President’s Message

‐John Aylmer D.M.D.

Reflection is an essential component of all of our lives. Building upon our achievements or learning from our imperfections is impossible without it.

With summer fast approaching, our year is coming to a close. I am happy to report that SFDDA had had another remarkable year. What a great way to end our 100th year as an organization! And what an honor it was to lead you all through it.

Our in-person meetings are the backbone of our organization, and I could not be more proud of our 2022-23 affiliate presidents, Dr. Ross Hauer (South Broward), Dr. Alejandro Alvarado (Miami Dade), and Dr. Bill Abbo (North DadeMiami Beach), for hosting numerous top-notch affiliate dinners with great lectures. We thank you for coordinating excellent CE for your colleagues, and for getting people out to in-person events again.

On the technology side, we implemented new forms of communication through Tradewing and Texting to get SFDDA information through the noise we often have in our inboxes and social media. Although both were slow to start, they were successful and will help our organization continue to evolve. With over 3,000 downloads, the “Ain’t That the Tooth” podcast has continued to gain popularity within the dental community throughout Florida and beyond. Check it out. You are sure to learn something!

Finally, the Zoom platform has allowed us to have more “face-to-face” meetings among our leadership and to be at the forefront of many issues.

We end the year on very sound financial footing despite raging inflation. However, even through our best efforts in obtaining sponsorship and in streamlining our processes, the finance committee recognized the need (since 2020) to increase member dues. At the Annual Business Meeting, which took place in March, the members voted to pass an assessment of $20, to be re-visited at the next annual meeting.

The teamwork I have witnessed throughout this past year has been refreshing. I am confident that our incoming offi- cers, Drs. Tim Franklin, President, Alejandra Zambrano, President-elect, David Garazi, Secretary, and Francesca Pietri, Young Member Representative, will continue to advance the SFDDA to new heights. As always, we welcome new faces to join the leadership ranks. Be a part of something bigger than just your office!

I want to send a special shout-out and congratulations to our very own Dr. Cesar Sabates, who will soon be receiving the FDA “Dentist of the Year Award” at the FDC Awards Luncheon on June 30. Thank you, Cesar, for your continued commitment to SFDDA and organized dentistry! Your efforts are much appreciated and important to maintaining our amazing profession.

SFDDA’s progress would not be possible without our Executive Director, Yolanda Marrero, our Membership Coordinator, Jackie Quintero, and our digital media coordinator, Victoria MacKenzie. When you see them at a meeting, please thank them for their commitment to bettering our organization and profession.

Above all else, our SFDDA/FDA/ADA tripartite would not be possible without YOU as a member. So I thank you for your unwavering support. The overall goal is to protect our noble profession from outside interests such as private equity, insurance, and regulation. No matter your role, I would like you to look in the mirror and ask what you may have done to help better this profession that affords you the life you live?

Get involved! Whether writing to your local politician or leading your colleagues within our organizations, every bit helps. Let’s all work together to maintain the profession of dentistry as we know it!

As my year of serving as your president ends, I want to thank you for your trust and confidence. It has indeed been an honor to lead our esteemed organization. The connections and knowledge I have gained will last a lifetime. Now, more than ever, I can confidently tell you that the SFDDA leadership team works tirelessly to improve our organization.

All the best.

How Three Local Affiliate Societies Unified and Turned Over Administration to SFDDA: But, As Some Have Asked, “What Became of Affiliate Dental Society Bank Account Funds?”

(For theAnswer: Read Below)

First, Some Background:

Once upon a time, our South Florida District Component was composed of as many as six affiliate societies. Back in the day, they were: North Dade, Miami Beach, Greater Hollywood, Greater Miami, South Dade, and West Dade Dental Societies.

Each affiliate not only had their own geographic differences, but interestingly, also demographic and even cultural differences.

They also shared much in common: Diverse meetings with excellent speakers, great camaraderie, fun times, and with everyone coming together to participate in executive council meetings, Annual Business Meetings, and through the years, at our large, very successful and well­attended annual “Miami Winter Meetings,” held at the Hyatt Regency, and other venues such as Jungle Island, Miami Beach Convention Center, and famously – even the Fontainebleau Hotel.

Richard A. Mufson, DDS, Editor

There were some clear advantages, and among them, a new system whereby each affiliate no longer had be concerned with asking members to pay dues each year to attend meetings. This is because dues would already be included within every member’s SFDDA dues, which in turn underwent a small increase of $40 per year. This small increase was much lower than previous affiliate dues, which had ranged from about $150 to $200 or more annually.

As a result, that meant that all members belonging to ADA/ FDA/SFDDA could attend any or all of 4 or 5 dinner/CE meetings at any affiliate location of one’s choice around town, at no added cost.

The good news has been that the days of local grass roots SFDDA members questioning whether to attend affiliate meetings or not – or at least based on whether to pay the higher dues each year ­ were over.

There is one other item all the affiliates also had in common –although maintained separately – they had their own bank ac‐counts.

Although our six affiliates later transformed into three (currently North Dade­Miami Beach, South Broward, and Miami Dade Dental Societies) – each accumulated funds through the years from a variety of sources such as member dues, in addition to wellplanned events such as half­day and full­day continuing education meetings featuring high­end, nationally­known speakers.

The accumulated funds were historically not only a thing of “pride,” in a sense, but also more important, a “reserve” in the event of future increased costs of meetings, speakers, or in the event of some unforeseen emergency.

And Then Came Change

About six years ago, SFDDA affiliate societies agreed, though changes in bylaws which were voted upon and passed at the Annual Business Meeting, to unify and turn over all administrative duties and responsibilities, including management of bank accounts/reserve funds, meeting arrangements, etc., to the SFDDA’s central office and staff.

“But how could only $40 possibly fund this benefit when the cost to each member was previously much higher?” you may ask.

The answer: Roughly only 20% of SFDDA members wanted to pay dues and attend affiliate meetings, and 80% did not. However, the idea came along that if all SFDDA members paid a small amount more via an increase in dues (i.e., of only $40) – this would fund meetings for the 20% who did want to attend.

It was anticipated, however, that the 20% attendance number would likely increase, in large part owing to this great new member benefit, and along with it – also the incentive to join the ADA/FDA/SFDDA tripartite.

For what turned out to be a brilliant idea, we owe thanks to our ED, Yolanda Marrero, and our members who went along with and voted to enact this new change – and which in turn has resulted in a rather impressive increase in our general SFDDA membership numbers in the years since.

As part of voting this into place, it was also agreed to review the changes in financial budget numbers on a periodic basis. It was also known the initial small $40 increase would likely need to be increased due to inflation and/or increased cost of meetings and an increase in local affiliate member interest and attendance. This in fact turned out to be the case, and a one­year $20 increase (as an assessment only, for now) was voted on and passed at our most recent Annual Business Meeting in March.

And Finally: Answers to the Concerns of the Status of Affiliate Bank Accounts/Funds

Along with these changes came concern among some members, and questions such as, “But wait a minute, what will happen if and when our bank accounts and reserve funds are turned over to SFDDA?” “Will they be combined into one general fund and/or absorbed by SFDDA?” “Will we be totally forfeiting control as to how and when those funds will be spent?” And, “Won’t the funds eventually be depleted? How would they be replenished?” The executive council, at the time these changes were made, addressed and answered these concerns.

Affiliate leaders were assured that the bank accounts and funds turned over to SFDDA:

(1) Would be maintained entirely separate from SFDDA accounts, finances and budget.

(2) Would rest exclusively within the control of only the affiliate societies and restricted to use as they see fit, and as needs would arise, and

(3) Any use of those funds would also require the explicit approval of the affiliate, which would need to “sign off” on any given expenditure.

Some examples of affiliate costs incurred thus far have been limited to items such as speaker honorariums (which has been exclusively by affiliate choice), miscellaneous meeting costs, such as AV equipment when needed, and other legal costs including event liability, and officer liability insurance.

As of this date, less than 8% of the affiliate’s money has been used to fund their meetings. We must realize that the cost of holding these meetings has increased steadily in the last few years, especially in the last year, and we want to continue the quality you expect.

To that end, the SFDDA has restructured the financial vision of the societies by putting the funds in a money market account that will earn interest to help offset some of the future spendings from those accounts— and thus allaying fears of depleting the funds any time soon.

The affiliate groups, North Dade–Miami Beach, South Broward, and Miami Dade, continue to thrive with growing attendance at their dinner meetings. The new leadership continues to bring excellent speakers and fresh ideas to make the events more enjoyable. And these events are included in your membership at no extra charge. You can attend all of them as a member, and we hope you take advantage of this great member benefit.

Richard A. Mufson, DDS is the editor of the SFDDA Newsletter and may be contacted at (305) 935-7501 or MufsonOralSurg@aol.com

What Is the Status of Our Affiliate Dental Society Bank Account Funds?

1. The accounts/funds are maintained entirely separate from SFDDA accounts, finances and budget.

2. They rest exclusively within the control of affiliate societies and restricted to use as they see fit, and as needs arise.

3. The use of those funds also requires the approval of an affiliate, which must, in effect, “sign off” on any given expenditure.

Addendum: In the interest of full transparency, please be aware that any and all SFDDA finances, including our budget, individual affiliate society reserves, or any other aspect – is an “open book” to any member who may desire information or have questions of our treasurer.Such information or questions also need not be restricted to only the limited time frame of an Annual Business Meeting, but rather is accessible year‐round.

We’re Taking A Mulligan!

Every year the ADA accepts applications for funding of recruitment events. This year the SFDDA submitted an event at Top Golf in North Miami, targeting non-members we missed during the pandemic, and dental students.

Officers and affiliate leaders, Drs. John Aylmer, Alejandra Zambrano, David Garazi, Richard Mufson, Michael Eggnatz, and Franziska Klostermyer came out to socialize with the students and potential new members of the ADA.

Pictured top and clockwise: Picture 1- Drs. David Garazi, Michael Eggnatz and Franziska Klostermyer.

Picture 2- Drs. Alejandra Zambrano, John Aylmer and Michael Eggnatz.

Picture3 - Nova students, Cassandra Gabula, Emily Washburn and Adam Weizer from ServisTree.

Picture 4- Getting ready to swing: Hector Yusti, from Dental Broker Florida, Dr. Franziska Klostermyer, and Abby Belshe, from Core Scientific.