Dentistry in General: Journalist or Podcaster? The ADA's Attempt to Marginalize Dissenting Voices

Journalist or Podcaster? The ADA's Attempt to Marginalize Dissenting Voices
Saturday Morning Editorial
An Open Letter to the ADA Leadership and Staff
September 7, 2024
Written by Bob Dee
Narrated by AI Voice Judith
at 1.2x speed
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TLDR: This might sound a bit silly and feel free to skip, but it's about the American Dental Association (ADA) denying my press pass and how it's more about respect, freedom of speech, and CHANGE of culture than the actual pass itself.
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So, what's the deal with all the "newly toned" ADA talk? Let me break it down so you're in the loop. The ADA rejected my press pass application this year. Last year, while I was helping them campaign against California's attempt to break the tripartite, I went to the California House of Delegates on my own dime to report and publicize their efforts, tirelessly writing about it. No objections then. Now, I hear the order to deny me came directly from the president-elect, Dr. Kessler, someone I campaigned for, both behind the scenes and publicly, last year.
First, let me explain: this press pass is a MEANINGLESS piece of paper. It gives me no advantage over anyone else. Plus, I always buy a dentist pass as an ADA member, so it's not about the money. I pay for my own hotel and flight, unlike the hundreds of people paid by our membership dues who go to do some work and enjoy a nice social EVENT. I go to the website, apply for it, submit documentation of what I've written and what they ask for, and then wait. Last year, it took, I think, 24 hours to grant me one.
Dr. Kessler, after I found out he was the one making the decision, told me: "I'm not changing it," "You don't qualify," "It's appropriate for you to be a podcaster," and "Bring it on." Now, is it petty for me to continue this charade when there’s little difference between a guest, a podcaster, or a journalist, which I consider myself? Sure, it’s petty. Bigger people would have said, "Okay, Brett, thank you very much."
But I'm petty like that 😂. Just kidding. It’s not about pettiness. It’s about disrespect and deliberately sticking it to someone with no personal agenda, someone who has nothing to gain from engaging in these talks. In fact, it's financially hurt me. My platform, Dentistry in General, was a successful for-profit business before a single ADA topic was discussed here.
I've lost income as three sponsors left-good riddance-because they didn't like my stance on dental politics (I suspect one was influenced by California as their CEOs are friends, though I have no proof). Everyone at the office is mad at me for not being present to run my dental practice. I get that organized dentistry people also sacrifice time and money, but I’m not a “click-whore,” as a past ADA President allegedly called me. I’m not a terrorist (also allegedly said by a state organization), and I’m definitely not a podcaster. My amateurish equipment and style make it clear that I don’t care about how it looks, as long as important issues are discussed. I respect the many podcasts out there, but I see myself as a journalist. I’ve written more about the ADA and organized dentistry in the past three years than any non-organized dental media outlet has in the past fifty. (over 200 articles, blog posts, and short essays that are held back as I felt, after writing them, that it would hurt our efforts to be ONE VOICE against common enemies)
So why am I throwing a hissy fit about not getting this meaningless pass? It’s about respect. It’s about silencing your critics. It’s about bullying those who oppose you. This is how organized dentistry works-push them until they can’t push back. They’ve done it to me many times. Anyone with a brain would have gone through what I did at last year’s ADA meeting and thought, "What am I doing here? I’m never coming back." The verbal attacks from ADA officials and a near physical one from the VP of finance nearly got to me. I even canceled a meeting with the Executive Director to watch the Dallas Cowboys lose in the playoffs (😂😂😂) because I was depressed. You might think, “Come on, man, that’s not a reason to be depressed,” and I’d agree-until you’re in that position.
I’ve spoken to at least 20 people over the last three years who’ve quit organized dentistry because they felt pushed out, even though they had great ideas and genuine intentions. Some of these people you know well-they’re officials at different states ......cut short due to space
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