The New Resolution

On January 1st, all across the world, thousands upon thousands of us were mentally scribbling down New Year’s resolutions. You know the ones…”I’m going to learn to scuba dive…” “I’m going to make it to every one of my spin classes this year…” “I’m going to stop putting things off...” “I will only frequent Starbucks once a week”

Many of us are very ambitious with our resolutions. In fact, I celebrated New Year’s Eve this year at home with my husband and four month old son. As I sat on the couch watching Logan coo and smile I resolved that this year I would slow down and take more time for myself and my family. For most of you who know me, the word “slow” enters my reality as frequently as I have won the lottery (Never)! As I announced this new found resolution to my husband he looked at me, chuckled and kindly said: You do know Ani that the sad truth of all New Year’s resolutions we set, less than 20% of us will carry them through February, much less the rest of the year”. “Thank you dear for that blast of reality”. That’s why I love you so!

The main reason why we fail is because we lose our focus. The clean slate we start with early in the early part of January quickly gets cluttered again. And our best intentions fall by the wayside.

This year, the Council on Membership Services would like to encourage you to put NMDHA on your New Year’s Resolution. NMDHA is the voice of New Mexico’s Dental Hygienist’s, relies on the involvement of dental hygienist’s like you to communicate the dental hygiene vision of preventative care to the public, lawmakers, and to the regulators who determine how dental hygiene is practiced in New Mexico and the United States.

Why Get Involved?

Different people have different reasons for getting involved in their association. Many individuals are concerned about advancing the profession of dental hygiene into the advanced dental hygiene practitioner; some are interested in improving the systems and outcomes of treatment in the private practice setting, while other are exploring their desires to continue their education. Whatever background or motivations, each group shares a common desire to ensure the oral health of our state.

The best reason to get involved is because the involvement affects your livelihood. We have no control over the weather, snow conditions, or market prices, but becoming involved in NMDHA gives you a voice in the decisions that affect your career choices.

Ways to Get Involved

Many of us in the dental hygiene community do not have the time or resources to attend meetings. Fortunately, there are other ways to get involved without leaving home.

Learn

The first step to getting involved in NMDHA is to learn about it. Learn how the association works both at the National level and the state level; learn what issues are facing your profession. Remember, knowledge is power. The more you know the greater your level of confidence and the more valuable your input. Please take some time to explore ADHA’s website and all it has to offer at www.adha.org as well as NMDHA’s website www.nmdha.org.

Join a Council

Councils are organized around different issues and interests of the association. For example, NMDHA has councils on Education and Research, Council on Member Services, Public Affairs, Regulation and Practice, General Memberships, Admission and Student Dental Hygiene Association. If any of the above sparks an interest you may contact the council chairs by email which is located on the NMDHA website.

Get to know someone

Getting to someone is one of the best ways to make sure your voice is heard. Get to know your NMDHA representatives, and other council members

Attend a Meeting

All meetings are open to the public. Members and non-members are encouraged to attend.

Write

NMDHA is very much interested in hearing your opinions and comments on current issues. Council members read and consider all letters and emails that arrive.

The intrinsic value of being a part of your dental hygiene association is rewarding to the achiever in that recognition of excellence leads to full-fulfillment and thus to self-realization. By recognizing that what you do does make a difference the benefits are tangible. Accomplishment s are enjoyed more when shared by others.

Happy 2007 and best wishes to each of you and your family,

Ani Humberson, RDH, BS, MSDH, Co-Chair Membership Services

Council on Member Services: Lisa VanBerg, RDH, BS & Ani Humberson RDH, BS, MSDH