Outgoing ADA President Praises Unity of Association

by Kelly Ganski, ADA Staff

There is no single way for the ADA to express its purpose, but it’s in unity where the Association’s strength lies, ADA President George R. Shepley, D.D.S., told the ADA House of Delegates on October 7.

Dr. Shepley completed his presidential year at SmileCon 2023, recounting a number of successes during his term, including a ballot measure in Massachusetts that passed in 2022 allowing dental insurance carriers in the state to establish a medical loss ratio for dentistry. Beginning in 2024, the state's carriers will be required to spend at least 83% of premium dollars on patient care rather than on administrative costs, salaries and profits. Other states are following suit with their own legislation.

He also discussed the workforce shortage in dentistry and how the ADA is working to help dentists alleviate it.

“Strengthening the workforce pipeline requires comprehensive solutions, and states in our tripartite are taking action – like streamlining in-office training for assistants, running recruitment campaigns for high school graduates and funding efforts for education programs that also incentivize service in underserved communities,” Dr. Shepley said. “At the federal level, the ADA supports the reauthorization of the Action for Dental Health Act and increased funding for the Oral Health Workforce Improvement Grant Program.”

The ADA is also promoting workforce mobility through the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact—in collaboration with the Council of State Governments. The compact simplifies multistate practice by standardizing credentials across participating states. Washington, Iowa, and Tennessee have enacted the compact, with active bills in New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin soon introducing it. Ten more states have stated their interest in introducing the compact next year.

He asked the House and members to tap into their collective power as they look ahead.

George R. Shepley, DDS addresses the House of Delegates at SmileCon in Orlando.

“To be bold in designing a health care system that works. Even if it means disrupting the status quo, rejecting current options and creating a new thing. To be daring as we set the global standard for oral health. To be fearless in our calling to make people healthy,” Dr. Shepley said.

“Who says we can’t? Who better to try than us? And how else to do it but together. Because in unity, where one thrives, we all thrive.”