Purpose

The South Dakota Dietetic Association (SDDA) is an affiliate of the American Dietetic Association. SDDA is a professional organization of over 200 registered dietitians, licensed nutritionists, dietetic technicians and dietetic students, residing in and around the state of South Dakota.

The mission statement of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) is to promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people by advocating for its members. The ADA vision states its members are the leading source and food and nutrition services.

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is an expert in food and nutrition who has completed a baccalaureate or postgraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in dietetics, food/nutrition, or food service management; has completed a documented, supervised pre-professional practice experience component in dietetic practice of not less than 900 hours under the supervision of a registered dietitian; has successfully passed a national registration exam; and maintains continuing education requirements of the Commission on Dietetics Registration.

A Licensed Nutritionist (LN) is a qualified nutritionist who has completed a master's or doctoral from an accredited college or university with a degree in dietetics or food/nutrition and has successfully completed a comprehensive nutrition competence exam administered by the Commission on Dietetics Registration and maintains continuing education requirements as outlined by the Dietetics and Nutrition Law (Chapter 36-10B), or is an RD.

A Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) is a qualified technician who has completed a minimum two-year dietetic technician program, has passed a national registration exam and maintains continuing education requirements.

Dietetics professionals work in a variety of settings such as managing healthcare food services or school cafeterias; overseeing the nutritional care for hospital, nursing home or clinic patients; community centers such as home health agencies, daycare and senior centers, pregnant women, children and disabled or underprivileged individuals; teaching in college, university or technical schools, researching for government agencies, food or pharmaceutical companies, and consulting in health clubs or for food and nutrition industries.

SDDA has a board of 11 voting members and 7 non-voting members on the board of directors. We host an annual convention held in conjunction with other affiliate organizations of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, held each September in either Sioux Falls or Rapid City. The 2006 convention will be held in Sioux Falls. We have a quarterly newsletter, The Digest, which is available on the Member Services page.

Legislative Efforts

SDDA members have been very involved in legislative efforts at protecting the public from potential nutrition fraud and at achieving mandatory coverage and reimbursement of Medical Nutrition Therapy at both the state and national levels. Are greatest accomplishments to date include:

The Dietetic/Nutritionist Act of 1998 was passed by the Legislature of South Dakota requiring state licensure for all individuals practicing in the field of nutrition and dietetics. State licensure credentials are noted by the LN designation, Licensed Nutritionist. This law states "no person may practice nutrition and dietetics or provide nutrition care services unless licensed or otherwise authorized to practice under this chapter." A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. To request an application to become licensed in South Dakota, write to the South Dakota Department of Commerce, State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners, 1323 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105, or call 605-334-8343.

In 1999, SDDA members from across the state were actively involved in achieving the successful passage of House Bill 1121, the Diabetes Outpatient Self-Management Training Services Bill. This bill mandates all insurance companies in the state of South Dakota to pay for diabetes self-management training, including Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for 8 sessions/year and 2 lifetime comprehensive courses. South Dakota became the 34^th state in the nation to successfully pass such a bill.

Since 1998, SDDA members have been working with our state leaders in Washington, DC to pass the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (S.660/H.R. 1187), which would require Medicare to cover MNT upon a physician's referral. Numerous large-scale studies have proven, MNT saves money by lowering the treatment costs of patients with specific diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney failure, keeping patients out of the hospital, and improving their quality of life. Again, through the efforts of SDDA members, all 3 legislators from South Dakota co-sponsor the bill.

There are a number of district dietetic associations in South Dakota.

Black Hills District Dietetic Association

Located in the Western half of South Dakota

Provides continuing education credits & networking for Dietitians & Diet Techs in the area

Meet as a group four times a year – twice in the fall & twice in the spring

Fund raising efforts allow us to pay for activities that promote the licensed nutritionists as the "Nutrition Professionals"

The current officers are:

President: Kibbi Conti
E-mail: kibbel@msn.com
To contact or join our organization, e-mail the president.

Sioux Empire Dietetic Association

The Sioux Empire District Dietetic Association includes dietitians/nutritionists from Sioux Falls and the surrounding area. The Association has four or more meetings a year consisting of networking and educational programs. Officers are elected in the spring. The president of the Association for 2004-2005 is Ellen Grimlie. Her e-mail is: grimlie@cchs.org

Lewis and Clark District Association