Our District's Trusteegram by Jane Binns

Take a few moments and read this TrusteeGram written by our trustee, Jane Binns.

You can see a few pictures from the ADA conference in Hawaii last October.

You can learn more details about the upcoming Alliance conference in Arizona.

Plus, much, much more. Take a second. You'll be glad you did!

Are you planning on attending the Alliance luncheon during convention?

When: Friday, February 19th

Time: 11:45-1:45

Where: Marriott Downtown

Cost: $25

Guest Speaker: Richard Paul Evans

Alliance Members will prepare blankets and oral hygiene kits for Christmas Box house locations around the state.

Here's more info.

Our luncheon is centered around the CHRISTMAS BOX HOUSE which was started by our Alliance luncheon speaker, Richard Paul Evans. Infants, children and teenagers are housed at the home in temporary custody, after being removed from difficult situations. Donated items or money to purchase the following can be brought to the Alliance table at the Salt Palace or the luncheon:

Dove bodywash or skin sensitive soap

New socks, underwear, bras, etc.

Suave children’s shampoo & conditioner

Eucerin cream/lotion

Girls brushes, hair products

Baby items-bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, pull ups

New clothing any size

SPECIAL WISHES

Passes for a activities (Lagoon, Gateway, Discovery, theaters, etc.)

Gift certificates to Wendys, McDonalds, ice cream, etc.

Gift cards to WalMart, Target for items in need

Batteries any size (AA in demand)

Craft kitsContact Becky Richards at uptownendo@hotmail.com for more info.

Registration form can be found here

Do you have new or gently used purses taking up space in your closet? Donate them to a great cause. Bring your new or gently used purse to the Alliance information table and we'll donate them to Jr. League's "Women helping Women" program. We even have a small gift to say THANK YOU!

Deadline for Grant is today.....don't delay.

Do you want to learn more about the Alliance? Are you interested in Legislative issues, Dental Health Education, the Well-Being of the Dental Family, and/or networking and meeting other Alliance members? If so, then Conference 2010 in Tempe’, Arizona is where you’ll want to be.

If you have never attended a Conference before, then you can apply for a First Time Attendee Grant. If you are a Student Spouse who has attended a previous conference, then you can apply for a Student Spouse Scholarship. Both awards provide reimbursement up to $600 for travel and lodging expenses, plus complimentary registration and tickets to various events. Also if you know of an Outstanding member please fill out the Beulah K Spencer New Member Service Award Application for recognizing members who make outstanding contributions to their Alliance.

Application forms and guidelines are available on the Alliance website: http://www.allianceada.org/events_leadershipconference.php and must be postmarked or received via fax or e-mail by January 15, 2010

Alliance of the ADA, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 730, Chicago, IL 60611 Fax: (312) 440-2587 Trish@AllianceADA.org

Apply Today

It is an Event You

DO NOT WANT TO MISS

Helping the Dental Practice Thrive in Today’s Economy

Many practitioners have noticed changes in their practice scheduling and procedures performed. In order to keep the business viable, there are several tips that can help. 

1.     Strengthen your skills and knowledge.  Get back to reading the industry publications, attending CE, and improving and expanding your skill set.

2.     Get back into a routine.  New patients go where they can get an appointment.  You might need to decrease days off and vacations in order to improve access to your services.  Re-evaluate your schedule to insure that you are allowing access to many demographics of patients.

3.     Decide how to handle questions about your office and the economic effects it is dealing with.  You don’t want to talk about a poor economy throughout the appointment and then show the patient a treatment plan for thousands of dollars.  Be proactive in your actions and dialogue in demonstrating that now is the time to make yourself better, to differentiate yourself.

4.     Start rebuilding your patient network.  Internal referrals remain the most consistent and long-term way to build a solid practice.  It also remains a sound economic investment.  As you see your patients in the community, visit with them, introduce yourself to their friends, and invite them to come to your office.

5.     Don’t make the same mistakes twice.  The state of the economy might not have been your fault, but your actions have contributed to the level of stress and slowdown that you might be experiencing.  Assess your behavior with regards to communication, treatment plan acceptance, staff competence, and staff goals; make changes to positively

This was adapted from The Wall Street Journal, Making an Easy Re-entry Into the work Force by Diana Middleton.

Dental Health Message

We would like to thank all those that were instrumental in organizing and arranging the humanitarian project that the Alliance participated in at the Dental Alliance luncheon held during  the Utah Dental Convention.  

We have had the opportunity to partner with the American Medical Association Alliance and fight the use of smoking in PG rated movies. Below is the article giving some details of the campaign.

“The problem of tobacco in Hollywood has an answer: demand future youth-rated films be tobacco-free and break the ties between the entertainment and tobacco industries. The American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance has always been a strong, passionate advocate for the health of America's children and feels it is imperative to join national health groups and advocate for youth-rated films to be free of tobacco and its associated images.”

“To raise awareness about the harm on-screen tobacco use causes and garner support for the Smoke Free Movies campaign, the New York State Department of Health and the University of California at San Francisco developed the national action program: Screen Out!”

Goals of Screen Out!

In October 2006, the Medical Alliance joined the Smoke Free Movies movement giving a powerful, national voice to the Screen Out Campaign. Through letter writing, petition and endorsement campaigns, the members of the AMA Alliance are creating national public awareness and building a strong base of support for the four solutions set forth by the campaign.

If you are interested in this issue and concerned, please visit the web site: screenout.org. You can see what the four solutions are for this campaign and see how you can show your support. The Alliance of the American Dental Association is a partner in the Screen Out program.

We are looking for a project for the next UDA convention held in February. If you have knowledge of one, please let us know. Becky Richards uptownendo@hotmail.com.

Annual ADA Convention. Are you going?

An Abbreviated Annual Convention Schedule Honolulu, HI

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel

Thursday, October 1 AADA Council Meetings (3:30 – 5:30 pm)

Saturday, October 3 AADA Caucus Meetings (8:30 – 10:30 am)
AADA Neff Luncheon (11:00 am - 12:30 pm)
AADA Reference Committee Hearing (1:00-2:30 pm)

Sunday, October 4 ADA/AADA Brunch
Register through the ADA(9:30 – 11:30 am)
AADA House of Delegates (1 – 4:00 pm)
Reception for President-Elect Carol Reitz AADA President’s Reception (TBD)

Monday, October 5 AADA ADPAC/Member Project
Awards Breakfast (8:00 - 10:30 am)

**If you're lucky enough to attend, we'd love to see pictures and post them on this blog. Email them to thecondieclan@gmail.com**

AADA Conference 2009- Find the Shoe that Fits

The AADA Leadership Conference, which is now titled AADA Conference, was held in Baltimore the last weekend in March (26-28). Perhaps  “Leadership” was dropped from the title to encourage participation from any member of the Alliance who wants to attend and become fully  involved whether holding a leadership position or not. The theme of 
 the Conference was “Find the Shoe that Fits,” encouraging us to  volunteer in our particular area of interest to further promote AADA. An optional tour to Washington DC was offered on Wednesday and a busload of participants took advantage of a great historical opportunity and beautiful spring weather. Thursday included an optional tour of the historic city of Baltimore. Even though the day was drizzly, we enjoyed many sites including the Inner Harbor, Shakespeare Street, and Fort McHenry, home of the “Star Spangled Banner”. A welcome event kicked off the Conference Thursday evening, which then continued jam-packed with a legislative breakfast, membership luncheons, and dental health meetings until late Saturday night concluding with the Gala. The Well Being session speaker was Sheryl Roush whose “Sparkle-Tude” presentation displayed how our attitudes really do make a difference in our lives and showed us that laughter is imperative to our well being. Two recipients from Utah,  Sue Ryser and Marisa Wall, were honored as Beulah K. Spencer winners at the Spencer luncheon on Saturday. Baltimore is home to the National Museum of Dentistry housing George Washington’s choppers (they’re not made of wood after all!) along with several interactive exhibits. The two ladies from Georgia, Shari Carter and Mary Percy, who were the Conference co-chairs for gifts and favors, did an outstanding job. Each event, luncheon, and dinner was beautifully  decorated and each attendee came home with a bag full of wonderful gifts and memories. The "Georgia girls" will also be the Conference co-chairs for 2010, and they promised to outdo this one – put AADA Conference 2010 (late April) in your plans.