The best is yet to come

Greetings to all dental assistants!

Writing my first column for Dental Equipment & Materials as President of the American Dental Assistants Association is very exciting for me. I appreciate the opportunity to tell you about our association and how it benefits you as a member.

Many impressive innovations are coming that the 2006-2007 officers and trustees will be working on in the next year. Our Executive Director gave an update on the “New ADAA” at our Annual Conference in Denver, outlining the changes that have been implemented and the ones planned for this year.

Our continuing education and home study courses continue to be the standard for dental assistants around the country. The Round Table Seminars we present at regional dental meetings are very popular and we will have one at the ADA Annual Session in Las Vegas this October. If you are attending the ADA meeting, don’t miss out on this fun, interactive education session. Our new and improved Web site is up and running - please visit us at www.dentalassistant.org. We have information for you on our site and links to other dental organizations.

Another terrific program is our new debit processing system that allows members to pay for their dues monthly direct from their checking accounts! This works out to less than $10 a month (about two grande lattes at Starbucks). Central office has a new telephone and voice mail system that will allow ADAA staff to better serve our members and we will add a toll free system to that soon.

Our 2007 Annual Conference will be with the ADA Annual Session in San Francisco, and we will have expanded continuing education courses and exciting opportunities to interact with all dental assistants plus a “special dental assistants only reception” held in the ADA Exhibit Hall.

All of these programs enhance our association and improve member benefits. Members are the heart of this association and vital to the mission of the ADAA and the dental assisting profession. Now more than ever, we need to know what you, the dental assistant, need from your organization. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or Executive Director Larry Sepin in our Central office at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

As my first official act as President, I have a gift for you. It is a year’s membership for only $85 which includes your state, local and national dues plus $50,000 professional liability insurance for you as a dental assistant! All you need to do is fill out the special form and return it with your payment to receive a full year of benefits from the ADAA.

We can accomplish together what we can’t do alone. Your professional organization needs you and your fellow dental assistants to achieve our goals of credentialing and education for dental assistants. Please join us, the officers, trustees and staff in our journey to the “new” ADAA. The best is yet to come!

Included in your ADAA dues

Professional liability insurance in your name.
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance - yours for the asking.
Member discounts on ADAA educational seminars.
Discounts on home study continuing education courses. NO GRADING FEE for members.
A subscription to The Dental Assistant.
Eligibility to participate in ADAA’s Fellowship Program.
Free CE in The Dental Assistant for members only (with nominal grading fee).
Free resumé posting on the Internet.

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