MEET YOUR PDA PRESIDENT DR. TED ROCKWELL
PDJ: What is your leadership philosophy and style? How do you approach a problem or an issue you want to solve?
Dr. Rockwell: My leadership philosophy is integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I lead by looking at the big picture of what is needed to accomplish the task at hand to accomplish long-term goals. I also believe in leading by consensus and at the same time having a guiding light of what are the rights, or what should be the rights of all dentists in the PDA.
PDJ: What do you believe are some of the issues that are going to drive PDA in both the short-term and the long- term future of the organization?
Dr. Rockwell: A short-term issue is to educate the legislators on how the benefit of fluoride at optimal levels and application improve access to care and prevent dental disease, decay, and pain and suffering.
Other short-term issues are to improve and speed up credentialing, prevent network leasing without approval by the dentist, and restore full adult dental Medicaid coverage. As we work through these, they may transition to long term goals.
A few long-term issues are to improve access to care by supporting the opening of more dental assisting and hygiene schools and dental residency programs and supporting expanding of existing ones.
Another long-term issue is to continuously advocate for and lobby for more fair dental insurance reimbursement in Pennsylvania since Pennsylvania has one of the lowest insurance reimbursement rates in the USA, and this will not only help existing practices to serve patients with insurance but further improve access to care by encouraging fewer dentist to leave Pennsylvania.
PDJ: What do you think is an underrated member benefit that you wish more of your colleagues knew about or took more advantage of?
Dr. Rockwell: One of the most underrated benefits is the discount on the processing fees for credit card transactions by being able to sign up for the terrific discount rate that is offered exclusively to PDA members by Best Card. The rate is so good and reduced that it will save you many times more than your membership dues if you take credit card payment.
Another underrated service is the easy access to all of the Pennsylvania Board mandated Continuing Education Courses both online and in person for free or a very discounted rate.
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 motivate them to continue their membership in organized dentistry?
Dr. Rockwell: The PDA is the one association that represents and fights for the rights of all dentists and their patients in Pennsylvania, including general dentists and specialists, private practice, group practice, and dental school faculty dentists.
The PDA fights for more fair insurance practices, for access to care, for student loan reimbursements, for the right of communities to provide optimal fluoride in the drinking water, and to increase the dental workforce by meeting with and communicating with legislators, by lobbying and promoting fair legislation, by maintaining good relationships with state agencies, and by working with dental schools.
The PDA also provides many other benefits such as CE necessary to maintain your licensure both online, and through Tripartite Local Societies in the 10 Tripartite Regions.
Dr. Jim Boyle, Jane Boyle, Dr. David Schimmel, Dr. Rockwell at the New York State Dental Meeting.
With Julie at California University of Pennsylvania( his undergraduate school) in June 2025.
30 JULY / AUGUST 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL