In the realm of healthcare, including dentistry, policy decisions have a profound impact on practitioners, patients, and the overall delivery of services. Dental professionals play a crucial role in shaping these policies by actively participating on boards. This article explores the significance of dental professionals’ involvement in policy development and advocacy.
The Importance of Board Participation
Dental professionals’ engagement is essential for several reasons:
- Representation of the Profession:
Voice for Peers: Serving on a professional board allows dental professionals to represent the interests, concerns, and perspectives of their peers. They can advocate for policies that benefit the entire dental community, ensuring that decisions reflect the needs of practitioners. - Setting Standards and Guidelines:
Influence on Standards: Boards establish and revise standards of practice, ethics, and guidelines for dental care. By participating, professionals can contribute their expertise to develop evidence-based guidelines that enhance patient care and safety. - Advancing Professional Development:
Access to Educational Resources: Boards often provide educational resources, continuing education opportunities, and professional development programs for members. This helps dental professionals stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices in the field. - Networking and Collaboration:
Connect with Peers: Board membership facilitates networking with other dental professionals, specialists, and leaders in the field. This collaboration fosters knowledge exchange, mentorship, and support among peers. - Influence on Regulatory Matters:
Advocacy: Boards play a crucial role in advocacy efforts and lobbying for legislative changes that impact dental practice. Professionals on these boards can advocate for policies that promote access to dental care, address healthcare disparities, and support fair reimbursement practices. - Quality Improvement Initiatives:
Enhancing Patient Care: Boards oversee quality improvement initiatives within the profession, ensuring that practitioners adhere to high standards of care. They develop programs and initiatives to promote continuous improvement in clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. - Staying Informed and Relevant:
Industry Trends: Board members gain insights into emerging trends, technologies, and research in dentistry. This knowledge helps professionals adapt their practices to meet evolving patient needs and stay competitive in the healthcare landscape. - Leadership Development:
Personal Growth: Serving on a board provides opportunities for leadership development and honing governance skills. It enhances decision-making abilities, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary settings.
Serving on Boards
Dental professionals have several options for gaining board experience and contributing to the advancement of their profession. Here are some avenues they can explore:
- Provincial Regulatory Authorities:
Each province in Canada has its own regulatory authority for dentistry, dental assisting and dental hygiene. These bodies are responsible for regulating dental practice, setting standards, and ensuring public protection. - National Dental Associations:
National associations play a key role in advocating for the profession, providing continuing education, and setting guidelines. Professionals can seek board positions or committee memberships within these associations to contribute to policy development and advocacy efforts. - Academic Institutions:
Universities and schools often have advisory boards or committees comprising of dental professionals, educators, and researchers. These boards guide curriculum development, research priorities, and strategic initiatives within dental education and academia. - Government Advisory Committees:
Dental professionals can contribute their expertise by serving on government advisory committees related to public health, healthcare policy, and dental care delivery. These committees advise government bodies on issues affecting oral health promotion, dental workforce planning, and healthcare system integration. - Non-Profit Organizations and Foundations:
Non-profit organizations and foundations focused on oral health, community dentistry, and dental research often seek dental professionals to serve on their boards or advisory councils. These roles provide opportunities to advocate for public health initiatives, community outreach programs, and research funding.
Professional Behavior and Expectations of Board Members
Commitment to Mission and Vision:
Board members should align with the organization’s mission, vision, and values. They should demonstrate a commitment to advancing the organization’s goals and objectives.
Ethical Standards:
Uphold high ethical standards in all actions and decisions. This includes transparency, honesty, and integrity in board deliberations and interactions.
Confidentiality:
Respect and maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information discussed during board meetings and related to organizational matters.
Duty of Care:
Act in the best interest of the organization. Exercise diligence, prudence, and care in making decisions that impact the organization’s stakeholders.
Accountability:
Take responsibility for board decisions and actions. Board members should be accountable to stakeholders, including members, donors, beneficiaries, and the broader community.
Collaboration and Respect:
Foster a collaborative and respectful environment within the board and with organizational stakeholders. Encourage open dialogue, diversity of perspectives, and constructive feedback.
Conflict of Interest Management:
Disclose any potential conflicts of interest and abstain from voting or participating in discussions where a conflict exists. Board members should prioritize the organization’s interests over personal or professional interests.
Continuing Education and Engagement:
Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements relevant to the organization’s mission. Participate actively in board meetings, committees, and relevant professional development opportunities.
Participating on boards is a powerful way for dental professionals to advocate for change and shape policies that impact their profession and patients. By actively contributing their expertise, experiences, and perspectives, dental professionals can ensure that policy decisions align with the highest standards of patient care, professional integrity, and public health goals. This proactive engagement not only strengthens the dental profession but also enhances the overall quality and accessibility of dental care for communities Canada-wide.
About the Author
Casey Sharp, co-founder and COO of Risio Institute for Digital Dental Education, brings over two decades of expertise as a dental assistant. With a background in adult education and instructional design, Casey created the school’s e-learning modules and oversees curriculum development and the management of its Learning Management System (LMS). Casey combines practical experience with a passion for leveraging digital technology to enhance dental education.
