In most professions, where the majority of graduates practice their profession as individual entities in order to generate an income, it is comforting to know that while you are practising as an individual, you are not alone. This is where the SA Dental Association plays an important role in matters pertaining to the everyday activities of dentists, not only those in private practice, but all dentists.

Dedication
The SA Dental Association prime objective is to assist dentists in the many and various aspects of everyday dental life. Headed by an Executive Director and a small dedicated and effective, full-time staff and working in conjunction with the Standing Committees appointed by the Federal Council, this working body has undertaken projects which not only affect dentistry in the immediate future, but, are also proactive in working on projects which will affect dentistry in the next 10 - 15 years.

National structure
The Association's head office is in Parktown, Johannesburg and it is represented by 11 regional organisation in the nine provinces of South Africa. Each region is independently run by a very active and concerned committee who meet regularly, have guest speakers, assist dentists with queries and problems and generally undertake the task of ensuring that the profession maintains its high level of competence and respect. An important task of Regional Organisations is that of Peer Review. This committee acts as mediator in disagreements between patients and practitioners in an endeavour to achieve agreement without the matter being referred to the Council or a court of law.

Liaison
Liaising closely with allied disciplines, i.e. the Oral Hygienists Association, Dental Therapists Association, South African Dental Laboratory Association, Dental Assistants Association and others in order to offer a service to the public of a cohesive Oral Health Team.

Continuing support
Many aspects of the work undertaken by the Association may go unnoticed by dentists, primarily involved in serving the public on a day-to-day basis. However, the wants and needs of dentists from all walks of life and from all areas of our country are taken into account, analysed, solutions proposed, tested and implemented.

From negotiations with the funders of medical benefits schemes to representation on government bodies, meeting the needs of all dentists is of prime concern.

Keeping you informed
The JOURNAL of the SA Dental Association has long been the backbone to keeping dentists in South Africa and abroadinformed of activities of the Association and the profession. Posted to all members during the first week of every month, this publication carries the latest news, views and interviews. Articles on clinical procedures, practice management tips, local events and happenings as well as the latest international news from sister organisations all over the world.

Insuring your work, assets and livelihood
A very important " plus" of being a member is the advantage gained by paying lower insurance premiums for the all important indemnity cover and for general insurance which covers your day-to-day activities.

• Indemnity Cover
  Any practitioner today will tell you that the public at large are becoming more and more aware of recourse via legal channels should treatment not go according to their expectations. The Dental Association in conjunction with the providers of indemnity cover products, Medical Defence Union and Dental Protection Limited, offer members of the Association the opportunity of indemnifying themselves at a considerable reduction in annual premium. For ease of accountability the Association collects this fee together with your membership fee, annually. We liaise with the principals, thus saving you time and effort and ensuring that you are always covered by insurance.
• General Insurance
  Your practice, rooms, equipment and turnover, acquired at considerable expense and effort, should be insured against theft and damage. The Dental Association, in conjunction with Guardian National Insurance, have a special insurance policy which is written to meet the specific needs of dentists. This policy was created in 1972 and is updated regularly to meet the changing needs of the profession.

Continuing Education:

• Today a degree in dentistry does not necessarily guarantee success. Practice management is as important as clinical dentistry. It is merging the two disciplines that makes successful dentists in our changing environment. The Dental Association has, over the years, brought speakers of note to South Africa to address dentists on subjects ranging from clinical procedures to marketing a practice.
• The Association offers its own basic Marketing course which is run under the auspices of the Marketing committee of the Association. This course gives a basic starting point to marketing yourself and your practice and offers, in addition, a hand holding exercise to assist you in implementing a marketing plan.
• The unique book "An Introduction to Basic Skills for Dentists" was developed by the Association in an endeavour to give practitioners comprehensive information on all aspects of practice management.

We're always here
The Association is a hive of activity offering back-up service to all members. From supplying that all important yet illusive telephone number to advice on clinical matters, how to place a notification in a newspaper, how to interpret certain treatment codes, legal matters pertaining to the employment of staff, financial assistance towards the costs of lecturing overseas and looking after your family should they be in need once you are no longer there.

Congress: In addition to a mini congress, which take place every two years in one of the major centres of our country, the Dental Association also stages one major Congress and Exhibition every five years to which international and local speakers of acclaim are invited to speak on a wide variety of subjects of topical interest to South African dentists.

This Association also keeps South African dentists appraised of overseas courses, lectures and Congresses via the medium of the JOURNAL.

Conclusion
There is a lot of validity in being a member of one's professional association. Keeping in touch with fellow members, exchanging ideas, gaining new insight into matters, furthering one's education, playing an active role in the present and future of the profession or just gaining knowledge through professional contact, are but some of the advantages.