My Story
I grew up in the small town of Girard, just west of Erie, and I have wanted to be a dentist for as long as I can remember. After graduating from high school, I enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. After continuing my education at Pitt Dental School, I got bit by the orthodontics bug and decided to stay on for an extra three years in my residency program. I finished my residency in the middle of 2010 and returned home with a wife, two kids and a mountain of debt. I was nearly $ 400,000 in debt from dental school and my residency program, and I had worked out a quick transition with a retiring dentist to purchase his practice. This pushed my debt to over three quarters of a million dollars and I did not know anything about running a practice. I was very fortunate, because within my first week of being back in Erie, I got a call, from our Erie County Dental Association president, inviting me to a meeting. This eventually led to my commitment to organized dentistry.
I strongly encourage everyone to do whatever you can to support the Pennsylvania Dental Association and the Power of Three Initiative.
Even though I started my practice deep in debt, I was always committed to the ADA, PDA and local societies for many reasons. First and foremost, I feel like it is the right thing to do and our obligation to protect our fine profession. We all face many threats to our livelihood and the Power of Three( ADA, PDA, and District) help to protect us and keep our best interests in mind. I still feel like we have an obligation to contribute to all the great work that they do, even through not everything is aimed at all members at any given time. The PDA has a tough job of providing member benefits, even through everyone is at different levels of their work cycle.
The benefit that I took the biggest advantage of was networking at local events. I have made a lot of friends and mentors who have helped me with my practice and for that I am forever grateful. It is difficult being a new doctor in a single doctor practice. It is nice to have people who can help you avoid the potholes that I would have fallen into, if not for their mentorship. I had colleagues help me specifically with insurance reimbursement, budgeting and managing my profit and loss statement( P & L), as well as helping to control my overhead with advice on ordering clinical supplies. I also benefited from switching almost all my professional insurances to the insurance company owned by our association. My premium savings alone justified the price of membership. I am also a fan of the legislative advocacy that the PDA very effectively provides for us. I am happy that we have someone who is looking out for our best interest and counteracting the big insurance companies’ lobbying efforts.
I receive the majority of my CE credits for re-licensure, as well as my Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting CE credits, from the PDA / local society events. Without PDA’ s emails to alert me, I would not have been notified about the Section 1557 provision of the Affordable Care Act taking effect. The PDA helps to keep me educated about the latest techniques as well as keeping my finger on the pulse of any legislative changes. I know whenever I read PDA’ s publications that I am going to learn something that will benefit my practice or my patients.
The PDA staff is fantastic and committed to helping member dentists succeed in all facets of dentistry. They are a resource that every member should take advantage of; all you have to do is call them. I have been blown away by the concierge level of support that they give, and they have helped me a lot over the years. I wish that everyone took the time to review all of the practice management resources, such as the Center for Professional Success, on the ADA’ s website. There are many unexplored resources available to ADA members that are waiting for you to use.
I have been committed to serving and protecting our profession since I graduated from my residency program. I have served in all positions at the local level and I am currently the chair of the PDA’ s Membership Committee and the president of the Ninth District Dental Society representing Northwestern Pennsylvania. I have met so many people who volunteer their time and efforts to advancing our profession. I strongly encourage everyone to do whatever you can to support the Pennsylvania Dental Association and the Power of Three Initiative. I don’ t expect everyone to become president of their local society, but do whatever you can: go to a meeting, mentor a new dentist, help with the Mom-n-PA dental mission. I think the most important step is – for every non-member or member whose membership has lapsed – to rejoin our organization. We are stronger together and able to accomplish so much more. Remember a rising tide lifts all boats.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Steve Iszkula and I grew up in the small town of Girard, Pennsylvania. I have wanted to be a dentist for as long as I can remember. Once I graduated from Girard High School, I continued my education at the University of Pittsburgh. I attend Pitt for 11 years, picking up Bachelors in Biological Science( 2003), my DMD( 2007) and my orthodontic degree( 2010). I returned to Erie and joined the practice of Dr. Jack Utley. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart Jill and we have three amazing children Ben( 8), Eli( 6) and Ivy( 4).
I have been involved in organized dentistry serving as the President of the Erie County Dental Association and currently the president of the Ninth District. I have also served on the Membership Committee of the PDA the last four years, including two as the Chair.
When I am not in the office treating patients, I enjoy spending time with my family, working out and reading.
MARCH / APRIL 2017 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 13