care, in large part
because of limited state resources & chronic budget shortfall, to top it all California
does not have a state dental director and relies on one state employee to carry out
necessary functions. Some of us may say -This is not my issue- it is an issue for the
state. A few years ago I probably would have said exactly that. But having been in the
Board I have been able to better understand this issue.
There are multiple organizations and non profits who have recognized these issues
and want a solution. They even have proposals for solutions. One such solution is to
have a mid level provider. We as Dentist have 2 choices, we stay un-involved and
accept the solution given to us, or we can be part of the solution and provide what we
know is best for our patients. I am glad organized dentistry choose the later.
To address the issue, in November 2008 the CDA House of Delegates directed the
association to undertake a comprehensive study aimed at improving access to dental
care for the underserved population. A work group and task force were created and a
report provided. The report included the challenge, the profession, and a consideration
for a solution. This was passed at the 2011 CDA, with that we have a document to
present to the legislature and so we became part of the solution. Without organized
dentistry we would have received the solution from people who had not done one day
of dentistry in their lives. It is experiences like this that make me proud to be part of a
noble profession and organized dentistry.
I want you all to get involved and feel the excitement! I am including the summary of
that report from the document, if anyone wants to view the entire document please
contact me or Mary, we would be very happy to provide you with a copy.
I wish each and everyone the very best in 2012.
Please remember, the Dental Society Board is your Board. You are welcome to attend
Board meetings and bring issues you consider important to them. Even better become
one of them!
Lets make our society truly, the best society in California by becoming involved.
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