Dr. Ashley Ulmer: It’s the Little Things – A Look Back and a Look Ahead

Dr. Ashley Ulmer
Immediate Past President, WSDA

Looking back on my year as WSDA president, I’m reminded of quote from author Robert Brault. “Enjoy the little things,” he wrote, “for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

After the pandemic disrupted our ability to meet together and slowed progress on our strategic plan, we established a theme of “starting over” for the year. While I heard some concerns that WSDA might be moving too slowly or that the steps being taken were too small, I believe the “little things” we did will, in fact, lead to big changes for the future.

Every meeting, discussion and new idea helps shape the future of WSDA. But personal relationships are what make this association truly great; over time, they are the most valuable and powerful asset we have.

It can be hard to maintain that perspective when the challenges facing our profession are so monumental. Closing workforce gaps, improving diversity in our workforce and our membership, forging a more productive working relationship with Delta Dental, and navigating an increasing complex legislative and regulatory landscape all can seem overwhelming.

Confronted by such enormous obstacles, I keep in mind an old African proverb:  The best way to eat an elephant is to take small bites. The only way to reach our goals is to break down barriers into small, manageable pieces until what once seemed insurmountable no longer blocks our path.

Here are just a handful of “small bites” we’ve taken together over the past year:

WORKFORCE: WSDA has worked aggressively on legislation to make dental hygiene licensure as portable as dentist licensure in our state, partnered to create new and expand existing dental hygiene programs, and collaborated with the State Board of Community & Technical Colleges, Delta Dental of Washington, and other state agencies to increase focus on the severity of dental hygienist and assistant shortages. Momentum on our work is building and look for exciting progress in 2022 and beyond.

PNDC: PNDC returned last November with our first in-person event since 2019. It was great to reconnect with peers while taking advantage of excellent continuing education opportunities. I hope you will join us in Seattle again for PNDC 2022 this November.

WSDA RETRO: Our new retro program refunded L&I premiums to those that participated between March 2020 and February 2021. We also continued to add features to our program like helping enrolled employers with employee return-to-work expenses. WSDA Retro has your back when a L&I claim presents in our office; this member benefit provides claims support for no additional cost. This is an amazing member benefit that all dental offices should join.

DEI: Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work Group was launched and completed its mission and strategic priorities. The long-term health of WSDA requires that our membership and leadership more accurately reflect the diversity of our profession.

DELTA DENTAL OF WASHINGTON: WSDA is in the 2nd year of our new relationship with DDWA after we settled the litigation. This year, the new Member Nominating Panel (MNP), with half its members selected by the WSDA Board, led the process for selecting candidates for a contested Board of Directors election this upcoming November. We have also been working with DDWA on two joint task forces on dental workforce and Delta plans and policies. This work is ongoing will be presented to members in future issues of the WSDA NEWs and other communications.

I understand why WSDA members may feel like everything is stacked against them. But despite economic hardships, difficulty in finding and keeping well-trained team members, and a complex and challenging regulatory environment, you continue to provide dental care, lead in your communities, and support your colleagues. Your resilience and compassion are inspiring.

That’s why WSDA will continue to work to protect our profession and our ability to care for our patients. Why we will continue to oppose intrusions into the doctor-patient relationship, advance solutions that provide better health care for all Washingtonians, offer the highest quality continuing education, and increase diversity and engagement in our association.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president this past year. I’m excited to see the seeds we are planting grow and mature over time for the benefit of current and future WSDA members. And that’s no small thing!