To my fellow IDA members: 

As we reach the final hours of this busy and productive year for the IDA, I would like to take a moment to thank you for being a part of this association. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to serve as your president and would like to celebrate some of our highlights from 2024. 

IDA Legislative Achievements: There is no doubt that our advocacy efforts remain our most important endeavor. Our top success from the 2024 legislative session was dental insurance reform in the passing of bill HF2400. The law requires dental insurers to make dentists aware of network leasing activity and provide the opportunity to opt-out. The law also requires insurers to offer alternative payment methods for virtual credit cards. The IDA also weighed in on additional bills impacting dentistry in Iowa, including the size of the dental board, dental screenings in schools and regulations surrounding ambulatory surgical centers. 

Unfortunately, we did not see a dental Medicaid increase this year. We continue to work hard to secure long-overdue increase to reimbursement rates. It remains a top priority for our 2025 legislative efforts, along with dental insurance reform and dental workforce shortage solutions! 

Wellness Initiatives: I am so proud of IDA for leading the way in working against the stigma attached to mental health. We understand that the practice of dentistry can be extremely rewarding, but it also comes with a variety of challenges. Dentists do not need to face these struggles alone. 

After working tirelessly for years, we celebrated a huge win. In June, the Iowa Dental Board eliminated all questions related to medical conditions, alcohol and drugs from applications. This reduces the stigma of these conditions and encourages providers to seek care should they need it without fear of punishment from the board. 

We are also just starting to roll out the Iowa Dental Advocacy for Professional and Personal Thriving (IADAPT) program, which will provide all Iowa dentists a free, confidential service that integrates executive coaching and therapy. I was able to experience the sessions and can confidently say that this program is amazing and will provide a vital resource to every one of us. I encourage each of you to take advantage of this free program! 

Iowa had two IDA members, Drs. Jarod Johnson (Muscatine) and Shawn Kerby (Washington) selected to participate as ADA Wellness Ambassadors. We will be excited to see what wellness initiatives they bring back to the state.

IMOM: The 15th anniversary of IMOM was celebrated this October in Sioux City, where 937 volunteers stepped up to support this remarkable free-care clinic. Together, we delivered care to 847 patients and provided 4,376 procedures totaling $779,536 in dental care. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the steering committee, local planning committee, IDA staff, sponsors, volunteers, and the Siouxland community, which banded together to support us in every way possible.

ADA House of Delegates: In October, I had the pleasure of joining the Iowa Delegation in New Orleans for a productive ADA House of Delegates meeting. Iowa was well represented with members of IDA Leadership attending, as well as UI COD student Tyler Jenness participating as ASDA District 8 Trustee, UI COD Dean Dr. Clark Stanford, and our very own Dr. Sara Stuefen who now serves as the ADA 10th District Trustee. I am proud to see so many of our Iowa dentists taking a lead role in shaping the future of dentistry!

New Dentists Committee: Led by co-chairs Drs. Alyssa Darling (Ottumwa) and Zach Johnson (Lenox), this committee has done an excellent job this past year in strengthening the camaraderie among our early career members and engaging with students. They held the annual fall social and plan on hosting an early career social lunch at IDEAS25.

In closing, I would like to thank Laurie Traetow and the incredible staff at the IDA for everything they do. I also want to thank you for your membership and support of organized dentistry. I encourage each of you to get involved with your district dental society. There are opportunities for every one of us to participate in some capacity. 

As we look ahead to next year, I am motivated by the positive momentum we are taking into the upcoming legislative session. I personally invite you to join me on Wednesday, January 29 in Des Moines for IDA Day on the Hill, the most impactful day of the legislative session for dentists.  

May you and your loved ones enjoy a healthy and prosperous 2025! 

With gratitude, 

Chris Bogue, DDS

President, Iowa Dental Association 2024-2025