Page 3 - SPRING 2016

Guest Editorial It is quite surprising that there are those
The Journal of the who believe that we cannot bring about
New York State Academy of Dr. Shahram (Sean) Shekib, DDS, FAGD, crucial changes because we do not have the
General Dentistry
FICD, FAADS, FPFA, FACD necessary influence or the required man-
New York State Academy of General Dentistry power. This false and fatalistic way of
19-02 Whitestone Expressway, Suite 204 DENTISTRY AND thinking has infiltrated the core beliefs of
Whitestone, NY 11357 many of us, creating a lack of unity and
Telephone: 718-747-3353 LAW - STANDING
Fax: 718-747-3355 TOGETHER purpose, and unfortunately is becoming a
To Contact the NYSAGD visit our “A TRUE self-fulfilling prophecy.
website at www.nysagd.org REDEMPTION”
Janice Pliszczak, DDS, MS, MBA, MAGD – Editor It need not be so. In the United States
Paula Bostick – Executive Director
‘Redemption’ is defined alone, we currently have over 200,000 den-
2016 Executive Council in the Merriam-Webster tists practicing in different states, provid-
Dictionary as the act of ing care to our patients through various
President – James Keenan, DDS, MAGD channels. This is a massive and highly edu-
2709 Ocean Avenue, Suite #A8, Brooklyn, NY 11229 ‘redeeming’, of “serving to offset or com-
pensate for a defect.” In order to enhance cated force which, when properly orga-
President-Elect – Brian Ciporin, DDS, FAGD and protect the integrity of our dental pro- nized, can leverage its power to bring
68-39 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385
fession, it is my belief that we are required about a host of beneficial changes.
Vice-President – Arthur Volker, DDS, MSEd, FAGD not only to function in our primary role as
47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 407, Sunnyside, NY 11104 dentists, but to effectively organize and use By properly educating and organizing our-
Treasurer – Teresa Skalyo, DDS, FAGD all of the resources available to us to cure selves through all the tools available, we
404 W. William Street, Suite 1, Geneva, NY 14456 systemic defects and to bring about the can certainly bring about real-world trans-
fundamental changes necessary to create formation. There are a host of ways to
Secretary – Karthilde Appolon, DDS begin this essential work: joining profes-
250 West 57th St., Suite 805, New York, NY 10107 an improved oral health care system for all.
This is our ‘true redemption’ as profession- sional organizations; creating various web
Editor – Janice Pliszczak, DDS, MS, MBA, MAGD als - and as human beings responsible for and social blogs; and reaching out to our
4525 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215
one another. legislators. Through all of these venues and
National Trustee – Abe Dyzenhaus, DDS, FAGD more, we can create a united and powerful
84-09 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 As a 1996 graduate of Columbia voice that optimizes our impact. Each of us
Regional Director – Ira Levine, DDS, FAGD University College of Dental Medicine, can find a way to add our special talents
111 North Central Park Avenue, Suite 280, Hartsdale, NY 10538 being in private practice and teaching for and passions to this effort. Each of us can
the past twenty years, and having served as simply and wholeheartedly commit to
Immediate Past President – Joel Goldenberg, DDS, FAGD doing what needs to be done for all.
460 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518 the member of various dental and medical
organizations, I have experienced firsthand
Area Vice Presidents In this united effort, then, each of us needs
the various legal challenges of our daily
Region I – Manhattan profession. I came to realize that it is to be a leader. A leader is one who is able
Karthilde Appolon, DDS – (212) 557-8668 incumbent upon each of us to safeguard to sense the needs and concerns of peers,
our profession and the care we provide to connecting and responding to them with
Region II – Brooklyn / Staten Island
Shahram Shekib, DDS, FAGD – (718) 435-0045 our patients. Each individual must decide sincerity, staying firm and consistent in
Michael Steinberg, DDS – (718) 743-6680 how best to accomplish these goals. In my pursuit of the group’s objectives. A leader
own case, I am committed to completing a must also be committed to change and to
Region III – Albany / Monticello / Kingston
Juris Doctorate in order to better under- be both strategic and tactical, taking appro-
Region IV – Schenectady / Northern Tier stand and to have the tools to overcome the priate and necessary risks, willing to
legal obstacles that we all face in our pro- engage in self-sacrifice, to suffer personal
Region V – Syracuse / Utica
Janice Pliszczak, DDS, MS, MBA, MAGD – (315) 469-3229 fessional lives. attack and even loss when necessary for the
greater good, all the while assessing and
Region VI – Binghamton / Elmira An understanding of substantive law and preparing for future challenges. Certainly,
John Comisi, DDS, MAGD – (607) 272-3433
of legal process is also a prerequisite to a leader must maintain great integrity in the
Region VII – Rochester being able to best organize as a profession- face of the constant temptations of power.
Joseph DiDonato, DDS, MBA, FAGD – (585) 473-1749 Each of us may take on these overarching
al community to effectively respond to
Region VIII – Buffalo / Niagara / Jamestown inequity and inefficiency, and to the power roles and attitudes. By doing so, there is so
Philip Epstein, DDS, FAGD – (917) 838-4424 of special interest groups that distort the much that we may accomplish together.
oral health care systems. For example,
Region IX – Westchester / Rockland / Orange / Putnam / The vehicle of true redemption is a vision-
Dutchess undue political influence, the impact of the
Ira Levine, DDS, FAGD – (914) 997-2775 antitrust laws, the outsized influence of ary, informed and effective coalition of
Kay Oen, DDS, MAGD – (914) 939-2132 caring professionals of great integrity seek-
insurance companies, and a pervasive lack
Region X – Nassau of accountability all have adversely influ- ing to institute the changes necessary to
Binod Verma, DDS, MAGD, FICOI – (718) 699-8268 enced our profession and the quality of the create the most equitable and beneficial
care we are able to provide. oral health care system possible for all.
Region XI – Queens
Brian Ciporin, DDS, FAGD – (718) 497-4585
Muhammed Kasem, DDS, MAGD – (718) 238-0592
GP – Journal of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry is published twice a year by the New York
Region XII - Suffolk State Academy of General Dentistry. The issues are mailed out in March and September to all the members of
the New York State Academy of General Dentistry and are available on-line at www.nysagd.org. All correspon-
Region XIII – Bronx dence should be addressed to the Editor at 19-02 Whitestone Expressway, Suite 204, Whitestone, NY 11357.
Robert Margolin, DDS, FAGD, FACD – (718) 220-2020, The views, opinions and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the respective
ext. 8961 authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Academy of General Dentistry. Placement of an adver-
Berry Stahl, DDS – (718) 960-6628 tisement in GP – Journal of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry does not indicate an
endorsement of its products or services by the Academy of General Dentistry.
www.nysagd.org | Spring 2017 | GP 3