Recapping a Remarkable Year

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, CDA was experiencing very turbulent times. Some three months after the resignation of its executive director, the association was very much in a state of crisis. Virtually every segment of the organization was affected by symptoms resulting from a prolonged leadership vacuum. Staff, volunteer leadership, and the CDA subsidiaries would continue to suffer from a unique and complex set of circumstances, including the untimely death of an executive director designate the day before he was to assume leadership responsibility on May 1.

Despite the negatives, the story is filled with positives. Two volunteer leaders, Immediate Past President Eugene Sekiguchi and President Kenneth Lange, rose to meet the challenges with uncommon commitment, as did a dedicated executive staff. With the support of other volunteer leaders from the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, the crisis was addressed head on, and the regular work of the association continued without significant interruption since January 1998. The Board of Trustees was called into special session twice for the purpose of selecting a permanent executive director, a mission that was finally concluded when Tim Comstock formally commenced his tenure at the beginning of August 1998. While the circumstances confronting the association had been serious and protracted, the association nonetheless concluded its 1998 year at the House of Delegates in mid-November in very stable condition, testimony to the remarkable efforts carried forth by those mentioned above.

Since he assumed his responsibilities, Comstock has demonstrated that he has studied and understands the organization, both internally and externally, as well as the individuals he must lead. His approach, and his decisions thus far, have been designed and timed to bring the CDA family together, and the progress he has made was quite apparent at the annual House of Delegates meeting.

One area that was particularly important to bringing forth understanding and trust is his desire to improve the budgeting process -- and its acceptance -- at both the CDA and component society levels. His commitment to make significant strides in the coming year to improve this process was instrumental in bringing an early consensus to a House of Delegates that could have been contentious, due to a dues increase of $45 that he described as essential if present programs and levels of services are to be maintained. CDA members have been extremely fortunate that nondues revenues fund approximately 55 percent of the budget, a major factor reducing the need for consideration of an increase in dues until the past two years. A dues increase in 1997 had been the first permanent non-program-specific dues increase since 1983, although small increases for tort reform and issues funds had been approved during this period. Mr. Comstock is committed to a review of all programs in the coming months to ensure a better basis for building future budgets and ensuring that programs are meeting the needs of the membership. The actions of the 205 delegates conveyed their satisfaction with his approach.

Delegates were able to review many solid accomplishments for the year. On the legal front, a major event was the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court would hear the CDA suit against the FTC challenging the CDA Code of Ethics early this year. This was very good news, viewed with some optimism for the outcome, after a long series of adverse results in recent years. Favorable progress was also made in the San Francisco Bay wastewater matter in which dentistry had been unfairly blamed for the release of unsubstantiated amounts of mercury into the water. CDA is also making progress on a waste discharge matter in Los Angeles, where dentists have been facing a punitive industrial waste discharge permit fee.

Delegates received reports on an excellent year in the legislative arena. Former CDA Council Chair Sam Aanestad was elected to the state Assembly, and a good record was achieved in terms of winning candidates that had been supported by CalDPAC. The political environment in Sacramento will significantly change as a result of the November elections. However, CDA appears to be well-positioned to meet new challenges. The membership-at-large often is not aware of the significant achievements in this area of activity that are absolutely essential to the association's ability to successfully pursue dentistry's interests.

The House reviewed recent conversions in the Direct Reimbursement arena as positive accomplishments and renewed the CDA commitment to support the program as a membership benefit.

This is not intended to be a complete list of the many accomplishments of CDA in 1998. However, it is representative of the information that helped build a supportive attitude of the delegates toward their organization. As we commence a new year, we hope that the membership at all levels will build the same trust that the delegates displayed toward the leadership and the program directions. There was disagreement on some issues, but consensus was achieved without confrontational debate, another positive sign that the organization is making good progress.

While 1998 had its ominous beginnings, it was a very good year for CDA. May 1999 bring a continuation of positive achievements for the dental profession.