PDA's Annual Report 2018 | Page 25

MEMBER BENEFITS 2017 SPI Pennsylvania was identified by the ADA as one of five states with an opportunity for membership growth. Eligible nonmembers can join for a one-time, 50% discount on the ADA and PDA levels of their dues. By the end of the 2017 year, 42 new members joined for this offer. This special membership offer was available in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The offer will continue to be offered to eligible nonmembers through 2018. PDA TEXT ALERTS NOW AVAILABLE To provide an additional tool for member communication, PDA has implemented a texting software. The software is fully integrated with our membership database and offers PDA the ability to notify members of upcoming deadlines, regulatory notices or legislative alerts. The text will drive members to the respective section of www.padental.org for details. To receive text messages from PDA, members must complete an authorization form. MATCH EVENT I n October 2017, PDA hosted MATCH in King of Prussia. MATCH is a speed interviewing program where dentists looking for career opportunities have five-minute interviews with dentists who are looking to hire or sell their practice. This program is open to PDA member dentists, including residents and new dentists, and dental students. PDA plans to host two MATCH events in the fall of 2018 in King of Prussia and Pittsburgh. The event had 15 job providers, 16 job seekers, (12 D4s and four new dentists) and 39 total attendees. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE SURVEY PDA’s Membership Committee surveyed district and local society presidents to gather insight on their new member welcome procedure. The committee wants to identify more ways that PDA can support districts and locals with contacting new members, as personally welcoming new members is an important tool for membership retention. The survey had a 45 percent response rate. CONNECTIONS The Connections program matches dental students or new dentists with PDA member mentors based on criteria like practice location, practice type or specialty. PDA’s New Dentist Committee (NDC) sponsored a mentor incentive in 2017. After mentors agreed to a match and confirmed contact with their mentee, they were mailed a check for $50. The NDC encouraged mentors to use these funds to support mentoring activities like taking their mentee out to lunch or covering the cost for the mentee to attend a local meeting. In 2017, 12 Connections were made, nine mentor incentives were distributed, and seven dental student mentees and three new dentist mentees participated. Enroll as a mentor or mentee by signing in to www.padental.org/connections. NEW DENTIST RECEPTIONS PDA hosts New Dentist Receptions twice a year that invite new dentist members and non-members to join state, district and local leaders for drinks, appetizers and conversation. For many aspiring leaders, the receptions have provided the spark that has motivated them to continue to seek advancement in organized dentistry. In Fifth District, Hershey, Pa. (combined with the PDM Welcome Reception) 26 dentists and seven new dentists attended. In Ninth District, Erie Pa., 10 dentists and nine new dentists attended. NEW DENTIST BLOG In January 2018, the New Dentist Committee launched the New Dentist Blog on the Social Network. All content for the New Dentist Blog is written by new dentists and will be updated on a monthly basis. To access the blog, please visit www.community.padental.org. *You must be logged into your account in order to view the blog. PDA plans to do more personal contact with district and local societies to determine what assistance can be provided. 23