May 2023

TheDentalAssistant Journal of the American Dental Assistants Association | MAY 2023 ADAA 101 STAGES OF EVOLUTION ADAA’s Progress in 18 Months PAGE 6 Associations undergo stages ADAA Awards The Dental Assistant 1 ADAA Award Nominations Open Until June PAGE 10

THE VALUE of AN ADAA MEMBERSHIP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • Leadership Service • State and Local Chapter Involvement Join the People Who Make EDUCATION Dental Assisting a Profession • ADAA E-Learning Center • Fellowship and Mastership Program WHO ARE WE? • Anna Nelson Webinar Series • Continuing Education Courses ADAA is the oldest and largest group representing • Scholarship Opportunities professional dental assistants in the United States. Our mission is to advance the careers of dental assistants NETWORKING through education, credentialing, legislative advocacy, • ADAA Member Search and professional activities that improve the delivery of • Awards & Recognition Programs quality dental health care. COMMUNICATION SERVICES We are committed building a community where dental • ADAA Update (Monthly E-Newsletter) assistants are respected and viewed as integral • The Dental Assistant members of the dental team. (Quarterly Digital Publication) • Social Media Channels • 24/7 E-News Articles ADAA will be the first MEMBER SAVINGS & OTHER resource I use to find DISCOUNTS pertinent topics for CEs and to stay connected to • Dental PPO Plan the DA community.” • Vision Savings • Professional Liability Insurance Mollie McClelland • Accidental Death and Student Member, Georgia Dismemberment Insurance • Travel Discounts • RXSavings Plus Card Visit ADAAUSA.ORG to learn about the value of an ADAA membership. 2 The Dental Assistant

MAY 2023 Departments Art Director: Carey Donnelly OSAP standards. The information LEADERSHIP CORNER and opinions expressed or implied in 3 Message from the President Publication Design: Studio D Design articles and advertisements that appear Mary Beth Sojka, CDA-Emeritus, in The Dental Assistant are strictly RDA, President, ADAA The Dental Assistant is published six those of the authors and advertisers. times per year by the American Dental They do not necessarily represent the 4 Message from the Executive Assistants Association, which is opinion, position or official policies Director dedicated to furthering the education of the American Dental Assistants Sheila O’Neal, Executive Director, and professional development of the Association. ADAA working dental assistant. The journal covers such topics as technical and Submissions and Correspondence SPOTLIGHT theoretical aspects of chairside or ADAA considers proposals and 14 Board Spotlight clinical assisting, issues of business submissions to the journal, and we Get to know your ADAA Board. administration, and continuing welcome letters on specific articles. education. Visit adaausa.orgfor writer submission NEWS guidelines and the journal’s editorial 24 News Briefs Authors and advertisers are solely calendar. Get the inside scoop from ADAA, responsible for the accuracy of any state chapters, and partners across and all material provided to The Dental Advertise With Us the nation. Assistant. Authors and advertisers are For advertising in The Dental Assistant, also solely responsible for checking on the ADAA website, and in email that any and all material relevant to newsletters, contact Devin Robinson dental care in a clinical setting meets at [email protected] or phone 410-940-6584. 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 1280 Washington, DC 20045 adaausa.org Board of Directors Directors Staff Mary Beth Sojka, CDA-Emeritus, RDA Sheila Brown, CDA, CDHC, CDIPC Sheila O’Neal PRESIDENT Tonya Casey, CDA, RDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Cindy Cronick, CDA, LDA, BS Lisa Childers Hernandez, Erin Hendricks, RDA Raven Hardin CDA, RDA, MEd Veyann Henry, CDPMA, RDA, FADAA ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESIDENT-ELECT Karen Minca, CDPMA Mark Nartatez, MBA, CDA, CDIPC Dominique Abney Ronda Lane, BS, CDA, RDA, FADAA Sarah Siroka, CDA, RDA, FADAA MARKETING FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Holly Lundgren Betty A. Fox, A.S., CDA, RDA, MADAA EDUCATION SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Patricia Sullivan Sue Camizzi, CDA, BSDH, MSEd JOURNAL MANAGING EDITOR IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Devin Robinson Thank You to ADVERTISING & SALES Our Sponsors: Vasilis Serpanos MEMBERSHIP The Dental Assistant 1

Features 4 Stages of Evolution 6 ADAA 101 27 Time for a Check Up All associations go through We want to hear from you! Checks aren’t the secure stages of evolution. From Take the ADAA member payment method they once conception through young survey and let us know how were. Find out why ADAA adulthood to old age, before we’re doing. is no longer accepting or the cycle begins again. dispersing paper checks. 10 ADAA Awards publicity and great swag. It’s time to honor a colleague or friend by nominating them for an ADAA Award. 2023 nominations are being accepted until June 30, 2023. Learn more. ABOVE Nominate a colleague for the 2023 ADAA awards. 2 The Dental Assistant

Leadership Corner MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members, As we prepare for ADAA’s 100th anniversary, we are looking toward a new Spring is in the air, and it is the season of future ADAA. If you are interested in helping renewal and growth. It is time to clear us achieve a new vision, please don’t hesitate out things that no longer serve you, both to reach out to me. physically and mentally. And it is a time to plant seeds for new growth. Sincerely, ADAA is also in cycle of renewal and Mary Beth Sojka, CDA-Emeritus, RDA growth. With the change in structure and President, ADAA management company staff, the board and executive leadership are looking at every detail, trying to determine what is working for the organization, what processes need to change and how we can implement association best practices as we envision the future of our organization. As part of this rebirth, ADAA implemented a new database for membership management, a new website, new bylaws, new board structure and all new systems with a new management company. While we have had some bumps in the road, executive leadership is working through all these items thoroughly rather than hastily as the devil is in the details. Just as you turn your soil and prepare your garden for new seeds, we are laying the new foundation for our organizational growth. The Dental Assistant 3

Leadership Corner MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Happy Spring! meeting and continuing their important work as you will see in this issue. ADAA’s As the weather warms up, we begin to think current mission is to advance the careers about what the next cycle of the year will look of dental assistants through education, like and anticipate what’s to come. Maybe credentialing, legislative advocacy, and you think about a much-anticipated vacation professional activities that improve the or spending more time with your friends and delivery of quality dental health care. family as the days grow longer and we cycle through the year. Its vision: A community where dental assistants are respected and viewed as Associations also cycle through different integral members of the dental team. stages. In fact, each association cycles through seven different stages of evolution: Do these two statements still resonate Conception, Infancy, Puberty, Young with you as a member? Where do you Adulthood, Adulthood, Late Adulthood, and see ADAA in its evolution? Please take a Old Age, before the cycle starts again. As our moment to complete this member survey 100th anniversary approaches, ADAA has and provide your comments so that as we the opportunity to reconceptualize itself and reconceptualize ADAA we do so with your rebuild its foundation – using what has worked thoughts. well in the past and honoring some of those traditions while reinventing others. Best, Much work is being done in the background to Sheila O’Neal evaluate all of the programs and services while Executive Director, ADAA working to maintain the day-to-day operations as well. Your councils and committees are Conception Infancy Puberty Young Adulthood Late Old Age Adulthood Adulthood ttAsvahoeosgegseluorreaeonctnfhuitoaaepatrrdrieioolavysnfnatcp.adnoertmtaotgpihneleegto ftsEmsTohtthvrioueleeulnrrogiefyndorgwgejcuolerahnobssnadrckirrtezgoaetarnqehsstuiaudaaoinrrsornvee.tihsvee. TmbspctaowirsEgteekkowhnsurruiacpiiootoetttlldknhhllrslwfrsssaweeoeiand.iudcsapnasrgiaiffqegesrnlstrerieieeedrtuandaomserrnngegtnnsbnaaieeisroeazayfdwnaunranslalddiomrtisnl.ttiyumiahdioonalrnlely eeiTopaaiMsssedrhxnfrepmaerpievdtvnaepisaaiorsnaananosmrgeokrgtdgneiwieefnnm,atrsmmhgeginfeneueniebrtagznnovtnneanteciitertctdartsiseeionn.odndoenswrs. eiMcsoTlttlifcsnaeehoeoahnfcatwliarrimevcoenkdtveniosrgsipeor.eeanniopsnermgrgtaagneshsgoelp.emeabecwprSiamnestoielrurcsieimetantzbnkdha,anastteedbatrelditaorortnieni,essonlldinea.mtndinslyeyddtos piTAimbemnhvructaaiepecrdnceerlbaetenapigenmcuatgetelece.psmirdnnaoanetcrleyniientdtiagc.nsodifs amphsoAlTtahuthafrcmeecepseukomvproodiemgnaorbsixigmgeplrpecsntahiari.ltnaincsennehcyiirysmnzeiehopaosneetrevtiwndoznatei.ntsloilaeTonflhnoe.t 4 The Dental Assistant

Experience ADAA’s e-Learning Center ADAA Members have one-click 24/7 access to all ADAA courses listed in the Course Catalog including the Anna Nelson webinar series, both live and as enduring material, at no additional cost, through the e-Learning Center. Log into your ADAA account. On the left side of the Profile screen, in the bottom green box, click “Access ADAA Learning Center.” This will direct you to the new learning center where you will have access to all e-learning content. Access to this material is a member benefit. Non-Members have access to ADAA e-Learning content for an individual course fee and the Anna Nelson webinar series, as enduring material through a 12-month fee-based subscription. Visit adaausa.org/elearning and click on the ‘Non-Member Purchase’ tab to make your selections, initiate a purchase, and make payment. Non-members will have access to their selected courses within 1-2 business days of their paid order submission. Get access to over 150 course titles on a wide variety of topics: Continuing Education Credits Are Available Anna Nelson Hazardous Infection Control Intraoral Webinar Series Materials Functions Sample Course Titles: Sample Course Titles: Sample Course Titles: Sample Course Titles: • The Ergonomics of • How to Keep Your Dentist • Nitrous Oxide and Dental Assisting: • General Chairside Preventing and Assisting: A Review for a Out of Jail Oxygen Sedation: An Managing Work-Related National Chairside Exam Pain • The Role of the Dental Update • Maxillofacial Surgery • Infection Control in the Basics for the Dental Assistant in Endodontics • Mercury in Dentistry: Dental Office: A Review Assistant for a National Infection • Guidelines for Infection The Facts Control Exam • Power Toothbrushes: Everything You Need to Control in Dental Health- • Hazard Communication Know to Make Informed Recommendations for Care Settings Standard and Hazardous Your Patients Waste Regulations in Dentistry Pharmacology Practice Radiology Treatment of Management Diseases and Sample Course Titles: Sample Course Titles: Conditions Sample Courst Titles: • The Importance of • Radiation Biology, Safety Sample Course Titles: Pharmacology in Dental • The Business of and Protection for Care Dentistry: Financial Today’s Dental Team • Osteoradionecrosis: Management for the Oral Health and Dental • Oral Anticoagulants and Dental Office • Dental Radiographic Treatment Dental Procedures Pitfalls and Errors • The Business of • Gingival Health: • Eastern Medicine Meets Dentistry: Patient • Introduction to Basic Periodontal Assessment Dentistry: The Use of Records and Record Concepts in Dental Herbal Supplements in Management Radiography • The Patient with Dentistry Today Special Needs: General Treatment Considerations If you’re having issues accessing the e-Learning Center, please email [email protected] or call 410-940-6350. Experience ADAA's e-Learning Center Today! The Dental Assistant 5

ADAA 101 Membership Database Over the past 18 months, ADAA has been The biggest change that is the backbone to all the making changes and improvements to its other changes and efficiencies is the membership infrastructure. Some of these improvements have been mentioned in other articles in this management database. This is the issue. But, we thought a refresher might be backend database where you login helpful to all members. to the members only section of the website and it integrates with the 6 The Dental Assistant website. The ADAA | ADAA Member Profile (adaausa.org) is where you update your profile information – if you’ve changed jobs, email address, phone number, etc. This page also provides access to all of the many functions within the database – such as the ability to view your CE history, your membership card, proof of insurance card, search for other members and provides chapters valuable information. You can also access the E-learning platform from this page – with a single sign in. ADAA Leadership On the ADAA leadership page, is listed on the website as well. Here you can find a list of the board members, with a link to their emails if you would like to contact any of them. Additionally, you can find a list of the Council and Committee chairs on this page. Please note that login is required. ADAA Councils and Council Chairperson Contact Information The following comprises the council structure and guidelines of the American Dental Assistants Association: • Ad Hoc Committee on Contract and Goals (Committee Chair Sue Camizzi) • Ad Hoc Committee on ADAA/DANB Alliance (Committee Chair Lisa Hernandez) • Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning (Committee Chair Lisa Hernandez) • Annual Session Committee

(Committee Chair Lisa Hernandez) • Awards and Scholarships Committee (Committee Chair MaLea Flynn) • Council on Education (Committee Chair Lisa Hernandez) • Committee on Fellowship and Mastership (Committee Chair Betty Fox) • Council on Finance (Committee Chair Betty Fox) • Council on Governance (Committee Chair Cindy Cronik) • Bylaws Committee (Committee Chair Cathy Roberts) • MOP Committee (Committee Chair MaLea Flynn) • Policies & Procedures Committee (Committee Chair Cathy Roberts) • Legislation Committee (Committee Chair Jan DeBell) • Council on Membership (Council Chair Ronda Lane) • Nominating Committee (Committee Chair MaLea Flynn) • Committee on Student Involvement (Committee Chair Claudia Pohl) Our Councils and Committee have been meeting and working through assigned tasks. If you have missed any of the latest email communications, you can also find a link to these from the website. Your leadership has been working to help modernize the user experience and put information at your fingertips through the website and the database. We will continue to refine the website functions as ADAA continues to grow and evolve. If you have any questions about anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to staff at info@adaausa. org. The Dental Assistant 7

LHeeaadltihngReOsreaal rch Institute WDeenlctaolmSeesrvPiacceisfic CEO to Board of Directors As CEO of one of the largest dental support organizations in the country, Stephen E. Thorne, IV brings an important new voice to Forsyth’s Board The Forsyth Institute, a global leader in innovation oral health research and clinical care, ecosystem to impact is pleased to announce that Stephen public health. I am E. Thorne, IV, Founder and Chief Executive grateful that he will Officer of Pacific Dental Services (PDS), has take the time to been appointed to the Board of Directors. share his experience Mr. Thorne founded PDS in 1994, and today, and expertise with it is one of the leading organizations in the us.” country dedicated to providing administrative and business support to dental and medical Forsyth and PDS practices, serving nearly 1,000 practices have collaborated throughout the United States. on several initiatives in the past couple of years. Most notably, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Mr. Thorne served on the CEO panel at the Stephen Thorne to our Board,” said Forsyth’s inaugural Forsyth dentech meeting in 2021, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Wenyuan Shi. Forsyth’s annual technology innovation “He is a true visionary in the oral health conference. field and his perspective will be crucial as we continue building a strong oral health 8 The Dental Assistant

This appointment adds an important new with the largest electronic health records voice and perspective to Forsyth’s Board. system, Epic, across all its dental practices, “It has been a true pleasure getting to know making dental/medical data integration Stephen over the past couple of years,” said possible for the first time. Mr. Thorne was Forsyth’s Board Chair, Elyse Cherry. “Under also instrumental in forming the Association his leadership, PDS has pushed the needle of Dental Support Organizations, which forward in building awareness around the is the largest association of dental support connection between oral health and overall organizations in America and served as the health. He will be an invaluable addition to founding President for the first three years. the Board as Forsyth continues to grow.” PDS is a strong advocate for developing more holistic models of health care. Last August, it announced it had completed an integration The Dental Assistant 9

2023 ADAA Member Awards Nominations are now being accepted for ADAA Member Awards. You have until June 30, 2023, to honor a colleague or friend by nominating them for one of these awards: • ADAA President’s Award of Excellence • ADAA Pride Awards: • Clinical Assistant Category • Business/Administrative Assistant Category • Educator Category • Federal Services Air Force Members Category • Loyal Assistant Award • New Member Involvement Award All nominations must be submitted electronically using the ADAA Awards Nomination Form by 11:59 p.m. (CT) June 30, 2023. 10 The Dental Assistant

Here’s what you need to know: President’s Award of Excellence The ADAA President’s Award of Excellence shall be given to a member who has shown the most outstanding achievements in promoting the objectives of this Association and furthering the profession of dental assisting. Qualifications for this award are: • Shall be a professional, life, life retired or federal services member of The American Dental Assistants Association. The nominee must have maintained a minimum of five consecutive years of membership immediately preceding the nomination. • Shall have excelled above and beyond expectations in the motto of ‘Education, Efficiency, Loyalty and Service’, during years of active membership. • Shall have served this association on the state and national, or Federal Services level. Shall not have been a previous recipient of the award within the last five years. • Shall not be serving as current ADAA President. • Shall not be an employee of ADAA.  Pride Awards The ADAA Awards shall be presented to a member who believes in loyalty to self as well as the profession of dental assisting. The four categories of the ADAA Awards will be: Clinical Assistant, Business/Administrative Assistant, Educator, and Federal Services Air Force Member. Qualifications are: For Clinical Assistant, Business/Administrative Assistant, and Educator Category: • Shall be an active, life or life retired member of the American Dental Assistants Association. • The recipient must have maintained a minimum of three consecutive years of membership immediately preceding this award. • Promote and enhance the profession of dental assisting. • Shall have participated on local, state, or national offices and/or ADAA Council or ADAA Special Committee. • Shall not have been a previous recipient of this award. • Shall not be an employee of ADAA. For Federal Services Air Force Members: The recipient must have maintained a minimum of 12 months continuous membership in the Federal Services District immediately preceding this award. • Promote and enhance the profession of dental assisting. • Shall not have been a previous recipient of this award. • Shall not be an employee of ADAA. The Dental Assistant 11

Loyal Assistant Award The Loyal Assistant Award is presented to a member who has demonstrated loyalty as well as longevity in service to their employer. The application must include a letter from the nominee’s employer attesting to their length of employment and demonstration of loyalty to their employer. Qualifications for this award are: • An active, life or life retired member of the American Dental Assistants Association with a minimum of 10 years if consecutive employment with one employer. • Consecutive employment shall refer to a member actually employed a minimum of 20 hours per week. • The recipient must have maintained a minimum of five consecutive years of membership immediately preceding this award. • The recipient shall not have been a precious recipient of this award. • The recipient does not have to be present at Annual Session to receive the award. • Shall not be an employee of ADAA. New Member Involvement Award The New Member Involvement Award shall be presented to a member who has shown the most outstanding achievement in promoting the objectives of this Association and furthering the profession of dental assisting. Qualifications for this award are: • Shall be an active or federal services member of the American Dental Assistants Association. • The nominee must have no more than five consecutive years of membership with the American Dental Assistants Association. • Shall not have been a previous new member. • Shall have excelled in our motto of ‘Education, Efficiency, Loyalty and Service’, during years of active membership. • Shall have participated on local, state, and/or national offices, Federal Services level and/or ADAA Council or ADAA Special Committee. • Shall have excelled in services above and beyond expected duties. • Shall not have been a previous recipient of this award. • Shall not be an employee of ADAA. 12 The Dental Assistant

Time for a Check Up Why ADAA is no longer accepting or dispersing checks: They are no longer a secure form of payment. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of fee for each check that they deposit. Sometimes Philadelphia, paper checks will be obsolete a check is very difficult to read, or the check is by 2026. For several reasons, paper checks made out to the wrong party/name or someone are not as secure as they once were. Although forgot to sign the check. they were a secure form of payment, criminals are 2. Checks are slow to process and can affect finding ways to create fake checks, alter checks your cash flow significantly. It can take up to with household chemicals (check washing), or seven days for a check to be processed and must stealing a victim’s identity by mail theft. Criminals be verified and handled by multiple entities. have been increasingly targeting mailboxes to With other types of fund transfers, the process commit check fraud. In fact, the USPS now can be nearly instantaneous, allowing you to use recommends that you take any mail that includes a that money almost immediately. check directly to the post office and not leave it in 3. Checks aren’t always deposited in a timely your mailbox or drop off at one of the blue postal manner. ADAA has had issues with this for collection boxes. quite some time when sending out rebate In an effort to keep our association safe from this checks. Sometimes the state treasurer has type of criminal activity, the ADAA has had to re- changed, or their address has changed, and evaluate how we receive and disperse funds (such those rebate checks just never made it into their as rebate checks to states). Reports of check fraud state account. Another issue might have been filed by banks nearly doubled to 680,000, from a lost check. With ADAA implementation of 350,000 in 2021, according to an article published ACH (automated clearing house) transfers, the in the New York Times on January 5, 2022. It’s a money goes directly to the state account and big problem and it’s getting worse. There is a reason not dependent on an individual to make time to why government issued funds are done by direct deposit a check or get it to the right person who deposit; it’s safer, more secure, more efficient and manages the state bank account. less expensive than paper check payments and ADAA is striving to keep our funds safe and collections. utilizing more efficient means to move funds from In addition to criminal activity increasing, here are one place to the next as technology has given us some other reasons why checks are not the best more secure options. With the unbelievable rise in option for secure payment transfer: check fraud, it is time to stop using paper checks 1. Checks are expensive. Most banks charge a and protect our funds wisely. G T NEWS? SUPPORT THE PROFESSIONAL DENTAL ASSISTANTS EDUCATION Send your news tips and press releases to FOUNDATION [email protected] DONATE TO PDAEF The Dental Assistant 13

Board Spotlight BOARD SPOTLIGHT Get to Know Your ADAA Board Cindy Cronick CDA, LDA, BS with others in my profession on the local, state ADAA Director and national level is invaluable to a practice. Being a member says something about me and my Q How long have you been an ADAA member? commitment to dental assisting. Q Does your employer or employing organization I have been a member for 50 years, since 1973. require ADAA membership or pay for ADAA Q How has your membership benefited you membership? personally or professionally (or both)? I have had one employer who paid for half of my My membership has helped me grow personally ADAA membership if I attended at least half of and professionally. Personally, I have made the local association meetings. lifelong friends and met people I would not have Q If yes, how does this requirement benefit the known otherwise. Professionally I have gained practice or organization? knowledge and been involved in my profession on a local, state and national level. This employer recognized the value to his Q What is the value of an ADAA membership? practice for dental assistant employees to obtain continuing education and network with other ADAA is important to me because dental dental assistants. assisting has been my lifelong career and ADAA Q What information do you think would encourage represents my profession. I want to “belong” dentists to support ADAA membership for dental to my profession, and I want to give back to my assistants? profession. ADAA allows me to do both. Q What value do you believe an ADAA ADAA is a great resource for dental assistants, membership brings to patients? providing continuing education, liability insurance, networking opportunities and many Dental health is an important part of overall other benefits. health and wellbeing. Dental Assistants help Q What differences have you noticed between patients by making appointments shorter, dental assistants who are members of ADAA and safer and more pleasant, by answering patient non-member dental assistants? questions and by creating a rapport with patients. Q What do you believe the value of an ADAA I have noticed that dental assistants who are membership is to an employer dentist and/or other ADAA members are more involved in dental dental office staff? assisting as a profession, are more aware of what is happening beyond their place of employment I am proud to be a member and I hope that and are more interested in keeping current always comes through. The ability to network through continuing education.  Q What are your goals while serving on the ADAA Board? As an officer my goal is to represent members. I feel that I have a voice and am able to help change and guide the Association and the profession. Q What specific personal knowledge, skills or experiences do you believe assists you in serving on ADAA’s Board? 14 The Dental Assistant

Board Spotlight I believe that my many years of experience The unlimited continuing education that is a have assisted me in serving ADAA. I have had benefit of my ADAA membership has allowed experience in both the clinical and educational me to accomplish my Fellowship and Mastership settings. in ADAA. Being a member of my professional Q What specific personal knowledge, skills or organization and the recognition it brings helped experiences do you believe aid ADAA in meeting its me be recognized as a respected member of the mission? dental assisting profession and I was appointed by My years of experience have given me a sense three different governors in Tennessee to serve 12 of the history of the Association, but I am also years on the Tennessee Board of Dentistry as the willing to try changes and explore new ideas. dental assistant representative from 2000-2012. I Q Is there anything that you would like ADAA used the wealth of knowledge I gained from being members to know about you? a member to elevate myself to eventually become It has been a privilege to serve on the ADAA ADAA President during 2020-2021. Board. I would encourage you to get involved. Together we can make a difference! Q What value do you believe an ADAA membership brings to patients? Betty A. Fox, A.S., CDA, RDA, MADAA ADAA Second Vice President ADAA encourages dental assistants to be the best they can be; to continually learn and improve Q How long have you been an ADAA member? their skills as a chairside dental assistant or a I joined ADAA as a student member when I was business assistant. ADAA advocates for education attending dental assisting school in 1977-78. on all levels, from an on-the-job trained assistant Q How has your membership benefited you to an educator with a master’s or doctorate personally or professionally (or both)? degree. My dental assisting instructors encouraged us to continue our membership in ADAA after Q What do you believe the value of an ADAA we graduated so we could benefit from being a membership is to an employer dentist and/or other member of our professional organization and the dental office staff? value that comes with it, such as networking, continuing education, discounts, etc. ADAA membership shows an employer that a Q What is the value of an ADAA membership? dental assistant values the profession they are My membership in ADAA has been a tremendous working in, wants to improve themselves through value to me. I have gained friends from all over the benefits of ADAA and that the assistant plans the U.S. from the networking it provides me. on staying in the profession by becoming involved in their professional organization. Q Does your employer or employing organization require ADAA membership or pay for ADAA membership for dental assistant employees? If yes, how does this benefit the practice or organization? I recently had hand surgery and cannot assist chairside at this time. When I was employed in dentistry, my employer paid my professional dues and encouraged me to stay active in ADAA because he realized its value as my professional organization and all I could learn and benefit from through the organization. I continue to maintain my Life Active membership status, my DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) credentials, and my Tennessee dental assisting registration. The Dental Assistant 15

Board Spotlight Q What information do you think would encourage and continually updating our educational library dentists to support ADAA membership for dental yearly and advocating for a safe, healthy and assistants? protective work environment for all dental assistants in a major undertaking that our Council If they realized the value of membership through on Education is currently working hard on this the continuing education, webinars, study clubs year. Dental assisting educators can assist us and other networking benefits of ADAA. in the classroom by showing the value of their ADAA membership to their students and the Q What differences have you noticed, if any, importance of membership. Many of us are of between dental assistants who are members of the generation that will be retiring in the next ADAA and non-member dental assistants? several years and we need new energetic members who we can mentor into leadership positions. ADAA members appear to be more professional, By getting involved in their local or state level more committed to the profession, more willing now with a vision to move into leadership on to go above and beyond to take care of their the national level in a few years will help carry patients and feel that they have an important role us forward long after our 100th Anniversary in in patient care. 2024. Q Is there anything that you would like ADAA Q What are your goals while serving on the ADAA members to know about you? Board? I have always been proud to be a member of This board this term I was appointed to serve in a ADAA and it was a once-in-a-lifetime honor position that was vacant. I was willing to do so to to serve as ADAA President. My children and bring some wisdom, guidance and past history of friends have asked me why I am still involved ADAA to the newer board members so I can help and still attend dental meetings since I’m not them move the organization forward and reach working in dentistry. It’s truly a love for the out to more dental assistants. profession. My career as a dental assistant took me many places, presented many challenges, gave Q What specific personal knowledge, skills or me many opportunities I never dreamed of as a experiences do you believe assists you in serving on young dental assistant in dental assisting school. ADAA’s Board? It’s only fitting that I continue to give back to an organization that I truly believe in. Luckily, Having served in leadership within ADAA for I’ve had a wonderful husband who allowed me several years and in most positions at the local, to spend his money all these years traveling to state and national levels gives me the unique state and national dental meetings to recruit and advantage of having the history of ADAA that support dental assistants across the U.S. and him the newer members are not aware of. I think you never complain. have to know where you came from to get a vision of where you need to be going. More specifically, Erin Hendricks what direction do we need to go in and why. We ADAA Director must remain open and willing to change for the greater good of the association, even if it is not Q How long have you been an ADAA member? your personal agenda for the association. I try to look at the whole picture and base the decisions I’ve been an ADAA member since 2016. I make on what’s in the best interest of most members of our organization, even if it means disagreeing with a close friend. I am also willing to listen to another member’s opinion and see their viewpoint to find out that I was wrong and they were right. Q What specific personal knowledge, skills or experiences do you believe will aid ADAA in meeting its mission? All ADAA members should continue to reach out to non-member dental assistants and develop one-on-one relationships and interact with them and encourage them to join ADAA. Increasing 16 The Dental Assistant

Board Spotlight Q How has your membership benefited you personally or professionally (or both)? My ADAA membership has benefitted me both personally and professionally by providing access to professional development, networking, resources, professional recognition and leadership opportunities. Q What is the value of an ADAA membership? Everyone has attached their own “value” to membership. Mine is that I have a professional organization that is geared toward my career choice. I have a place where I can network with like-minded dental professionals and help elevate and support each other. Overall, an ADAA membership can provide valuable professional development, networking, resources, professional recognition and advocacy opportunities to dental assistants. This can lead to improved job performance, greater job satisfaction and potentially higher pay, as well as a stronger, more respected profession. Q What value do you believe an ADAA membership brings to patients? While patients may not directly benefit from ADAA membership, the enhanced skills, knowledge, and professionalism of dental assistants who are members of the association can lead to a better overall dental experience for patients. Q What do you believe the value of an ADAA membership is to an employer dentist and/or other dental office staff? Overall, an ADAA membership can provide valuable professional development, networking, and resources to dental office staff. This can lead to improved job performance, greater job satisfaction, and ultimately, a better patient experience. Q Does your employer or employing organization require ADAA membership or pay for ADAA membership for dental assistant employees? Yes, my office pays for my membership. Q Does your employer or employing organization offer any incentives to an ADAA member? What are they? No, there would have to be a reason for an office to offer incentives for being a member and there really isn’t one, in fact it’s the other way around. The Dental Assistant 17

Board Spotlight Q What information do you think would encourage the USAF as a dental assistant and LOVED it. I dentists to support ADAA membership for dental worked in all specialties of dentistry and settled assistants? on general because it’s an amalgamation (LOL) of all specialties. While I didn’t go on to dental Doctors would be more inclined to support school, I did continue my career once I became a ADAA membership if they knew more about civilian and have not looked back since. I think the organization. If a doctor knew that they that the ADAA is a valuable resource for dental could direct their assistants to an organization assistants seeking to advance their careers and that offers relevant continuing education and stay informed about the latest developments in resources to help train, elevate and retain quality the dental industry. dental assistants, therefore enhancing patient care and increasing productivity then they would Veyann Henry, CDPMA, RDA, FADAA be more inclined to be supportive. ADAA Board Member Q What differences have you noticed, if any, Q How long have you been an ADAA member? between dental assistants who are members of I’ve been an ADAA member for 26 years. ADAA and non-member dental assistants? Q How has your membership benefited you personally or professionally (or both)? Unfortunately, I don’t personally know a lot Personal benefit: I am always learning! of ADAA members locally, but the ones that I Even though I am retired, I still attend do know on a national level are certainly more continuing education classes. Professionally: driven and career-oriented. Knowledge, camaraderie with other dental professionals, practicing selflessness and being Q What are your goals while serving on the ADAA a part of enhancing dental careers through our Board? professional membership and benefits. Q What is the value of an ADAA membership? My goal is to help push this organization into the The value is what you make of it. If a member spotlight on a national level and encourage dental is more involved, career-minded, active and assistants to take charge of their careers and be compelled, the value is limitless. the best dental assistant they can with no limits to Q What value do you believe an ADAA what they can accomplish. membership brings to patients? Patients have asked me over and over about my Q What specific personal knowledge, skills, or career and about the years of commitment. I have experiences do you believe assists you in serving on shared with them my years of membership, how ADAA’s Board? I maintain my continuing education through the ADAA and the many hours of education I am a cross-trained assistant currently working pursuing the ADAA Fellowship and Mastership in Washington, DC. I was formally trained via programs. I believe that patients are much more dental assistant school in the USAF. I have been confident with a dental business assistant who is a dental assistant instructor and dental speaker. I knowledgeable in all things dental. am a dental assistant volunteer with Team Smile and I have been asked on several occasions to help train dental assistants. I take my career as an oral healthcare professional very seriously. Q Is there anything that you would like ADAA members to know about you? I am a USAF veteran; I am a makeup artist part time and I love it. Before becoming a dental assistant, I wanted to be a dentist. The reason I wanted to become a dentist is because I, like a lot of children, had a bad experience in the dental chair as a child and wanted to make sure that no one else had an experience like mine. I wasn’t sure after researching how much it would cost to become a dentist so I decided to try being on the other side of the chair first to see if I would actually enjoy dentistry. I joined 18 The Dental Assistant

Board Spotlight Q What do you believe the value of an ADAA Q What specific personal knowledge, skills, or membership is to an employer dentist and/or other experiences do you believe assists you in serving on dental office staff? ADAA’s Board? I have been a state and local officer for years, I have encouraged ADAA membership over the reliable, responsible, and attended many other many years that I have been a dental assistant. ADAA national events, state events, local events. I believe that I have proven that knowledge is I know many dental professionals in the area and power and ADAA membership is a powerful am a supporter of ADAA and want to see ADAA value. continue and grow. Q What specific personal knowledge, skills, Q Does your employer or employing organization or experiences do you believe will aid ADAA in require ADAA membership or pay for ADAA meeting its mission? membership for dental assistant employees? If yes, I have 40 years of continuing education programs how does this benefit the practice or organization? and classes, credentials and have been involved in many events, meetings and activities, making No, during my tenure as a dental assistant, local arrangements, obtain sponsorship on the membership has never been required, state and local levels, secured speakers, and unfortunately, but I highly encouraged delivered quality educational courses. I always membership to my boss and coworkers over the count on others to complete tasks and continue years. to depend on other dental professionals to assist with quality education, events and activities. I Q What information do you think would encourage hope to see more professional and student dental dentists to support ADAA membership for dental assistants take advantage of the benefits ADAA assistants? has to offer on all levels of membership. Q Is there anything that you would like ADAA Simply, all the benefits! The annual membership members to know about you? dues are affordable, especially for all the benefits Yes! That I am here! I am so open to being entitled to active membership. Many state contacted by any ADAA member for any and all and local chapters offer membership perks matters concerning dental assisting careers. for programs. I would also remind employer dentists that the links to other dental assistants Don’t miss the next issue of the Dental Assistant and ADAA Leadership and Staff are a bonus! All where we will spotlight more members from are very approachable and helpful when dental the ADAA Leadership team and what an ADAA assistants are in need of career enhancement, membership means to them. education, events and more! The Dental Assistant 19 Q What differences have you noticed, if any, between dental assistants who are members of ADAA and non-member dental assistants? I take notice of any dental assistant who considers dental assisting a career. I feel ADAA members are more knowledgeable, poised and serious about dental assisting and that makes me feel confident as a patient in the dental chair. My expectations are high in the dental operatory and I feel that a dental assistant/member of ADAA has that unspoken competence. Q What are your goals while serving on the ADAA Board? Increase Sponsorship, increase membership, better communication on all levels, make sure all dental professionals know ADAA, be more ‘out there’, keep membership informed with more communication/not just via email or Facebook (texting program, notifications), some fun webinars and face-to-face events and education programs. We have so many talented people on the Board and so many great ideas!

GET SEEN. Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available THE DENTAL ASSISTANT JOURNAL THE ADAA UPDATE A quarterly digital publication distributed to A monthly e-newsletter distributed to all ADAA all ADAA members and subscribers. Your ad is members. Your ad is linked to your company linked to your company website. website. Only one ad per issue available in each placement. Premium: Inside Front Cover or Opposite AD SIZE: 600x200 pixels Table of Contents Full Page Only (8.5”x 11”) AD FORMAT: jpg or png format $1,275 (1 issue) $2,300 (2 issues) Premium Placement: Your ad is placed at the top of the newsletter. $3,200 (3 issues) $3,750 (4 issues) $1,000 (3 issues) $1,500 (6 issues) Standard Full Page (8.5” x 11”) $825 (1 issue) $1,575 (2 issues) $2,250 (3 issues) $2,850 (4 issues) Half Page (8.5” x 5.5” with bleed, 7” x 4.875” High Placement: Your ad is placed in the middle of the newsletter. no bleed with white margin) $800 (3 issues) $1,200 (6 issues) $550 (1 issue) $1,000 (2 issues) $1,500 (3 issues) $1,850 (4 issues) Quarter Page (3.5” x 4.875”) Footer Placement: Your ad is placed at the bottom of the newsletter. $400 (1 issue) $775 (2 issues) $550 (3 issues) $800 (6 issues) $1,100 (3 issues) $1,350 (4 issues) SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING $500 (per post) Your 30-second commercial or image will be posted on ADAA’s social media channels during the month of your choosing (two posts per month available). MP4 video format no more than 30 seconds in length. Text is limited to 200 characters. 20 The Dental Assistant

As the oldest and largest group representing professional dental assistants, the American Dental Assistants Association’s (ADAA) publications reach clinical personnel, administrative staff, and those working in dental product sales, insurance, and education. ADAA SPONSORSHIP Gold Level Silver Level Bronze Level Friend of Sponsored emails sent to ADAA Membership $10,000 $8,000 $5,000 ADAA $1,500 32 1 20% discount on advertising opportunities 20% 15% 10% Opportunity to submit a featured article for the Journal promoting your company/products Recognition during the ADAA Annual Session Recognition during online courses and webinars. Your logo is linked to your website on ADAA’s home page Acknowledgement on ADAA’s sponsorship webpage including your company name linked to your website Monthly recognition of your support in The ADAA Update and the Dental Assistant Journal Sponsor of Dental Assistant Recognition Week RESERVE YOUR SPONSORSHIP The Dental Assistant 21

HGorosuppecPouBrrcahnadses s Canadian-Based Innocore Move fortifies company’s continental leadership in disinfecting, sanitizing, and personal care wipes category. Hospeco Brands Group (HBG), care, and specialty wipes. The same high- a United States-based, full line quality Innocore products are known to manufacturer of cleaning and U.S. customers under the Touch Point protection products to serve the janitorial, brand. The merger will enable Hospeco’s industrial supply, foodservice, healthcare, customers to gain access to these high-quality and hospitality markets, has purchased formulations with broad brand recognition Innocore of Ontario, Canada, maker of Touch in both countries. It will also enable Innocore Point® and Certainty® Brands premoistened, customers to gain access to Hospeco’s full non-woven, surface and personal wipes, line of personal care, cleaning, and protection and other hand care products. The merger products for sale to the away-from-home complements HBG’s already-robust wipes market. offering and expands the company’s North American footprint in the wipes market. “The addition of Innocore to Hospeco The merger of the two companies is effective Brands Group provides us with a stronger immediately. Canadian infrastructure, which in turn allows us to better support our current Canadian Certainty Brands is Canada’s industry distribution partners,” said Bill Hemann, leader in large format, ready-to-use, multi- EVP of Hospeco Brands Group. “As our surface disinfecting, sanitizing, personal- north-of-the-border distribution shifts 22 The Dental Assistant

to Innocore’s Ontario base, our partners Hospeco Brands Group umbrella. Existing can look forward to reduced lead times, an customers of both entities will continue to expanded product offering, and resident work with the sales and customer service support. It’s very exciting.” teams to which they are already accustomed. Hospeco Brands Group will continue to Innocore controls every aspect of market their Hospeco products while manufacturing at two facilities totaling gaining access to the Certainty and Touch 82,000 square feet, with in-house converting, Point names in their respective markets, saturating, sealing, and packaging. Innocore’s and the Innocore business unit will continue cGMP manufacturing facility produces Health to operate under the Innocore name while Canada, EPA, and FDA registered wipe having access to Hospeco’s products. products. Innocore’s full management team will continue to manage the business under the View the full press release here. The Dental Assistant 23

News Briefs TEXAS DALLAS COUNTY DENTAL ASSISTANTS’ SOCIETY CELEBRATED DARW At our March local meeting, everyone was given a prescription.  Every bottle was full of Kindness Pills (better known as M&Ms). Kindness has the power to create community, support, and hope, which is what dental assistants do on a daily basis. So we decided to spread a little kindness to the 21 dental assistants who attended our meeting.  One small daily dose (or more if needed) of kindness can soothe the mind, heal the heart, and strengthen the soul.  Kindness Pills Take a look at the label on these bottles of kindness pills for DARW! DARW Pharmacy Thank you for everything you do!  Rx # 2254 KINDNESS PILLS Dr. Choc O. Lot  TAKE ONE OR MORE AS NEEDED DAILY FOR KIND THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS TOWARD OTHERS  BLUE...................PATIENCE  Qty: As Needed. RED.....................LOVE                              USE BEFORE: Acting on GREEN................UNDERSTANDING  unkind thoughts. BROWN...............EMPATHY                    ORANGE.............ADMIRATION    SIDE EFFECTS: Feeling love for everyone.  YELLOW..............RESPECT 24 The Dental Assistant