Phases and Faces of Dentistry
NICKI STACHEWICZ JOHNSON, DMD
2008 graduate from
Case Western Reserve University
Practices in Erie
1. How many years have you been in practice? 10
How would you describe your current practice setting?
Private Practice
2. Have your membership needs evolved with your career?
If so, how have your needs changed? I purchased my practice
very early on so my needs are very similar to what they have
always been at this stage in my career.
3. What has PDA done in the past 5 to 10 years that you have
found most beneficial personally or for the profession? The
biggest benefit that I have from PDA is having the opportunity
to meet other dentists. Forming these professional bonds and
friendships has made me a better dentist. Many times, I have
reached out to my friends to get a second opinion on a difficult
case to assist me in treating it more effectively and efficiently.
I also think that PDA has been helpful with re-licensure and
the organization of CEs to make sure we are all compliant with
the necessary regulations. A few years ago, they had the most
convenient way to obtain our continuing education in radiology,
opioid addiction and child abuse.
4. What do you think will be the biggest challenge to the
profession in the next 5 to 10 years and how do you think
PDA can support you with addressing it? The profession
has many challenges including increasing student debt for
new graduates and their ability to pay them back AND have a
profitable professional life. How is PDA going to address this?
Also, insurance reimbursement will probably always be an issue.
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MA R CH/A P R I L 2019 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L
5. What would you say to a non-member as to why they should
join PDA? They should join for many reasons. Of course, I think
most important reason would be the professional support and
relationships that are created in the PDA community. If you want
to look at it from a fiscal standpoint, the merchant services from
the ADA and the insurance plans from PDAIS and Great West are
the most comprehensive and the most cost effective, compared
to anything else on the market. If you want to look at it from a
political perspective, having the majority of dentists being a part
of their professional organization (and PADPAC) creates more
pull when it comes to law makers taking the PDA initiatives
more seriously while protecting our profession.
6. Do you believe you have a responsibility to the profession to
join PDA? Why? I do believe dentists should join PDA to protect
our profession and unify our voice. It is a worthwhile expense
whether you are an associate, owner, or retired – we are all
dentists.
7. If you weren’t a dentist what would you be? I never had a
backup plan to not be a dentist since I wanted to be one since
I was 6 years old. That being said, I am happy in my career and
cannot imagine having another occupation. I love solving new
problems and making mouths healthy and beautiful.