Dr. Kay Thompson and Esther Richwine, PDA Executive
Director from 1976-1994.
Dr. Jon J. Johnston
PDA President 2007-2008
What I think the PDA has
really done and I would say over
the years they have really
helped protect the profession
of dentistry in Pennsylvania.
And they’ve done it in a lot of
different ways.
Dr. Michael Cerveris
PDA President 2002-2003
Dr. Ronald D. Bushick
PDA President 1999-2000
Reflecting back on my many
years of service in dentistry, I
can’t help thinking of the many
rewarding opportunities and
experiences that I had as the
result of being involved,
following graduation, in
organized dentistry at the local,
state and national levels.
Meeting colleagues throughout
the state and nationally
illustrated the common values
and interest in our profession
and in our patient care that was
shared by all. It was an occasion
to learn about people, their
expectations – and mine.
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If I were starting out today or if
someone asked what my advice
would be, the best thing a new
dentist can do is listen to your
patient. You’re the mechanic
– you know how to fix problems,
but you need to know what the
problem is that brought the
patient to you. Rather than you
telling them what they need, it’s
better for them to tell you what
they want.
When I was President, I would
say some of the most defining or
memorable experiences I had
were really centered around
some of the legislative stuff that
we did – they had attempted an
amalgam ban down in
Philadelphia that we worked
really hard to prevent, and the
scope of practice for dental
hygiene and EFDAs was a
significant part of what we were
busy working on while I was
President.