Dr . James M . Boyle III
Your New ADA Trustee
The Northwestern University Dental School was located at the current Northwestern Chicago campus between East Chicago and East Huron Streets adjacent to Lake Shore Drive . The American Dental Association situated at 211 East Chicago was a short walk from the dental school . All too often my fellow classmates and I would walk by the ADA building . It was with a huge sense of pride that I would look up at the “ ivory tower ” of dentistry and feel so fortunate to be engaged in the study of our wonderful profession .
Fast forward a number of years and I find myself returning to the same Ivory Tower , not as a student , but as your American Dental Association 3rd District Trustee . Much has changed in the subsequent years , such as the dental school closing , but some things remain the same , such as my pride in entering the ADA building where I will serve the entire membership in what remains a most wonderful and special profession .
At the time I graduated in 1983 , the items of interest in dentistry were universal precautions , high interest rates of 17-18 % and this new treatment option of dental implants . Interestingly , universal precautions once again have come to the forefront with the COVID-19 epidemic , and dentistry has proven itself as a leader in infection control . As expected , science continues to evolve as we are able to view our patients three dimensionally , create crowns from a computer , employ robotic techniques and treat patients with sleep apnea .
Many things have guided ADA over these many years as our profession advanced and confronted myriad challenges . The ADA could not have been successful without being true to its core values , with ethics being one of the cornerstones .
Dr . Boyle and his wife , Jane , at a 2017 holiday reception and dinner .
Evidenced-based dentistry and research , along with prudent strategic plans , have steered ADA into the prestigious position as leader of our profession as we progress and meet many challenges .
My goal as your trustee is to hold sacred our core values , and follow the science and evidence in order to see the ADA continue in this prime role for the profession of dentistry . We are confronted with a few new items for consideration that include government influence , access to care and the changing business model of practice . I am looking forward to working with my fellow board members in navigating these challenges , and am available to receive your input and share in many discussions .
Dr . Boyle , an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in York , served as PDA president in 2018-2019 , and has served ADA as a member of the House of Delegates and as chair of the Commission on Specialty Recognition and Certifying Boards , Council on Dental Education and Licensure and the Continuing Education Registration Program .
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 29