March 2004 Newsletter

The Plastic Surgeon and the Dentist – Any connection?
Featured Speaker: Dr. Richard Marfuggi

Dr. Marfuggi has been practicing plastic surgery in New York City since 1982 and in New Jersey since 1983. He is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Marfuggi received an A.B. honors degree from the College of the Holy Cross and then graduated from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine. He continued surgical training at the University of Pittsburgh Health Center Hospitals, the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine, and the Institute for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at New York University. Dr. Marfuggi went on to earn a Doctor of Medical Humanities degree from Drew University in 2003 becoming the first person to hold these dual degrees.
Dr. Marfuggi has authored two books and appeared on numerous television programs discussing plastic surgery procedures including his role in repairing the face of model/actress Marla Hansen who was slashed and severely disfigured.
The presentation will begin with a discussion of the common historical roots of the surgical and dental specialties. This will be followed by an overview of some of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures for facial rejuvenation to safely, and realistically, improve appearance. Because most dentists and plastic surgeons are working toward the same goal, i.e. enhancement of form and function, the second part of the discussion will cover plastic surgery procedures that a dental professional might consider incorporating into his or her own practice.

The recent Give Kids a Smile Program created by the St. Louis Dental Society, organized by the ADA and implemented by the constituent societies including NJDA has had mixed opinions regarding it’s benefits. How can one day of exposure to the world of dentistry help a child onto the road to a healthy smile?
At the last meeting of the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentistry, I was shocked to hear some of the latest statistics regarding children’s dental health. Did you know that approximately 50% of three year olds have dental decay but only 24% of children visit the dentist before age five? You can imagine how school performance is affected for children with chronic dental infections.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists both recommend that children have their first dental exam at twelve months of age, before caries develop. This visit is educational for parents regarding proper brushing, diet, and fluoride recommendations. Many parents don’t realize that dental decay is contagious and that their own strep mutans bacteria infect their children’s mouths (DNA studies have proved this). Therefore, it is very important for parents to either have good dental health, or use the aseptic technique we all learned in microbiology while cooking (and only give air kisses to their babies).
Reports from the GKAS program indicated that a large volume of children were taken on a “field trip” to the dentist. The children were educated on good dental health, had their teeth examined and cleaned and emergency care was delivered where needed. Not only was it a fun day for the children, but NJDA was able to collect data that will help to influence our state government’s future decisions regarding dental care for children.
Next year, instead of traveling to a third world country to volunteer your services to children, consider offering your help right here in New Jersey where many needy kids will greatly appreciate your help. Kids all deserve the opportunity to smile!
Nancy Villa, President

-February 10, 2004-

Attendance: Ashmen, Chustckie, Courey, Fahsbender, Huberman, Kahn, Kline, Krantz, Lawson, Leizer, Silverstein, Simos, Vitale, Wasserman, Weiner
Acceptance of Minutes-vote unanimous.
President’s Report-Mitch Weiner for Nancy Villa
Next week, Greg Sobol and the Shadowers from Rutgers will attend our general meeting. A representative from NJDS will also attend to demonstrate the E-curriculum. Thanks to Bruce Huberman for organizing everyone.
The nominees for office of NJDA thus far are: August Pellegrini, President-Elect, Robert Shekitka, Vice President, Daniel Krantz, Treasurer, Robert Hersh, Secretary, and Walter Chinoy, Speaker of the House. The deadline for further nominations is March 12, 2004.
NJDA is requesting recommendations for the Dr. Theodore Symanski Lifetime Achievement Award. While there are no specific criteria for this award, a candidate should have achieved life membership and demonstrated outstanding service to the Association, to the profession, and to the community.
Special awards were presented at the January general meeting. Ethan Glickman, Mitch Weiner and Bob Silverstein were recognized for their consistently outstanding service with the presentation of commemorative plaques. It was kept secret until the announcement was made.
Life member certificates and pins were awarded to Don Frantz and Lee Pargot. Marvin Ladov was also acknowledged for attaining life membership status. It was a pleasure to have our president of NJDA recognize this worthy accomplishment.
The list of delegates and alternates needs updating for next year.
South Brunswick High School is running a health fair March 2 and 3 (Wed. and Thurs). They are interested in having a dental and/or orthodontic display. Groups of students will visit the fair during their gym class period.
The Give Kids a Smile program was a tremendous success. Once again, the members and staff of NJDA have provided a major humanitarian service throughout the state. Many thanks to all of the dentists and staff who volunteered their time.
Treasurer’s Report-Stephen Lawson (See full report in newsletter)
NJDA Council Reports:
Annual Session-Celi Ziemba
Please come join us in Atlantic City on June 9, 10 and 11th at the Taj Mahal. Please register early for continuing education courses before they sell out. I look forward to seeing you there.
Peer Review-John Fahsbender
There were two plenary hearings (the result of failed mediation). There was one case that was appealed to the state. The appeal was denied due to insufficient grounds. There is currently another case in mediation and under review.
Committee Reports:
Corporate Sponsorship-Constantine Simos
We are contacting some of the same vendors from last year for the Kokich course.
Continuing Education-Mark Schambra
Thus far 34 people are signed up for the Kokich course. Early registration for the Kokich course was extended to April 7th. We ask for the membership to support these reduced fee courses.
Old Business
Dr. Kahn suggested that we re-visit the two room format (one room for the business meeting and another for dinner) for our general meetings. This was tabled until September so that we can determine the effectiveness of the current one room format.
New Business:
Dr. Mark Vitale will be the new Program Chairperson for next year.
Respectfully Submitted, Robert Silverstein, Secretary

(12/31/03 - 1/31/04)
Checking 4,788.16 1,103.95
Money Market 57,485.42 57,526.92
TOTAL 62,273.58 58,630.87
P&L STATEMENT CHECKING ACCOUNT
(12/31/03 - 1/31/04)
INCOME
Interest Earned 1.24
TOTAL INCOME 1.24
EXPENSES
Dinner Meetings 2,237.85
Exec comm Dinner 219.63
Telephone 124.05
Newsletter/Other Printing 1,103.92
TOTAL EXPENSES 3,685.45
OVERALL TOTAL -3,684.21
P&L MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
(12/31/03 - 1/31/04)
INCOME
Interest 41.50
TOTAL INCOME 41.50
EXPENSES
TOTAL EXPENSES 0.00
OVERALL TOTAL 41.50

In Memoriam
MCDS extends our condolences to MCDS Past-President Dr. William Meszaros on the passing of his wife Constance.

Computer Networking For Dental Offices

•Wired networks for digital imaging and front office software applications
•Wireless networks for home and office
•VPN solutions for remote access, 2nd office connectivity, and remote data backup
•Upgrading of existing equipment
•Installation of software updates
•Design, purchasing, and installation of computers and networks for dental offices

Contact John Murphy: 732-371-3011