{ outreach in action } by Paul Roberts, Foundation & Outreach Director


Fueled by Relationships I


think it’s common in our ev- eryday lives to take fuel for granted. That is until it runs out. And then, it’s a big pain in the rear end. Case in point. I harken back some 40 years to a day from my courtship of the now Mrs. Leah Roberts.


I lived in Dallas, Texas. She lived in Knoxville, Tenn. As love would have it, I would drive 850 miles each way on a three-day weekend to see her blue eyes. Yes, I was younger and more foolish. Yes, I could not afford to fly. Yes, I drove a new, cool 1985 Honda Accord with a reversible tape deck loaded with Whitney Houston and Rick Astley tunes. I could feel the wind in my hair as Whitney sung “I wanna dance with somebody … with some- body who loves me”.


But the main reason I was willing to sacrifice the time and effort was because I was invested in a relationship and no amount of cards or phone calls would sub- stitute for face-to-face, lip-to-lip interaction. TMI? C’mon, you’ve been in love before!


When we fill the tank and commit to relationship building and bearing with one another, our membership will soar again, and we’ll feel the wind in our hair as we sing to our favorite tunes.


On one such weekend, I was on my return trip to Texas. All adrenaline was gone, and I was limping into the Arkansas horizon, willing my fuel tank to make it to 500 miles before refueling. Instead, I ended up on the side of I-40 while semis whistled by in the dark. Finally, an angel disguised as good ‘ole boy in a pickup pulled over, got out a rubber tube and siphoned enough gas to get me to the next exit some 20 miles down the road.


Fast forward to today and my wife of 37 years is still my muse, but I have grown a little


28 focus | FALL 2025 | ISSUE 3


wiser and a little richer. So, let’s apply some lessons from that adventure to what’s going on in organized dentistry currently.


Association membership is in decline. Gen- erational differences, AI and technology, fast- paced lives and a more diverse landscape of practice modalities all impact the function of an association. However, like every successful and important human endeavor, relation- ships remain our fuel. I can see it firsthand when I travel and when I observe members in action. Relationships in your local compo- nent. Relationships with our dental schools. Relationships with legislators and regulatory


boards. Relationships around the boardroom. Relationships with vendors. You can trace any prog- ress, any achievement, any enjoy- ment, any legacy to a foundation of relationships.


We can’t overlook this principle when the inbox is overflowing, when the kids’ schedule is bon- kers, when free time is scarce or even when we disagree on issues. If we run out of fuel, we end up alone in the dark praying for a miracle. And don’t be fooled; smart phones and Zoom and all the other modern conveniences can lure us into an overinflated sense of efficiency when what is really missing is eye contact, respect for each other, and time to listen and reflect while build- ing trust through relationships. When you harness that, the adrenaline flows, and you can establish long lasting and adap- tive success.


Let’s pause and reflect. Is den- tistry still your muse? Are you willing to make some sacrifices for a career you’re invested in?


Are you in love with the profession and want to see it flourish in the future? Are you taking the relationship fuel for granted?


When we fill the tank and commit to relationship building and bearing with one another, our membership will soar again, and we’ll feel the wind in our hair as we sing to our favorite tunes.


Contact Paul at paul@modentalmail. org and subscribe to the weekly MDA Blog he authors at modental.org/blog.


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