Clem Sunter, in his keynote address to the South African Dental Society (SADA) Congress 2012, themed Dental Dignity for All and, which conference concluded in Cape Town this weekend, said that one of the key indicators of South Africa’s economic growth will be government’s attitude to small business.
Sunter had the dentists in sutures when he started out his talk by saying that he was the cabaret before the congress got into the serious business of teeth. But, the laughter soon died down when he got his teeth into a world scenario most likely to play out in the foreseeable future. The growth period of the past decades has resulted in too much credit and, as a result, the world now finds itself in a hangover period. It is a world in which he observes an aging population and, it is a world in which there will be greater demand for services and a concomitant decrease in productivity.
According to Sunter the whole investment game has changed and he said that “it is now a race between poverty and death.” Therefore, globally, if there isn’t an “upswing” in sight, then professionals such as dentists would have to decide what they should do to stimulate their businesses. It is essential to rethink the core business requirements of all professions against a background of reduced disposable income and where the focus is shifting from niceties to necessities.
Sunter’s view is very much in line with the congress theme of Dental Dignity for All and which, amongst other issues, also addressed oral health considerations in an aging population. In this respect Dr. Michael I. MacEntee, professor of Prosthodontics and Dental Geriatrics, ELDERS Research Group reminded dentists that they are treating patients and not only teeth. This is particularly true for older people as well as those of lesser social economic means. “Often there are times when less advanced treatments are required in order to make patients feel comfortable and, to maintain their dignity as opposed to the application of advanced dental technology.”
“It was important for SADA, in presenting this conference to strike a balance between the basic needs in dentistry and the need for dentists to be fully informed about emerging trends in digital dental technology,“ says Dr Paul van Zyl, scientific convener of the congress, featuring 12 international and 15 local speakers.
Sunter believes that in every sphere of South Africa we have pockets of excellence and said these pockets gave him hope for the country. “Whereas in America individual excellence is celebrated, in South Africa we tolerate mediocrity and cut down the tall poppies.”
In conclusion Sunter suggested to the gathered dental fraternity that what the world is missing is the fact that the Chinese economy is being built on small business and entrepreneurship and not on state-owned enterprises or big business. It is a pity that South Africa has a most ambivalent attitude to small business – red tape and labour laws inhibit rather than stimulate the emergence of this sector. In reality, it would be far more profitable for all if the State created one million small businesses instead of promising to create five million jobs. The exponential affect of a stimulated small business sector would result in a real solution to the problems of unemployment in this country.
Maretha Smit, Chief Executive of SADA says, “This conference addressed the actual issues within dentistry as it moves into a future South Africa. All the speakers and topics highlighted the central theme of self-respect for both the dental professional and for the patient. We need to recognize all who work in the dental team and, especially those professionals who operate businesses, employ people, pay taxes and deliver services that will bring dental dignity to all.”
Johannesburg, 8th November 2012
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
1. Maretha Smit
Tel: (011) 484 5288, Mobile: 084 627 3842, Fax: (011) 642 5718
e-mail: msmit@sada.co.za
2. Mixael de Kock
Tel: 011 646 8501, Mobile: 083 651 4424/ 071 226 8063/
Fax: (011) 646-8501
e-mail: coq@mweb.co.za
