8 minute read
The Chambers Era
THE EDITOR: David W. Chambers
In his own words, Dr. Chambers refl ects on board service and attendance at more than fi fty ACD board meetings—1994 through 2020.
In the early days there were about ten of us around the table and the meetings were pretty personal. Jean and I recall the going out to dinner in a very “local” establishment at the fi rst board meeting in New Orleans and the whole board line dancing. Now the board meetings have 30 or more participants, and we need to pass around a microphone. The social events are larger and more elegant; yet, we have maintained the “ACD family spirit.”
Each president has personalized his or her term in offi ce well beyond pounding the gavel at the right moment and keeping Robert’s Rules from tangling us up. There were lunches with the Naval Academy cadets, river cruises, meetings in the presidents’ homes and the Museum of Dentistry. We even shared a bus breaking down in the mountains on a CE program at Sun Valley. Those who are interested can consult the record of the Board’s deliberations and contributions to the profession. The strongest recollection is a quarter century of friendships with literally hundreds of the most interesting and caring professionals. I vividly recall the fi rst peer-reviewed manuscript as Editor. It was a summary of some emerging evidence that caries is a reversible process. I published it over the strenuous objection of a couple of reviewers who opined that the author didn’t know anything about dentistry. I wish I could have been in their offi ces when they saw that the article had been written by Harald Löe, the Director of NIDCR. The journal has been unique in laying out issues that affect the way dentistry is practiced and how oral health works in the country. It has sometimes been controversial, but the format is to achieve balance with multiple points of view in each issue rather than looking for lots of balanced and generally bland papers about safe topics. We have taken positions on managed care, social media, and many aspects of ethics. The peer review process in the journal is something to be proud of. In medical publications the consistency is generally around .20 to .30 on a .00 to 1.00 scale. JACD has always been between .60 and .80, partially because we use six reviewers and especially engage non-researchers. JACD is the only journal in the health fi elds to have regularly published its consistency among reviewers in the journal. One thing I found out over the years is that regardless of how strongly various people hold their views, there are always others with good reason to enlarge the picture. The fault to be avoided is not insisting that we all speak our minds honestly and listen respectfully. For the fi rst nine years of my tenure as Editor, the journal was composed and designed in-house using desk-top publishing. It worked, but probably did not save money because of the staff time involved. Beginning in 2004, and continuing until today, we have used the services of Annette Krammer who combines the talents of a creative and careful designer with a deep understanding of what the College stands for. She crafted a consistent image of accessible professionalism and I wish to thank her publicly for her devotion to duty. Now it is time to turn the page to our next century of service. No doubt, communication styles and distribution platforms will be different but, the need to communicate will remain crucially important. It is said that most people do not listen with the intent to understand but rather the intent to reply. Effective verbal communication is a critical skill in life, but it pales in comparison to the ability to listen while others do the same.
History is replete with extraordinary and memorable couples. From antiquity to modernity, these enduring couples have challenged, charmed, and intrigued us. Hollywood gave us Tracy and Hepburn and the American College of Dentists gave us Chambers and Hopeman. For nearly three decades, this dyad has worked in tandem to advance the myriad missions of the College—this is their story.
top row: Dr. David Chambers. David and Jean at an ACD Dinner Dance. Past President Marcia Boyd and Dr. Chambers illustrate that life-long friendships grow through service. David and Jean never miss an opportunity to celebrate life’s precious moments.
middle row: Dr. Chambers has worked with three Executive Directors over the years, most recently with Dr. Theresa Gonzales. David and Jean Chambers with Past President Scott Waugh, Sheri Waugh and Ben Waugh on the dance fl oor. Dr. Chambers has often led the discussion and debate during the Fellows Forum at the annual meeting.
bottom row: Dr. Chambers and Past President Richard Stilwill share a light moment at a Board of Regents meeting. Dr. Chambers and SPEA National Director Mike Meru enjoying a moment of levity. Dr. Chambers at the podium. Jean and David Chambers with Past President and former Executive Director Stephen Ralls.
In her own words, Jean Hopeman refl ects on more than 25 years of association with the American College of Dentists.
I am happy to recall my many years of association with the American College of Dentists as Dave’s sidekick and wholehearted supporter. I have always looked forward to the regional and annual meetings of the ACD because I have met so many wonderful people who are passionate about the profession and the people performing the work. I measure my relationship with the College in terms of the friendships I have made. I have had the privilege of going on several outings with spouses and signifi cant others while the Board meets. At the dinner table and at the “meet and greet” get togethers I got to know better the people who serve on the Board. My personal philosophy is that forming a sense of belonging with other people around a shared mission is a major contributor to our sense of personal meaning in life. Our personal resilience is interwoven into the resilience of the communities to which we belong and organizations that we consciously choose to engage with. It is from the web of our relationships and connections with other people that we draw our strength.
During the early years many gave me support as I was unfamiliar with the ACD organization and mission. The staff were very helpful giving all of us structure and direction. As a volunteer for registration and the silent auction, I got to chat with “sidekicks” to learn more about them, their families, and life in general. These well-grounded women gave me a sense of strength and no topic was off-limits, contributing to some lively discussions. Each had unique talents and knowledge, and I appreciated the common denominator of support to the ACD Board of Regents.
As board members retired and stepped aside to welcome their successors, I became acquainted with women who were younger than me. They brought forth the same enthusiasm and curiosity about life and openly shared their insights, maintaining the same meaningful common denominator even as the ACD evolved and changed. We began welcoming more male spouses to our group, as leadership on the Board began to include more women.
Through the years, I saw fi rsthand so many active volunteers during the annual meeting. Their smiles, laughter and genuine interest in people made me feel right at home. They never failed in their welcoming and open demeanor, enthusiastically greeting the attendees, and especially, warmly welcoming the new Fellows. Most importantly, they were all committed to the advancement of the College, carrying on the essential tradition of support to the Board of Regents and setting an exceptional example for the spouses yet to come. It has been an honor and delight to be part of this wonderful group of women and men.
The Grand Dames: Laura Ralls, Past President Marcia Boyd, and Jean Hopeman. Jean notes that Laura Ralls, wife of longtime Executive Director and Past President, Stephen Ralls, is “the woman with a big smile and open arms to everyone,” and that Dr. Marcia Boyd is part of a group of women leaders “who have contributed so much for so many years.”
Jean Chambers and Past President Max Martin. Jean fondly remembers Max and Mary Martin as the “dynamic duo.”
Although Dave has announced his retirement, I am confi dent that we will be seeing you in all the old, familiar places. Until then, I will be missing you.
