A New Year -- A New Day for CDA

Twelve months ago, the talk was all about the new millennium. Yes, there was some talk even then that the real change to a new millennium would come as we entered the year 2001. Well that time has now arrived, and there should be no question that we are now fully engaged in the world of the 21st century.

Based upon work done in the year 2000, the 21st century world of the California Dental Association will also commence this year. Year 2000 President Kent Farnsworth, in close collaboration with President-Elect Jack Broussard and with the cooperation and assistance of other leadership and staff, worked tirelessly during the past year to establish a foundation for a more vital future for organized dentistry in California. Both leaders should be congratulated by every dentist practicing in California, both member and nonmember, for the many efforts they made toward the betterment of the dental profession.

At the November CDA House of Delegates, the Applied Strategic Plan, which was central to their activity, was approved. While that might be viewed as a landmark, it is only the foundation for the work that yet needs to be accomplished if the goals and objectives of the plan that will carry the association forth in this new era are to be successfully developed and implemented.

In his presidential address to the delegates, which can be found elsewhere in this issue, Dr. Broussard outlined his vision of the work and opportunities that lie ahead. It speaks to colleagues in the profession who have either not been a part of organized dentistry or have been merely a dues-paying member in the past. For the profession to be successful in achieving its mission of service to the public, these individuals must not only be members, they MUST be included as active and supportive participants. More importantly, they must FEEL included.

A lesson learned from the "diverse, non-CDA leader" members who participated in the strategic planning process was that while they did not wear the label of "leader," they had been included in planning the future of their professional organization. Interviews with these individuals showed that their participation also renewed their excitement about the challenges facing them as practicing dentists. The experience also demonstrated that interaction with peers is an extremely important facet of membership in organized dentistry. Without active participation, we believe that a professional is unable to objectively assess the value of membership.

Another theme for the new millennium that was addressed during the 2000 House of Delegates was the matter of support to CalDPAC. CalDPAC must be classified as voluntary, but for professionals who believe in and fully support their profession, it shouldn’t be. It should be mandatory. How can members say they are fully supportive of their organization’s efforts to fight for or against regulations or other actions from outside the profession that will dictate how dentistry is delivered if they do not support CalDPAC? It needs to be said yet again that far less than half of CDA members has been supporting CalDPAC.

Too often we have heard the argument that the amount of dues and PAC support are a deterrent to CDA membership. Those who have participated as volunteers have been exposed to data showing that dues and contributions expected of other professional groups and unions often exceed the levels requested of CDA members. Given the earning potential within the dental profession, except among the most recent graduates, the level of dues or contributions should not be an issue for the informed participant. And, from our perspective, that is one of the unresolved issues before the organized profession at the beginning of the new millennium.

Drs. Farnsworth and Broussard typify the attitude of current leadership. They want to see more participation by existing members and the inclusion of nonmembers in order to build an organization that can withstand all crises that it may encounter in the rapidly changing world of the 21st century. Members who participate will quickly learn the value of their membership. They will realize how vital their support to their profession is. Whether that support is in the form of service, contribution to government relations activity, or both, it creates a sense of value and a sense of belonging.

Despite the many achievements in the last two decades of the 20th century for the California Dental Association, and there were many, it is now a new year and a new day for CDA. The new day is just beginning. There will be opportunities for those who have not been active participants to become active and to feel included in the support of their profession. Those who review the Strategic Plan will see new entities such as resource, message, and learning centers evolve that will provide new benefits to all members.

The new day brings forth an organization that encourages participation and engenders support. To borrow from Dr. Broussard’s vision, it cannot afford to do less if it is to be "the best it can be" in the 21st century.