PDA officers and new trustees . Left to right : Dr . Jeffery Sameroff , Dr . Samuel Selcher , Dr . Frederick Johnson , Dr . Anand Rao , Dr . R . Donald Hoffman , Dr . James Boyle III , Dr . Stephen Radack III , Dr . James Tauberg and Dr . Bernie Dishler .
Byers , author of “ Race for Relevance ,” was the keynote speaker . Following Ms . Byers ’ presentation , the GTF met and then met subsequently via the SoNet and again faceto-face in January 2013 . In February 2013 the BOT received the GTF ’ s interim report and reviewed its proposal . The proposal includes what some may perceive as sweeping changes . These include evolving the BOT to a smaller board whose membership is competency based , has the members ’ trust and authority to run our association on an ongoing basis ; eliminating the current HOD / Annual Session model and replacing it with a one day annual meeting .
While you may or may not approve of all , or parts , of the GTF ’ s report , or one of the alternate proposals presented , the Association cannot continue to operate in its present format . Our aging membership , decreasing market share and the ever increasing costs of doing business prevent the PDA from continuing to be able to provide services to our membership at current levels . Adequate opportunity has been scheduled for the Reference Committee on Organizational Affairs to enable you to hear the GTF ’ s presentation of its report , for you to present your view ( s ) and to hold a collegial discussion on the future of the PDA . This is your organization and its destiny is in your hands . Last year in my Treasurer ’ s Report I noted the fate experience by Border ’ s Bookstore as a result of not evolving to digital media and how the Blackberry ® Smartphone has become so yesterday because RIM did not evolve their product to meet the current market . It is imperative that we change how we do business or the PDA will join the ranks of Borders and other entities that are now only a memory .
I applaud Dr . Brian ’ s task force for their “ outside the box ” proposal . Dr . Brian , thank you , and thank you to the GTF for your pertinacious efforts to create a visionary product .
Fiscal Restructuring
For the past several years , the PDA Board of Trustees has recommended and the House of Delegates has approved a budget that utilized deficit financing . For 2012 , this deficit funding was projected to reach $ 471,726 . While this approach is not a policy sustainable for the long term , over the past years market gains from securities provided adequate funding to offset any budget deficit . However , during mid 2012 , the effects of the recession on the stock market caught up with PDA and the “ paper ” cash flow dried up . This necessitated the decision to remove funds from reserves in order to pay bills and meet our payroll . The Budget , Finance and Property Committee ( BFPC ) approved removing up to $ 1,300,000 from reserves to replenish our check book . Going forward , the BFPC approved , and the board affirmed , a “ pay as you go ” policy where 2013 expenses will be covered by 2013 receipts . Although final audited numbers were not available at the time of the preparation of this report , it appears that it was necessary to remove approximately $ 996,000 from reserves . This reduced reserves to approximately 78 % of our 2013 budget , still within the mandate of HD78-32 which directed that reserves represent 1 / 2 to 3 / 4 of the annual budget . On paper the association ended 2012 in the black ; however , excluding paper security gains , we operated slightly in the red . An unfortunate side effect of the restructuring process was that it was necessary to separate several staff ; some positions went unfilled ; and committees were limited to phone conferencing as face-to-face meetings were eliminated . CEO Kostelac-Cherry maintained office morale and managed the transition with aplomb . In his report , Treasurer Selcher will provide more details on the restructuring process and ongoing cost containment efforts .
Legislative Accomplishments This year the PDA was able to facilitate passage of legislation to :
• Expand the scope of practice for expanded function dental assistants .
• Require insurers to cover general anesthesia costs when treating young children and patients with special needs .
• Prohibit insurers from capping dental services they do not cover under their plans .
For the upcoming year our goals are :
• Assignment of benefits - PDA is advocating for the rights of patients by allowing them to assign their insurance benefit for a covered service to any willing dental provider of their choosing .
• Medical Assistance reforms – PDA ’ s goal is to work with Governor Corbett ’ s administration and the General Assembly to enact meaningful reforms that remove financial and administrative barriers for dentists participating in the Medical Assistance program .
• Funding for the Donated Dental Service ( DDS ) program - PDA is lobbying to restore $ 150,000 in state appropriations to rehire two coordinators who facilitate care between volunteer dentists and dental labs and patients who are disabled , elderly and / or medically compromised . Without this funding the program will most likely end , leaving hundreds of Pennsylvanians without care .
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