Join QCDS

QCDS members belong to a powerful partnership including membership in both the American Dental Association on the national level as well as the New York State Dental Association on the State level. The combined resources of the tripartite system provides valuable representation of your interests at national, state and local levels and also provides a multitude of resources and benefits available to members.

Members are assured both the ADA and NYSDA are in the forefront of protecting the investment you have made in your profession so that you can manage your practice in the manner you choose. Your membership assures organized dentistry speaks with one unified voice on behalf of the profession and the public. Both the ADA and NYSDA have been influential in proposing laws and regulations that benefit dentistry as well as protecting the public and provide the “voice of the dental profession” addressing critical issues that could affect your practice and your patients.

The Empire Dental Political Action Committee (EDPAC) provides members with access to lawmakers in New York State and is composed of bipartisan members who support policy makers dedicated to protecting the interests of dentists and ensuring New Yorkers continue to have access to the highest quality and affordable oral health care.

The NYSDA REGISTRY reduces the paperwork burden by electronically recording continuing education credit hours for courses completed and provides an annual transcript of courses taken. Member transcripts are accepted by New York State as proof of completion for courses listed should the State request proof of the 60 hours of mandatory CE required to maintain your license. In addition, malpractice carriers, hospitals and other employers also accept the NYSDA transcript.

Peer review provides members with an impartial, confidential, no-cost mechanism to resolve dentist/patient disputes relative to appropriateness of treatment and quality of care. Peer review is conducted at QCDS and can save members costly litigation fees as well as National Data Bank reporting.

NYSDA provides legal publications and informational materials about OSHA, OPD, malpractice, labor laws, insurance, ethics and more as well as maintaining a referral list of attorneys that specialize in dental matters. Initial free consultations and subsequent legal fee reductions are offered to members.

Continuing education enhances professional competence by providing outstanding educational programs on child abuse, infection control, risk management and a myriad of clinical, scientific and practice management programs all held at QCDS at nominal or no cost as a member benefit. The savings enjoyed by taking advantage of these courses may often offset the cost of dues. Special seminars featuring prominent speakers are periodically held at local catering facilities offering members a “change of pace”.

The ADA’s Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) and the ADA News provide members with the latest scientific and practice information as well as national news affecting dentistry. NYSDA’s Journal as well as the quarterly newsletter, NYSDA News, provides similar information on the statewide level. The QCDS BULLETIN is published bi-monthly providing useful information concerning QCDS events, courses, and local information.

NYSDA provides a statewide network of dentist-peers available to assist members and their families overcome substance abuse problems.

QCDS maintains a local listing of practices to buy/sell as well as employment opportunities available at no cost to members.

NYSDA has partnered with Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC) offering malpractice insurance at reasonable rates and offering personalized service. MLMIC does not employ agents or brokers thus reducing administrative costs. All claims are reviewed by NYSDA’s Claims Committee and no claim against an insured is settled without the consent of the NYSDA District Claims Committee. Dividends, though not guaranteed, have been paid to policyholders for many years. MLMIC only accepts policyholders who are NYSDA members.

The ADA’s website (www.ADA.org), NYSDA’s (www.nysdental.org) and QCDS (www.QCDS.org) all provide invaluable resources for you and your patients. Information relative to finding a dentist, CE, practice tips, archived publications and articles, oral health topics, regulatory issues, product and vendor information, membership benefits, etc are readily available.

Group life, disability income protection, family hospital income insurance and other plans are available to members as well as the ADA Retirement Program offering tax-qualified profit-sharing, pension, 401(k) and defined benefit plans.

Members have access to products and services to meet their personal and professional needs including credit cards, financial services, practice management, dental equipment, supplies and services, staffing, fee collection, patient financing, dental laboratories, buy/sell practices and other services from companies that support organized dentistry.

A contract analysis service is available at no cost wherein NYSDA will assist members in evaluating potential risks and benefits of contractual services with third parties such as managed care companies and dental management services.

The premier dental meeting in the world, the ADA annual session, allows the most comprehensive educational programs and dental exhibitions in the country at reduced cost to members.

Attend meetings and get to know your peers and establish vital relationships for referrals, mentoring and support.

Enjoy full ADA and NYSDA lending library privileges to access a full array of clinical and scientific information as well as toll free member access to both the ADA and NYSDA to get up to date information.

Discounted rates on a wide array of patient education products including brochures, posters, and videos that will help explain procedures, build patient trust and teach age appropriate oral health procedures.

Today, many of our patients are abusing a diverse assortment of drugs. Both patients and dentists can fall prey to addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs. Addiction can have a devastating impact on a dentist’s ability to practice. Too many of our colleagues have lost their practices, their families and even their lives to addiction. Sadly, they often fail to seek help due to fear that others will learn their secret. They do not realize that their colleagues, staff, families and patients may already know their secret.

Our Dental Association – part of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) – is committed to aiding our colleagues in addressing substance abuse and addiction. NYSDA’s Committee on Chemical Dependency provides a statewide network of dentist-peers who are available to assist members, their families, and the dental office staff in addressing problems with drugs or alcohol. The Committee includes dentists who have experienced both the devastation of addiction and the effectiveness of intervention and treatment in their own lives. Funding is available for dentists who need in-patient treatment but do not have the financial resources to get it.

Practicing a profession while impaired can result in a charge of unprofessional conduct. When you speak with our Peer Assistance Coordinator, Dr. Bob Herzog – or any of the Committee’s members, your interactions are confidential and non-punitive. The Committee never refers a dentist to OPD or any other agency. When a dentist’s license is at risk, the Committee can help the dentist protect his/her license and privilege to practice through the New York State Education Department’s Professional Assistance Program (PAP).

If you or a colleague is struggling with addiction, it is easy to get help. Contact Dr. Judi Shub at NYSDA, 1-800-255-2100, or Dr. Bob Herzog at 716-830-3055. Your call is confidential.

For additional information, visit NYSDA’s website at www.nysdental.org