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