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Dear Fellow SAID Members,
It is a privilege to serve you as
President this year and an honor to follow in the footsteps of the outstanding
men and women who have served you as president in the past. I am very grateful
for this honor. Also, let me recognize the others that were elected to serve
you this year: Carolyn Fetter as Vice President, Charlie Brooks as Treasurer,
and Bobby Turner as Secretary. I suspect everyone in the SAID are familiar with
these fine individuals.
The Annual Meeting and Seminar
held last November at the Myrtle Beach Embassy Suites resort was another big
success. Both the location and facility were superb; and as a result, the
members in attendance voted to return to the same location this year. We can
expect another fun filled and educational event this year. For additional
information concerning the 2008 SAID Meeting and Seminar, just click on the link
“Next Meeting”.
I know we are all looking forward
to the good times ahead at the 2008 Meeting in Myrtle Beach; however, let me
take a moment to reflect…..
Since we last met in Myrtle
Beach, we shared the sadness of the passing of Sarah Bradshaw. She was a dear
friend to many of us and a dedicated member of the SAID. Sarah was a caring
person that worked passionately to serve persons with disabilities and she will
be missed. I am proud to say that the SAID was able to honor Sarah with a
donation to the local Cancer Society in her home town, funded entirely by the
generous donations of many of you.
“The Times They Are a
Changing” - Bob Dylan wrote these words over 40 years ago and they have
certainly been true for the SAID…
- Once a small group of dentists, dental hygienists, and
dental assistants from a few Southern States, (hence the name); now an
organization with members from states far beyond the original boundaries,
including New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. The
energy and charisma these new members bring is tremendous. These “Yankees”
have served as Presidents, Vice Presidents, Scientific Program Chairs, and
Seminar Presenters. In my opinion, the SAID would not be the organization
we are today without the hard work and dedication of many of these members.
- The SAID moved into the twenty first century not too
long ago with the launching of this web site (www.saiddent.org
). Credit goes to the creativity of Rocco DiSanto and George Johnson. The
site offers a wealth of information to members and others alike. All that
is needed is an interest and access to the World Wide Web.
So What is Happening
Now???
- Plans for the 2008 Annual Meeting are being finalized
- Venues are being considered for the 2009 and 2010 Annual Meetings
- Work is underway to obtain an additional five years program
approval for continuing education from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
- Training Modules are being reviewed for necessary updates
- Our membership list is being updated and work is underway to
automate the mailing list
- Efforts to recruit additional corporate sponsors is ongoing
Future Challenges for
the SAID???
- Since MH/DD facilities are downsizing in many states
and institutional dental programs are shrinking, we must find ways to serve
persons with disabilities outside the traditional brick and mortar walls of
our institutions. This requires that we become better advocates for persons
with disabilities so they are not lost in the community without access to
dental care.
- Since many life-long members are retiring and assuming
less active roles in our organization, we must work to recruit and groom new
members to assume leadership roles.
- Since attendance at our annual meetings has been
trending downward in recent years, we must identify the reasons and work to
reverse this trend.
Annual Planning Session
Traditionally we hold a planning
session on Wednesday morning before the official kick-off. The purpose of these
planning sessions is to address the challenges facing our organization.
Everyone is welcome, so make plans to be there Wednesday morning to help shape
the future of the SAID. We need your help.
Be safe, and I hope to see
everyone in Myrtle Beach this year.
Sincerely
Scott
Scott D. Monroe, DDS
SAID President 2008
SMonroe@DHR.State.Ga.US
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