By: Susan Kutis, DDS

As my term as MDDS President comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the last four years. One might ask what inspired me to join the board in the first place.

During the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, I realized the important role of dental organizations such as MDDS and CDA. At the time, Dr. Kevin Patterson and Dr. Jeff Kahl were the MDDS and CDA president’s respectively, and they had the challenging task of advocating on behalf of the dental organizations at the state and local levels while providing critical information to members via Zoom town hall meetings. Their hands were tied by the rules and policies of the state and federal government agencies, and they were doing their best in a politically charged environment. Watching those meetings, I felt compelled to do something. During the pandemic, I am certain that at some point, most of us didn’t feel in control of our lives and also felt a deep sense of hopelessness. I went from having a thriving dental practice to having to lay off my amazing team members while isolating myself from friends and family. When we were finally able to open our practice doors, supplies were difficult to source, costs went up exponentially and many team members didn’t return to dentistry, causing a labor shortage. Even those who did return requested premium wage increases. The Zoom town hall meetings both helped and inspired me, and I decided it was finally time to have a seat at the table. I was willing to give up some of my time, which in my season of life is a precious commodity, and to devote energy to promoting and supporting organized dentistry.

Being the MDDS president while Dr. Kevin Patterson is the CDA president and Dr. Brett Kessler is the ADA president was truly inspirational and humbling. Both have inspired me with their selfless leadership and ability to step up in the most challenging situations. While I was lucky not to have to deal with a global pandemic or large leadership changes during my term, we are not completely out of the woods. As an organization, we must continue to retain standing members while attracting new ones. We must stay relevant in this ever-changing dental landscape. I can assure you that volunteer dentists and team members have spent countless hours making sure RMDC has the greatest international and national lecturers and that your dental teams will be wowed by the courses and the Expo Hall.

I certainly don’t have all the answers. The challenges facing organized dentistry and the dental profession are always multifactorial. However, one of the main challenges I see threatening our profession is the large student loan burden new graduates are saddled with when graduating from dental school. Such a financial burden limits their personal and professional options following dental school. This limitation forces longer work hours and challenging work environments just to pay the bills. This can lead to professional burnout. It is also more difficult for new graduates to either buy an existing dental practice, start their own practice or pursue a career in public health. Organized dentistry certainly can’t solve these issues alone; however, I hope it is a resource for both new graduates and seasoned dentists as well as a safe space for fostering mentorship and support.

Finally, I reflect on my personal growth and journey serving on the board for the past four years. First and foremost, I feel grateful for the lifelong friendships I have made. I have mentioned this previously, but the MDDS board is unique in its diversity in both practice modalities and backgrounds. Yet we are all unified in serving the mission of MDDS. I have also grown as a leader. Leadership does not come naturally to me, and I would be willing to bet it doesn’t come naturally to most people. However, I have dedicated the last several years to being a more effective leader and to leading with empathy and kindness. I had the great fortune to be surrounded by others with this same leadership style, who have served as examples for me. Past President Dr. Pat Prendergast and our very own MDDS Executive Director, Mrs. Shelly Fava, both embody the ideal leader. MDDS has been around since 1897, and I feel incredibly proud to be part of its rich dental tapestry. A special thank you to all the ladies on the MDDS professional team. They work behind the scenes to make RMDC the success it is today.

To all the volunteer dentists who give time and talent to serve this great organization, each of you has made a valuable contribution to the profession. And, lastly, to my own family: my parents who helped me with my daughter while I attended meetings and my daughter for putting up with all the Zoom calls while driving her to swimming lessons.

Best of luck to Dr. Bryan Savage, you are one in a million and we are so honored to have you as our next MDDS President.