Membership Matters
Easy As 1 , 2 , 3
Over the past two years , new financial terms such as toxic assets , jobless recovery , big bank bailout , mortgage backed securities and others have been bantered about and economists have done their best to give us a crash course on the economic recovery . While we struggle to keep up with the latest economic terms we all wonder , how will I be personally impacted by this economic trend ? Based on verbatim comments from PDA member dentists , the downturn in the economy has had a statewide effect . While personal comments are not statistically significant , the feedback we have gathered should provide comfort , because you are not in this alone and your peers are experiencing similar challenges from the economy . Regardless of geographic location , dentists in rural , urban and suburban offices are reporting a dip in patient visits and practice revenue .
Sample verbatim comments include : “ I have an increased number of patients who are postponing restorative work . If two restorative procedures are needed , they will do one and delay the second procedure .”
“ Patients are extending the time between routine appointments .”
“ My patients are hesitant to take time off work for a dental appointment .”
“ My patients tell me that they are juggling additional responsibilities at work because their employer has laid off staff or they are uncertain of their job security so they don ’ t want to take time off work .”
“ My patients are struggling to make installment payments for dental care because a family member has lost their job and they have limited financial resources .”
“ My office revenue dropped because the leased office space is vacant .”
“ The previous tenant went out of business or consolidated their offices into a different site .”
“ The months of September through November were slow and patient visits didn ’ t pick-up in December as expected .”
Do these comments sound familiar ?
Some economic forecasts continue to predict that the trend is on the upswing . Unfortunately , patient visits and practice revenue remain status quo . Although we don ’ t have a crystal ball , we must have faith that the economy is improving and dentistry will experience the positive trend . To enable members to maintain membership and better endure the unknown financial future , PDA offers dues payment options . Last year , approximately 40 percent of members used either the electronic debit or prepayment coupon option to pay 2010 dues . The 2011 prepayment coupon and electronic debit enrollment forms are mailed in early June .
Paying your PDA dues is as easy as 1 , 2 , 3 … To assist with dues payments , PDA offers members the ability to pay their dues in increments , based on preference . Members may either chose to pay eDues ( electronic debiting ) or with prepayment coupons .
1eDues , or electronic debiting , offers members a convenient and easy way to pay ADA , PDA and district and local society dues . When you participate in the eDues payment plan , you have the peace of mind of knowing your membership in organized dentistry is being maintained .
If you choose to participate in the eDues payment plan , your dues will be debited from your designated bank account in 6 or 12 equal installments . You will be notified of your debit amount after PDA receives your completed eDues enrollment form . ( see page 13 ) To participate in this convenient program , simply complete an eDues payment enrollment form and return it to PDA via mail or fax to ( 717 ) 234-4301 . Please remember to indicate which time frame ( 6 or 12 months ) you prefer and if you wish to include a voluntary contribution to the Pennsylvania Dental Foundation or PADPAC in the debit .
2Prepayment coupons allow members the opportunity to prepay a portion of their annual dues between June 1 and October 31 . The suggested prepayment coupon amount for active members is $ 200 per month . The intent of the prepayment coupon program is to make a substantial payment toward the 2011dues . The prepayment coupons don ’ t pay the dues in full because we don ’ t know the exact amount of the 2011 dues . The American Dental Association ’ s 2011 dues are determined during the
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May / June 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal
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