In my last note, the topic of managing change was at the forefront and what that meant for both the Santa Clara Dental Society as well as our membership. Being part of a tripartite membership, members ultimately receive benefits from three organizations, ADA (national), CDA (state) and your local component. Your membership is not just a formality—it’s a gateway to a supportive network and a wealth of resources that can elevate your practice and enrich your career. We encourage you to look for these benefits and take full advantage of them and actively participate in our vibrant Santa Clara County dental community.

1. Exceptional Staff Support: Our dedicated team is here to assist you in your dental career and practice. Whether you have questions about regulatory changes, need guidance on practice management, or require assistance with managing your team, our staff is just a call or email away. We pride ourselves on our ability to immediately respond to your questions.
   
   

2. Continuing Education: Accumulate CE courses throughout the year without paying an exorbitant amount of fees. Unlike other Dental Components across the state, our General Membership Meetings (GMM) offer you 2 CE units each. That amounts to a potential for 18 units throughout the year towards your license renewal! Also, starting in 2024 we will be launching the Bay Area Dental Expo – two days of learning and networking focused on innovation for our members and their teams.
   
   

3. Networking & Community Engagement: Don’t miss out on our exciting lineup of 20+ social events throughout the year. These gatherings provide valuable networking opportunities with fellow members, allowing you to connect, share insights, and foster relationships within our dental community. They’re also a great way to have fun and unwind from your day-to-day practice. Find the next themed mixer to network with like-minded peers or bring the family and friends for some fun at our premier events such as TopGolf and the Zoo! New in 2024, we will be hosting the inaugural SCCDS Annual Gala Celebrating Dental Excellence, a lavish evening to celebrate the careers and accomplishments of our members and the community we support.
   
   

4. Comprehensive Trainings: We are committed to your professional growth and development. Our society offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and webinars, designed to enhance your clinical skills, keep you updated on the latest industry trends, and earn continuing education credits. In 2023, we provided over 100 training courses and are looking to add new and innovative courses to meet your evolving needs.

   1. CPR – 60

   2. IFC/DPA/OSHA – 24

   3. Other CE – 23

      1. Opioid 3

      2. HIPAA 4

      3. Study Club 3
         
         

5. Upcoming Programs:

   1. Clinical Study Clubs by Specialty: Our newly formatted study clubs will bring dentists together in person by their respective specialties to share their cases and expertise while earning valuable CE units. 
      
      

   2. Clinical Technology Workshops: Get hands-on experience with the latest science and technology trends in dentistry.
      
      

   3. Business Planning and Development: This program will guide members through the process of developing a viable business plan, from concept to execution. 
      
      

   4. Financial Literacy: Discover resources and tools to manage finances, create budgets, secure funding, and make informed financial decisions.
      
      

   5. Marketing and Branding: Gain insights into effective marketing strategies, and utilize digital platforms to build a strong brand identity.
      
      

   6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Get vital information on legal structures, permits, licenses, and compliance requirements.
       

6. Digital Content: Stay connected with us on our website and our reenergized social media channels and be among the first to know about what’s coming next at SCCDS. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to receive timely updates, engage in discussions, and stay informed about upcoming events and important industry news. We’ve also created a library of video content that includes recordings of past meetings and our HR Compliance Series from our partners at the California Employers’ Association. And, don’t forget about our award-winning magazine, The Cutting Edge, available on our website in a convenient downloadable format.
   
   

7. Next-Level Communication: We’ve improved our ability to connect with you by investing in texting services that bring course registrations and reminders to your fingertips. You can also rely on our frequent and informative email blasts that keep you updated on news, discounts, events, and alerts from across the world of dentistry.
   
   

8. Partnerships: Our Strategic Partnerships share our vision and undergo a due diligence process to ensure that their products/services meet the needs and priorities of our dental members. Through these partnerships, SCCDS will be able to offer a menu of discounted fee-based services to enhance and transform how our members work.

   1. To address the workforce shortage and need, SCCDS has partnered with Swiss Monkey, a virtual front desk service, to help your dental practice run more efficiently. They provide experienced team members to assist with staffing needs, as well as specialized teams to manage billing, accounts receivable, hygiene care, scheduling, and insurance verification activities.
      
      

If you have any questions or suggestions to help add more value to the membership, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the SCCDS team. Your feedback is invaluable as we continually strive to enhance your membership experience.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to advancing the field of dentistry in Santa Clara County.

Shadi Kanaan

Executive Director

Santa Clara County Dental Society