APPENDIX
The 1983 ADA House of Delegates adopted five principal
recommendations of the Future of Dentistry Report as planning guidelines for the ADA. Further, the House of Delegates adopted Resolution 79H-1983 which adds a sixth recommendation to the Strategic Plan. This sixth recommendation is presented as an appendix to the Strategic Plan.
Recommendation VI: Improve the Profession's Ability to Favorably Influence Public Policy.
Rationale:
Governmental agencies, legislative bodies and consumer groups are demonstrating increasing activism in attempting to influence the delivery of health care services. These efforts have resulted in changes: in state licensure and regulatory laws; in the scope of practice of professionals and auxiliaries; in health care
delivery systems; in publicly funded health care services; in taxation; in insurance and regulation and other areas which
directly or indirectly influence the practice of dentistry. The profession must become better informed and better organized to deal effectively with these outside influences in a manner
consistent with the best interests of the health of the public. Recommended Actions:
• Increase emphasis on legislative activities at both the state and national levels.
• Increase education and motivation of members of the
profession to participate in influencing the policy of major activities of governmental bodies.
• Encourage greater participation in and effectiveness of dental Political Action Committees.
• Coordinate activities with other national dental
organizations, the Auxiliary and other related dental groups.
• Organize coalitions and alliances with other professional and business groups, where possible consumer groups, to help achieve the profession's objectives.
