NDA Journal 18 NDA President and Executive Director’s Spring Article When was the last time in recent memory did Las Vegas rock gardens and green turf turn white with Valentine’s Day snow? Or when Northern Nevada mountain communities had to dig into the snow to reach their front doors? And when was the last time Truckee temperatures dropped below zero? It’s been a while. But with water so well-needed right now, a long winter of snowfall is worth the benefit for the summer season. The NDA started the year with its MidWinter House of Delegates meeting on Saturday, January 28. Delegates from all over Nevada gathered in Reno to discuss immediate NDA business and upcoming opportunities for members. Thanks to all delegates, volunteers, and guests participating in this year’s meeting. With the Winter of 2023, the NDA has come into the year like a Lion. The 2023 Legislative Session is underway with pre-COVID protocols and “faceto-face” meetings. The NDA lobby team, Tri-Strategies, the NDA Council of Government Affairs, and NDA leadership are fighting hard for our members and organized dentistry in Nevada. This work is a battle as we move legislative priorities in a forward direction. It includes two insurance reform bills: “Patients Before Profits” (DLR) and Code Changes Need a Clinical Cause and our Modernization of Dentistry and Expanded Function Dental Assistant bills. In early March, the NDA represented Nevada at the ADA and Student Lobby Day in Washington, DC. NDA leaders and UNLV dental students met with several key U.S. legislators to discuss the Resident Education and Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, the Dental and Optometric Care Access (DOC Access) Act, and Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA). In addition, ADA members and dental students from around the country rallied in Washington, DC, to ensure organized dentistry remains the leader in advocacy for dentists and patients here in the U.S. Looking ahead into Spring, we hope members will join us for Oral Health Day at the Capitol on April 6 in Carson City. This full-day event will put our members in front of legislators, allowing them to share stories about how harmful insurance practices impact your practice and your patients. We will end the day with a reception giving a final mix and mingling with legislators in a more relaxed atmosphere. Head to the NDA website to register for Oral Health Day, nvda.org. Lastly, the NDA has been on a fullcourt press to get every NDA member renewed for 2023. This is no small task; it takes not only association staff but also help from our dental society boards and NDA Council on Membership to make this effort successful. We have stemmed the year-over-year loss of members, so NDA President and Executive Director’s Article Michele M. Reeder Jason R. Doucette, DMD
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