GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT

The Government Affairs committee meet during the Annual Meeting at
Sandestin immediately after the GADPAC meeting. Together the two
meetings lasted over three hours. A wide range of topics were discussed.

Some of the highlights included:
1. Review of 2007 Legislative Session

2. Possible legislative activity for 2008
a. Hygiene Proposal (local anesthesia)
b. Budget Issues (ie. Peachcare/Medicaid)
c. “Left-overs” from 2007

3. Possible need to open the Dental Practice Act in 2008 re: Oral
Surgery Residents at Emory (Medicaid reimbursement) and MCG’s
request for language clarification re: faculty licenses.

4. National races of interest to dentistry

5. Fundraising campaigns for Senators Greg Goggans and Lee Hawkins

6. Law Day Program
The committee meets again on August 24th in Atlanta to discuss
several “changes” given to the committee by GDA President, Donna T.
Moses. As you can see this committee will be busy and working hard to
protect the interest of the dentists and the patients we serve.
A big thank you to everyone involved in the fundraising campaign for
Senator Greg Goggans. Your CDDS raised over $17,000 and that added to
a grand total of over $106,000 statewide. We will organizing another
fundraising effort for Senator Lee Hawkins. This time we will use pledge
cards and you can make a pledge that can be collected as you instruct.
Lee will face the same opponent that ran in 2006. Again, this will prove to
be a hotly contested race as before.

..........IMPORTANT DATES..........
..DECEMBER 4th at 7 - LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION/MACON CITY CLUB..
Note: This year we will invite spouses/guests to attend.
We will give ties and scarves to the Legislators

.. C D D S - L A W - D A Y ..
MARCH 12, 2008
This will be the Wednesday before the Hinman Meeting. Please make plans
now to attend. As pointed out earlier in this report, it will be a busy
session, and it could be a bit contentious. My Charge is to increase our
DCCS participation. We want TO reclaim our title from the NWDDS.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve,
Jay Harrington 478-453-8666 - work 478-456-5900 - cell

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Calendar of Events
Nov. 1 GDA Officers Visit - Macon City Club
Dec. 4 Legislative Reception including Spouses/Guest - Macon City Club
Feb 21 CDDS Meeting at WRAFB
May 8 CDDS Meeting
 

Attending: Deena Holliman-Smith, Mike Loden, Shirley Fisher, John Ferguson, Roy Lehrman, John Bowman, Jon Griggs, Jay Harrington, Paul Fraysure, Nancy O,Brien Lindsay Holliday, Kara Moore, Kendrick Mathews, Tom Woodcock, Don Benton

-Deena Holliman-Smith started the meeting at 7:05 pm.

-Minutes of the last EC meeting were approved.

-Treasury report was reviewed and attendance at Thursday’s Music Hall of
Fame discussed.

-Legislative Report by Jay Harrington. Washington Leadership Conf. was
very worthwhile. Jay noted that there were 22 from Ga. that attended
this Conf. Wide variety of topics discussed and debated.

-Discussion of the December Legislative Reception, Shirley Fisher made a
motion to invite spouses and Legislator spouses, discussion, then motion
made seconded and passed to invite spouses to reception in
December. Sec/Treas. Don Benton will contact City Club to get date, first
Tues. in Dec. Dec, 4.

-Next item, fundraising for Greg Goggans. Goal is $200,000 and each
district will have its goal. CDDS’s goal is $20,000. Jay will contact Ivey,
Argo, Benton, Moore, Holliman-Smith, Loden and others to split up the
district and solicit funds for Goggans for Senate. Suggested contribution
is $250. Checks will be batched and presented to Greg at the Annual
Session July 25-27.

-BOT Report by Mike Loden-Task Force on Dental appliances. Need for a
definition to satisfy the BOD.

-Advertising issues, Rules are 20+ years old. Task force on advertising
looking at a proposal to spend $25,000 out of the General contingency
fund to study perception of advertising. Discussion followed and
consensus was that $25,000 is excessive for such a study.

-ADA Delegation-Ivey absent sadly no report.

-Membership report-Mike Loden noted that all CDDS renewing except
four.

-Recruitment & Retention- Membership at 212 for the CDDS,KM Noted that
the Chicago Mtg. was very successful and continued attendance would
be helpful to the district and GDA.

-Hygiene Advisory Boards- CGTC, one failure on the NB exam
MGTC,100% passed NB exam, DA program is active with 18 students.

-Constitution & Bylaws Committee -John Bowman and Jon Griggs., District
will vote on Thurs. night . Post on Website

-Old Business- Jay Harrington covered in his report

-New Business- A member raised the possibility of having a picture
directory of the CDDS membership. Discussion held for Planning session
in July.

-Deena Holliman-Smith appointed Paul Fraysure To fill the alternate
delegate spot vacated by Paul Gilchrist returning to post-grad.

-Endo program. Mike Loden decided on July 20 as planning session date,
time 1pm.D, Spillers office, WR.

-Discussion of recognition of Dr. Mel Palmer for his support of the Hygiene
Program at CGTC. Motion made seconded and approved to recognize
at Sept Meeting and if necessary accommodate him at the 1842 Inn in
Macon.

-GDIS Report. John Ferguson noted that this is the 11th anniversary of
GDIS . PDRS is operating and there are still some openings for the initial
200 clients at a reduced rate. Medical coverage is very good,
Malpractice saw no increase this year. Long term care is showing
increased interest . Roy Lehrman noted that it may be appropriate to
allocate some Treasury funds to a CD ? Set for Planning Session
discussion
-Door Prize- Best Buy or comparable gift card in the amount of $100.00. Don Benton will procure for Meeting.
-Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald B. Benton, Jr. DMD
4128 Arkwright Rd. Ste. B
Macon, GA 31210-1707
478.475.1980 Voice 478.475.5654 Fax 478.960.0287 Mobile