The Dental APPNA Spring Meeting 2025

Procedure and Financial Considerations for Dentists

• Speaker 1 discusses the financial aspects of different procedures, emphasizing that wisdom teeth and implants are the most profitable for oral surgeons.
• Speaker 1 mentions the importance of not focusing solely on profitable procedures and the responsibility of dentists to handle various cases.
• Speaker 2 talks about the importance of opioid training and the excellent course offered by ADA, which provides data on dentists’ accessibility to opioids.
• Speaker 10 highlights the importance of location in setting up a practice and the high competition in their area, mentioning the presence of 15 dentists within a five-minute radius.

Importance of Patient Care and Practice Management

• Speaker 10 shares his experience of visiting a dentist who had moved to a new location and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to manage the practice.
• Speaker 3 recounts advice from his father about prioritizing patient care over money, which he has followed throughout his career.
• Speaker 10 emphasizes the importance of caring for patients and staying in touch with local dentists to share interesting cases.
• Speaker 4 discusses the science and strategy behind choosing a practice location, including demographics, competition, and average income of the area.

Building and Maintaining a Successful Practice

• Speaker 4 elaborates on the factors to consider when buying an existing practice, such as the practice’s financial health, AR, and demographics.
• Speaker 10 suggests staying connected with local dentists and sharing interesting cases to maintain professional relationships.
• Speaker 1 talks about the benefits of having a study club and the importance of regular meetings and professional development.
• Speaker 1 shares his experience of visiting a colleague’s practice and the importance of balancing work and personal life to avoid burnout.

Strategic Planning and Membership Drive

• Speaker 5 outlines the agenda for the meeting, including a membership drive and the importance of growing the network of dental professionals.
• Speaker 5 discusses the importance of becoming a member of Dental APPNA and the different membership levels available.
• Speaker 5 emphasizes the need for active participation and contribution from members to achieve the organization’s goals.

Challenges and Opportunities in Dental Practice

• Speaker 4 shares his experience of joining a Facebook group for mother dentists in business and the benefits of discounts on dental supplies.
• Speaker 10 highlights the need for more active participation from members to design and implement programs for international graduates and community work.
• Speaker 1 discusses the importance of having a clear vision and objectives for Dental Up Now and the need for flexibility in achieving them.
• Speaker 4 suggests providing a clear value proposition for members to understand the benefits of joining Dental APPNA.

Community Service and Volunteer Opportunities

• Speaker 1 shares the success of partnering with community partners for health fairs and the benefits of providing dental services to underserved populations.
• Speaker 4 describes the basic screening process used during health fairs and the importance of providing referrals to dentists who accept the patients’ insurance.
• Speaker 2 discusses the challenges of providing dental services at universities and the need for more volunteers.
• Speaker 7 suggests creating a platform for experienced dentists to mentor new graduates and provide one-on-one support.

Future Plans and Strategic Goals

• Speaker 5 outlines the action items for the next three months, including forming committees and identifying projects to work on.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of maintaining a Pakistani identity and giving back to the community both in the US and Pakistan.
• Speaker 4 suggests providing a clear timeline for achieving goals to encourage participation and accountability.
• Speaker 10 highlights the need for more members to contribute and take ownership of different committees and projects.

Engaging Younger Generations and Building Networks

• Speaker 7 suggests creating a platform for experienced dentists to mentor new graduates and provide one-on-one support.
• Speaker 4 emphasizes the importance of providing value to members and addressing their needs at different stages of their careers.
• Speaker 3 shares the success of the central chapter of Dental APPNA and the importance of having more members to generate ideas and resources.
• Speaker 5 discusses the need for more volunteers and contributors to organize events and provide dental services to underserved communities.

Collaboration and Partnerships with Other Organizations

• Speaker 1 highlights the importance of partnerships with faith-based institutions and other organizations to provide dental services at health fairs.
• Speaker 4 describes the benefits of providing dental services at health fairs and the need for more volunteers to support these events.
• Speaker 7 shares her experience of volunteering at an Asian Health Fair and the importance of providing dental screenings.
• Speaker 5 discusses the need for more members to join Dental APPNA and the benefits of networking with other dental professionals.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

• Speaker 5 summarizes the key points discussed during the meeting and the next steps to be taken.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of maintaining a Pakistani identity and giving back to the community both in the US and Pakistan.
• Speaker 4 suggests providing a clear value proposition for members to understand the benefits of joining Dental APPNA.
• Speaker 10 highlights the need for more active participation from members to design and implement programs for international graduates and community work.

Formation and Purpose of Dental APPNA

• Speaker 5 discusses the formation of Dental APPNA, a group of around 300 dentists, many of whom are Pakistani.
• The primary goal of joining Dental APPNA is to create a strong network for Pakistani Muslim dentists in the US.
• Speaker 5 emphasizes the importance of meeting senior and junior dentists to share experiences and support each other.
• The group aims to help Pakistani Muslim dentists overcome struggles in the US and connect with colleagues.

Community Involvement and Support

• Speaker 1 highlights the importance of giving back to the community, sharing a personal anecdote about coordinating with the mayor of Oklahoma City.
• The group has created a significant footprint, leading elected officials to respond positively to their requests for community events.
• Speaker 1 describes a project where they provided dental care to Afghan refugees in collaboration with the Oklahoma Dental Foundation.
• The project involved setting up mobile medical clinics and providing manpower, treating 49 patients over three weekends.

Financial Impact and Community Partnerships

• Speaker 1 explains the financial impact of their services, providing a Medicaid value and private office value for each patient treated.
• The group emphasizes the importance of discussing the donated dental care provided in dollars when talking to decision-makers and elected officials.
• Speaker 1 suggests looking for partnerships with the Department of Health and foundations to secure funds for community events.
• Speaker 2 mentions another model in Oklahoma where dentists open their practices to provide free dental care every two to three months.

Membership and Future Goals

• Speaker 5 outlines the next steps for Dental APPNA, including increasing membership and identifying topics for the summer meeting.
• The group aims to attract new members and highlight the benefits of joining Dental APPNA.
• Speaker 2 raises the issue of pre-dental students from Pakistan facing difficulties in getting into schools and suggests having mock interviews and seminars.
• Speaker 5 agrees to include these sessions in the summer meeting, focusing on young professionals and pre-dental students.

Support for International Dental Students

• Speaker 1 discusses the need for mentorship for international dental students and the challenges they face in navigating the US system.
• The group plans to target college students interested in dental school and provide guidance and support.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of having a vision for the long-term growth of Dental APPNA, focusing on both international and local students.
• The group acknowledges the need for a model to attract local students and support their education and career development.

Financial Opportunities and Subcommittees

• Speaker 5 raises the issue of financial opportunities for international dental graduates, who often struggle with loans and other financial barriers.
• The group discusses the need for a subcommittee to address financial issues and provide advice on managing expenses.
• Speaker 1 suggests forming subcommittees based on members’ interests and expertise, such as administrative, financial, and CME subcommittees.
• The group plans to create templates, strategic plans, and social media presence to enhance their outreach and engagement.

Value Proposition and Membership Growth

• Speaker 6 suggests adding value to the membership by showcasing projects and achievements before reaching out to younger dentists.
• The group discusses the importance of demonstrating the benefits of joining Dental APPNA, whether through community service or financial support.
• Speaker 2 emphasizes the need to focus on younger members and provide value to attract them.
• The presentation showcasing the dental services provided through the Oklahoma Chapter in the past couple of years can be utilized to demonstrate the dental chapter impact and value. This tool will be used for membership drives.

Mentorship and Professional Development

• Speaker 1 suggests having a young professional seminar and mentorship program to support pre-dental students and young professionals.
• The group discusses the importance of having mentors who can guide and support international students and local students interested in dental school.
• Speaker 1 highlights the need for a long-term vision to support the growth of the Pakistani American dental community.
• The group plans to create a mentorship program and support system for young professionals and pre-dental students.

Financial Planning and Support

• Speaker 1 discusses the financial challenges faced by international dental graduates, who often need to go through advanced placement programs.
• The group plans to form a subcommittee to address financial issues and provide advice on managing expenses.
• Speaker 5 suggests creating templates and strategic plans to enhance their outreach and engagement.
• The group emphasizes the importance of providing financial support and guidance to international dental graduates.

Final Steps and Next Actions

• Speaker 5 outlines the next steps for Dental APPNA, including increasing membership, identifying topics for the summer meeting, and forming subcommittees.
• The group plans to create a presentation showcasing their work and achievements to attract new members.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of having a vision for the long-term growth of Dental APPNA, focusing on both international and local students.
• The group plans to create a mentorship program and support system for young professionals and pre-dental students.