An Overview of the Arizona Dental Association and Affiliated Organizations

The Arizona Dental Association is one of 53 constituent/territorial societies of the American Dental Association, and represents over 82% of all licensed dentists in Arizona. More than 2,600 members, comprising every dental specialty, collectively exemplify the AzDA mission of establishing the highest standard of care for the public and inspiring members in the pursuit of professional excellence through education, leadership, and communications. AzDA is comprised of 3 components representing different geographical sections of the state: Central Arizona Dental Society, Northern Arizona Dental Society, and Southern Arizona Dental Society. Following is a breakdown of the various entities within AzDA.

House of Delegates
The AzDA House of Delegates is the supreme governing body with absolute authority over the Arizona Dental Association. It is the collective voice of the association. Members of the AzDA House of Delegates are chosen by the 3 component societies of the Association. The allocation of delegates to represent component societies is determined in the AzDA Bylaws, Article VII, Section 1. The formula is designated to give proportional representation based on the size of each component society. In addition, the 2 Trustees from each of the 3 component societies and 1 student representative from each of the two Arizona Dental Schools are voting members.

Board of Trustees
The powers and duties of the AzDA Board of Trustees, as defined in the AzDA Bylaws, Article VII, make it the administrative body of the association. In general, the Board of Trustees carries out the policies of the House of Delegates when the House is not in session, and prepares proposed policies for consideration in the next session of the House of Delegates. The Board of Trustees also provides supervision of the properties of the AzDA office and all other property or offices owned or operated by the association. The Board of Trustees appoints the executive director, prepares the annual budget, supervises financial affairs and AzDA Council activities, selects the time and place of the Western Regional Dental Convention, and reviews all reports and makes recommendations on them to the House of Delegates.

Administration
The executive director oversees the day-to-day administration of the association and in association with the Executive Committee serves the same capacity as a corporate chief executive officer. The voting members of the Executive Committee are the immediate past president, president, president-elect, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. These officers are elected by the House of Delegates at the Spring House of Delegates.

Additional Entities Associated with AzDA

AzDA Services: AzDA Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Arizona Dental Association. AzDA Services focuses on providing valuable pre-screening of products and services for our members and engages in endorsement relationships with quality companies that will produce royalty revenues and new sources of non-dues revenue for AzDA and its members. Only relevant products of exceptional quality, offering exclusive savings for AzDA members, receive the AzDA Services endorsement. AzDA Services and its endorsed companies are committed to providing the very best customer service to our members. Take advantage of the benefits offered through AzDA Services that can save you time and money as you play a vital role in helping to stabilize your annual membership dues. (Website)

Arizona Dental Political Action Committee (ArDPAC):
The Arizona Dental Political Action Committee (ArDPAC) is a registered Political Action Committee (PAC) and accepts donations that can be distributed to legally recognized candidates for statewide offices in Arizona. It is not a federal PAC and does not contribute to candidates for federal office (i.e., the U.S. Congress). A portion of all contributions of $100 or more is forwarded to the American Dental Association’s PAC (ADPAC). These contributions can be used to support federal candidates and monitor federal legislation that affects the dental profession and patients.

Arizona Dental Association Relief Fund:
The AzDA Relief Fund is used to render financial aid to dentists and their dependents, including former dependents of deceased dentists. Funds are awarded in cases of misfortune, age, or physical or other disabling conditions. All funding requires approval of the Council on Membership & Membership Services. A portion of all contributions is forwarded to the American Dental Association Relief Fund.

Arizona Dental Foundation:
Since 1991 the Arizona Dental Foundation (ADF) has assisted AzDA members in meeting their educational and career objectives. Among its most significant projects:

• In 1998, ADF built a hygiene school facility in response to AzDA member demand for qualified dental hygienists. In its first 10 years of operation, the program graduated 316 students (15-month program). The Rio Salado College School of Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
• As part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Access to Oral Health Initiative, ADF implemented an intensive, hands-on, special needs dentistry program that resulted in training over 100 dentists in the unique challenges of serving developmentally disabled children.
• The award-winning Give Kids A Smile program continues to grow exponentially through creative volunteer mobilization. During the first 4 years of operations, over 3,000 underserved children received almost $1 million in free dental care. This number doubled again during the last 2 years.
• In 2005, ADF refocused its efforts toward community-related activities that expand AzDA’s ability to bring much-needed dental care to underserved populations. Today, the Arizona Dental Foundation keeps Arizona smiling by providing free dental care to children, elderly, and special needs populations who cannot afford treatment. ADF does this through local fundraising projects, volunteer mobilization, and quality education programs for dental professionals.

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Board of Trustees 2008-2009
 Regina Cobb, DMD, President
 David Dodell, DMD, Trustee
 Anita Elliott, DDS, Past President
 Donald French, DMD, Trustee
 Richard Haft, DDS, Trustee
 Brien Harvey, DDS, Ex-Officio
 Todd Hellwig, DMD, Treasurer
 Mark Hughes, DDS, Vice-President
 Dan Klemmedson, DDS, Speaker
 Charles Lucero, DDS, Trustee
 Peggy Myers, DDS, Trustee
 Robert Roda, DDS, Ex-Officio
 Bryan Shanahan, DDS, Secretary
 Don Simpson, DDS, President-Elect
 Thomas Turnbull, DDS, Treasurer

Council on Communications 2008-2009
 Bob Baker, DMD
 Mark Crane, DDS
 Eric Curtis, DDS
 Richard De Mark, DDS
 Brien Harvey, DDS
 Gary Jones, DDS
 Robert Roda, DDS
 Steven Smith, DDS
 Jerry Sparks, DDS, Chair
 Norman Urquhart, DMD
 Kyong Yi, DMD
 Cynthia Bosman, AzDA Allied Member
 Darby Lefler, ASDOH Class of 2009


 

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