{ from the editor } by Douglas Wyckoff , DDS • Editor


MDA Summer 2025 Cliff sNotes


S


ummertime, summertime, good ol’ summertime. The hustle-bustle of summer has begun. Vacation planning, chasing kids around for activities and all that goes with this upcom- ing three months of recharging has kicked in full force. During the spring, in anticipation, it seems like Memorial Day to Labor Day is a long time; then it’s here and in a blink of our eyes, it’s gone.


Summer for the MDA is no diff erent. The legislative session has just ended, plan- ning for Connect4Success is in full force, the House of Delegates will be meeting, Expanded Function Courses continue and these are just a few of the things upcom- ing. It’s so easy for all of us to get so busy we forget to take time to relax and digest every- thing that is going on around us.


I have been spending a lot of time thinking of how organized dentistry has molded my career as a general dentist. I am very appre- ciative of everything it has given me. I don’t know how non-members are able to feel the security I do in my practice. The security of knowing that the ADA, MDA and my local society have my back and are all continually working to make my practice life better. We are in a very interesting and stressful time in the organized dentistry world right now. There are far more questions than answers, and getting the answers to solve issues is becoming more pressing. I am becoming part of the membership that is more “seasoned”. Membership in the tripartite really has never been a question of whether or not I remain. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way nowadays. Our membership numbers continue to decline. No one has been able to come up with the silver bullet or perfect recipe to reverse this trend.


6 focus | SUMMER 2025 | ISSUE 2


On the ADA level, we recently have been told they are having some budgetary issues that are pretty signifi cant. I have no doubt ADA leadership, including the Board of Trustees, is working hard to fi x the issues; however, many question how it happened in the fi rst place. We must remain diligent and hope they continue to be transparent in how they work to rectify the problem.


The ADA also announced recently that SmileCon, its annual CE meeting, will end after this year’s event is held in October in Washington, D.C. Attendance at that meet- ing hit all-time lows last year. After serving on the Committee on Annual Meetings (CAM) which helped organize that meeting, I have to say I am very disappointed this is happening. After dissolving the CAM, the organization and running of the meeting has become almost 100 percent staff driven, and I am sure this has some bearing on its retirement. I have heard there are plans for regional meetings to replace it, so time will tell. As most of you know, the ADA House of Delegates meets at that same time. I am sure the HOD will continue, but it should make you wonder what the plans are for it and where it will meet. With the Strategic Forecasting Plan that has been established, the doors of change may be open to newer ways to running the association.


Here in Missouri, our MDA House of Delegates will be in session soon. Our own House of Delegates will be a hot topic. Being discussed are the date/time of the meeting and the possibility of a taskforce being cre- ated and charged with increasing participa- tory governance and exploring alternatives to the MDA House of Delegates. With our Board of Trustees working under the Policy


Governance model, and also having the House of Delegates, there has been a lot of discussion on the necessity of the House. I am neither for or against transitioning away from the House, but whatever happens must have a well thought out and planned result. Making it more eff ective and responsive is a must. I can remember the day when there would be many resolutions to discuss. In re- cent years, that has not been true. Very little business has happened, which has caused many to question its value. I do look forward to the debate that will occur about this and seeing how the leaders of our state will direct these resolutions. I would encourage every member of the MDA to keep on top of what happens at that meeting.


I hope you all have a safe and blessed sum- mer and that it is one for the history books for you and your family.


Contact Dr. Wyckoff at editor@modental.org.


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