AN INVITATION, A YES
Early in my career, when I was an associate dentist, I made the decision to get involved in organized dentistry. It was not a grand plan. It was an invitation, a yes, and a willingness to show up. That single decision shaped the trajectory of my career.
I think about that often when I meet young dentists across Ohio. They tell me they are interested in the profession beyond their operatory. They want to be part of something bigger. But they are not sure where to begin, and too often, no one shows them the way. So let me show you the way. It begins with the Ohio Dental Association.
Since it’s inception, the ODA has been the strongest voice our profession has in this state — built by dentists who chose, again and again, to stand together. That collective voice has delivered real results, including:
- A 93% increase in Ohio Dental Medicaid reimbursement, expanding access to care for the patients who need us most.
- Passage of non-covered services legislation, protecting the dentist-patient relationship from outside interference.
- Ongoing advocacy on the insurance issues that frustrate every one of us in practice — network leasing, prior authorizations, and claim payment methods.
- Fluoridation of municipal water systems.
- Dental workforce issues.
- And many more.
None of this happens on its own. It happens because organized dentistry in Ohio shows up, and it grows stronger with every dentist who joins.
What I have learned in this role is that the work of organized dentistry is not abstract. It looks like a phone call with a colleague who is navigating a difficult insurance dispute. It looks like a study club that helps a young dentist troubleshoot a case. It looks like a seasoned practitioner sitting down with a recent graduate to talk through the realities of buying a practice. The ODA exists to make those connections possible. If you are new to the profession, that is what membership offers you — not a brochure of benefits, but a network of people who have been where you are and want to help you succeed.
There is no better place to begin than this September in Columbus. The 2026 ODA Annual Session will be held Sept. 17-19 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where more than 3,000 dental professionals from across our region will gather for three days of outstanding continuing education, an Exhibit Hall featuring what is next in our field, and the kind of conversations that remind you exactly why you chose this profession. Whether you are a member or not, I want you there. Find me. Introduce yourself. I would be honored to meet you.
So here is my ask. If you are already a member, invite one colleague this year to join you at a component meeting or event. One conversation, one invitation, one yes — that is how this association was built, and that is how it grows. If you are not yet a member, today is the day. Visit oda.org and join the dentists who are shaping the future of our profession in Ohio.
Our time is now. Our mission is clear. I hope to see you in Columbus.
