For most of the past decades, the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has been a useful construct. Without the Association, the environment of dentistry would be much worse today than it is. In order to maintain the effectiveness to progress, unity and support of the profession to the national association are paramount.

Unity of voice is the key to achieving more effective advocacy and representation of dental profession in the immediate and future healthcare policies of our nation. A united membership can allow us to advocate positions on issues affecting the profession and the ability to influence the future evolution of dentistry to benefit the profession and population. It is imperative for the Association’s executive to formulate plans and the members to play their role to achieve greater unity for progress.

The immediate effort to develop a unified voice in the Association is to have a balanced and equal representation of stakeholders of organized dentistry in our nation. Active participation of dental professionals from Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysian Dental Association is crucial for the advancement of purpose and agenda of the dental profession in East Malaysia. The constitutional change to enable representation of Eastern Zone in the highest decision making body of the association has been given top priority when the MDA Council 2009/2010 assumed office. We believe the creativity, energy and commitment of these groups of members remain unharnessed. When assimilated, the Association would be structurally and functionally strengthened. The promotion of trust and mutual respect with our Eastern Zone colleagues and facilitation of tangible value of MDA membership would be enhanced. The Eastern Zone council member plays an important role to serve members of Sabah and Sarawak via activities and programs focusing on their needs. Communication, connectivity and membership penetration barriers can be eliminated to further grow and unified the Association.

To appeal to diversified interest groups within the MDA membership is challenging but nonetheless important. The various dental specialty groupings, military dental service, academic institutions, dental undergraduates, civil dental service and international dental graduates have different needs to be served. Future membership outreach programs especially in the area of continuing professional development must be expanded to provide incentives to all segments of the membership for them to recognize the tangible value of being MDA members. The decision to install 25 electronic dental journals online for members’ free access was in recognition of the principle by the MDA Council to serve all and unified as one. In the same vein, the major conventions perennially held for continuous dental education must engage development of skill and knowledge catering to the needs of every niche group in the MDA membership.

MDA is a reputable and recognized voice of organized dentistry in disseminating and communicating dental health information to the Malaysian public. This relevance should never be compromised by the inherent diversity at grass root. We must come to realize the importance of a united and singular voice to enhance the public image of the dental profession. MDA serves as the best platform of collaborative intent for the diversified interest groups to speak as a unified voice for organized dentistry to influence policymakers as well as general public. It is also the best vehicle to promote trust and cooperation among diversified segments to increase the overall efficiency of organized dentistry for the benefit of the profession as a whole.

In summary, MDA has the inherent structural and governance advantages that any cooperating affiliates or members can tap on to their gain. It must be realized that it is more rewarding for all to assemble at MDA to function as a strong deliberative body to formulate values and broad-based principles that cater as advisory positions to best serve the dental profession of this nation.

By

Dr Lee Soon Boon
President
Malaysian Dental Association 2009/2010