The many forms of life, special memberships.

ADAA staff members frequently receive questions concerning life membership. Many of these questions are from state and local groups confused about what constitutes a life member and how much dues life members pay. Often, a life member paying full or half national dues is concerned to learn that another life member is paying no dues at all. There's a reason for that. It's all a matter of timing.

For those eligible for life membership status, it is wise to begin the life membership process six months prior to your membership expiration, before you qualify, to avoid being billed again as an active member.

Life Membership

First, let's examine who is eligible for life membership upon completion of 25 years of continuous membership. The only exception to this rule is when a member converts to student membership for a period and then reverts to active membership.

From time to time, a member will drop out of the ADAA for a year or so and then return to membership and wish to have this time gap bridged in order to ensure the continuing count of the years for life membership. When this happens, "membership buyback" can be purchased. This is a simple process in which the dues from the missing years are paid and the time is bridged. Back dues are paid at the rate of $5 per month.

There are five forms of life membership on the books of the ADAA, and this is what often causes the confusion.

1. The Original Life Membership was granted prior to October 23, 1979, and carries with it the privilege of paying no national dues. State and local dues are at each state's option. This category of membership misses out on most forms of member services such as professional liability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Receipt of The Dental Assistant Journal subscription is available at no cost.

2. From October 23, 1979, until October 8, 1988, Half-Pay Life Membership was granted with the proviso that one-half of national dues would be paid each year as well as one-half state/local dues. The exception to this is where the state's own bylaws grant that some other level of dues or that no dues be paid on the state/local level. This category of membership receives all member services.

3. Full-Pay Life Membership granted after October 8, 1988, calls for full payment of national dues with state/local dues determined by each state's bylaws. As with Half-Pay life members, this category also receives full member services.

4. Life Retired is for any life member 62 years of age or a life member who is permanently disabled and is forced into early retirement. In this category, no national dues are required and no member services are given. A Journal subscription, but not professional liability insurance, is available at no cost.

5. Thirty-Five-Year Life, same as Full-Pay Life but with a 25 percent discount on national dues.

Special Membership

Anyone with at least 15 years of continuous membership who has reached retirement age as determined by the Social Security Act or those with 10 years of continuous service who have become totally or permanently disabled may apply for special membership. These memberships require one-half the dues of active members and retain all the privileges of active membership, with the exception of the professional liability insurance. As with all five forms of life membership, payment of state/local dues is at the option of each state.

Please note, however, that anyone opting for these forms of special membership may not apply the years spent as a special member to the 25 years necessary for life membership.

Student/Active Conversion

Students completing their one-year membership at $25 may renew if they are continuing as full-time students for another year, or may convert to active membership. A renewal notice will be sent that offers the Student Active Membership at a reduction from normal dues. State association dues will be added to the bill at this time.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES and FACTS

Popular          Nat'l    State/         Prof.
Membership       Dues     Local          Liability
Categories                Dues           Ins.

ACTIVE           $105     YES            YES

STUDENT          $25      INC.           NO **

LIFE
  Original
  (Prior to
  10/23/79)      NO       State Option   NO **

  Half-Pay
  (10/23/79 to
  10/8/88)       $52.50   State Option   YES

  Full-Pay
  10/8/88        $105     State Option   YES

  Life Retired   NO       State Option   NO

  35-Year Life   $81.25   State Option   YES

SPECIAL
  Retired        $47.50   State Option   NO

  Disabled       $47.50   State Option   NO

Popular          Jrnl.    AD&D           Spec.
Membership                Insurance      Appl.
Categories                               Req.

ACTIVE           YES      YES            NO

STUDENT          YES      YES            YES

LIFE
  Original
  (Prior to
  10/23/79)      YES      NO             YES

  Half-Pay
  (10/23/79 to
  10/8/88)       YES      YES            YES

  Full-Pay
  10/8/88        YES      YES            YES

  Life Retired   YES      NO             YES

  35-Year Life   YES      YES            YES

SPECIAL
  Retired        YES      YES            YES

  Disabled       YES      YES            YES

* MAY BE PURCHASED AT ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTED CHARGE

** MAY BE PURCHASED AT ADDITIONAL CHARGE      1/05

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

ADAA E-mail and Website

[e-mail]

www.dentalassistant.org

ADAA Membership & Information

Isabel Guillen

[phone] x 213

[e-mail]

fax [phone]

ADAA Continuing Education

Santos Robles

[phone] x 211

[e-mail]

fax [phone]

ADAA Medical Insurance (Bertholon-Rowland)

[phone]

Professional Liability Insurance

[phone] * www.hpso.com

Life, Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (Bertholon-Rowland)

[phone]

ADAA Member Credit Card Program

[phone]

Issuing Bank: MBNA America

ADAA Travel Discounts

[phone] * Choice Hotels

ADAA ID# 00800131

For Airlines & Other Hotels

[phone] * Trava Inc.

Erica or Frances

(ADAA's official travel agency)

Rental Cars:

ALAMO [phone]

ADAA rate code: 706768

NATIONAL [phone]

ADAA rate code: 5282865

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

(888) AGD-DENT * [phone]

www.agd.org

Dental Assisting Schools

Accredited by ADA

www.ada.org/prof/ed/careers/resources/assistant_bro.asp

Click the Accreditation Link

American Dental Association (ADA)

[phone] * [phone]

www.ada.org

DANB Certification

[phone] available 24 hours

[phone]

fax [phone]

[e-mail]

www.danb.org

The publication of these listings is not to be construed as endorsement or approval by the ADAA.

Angela M. Swatts, CDA, EFDA, Indianapolis, is Sixth District Trustee of the ADAA and lab manager for O.C Ceramics, a dental-related firm in Zionsville, IN. Ms. Swatts was educated at Indiana University School of Dentistry and has taught at Professional Careers Institute, Indianapolis. She has also been a member of the Indiana Licensing Board for proprietary schools. Within the Association, she has been president of both the Indiana and Indianapolis Dental Assistants Associations.