Impressions
discussing these issues , and especially not seeing the faces and body language of the candidates in person .
Finally at 10:00 a . m . Monday the final session of the 2020 ADA Virtual House Delegates was gaveled to order . Our delegation was already communicating on WhatsApp and ready to go . The top of the agenda was election of officers . In the pre-electronic voting days this exercise could take hours if there was not a clear majority for one candidate . There were voting cards , voting booths and lines of delegates waiting to cast their ballot . This time the Speaker of the House , standing in front of a green screen in Chicago , asked the delegates to enter their vote for president-elect first . Within in a minute or two the results were announced . What was interesting for the folks watching the live stream was that there was a delay from the Zoom feed the delegates were watching . I learned the results of the election via a text message on WhatsApp from one of our delegates . The winner and losers were given a few minutes to address the group and then the next election was decided the same way .
After a long morning of the speaker bouncing between Lumi and Zoom and delegates testifying and votes being taken , we had a lunch break and then back for the concluding afternoon session , but not so fast … we still had a dinner break , and finally this meeting concluded at 8:30 p . m .
Some thoughts I had that night as I closed my laptop : the first-time ADA Speaker of the House , W . Mark McDonald , was a marathon man . He stood at that podium all day other than break times and never even seemed to take a drink of water . The business of the house was successfully conducted this year despite the virtual HOD . The Third District crushed its duties and represented PDA members and the entire ADA very well despite the obvious complications and being spread all across the commonwealth . President Dr . Jim Tauberg , ADA Trustee Dr . Linda Himmelberger , PDA president-elect Dr . Gary Davis , secretary Dr . Nancy Rosenthal and executive director Ward Blackwell worked seamlessly with all of us and the technology to make sure the delegation was as effective virtually as we would have been in person . I did not like not being with people ( especially our people ) and seeing their faces , their reactions and being able to network in person . Representing your ADA trustee district is an honor and a privilege . I encourage anyone who has any interest in doing this to submit your name to your district to be placed on the ballot in 2021 . Finally , I hope we will all be together in person in Las Vegas for the reimagined SmileCon 2021 !
— STR3
P . S . - As we close out the year , I know most of us might want to just forget about 2020 . It has been the most challenging year in my lifetime and one I never imagined happening . But as the year comes to a close , there are still much this year that we should be thankful for and much to hope for as we get ready to start 2021 . I wish all of you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season and a Happy New Year !
DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK
Donated Dental Services Program
Are you willing to see one patient in your office through the Pennsylvania Donated Dental Services ( DDS ) Program ?
Dental Lifeline Network , a strategic partner of the ADA , has been operating the Donated Dental Services ( DDS ) Program nationally since 1985 and in Pennsylvania with the support of the Pennsylvania Dental Association since 1996 .
There are 280 patients waiting for care who live in Pennsylvania . General Dentists and specialists , especially oral surgeons and periodontists , are needed statewide , particularly in the following counties : Adams , Bedford , Berks , Blair , Bucks , Butler , Carbon , Clarion , Clearfield , Crawford , Dauphin , Erie , Franklin , Lehigh , Mifflin , Monroe , Montgomery , Northhampton , Philadelphia , Pike , Schuylkill , Somerset , Washington , Wayne and Westmoreland .
Can you please help ?
• Pre-screened patients are treated in your office
• You determine the treatment plan .
• Coordinators work with specialists and the labs
• You don ’ t pay for lab expenses .
• Very little paper work is required
It is easy to volunteer – go to www . DentalLifeline . org and click on Volunteer or go to www . WillYouSeeOne . org . Additional information about the program is available . Just see one patient for a consult and you decide if you want to continue .
6 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL