Greater Chicago, Illinois HDA

2008 OFFICERS 

President: Cesar Otero, DDS

Vice President: Ricardo Mendoza, DDS

Treasurer: Marilia Montero, DDS

Secretary: Melissa Vargas, DMD

Contact Email:  gchda@hdassoc.org

LETTER FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT 

Chicago, May 13, 2008

Dear Colleagues

Despite the unpredictable weather we have had here in Chicago, our Chapter has been able to participate in many exciting events in 2008. In February we attended the C.D.S midwinter meeting and helped out at the H.D.A. booth. I was fortunate enough to talk with our national executive board and our national staff. I must say that our association is very lucky in that our leaders are so very approachable and down to earth. The discussions we had gave me a good perspective of what our goals are and I received many great suggestions about how our chapter may want to proceed. At the booth, we talked to many people that where very interested in getting involved with our association. There is a certain sense that many involved in organized dentistry want the H.D.A to flourish.

In April our chapter was involved with Illinois State Dental Society capital conference in Springfield, Illinois. The conference is an opportunity for members to discuss with state representatives the many issues that affect dentistry and their patients. The focus this year was about access to care for lower income patients. There are two bills being proposed by Illinois State Representative Elizabeth Hernandez and State Senator James Clayborn that would increase compensation for treating Medicaid patients, create 10 new dental clinics to be dispersed in underserved areas, and create a loan forgiveness program for new dentists to practice in under served areas. The H.D.A. has allied itself with these proposals in that there is an obvious benefit to the Hispanic population in Illinois. During the conference, I talked with State representative Hernandez and her advise was that as dentists we can to talk to the representatives that are from the districts where we work in and thus be able to relate the individual stories of how there is a lack of access to care . Many of our chapter members that accept Medicaid can attest to the fact that once you accept these patients you are usually overwhelmed with the number of patients that seek you out, especially in the Hispanic community. I am also perturbed by the extreme distance some of these patients must go in order to receive treatment. I hope that these bills are given due consideration and thus be able to open more avenues for patients seeking care.

Also, within the month of April, we conducted a C.E. course on Pedodontics with Dr. Marvin Berman at the Parthenon restaurant in Chicago. Dr. Gene Romo, our chairman of the C.E. committee, has been extraordinary in finding lecturers for our courses. Many members where involved in the course, but I would like to thank specific members for their significant contribution: Dr. Ricardo Mendoza, Vice President Chicago branch, for setting up the arrangement for restaurant and coordinating all our efforts for this lecture, Dr Melissa Vargas, Secretary, for the flyers and distributing for this event, Dr. Marilia Montero, Treasurer, for budgeting the cost of this event. Last, but most importantly, Dr. Marvin Berman, who graciously honored our chapter with his wisdom about not only treatment, but also how to have fulfilling outlook on life. We are planning future lectures as for 2009 and hope to have continued success.

Our next meeting will take place on June 12, 2008 at the UIC Dental School. We will be discussing our agenda for the rest of the year and the following year. One priority will be our official inauguration celebration which we are scheduling for September 24, 2008. I am proud to be part of this chapter and have many ideas of what we may be able to accomplish; however, I see that there is some ground work that must be attended to. One such item is the recruitment of more members from the list of national members that reside here in Chicago. I call on our chapter members to try and recruit peers that might find our endeavors beneficial to their profession and their \patients. I am certain that our chapter can contribute much to our Hispanic communities that we work so hard to serve and advocate for improvements in their oral health.

Dr. Cesar Otero, President HDA Chicago Chapter