Dr . Dennis Charlton , Incoming President , Addresses the House
Continued development and refining of the PDA Social Network has progressed during 2010 and continues into this year . More social network groups have been established and are being utilized for sharing of ideas and deliberating on issues . New social network groups include some local dental societies , all PDA standing committees , the BOT and all their committees , and leadership groups such as the ADA Delegates and Alternates . Now much of the business of the PDA is being conducted electronically . This e-business is getting things done quicker and at a lower administrative cost to PDA . The governance of PDA has become more cost effective and efficient . This efficiency makes every dues dollar collected work harder for our members . The trustees , officers , and leaders of the PDA are committed to further expanding this social network to continue to increase the financial advantage of using electronic business techniques .
This year , for the first time , our ADA delegation will complete the pre-ADA caucus entirely electronically . Last year , we used the social network to begin discussions on issues and to streamline face to face deliberations at a caucus . Using the success of that experience and the social networking expertise of the BOT and other ADA delegation members , we will meet and caucus electronically utilizing forums in our PDA social network . The PDA leadership is working to keep pace with the changes in the electronic social arena .
Dental Education Task Force was been developed in response to HD 10-24 , which states :
RESOLVED : THAT RESOLUTION 2090 # 1 BE REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WITH THE DIRECTIVE TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE PROPOSED “ IMPROVED ACCESS
TO DENTAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE ” THROUGH ELECTRONIC ONLINE DISCUSSION . THE BOARD OF TRUST- ESS SHALL REPORT RESULTS TO THE 2011 HOUSE OF DELEGATES .
Under the very capable leadership of past PDA President Dr . Andrew Kwasny , this task force is attempting to narrow the gap between the need for more young dentists in rural Pennsylvania and the number of new PA dental licensees annually . The Sixth District proposed in their resolution an increased number of Pennsylvania residents could be accepted to our state dental schools . Dr . Kwasny has discovered that the acceptance of dental students into each school ’ s class is a complicated procedure where we can have little effect . His creative solution is to create a pilot program that would place dental students in rural Pennsylvania for experiences that they would otherwise not receive . The solution is certainly complex but Andy has the principal players discussing the issues on an electronic social network forum . The PDA leadership is hopeful that these discussions will lead to implementation of his idea or the development of a similar effective way to attract young dental graduates into the settings where they are most needed . So you can see with all this going on at the PDA , the 10,000 hours needed to master my new job are accumulating as rapidly as the snow in Erie . Like the plows in northwestern Pennsylvania handle that snow , these jobs are being handled with the best know how and efficiency available to us . Some snowfalls may slow our progress but with persistence and steadfastness we ’ ll accomplish what needs to be done . Lastly , I ’ d offer my sincere thanks to you , the delegates , who have allowed me to serve in this position .
36 July / August 2011 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal