March 2005 Newsletter

Periodontal Prosthesis:
A 50 Year Retrospective
Featured Speaker: Dr. Morton Amsterdam
Morton Amsterdam, DDS, ScD is Professor Emeritus of Periodontics and Periodontal Prosthesis, as well as Norman Vine Professor of Restorative Dentistry, at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hannemann University.
Dr. Amsterdam has received numerous awards from national and international organizations for his contributions to dentistry, including honorary degrees from University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and University of Athens, Greece, as well as from Dickinson College, USA. In 1984, he received the Schweitzer Research Award from The Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics.
Dr. Amsterdam was also the recipient of the 1977 Achievement Medal of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity, as well as receiving the First Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, in 1993. In 1995, he was awarded “Honorary Member” of the American Academy of Periodontology. He is generally recognized as “The Father of Periodontal Prosthesis,” and a Professorship in Periodontal Prosthesis has been endowed in his name, at the University of Pennsylvania, by Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg. He received The Christian R. and Mary F Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981.
1n 1997, he was awarded The University of Pennsylvania General Alumni Award of Merit. In that same year he was named as a “Major Contributor to Dentistry in the 20th Century” by the International College of Dentists in the Video Series for the Museum of Dental History, Baltimore, Md. He was named Laureate for The William Thomas Green Morton National Award Year 2000, for the Advancement of General Dentistry, by the Maryland Academy of General Dentistry.
In addition, he was presented with the Master Clinician Award by the American Academy of Periodontology in San Francisco on September 21, 2003. The lecture will explore the importance of diagnosis and treatment planning as well as the sequence of therapy.

Hey, didn’t I have more space last month to write this column! Everywhere in our daily lives, we’re looking for more space in our schedules: more room for that extra emergency patient, more room for that staff meeting we’ve been talking about having for months, more room for family and friends, and more room for ourselves. The members of the MCDS Executive Board that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years have given us a portion of their life ‘space’ to benefit the greater membership. I cannot commend them more for their dedication in volunteering their time on our behalf and for their support. In addition, the general membership of the society has come out in full force this year to support our stellar continuing education program. We were treated to an excellent dinner meeting and full day course in February by Dr. Harold Crossley. I’m still trying to figure out what glow in the dark eyeballs have to do with pharmacology, but the lecture content was top-notch.
As March announces the arrival of spring, we look forward in our MCDS schedule to May’s Annual Staff Night. The registration is enclosed in this newsletter issue with the traditional per person discount for early registration. Once again, ALL MCDS MEMBERS attend Staff Night free of charge and only pay for their staff members. In addition, the Mentor Lecture Series has returned with course registration insert provided inside.
The upcoming March lecture by Dr. Amsterdam will be an opportunity to look at true ‘comprehensive care’. No discipline of dentistry will go untouched in the cases he will present. I was fortunate enough to see Dr. Amsterdam deliver this lecture in September 2004 and learned just as much from the responses to the questions he was asked than from the lecture itself. I’m sure March’s lecture will prove no exception. Please keep in mind the early start to Dr. Amsterdam’s lecture and arrive on time.

-February 8, 2005-
Attendance: Ashmen, Brunsden, Fahsbender, Fertig, Galkin, Glickman, Ibrahim, Klein, Krantz, Lawson, Leizer, Schambra, Silverstein, Simos, Villa, Vitale, Wasserman, Weiner
Acceptance of Minutes-vote unanimous.
President’s Report-Mitch Weiner
•There is an “annual report filing form” with $25 fee due to the NJ State Treasury Dept. that must be completed.
•The Officer’s night went well but the attendance to honor our new life members should be much stronger.
•The PAC issues that came to light at the last Board meeting have been resolved. Any PAC member is invited, as a non-voting member, to attend a PAC meeting. Jim Schulz, NJDA’s Director of Governmental Affairs, is a gifted spokesperson for delivering PAC’s message and encouraging PAC membership. It was decided that Jim himself should address the general membership in the same fashion he addressed us on officer’s night. He is scheduled to speak at the Crossley course during intermission.
•Nominations for Councils/Delegates will be sent in soon for 2005-06 year. Bob and I will complete them this evening.
•What is the status of the Symanski Award plaque for Dr. Amsterdam?
Treasurer’s Report-James Courey
See full report on page 3.
Secretary’s Report-Bob Silverstein
Some Board members have not been submitting their reports for inclusion in the Minutes, although they have given reports at the Board meetings. I am requesting that anyone who gives a report at the meeting should submit in electronic format the substance of what was discussed for publication in the minutes.
Editor’s Report-Mitch Weiner, Bob Silverstein, Constantine Simos
With Bob out of town, we had many problems last month with the photos for the February issue. Cavan was nice enough to volunteer to take digital photos of officers night/life member presentations. However, the transfer of those pictures to Bob did not go as smoothly as expected and made our goal of getting the February issue out before Give Kids a Smile very tight. It was decided that MCDS should purchase a digital camera to keep in our cabinet at the Pines so that we can avoid a similar event in the future. It also doesn’t put pressure on Bob (or Cavan/Ethan in the event of an emergency) to have to use and maintain his camera for MCDS use.
•We must have final numbers from the Pines on staff night charges so that we can set the fees and make up the ad.
•The nominations for 2005-06 MCDS officers will go in the March issue as well.
Website Editor’s Report-Bob Silverstein
I will give a presentation at an upcoming general meeting to familiarize the membership with the capabilities and benefits of our web site.
Give Kids a Smile-Cavan Brunsden
On February 2nd, 24 public sites and 28 private sites provided a day of free dental care to over 3500 needy children. Examinations, fluoride, prophies, sealants, as well as restorations and extractions were provided. All children were referred to a list of dentists who were available for follow-up care. Over 600 volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants, and staff received C.E. credits as well as having a very rewarding experience.
Over a dozen state leaders including legislators, assemblymen, assemblywomen, councilmembers, senators and the Sect. of State attended GKAS along with reporters and camera crews.
The magnitude of benefits provided by GKAS along with the goodwill and positive effect of NJDA and its membership will be hard to measure.
CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH FEBRUARY 2005:
A county-wide poster contest is in progress and has reached out to every elementary school in the county. Over 40 schools are participating by conducting the contest along with local awards programs with awards and certificates provided by MCDS.
Liberty Science Center Sunday March 6, 2005
This special day organized by NJDA celebrates the statewide Children’s Dental Health program by providing a membership benefit opportunity to enjoy the science center with your family. Discount coupons are available through the NJDA website and for every $10 adult ticket one child enters free. Dental health exhibits and a special dental health show for kids will be provided.
NJDA Council Reports:
Annual Session-Araceli Ziemba
Dates are June 8, 9, 10, 2005 at the Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ
An exciting line up of speakers will be lecturing:
Dr. Roger Levin – Practice Management
Dr. Robert Lowie – Restorative
Dr. Henry Lee – Forensics
Dr. Jeff Okeson – Occlusion
Dr. Frank Celenza – Implants, Ortho, Perio
Dr. Ali Nasseh (Real World Endo) – Endo & Hands On
Dr. Richard Champagne – Sleep Apnea
The Periodontal Society will also have their meeting in conjunction with the Annual Session on Wednesday, June 8, 2005.
We have sold 86 vendor booths to date.
Pre-registration is highly encouraged prior to May 15, 2005 or a nominal late fee will be imposed.
Dental Benefits-Mark Vitale
Dental Education-Bob Ashmen
•After review of the NJDA continuing education guidelines, it was determined that it is very similar to the ADA CERP guidelines.
•A subcommittee has been developed to create a survey for C.E. lecture attendees to complete that can be more easily assessed and reviewed for member opinions.
Membership-Scott Galkin
The next meeting is scheduled for 2/24/05.
Peer Review-John Fahsbender, Mark Vitale
There are three cases pending. One old case was appealed by the dentist. The appeal was denied by the State Peer Review Board.
Committee Reports:
Corporate Sponsorship-Constantine Simos
A representative from Smith Barney is interested in sponsoring a CE meeting. I will follow up on this for the 2005-2006 year.
Mentor-Ethan Glickman
Annual OSHA meeting on June 16th from 6-9. We will offer Benco the opportunity to have a presence at this meeting.
Old Business
We will be marketing careers in dental assisting. We are in the process of making up a brochure which will be distributed to guidance counselors, etc.
Good & Welfare
Mitch thanked us for the President’s plaque that he received at the last meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Silverstein, Secretary

St. Peter's Medical Library
Members of the Middlesex County Dental Society are allowed to borrow dental materials from the Medical Library at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. A valid ADA ID must be presented in order to borrow materials. Here is a list of some of the materials in the dental collection:
• Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry-Video Series; • Gordon Christensen Video Tapes; • Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery;• Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics.
Information about the Medical Library, including hours of operation, can be found at www.stpeterslibrary.com

General Dentist in Edison seeking a part time associateship at a dental office preferably in the Edison area or in Middlesex county. Days and hours of work are negotiable. Graduate from NYU and has 1 year GPR experience. Resume and references available with more detailed information. Please call (908)756-9737.

IMPORTANT DINNER MEETING INFORMATION

On Tuesday evening, March 15th, Dr. Morton Amsterdam, the father of Periodontal Prosthesis, will be addressing our membership at the Pines. Due to the wealth of knowledge that Dr. Amsterdam has to share with us, his lecture will begin promptly at 6:30PM and will be approximately 3 hours in duration. There will be no business meeting that evening and wine/beer/appetizers will be available in the back of the room in lieu of the traditional cocktail hour. A sit down dinner will be served as usual. Please mark your calendars/appointment books accordingly to assure your early arrival at this MCDS special event.

MCDS Nominations 2005-2006

March 2005 Newsletter

President's Message

MCDS Board of Trustees Report

Treasurer's Report

Announcements/Articles