President's Letter April 2025

Apr 1, 2025
Dear Colleagues, As we move into a busy spring season, our Society continues to work diligently on key initiatives that impact our profession and the communities we serve. We are actively engaged in discussions to streamline registration for dental assistants and ensure effective level designation for assistants...

Dr. Hilary Abel

Dear Colleagues,

As we move into a busy spring season, our Society continues to work diligently on key initiatives that impact our profession and the communities we serve. We are actively engaged in discussions to streamline registration for dental assistants and ensure effective level designation for assistants. Additionally, we are advocating to protect against potential DC Medicaid cuts and authorize dentists to administer Botox in DC while also prioritizing wellness initiatives for both our members and their teams.

Wellness Initiatives

Our Wellness Committee is committed to equipping members with valuable tools to support overall well-being. You will notice wellness tips integrated into our monthly CE meetings moving forward.

This year DCDS launched a program to support member dentists, your colleagues and staff, as well as those who live in your households: the DCDS Member Assistance Program. This program provides on-demand counseling assistance, life coaching, financial consultations, legal referrals and a range of other benefits to your emotional and professional well-being. Additionally, the ADA offers Talkspace Go, a suite of self-guided mental health resources, including counseling programs, live classes, and wellness tools. I encourage you to explore this program at  Talkspace Go.

April: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

As oral health professionals, we play a crucial role in educating the public about oral cancer risks and symptoms. Let’s take this opportunity to promote regular screenings, encourage healthy lifestyle habits such as smoking cessation and alcohol reduction, and emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment.

To further raise awareness, I invite you and your team to participate in the Oral Cancer Foundation 5K on Saturday, April 26 at Wheaton Regional Park. You can register here: Oral Cancer Foundation 5K.

Upcoming Events

  • National Signing Day at Howard University – April 30
  • Community Service Opportunity: St. Maria’s Meals (April 30, 4:15–6:15 PM) – Join us in providing dinner for DC’s unhoused community. If you’re interested in volunteering, please sign up via our online form.

ADA Leadership Institutes – Applications Open

The ADA is offering an opportunity for 30 dentists and 10 dental students to participate in the ADA Leadership Institutes. This prestigious 15-month, tuition-free leadership development program prepares dentists from diverse backgrounds for leadership roles within organized dentistry. Participants will attend in-person sessions in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and a regional city, along with monthly virtual sessions. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

To apply, visit:  ADA Leadership Institutes.

Major Professional Meetings in DC

DC will be hosting several key professional conferences this year, providing valuable opportunities for learning and networking:

  • Academy for Sports Dentistry Global Symposium – June 26–28
  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meeting – September 15–20
  • ADA SmileCon – October 23–25 (including the DCDS Symposium for Licensure on October 25)

We appreciate your engagement and look forward to working together to strengthen our profession and serve our community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if you’d like to get involved in any of these initiatives.

Best regards,

Hillary Rosse Abel, D.M.D.