Through your membership renewal the ODA, ADA, and your local dental society continue to support the dental profession with guidance, tools, education, and advocacy for our members. We’ve got your back—Then. Now. Always.

Welcome to our newest members! Please reach out to these new members and welcome them into the ODA community.

• Hongseok An, DDS, MSP, FACP – Multnomah Dental Society
• Thomas D Cardwell, DMD – Clackamas Dental Society
• Kirstin Strom, DMD – Washington Dental Society
• Vy Thanh Tran, DDS – Lane County Dental Society

As part of the Amplifying Voices series, the ADA is hosting an open conversation with a panel of dentists from the LGBTQ+ community on June 23, at 5:00 p.m. Panelists will openly share their journey in dentistry, including key motivators, successes, and challenges they face. Attendees will learn how to be a stronger ally, rise up through adversity, and have an opportunity to ask questions. In this educational session, you’ll gain knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community in dentistry and walk away with tools to bolster the dental profession and become more inclusive and welcoming to all. Learn more and register here.

The ODA Wellness Committee understands that the last 18 months have been extremely trying, taking a toll on mental and physical wellness. The committee’s goal is to develop unique offerings that support the needs of membership. Please share your important thoughts, feedback, and preferences by completing this five-minute survey. The survey is completely anonymous and a safe way to share honest feedback.

The ADA has partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago to bring dentists and their teams a series of free webinars addressing mental health in the dental workplace. Join ADA for the first workshop on Tuesday June 22, at 5:00 p.m. Participants will learn about wellness, how to recognize when a colleague is struggling, and identify ways to be supportive. Learn more and register here.

The Oregon Board of Denture Technology, overseen by the Health Licensing Office, is recruiting for an open dentist board member position. The time commitment for serving on the board varies but typically includes participating in three to four board meetings a year. Currently, all meetings are being held via telephone conference call during the declared COVID-19 emergency. For more information, visit the Governors Boards and Commissions and the Board of Denture Technology websites. For questions, contact Paige Sims at (503) 373-1915, or paige.s.sims@dhsoha.state.or.us.

The Oregon State Bar is recruiting members of the public to participate on its various boards, committees, and councils. Public member volunteer opportunities include one position on the Board of Governors and several openings on various committees, disciplinary process boards, and the House of Delegates. These opportunities are described in further detail here. For additional information regarding these opportunities, please contact Danielle Edwards, 503-431-6426 or dedwards@osbar.org.

As an active member, you know firsthand the value your membership has provided you during the COVID-19 crisis. Member-Get-A-Member is the ideal opportunity to share your success by encouraging your nonmember colleagues to join. You will be rewarded with a $100 Visa gift card for each new, active member you recruit (up to five members or $500 in gift cards!). Please see Campaign Rules for full details. Just tell the dentists you recruit to include your name on their applications. Then visit the recruiter's form to tell us who you recruited by entering your name and ADA number, and the name of the potential member. We’re stronger together!

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Tom Tucker Humanitarian Award. The Tom Tucker Humanitarian Award is the highest humanitarian and service award for the dentists of Oregon. Award criteria includes:

• A significant number of years as an ODA member
• Active in leadership roles within the ODA and their local component society
• Demonstrated commitment to being an active member in their local communities
• Demonstrated to their communities and ODA a unique attitude and a willingness to serve
• Mirror the image of Dr. Tom Tucker with a can-do attitude and a genuine desire to serve

Submit your nominations to leadership@oregondental.org by July 1, 2021. A big congratulations to the previous Tom Tucker Humanitarian award recipients: Dr. Weston Heringer, Jr. (2017); Dr. Tom Pollard (2018); Dr. Connie Masuoka (2019); and Dr. Jim Smith (2020). 

We’re living through a time of uncertainty, and it’s normal to feel stressed and anxious. We have many challenges that lie ahead, and if you feel the need to reach out to someone, we are here and you are not alone. The ODA's Wellness Program offers a robust network of compassionate Wellness Ambassadors, armed with resources to help support ​colleagues. The wellness program is open to all members, non-members, and dental students. If you need help or know of someone that needs help, please request support. Find ODA website wellness resources here.

OHA has compiled COVID-19 vaccine distribution information for each Oregon county. Find information for your county on their website here.

ODA continues to update the COVID-19 Resources page on our website. Click here to access resources from ODA, ADA, OHA, CDC, and more.

All dentists who hold an active DEA license must register with the Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). If you have not already registered, please access the registration portal here.

Your membership has perks! The ODA is excited to announce a new co-endorsement of Mortgages from Laurel Road through ADA Member Advantage. Laurel Road offers savings to ODA members looking to purchase a new home or refinance an existing mortgage. Learn more about this new offering here, and about all ODA endorsed and co-endorsed services here.

ClassPass offers fitness classes with more flexibility than any single gym membership. Through an endorsement with ADA Member Advantage, ADA members can:

• Get free access to over 20,000 hours of on-demand workouts including strength, cardio, meditation, and more.
• Save 10% on credits for in-person classes at top studios and gyms across the country, as well as wellness experiences including massages, facials, and manicures.

To get started, visit ADA.org/ClassPass and sign up using "Company Code," ADA2021.

Catch up on the latest COVID-19 webinars and on-demand video learning opportunities on your own schedule. From managing your practice during this crisis to caring for your staff or your own mental health, new events are added regularly. See all digital events here. Many CE opportunities are free of charge to members.

ODA Member Connection, a members-only, private Facebook group, is designed to connect members throughout the state and provide you with a platform to share and collaborate. Join the conversation here!

The 2021 ODA House of Delegates will take place virtually on September 25, 2021. Mark your calendars and plan to serve as a delegate for your component society. We look forward to "seeing" you there!