By: Shelly Fava, MA, CMP, CAE

Every three years, MDDS develops a new strategic plan. We pause to reflect on our past and determine the best path forward. This process allows us to evaluate our progress and identify ways to advance the Society for our members.

Since 2023, MDDS has had many successes on the goals set in the last strategic plan. Some new or improved benefits you may have noticed include:

• A focus group event held in partnership with CDA to ask members and nonmembers directly how best we can serve them.
• An increased number of member-only benefits on the MDDS website.
• Augmentation of in-person and online CE offerings, including a new webinar library.
• Implementation of a new dentist dues reduction plan for the first four years out of dental school.
• Increased volunteer recognition.
• Refreshing the MDDS, RMDC and MWDI websites including easier navigation, single sign-on and new graphics.
• Refreshed branding and marketing of RMDC.
• Audience-specific and shorter form programming at RMDC.
• The creation RMDC’s Integrated Healthcare Summit and LABX.
• Specialty features in the RMDC Expo Hall including the Education Pavilion, Speed Scan Smackdown, X-ray Battle, Dental Team Lounge, Mile High Party, Beer Gardens, Snacks & Shopping Break, Giveaways, Posture Pavilion, Health Screenings, Diagnostic Testing Pavilion, Headshot Lounge, Blood Drive, Craft Popup and Puppy Playtime.

These wins don’t mean it’s time to sit back. It means it’s time to set new goals to address members’ changing needs and to ensure we’re providing solutions for all dentists in the metro area.

On the next page, you’ll see a graphic of the goals recently approved by the MDDS Board of Directors. These goals will serve as the Society’s guiding light over the next three years. Along with the MDDS Vision and Mission, these goals will be on every agenda during board and committee meetings. The goals will be top of mind as decisions are made on how to apportion resources and where to focus efforts.

Members are the heart of MDDS, which is why the first goal of our new strategic plan is to grow membership. Expanding our membership brings a broader range of perspectives and ideas, allowing MDDS to offer valuable resources and support to all dentists, regardless of their career stage or practice
type. Every voice strengthens our community, and greater participation leads to more thoughtful, impactful decisions. Furthermore, when the CDA represents us at the Colorado Legislature or Dental Board meetings, a larger membership demonstrates the strength and significance of our profession.

For more than 118 years, MDDS has demonstrated its commitment to dental education by founding and supporting the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) and providing continuing education to dentists and their teams throughout the region. The second goal of our strategic plan is to elevate this legacy by unifying courses across RMDC and MWDI, and through webinars, under a comprehensive educational strategy. In preparation for this goal, the MDDS Board recently sunset the RMDC Programming and CE & Events Committees and created the MDDS Education Committee, now responsible for overseeing all MDDS continuing education.

In 2013, MDDS built the Mountain West Dental Institute (MWDI) as a facility to hold continuing education courses and society events. When not being used for MDDS functions, the space is rented out to other organizations and businesses. Income from these rental events helps MDDS provide benefits to members. As with most event facilities, MWDI has not seen a complete recovery since COVID-19. Goal three calls on MDDS to position MWDI for success by employing new marketing tactics, including a potential name change and forming more strategic partnerships. The Board is committed to maximizing the value of this member-owned asset for the benefit of the entire MDDS community.

Since the beginning, MDDS has strived to be a community of dentists helping other dentists and their teams to thrive and provide quality, ethical oral healthcare to patients. This is still the aim, but every three years, a hard look is taken at how best we can support dentists with the networking and resources they need most. The MDDS Board and team believe the new strategic plan will move us forward together.

If you have questions about the strategic plan, feel free to reach out to me at director@mddsdentist.com or at (303) 957-3273.

Shelly Fava, MA, CMP, CAE, is the Executive Director of the Metro Denver Dental Society (MDDS). Prior to assuming the position in 2018, she served in multiple roles at the Society, including Director of Convention & Events. When she isn’t serving the needs of the MDDS team or its members, she practices Tae Kwon Do and enjoys spending time with her husband, teenage son and their dog, Critter.