Question:
American Dental Association ?
Answer:
I agree fully with Vaughn, (I usually always do). The ADA list only lists
those dentists who choose to send a thousand dollars a year for dues to the
organization. It says NOTHING about the character or the qualifications of
the dentist. It only says that the check cleared the bank. The ADA is only
a "Trade Union" for dentists. It provides for some group insurance
benefits, a means of getting together for annual conventions, a forum from
which to form various committees, a source for political lobbying, etc. The
only interests of the ADA is to perpetuate its own existence and to
occasionally help some of the members.
What it has become, I do not like. However the response is if you don't
approve of what is going on - get involved.
OTOH, I was offered the chance to start working up through the usual chain,
alternate delegate, then work up through the usual offices and take it as
far as you want. To be honest I said no thanks. There is always, at least
in our local societies, an abundance of people that thrive on the
recognition and the mutual backpatting, others are extremely honorable in
their endeavors. In the more rural parts of many states it is more
important to become involved. It's just not for me.
I know we have several posters here that are extremely involved in the
various constituent and component societies as well as on the national
level. I do not intend to insult their participation. OTOH, if you are
going to complain, realize that this is one of the biggest associations of
dentists around and *if* you want to make a difference you can try.
Oh, OK. I thought it was the place that watches over the dental
licencing. IOW the place where the dentist is 'struck off' the register
if he or she malpractices. Amazingly meaningless organisation then, a
good ad in the yellow pages sounds like a better investment for the
dentist..
It's not advertising--it's a professional organization that is supposed to
advocate for the interests of the profession. They sponsor continuing education
and document it for the benefit of dentists who need documentation for the state
dental boards. They organize conventions (like the Greater New York Dental
Meeting, which opens this weekend). They used to be the only game in town to
obtain malpractice insurance through, though this is no longer the case. They
offer group liability office, medical and disability insurance. They publish
promotional materials for sale.
One could argue (as I do) that they don't do a very good job. But since it
is run by dentists, most of whom are unpaid, we have no one to blame but
ourselves.
