Dentistry in the Know Hosts Candid Conversation with Dr. Bob D on Dental Advocacy
In a recent interview at the Chicago Winter event, Chad Planets and Jennifer Bell of “Dentists in the Know” sat down with Dr. Bob D, a prominent figure in dental advocacy and founder of a popular Facebook community for dentists.
Dr. Bob, who graduated from Loyola in 1992, shared how his Facebook group—originally created during the pandemic to help 50 local dentists source N95 masks—has grown to nearly 9,000 members. The group operates under the mantra “support, educate, and advocate,” focusing on uniting dentists across the country.
The conversation revealed Dr. Bob’s multifaceted approach to dental advocacy, which now includes a nonprofit think tank called Dentistry Ginger Advocacy Coalition, a YouTube channel, an annual live event called “Diga Palooza,” and a newly formed radio network for dental podcasters.
A significant portion of the interview addressed the challenges facing private practitioners. Dr. Bob offered valuable insights about associate hiring, emphasizing that practice owners need to prioritize their young associates’ success. “The rule in our office is the associate eats first, I eat second,” he stated, highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments for new dentists with substantial student debt.
The interview took a deeper turn when discussing organized dentistry. Dr. Bob explained his journey from being critical of the American Dental Association to becoming a strong supporter, despite disagreements with some policies. He emphasized that “without the ADA, we have no voice” in legislative matters.
Key issues addressed included:
- Dental Loss Ratio legislation, which Dr. Bob described as “the most important piece of legislation in our profession,” designed to ensure insurance companies use an appropriate percentage of premiums for patient care.
- Challenges with insurance organizations like NCOIL (National Council of Insurance Legislators) that wield significant influence over dental insurance regulation.
- The importance of unified dental advocacy while acknowledging regional differences across states.
- Concerns about license portability compacts, with Dr. Bob urging dentists to advocate for a system that benefits practitioners rather than corporate dental entities.
Throughout the interview, Dr. Bob’s passion for dental advocacy was evident as he called for greater engagement from dentists in shaping the future of their profession.
For practitioners interested in learning more, Dr. Bob recommended visiting his YouTube channel “Dentistry in General,” which features a 12-part educational series on dental compacts and other important industry issues.
The candid conversation underscores the complex challenges facing modern dentistry and highlights the critical importance of practitioner involvement in professional advocacy as the industry continues to evolve.
