Page 4 - GP Fall 2019

From the President

Karthilde Appolon, DDS comed me with open arms and encouraged me to come out of my
shell and speak my mind.
Growing up my parents always emphasized
the importance of a higher education and a In 2014 I was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees. It was then
constant pursuit of never accepting the sta- through serving on committees and interacting with my fellow
tus quo. Mediocrity was never an option. In board members did I see the values of AGD exemplified. Board
many ways these values are in alignment members spoke to me in confidence about how being on the board
with the core values of the Academy of had changed their lives. Their experiences on the board enabled
General Dentistry. them to grow personally and professionally.

In 2015 I attended my first House of Delegates in San Francisco. It
The Academy of General Dentistry values continuing education was my first interaction with members from other regions. It was
and lifelong learning. My becoming a member shortly after com- there that I saw democracy and advocacy at its finest. I saw dele-
pletion of residency was destined. I’ve been a member as well as gates from all across the country pour out their hearts either for or
a private practicing dentist for 15 years. Nine of those of years against proposed resolutions in an effort to protect our profession
I’ve owned a private practice in Midtown Manhattan, what I some- as well as the patients we serve. It was also there that I realized that
times refer to as the “belly of the beast”. Practicing dentistry truly challenges we have here in NY are not unique to us. Other regions
has been a life changing experience for me. The ability to have an face the same challenges.
impact on individual’s life is sometimes taken for granted. We
as dentists have the unique opportunity of giving patients back My primary goal during my term is to increase membership and
something that they have lost. Perhaps it’s their confidence or their member participation in our courses. The market has changed. The
ability to smile. We have the gift to be able to improve their quality future of the Academy is dependent on the next generation of den-
of life. That has become my passion. That is what I would love to tists. Therefore, it is crucial that we engage them. This will require
share and foster with my fellow AGD community. a collaborative effort. I entrust the commitment of the Board of
Trustees in this venture.
It is with a great deal of enthusiasm that I enter my term as Pres-
ident of the NYSAGD. It all began in early 2013 when I was In closing, I would like to encourage the new millennial dentists
asked and encouraged by my friend, mentor, and board member to come from a mindset of yes. You never know where new con-
Dr. Flamer-Caldera to attend a meeting. That year I attended all nections may lead. I am a perfect example of that. There is nothing
four board meetings and simply observed. I observed a group of more valuable than to be part of the Academy of General Dentistry.
fellow dentists who were like-minded and very passionate about I would like to thank the Academy for giving me the opportunity
the Academy. I interacted with a group of dentists who tirelessly to give back to a profession which has given so much to me. I
volunteered and sacrificed time away from their families to serve am grateful for having such an opportunity. It is humbling and a
the Academy. I observed a group of dentists who can respectfully privilege to serve as president of this organization. I am looking
disagree and place the good of the Academy above their personal forward to serving this extraordinary group of professionals.
egos. Most importantly, I observed a group of dentists who wel-

From the National Trustee

Abe Dyzenhaus, DDS, FAGD council and was appointed chair for two years before stepping
down to become a division coordinator (DC). At the same time
I joined the AGD in my fourth year of dental I was elected regional director (RD) for NY and wore two hats
school. I knew it was a continuing education or- as DC and RD. (Holding those two positions concurrently is no
ganization that provided courses and also kept longer permitted.)
your records on its computer. That was 1985
and I knew I had the desire for more education After I completed my six years as RD, I was elected National Trustee.

after graduating from dental school. Serving on the AGD Board was an eye opening experience; I have

Upon graduation I did a general practice resi- served on several other boards, but none were national organiza-
dency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. One of my tions. In the past few years, the AGD Board has done a lot of good
attendings was Dr. Kay Oen, who was on the work to benefit the AGD members and the organization. Unfortu-
board of the NYSAGD at the time. He eventually became the nately, the AGD has not moved forward as much as I would have
National trustee on the AGD Board, and with whom I spent nine liked to see it do.

years working as an associate in his practice. Kay got me involved I love the Academy and I plan to stay active in NY and continue to
even though I did not attend any NYSAGD board meetings, and he work hard to see the AGD move forward.
would bring work for me to do during our lunch hours.
I was recently elected to the Academy of General Dentistry Foun-
Eventually I joined the NYSAGD board, served on several com- dation Board (AGDF). The AGDF is smaller than the AGD but it
mittees and then was appointed secretary and eventually elected has one specific objective and that is to educate our members and
president. the general population about oral cancer prevention and treatment.

During my time on the NYSAGD board I was appointed to com- I plan to be around but now I will be in the background as a card
plete someone’s term on a national council for one year and I was carrying, dues paying member.

hooked. I served six years on the Group Benefits Council and then I want to thank you for letting me serve you for all those years.
I was appointed to the PACE council, serving two years on the
www.nysagd.org l Fall 2019 l GP 4