SEDDS Fall 2020 District Update

Members of The Southeastern District,

Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 virus has continued to impact plans to have District in-person meetings and other events where we can come together to hear how our State Dental Organization has been working on your behalf. This has made it difficult for our current District President, Dr. Aaron Rawlings, who is doing a great job under the current circumstances. I could not imagine having to take the helm of this district under the current climate.

As your representative to the GDA Board of Trustees for the district, I felt that it would be in the best interest of our district to provide a written summary of the work that has been going on behind the scenes. I am taking this opportunity to present some of the “District Action Takeaways” from the Georgia Dental Association. As always, if you have any questions with regards to how the Board is conducting business, please do not hesitate to reach out to me personally.

It has been an honor to continue to represent the district on the Board of Trustees. Again, I am always here to answer questions or find the answer for you if needed.

Regards,

Steven Berwitz, DMD

  • 2021 Membership Renewal: The 2021 dues renewal notices will be sent via email in early November.Please remember GDA dues are due by January 31st of each year. Plan to renew early to continues receiving the benefits the GDA and its subsidiaries provide.
  • GDIS: Health Insurance Open enrollment will start in mid-October and will end November 20th. All members are eligible to sign up for the GDA group policy. Please visit http://www.gdaplus.com/health-plans/group-health-plans for more information.
  • IDBG: The Dental Association Buyers group is growing and now is your time to take part in the savings. There are more then 550 brand sand 65,000 active SKU’s available. Join now or continue to show at http://www.gdaplus.com/gda-plus-supplies
  • GDA Foundation: The GDA Foundation for Oral Health positively promotes the image of dentistry through highlighting the impact on individual lives provided by dentists committed to the healing and overall wellbeing of patients. For more information on how to get involved or give to the Foundation, visit https://www.gadental.org/gda-foundation.
  • GDAPAC: GDADPAC support enables GDA to communicate concerns to candidates for state office, and fight for the safety of Georgia patients and the profession. You can now give online by visiting https://www.gadental.org/advocacy/gadpac
  • Continuing Education: As you are well aware continuing education has changed since COVID-19.The GDA has moved much of the training to a digital platform. If you are interested in training your dental assistants in becoming expanded duties, the GDA has created a hybrid system. Assistants can take the virtual classroom courses and then attend a one day clinical assessment to complete the training. A recent class was given in Savannah and another one is being planned for April. Also, we are planning another CE weekend in Savannah. Hoping to grow on the success of our last meeting (September 2019), we are planning another two-day meeting in April. Stay tuned for more information.
  • Upcoming GDA Events:
    • Friday Nov 6th – Spokesperson Training 8:30am – 1pm
    • July 15-18, 2021– Annual Meeting at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island. Registration will open February 2021