ADA Member App Launching During SmileCon
Re-imagined mobile app features member-to-member chat, digital wallet for documents—two Missouri members assisted with app, podcast creation
T
he re-imagined ADA Member App will debut during this year’s SmileCon in Houston. It is designed to meet the needs of dentists at every stage of their career, with a particular emphasis on early career dentists just entering the profession.
“As technology continues to advance the profession, the ADA needs to be able to learn and adapt and evolve with it,” said Dr. Raymond Cohlmia, ADA executive director. “This app is an important part of helping the ADA reach its member dentists so we can be there for them when they need us. I can’t wait for every dentist to download the app and see what we have to offer them.”
When designing the app, ADA team members worked directly with dentists from different practice models, including dental students.
“This app is really a collaboration from the ADA and its members,” said Dr. Kirthi Tata, a new dentist working in a private dental prac- tice in St. Louis, Mo. “From our first meeting it was apparent the committee wanted to hear what we had to say. The ADA really focused on the various resources dentists look for in all the various aspects of their career and, more importantly, how all those resources can be accessible in one place.”
“The sky was the limit with this group— there were great ideas flying in all directions,” agreed Colton Cannon, a fourth-year dental student at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and immediate past president of the American Student Dental Association. “It was really crucial to me and all the dentists working on this that the app be done right and making sure it had all the great ADA resources and tools and combining them with the usability and accessibility that new generations of dentists are used to. Working to do that is what I’m most proud of.”
After they download the app, members can personalize their own content experiences by selecting the ADA topics and resources
dentistry the ADA is embracing the evolution and trying to adapt to the needs of the dental community.”
The app also features a career pathways sec- tion to help new graduates to explore content that illuminates the different practice types and other career paths available after gradu- ation. Additionally, a digital wallet feature al- lows users to securely store on their phone a variety of vital documents, such as CE credits or attestation for credentialing and licensure renewal.
“I think this app will help streamline the wide range of resources and other forums that are available to students and early career den- tists,” Dr. Tata said. “One of the issues I run into is shuffling through different apps, trying to find a tip I read or a resource someone posted, and I think this app will help with that. Dentistry is dynamic and having all the features we think are important in one place will be helpful. I mean, who doesn’t appreci- ate efficiency?”
Several early career dentists and dental students helped the ADA create both the app and the new “Dental Sound Bites” podcast. From left are dental student Colton Cannon, and Drs. Kirthi Tata and Graham Naasz. Dr. Tata practices in St. Louis and Dr. Naasz in Kansas City. Both are UMKC School of Dentistry grads.
they are most interested in and want to keep handy. There is also a new member-to- member chat feature that provides the ability to create and engage in large or private group chats. Here, members can easily connect with others for support on practice, clinical and life management topics.
“This app will hopefully place useful informa- tion and guidance at dentists’ fingertips for easier access, and in a more time-sensitive manner,” said Dr. Graham Naasz, a new dentist at a private dental practice in Kansas City, Mo. “I hope the dental community takes away from the creation of this app that with the dynamic and ever-changing field of
Once launched, the ADA will constantly be adding new features to the app to meet the broad range of interests for all ADA members.
“We’re so excited for dentists to use this app,” Dr. Cohlmia said. “This is only the begin- ning and the best is yet to come!” Visit ADA. org/App for more information.
Also debuting at SmileCon is the ADA’s flag- ship podcast, Dental Sound Bites. Episodes and bonus discussions will also be available on the app. The same Missouri members, Drs. Tata and Naasz, also gave input into the podcast. Read more at
bit.ly/3UfJKvi.
Copyright © 2022 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
ISSUE 5 | SEP/OCT 2022 | focus 21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
