Download - Louisiana Dental Association

LDAfrom the presidentDr. Maurice B. “Marty” GarrettPresident, LDASee you in New Orleans!Your LDA is looking forward toanother great Annual Session/New Orleans Dental Conferencein April! New Orleans is theideal location for folks togather to enjoy great food andentertainment, while reconnectingwith friends.This year’s conference is once againfeaturing outstanding speakers and programs.Participants can get up to 18 hours of continuingeducation credits for as low as $300 (preregistrationfee). Special events highlight the city’s culinaryhistory with presentations from chefs including PaulPrudhomme and John Besh.Just as in all good meetings, there are also severalgreat parties. Social events scheduled include theLSUHSC School of Dentistry Alumni AssociationReception on April 3 and several class reunions,including classes from 1974, 1979, 1984. 1989,1994, 1999, and 2004! And, for the first time ever,the Thursday night Welcome Reception and LDAPresident’s Party is at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.The reception will include live entertainment, food anddrink and will be great fun for all ages!We’ll also have some of the latest and greatest indental products and services in the Exhibit Hall. Thisyear’s meeting is a fine example of how your statewideLDA members are working together to make this agreat regional event. This year’s chairman, Dr. DavidHildebrandt, and 2010 chairman, Dr. Bill Hadlock,have brought a great group of committee memberstogether to plan and host an outstanding meeting.Please plan on supporting their efforts by coming toNew Orleans April 2-4.Your LDA is committed to being your voice in local,state and national issues involving dental practicesand the delivery of safe and effective dental care toour patients. One part of our legislative session focus-4will be on increasing the communities thatfluoridate their water supplies. We willnow work on getting state fundingfor fluoridation. Our Medicaid TaskForce headed by Dr. Don Donaldsonwill continue to work to improvereimbursement rates for providers toincrease access to care for our childrenand geriatric patients. The LDA will alsomonitor national trends to ensure that we supportdental care that keeps properly trained dentists as theleader and supervisor of the dental team.4 LDA Journal