Councils and Committees
Councils are made up of seven members who are appointed for three-year
terms with the exception of the Council on Scientific Sessions which
has five members who may serve simultaneously on a second council.
Each officer is appointed to serve as an ex-officio on a number of
councils. Committees are appointed on an annual basis with no restrictions
on number of members, terms, or number of committees one may serve.
Communications
This council promotes communications between the Association and the
public, between the Association and between its members. It oversees
the image of the Association, as well as public relations efforts with
the media. The council, with the approval of the House of Delegates,
now moves into its fourth year with statewide print, radio and television
advertising. The council is also responsible for the RIDA WEB page.
Dental Benefit Programs
This council is concerned with matters relating to prepaid dental programs,
both public and private. The council maintains communications with third
party administrators and other insurance companies helping to serve
as a catalyst for addressing problems impacting the dental delivery
system in this state. The RIDA is also a participant in the ADA Pilot
Program for Direct Reimbursement.
Education and Licensure
This council oversees all requests for approval of continuing education
courses given by dentists or non-dentists or by sponsorship of any business
concern, formulates and recommends policy on dental auxiliary education,
subjects that affect dental, dental auxiliary and related education,
dental Licensure and dental auxiliary credentialing.
Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs
This council's responsibilities encompass ethics, bylaws, and judicial
enforcement of dental disciplinary proceedings. Specific areas include
issuing advisory opinions relating to the Principles of Ethics and Code
of Professional Conduct, reviewing the Association's Constitution and
Bylaws, and provides guidance to the peer review program.
Governmental Affairs
Successful legislative effort requires close attention during the state
legislative session and often fast response when legislative developments
occur. This council provides overall supervision and coordination for
development and implementation of the RIDA legislative program and activities
of the RIDA lobbyist. The council also monitors regulatory agencies
for anticipated regulations that affect the practice of dentistry.
Membership
This council is responsible for the recruitment and retention, and
monitoring trends of members, and the encouragement of membership involvement
throughout organized dentistry. The council also promotes support of
the development of membership benefits and services in response to member
needs.
Peer Review
The Association and its component societies provide peer review, which
often facilitates resolution of disputes between patients, dentists
and/or third party payers. Workshops on mediation are sponsored on a
regular basis to keep members current with state law, the requirements
of the National Practitioner Data Bank and reinforcement of peer review
procedures.
Scientific Sessions
This council has the responsibility of contracting with nationally
known speakers to provide the membership with continuing dental education
programs four to six times a year to comply with Licensure requirements
and other regulatory mandates such as OSHA. Exhibitors are invited to
participate in Association programs on a regular basis, and dental education
courses on topics of importance or interest to members are provided
on an as-needed basis.
Endorsements
This committee is responsible for the development, supervision, and
evaluation of programs and services beneficial to individual members
- benefits both tangible and intangible.
Finance
While the House of Delegates has the ultimate responsibility for RIDA
finances, this committee has the responsibility for investment of reserves
and acts in an advisory capacity on all matters pertaining to Association
funds. The Executive Committee, who are also members of this committee,
submit an annual budget to the House of Delegates as well as an annual
certified financial audit of Association activities.
Dentists Health
This committee serves as a confidential resource for members of the
dental team afflicted by alcohol, chemica,l or any other type of
dependency. Caring colleagues are available to provide RIDA
members, their families,
and staff with confidential information and support regarding dependency
issues. The committee is seeking to develop a liaison network of
representatives to serve on the committee. Members who are
in need of assistance or
wish to volunteer service should contact Dr. Robert G. Champagne
at 351-1110 or Dr. Raymond George, Jr. at 434-1127.
The New Dentist
This committee is actively involved in helping new professionals prepare
for the "real" world. The committee sponsors four to six meetings
annually to assist new members in the early years of practice.
Waste Water
This committee assists members in each component dental society and/or
municipality to comply with the mandates of the Federal Clean Water
Act specifically as it relates to disposal of dental wastewater effluent
and other hazardous solutions that may enter the water system.
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