By Mark Dake, DDS, MSD
Are you riding in the wagon or helping to pull us all along? The wagon analogy has been around for ages, and it is as timely now as it was when it originated as the settlers crossed the continent on their way out West. In an effective westward move (making progress) the young, old, and feeble rode in the wagon and every able-bodied person did his or her share to work together and pull the wagon toward the goal. Obviously, if there were not enough people pulling the wagon, no one — including those riding — got anywhere!In today’s world, the same can be said for the political process and our profession. Government can have an immediate and lasting effect on our orthodontic practices. Most of us want to be left alone, but this idea of isolation is no more valid than the settlers wanting the hostile natives and wild animals to leave them alone. This mindset of wanting will accomplish very little without preparation and action.Orthodontists are not political animals by nature, but political involvement is an activity we must learn to enjoy (or at least endure) if we want our specialty to survive as we know it today. Do you know how the new health-care legislation will affect your practice? Are you aware that some in Congress want to move dentistry under the government umbrella? Do you know how regulatory agencies can affect your practice (OSHA, HIPAA, Red Flag Rules, and EPA, to name a few)? Do you know that insurance companies are trying to invade and control our practices? Some are trying to establish a maximum fee for NON-COVERED services!A couple of states are effectively fighting this maneuver through their state legislatures. Is your state helping you? Are you helping your state? Are you aware that California is granting dental licenses to dentists from foreign countries to provide care in the “underserved” areas of the state without any U.S. dental school education? Are you aware of Minnesota and Alaska recently joining the ranks of states that allow a new level of dental provider called a Dental Therapist or “Superhygienist” who will provide operative and surgical dentistry? Remember that what affects our general dentist colleagues affects our orthodontic practices!It is time to get involved! Become a member the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), American Dental Association (ADA), and the AAOPAC (Political Action Committee). Read your AAO Bulletin, check out www.aaomembers.org and see what is going on in Washington and in each state. Being informed is a good start, but you also must become interested and involved with your actions and pocketbook!Ask questions of our AAO leaders and get involved, or soon we will all be in the “Government Wagon”! Our medical doctor brethren have not spoken with a united voice in the past and now are so fragmented that they are being forced to accept a reduced fee or be cut out of insurance plans and Medicare. The same thing could happen to dentistry. We must have strong organizations like the AAO and the ADA to represent our profession ... or dentistry will go the way of medicine. Get involved, do your part, and together we can keep the wagon moving!
After growing up in south central Missouri, Mark Dake, DDS, MSD, graduated summa cum laude from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo., in 1980. He moved to Kansas City and graduated from University of Missouri-Kansas City College of Dentistry, with honors, in 1984. He then moved to Dallas, Texas, to accept a residency at Baylor College of Dentistry’s Orthodontic Department. He graduated in 1986. Dr. Dake is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Midwest Society of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Association, and the Springfield Dental Society. In addition, he is the chair of the National Council of Governmental Affairs for Orthodontists. Community involvement and professional leadership have been a big part of Dr. Dake’s career. Locally, he has been involved in the West Plains, Houston, Mtn. Grove, Mo., and Mtn. Home, Ark., Chamber of Commerce. He also has been active in the West Plains Rotary Club, Zizzer Athletic Booster Club, Bomber Athletic Booster Club, and Missouri State University-West Plains Athletic Booster Club. Dr. Dake and his wife, Kim, are members of the First United Methodist Church. They have three children — Merritt, an accountant, Miles, an engineer, and Anne-Katherine, a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
