Please note that in his article "Dentistry 2000: Education—Building on Our Accomplishments" (December JADA), Dr. James Kennedy incorrectly referred to the American Association of Women Dentists as the Women’s Dental Association.
The American Association of Women Dentists, or AAWD, was organized in 1921 to promote the presence of women in dentistry. Today, we find our goals are divided into seeking representation in organized dentistry and also into continuing to define and purpose our own presence in the profession. AAWD’s founders saw the importance of our affiliation with the ADA. In 1998, our membership affirmed this by voting to keep our ADA-membership criteria.
In his article, Dr. Kennedy cautions that an increased number of national organizations representing various groups of dentists are inevitable, and that they should not be allowed to splinter the profession. AAWD’s vision of our role in dentistry does not always fit under the "umbrella organization" that Dr. Kennedy suggests we embrace. Indeed, many of AAWD’s goals and visions fall in the light of our own journey, not in the shadow of the proverbial umbrella.
In a day when we often hear of the importance of celebrating diversity, it seems odd to read Dr. Kennedy’s presumption that the presence of other national organizations outside of the ADA weakens dentistry. May I suggest that the presence of other dental organizations actually strengthens the profession.
Specialty organizations meet the needs of members that the ADA cannot and should not be expected to address. One of the most essential roles of specialty organizations is to define and isolate issues for the entire dental arena to address with collaboration.
Simply put, there is not a single dental organization that can do it all. This is why it is crucial for all groups to bring their resources and expertise together for the advancement of dentistry.
