Impressions
Don ’ t Be Afraid ! Take A Chance ! Make A Difference !
by Dr . Stephen T . Radack III , Editor
Don ’ t be afraid ! Take a chance ! Make a difference ! Those words could apply to many aspects of our lives , but in this case I am referring to contacting your legislators and being an advocate . As most of you know , your PDA is constantly lobbying the Pennsylvania legislature to support bills that will not only improve the way we practice , but help improve the lives of our patients . The same process is continuously happening at the federal level by our ADA . These efforts can only truly be successful with the help of the grassroots dentists when you contact the legislators from your hometown districts and let them know why their support is important to our profession .
I can still remember the first time I sat in a legislator ’ s office in the Capitol building in Harrisburg . It was PDA ’ s annual Lobby Day and we had a sizable contingent of our members who had made the trek to Harrisburg to lobby for the issues PDA was supporting at that time . We stood on the steps inside the Capitol rotunda and our president held a press conference to explain our issues . Then it was time to break out into small groups and meet with our hometown legislators . I know I was nervous and maybe a bit afraid since I had never done anything like this , but we were well prepared with our talking points and most groups were led by a veteran dentist who had done many of these events . Although the setting was intimidating , it quickly became clear that these folks were just like you and I . Most were very willing to hear what we had to say , and in many cases , offered their support .
In 2015 as your PDA president , it was my turn to lead our delegation into the Capitol and speak on the steps inside the rotunda . Was I afraid ? Maybe , since the steps behind me were filled with our members who had taken time away from their practices and families to be there . I had also never stood in such a place with a TV camera on me . It was our chance to make a difference ! While we no longer have a PDA Lobby Day , there remains an opportunity for you to make a huge difference .
ADA Dentist Student Lobby Day is an event held each year in Washington , DC , and is a much larger version of what we did in Pennsylvania . This group comes from all over the country and the issues we lobby for have a national impact on the profession . This event seemed a bit more intimidating to me since this was the BIG show and we were now talking with our U . S . senators and representatives . Having seasoned veterans of the event lead the way made it feel less overwhelming , especially meeting the two senators . I found it easier to speak with the members of the House , maybe because they were more local . I have been lucky to have my representatives from Erie and Butler ( my hometown ) and been able to actually speak to both of them in my office .
While these large events can make a difference , most of the true impact on our issues can be made by you right in your home district . We know every legislator has a dentist and eventually you might have that person in your chair . You don ’ t have to be that dentist to make a difference . Most of our state representatives are open to meeting with constituents during their breaks to discuss issues . The issues PDA supports are always available on PDA Go and the website and usually appear in our email blasts . If you are not sure what to do but want to take a chance , don ’ t hesitate to contact PDA government relations staff .
You can also make a difference by responding to the legislative alerts from both PDA and ADA . These make it easy to respond and allow us to blast emails supporting our issues to our legislators . Another way to make a huge impact and support our legislative priorities is to give to both PADPAC and ADPAC . Unfortunately , money is part of the process and supporting those folks who support our causes is part of that process . As our GR Manager John Basial always says , every little bit helps the cause .
So please don ’ t be afraid to reach out to your legislators . There are lots of PDA staff and members who can help . Take a chance , whether it is an in-person meeting , a letter to ask for support , a simple response to a legislative alert or making a contribution to the PAC . Each one of us truly can make a difference by advocating for our profession and our patients !
— STR3
P . S . – Where has 2023 gone ? As we head full speed to the end of this year and the holiday season , I wish you all the best ! I hope you have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and appreciate all this life offers us . I also want to thank you for your continued membership and wish you a happy , healthy New Year !
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 5