Education at all levels tops ADAA agenda at annual sessions

Education took center stage at the American Dental Assistants Association's Annual Session in Las Vegas, October 10-14. The ADAA provided continuing education courses to more than 2,000 dental team members over the course of the meeting held in conjunction with the ADA.

Attention was also focused on ADAA student members and ways to better serve them. The result was adoption of a full program to more fully incorporate them into the organization. This includes the development of student chapters at dental assisting programs (of 800 hours or more) throughout the nation. Pilot programs are already operating at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., and Mount Diablo Adult Education in Concord, Calif. For more information about starting a SADAA Chapter at your school, contact Doug McDonough at [email protected].

Further, a student trustee position was created on the ADAA Board of Trustees to provide representation for all ADAA student members, and Jennifer Broyles, a student at Citrus College in California, was appointed to fill the position.

Educational advantages continue

In a move that will simplify and increase the provision of quality continuing education to all dental assistants, ADAA has enhanced its member benefits policy to give unlimited CE to all its full dues paying members. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, those members who opt for paying for a full year's dues when billed will be granted the right to unlimited education for the duration of their membership. Those opting for half-year payment or less through debit payments will receive six hours of education until their membership is fully funded.

New national officers

National officers were elected and installed at the Las Vegas meetings. They include:

President: Claudia Pohl, CDA, RDA, FADAA, BVEd, Alta Loma, Calif.
President-Elect: Carolyn Breen, CDA, EdD, RDA, RDH, Union County, N.J.
Vice President: Lori Paschal, CDA, FADAA, Irma, S.C.
Secretary: Bonnie Marshall, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, MADAA, AAS, Battle Ground, Wash.
Immediate Past-President: Natalie Kaweckyj, CDA, LDARF, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, MADAA, BA, Minneapolis, Minn.

During 2012, ADAA officers will preside over Dental Assistants Recognition Week in March and the Annual Session in San Francisco with the American Dental Association.

The ADAA is America's oldest and largest dental assisting association, serving an estimated 250,000 dental assistants in the United States. It is dedicated to the development and recognition of professionalism through education, membership services, and public awareness programs. The ADAA is a strong advocate for legislation, encouraging credentialing for clinical dental assistants and greater recognition of the assistant's role in the oral health-care team.

Claudia Pohl, CDA, RDA, FADAA, BVEd
President, American Dental Assistants Association