Today I no longer belong to the ADA

[browncrack]

Dues this year? $997. Over and out. Let the Orthodontists and Oral Surgeons be members. There is no room for General Dentists at this price. I am not renewing my membership this year. Anyone else have thoughts on the ADA fees?

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Members don't see this ad.

 

[vellnueve]

I thought it was about $520. Had no issues affording it even on a federal salary.

 

[Saddleshoes]

Many years ago I asked myself, "Just what am I getting from the ADA?" The answer was a magazine that I rarely read and not much else. After I elected not to send in my dues that year you know what happened?

Nothing that is what.
The sky did not fall. The economy did not collapse. Nobody form the ADA came knocking at my door. Nobody from my local dental society came by to tell me they missed me.
And I have not been a member ever since and I have gotten along just fine.

 

[Tooth]

I'm about to be an orthodontist, and I don't care to be a member either. Like you said, it's too unaffordable. It's become overgrown, bloated, and unaffordable. I have no gripes against organized dentistry. On the contrary, I believe it's a worthwhile endeavor. I just can't justify this price. It's ridiculous.

 

[browncrack]

Local, State, and National dues increase every year after graduation. Perhaps federal membership skips the state and local branches. Hispanic Dental Association membership is $50/year. I can prepay for the next 20 years for the price of one year with the ADA. As I think about it, I cannot think of much the ADA has done for me except take my money.

 

[jda02624]

I'm about to be an orthodontist, and I don't care to be a member either. Like you said, it's too unaffordable. It's become overgrown, bloated, and unaffordable. I have no gripes against organized dentistry. On the contrary, I believe it's a worthwhile endeavor. I just can't justify this price. It's ridiculous.

Hey Tooth, are you a member of the AAO? I think to be a member of the AAO you have to initially be a member to the ADA. After you get your AAO membership (if you choose to do it, the fees are close to $2K now - ridiculous!), you can drop the ADA membership.
I dropped my ADA membership a couple years ago too (still an AAO member though). I felt I got nothing out of it except that the magazine which I rarely looked at. They continued to send it to me for a year after I dropped membership and I still get there other publications to this day.

 

[vellnueve]

Local, State, and National dues increase every year after graduation. Perhaps federal membership skips the state and local branches. Hispanic Dental Association membership is $50/year. I can prepay for the next 20 years for the price of one year with the ADA. As I think about it, I cannot think of much the ADA has done for me except take my money.

That's probably true.

The ADA is important though - there are ever increasing threats to the profession whether it be mid-level providers (therapists) doing procedures without supervision, the usual anti-fluoride/amalgam activists, medical people attacking the scope of OMFS... it would be hard to argue that the ADA is not the strongest proponent for the practice of dentistry at the national level.

 

[browncrack]

I think the mid-level providers are already out there, working for peanuts for dentists who don't want to supervise them. Fluoride and amalgam - don't force them onto the uninformed. Public health as a whole is underfunded and under-appreciated. Scope of OMFS - implants and 3ms at a private office, with the occasional general practitioner bail out. The ADA can't do much there. Maybe faculty at OMFS programs feel differently. The ADA does have pretty high national visibility but seems focused more on issues simply not common to daily life in general practice. At least they are a voice for dentistry. I don't know who wants to pay for membership in the ADA when it is costly and doesn't provide many tangible results.

 

[vellnueve]

Fluoride and amalgam - don't force them onto the uninformed.

Not even sure what that means. Amalgam has been standard of practice for a century. Fluoride has been proven to be an important adjunct in preventative dentistry. Organized dentistry is key in ensuring that the public doesn't get swept away in the hysteria of those with agendas.

Scope of OMFS - implants and 3ms at a private office, with the occasional general practitioner bail out. The ADA can't do much there. Maybe faculty at OMFS programs feel differently.

Private offices do not define the scope of OMFS. And as GPs are extending their reach into the facial cosmetics realm with Botox, etc, I believe you will see more and more pushback from those wishing to limit dental practice.

The ADA does have pretty high national visibility but seems focused more on issues simply not common to daily life in general practice. At least they are a voice for dentistry. I don't know who wants to pay for membership in the ADA when it is costly and doesn't provide many tangible results.

I would argue that advocating for, expanding, and defending the profession of dentistry is easily worth my $$$/year. Apparently tens of thousands of my colleagues agree, since the ADA has over a hundred thousand member dentists.

It's certainly your choice. I just think it's shortsighted. Clearly you're not sure about your decision since you posted about it.

 

[Tooth]

Hey Tooth, are you a member of the AAO? I think to be a member of the AAO you have to initially be a member to the ADA. After you get your AAO membership (if you choose to do it, the fees are close to $2K now - ridiculous!), you can drop the ADA membership.
I dropped my ADA membership a couple years ago too (still an AAO member though). I felt I got nothing out of it except that the magazine which I rarely looked at. They continued to send it to me for a year after I dropped membership and I still get there other publications to this day.

I'm a student member because the cost is only $30 a year. Maybe I will become a Hispanic Dental Association member. Do they accept Caucasians?

 

[The Anhedonia]

medical people attacking the scope of OMFS... it would be hard to argue that the ADA is not the strongest proponent for the practice of dentistry at the national level.

meh - I think AAOMS is doing the brunt of the scope protection for OMFS's.

 

[vellnueve]

meh - I think AAOMS is doing the brunt of the scope protection for OMFS's.

The organizations work together.

 

[Hedgy]

I have been a member of the ADA for my entire dental career (15 years now). While in the Navy, they were great advocates for increasing pays for military dentists.

What I am finding at the local level is that about 10% of us do all of the work. I have served in numerous positions including president of the local chapter. My beef is that all of the no shows are along for the ride. The ADA was a no-show when we pushed for fluoridation of the water in our community of 130,000. We got a letter to the editor/position paper and that was it.

The current President of the ADA was a former exec for Delta Dental and UnitedHealth. If you are a preferred provider for either of those, you aren't too pleased. Bundling of codes, downgrading of codes, no raise in reimbursement rates for years, etc., Do you think she will be an advocate for us?

The ADA journal can be a pain to read. I read it every month and it seems that most articles are mass type research papers that don't have a lot of bearing on what's happening in my practice on an individual level.

These are the reasons why people are leaving the ADA. I was at the meeting in DC and they are trying to find ways to increase numbers at the national meetings. One of the CE courses offered was how to beat the insurance co's at their game. His solution in a nutshell...join at least 2 PPOs????

Personally, I would prefer to drop the ADA and go with the AGD. The real reason I stay is the camaraderie I have with the 10% that do all the work. They are the top of the class of Billings dentists and specialists and I want to associate with them. At least the AGD holds you accountable for CE, tracks it, and has a good journal with pertinent information for my practice. Unfortunately, the AGD meetings are in July/August. At least the ADA meeting is in Sucktember or Slowtober.

 

[browncrack]

The preferred provider feetables for united and delta compete with medicaid fee schedules. What point is there to being preferred, let alone to more than one ppo? Years if ADA advocacy have given insurance companies too much power and no oversight short of a lawsuit. I do like the idea of the AGD. Maybe in few years I will feel differently about giving enough money for a XR sensor to the ADA for dues.

 

[vellnueve]

The preferred provider feetables for united and delta compete with medicaid fee schedules. What point is there to being preferred, let alone to more than one ppo? Years if ADA advocacy have given insurance companies too much power and no oversight short of a lawsuit. I do like the idea of the AGD. Maybe in few years I will feel differently about giving enough money for a XR sensor to the ADA for dues.

Where are you finding sensors for under $1K?

 

[endoaccess]

It's really hard to support the ADA when they are in bed with Delta Dental, who's gutting insurance fees nationwide as we type. Will re-eval each year.

 

[browncrack]

Where are you finding sensors for under $1K?

Dexis 60Ip

 

[Destiny11]

The truth is the dental profession is worth fighting for, especially its ability to self regulate. It is worth lobbying for as 1 voice, and it makes a difference when the ADA lobbies on our behalf and is able to say that they represent over 85% of dentists. AGD also does a great job lobbying on our behalf. It is also very important to support your state dental associations, as many changes are made at the state legislature (e.g. midlevel providers sneaking through in states with weaker dental associations). http://www.ada.org/en/advocacy/advocacy-issues

Don't be like medicine where the AMA has less than 60% physicians as members...they have less say in DC because they do not represent everyone. There are way too many specialty organizations in medicine, and they cannot lobby in one voice to make/defend any changes.

 

[Tooth]

The ADA is like a religion and the AGD is another. They are pyramids where a few at the top make the decisions and everyone else just needs to pay. Most members are on autopilot paying their dues without knowing what is actually happening up at the top but have faith that they are working in their best interest. If it is indeed true that, "The current President of the ADA was a former exec for Delta Dental and UnitedHealth" then I believe it's safe to say this religion has been hijacked and supporting it may be worse than investing with Bernie Madoff. At least he just took the money. This guy may have incentive to use your dues against you.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against organized dentistry. There is certainly value in being organized. But the larger an organization gets, the more likely it will become corrupt or so big and bloated it is impossible to know what you're really getting for your money or what is even happening. State organizations are probably the most important organizations you can join. It is state laws that affect you. What are we advocating for on a national level anyway? Aren't they all actually state issues? You have much better odds at getting to know dentists in your state and understanding the dynamics of what is going on there than at the national level. The ADA is important, I believe, for national board exams, establishing CODA requirements, determining if a specialty should be created or not, etc. I don't see why the ADEA couldn't just absorb that. Orthotown will send me a magazine for free every so often. They must pay for it with the advertising dollars. What the #%** does the ADA do with all it's advertising dollars? How much is that giant building in Chicago worth anyway? Do we really even need it? I wonder what the ADA's net worth is. How much are their assets and investments worth as they beg us for more money? I'm so friggin' cynical sometimes I just need to shut up. It seems like this is one of those moments.

 

[dds1895]

I can't imagine not being a member of ADA. There is just so much that is done behind the scenes to maintain the integrity of our profession... and thats worth EVERY dollar.

I missed renewing one year, I forgot! I got an email from someone at my local dental society. Another board member called me.

I love going to the annual meetings. Getting that better rate at the meeting. Seeing my friends. Getting good CE.

I havent had to use Peer Review yet... but I know that I will REALLY appreciate it in the event that I do need it.

Again, I couldn't imagine not being a member.

 

[Tooth]

I can't imagine not being a member of ADA. There is just so much that is done behind the scenes to maintain the integrity of our profession... and thats worth EVERY dollar.

I missed renewing one year, I forgot! I got an email from someone at my local dental society. Another board member called me.

I love going to the annual meetings. Getting that better rate at the meeting. Seeing my friends. Getting good CE.

I havent had to use Peer Review yet... but I know that I will REALLY appreciate it in the event that I do need it.

Again, I couldn't imagine not being a member.

This is your first post on SDN. You joined just to put in your two cents on whether joining the ADA is worth it. Troll.

 

[DoctaFauci]

Dentist friend of mine says he has Great West life insurance through the ADA and that the reduced premiums basically make the ADA dues a wash. That true?

Personally, from a students perspective, I don't see where the ADA is doing a very commendable job in the academic arena particularly: tuition out of control, live patient exams still implemented decades after ADA resolutions to the contrary, portability issues, Match vs non-Match residency application cycle confusion, limited advocacy for reducing oral health disparities, constantly evolving testing requirements, etc. How exactly does the ADA help me? Seems kind of like a professional version of asda just maintaining a status quo without any progressive thought.

 

[dds1895]

This is your first post on SDN. You joined just to put in your two cents on whether joining the ADA is worth it. Troll.

You're right... I usually look through the forums just to get info about a question I have... etc. I haven't ever posted anything before. BUT... when I saw this thread, I couldn't help but post.

 

[vellnueve]

Dentist friend of mine says he has Great West life insurance through the ADA and that the reduced premiums basically make the ADA dues a wash. That true?

Personally, from a students perspective, I don't see where the ADA is doing a very commendable job in the academic arena particularly: tuition out of control, live patient exams still implemented decades after ADA resolutions to the contrary, portability issues, Match vs non-Match residency application cycle confusion, limited advocacy for reducing oral health disparities, constantly evolving testing requirements, etc. How exactly does the ADA help me? Seems kind of like a professional version of asda just maintaining a status quo without any progressive thought.

Probably because ADEA handles dental education. The orgs do work very closely together.

 

[DoctaFauci]

Probably because ADEA handles dental education. The orgs do work very closely together.

Which would beg the question what does a $1000 annual premium to the ADA do for me as a professional if the principal issues facing dentistry are evolving at the educational level? Educational matters don't seem to be beyond the purview of the ADA, as their resolution against live-patient licensure would indicate.

 

[browncrack]

Dentist friend of mine says he has Great West life insurance through the ADA and that the reduced premiums basically make the ADA dues a wash. That true?

No. Not true. For me, the difference is about $150 annually in malpractice premium. As a general dentist your malpractice spikes when you place implants, extract PBIs, extract FBIs, do sedation dentistry, or see a really large number of patients daily. However, the premium difference is more than made up financially if you do the procedures regularly or enjoy high volume.

I'm still not sure what the ADA has been doing for dentists, other than providing a single office to send extra money to in Chicago. TX courts just decided the ADA cannot restrict dentists identifying themselves as specialists in areas outside of the ADA recognized fields. It's free speech.
http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=ser&sub=def&pag=dis&ItemID=319121

 

[mhb3003]

Im still a student and this organization really worthless. I dont know y we have to take anatomy, biochem and those topics. I was talking to a dentist and he said he cant remmber any of these subjects sadly, the ADA support that by NDBE i just can imagine how knowing the anatomy of my balls going to help doing a crown prep . I have this hate towards them i would be never be a part of the ADA once i graduate i will give my salute to AGD at lest they respect my mind and time by not wasting it on subjects thats totally unrealted to what im going to do. there r a reason y we had the dental schools separated from the medical schools i think the ADA didnt get the idea till now.

 

[vellnueve]

Im still a student and this organization really worthless. I dont know y we have to take anatomy, biochem and those topics. I was talking to a dentist and he said he cant remmber any of these subjects sadly, the ADA support that by NDBE i just can imagine how knowing the anatomy of my balls going to help doing a crown prep . I have this hate towards them i would be never be a part of the ADA once i graduate i will give my salute to AGD at lest they respect my mind and time by not wasting it on subjects thats totally unrealted to what im going to do. there r a reason y we had the dental schools separated from the medical schools i think the ADA didnt get the idea till now.

You really have no idea what you're talking about, or how to talk about it, for that matter.

And by the way, clearly the states think you need to know this stuff, seeing as the NBDE is a requirement for licensure in pretty much every jurisdiction.

 

[mikenorm556]

Many years ago I asked myself, "Just what am I getting from the ADA?" The answer was a magazine that I rarely read and not much else. After I elected not to send in my dues that year you know what happened?

Nothing that is what.
The sky did not fall. The economy did not collapse. Nobody form the ADA came knocking at my door. Nobody from my local dental society came by to tell me they missed me.
And I have not been a member ever since and I have gotten along just fine.

I'm just a 3rd year dental student here.... but don't you get a lot of behind the scenes stuff from the ADA? Though not tangible, don't you get some return? For example, people will submit materials research to JADA for publication. You can then become aware of this cheaper material and incorporate it into your practice? Doesn't the ADA do some advertising on behalf of the profession? This gets people in your office. What about politics-- does the ADA protect our financial/clinical interests at all by having lobbying power? I am not advocating for organized dentistry but isn't all i stated true? These are all indirect benefits. Maybe spending dues money on personal advertising would do you better. Of course a lot of my information comes from organized dentistry people coming to my school to talk<-- obvious bias.

 

[browncrack]

ADPAC -the dental political action committee associated with the ADA is a separate and additional cash contribution beyond mere membership. I suspect they will take your money for this regardless of membership status.

I am not aware of anything behind the scenes of anything the ADA does to get additional patients for private practices. The ADA sells books and pamphlets to dentists for patient education. The ADA sells advertising space to vendors for ADA publications. Any and all advertising for your own benefit will be advertising purchased by yourself. Dental material discounts from the ADA simply cannot compete with on-line pricing from other sources freely available to all purchasers. Someone should call the ADA and ask for advice on how to counteract the growing influence of managed care in dental insurance. This would benefit general dentists. The ADA has no official position in this. It simply is not interested in making life better for general dentists in the matter.