Page 7 - Bulletin Vol 29 No 1 - Jan. - Apr. 2024 IN PROGRESS2

Message from the Executive Director:

Why?

Why did you become a dentist? I’m sure the answer to that question is as
varied as our membership. Why did you become a member of organized
dentistry? That question, I’m sure, has various answers as well, just not as
many as the first. There are three main reasons I believe: It was just expected
of us, for the perks, or to support our profession, support our practices and
improve our livelihood. Why did you stay a member? For the vast majority of
long-time loyal members, the answer, hands down, is the last choice. You saw
the importance of organized dentistry in helping to shape and protect our
profession. And by doing so, it helped you to become more successful.
Discounts are nice; NYSDA and the ADA provide dozens of them. Only members can receive these
benefits, yet discounts are not the main reason to belong. It is the clout of our organization; being heard
in Washington, Albany, and other state capitals that is most important. ADA and NYSDA fight to pass
legislation important to dentistry and fight to block legislation which would be detrimental to us. It’s the
strength of the ADA that persuaded insurance companies to use one single standardized claim form. A

form designed by dentists and the ADA. I’m old enough to remember when each company had their
own unique form. The ADA also got insurers to universally accept ADA designed CDT codes. The research
the ADA does in oral care products, making sure they are safe and effective, creates a desire for
manufacturers to follow the ADA guidelines to receive the ADA Seal of Approval logo on their products.
All of this, and more, exists because of our members. By being members, you have advanced and

protected your profession.
But the sad fact is, the non-member also benefits from your dedication to improving your profession. It’s

an aggravating truth. One of the ways the ADA is helping fight this is with Find-A-Dentist. Find-A-Dentist
is a website dedicated to driving the public to select an ADA member dentist. Locally, the Nassau County
Dental Society, in partnership with the Suffolk County Dental Society, is helping to raise the public’s
awareness of the member dentist by running ads on News 12, YouTube, Bravo, and the Food Network.
These ads help the public understand the difference between member and non-member dentists and

drives patients to the Find-A-Dentist website. What can you do? If you are a general dentist, ONLY refer
to member specialists. If you are a specialist, on the occasion where you have to refer to another
specialist, or your patient is looking for a new general dentist, ONLY refer them to a member. If you are
hiring an associate, make membership a condition of employment. Not only is all this simple, it is also
effective. Why would you support a non-member? They are just freeloading off your dedication and
dues dollars. Put a stop to it!

I’ll get off my soapbox now and remind you that we have a couple of great events coming up in
September. The first is Sunday, September 15, 2024, Our Walk for Oral Cancer Awareness at the
Bethpage State Park picnic area. Check-in is 8:00-8:45 AM and the walk starts at 9:00 AM. This is open to

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Nassau County Dental Society ⬧ (516) 227-1112 | 7