The ADA Board of Trustees met this February in soggy California for a retreat and "think tank" session on the important issues for the coming year. Workforce, access, education, national licensure examinations, and how to serve those in need without compromising good care were still the top concerns. We heard comments from individuals involved in industry, allied personnel, public health, insurance, and dental schools. We also discussed "community", and the community of dentistry involves these partners plus the public. I am very impressed with the quality of the people involved in our organization, and I can assure you the American Dental Association is a leader in all areas of oral health.

Here are some ways you can get involved.

Many of our Tenth District leaders attended the Washington Leadership Conference March 7 through 9 in Washington, D.C. Please speak with your representatives who attended to promote grassroots advocacy and involvement with your state and national PAC development. District members spent the day discussing the future of health care and oral health care in America. They listened to a presentation from former Representative Newt Gingrich and to Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute who gave a presentation on Washington's political climate. Many visited with representatives on the Hill to discuss state and national issues. This is grassroots lobbying at its best, and the members of the Senate and House appreciate knowing the health care concerns of the members of their districts. The best way to be involved is to make a phone call to your state and national leaders and express your views.

I also want to thank all of you who participated in Give Kids a Smile Day. My local group in the Quad Cities has had three successful GKAS years taking care of all the children the United Way could find and completing their dental needs. The ADA can help you get started on a program for your community. Not only are you helping young children, but the camaraderie with other local members is an added benefit. It's a fun and very needed program.

Volunteering for Operation Backlog in Alaska is another opportunity to help your association. The people in remote villages in Alaska are not getting adequate dental care because of the shortage of dentists. Many dental volunteers have already gone to Alaska to participate. Dr. Curt Johnson of South Dakota wrote about his experiences in one of the recent issues of the ADA News and recounted how thoroughly he enjoyed this volunteer program. Volunteering, of course, will not solve the access problem, but it does serve an immediate need. There will be more information in the next months about the status of dental health practice in Alaska.

Many of you have also been following the status of the National Clinical Licensing Examination. The ADA has formed a Consensus Committee to bring the American Association of Dental Examiners, American Dental Education Association, regional and individual licensing agencies, and other parties of interest together to develop a common national clinical licensing examination. It is in the interest of all in the association to work together to complete this project. If in the committee's opinion the collaborative process is at a stalemate, the Board will consider the information and use it to possibly initiate an ADA-led effort to develop a national clinical licensure examination as discussed in the 2004 ADA House of Delegates.

On a final note, also as approved by the 2004 ADA House of Delegates, the existing ADA Seal of Acceptance program for professional products will be phased out over three years. The Council of Scientific Affairs, however, will be launching the ADA Professional Product Report in 2006.

I will be seeing you this spring at the Star of the North Meeting and look forward to discussing more issues and listening to your ideas and concerns for our organization. In the meantime, if there is an issue you wish to discuss, I can be reached at: Kellk@ada.org or (563) 355-6626.