Be Somebody

Wasn’t it great to be able to be back together again, in person, for the UDA

Convention! We’re so grateful for all the time, effort, patience, and work that went into making this happen! Thanks to all the people, the vendors, the speakers and presenters, the hosts, the UDA staff, the Convention committee, and so many others who helped this come to fruition. And thanks to each and every dentist, hygienist, staff member, spouse, family member, student, and any other participant who came to be a part of the Convention. We hope you all were rewarded in some way for your attendance and participation!

Because it had been a while since we had been able to convene like this in large gatherings, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But when I first stepped into the Salt Palace Convention Center and saw how many people were assembling for the convention, I was excited and, honestly, a bit surprised. I was unsure how many would be ready, willing, and comfortable to meet. It was reported that we had about 75% of the number of registrants as we’ve had in more typical years. Other states nationwide are reporting closer to 60-65% of previous attendance at their state meetings, so, good job, Utah! Holding the dental convention after a couple of years off felt kind of like starting over. Many of us have experienced things in recent months that have felt like starting things all over again. And for me, I see that as a good thing. When we start things over, we renew efforts with new energy and freshness, with a renewed and enhanced recollection of lessons of the past, and with a desire to make things better for the future.

As an association of dental professionals, we can come together individually and collectively to help advance causes and needs of the profession and of oral health in our state and nation. The ADA recently listed its top advocacy issues for 2022 as dental insurance reform, student debt reform, improving Medicaid and health equity, and is supporting legislation associated with each of these priorities. These issues were also a part of Lobby Day this year. “Each year, the ADA’s advocacy has an impact on more than 25,000 dental students and more than 200,000 of our dentist colleagues,” said ADA President Cesar R. Sabates, D.D.S. “Perhaps most importantly, it also affects millions of patients. The message is clear: It is powerful when dentists unite.” Dentists and dental students can make their voices heard by signing up for the ADA’s Legislative Action Center. But what else can each one of us do to contribute to the growth and improvement of our profession?

I’m reminded of an experience my wife and I had several years ago. We live a few miles outside of our small town, and one day as we were coming into town we noticed some garbage in a small pile on the side of the road. “Somebody should clean that up”, I said, as we continued into town. As we drove into town the next day, the garbage was still there, and getting spread out a bit. “What a mess! Somebody should really clean up that mess!” The very next day we were again driving to town, the garbage still there, and starting to blow and spread all over. “Wow, that’s bad! Somebody really needs to clean that up!’’ Then, it was as if we heard a tiny voice say, “You are somebody!” So my wife and I drove again by where the garbage was, this time armed with trash bags and gloves, and we became “somebody”, and cleaned up that awful mess.

I hope it becomes clear that we are all “somebody”. Each one of us can do something to be somebody. “Somebody should invite that new dentist to our meetings.” Be somebody. “I wish somebody would share that concern with the ADA.” Be somebody. “We need somebody to present some legislation about insurance reform.” Be somebody. “We need somebody to lead out and be a voice in our local leadership.” Be somebody. If you haven’t taken the opportunity to get more involved with organized dentistry and learn about the power that comes when dentists unite, I invite you to take that first step. Raise your hand and say, “I’ll do it!” Now is a great time to start over and be

somebody!

Dr Kay Christensen UDA President

Future UDA Events 2022

Future UDA Events 2022

September 6 – Box Elder & Cache CQI September 8 – Uintah Basin CQI September 13 – Weber CQI September 20 – South Davis & Central CQI September 22 – Cedar Breaks & Dixie CQI September 27 – North Davis CQI October 4 – Wasatch Back CQI October 6 – Provo CQI October 20 – Canyonlands CQI October 27 – Salt Lake North, Salt Lake South, Tooele CQI September 6 – Box Elder & Cache CQI September 8 – Uintah Basin CQI September 13 – Weber CQI September 20 – South Davis & Central CQI September 22 – Cedar Breaks & Dixie CQI September 27 – North Davis CQI October 4 – Wasatch Back CQI October 6 – Provo CQI October 20 – Canyonlands CQI October 27 – Salt Lake North, Salt Lake South, Tooele CQI