2 minute read
Attend DDOH to Bring About Change
By Susan M. Byrne, DMD
The first Dentists’ Day on the Hill (DDOH) I attended was as a dental student at the University of Florida. It was amazing to see dentists from all over Florida converging in Tallahassee to enact change and help preserve the way we practice dentistry. Attending this event and being a part of the local chapter of the American Student Dental Association was the start of my involvement in local and state government on behalf of dentistry.
After graduating, I became a member of the Florida Dental Association (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) as a way of staying involved in my profession. I’ve tried to attend DDOH every year that I can. I think it’s our responsibility as dentists to be aware of what is going on in our government, whether it’s locally, statewide or nationally, as it pertains to dentistry and how we treat our patients. The way I see it is, if you aren’t willing to help bring about change through attending or supporting events and causes related to dentistry, how can you complain when something goes wrong? Being involved with your community is the first step to enacting change.
If you haven’t been to DDOH, consider attending next year. You also can get involved by becoming a legislative contact dentist (LCD) in your area. By participating in these events, you can interact and learn from dentists you wouldn’t meet otherwise. This
also is a fantastic way to make connections with dentists in the wider community and even make lifelong friends. Joe Anne Hart and Alexandra Abboud at the FDA’s Government Affairs Office are valuable assets and are always eager to answer any questions or help when needed.
I’ve been in practice for more than 20 years, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to service my fellow colleagues in so many areas, both locally and statewide. I’ve served as president of the Leon County Dental Association and the Northwest District Dental Association, as a delegate of the FDA House of Delegates and as an ADA alternate delegate. Now, I’m an alternate to the FDA Board of Trustees. I’ve stayed so involved because I love being a dentist and I love treating my patients the way I think they should be treated: with kindness and respect. I’m thankful I have the ability to relieve people from pain and give them back the ability to smile. This year, I’m the co-chair of the 2022 Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM). It will be held in Tallahassee on March 11-12 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. If you haven’t volunteered at a FLA-MOM event before, please consider doing so this year. It’s an honor and a privilege to help those who are desperately in need, especially over the last two years due to COVID-19. Go to flamom.org for more information and to register to volunteer. I hope to see you there!
Dr. Byrne is an NWDDA alternate trustee to the FDA Board of Trustees.
