A Message from 2024 - 2025 CFDDA President

Dr. Joseph Richardson

 The Benefits of Volunteering

 My name is Joe Richardson, and it is an honor to serve as your 2024-2025 Central Florida District Dental Association (CFDDA) president. I am a native of Tavares, Florida, and hail from the orange groves of Lake County. I have been practicing periodontics in Eustis and Winter Park for the past 14 years. I was an active member of organized dentistry as a dental student at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and never stopped. In 2013, I served as the president of the Lake County Dental Association and was subsequently elected as a delegate from CFDDA to the Florida Dental Association House of Delegates. Eleven years later, I still advocate for dentistry holding multiple committee positions and currently serve the FDA as an alternate delegate to the ADA’s 17th District delegation.

 I would be remiss if I did not take a moment and thank Dr. Rod MacIntyre for his leadership and for a productive and effective year as our organization’s president. We are not without strong leadership in the Central District of the FDA and Dr. MacIntyre exemplified true leadership. Although it will be tough to fill his shoes, I will dedicate my attention to the betterment of our already strong organization. It is my responsibility to contribute as a strong leader, but also to promote the development of new leaders and making our district, as well as our statewide organizations, prominent and substantial. With stronger leadership comes better practices and better dentistry and ultimately better care for the citizens of our communities.

 As a referral-based specialist, I am not ashamed to admit the only reason I participated in organized dentistry to start was to meet people that would hopefully send me patients. I am sure this rings a familiar tone with several specialists out there. My mentors imposed the necessity of putting my face out there and being a leader. Little did I know how important these experiences would be in shaping my career. It was not long before I enjoyed going to the meetings and enjoyed spending time with the other dentists. Simply put, it stopped being about getting referrals to my practice and became something important — camaraderie.

 We are all familiar with why volunteerism is practically important. Whether we are discussing altruism or simply donating your time for the betterment of our organization, volunteering to participate in organized dentistry introduces a wide array of beneficial opportunities. Specifically, participation in the various dental associations have provided perspective. It is important to understand how your organization works for you. You have an opportunity to not only participate in the function of the organization but also have a voice in how the organization functions for you and your cohorts.

 Famous news anchor Tom Brokaw once quipped, “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” The ADA, FDA, CFDDA and local affiliate dental associations have multiple opportunities to get involved and play an active role in your industry or helping others on behalf of your industry. Please do not ever hesitate to volunteer. It’s good. It’s fulfilling. It’s important.

 As this rant has gone on longer than expected, I would like to take the last few paragraphs to talk about two other items that are specific to the CFDDA. First, our district will hold our annual meeting at Hammock Beach and Golf Resort on May 2-3, 2025. This meeting will focus on team building and strengthening. It will be a meeting where you can bring your family to enjoy the amazing facilities and bring your staff to learn from national speakers that will improve the cohesiveness of your work family. Please keep an eye out for future correspondence and don’t forget to reserve your rooms when they become available.

 I have saved my favorite topic for last. The 2025 Florida Mission of Mercy will be held in Daytona Beach on March 21-22, 2025, at Mainland High School. If you are not familiar with the Mission of Mercy, it is a large-scale charity dental event orchestrated by the Florida Dental Association Foundation annually. Several hundred volunteers will provide dental services to more than a thousand patients in one weekend! This will be the 10th event held by the FDA Foundation and directed by the leaders of your own CFDDA. We will be strong; we will be mighty, and we will share our good-natured hearts with those in Central Florida who need our help. I encourage you to volunteer your time and/or your money for a great cause.

I appreciate your attention and your willingness to consider being a champion of organized dentistry. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding our organization.

 Sincerely,

 Joe Richardson, D.M.D., M.S.