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Again, and Again, and Again I


really enjoy being a father. I enjoy playing Chutes and Ladders and Memory, answering questions about how things work, and watching them attempt to try new things. My kids make me laugh (and each other) and generally add some additional excitement to life.


Please understand—my kids are not perfect. Far from it—they have too much of their mother in them to be perfect! (Members who know me and my wife, know that she truly is a good sport and can take a good joke. However, we should probably never mention to her that I made that statement, just in case.)


As is the case with most kids, I often find them up to some sort of mischief, fighting with one another or just gener- ally disobeying the rules.


The other night as we were preparing for dinner, I asked both kids to turn off the television, help set the table and sit down to eat. A minute or so later, no progress had been made. I made the request again, this time slightly louder, and followed with “Did you hear me?” A grumbled “yes” could be heard coming from the family room, but a minute later, still no children appeared. Slightly ag- gravated, I turned off the television myself and made my request a third time. The kids moved toward the kitchen and provided the requested assistance in setting the table, but not without a question.


“Dad, why do you repeat yourself so much?”


I’m sure child rearing experts would point to 40 different things I did wrong in that scenario, and I certainly don’t offer it up as an example of proper parenting. Rather this example of an all-too-familiar scenario caused me to ask, “Why do I repeat myself so much?”


Studies have shown that people believe 16 focus | NOV/DEC 2011


something the more times they hear it. Sim- ply hearing the same statement again makes it more believable.


Advertisers have known this for years. Brand names and images are flashed before us countless times throughout our lives to build loyalty to the brand and their prod- ucts or services.


Repetition is important to our daily lives as well. It is a vital part to education and training.


School children repeat letters and let- ter sounds until they are able to turn that knowledge into words and sentences. Professional athletes have perfected their swings, throws, leaps and catches through repetitive practice. (Can you imagine how many times David Freese or Albert Pujols have practiced swinging that bat in order to make those amazing World Series hits?)


I’m sure you don’t tell your patients one time to practice good daily oral health care


and then just assume they understood. Regular reminders are a part of our daily lives, and are necessary to learn, grow and improve.


In the same way, we must be repetitive in our communications to our legisla- tors.


With so many different groups vying for their attention, we must provide regular and repetitive messages to gain their attention.


MDA members recently received three postcards to forward to their legisla- tors with thoughts about the Missouri Dental Board’s dental therapist proposal. Members received them by mail, within the Focus and by email.


While we know many members promptly forwarded those cards to Jefferson City, we are NOT done.


Members must continue to contact legisla- tors and continue to notify them of your thoughts and concerns.


MDA members will receive another group of postcards around the end of the year. These cards will target your local represen- tative and senator. It is important that you forward these to your legislators, even if you’ve sent postcards before; the repetition is important.


Once you’ve mailed both sets of postcards, we are NOT done.


Throughout the legislative session members will receive email alerts asking them to contact legislators before an upcoming vote or committee hearing. It is important that you contact your legislators, even if you’ve contacted them before; the repetition is important.


Once you’ve called your legislators, we are NOT done.


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