{ association insights } by Vicki Wilbers • Executive Director
Being Watchmen R
ecently, I saw a post on Facebook that resonated with me as your executive director who works with so many dentists and issues on any given day. I hope by sharing it, I can make connections to encourage us all in what feels like a time of
great chaos.
The reflection I read was written by Gregory the Great, who was pope of the Catholic Church between 590 and 604 AD. In his youth, the Plague of Justinian swept through the region of Sicily, Italy, where his family lived. It was the most severe outbreak of deadly disease the world had known—killing about a third of the Italian population— and remained the worst such incident until the Black Death in the 14th century. In addition to disease, barbarians sacked Rome in 546 and nine years later the Franks attempted an invasion. In short, it was a period of instability and chaos (sound familiar). Gregory eventually became a monk and in 590 was proclaimed pope by acclamation—not something Gregory wanted, but a burden he accepted, nevertheless.
In his writing (shared in the post I read), Gregory reflected on being a watchman, saying, “A watchman always stands on a height so that he can see from afar what is coming. Anyone appointed to be a watch- man for the people must stand on a height for all his life to help them by his foresight.” He goes on to speak of the burden of being such, saying, “I must weigh the lives and acts of individuals. I am respon- sible for the concerns of our citizens. I must worry about the inva- sions of roving bands of barbarians and beware of the wolves who lie in wait for my flock. I must become an administrator lest the religious go in want. I must put up with certain robbers without losing pa- tience, and at times, I must deal with them in all charity.”
So, what, exactly, does any of this have to do with dentistry?
As watchmen (and women) in the profession, we all feel the weight of the current times. We’re responsible, in different ways, for the concerns of our “citizens”—me, the members; you, your team and patients. We’re worried about the wolves that “lie in wait”. You’ve be- come an “administrator” of so many things that go beyond anything you imagined dentistry would encompass when you graduated dental school. Even I, who’ve always been in an administrative role, find there are new issues constantly springing up that leave me bewildered as to what you’ll have to face next as a dentist and how the MDA can help you through it. And … all the while, trying to keep a charitable mindset (it’s hard, right)! Certainly, burdens we endure because this is the profession we care so much about.
I know many doctors nearing the end of their careers are transitioning their practices more quickly due to what feels like so
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many new practice burdens, often brought about by the pandemic. I know many doctors continue to be frustrated by insurance issues that interfere with their ability to provide care. I know some doctors agree with MDA and ADA on policy positions and legislative efforts, while others do not (e.g., a dental benefit in Medicare). I know these things and more because I hear it in your calls and read it in your emails every day. Because we discuss it at Board meetings and in Legislative and Regulatory strategy sessions. Sometimes I am encouraged by how we can help you; sometimes I am discouraged (and kept up at night) because it feels out of our realm of influence as an association to do anything positive or to satisfy the concerns of each of member.
There is a lot of noise, mess and chaos to wade through, but I as- sure you we strive daily to keep the mission of the MDA—helping all members succeed—at the forefront of our efforts. Our diverse member- ship has diverse opinions on how “success” is defined, but we try to listen to all voices and make the best decisions we can for the whole of the profession. I know you do the same for your practices. I know dentists care a lot. Of all the oral health stakeholders, you are the primary leaders advocating for the profession and patients you love. You are the watchmen.
Circling back to Gregory the Great, it gave me encouragement that day. Reading about him and the issues of the time he lived, I was reminded that throughout history, whether disease, war or other maladies, people will never stop facing adversity. But we can look back and find great leaders like Gregory who persevered and accepted the burden, nevertheless. Despite our weaknesses and imperfections to deal with every issue, we too can strive to be watchmen for the future. f
