MEET YOUR PDA PRESIDENT – DR . GARY S . DAVIS
no longer stand on the sidelines and count on our older pale males like me to lead . If we do not evolve as an association ; we will fail in meeting the important and changing needs of our diverse membership .
I believe in the PDA and I believe in our members . I believe in you ! Will you make a positive difference in the lives of your colleagues and patients throughout the state ? Volunteer now at the local , district or PDA level . We need your voice !
PDJ : Advocacy has always been a strength for PDA and that was never more obvious than in 2020 and the early months of 2021 . How will you work to keep getting our message out to policy makers ?
DR . DAVIS : As I stated earlier , one of the lessons I learned during the pandemic scare was the importance of relationships . Our relationships with legislators , with the State Board , with the Department of Health and with the dental schools were extremely important in changing the crazy “ negative pressure room ” mandate that originally came out , and in getting us back into our offices treating patients and using our own professional judgements , which we earned through our degrees and boards .
We have strengthened our relationships with all policy makers and we will continue to build on the trust and integrity that we have with these various agencies . You have my pledge that we will continue to communicate and build bridges with all of our policy makers .
PDJ : When you talk with colleagues – what are you telling them about why it is important to join PDA – and for those who are already members – how do you think you can get them more active in organized dentistry ?
DR . DAVIS : Each year we have more and more outside agencies and influencers that want to change how dentistry is practiced . If we do not continue to speak on behalf of our patients and our members , we will lose control of our destinies and non-dentists will be making decisions that will affect our life and our income .
PDJ : What have you learned about yourself during these early weeks of your presidential term ?
DR . DAVIS : I learned that I am part of a great team of members and staff that truly care about dentistry and the safety of our patients .
I am just an average dentist in a small town and I am just doing my best to help others . And if I can do this , 99 % of our members can do it . So please , get involved . I know you can do it !
I learned that I need to be a better communicator . It is the president ’ s job to develop a set of goals based on our Strategic Plan and to build energy , alignment and EXCITEMENT toward our shared goals in a simple and memorable way .
PDA is a very busy and complex association . There is no way that one person can understand everything about PDA and all the parts that make it function so successfully . I learned that a leader must delegate and trust the entire team . And I do !
18 JULY / AUGUST 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL