Dentists who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago are considered new dentists. The LDA has a Council on the New Dentist and they are dentists with the issues and concerns of new dentists in mind. The council consists of one member from each of the component societies, as well as a chairperson. This council will represent, promote, and support new dentists and dental students. It will also help as a peer and resource with the integration of new dentists into their community and into organized dentistry.

Annually, this council works with the Council on Membership and Dental Practice to host functions with the LSU School of Dentistry (LSUSD) students, including Lunch and Learns.

The LDA, through the Council on the New Dentist, has also sponsored a new dentist seminar. Annually, the LDA also produces a booklet, Tiger Tracks, with new dentist resources that is given to LSUSD graduating seniors, as well as to any other member that requests the information.

New dentists should also make special note of Louisiana Dental Services, Inc. (LDS) and LDA endorsed products and services. LDS is the for-profit subsidiary of the LDA. Its many quality programs are a vital source of funding for such projects as the LDA Journal, the Louisiana Dental News and the LDA’s Web site. LDS programs offer dental-related products and services of superior quality at significant discounts available exclusively to LDA members. Plus, if you have any problems using any of the endorsed companies, you have a personal advocate through LDS. (Link to LDS/LDA Endorsed Companies under the News and Information for Your Practice section)

Approved as leaders in quality and value for their particular industry, all LDS endorsed products and services participate in a royalty plan that provides income to LDS whenever members use them. This non-dues revenue helps to keep LDA membership dues as low as possible.

The ADA also has new dentist resources available to our members. For more information, go to www.ada.org/prof/ed/careers/newdent/index.asp.