From Washington to workforce, presidents-elect share information

A group of 50 constituent society leaders immersed themselves in tripartite issues Jan. 26-27 for the annual President-Elect’s Conference at ADA Headquarters.

ADA President-Elect Ron Tankersley hosted the conference, which included a discussion of the new administration in Washington, D.C.; the economy; workforce issues; access to care; and membership recruitment and retention.

“We have an incredible amount of responsibility to represent our members, promote their policies and facilitate their activities, which includes giving them the information they need to make decisions,” Dr. Tankersley told the crowd in opening remarks.

The value of information sharing was a common theme. Dr. Tankersley emphasized that while dentists come from diverse environments, the profession shares the same values.

“The increased availability of information through electronic communications can lead to misunderstandings,” said Dr. Tankersley. “In order to increase transparency, it’s essential that leadership proactively provides information that members need.

“The purpose of this conference is to provide a forum in which the presidents-elect can network, support one another and learn more about ADA resources,” he said.

Dr. Charles Hoffman, president-elect of the Florida Dental Association, came to the event with an interest in gaining information on national access to care issues.

“This is something that I’m dealing with a lot in Florida,” said Dr. Hoffman. “It was helpful to hear a broader perspective on access and specifically on events transpiring in states like Minnesota, North Carolina and Maine.”

The coverage of strategic issues regarding membership recruitment and retention was appreciated by Dr. Peter Balle, president-elect of the Nevada Dental Association.

“I learned about some of the innovative ways that constituent societies are communicating with members to keep them active and involved with association activities,” said Dr. Balle. “Many societies have been successful in conveying the value of membership to dentists, and I think we could use some of those same techniques in Nevada.”

Rounding out the conference agenda were presentations by Prof. Keith Murnighan, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, on leadership and trust; and Dr. Norman Ott, colonel and assistant chief of staff, U.S. Army Dental Command clinical services, on the military’s expanded functions dental assistant program. Participants were urged to continue discussions using the Sitescape (LOOP) software.