Mastery

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Mastery! In martial arts, the color of one's belt indicates the level of proficiency that they have achieved. In academics, examinations are used to identify competency of material. To obtain a doctorate of dental medicine, years of exams are needed to graduate. Then finally, the weight is lifted off the shoulders. Freedom from the tests, no more hoops to jump through.
It may seem like roses, but as dentists we still have the urge to constantly learn. To improve. To master the trade. Daniel Pink  authors a book titled Drive. It discusses an interesting view of what motivates individuals. While one would think that obtaining a doctorate and having a career with good means would be motivation enough, it appears that motivation for mastery trumps the financial rewards.
As dentists, we strive for excellence. The difficult part is going through the high-end curriculums to learn from the experts. Financial investments, time away from family and hobbies, etc. Solo practice itself creates barriers to developing proficiency and mastery.
A benefit of collaboration and dentistry in a group is the ability to bring experts to the group rather than traveling away from a solo practice.
The PDA (Professional Dental Alliance) is developing a mastery track to allow our doctors to focus on what motivates them. Mastering Dentistry.

I invite all dentists to join us to see where dentistry is going.

When: Thursday June 2, 2011: 7:00PM-9:00PM
Where: Cranberry, Pennsylvania. Patterson Dental Branch Office
Patterson Dental Co, 1253 Freedom Rd Ste 200, Cranberry Twp, PA.



Dr. Andrew Matta

The Future of Dentistry

What does the future hold for our profession? 
Insurance companies for the first time are reducing fee schedules. 

Announced on April 6^th, 2011, Washington Dental Service (Delta of Washington) sent notice to dentists contracted on either or both Premier Plan or PPO plan that new reduced fee schedules will be implemented effective June 15, 2011. It has been estimated the overall reduction in fees will be approximately 15% or more - which in turn will cause a marked reduction in profitability and, therefore, personal income for dentists or specialists with significant WDS patients in their practice. (Cooper Mastery Newsletter April 8, 2011). 

As dentists we look to fight back. However, with the current reality of 85% of dentists practicing in solo private practice, we don't have an ability to organize or leverage to negotiate better fee schedules. 

We can look to the ADA or state dental organizations to work with legislation to resist these changes that insurance companies look to implement. As we all know, this is a very exhausting and commonly futile effort that involves barriers of politics. 

Is their another way? How can dentists define a future that is not controlled by insurance companies? The answer lies in alignment and collaboration. Bring strong doctors together to create a future in dentistry that gives dentists leverage in numbers and in shared values. A professional organization backed by a corporate management team that puts the dentists and patients interest as its mission. A corporate team that understands the ability to leverage and negotiate terms and fee schedules with insurance companies. 

Professional Dental Alliance.
Taking dentistry where it needs to go. 

Dr Andrew Matta

Alliance

Alliance
Wikipedia defines Alliance as an agreement or friendship between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests.

The Professional Dental Alliance (PDA) is a group of dentists with a common goal to attain the highest level of dental knowledge delivering the best patient care. The PDA desires for their dentists to "Master Dentistry".

The PDA's common interests include developing friendships with colleagues that produce lifelong partnerships and relationships with like minded dentists.

The Professional Dental Alliance... Leading an exclusive group of dentists today where dentistry is going tomorrow.


Dr. Andrew Matta
(cc from Dr. Chad Wise)