Letter — Digital Discussion

Hello Kerry, I write to inquire if the online CDA Journal is temporary and if it will go back to print? After 35 years of looking forward to reading the Journal at night, the last thing I want to look at is a computer screen. Thank you and very best, Hugo

Hugo V. Schmidt, DDS, Greenbrae, Calif.

Dear Hugo, I empathize. I am a “print girl.” I pay an exorbitant amount of money every month to have a print version of a national newspaper delivered to my house every day. I relish the time I spend reading it every morning. I love the feel, the smell, the organization and the ease of reading. I enjoy the fact that if I can’t get to it in the morning, I can read it in the bath without worrying about dropping it in the water (a mistake that could be very costly if I were reading it on an electronic device.)

However, from my first day as editor (12 years ago), there have been discussions about transitioning the Journal to a digital format. There are cost savings realized through eliminating the printing and mailing of the Journal to our 27,000 members that cannot be dismissed. Considering the rapidly changing information environment we are experiencing during this pandemic, it seemed like a good time to lead our readers to a timelier information-gathering experience.

One of our goals is to make our authors’ articles more accessible and sharable so that their research can have a greater impact. We also want to remain the resource for oral health care information for our state and national policymakers as well as provide public health trends for our members so they understand the greater environment in which they practice. We continue to strive to act as a translational medium to help practitioners incorporate new information and effective therapies and techniques into their practices.

Other reader benefits are accessible only through a digital format, but it is clear that, “After 35 years of looking forward to reading the Journal at night, the last thing [you] want to look at is a computer screen.”

I thank you for your longtime loyalty, and I truly hope you can continue to enjoy the Journal. As far as I know, there are no plans to return to a print version.

With your permission, I would like to “print” your letter to the editor in an upcoming issue of the Journal. I feel sure you are not the only reader with this question. Sincerely, Kerry K. Carney, DDS, CDE Editor-in-Chief California Dental Association

Dear Kerry, Thank you for your reply. However you became the CDA Journal editor, clearly your insightful, articulate writing must have some connection. The irritation of the Journal going digital went away as soon as I hit the email “send” button to you.

It completely makes sense and the timing right. The cost savings must be substantial. Running the CDA has got to be expensive. The value of being a CDA member has never been more evident as right now. CDA’s emails, webinars and work with the state and TDSC regarding the pandemic have been tremendously impressive. It’s certainly helped my simple business stay on track.

(As an aside, the Journal had an essayist for a number of years, David Chambers, who typically approached a subject in dentistry that is a real challenge: ethics. A simple one-page, three to four paragraph essay, which always ended with “the nub” and which required further thought, was a favorite along with letters to the editor and your column.)

On second thought, next month will be 40 years including dental school! I love dentistry and I’ve been incredibly lucky to have had the mentors I’ve had. The wonderful team I get to work with, nice patients and a specialty that is constantly challenging all make it fun. That’s a lot of time gone by when it feels like I just got out of training.

As far as publishing my comments as a letter to the editor, be my guest. My friends will get a good laugh … Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the CDA! Very best, Hugo