Page 4 - GP FALL 2010

From the President

by Ira Levine, DDS, FAGD wonderful selection of CE courses put together by the NYSAGD
CE Committee. There is also the AGD Annual Meeting which was
I house down!” there are high caliber hands-on courses and speakers. The AGD
“ ’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow this held in New Orleans this past July (San Diego next year) where
website also has an extensive CE database that lists courses from
Each of us, on our own, has little hope of all over the US at any given day and also list free courses - just for
duplicating this feat by the big, bad wolf. Come our members. The AGD can also keep track of your CE credits in
to think of it, if the big, bad wolf were around a transcript that can be used as proof of CE requirement for licen-
today, he would probably need to apply for a sure and in the event of an audit. The NYSAGD is happy to say
demolition permit, submit architectural draw- that after long negotiations, the NYS Dental Board chose to rec-
ings, conduct environmental impact studies, and hire union workers. ognize our transcript as acceptable documentation of CE credits.
Can one person knock down a brick wall, no matter how badly it is The AGD also worked diligently to develop a practice manage-
constructed, all by himself? The dents on my forehead prove how ment service called “AGD Patient Alerts”. It is a free service that
futile this can be, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. It is true that ties-in with your current practice management software to allow you
one person can make a difference. But that difference tends to be a to send e-mails, text messages, electronic newsletters (easy to set-up
direct result of how that one person inspires others. and customize), and other reminders to patients. In addition, there is
How many obstacles do dentists face in the pursuit of their pro- a consumer friendly portal called “KnowYourTeeth.com” with its
fession? Not only do we face our daily barriers, but there are others wide range of professionally produced patient fact sheets, a place for
inside and outside the profession who continually heap additional consumers to ask dental questions, and a useful Widget. What’s a
obstacles in our way. There are insurance companies, legislators, Widget? You will just have to visit to find out.
lawyers, dental manufacturers, and a multitude of others who want a In addition, the AGD is heavily involved in Advocacy for you
piece of us and regularly test our limits. All these groups have a great and your patients. A number of different states are evaluating
deal more power and money to wield than any one of us. If we all and/or approving the DHAT model (Dental Health Aid
sat in our offices and ignored anything not immediately relevant, we Technician) or the ADH model (Advance Dental Hygienist). Your
would get slammed. If you stick your head in the sand like an awareness of this issue is critically important. Fact is, the ADA is
ostrich, you stand a real good chance of getting “goosed”. All too currently testing the DHAT model and the Connecticut Dental
often people think, “If I don’t do it, somebody else will”. Guess Association just released a statement saying that they support the
what? That phrase should read, “If I don’t do it, nobody else will”. testing of the DHAT model. It is critical that the AGD make the
This is just the way things are. Sometimes we get lucky and others opposing views known. The AGD usually supports the ADA poli-
pick up the slack. But unfortunately, it doesn’t happen every time. cies except where differences exist on how a general dentist may
The one ace-in-the-hole that we have is cohesiveness. I am be affected. If you are not familiar with the issues that the AGD
happy to say that the NYSAGD and the NYSDA are developing a has advocated in the past or the current issues we are addressing
fine working relationship. I was honored to have the President on your behalf, please take a moment to know what is going on in
and the Executive Director of NYSDA, Drs. Robert Doherty and your profession. It is in your best interest.
Mark Feldman, attend the NYSAGD Installation Dinner. In turn, There is so much more, but I leave it to you to look further. If
I attended the NYSDA House of Delegates and Installation you have read this far, perhaps you might go further. If not, per-
Dinner. Both were great events that have fostered cooperative haps you might be willing to make a leap of faith and take what I
relationship between our two organizations. have said at face value. Just know that you are important to the
Membership in a professional association should be examined profession - how it is today and how it will be tomorrow. Don’t
for both short and long term gains by the individual dentist. I view underestimate what you gain by being a member of the AGD. If
the AGD as “A Player”, as Howard Farran might say. If you don’t, you have been affected by the economy, as many of us have been,
let’s review the following: and are making hard financial choices, AGD membership should
You know that the NYSAGD and the AGD offer numerous CE not be one of the items on your list of “unnecessary expenses”.
courses of high quality and low cost. For example, there is the Remember – one person can make a difference.
From the National Trustee

by John C. Comisi, DDS, FACD, FAGD afternoon. By Thursday evening, the Exhibit Hall was open for
business and the first full day of dental courses had come to a close.
H azy, Hot, and Humid! In addition, this was the first time AGD sponsored an Outreach
Program to help those in need of dental services. It was an incredi-
ble success. Those who were involved came back exhausted but
That’s what it was like in New Orleans this exhilarated by the good that they had done for so many.
summer for the AGD Annual Meeting. But it The Saturday Night event this year was held at Mardi Gras World
was also HOT with excitement in the New and it was a spectacular event. The setting was an indoor antebellum-
Orleans Convention Center! There was such a like plantation with a star filled sky that looked as if we were out-
multitude of courses, many of which were doors. The addition of Mardi Gras floats, the wonderful food and
hands-on participation courses, that if you music made this event a wonderful ending to a fabulous week.
couldn’t find something that you were inter- As always, I invite you to become more active and be a part
ested in, you probably weren’t looking. of the Academy. Take advantage of the many benefits and ser-
This was the first time that the AGD Annual Meeting and vices available to you as a member of the AGD. Check out the CE
Exhibits was held without the governance occurring at the same Database and the AGD Career Center. They are but two of the
time. The House of Delegates finished its business early Thursday many benefits available to you as a member of the Academy.
Until next time!
www.nysagd.org | Fall 2010 | GP 4