DISTRICT PRESIDENTS SPOTLIGHT
SEVENTH DISTRICT
Dr . Andrew Jeffers
Inflation has been the buzzword for the past 18 months and for good reason . A stroll down the grocery aisles , a trip to fill your gas tank , and opening that utility bill can be a shock to the wallet . For dentists this is especially true . Costs across the board for dental supplies , lab fees , and employee wages have increased significantly , not to mention the general heating , cooling , and upkeep of the practice itself . However , what has not increased are reimbursements from dental insurances . This stagnancy has become a major challenge for the majority of dentists . Practices are faced with the prospect of raising fees , which only adds to the financial burden of their patients without insurance coverage . Some practices may decide to terminate their participation with insurance companies , which can foster ill will and hardship within their patient base . So it seems dentists remain in the difficult position of rising costs versus what is best for their patients and the viability of the practice . This is what I see as the omnipresent challenge which burdens the best efforts of dental practitioners to provide care which is fair and equitable to their community .
I recently read an article that highlighted the attitudes of millennials in the workforce . It claimed that the majority of younger people in their careers no longer strive or want positions in management . This is a complete turnaround from previous generations whose goals were to steadily advance and become involved in career associations and promotions . When interviewed , this millennial group stated that they prefer to stay in their own lane and choose to perform job functions only as well as needed . This current attitude also reflects a problem in organized dentistry . Membership within this age group has declined steadily . Many younger dentists do not see the value in professional organizations and have difficulty aligning their philosophies and work styles with older dentists , so they sidestep efforts to volunteer and contribute . It appears evident that organized dentistry has the challenge of making what they offer attractive to those who wish to stay in their own lane . The viability of organized dentistry truly depends on the influx of young graduates and new practitioners so it is time to be creative in outreach efforts . It is vital to show them there is strength , support , and non-judgmental fellowship within organized dentistry .
EIGHTH DISTRICT
Dr . Paul Rees
I feel the most challenging issue facing dentistry is the interference by the insurance industry in treatment planning and restriction of benefit utilization by our patients . Having third-party payers dictating treatment options is not in the best interests of our patients .
One of the most challenging issues facing organized dentistry is staying in the forefront of being the trusted voice of our profession and delivering relevant and tangible benefits to our members . Member retention is dependent on receiving a perceived value for your dues dollars ; without that value there is no incentive to renew membership .
16 MAY / JUNE 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL