Page 7 - Bulletin Vol 28 No 1 - Jan. - April 2023 FINAL

Message from the Executive Director:

Freddy the Freeloader

Most of you probably don’t remember the comedian Red Skelton. He made
several movies in the 50’s and 60’s and had a TV variety show in the 60’s and
70’s. One of the things he did was create a multitude of different characters
which he would portray in comedy skits. One of those characters was “Freddy
the Freeloader.” Freddy was basically a Hobo that managed to survive off of
others. It was quite funny and innocent for that time period.

Why do I mention this? It has to do with non-members. Over the years I have
been in numerous discussions with non-members explaining all the ADA does
for the profession and how important it is to belong. I speak about the
significant discounts on patient education and practice management products, as well as discounts on
hotels, car rentals, on purchases and shipping discounts. I speak of all the free Continuing Education
courses, the contract analysis service, the resources to make your practice more efficient, Find-A-Dentist,
the oral care research done at the ADA headquarters in Chicago…and much more. But what I really
emphasize is the ADA’s lobbying efforts and their legislative victories.

We have a powerful voice in Washington, D.C., as well as throughout the state capitals. Legislative
decisions concerning oral health care and about small business are made with our input. The American
Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC) is one of the most influential PACs in the nation. The ADA
fights to maintain the dentist/patient relationship. This relationship is most important when new laws
are debated and passed by legislatures and ADPAC fights for us every day. We have been successful in
supporting legislation to exempt dental practices from the FTC Red Flags Rule, allowing low-cost small
business loans for dental offices in underserved areas and permitting dental school graduates to deduct
more interest on their student loans. We were successful in finally getting the repeal of the law that
granted insurance companies an exemption from the anti-trust laws which dentists must follow, leveling
the playing field. We support those elected officials committed to the nation’s oral health and who
understand the importance of dentistry. In the last election cycle, almost ninety percent of ADPAC
supported Congressional seats were won. All of this requires money, and it is where a lot of your money
goes in order to accomplish these victories. Unlike the American Medical Association, the ADA still
represents the majority of dentists in the country. Politicians listen to the majority, and when ADA
represents greater than 50% of dentists, our voice is heard.

Which is why I am amazed with the response I get from non-members, way more times than I care to
admit, when I discuss advocacy and membership. “Well as a dentist, I get all those legislative benefits
anyway. I don’t need to be an ADA member.” Yes, they are right…a rising tide floats all boats. The only
word that comes to mind when they say this to me is “Freeloader” because that’s what they are. Of
course, I bite my tongue and don’t say it to their face. The truth is, they are benefiting from all the
dentists who recognize the importance of the ADA to their profession and are willing to support it with
their dues. They are freeloading off of all the dentist volunteers at every level of the ADA who give their

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