Your New ADA Trustee —
Dr . Andrew J . Kwasny
The opportunity to serve as your representative to the American Dental Association ( ADA ) is certainly the greatest challenge of my professional career . Each day , I learn more about its organizational structure and the commitment of so many volunteers and staff that truly make the ADA the national voice of oral health in our country . The most important goal for me to accomplish over the next four years is to establish the most effective communications network between each Pennsylvania member-dentist and their national association of any of the 17 ADA trustee districts .
As I have progressed through the various leadership positions from Erie to Harrisburg and now to Chicago , I have met so many dedicated individuals whose opinions and work ethic have helped to prepare me to perform this task . It has always been my intent to continue to consider their opinions as my own regardless of the issue or problem that needed to be solved .
The Pennsylvania Dental Association ( PDA ) Board of Trustees and our talented staff have agreed to work with me to combine our electronic communications with those of the ADA . It is my hope that in the near future you will be able to receive regular updates from me on the newly designed PDA website and through electronic updates on current national and state events directly to your inbox .
It will be my responsibility to help to combine the efforts of all levels of our tripartite system to enhance the value of your membership . Over the next year , you will see many initiatives to align our organizational structure from the national to the local level . This will include programs such as the Center For Professional Success ( success . ada . org ), which offers opportunities for career advancement , continuing education and wellness for each of you . Another member benefit is the ADA ’ s new website , www . mouthhealthy . org , where the public has direct access to increase their oral health literacy on issues such as selecting a dental plan included in the Affordable Care Act or accessing information related to a treatment plan as described by their ADA member-dentist .
However , no matter what organized dentistry attempts to do in order to gain your trust and to provide value to your membership , it is your responsibility to communicate your concerns . Please take the time to attend a local or district dental meeting and above all , to let me know the issues that concern you . Together we can certainly create the best communications network of any district in the ADA . If you are interested in a particular aspect of dentistry , whether it be membership , advocacy or another issue , please take the time to contact me and I will include you in an issues management team that may be consulted when national issues in that area of interest occur .
Communications with your ADA Trustee are always welcome . We only have a short time together , so let ’ s make every day count . Again , it is my honor to serve as your national representative . Let me know how I can help you . You can always reach me at kwasnya @ ada . org .
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