ACD NEWS FALL/WINTER 2021
vol. 50 | no.3
American College of Dentists
The American College of Dentists Welcomes Fellows from the First Convocation of Our Second Century
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fter the devastation and deprivations of 2020, we entered 2021 with the hope that we had seen the worst of the pandemic. The likelihood of the deployment of effective vaccines hinted at a return to pre-pandemic life and the real possibility of connecting in person once again. This was a time of real but cautious optimism. For a while in the Spring of 2021, everything seemed possible, at least until the Delta variant emerged and the number of cases of coronavirus began to rise once again. This was followed be a sadly predictable increase in the mortality rate, necessitating a wave of cancellations and the reengagement of proven public health protocols. The ground was shifting and we knew it. We fully understood the enormity of what was transpiring and set our plan
In this Issue President’s Forum
2
Executive Director’s Corner
3-4
2021: A Year to Remember
5
Board Meeting Highlights
6-7
Continuing Education Conference
8-9
Volunteers in Action
10
ACDF Turns Fifty
11
Regent’s Reflection
12-13
News of Fellows News of Sections
14 15-16
News from the Office
17
Student Professionalism and Ethics Association Update
18
Update from the American Society for Dental Ethics
19
in motion to deliver a world-class virtual event. Of course, there would be continuing education and workshops centered on our mission to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership. There would be a Convocation Ceremony with a meaningful address by an inspiring speaker, and Regency Breakout Sessions to give our Regents time with their local Fellows. To deliver the content on time we had to begin production in August. Finally, delivering this content on the SmileCon platform took
synchronized coordination among the staff principals, who did not disappoint. Despite all that we have been through, we rallied to welcome our Fellows, especially the inaugural Fellows of our second century. They are in a league of their own and have made resiliency an art form. Recently, we reached out to some of our Fellows for comment and perhaps a photograph to commemorate their individual experiences. We look forward to reconnecting in person in the Lone Star State at the 2022 Annual Meeting and Convocation.
Dates to Remember
President’s Forum
Registration Open for Spring CE Conference December 1, 2021 – February 1, 2022
The Worth of the College
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The Mission and Values of the American College of Dentists have been clear and constant for 101 years. The Mission is best announced as the Guiding Light of Dentistry. The principles of advancing excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership have been so consistent for a century that they hardly need to be spoken as they are so clearly felt. Certainly, the College has impacted all dentists and patients for 100 years. Many do not know us, but all have felt our presence despite our apparent reticence. 2 | ACD News | Summer 2021
The Mission and Values of the American College of Dentists have been clear and constant for 101 years. The Mission is best announced as the Guiding Light of Dentistry. The principles of enhancing excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership have been so consistent for a century that they hardly need to be spoken as they are so clearly felt. Certainly, the College has impacted all dentists and patients for 100 years. The world and dentistry have seen great ebb and flow over the past century, but the College has been a guiding light throughout. The College gave birth to the profession and has continued to nurture and protect it. In the beginning, there were no standards for education, journalism, or for research. Then there was a long period of great vision and action. There came a time that professionalism was so endemic that our honorific purpose became prevalent. We are now in a period that requires vision and action. Yes, today, we see great challenge. The profession is not keeping pace with generational and societal change and seems undermined by government, corporate from without, and much from within. The paradigms of practice are changing rapidly from what they have been for so long. Sometimes it feels like we are drifting back toward where we began. Professionalism is being challenged by entrepreneurialism. Commercialism pervades every component of the oral healthcare alliance. Excellent evidenced-based science is available for the benefit of our patients but unvalidated information from social media is
The Value of Belonging Welcome Home to the 2021 ACD Fellowship Class
Fellowship Nominations Due for ACD 2022 in Houston, Texas January 31, 2022
Richard E. Jones, DDS, MSD, FACD President of the American College of Dentists
y Mother was just like most mothers until half my life was over and she became remarkable. I had become immersed in talk of mission for my practice, my Church, the American College of Prosthodontists, and my local Arby’s (theirs was not valid). When she passed of cancer at 83, we discovered her Mission, which had been kept secret for 65 years. A paper was uncovered that revealed the nine guiding principles of an 18-year-old. Values and Mission that were never spoken but were illuminated by a life lived so purposefully that everyone that knew Ava Juanita Gentry, exclaimed, “yes, that was her—I knew her.” Many adults never connect with their core values. Almost no one has such a clear picture at 18 years that they are enabled to be consistent in their effectiveness. True missions don’t need a plaque because the consistent actions are loud testimony. I’m proud of and grateful for this guidepost in my life.
Executive Director’s Corner
often utilized by practitioners. The paradigm of mentorship has changed. Diagnosis and treatment planning is supplanted by billable procedures. The envelope of ethics is being pushed. But the College stands firm in its identity and purpose. We advance excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership. We have vision that advances science, standards access to care, and equality. We are strengthened by ASDE, ADEA, AADEJ, and SPEA. Our umbrella represents the entire allied dental team. The 53 Sections of the College implement the initiatives. The Fellowship of the College will fortify dentistry with a new paradigm of professionalism, education, and practice. Competence, compassion, cultural sensitivity, and courageous advocacy are the critical tools. And you will make the difference. Our Mission has been constant because it is valid and true. Our initiatives are insightful and dynamic. Often unnoticed, the American College of Dentists is ever-present and remarkable. I’m proud of and grateful for this guidepost of dentistry.
Ethics Scholarship Applications and National Award Nominations Due March 1, 2022 Section Awards and Model Section Designation Applications Due March 1, 2022 Nominations for Board of Regents Due March 1, 2022 Spring CE Conference March 31-April 2 Registration Opens for ACD 2022 Summer, 2022 ACD 2022, Houston, Texas October 12-13, 2022 CONTACT ACD News is published by American College of Dentists 103 North Adams Street Rockville, MD 20850 301-977-3223 • 888-ACD-1920 301-977-3330 fax spitman@acd.org • www.acd.org EDITOR Theresa S. Gonzales, DMD, MS, MSS ASSISTANT EDITOR AND PUBLICATION MANAGER Suzan Pitman GRAPHIC DESIGN Matthew Sheriff Periodicals postage paid at Frederick, Maryland Send address changes to: ACD News 103 North Adams Street Rockville, MD 20850 or e-mail office@acd.org
Theresa S. Gonzales, DMD, MS, MSS, FACD
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n his opening communication with the Fellowship in this edition of the ACD News, President Dick Jones, discusses “the Worth of the College” and its relevance in our second century of service to the profession and the public that we are privileged to serve. Long recognized as the conscience of dentistry, the College has been and will continue to be a beacon of light to successive generations of professionals who serve the public as members of the oral health team. In short, your actions, your efforts, your leadership, and your community engagement have brought you home to the ACD and you belong here. The concept of “belonging” is one of the most researched human motives, with most researchers concluding that the fundamental need to belong is both innate and universal. Clearly, your belonging to the College is important for all the obvious reasons and for many reasons that are far more nuanced. In life, we understand how important the sense of belonging is to the individual and for the individual’s relationship to the group. In its simplest terms, belonging is the feeling of not only being a part of something but also mattering to others and the feeling that one’s contributions are meaningful and valued. The need to belong is phylogenetically conserved despite variations in genetic composition.
It is generally agreed that a sense of belonging can be cultivated by creating a stronger sense of community and trust within that community. Belonging is not merely a transactional organizational agreement; belonging is a much more significant goal. It is said that membership is transactional— belonging is transformational. The sense of belonging is crucial to the establishment of authentic and high functioning groups. Here, your presence matters and your opinions matter. Creating genuine feelings of belonging for all is a critical factor in improving engagement and satisfaction. At the American College of Dentists, we do this by inviting opinions and different perspectives into the discussion. We believe that belonging has the power to liberate ideas and create previously unimagined opportunities. As an organizational family, we value and venerate your service to the College and to our communities. More than most, we understand the value of belonging with regard to organizational efforts and successful mission accomplishment. In a 2013 article for the JACD, Dr. Patricia Blanton discussed the “importance of belonging” and she argued that many, if not most, benefits directly inure to the Fellow and underwrite the collective ambition of the group. This imbues not only clarity of mission but also tenacity (continued on next page) ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021 | 3
Executive Director’s Corner (continued from previous page)
In our own ways, organizationally and individually, we work to illuminate the way to a better profession and improved oral health for the public. The College will continue to be a force reaching for the best in dentistry—standing for its highest ideals. of purpose allowing the College to iteratively build on its legacy of advancing ethics, leadership, and professionalism. The College advances excellence by recognizing and rewarding it through the conferring of Fellowship. Through collaboration, dedication, and discipline, we have defined, shaped, and refined ambitious strategic initiatives not only for the College but also for the profession. In our own ways, organizationally and individually, we work to illuminate the way to a better profession and improved oral health for the public. The College will continue to be a force reaching for the best in dentistry—standing for its highest ideals. Fellows, please join the effort as we traverse our next century with a promise of even greater impact. Your
4 | ACD News | Summer 2021
leadership and talents are crucial and necessary. More than one hundred years ago, the American College of Dentists came into being with the primary aims to cultivate and encourage a higher type of professional spirit and a broader sense of social responsibility, to encourage and promote professional conduct, and to acknowledge such through Fellowship in the College. Today, the American College of Dentists’ founding principles of elevating the standards of dentistry through a thousand acts of professionalism and personal commitment will allow us to remain the conscience of dentistry as we engage the challenges and issues of our time. On behalf of the American College of Dentists, we welcome you home.
2021: A Year to Remember “ If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — Winston Churchill
ACD 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting and Convocation was a testament to the resiliency and doggedness of our Fellows, both as individuals and as an organization. Although being together in person was the most desirable outcome, the decision by the Board of Regents to hold the meeting through SmileCon’s virtual platform allowed the College to do its part to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and still deliver a world class program for the Fellows and Friends of the American College of Dentists. Held over our customary two days in October, the continuing education program kicked off with Facilitating Discussions of Ethical Dilemmas, presented by Drs. Garetto, Aguirre, Regalis and Zarkowski. Always a sell-out, this course was waitlisted in early September. Our newest affiliated group, the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists, held a continuing education event featuring two shorter sessions followed by their annual business meeting. Focused on standards for 21st century communications, the AADEJ brought together
professionals from different disciplines to engage participants. The AADEJ is positioned to become a non-geographic section of the College. Thursday’s CE highlight was a combined Keynote Presentation and Fellows Forum around the theme of leadership in times of uncertainty. Karl Haden, PhD, began with remarks on the virtues of leadership, capped by a panel presentation centered on values-based leadership and the courage to lead presented by Drs. Garetto and Gonzales, respectively. At the end of the presentations, the speakers panel reassembled for a question-andanswer session. Drawing on real-life exemplars, the talks helped illuminate a way forward for leaders through this moment in our shared history. Although the ACD is known for its popular and relevant CE, the main event was, as has been for 100 years, the Convocation of Fellows. The 2021 Candidates included 193 dental healthcare leaders from the US and Canada, as well as international candidates from Australia and the Bahamas. With an additional 99 candidates for Fellowship deferring to next year, we expect the Houston meeting to be a packed house. Although this year’s event was virtual, the Board of Regents took great care in welcoming the new Fellows with the same enthusiasm, protocol, and ceremony that every Convocation since 1921 has provided. Recordings of the annual meeting events from both 2020 and 2021 can be found on the ACD’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UC3_Rjx0pC6CwzjTejALmhqg.
ACD News | Summer 2021 | 5
Board Meeting Highlights
The ACD Board of Regents and ACDF Board of Directors held the fall 2021 meetings on Tuesday, October 12. Welcomed to their first meeting were new Regents Krista Jones (Oklahoma), At Large; Kristi Soileau (Louisiana), Regency 6; and Ned Nix (Northern California), Regency 7.
The College wishes to thank outgoing Regents Doug Bogan (Texas) and Gary Yonemoto (Hawaii) for their dedicated and steadfast service. Their leadership and thoughtful approach to our mission has been invaluable.
Our gratitude also extends to Stephen Ralls (Metro Washington) for his service as ACD Foundation President. Dr. Ralls served as the Executive Director of the College for 20 years before being elected Vice President of the Board of Regents and subsequently serving as President-elect, President, and ACDF President. Dr. Ralls was recognized with the William John Gies Award at the 2021 Annual Meeting and Convocation in honor of his lifetime of dedication to the profession, the College, and the public we serve.
Spring CE Conference Announced The Board has announced a joint CE conference to be held with the PFA at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina March 31-April 2. The conference will have sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings. A Friday afternoon session is being planned to meet the needs of Section leaders and SPEA officers, in particular. ACD sections are encouraged to sponsor the attendance of a SPEA national officer.
Also rotating off the Board of Regents is Michael Meru (Utah) who served first as Regent Intern and subsequently as SPEA Liaison to the ACD Board of Regents. Under Dr. Meru’s leadership, SPEA has grown exponentially, and the relationship between SPEA and the ACD has grown along with it. Stepping into the role of Liaison is Erik Klintmalm (Texas), National Co-director of SPEA and a former Regent Intern.
For more information, please contact Suzan Pitman at the Executive Office at suzan@acd.org.
ACD Foundation Approves Local Funds The Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the Western Canada Section’s request for Section Activity Program funds. The Section will use the funds on outreach to the three SPEA Chapters located at dental schools within its boundaries. For more information about the Section Activity Program, please see the ACD website or contact Suzan Pitman at suzan@acd.org.
Nominations PRESIDENT RICHARD E. JONES INSTALLED
Dick Jones (Indiana) was installed as the 101st President of the ACD. After accepting the gavel, Dr. Jones set several task forces to examine issues related to the ACD mission and asked that the SPEA integration task force continue its work. Other officers accepting new roles are former Vice President Robert M. Lamb (Oklahoma), who will serve as Presidentelect, and Teresa A. Dolan (Florida), who will serve as Vice President after serving as At Large Regent. Leo E. Rouse (Maryland) has finished his term as ACD President and will now serve as President of the ACD Foundation. 6 | ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021
Regency 1 Regency 3 Treasurer Vice President President-elect
Board of Regents Election The next Board of Regents election will take place in March of 2022. Fellows or Sections in Regencies 1 and 3 are encouraged to nominate new Regents as Dr. Friedman (1) and Dr. Hanes (3) are finishing their terms on the Board. National Board of Regents positions requiring an election this year are Treasurer, Vice President, and President-elect. Fellows, groups of Fellows, and Sections ACD-wide are encouraged to nominate College leaders for those positions. Guidelines on nominating board members as well as details on how to nominate are located on our website at www.acd.org/about-us/leadership. ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021 | 7
PFA–ACD
Thursday, March 31
Continuing Education Conference
Saturday, April 2
2022
Reinvigorate and RECONNECT Biltmore Estate | Asheville, North Carolina
Thursday,
March 31 Friday,
April 1
5:30-7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Friday,
April 1
7:00-8:00 AM
Breakfast
Friday and Saturday morning sessions will focus on virology and public health response from the oral healthcare perspective. Afternoon sessions will focus on negotiating and professional presentation skills for local leaders.
8:00-Noon
Continuing Education Session 1
Saturday,
April 2
7:00-8:00 AM
Breakfast 8:00-Noon
Noon-1:30 PM
Lunch (optional)
Continuing Education Session 2
2:00-4:00 PM
Noon-1:30 PM
Section Leader and SPEA Panels
Lunch (optional)
Reserve your room at the conference rate by February 12, 2022!
For Section and SPEA Leaders!
Small group afternoon sessions targeting information and skills you need to strengthen your Sections and Chapters. Sessions will include interactive presentations by experienced leaders.
$245 Friday and
Saturday (lunch on your own)
$295 Friday and
Saturday (lunch included)
Continuing Education is generously underwritten by the American College of Dentists Foundation
Registration Includes: Welcome Reception Breakfast on Friday and Saturday 8+ hours of Continuing Education Optional Lunches
REGISTER ONLINE visit acd.org
REGISTER BY PHONE
866.779.6277
reference the PFA/ACD Spring Meeting
Volunteers in Action Wai M. Chan, DDS, PhD, FACD Northern California Section The ACD is proud of the legacy of service of its Fellows and delighted to share these first-hand experiences. I am just one of the many ACD Fellows in the greater Sacramento Valley that felt the need to help out. My story may have been a repeat of many stories you have received. Although retired for over 11 years, I have kept my license active for volunteer dental services. In early January 2021, as a healthcare provider and a senior citizen, I received my first dose of Pfizer vaccine. Since Governor Newsom of California approved dentists to provide vaccination, I joined the Sacramento Medical Reserve Corps and started volunteering as a vaccinator in mid-February, about 10 days after my second Pfizer injection. From February to July, I participated in over 2 dozen clinics, some indoors, some outdoors, some stationary, some drive-through. I probably have given over a thousand injections. Along the way, I met other ACD Fellows in the
region who were also volunteering. It was good to catch up and encourage each other. The vaccination team members were impressed by the number of volunteers who wanted to give back to the community and by the vaccine recipients who were so appreciative of the vaccinations they received. I guessed the news reporters were not used to seeing dentists participating in
The day after vaccination was approved for 12- to 17-year-olds, I was moved by the number of parents bringing in their children for
The day after vaccination was approved for 12- to 17-yearolds, I was moved by the number of parents bringing in their children for vaccination. It was heartwarming to see and feel the love and concern they have for their loved ones. vaccination clinics and I was interviewed on two separate occasions by television reporters. Both times I stressed the fact that dentists are part of the healthcare team, that we were in this pandemic together, and that to fight the pandemic, we have to work together, both clinical and non-clinical workers.
vaccination. It was heartwarming to see and feel the love and concern they have for their loved ones.
The Foundation Turns Fifty! In 1972, the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl, Maya Angelou won the Pulitzer Prize, and Richard Nixon became the first US President to visit the People’s Republic of China. It’s also the year a group of ACD leaders recognized the need for a funding organization to take the College’s mission even further and so created the ACD Foundation. The ACDF turns 50 in 2022, and the College is looking forward to celebrating this special milestone.
It is in serving the community that one can experience the human kindness that is within all of us. ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021 | 11
Regent’s Reflection Peter H. Guevara DMD, FACD Colonel, United States Army Regent, ACD Regency 2
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recently returned home to San Antonio, TX from the ADA SmileCon in Las Vegas. The global pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, but it was a pleasure to interact with fellow dental professionals in a face to face setting. I am hopeful that next year’s ACD Annual Meeting will be able to be held as an in-person event. Virtual alternatives have helped to keep us all connected, but there is no substitute for face to face interaction. The SmileCon in Las Vegas marks the end of my first year as the Regent for ACD Regency 2. My words cannot truly express the honor and privilege that I feel having been given this opportunity to serve the dental profession and organized dentistry in such a capacity. ACD Regency 2 is unique. It’s not an overstatement when I say that the
Regency encompasses the globe. Aside from the Sections in the continental United States (Maryland, Metro DC, New Jersey, PhiladelphiaDelaware Valley, Virginia and Western Pennsylvania), ACD Regency 2 also includes the European Section and the Federal Services Section. That means ACD Regency 2 includes members across the European Continent, as well as the numerous Federal Services Dentists spread out on installations across the globe. As you can see, Regency 2 is truly global! Serving as the Regent for ACD Regency 2 also comes with a rather ironic twist for me. It’s a pleasant coincidence that the Federal Services and Western Pennsylvania Sections are in the same Regency. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is my home, and I am a
Foundation Donations Make an Impact! CODE courses on dentalethics.org are supported by the digital education fund held by the ACD Foundation. In 2021, over 6,000 continuing education courses in ethics, professionalism, and leadership were successfully completed. It costs about $2.25 a course at that rate of completion, so a $100.00 donation provides about 44 courses. 12 | ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021
proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School Of Dental Medicine. Many of the ACD Members in the Western Pennsylvania Section are life-long friends and fellow Alumni of the University of Pittsburgh. Reconnecting with my Western Pennsylvania roots through the ACD has been wonderful benefit of serving as the Regent. Although my current military assignment has me in Texas, I feel a small sense of reconnection with home thanks to the ACD! I will also note that my Father was an instructor at the University of Pittsburgh for over 30 years and he was also a very active member of the Western Pennsylvania ACD Section. One of his greatest desires was to see his two dentist sons one day follow him into the American College of Dentists. I’m
Continuing Education Needs Survey The College needs your input! Planning for continuing education for the coming years is underway, and it is essential that we hear from our Fellows about what is needed and desired regarding their professional learning. A needs survey may be accessed at https://acd.memberclicks. net/2021_continuinged#/.
A key lesson during these trying times is that adaptability and flexibility are essential. Unchanged through the pandemic is the need to keep nominating deserving colleagues for induction into the American College of Dentists. We need your help to continue growing the College! sure he was filled with a great sense of pride when my brother and I were inducted into the American College of Dentists together in 2011. I know that he is also very happy to see one of his sons serving in a leadership role in this distinguished organization. My first year as the Regent for Regency 2 has gone by rather quickly. It seems like yesterday that I was accepting the torch being passed to me by my esteemed predecessor and friend, Dr. David Anderson in October of 2020. His support as I transitioned onto the Board of Regents was invaluable. The pandemic has definitely had an impact on how we conduct business. It
is impressive that each of the Sections in Regency 2 is doing their best to stay engaged with their members. A key lesson during these trying times is that adaptability and flexibility are essential. Unchanged through the pandemic is the need to keep nominating deserving colleagues for induction into the American College of Dentists. We need your help to continue growing the College! I have also been impressed with how the Sections in Regency 2 are engaging our next generation of dental professionals. The many events I see taking place with the dental schools that are geographically located within each section give me a great sense
Did you know...
...that in 2016 the ACD Executive Office had fewer than 3,000 email address for its nearly 8,000 members? We’ve more than doubled that number in the last few years, but we’re still missing working email addresses from a significant number of Fellows. Please take a moment to log on to the Members section of acd.org and add or correct your contact information. The Executive Office staff is also happy to assist. Please contact us at 301-977-3223 or at office@acd.org.
of hope for our next generation of dental professionals. Tapping into all the resources the College has readily available will help to engage our younger colleagues. There is a plethora of ethics resources available on the ACD and Dental Ethics websites. Take advantage of what is literally available at your fingertips. I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in on some these events, and they are setting the stage for our up-andcoming colleagues to be successful. I look forward to the days ahead. I learned the value of organized dentistry very early in my dental career. I’ve made a concerted effort to be as involved in organized dentistry as much as my military career will allow. I will state again that I am honored to be serving the American College of Dentists and organized dentistry as the Regent of Regency 2. Thank you all you do to support the American College of Dentists.
Is your section on Facebook or Instagram? Do you have a webpage? The ACD Executive Office would like to link to your online platforms and spotlight it nationally! Please send links to Suzan Pitman at suzan@acd.org.
ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021 | 13
News of Fellows
Cesar Sebates
Richard Stilwill’s NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
Richard Stilwill (Michigan), ACD Past President (2017-2018) received the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) on September 29, 2021. The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) award was established during the Boy Scouts of America Centennial in 2010 to recognize notable Eagle Scouts who have performed distinguished service. Dr. Stilwill, his father, brother, and three sons are Eagle Scouts. He has served in many leadership positions at the state and local level, and has attended the National Jamboree and Philmont Scout Camp multiple times. Dr. Stilwill has inspired many in Scouting and dentistry through his actions and leadership and devoted a lifetime of energy and enthusiasm to Scouting and dentistry. Fewer than 8% of Scouts achieve Eagle Scout rank and less than 4% of dentists are invited to become College Fellows.
John Manhold
John Manhold (Florida) recently published The End of an Era: Diverse Thoughts on 100+ Years of Living. Dr. Manhold has been a contributor to the JACD, publishing “Writing as a Way of Life” in the Summer 2009 issue (vol 78, no 2), and is an award-winning novelist.
Cesar Sabates (Florida) was recently installed as the 158th president of the American Dental Association. In his remarks at his installation, Dr. Sabates shared that as a child immigrant from Castro-era Cuba, which helped fuel his ethos of hard work, persistence, and determination. Dr. Sabates is a graduate of University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, and previously served as the ADA 17th District trustee and as a delegate in the ADA House of Delegates. He is past president of the Florida Dental Association and South Florida District Dental Association. Along with Dr. Sabates, George Shepley (Maryland) was elected President elect of the American Dental Association. According to Maryland Section Secretary, Elaine Miginsky, “It takes an energetic, youthful individual like George to keep up with the multitude of national activities.”
George Shepley
Dr. Manhold, a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, is also a sculptor and holds his Captain’s License with Master’s Papers from the US Coast Guard. He has been a Fellow of the College since 1959, and earned the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Roger Triftshauser
Past President Roger Triftshauser (Florida) recently served as a Dream Flight Ambassador, assisting his neighbor, a 97-year-old World War II veteran, with a spin in a vintage biplane as part of Dream Flight’s September program. Dr. Triftshauser is a retired Rear Admiral with the United States Navy, and served as the ACD President from 2002-2003. Regarding the Dream Flight, in his poetic words:
“DREAM FLIGHTS” herald our WWII Veterans, Throughout the United States, over 5,000 to date, THANKING them for their patriotic service, A historic “SKY RIDE!!!” HOW GREAT!!!
Paul Mullasseril
Paul Mullasseril (Oklahoma) was recently named Dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Dr. Mullasseril previously served the College of Dentistry as assistant dean for clinical and preclinical education and is director of OU Health Dentistry, the college’s faculty practice clinic. He is the fifth dean of the college, succeeding Raymond A. Cohlmia, DDS, who was named executive director of the American Dental Association earlier this year.
Nanette Elster
Erik Klintmalm
Carlos Smith
ACD Communications Director Nanette Elster (Illinois), SPEA Liaison to the Board Erik Klintmalm (Texas), and eJACD Editorial Board member Carlos Smith (Virginia) were recently featured speakers at the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities conference. Their presentation, “Dental Ethics Through the Lens of COVID-19”, highlighted ethical dilemmas dentists faced during the pandemic including allocation of scarce resources, risk of infection and inadequate PPE, and reluctant staff and patients. The talk also identified how the pandemic exacerbated oral health disparities and discussed the necessity of oral health as essential health in facing any public health emergency and in reducing health disparities.
News of Sections
Patricia L. Blanton
Leo E. Rouse
Patricia L. Blanton (Metro Washington) and Leo E. Rouse (Maryland), both past presidents of the College, were recently names as ADEA Gies Foundation 2022 award recipients. Bestowed on Dr. Blanton is the Gies Award for Vision –— Dental Educator. Blanton, who has been both a dental and anatomy educator for her entire career, most recently served as interim Dean of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Named as the winner of the Gies Award for Achievement – Dental Educator, Dr. Rouse retired as the Dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry in 2015 after a decade of service.
Oklahoma Section members robed dental students with white coats in two June 2021 ceremonies. Cancelation of the 2020 event necessitated the double ceremonies. ACD wallet cards were placed in each white coat pocket. At both events, Dr. Kevin Haney read ACD literature about ethical decision-making and professionalism. Dr. Mary Martin presented the 2021 awards: Edith Lu (Leadership Award) and Ali Agee (Recruiter Award).
Western New York Section was thrilled to hold an in-person meeting in August. Planned since 2019 by Section Chair Larry Volland, this event was carefully orchestrated to ensure the health and well-being of the Fellows and their spouses remained the top priority. Due to the care taken in planning this meeting, attendance was essentially the same as pre-pandemic meetings. Social activities mostly took place
ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021 | 15
News of Sections
News from the Office
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outdoors, and included a memorable visit to Niagra Falls and a luncheon at a winery.
he ACDF building at 103 North Adams Street is now also home to the Pierre Fauchard Academy. The College welcomed the PFA on July 1, as incoming Executive Director, Robert Cattoi, moved into the third-floor office suite leased by the Academy.
One of the initiatives that Regency 1 has encouraged is for each Section in the Regency to invite the Chairs of all the other Sections in the Regency to attend. We have much to learn from each other, and it is great to share the outstanding programs that Regency 1 Chairs plan and implement. Dr. Volland was the first Chair in our Regency to have the opportunity to invite other Chairs to an in-person meeting. All those in attendance had a very good time together. The meeting was also attended by Regent Paula K. Friedman. The Georgia Section is proud of the dental students, residents and faculty from the Dental College of Georgia who provided much needed dental care for patients in Louisville, Georgia the weekend of September 25 and 26. The event was organized by Remote Area Medical of Tennessee, assisted by the pre-med and pre-dental student group from Emory University and co-sponsored by the Georgia Dental Association’s Foundation for Oral Health. Patients started lining up at midnight Friday and came from as far as Columbus,
Robert Lattoi, PFA Executive Director
Georgia and even St. Augustine, Florida. A total of 208 patients were seen over the two days, receiving $122,000 worth of free dental care. An exceptional protocol was followed including isolated cubicles and rigid disinfection procedures, which allowed a high level of care in spite of the constraint of working in a COVID environment. The patients were extremely grateful and understanding, even after waiting many hours for treatment. All the
SPEA Spotlight On November 9, Regent Ned Nix presented “Professionalism: Your Responsibility to Your Patients, Your Community and Your Profession” to the SPEA Chapter at the Dugoni School of Dentistry. Co-hosted by SPEA Chapter President Preston Fong, the one-hour session was attended virtually by ACD Board members and SPEA national officers and directors. Student Dr. Fong introduced SPEA to the attendees, and Dr. Nix introduced the ACD. Ethics handbooks and wallet cards were shared with the students, courtesy of the ACD Foundation. The Dugoni SPEA Chapter has recently been revitalized, with Dr. Nix actively sponsoring the Chapter and helping to put into place best practices to keep the momentum going. Section leaders are strongly encouraged to contact their Regents for assistance with their local SPEA Chapters.
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volunteers felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment and although tired after working almost 12 hours on Saturday and 6 hours on Sunday, felt a sense of joy. To a person, they said they would do this again. ACD Fellows participating included Drs. Bill Bachand, Ben Jernigan, and Lewis Petree. Approximately 25 students, all SPEA members, from the Dental College of Georgia participated, as well.
PFA President Terry Brewick cuts the ribbon opening their new office
In a statement regarding the move, the PFA reported that “the Pierre Fauchard Academy is thrilled to be renting office space in the American College of Dentists building and a short distance to the International College of Dentists. The mission of the PFA is to recognize leadership in the profession. The proximity to our like-minded honorary organizations allows us to unify our efforts toward professionalism, integrity, service, and ethics worldwide. The increased communication between the organizations fosters a camaraderie that will benefit all dentists and the profession. As the PFA completes its 85 years of service to the dental profession, we look forward to future programs and services with our fellow honorary organizations.” The PFA was founded by ACD Fellow Elmer Best in 1936. Dr. Best saw a need for dentistry to gain control of their own literature and to not be unduly influenced by corporate interests. The history and missions of our organizations have been intertwined and complementary ever since, with common themes of leadership and service imbued in the activities of each.
Mozhgan Salehi
Finance Assistant, Earns Citizenship While working full-time and finishing her degree in accounting, Mozhgan Salehi also studied for her citizenship test, successfully completing all requirements in September. The office staff celebrated this accomplishment with barbecue, apple pie, and a champagne toast.
Save the Date!
October 12-13 ACD 2022 Annual Meeting and Convocation will be in Houston, Texas, October 12-13. Join us for enlightening continuing education, renew friendships and reconnect, and kick up your heels at the College’s Denim & Diamonds Gala benefitting the ACD Foundation! ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021 | 17
Student Professionalism and Ethics Association Update
Update from the American Society for Dental Ethics
2021-2022 SPEA National Board Officers Erik G. Klintmalm, DDS, MPH, FACD SPEA National Co-director and Liaison to the ACD Board of Regents
candidate from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, for her presentation of a case of a clinical error. Her faculty advisor was Catherine Frankl Sarkis JD, MBA.
Kjeld Nelson
Executive Chair University of Colorado Raphael Raganit Vice Chair Indiana University
Danny Carney
T
he Student Professionalism and Ethics Association, SPEA, has continued to mature during the pandemic. Like most organizations, SPEA chapters struggled with connectivity as Zoom fatigue set in. However, the annual session was a success and highlighted once again that topical issues will draw a crowd. At the end of the annual session a new student board was elected, and we are excited to again have representation from all over the country, as well as Canada. The focus of this upcoming year will be to strengthen the partnership with the College. Initiatives have been created and put into motion that will further deepen the bonds between both national and local College and SPEA sections. Collaborations between different College sections and local SPEA chapters have already begun to blossom with both in person and virtual events. The goal of SPEA has remained unchanged: to better prepare dental students to be excellent doctors and leaders as they enter into the profession. We are excited at the development on all levels and to see the partnership between the College and SPEA continue to flourish.
18 | ACD News | Fall/Winter 2021
Vice Chair University of Colorado
Tate Harding
Chief Information Officer University of Colorado
Mason Welch
Assistant CIO University of Colorado
Amber Alak
Regency 1 Boston University Eunice Park Regency 2 Western University, Schulich
Jason Tsai
Regency 3 Augusta University
Sydney Hall
Regency 4 Indiana University
Ryan Utsey
Regency 5 University of Colorado
Erin Welter
Regency 7 University of California, San Francisco Becca Long Immediate Past Executive Chair University of Southern California
Odette Aguirre, DDS, MS, MPH, FACD
T
he ASDE annual summer Board meeting was held virtually on August 13 and 14. We received reports and reviewed the 2020-2021 year. There was an opportunity for discussion, organizing priorities and sharing of ideas. As always, open-ended discussion led to camaraderie and setting of new goals. Programming and topics for the Special Ethics program at ACD 2022 in Houston were discussed. As in previous years, ASDE continues to sponsor the Ozar-Hasegawa ethics essay, an award presented to predoctoral, graduate dental, dental hygiene or graduate dental hygiene students for an essay or presentation about an ethical dilemma analysis demonstrating outstanding ethical reflection. This year, there were two very worthy winners. One of them was Claudia Ferdeghini, a student from the University of Milano-Bicocca at Ospedale San Gerardo in Monza, for her essay, “When Ethics Overcomes Bureaucracy – Assistance to a Vulnerable Patient.” Her faculty advisor was the late Susanne Largura Benedict DDS, FACD at Indiana University School of Dentistry. The other winner was Luljeta Isedisha DMD AS 2021
The topic for the ASDE-sponsored Special Ethics program at the recent ACD annual session was “Facilitating Discussion of Ethical Dilemmas.” It was presented live by Larry Garetto, Pamela Zarkowski, Kathryn Ragalis and Odette Aguirre, all ASDE leaders and ACD Fellows. It was a 3-hour course with the purpose of developing or enhancing the expertise of dental professionals to provide effective leadership in the discussion of ethics dilemmas. While ethics discussions certainly take place in classrooms with students, ethics dilemmas occur every day in dental practices, and in all parts of life. Discussions about them promote healthy professional and personal environments. Attendees to this course had the opportunity to develop skills applicable in both academic and clinical practice settings. There were 106 participants in the course that initiated with a review of ethical principles and ethical decision-making, followed by a presentation on facilitation skills. Attendees then watched the premiere of the most recent ethical dilemma video, “Emergency Patient,” and proceeded to work in small groups to discuss the dilemma presented in the video. The course organizers would like to recognize and express a thank you to the volunteer facilitators that helped make the small group discussion possible: Phyllis Beemsterboer, Julie Connelly, Richard Jones, Regina Messer, Terry Norris and Jean O’Donnell. At the end of the small group discussion, the group came back together for a presentation on concepts of group dynamics, discussion and conclusions.
The presentation was recorded and posted to dentalethics.org/ resources so it will be possible for others to watch at their convenience. In other matters: • The Board reinforced our goal to increasingly introduce narrative ethics in ASDE programs. Toni Roucka and Fred More continue to support the development of this program. • The Board agreed to continue the 2022 ASDE Annual Meeting in virtual format. The program will include a short program followed by a general membership meeting. The proposed topic is facilitating ethics discussion through a narrative ethics approach. • Phyllis Beemsterboer was reappointed as Treasurer. • Fred More agreed to be appointed as Executive Director after several years as interim executive director. • The next ASDE Summer meeting will be in August of 2022 and is planned to be in-person. • ACD Ethics Video Facilitator Guides and Case Analyses are being completed. The sequence for development will follow the mostwatched ethics dilemma videos. • ASDE will work directly with ACD to develop a program for basic education in professionalism and ethics to be offered in modular format to dental education institutions. For more information on ASDE or to become a member, please visit www.societyfordentalethics.org/.
American College of Dentists 103 North Adams Street Rockville, MD 20850
Nominate an Outstanding Colleague for Fellowship “It is my privilege to inform you that you have been elected to membership in this very worthy organization, an organization that which stands for the highest and best in the whole domain of dentistry.” – Ritual for the Conferring of Fellowship by Charles N. Johnson
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Those words are part of what many Fellows report to be one of the best days of their professional lives. Outstanding dentists from across the United States and Canada, as well as other parts of the globe, are nominated each year by Fellows in good standing. Please consider nominating for Fellowship your colleagues who have a demonstrated history of leadership and excellence. Also essential is consideration of younger dentists with a clear trajectory of excellence. To be considered for the Fellowship Class of 2022, nominations must be received by January 31, 2022. Nominations received after that date will be held for 2023. The online form is located at acd.org/nominations and ACD staff are always happy to help with any questions that arise throughout the nominations process. Happy nominating!
