PDJ Interview with Dr . Freedman
PDJ : How long have you been involved in organized dentistry ?
JF – I became involved as a participant at the local board level in the early 2000s when a friend of mine asked me to chair a board committee . When I saw just how much impact I could have on the profession , I volunteered whenever other positions were vacant .
PDJ – What made you get involved ?
JF – Well for years I actually thought about it , but it took a friend asking me to get me started . My path toward involvement started years after dental school and my ASDA involvement . I ’ m proof that anytime is a good time to get involved !
PDJ – Why did you decide to run for ADA Second Vice President ?
JF – After my very successful four years on the ADA Council on Membership , including being the Vice Chair and Chair , I strongly believe I have much more to offer at the national level and this offers me a unique opportunity .
PDJ – What do you see as the most important challenges faced by the ADA ?
JF – The ADA is actually facing multiple challenges , some made even worse from the COVID-19 pandemic . After years of hard work to revitalize membership growth , the pandemic not only reversed membership growth , but the loss of members has created financial burdens that were not anticipated . Membership initiatives need to be rejuvenated across the Tripartite and beyond . The ADA needs to be purposeful in welcoming and engaging demographic segments that have not traditionally been involved in organized dentistry .
The pandemic finally moved dentistry to be recognized as essential healthcare , but now there are new considerations such as to how our profession will fit into the Equity in Healthcare equation .
And there is renewed interest on Capitol Hill to find a way to add dental benefits to Medicare , so the ADA needs to represent our member ’ s best interests into the future . License portability , modernized board exams , DHATS , government regulations , dental insurance interference in patient care , crushing student debt are still all issues .
PDJ – How does your experience prepare you ?
JF – I became engaged in membership growth at the start of my leadership role , and at the end of my tenure on the ADA Council on Membership as its chair , the ADA was growing again .
In addition , as Council on Membership vice Chair and Chair , I was directly involved in the restructuring and streamlining of dues which strategically helped to facilitate the ADA into a position of greater financial sustainability .
I have been president of PDA ’ s Second District , which has more members than over half the states and I have authored two resolutions at the ADA House that have far reaching national consequences .
My 30 plus years as faculty in a GPR keeps me connected with our youngest component .
I ’ m a hard worker , a good listener , an innovative thinker and I ’ m not afraid to stand up for what is right !
PDJ – What new strategies can the ADA take to assist students in debt reduction and schools in cost containment ?
JF – First of all , the ADA already has partnered with Laurel Road to provide the lowest current rates on student debt repayment , potentially saving new graduates tens of thousands of dollars . An avenue of consideration is for the creation of an ADA Credit Union or ADA Bank that would potentially finance all things dental for new graduates as well as established dentists .
As each school and state are individual entities , an additional pathway is to have the federal and state governments to provide greater opportunities for loan forgiveness with expanded opportunities to practice in underserved areas .
And finally , education in financial matters would also be beneficial in helping students and new practitioners best manage their resources .
PDJ – What is on your agenda if elected as ADA Second Vice President ?
JF – First and foremost , I want to be the voice of our membership in the board room . The VP term is only two years , but in that time I hope to strengthen and grow our membership outreach , ensure a robust set of benefits are maintained and updated for our current and retired members , use my skills at the creation of non-dues revenue and event planning to assist the stability of our organization and to be a tireless advocate for dentistry with regards to our legislative agenda . But I might add that one never knows what ’ s around the bend , so I am prepared for any challenge !
PDJ – What is your favorite thing about organized dentistry ?
JF – All the people I have met during my years in leadership ! While we may not always agree on a path to travel for a particular issue , there is energy to work out a compromise that benefits our profession and colleagues . After that is hammered out , we can all join together with that solution and the pride of accomplishment .
JULY / AUGUST 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 25