Why should I join the Michigan Dental Association?
What will MDA membership do for me?
Am I only joining the MDA?
Do I have to pay dues for the ADA, MDA and my local district society separately?
Is it worth the money to join?
Once I apply, when can I access benefits?
Are my dues tax-deductible?
Is there a way to recoup some of my dues?
How much is membership?
How do I apply?
Why should I join the Michigan Dental Association?
1. The voice of the profession - Dentists face obstacles from many groups such as big business, government regulatory agencies and insurance companies. These groups continually provide challenges in an attempt to gain control of some aspect of the profession - sometimes to the detriment of both dentists and the public. The privacy of the dental office cannot shelter practicing dentists from government decrees. Education and skills mean nothing without freedom to use them.
2. A united professional community - The collective influence that dentists exert through membership in organized dentistry far exceeds the efforts of any individual or splinter group. The more dentists that support organized dentistry, the more clout the profession will have with legislators, big business entities and the public during lobbying and negotiation efforts.
3. Organized dentistry is the guardian of professional image - The association's original purpose was to make the practice of dentistry better for the public. Conscientious practitioners created the ADA in 1859 to eradicate unethical dental practices that had existed for centuries. The MDA was founded a few years earlier in 1856 and made the following statement:
"Every dentist in the State should feel it a duty which he owes the profession, his patrons, and himself, to be an active member of the State Society and one or more of the National Societies, 'as we hold it to be a cardinal principle' that the interchanges of opinions and the friendly relations that are induced by cooperation of individuals in this form of Societies or Associations, when organized for the purpose of advancing Science, result, not only in practical benefit to their members, but to the community among whom they individually reside."
4. An ethical responsibility - The founders of organized dentistry recognized the unscrupulous practices of some gave all dentists a bad reputation in the eyes of the public. For this reason, ADA and MDA members are required to live by a code of ethics. They are expected to be more than opportunistic merchants of dental services. This dedication is evident in all of the association's activities - from lobbying legislatures on bills that directly affect dental practice to hosting educational programs that enable dentists to deliver better dental care.
5. Making a difference for the future - Members can make a difference by getting involved. As volunteers, each dentist has the opportunity to help shape the future of the profession, network with colleagues and develop valuable leadership skills. Organized dentistry is fair-minded and democratic. Positions are obtained through debate and consensus, so that the organization can present a united front.
What will MDA membership do for me?
Organized dentistry's benefits and services can be grouped in distinct categories - insurance/malpractice, education, government relations, marketplace issues, public relations/marketing, member services, research/evaluation, publications, individual assistance and professional review.
It is important to recognize that our association has a tripartite structure. This structure enables the MDA to speak with a unified voice on the national, state and local levels. Members of the MDA automatically belong to all three levels. Promoting one of these levels enhances the efforts of the other two.
Am I only joining the MDA?
Membership is tripartite. That means you join the MDA, ADA and your local dental society. The MDA dues invoice includes membership at all three levels. The unity of tripartite membership produces a more effective dental profession.
Do I have to pay dues for the ADA, MDA and my local district
society separately?
No. To make things easier for you, the MDA invoice includes dues for the MDA, ADA and your local dental society. The MDA then forwards the money to the ADA and local component.
Several options are available:
Lump Sum Program. Once you receive your dues statement, you can send in the total amount with a check or credit card.
Installment Program. You can also pay your dues in four equal installments. Your dues statement comes in a four-part form. The due dates for the installment program are listed on the form. Send the top form in with your first payment by the due date. Send the second form in with payment by the second due date, and so on. You will not receive additional statements from the MDA.
Prepaid Dues Program. The MDA Prepaid Dues Program can reduce the financial burden of one lump-sum payment. This program gives you the option of paying your yearly dues in quarterly installments. To be eligible for the program, your current year dues must be paid in full by March 1. If you have questions or would like to participate in the Prepaid Dues Program, call (800) 589-2632.
Is it worth the money to join?
Absolutely! In the end you are actually saving money by being an MDA member. The cost for each intangible item provided by organized dentistry alone could far exceed the total dues payment, and some benefits would be impossible to obtain by any other means. It would cost a great deal for individual dentists if the ADA was not there to restrain the excesses of government (e.g. OSHA), or if the MDA was not there to protect dentists against the self-serving interests of big business and insurance companies, or lobby for or against legislation affecting the profession. If a dentist had to hire experts to answer every question or problem that arose, pay the going rate for all continuing dental education courses, or run their own media promotions - the cost would be prohibitively higher than the cost of membership.
Furthermore, participation in endorsed programs and services (health insurance, auto insurance, liability insurance, etc.) can provide members with significant savings. Many members are able to recoup a good deal of their dues dollars through the savings they receive by simply participating in these programs!
Finally, look at the cost of membership another way — think of dues dollars working for you. Dues dollars collected by the MDA are divided among national, state and local organizations so that the MDA can maintain a unified presence on each of these levels. This money funds numerous benefits and services, and cover the costs of dealing with the government, media and insurance companies.
Once I apply, when can I access benefits?
When we receive your application and full dues payment, you will have immediate access to all member benefits. Your name will then be listed in the MDA Journal as a member-applicant and, with your local dental society's approval, your membership will be approved 30 days after the publication of the Journal.
Are my dues tax-deductible?
Dues payments are deductible by members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. As part of the deficit reduction legislation of 1993, the tax law was changed to prohibit taxpayers from deducting expenses attributable to lobbying, as defined in the law. Accordingly, only that portion of your dues not attributable to lobbying activities remains deductible. We provide you with a reasonable estimate of the non-deductible percent of your dues attributable to lobbying activities right on your dues statement.
On the MDA and local levels, life membership is awarded in May of each year to doctors who are turning age 65 during that year and who have maintained membership in some category for 35 years, or who are retiring from dentistry and have maintained membership continuously from graduation. Dues will be reduced to reflect life member status the year you turn 66.
The ADA follows the same age requirement, but differs in the number of years required in membership. The ADA requires 30 consecutive years of membership or 40 total years of membership before you are eligible for ADA life membership.
There are two categories of ADA and MDA life membership: active (working) and retired. Active life members pay 50 percent of ADA dues for as long as they work. Active MDA life members pay 50 percent dues (and no marketing assessment) through age 70. Fully retired life members do not pay dues.
Is there a way to recoup some of my dues?
Yes! Many members have recouped the cost of dues by participating in insurance and other programs endorsed by the Michigan Dental Association. MDA Insurance offers a full line of competitively priced insurance programs that offer you special money-saving group rates. MDA Services Group offers valuable discounts on a variety of endorsed programs, including credit cards, electronic claims processing, latex and vinyl gloves, payroll processing, Web site development, magazine discounts, and more! For more information or a free insurance estimate, call (800) 860-2272.
How much is membership?
In late October 2010 the ADA set 2011 dues at $505. The 2011 MDA dues for active working members are $701 (plus a $265 statewide marketing assessment). Local dental society dues vary from $0 to $290.
How do I apply?
Simply fill out the online application and a membership kit and dues statement will be mailed to you. You can also call (800) 589-2632, ext. 424 or 425.