ADA Elections 2024

President-elect candidate

Rudolph T. Liddel, D.M.D.

Rudolph T. Liddell, D.M.D.

Campaign statement

The strength of organized dentistry lies in the tripartite system. I have dedicated the last 25 years serving in all levels of leadership. My quintessential leadership experience occurred during the pandemic. While serving as Florida Dental Association president and Council on Dental Practice chair, I co-chaired the ADA’s COVID Response Task Group. We delivered a worked product, the Return to Work Toolkit, in a record four weeks. I also served as the only health care practitioner on the governor’s Re-Open Florida Task Force.

I believe that the American Dental Association is the stitching that bonds us together and keeps our association strong. My hope is to be a national leader who unites for the moment and builds for the future. We need to continue to advocate for our members in areas such as third -party payors, workforce and student debt. Many of our colleagues struggle when it comes to mental well-being; we need to do more to identify and help these individuals. Current leaders must cultivate a generation of diverse and young leaders, for the profession will be theirs to lead into the future. Under my leadership, I believe the diversity within dentistry can be one of its greatest assets.

Profile

Current residence: Valrico, Florida

Dental school attended: University of Florida College of Dentistry

Year received dental degree: 1982

Postgraduate education/specialty: None

Years of ADA membership: 47

Other professional memberships:

Fellow, American College of Dentists.
Fellow, International College of Dentists.
Fellow, Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Member, Florida Academy of Dental Practice Administration.

Volunteer posts/elective offices held in organized dentistry:

American Dental Association 17th District trustee.
Chair, ADA Council on Dental Practice.
President, Florida Dental Association.
President, West Coast District Dental Association.
President, Hillsborough County Dental Association.

What are your main qualifications for the office you seek?

Results oriented — I can identify what needs to be accomplished and stay focused on the tasks required to achieve goals. Examples: During the pandemic, I co-chaired the ADA’s COVID Response Task Group, a team that delivered a Return to Work Toolkit in four weeks. I was the Florida Dental Association’s president at that time and the only health care practitioner on the governor’s Re-Open Florida Task Force. I presented the essential need for dental care, emphasizing that Florida dentists were positioned to return to work early. When dental school clinics were shut down, I petitioned the governor to issue an executive order rescinding the live patient exam requirement so that new graduates had a path to licensure.

Visionary — Guided by the wisdom gained from all levels of the tripartite in which I’ve served, I understand the need for the ADA to adapt to meet the changing requirements of today’s diverse and young members. I am passionate about leadership development, positioning others to succeed in their roles to represent and support the profession into the future.

Advocacy — I have supported and promoted the interests of the dental profession at both the state and national level for many years. Giving our members a voice in governmental affairs consistently ranks among the benefits that matter most to our members.

Why do you want to be an ADA officer?

I am seeking the office of ADA president-elect to use my experience, influence and integrity to lead our association with strategies to meet the needs of our evolving demographics and inspire my colleagues coming up through the ranks to continue to work for the benefit of the profession.