{ membership matters } by Paul Roberts

All in the family N

o matter your age, you proba- bly can recall gathering around the television to watch your favorite childhood sitcom.

Inevitably, these sitcoms portrayed families who reflected the signs of the times in the culture. It might have been the wholesome Griffith or Cleaver families of the ’60s with their moral lessons and safe households. The ’70s gave way to the tumultuous Bunker family and Archie’s political incor- rectness. There were also the struggles of a single mother witnessed on One Day at a Time. Families were cool and vibrant again in the ’80s thanks to the Cosbys. Then the tell-it-like-it-is culture of the ’90s was evident in the barbs found on Everybody Loves Raymond. And now we all have Phil Dunphy and his offspring to enjoy as they show us what a Modern Family looks like.

Why do you suppose these family sitcoms have such staying power in the ratings? I think it’s because we see ourselves in the humor, the travails and the triumphs that can only be found from trying to live to- gether under one roof with people you love but did not choose! There’s no denying the unique bonding dynamic of a family.

Is the MDA a family? Or is it merely a large association of professionals? My ideology prefers to say it is both. There’s no denying the mechanizations and benefits of being a member in a large organization. There’s leverage in legislative advocacy. There are discounts due to volume. There’s excellence due to a deep talent pool. It is wise to be a member.

But it is also healthy to be a member. There’s so much to be said for engaging with your peers on a variety of issues and levels. Iron sharpens iron. Friendships are forged through service. Memories are cre- ated from shared experiences that happen

26 focus | MAR/APR 2013 | ISSUE 2 MOMOM

The MDA family needs all hands on deck to ensure the success of the event. Please register at www.momom.org. The website has good information, but if you have addi- tional questions, I will try to answer those. Email paul@modental.org or give me a call.

HEALTHY KIDS DAY

We need dental volunteers to staff these partnerships with local YMCAs to promote oral health. This year’s theme is “2min2x”, which is being borrowed from the Ad Council and the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives campaign. Currently there are 13 locations and most events are on April 27. Again, contact me if you would like more information. f

PAUL ROBERTS is the MDA Advocacy & Outreach Director. Email paul@modental.org for questions or sug- gestions regarding your memberhsip or MDA programs.

at component meetings, at the Capitol, at Travel and Learn and at other events all year long.

Another childhood memory is the advertis- ing slogan that “Four out of five dentists agree ….” It speaks to unity. But it also speaks to diversity. The stat reveals that 80 percent of dentists can agree on something. My experience from traveling the state indicates that percentage might be a little high. I actually enjoy being at different events and seeing how diversely dentists can view things. It keeps things interest- ing. It makes us better. Our success comes when, like a good family, we accept one another and find a way to work things out.

While we’re on the theme of family, here are two family matters to remember before you excuse yourself from the dinner table.

This year the MDA will again coordinate with select Missouri Ys to be a part of their Healthy Kids Day events that take place throughout the state this spring. The MDA will provide an “out of the box” interactive and informative display that focuses on good oral health and engages kids and parents. Healthy Kids Day is an event designed to teach children in the community about healthy living.

This effort is funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and is planned by the MDA in partnership with local Ys using local dental volunteers. In 2012, this trial pro- gram was conducted at eight select Ys across the state; this year, the MDA will target 13 locations.

The new Ad Council ‘2min2x’ campaign will be this year’s theme, and encourages kids to brush two minutes, twice a day. The campaign recognizes that kids can focus on a variety of other activities throughout the day (TV, video games) for longer than 2 minutes and emphasizes the great benefit of spending a short amount of time each day oral care.

At each event, children will be able to brush teeth on a puppet while visiting with volunteers about oral hygiene habits. Their goody bags will include information for parents and oral care supplies for kids—including disclosing tablets, flossers, brush (with 2min2x logo), paste, and a two-minute sand timer that includes the MDA name and website, but also directs them to 2min2x.org. Much of the budget is allocated to radio spots that are placed in each area of the state where the events will be held. These ads continue to support the MDA’s Your Mouth Is Talking campaign, help promote the event itself, encourage turnout and provide an oral health message to all listeners.

If you would like to help with an upcoming event or would simply like to visit your local Y to support its Healthy Kids Day, below are the events where MDA will host an oral health booth. For questions or to inquire about volunteering, contact Paul Roberts at the MDA (paul@modental.org).

March 30: Lebanon Family Y, Lebanon (9a-12p) April 12: Callaway County Y, Fulton (9a-2p) April 27: Roy Blunt Y of Bolivar, Bolivar (10a-1p) April 27: Salt Fork Y, Marshall (9am to 11 am) April 27: Cameron Regional Y, Cameron (1p-3p) April 27: Adair County Family Y, Kirksville (10a-1p) April 27: Boonslick Heartland Y, Boonville (9a-12p) April 27: Carondelt Park Rec Complex, STL (10a-2p) April 27: Fassnight Park, Springfield (9:30a-12p) April 27: Twin Pike Family Y, Louisiana (10a-12p) April 27: Linwood Family Y, KC (10a-1p) September 7: Y of SE Missouri, Sikeston (Time TBA) Mexico Area Family Y, Mexico (Date/Time TBA)