Tripartite Update

Your Membership Working for You!

Submitted by Lauryne Vanderhoof, DDS, Grand Rapids WMDDS Associate Editor

ADA

n Dr. Cesar Sebates, ADA President-elect, attended the MDA

December Board meeting and encouraged members to reach out to him with any issues.

n Advocacy efforts led to the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust reform, resulting in improved transparency and competition in the health, dental, and vision insurance marketplaces.

n Advocacy efforts continue for COVID-19 relief and for vaccine priority for dentists.

n MDA Annual Session is scheduled for April 22-24. In February, the Board of Trustees will decide if the meeting will be held in-person or virtually this year.

MDA

n Virtual House of Delegates (HOD) set to take place April 17 & 18.

n Candidates for MDA office and ADA

Delegation have been nominated, and voting will take place at the HOD.

n Development of a mentor program is underway and is set to launch in the spring. Those interested in participating as a mentor should contact Angie Kanazeh at: akanazeh@michigandental.org.

WMDDS

n West Michigan District Dental Society Public Relations Committee received an in-kind donation of toothbrushes and dental education materials from Delta Dental Foundation. These items will be distributed by the Grand Rapids Children's Museum along with their STEAM Play@Home kits to Early

Learning Neighborhood Centers and Boys and Girls clubs. Over 500 children will benefit from this donation. The WMDDS Public Relations committee also donated 100 toothbrush covers and zippered bags to AYA Youth Collective, an organization that provides support to 14-24 year olds facing homelessness or instability.