The Big Picture: Feb 2015

by Chris Swanker, NADP Board Chair

As NADP Board Chairman I am privileged to have an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of our association, and I’d like to share some of my unique observations with you.

While NADP newsletter articles and Dental Interact posts promote much of the work of our volunteer groups, a great deal of the work is performed behind the scenes. Especially at this time of the year, many of our volunteer groups are laying strong foundations that will benefit all our members. My appreciation for NADP benefits has increased enormously since I have seen first-hand the volunteer involvement that goes into their preparation. Following are only some of the current behind-the-scenes NADP activities.

At the Leadership Conference the Research Commission outlined a strategy for the 2015 reports, including a Shared Research program focusing on consumers. Currently, the LIMRA/NADP Annual Sales and In-Force Survey and NADP 2014 Exchange Enrollment Survey are currently in the field. Likewise, the State of the Market report is in production. NADP appreciates the participation of our member companies that make the Research program a success.

The Education Commission is finalizing plans for the 2015 webinar series, which will open this spring. The Commission reviews member feedback regarding topics and speakers before launching this program. The Commission is also reviewing proposals for CONVERGE 2015 as well as the data from the attendee survey last fall. They use this information to create a robust program designed for multiple disciplines in our member companies. Watch for an announcement regarding CONVERGE registration later next month.

In preparation for the American Dental Association Codes Maintenance Committee meetings, the NADP Codes WorkGroup spends hours reviewing hundreds of submissions of proposed CDT changes and determining which ones our industry will support.

The Government Relations WorkGroup pours over hundreds of state bills and regulations, prioritizing them for our industry. Likewise the Exchange Policy WorkGroup tracks and monitors the ever increasing issues with state and federal marketplaces.

To meet the many educational needs consumers have regarding dental benefits, the Communications WorkGroup is updating the dental benefits basics articles. The WorkGroup is rewriting the articles at a ninth grade reading level to make them more consumer-friendly. This content will also be available for member use and posted on the NADP website when completed.

The Membership WorkGroup is drafting a needs assessment survey for a first quarter launch and will also conduct an analysis of the dues structure this year. This information will be used to help NADP better serve its members and develop value propositions for renewal and retention efforts.

The above are just a few examples of how NADP volunteers serve our industry and add value to our membership. NADP values the work of our volunteers, who create a strong foundation for our programs and services. Our volunteers are to be congratulated for their steadfast, tireless devotion to our industry. We cannot thank them enough for all they do.

NADP also appreciates the participation of our member companies. It is your support and direction that keeps us strong.

If you have any questions or suggestions, I’d like to hear from you. Please contact me at cswanker@nadp.org or (610) 807-8485.