MEMBERS New Members


The MDA welcomes these new/reinstated members (to July 9):


CENTRAL Mary Davis, Columbia (Univ of Iowa 17) Ryan Wymore, Columbia (UMKC 07)


GREATER KANSAS CITY Justin Garner, Kansas City (UMKC 07) Wing Lee, Kansas City (Harvard Univ 02)


David Lindman, Kansas City (Univ at Buffalo NY 10) Michael Murphy, Kansas City (UMKC 97) Aaron Smitka, Kansas City (UMKC 14) Glynn Spencer, Lee’s Summit (UMKC 99) Jodie Spencer, Lee’s Summit (UMKC 03)


GREATER ST LOUIS Matthew Boscia, Lake St Louis (SIU 03) Emily Elster, Florissant (SIU 09) Ackeilia Heatrice, St Louis (Howard Univ 09) Janelle Peterson, St Louis (Creighton Univ 00) Michael Smoljan, St Louis (Marquette Univ 18)


GREATER SPRINGFIELD Abby Boschert, Springfield (UMKC 10)


SOUTHEAST Andrew Akindutire, Poplar Bluff (Tufts Univ 19)


SOUTHWEST Colin Mitchell, Neosho (SIU 19)


Deceased Members


The MDA expresses its condolences for these deceased members (to July 9):


GREATER KANSAS CITY Norman Smith, Kansas City (UMKC 81) died June 1, 2020.


GREATER ST LOUIS Kwai Lum Young, Ballwin (UMKC 54) died July 1, 2020.


ADA Trustee Report T


by DR. ROY THOMPSON, ADA SIXTH DISTRICT TRUSTEE


he last four months have pushed each and every one of us to new levels of adaptability


and resilience. Just like in our practices, the ADA has been moved in new directions. In March most of our energies at the ADA shifted to COVID-19 response and essential business functions. All ADA employees were moved to work-at-home status, and both volunteer and employee travel was curtailed for the safety of all involved. There has been no Trustee travel since mid-March. The Morning Huddle content was immediately refo- cused on all aspects of COVID-19. The ADA Return to Practice Taskforce created by Dr. Gehani has produced amazingly useful content with the help of our great scientific team in Chicago. Most of you know that the COVID content on ADA.org/Virus was available to all dentists. Pres- ently, we are moving content to password-protected, members-only availability.


The data coming into the ADA Health Policy Institute show that most areas of dentistry are rebounding quite well. The advocacy of our DC office in the Paycheck Protection Program legislation and moving dentistry higher on the list of essential healthcare workers has helped and will continue to help dentists in the procurement of personal protection equipment. The educational system has been impacted significantly and final testing of students and their licen- sure has been a challenge. This will be an opportunity for different states to move away from live patient testing and utilize the Dental Licensure OSCE exam which will be the examination of the future.


Regarding the campaign for President-Elect, the three candidates have made the decision to not travel to any district caucuses this year (nearly all caucuses had gone to a virtual platform already). We will carry out our campaigning electronically. In the months leading up to the election in October, we have encouraged each ADA district to invite us to a Zoom type format meeting where we can share our thoughts on leadership and answer questions posed by del- egates and alternate delegates. At the virtual annual session, we will give our speeches to the House of Delegates virtually—yet in real time—and again, will visit with each district caucus to answer questions. The ADA is committed to a secure form of voting both to ensure the integrity of the election and the completion of our business.


My view is that the pandemic environment will present an opportunity to prove to naysay- ers that we can tend to some aspects of business of the Association electronically. I see more committee meetings moving to a digital platform. Make no mistake, in-person meetings will not disappear but will be reduced for efficiency sake and for cost savings. The ADA and many constituents will be challenged financially in the future, yet I have full confidence we will recover fully, and the ADA will continue to be the ‘go to’ resource in dentistry. My goal is that the ADA will always be the organization that dentists first consult when they need career and professional advice. My commitment as President is to have the ADA bring the greatest value to members so that one never questions their dues.


My best wishes for the safety and health of all my friends in Missouri. Until we meet again …


Contact Dr. Thompson at thompsonr@ada.org.


ISSUE 4 | JUL/AUG 2020 | focus 11


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