ACD–AADEJ Affiliation Announced

The College and the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) worked together in 2021 to arrange and execute a trial affiliation agreement, which will become permanent in 2022. Letters of welcome were extended to ACD Fellows and members of AADEJ by both presidents, Drs. Leo Rouse and Brian Shue.Helping Dental Organizations Communicate with Their Members and Publics

Nota Bene November 2021

The American College of Dentists is delighted to announce the addition of our 53rd section— the AADEJ.

The American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists was chartered in 1931 and is composed of dedicated people specifically interested in improving communication within the dental profession and in elevating the standards of dental journalism. The organization is committed to the establishment and encouragement of responsible editorial policy. Prior to its founding, the AADEJ was aligned with the ACD Commission on Journalism and there was a shared mission to advance communication efforts in order to elevate the standards in the profession of dentistry. Today, we view this collaboration as more crucial than ever before. We seek a broad audience to listen to and to learn from. We share a common belief that listening is the foundational tenet of communication that is often overlooked, and we intend to more fully engage in active listening. Of this we are certain, organizations of the future will need to understand and be able to use a rapidly expanding array of emerging technologies. These technologies are designed to extend the individual’s and organization’s communication capacities. The AADEJ invites all those interested in enhancing communication to consider active membership in this non-geographic section of the College.

AADEJ Needs a Stronger Web Presence

Calling all AADEJ members and organizations— Share your expertise. We need help on two fronts:

Gracefully Closing Our Current Site

AADEJ has been working with an “inherited” site that is gradually becoming irrelevant. We need help carefully winding down this system.

Designing and Implementing a New Site

AADEJ needs to have a web presence that is a model for dental organizations. Challenges include design, site selection, and set up. It is with great anticipation of enhancing Is there communication in the profession that we welcome someone in your organization who knows Squarespace or is interested in the big picture of web design? the American Association of Dental Editors and Perhaps you have some other good contacts. Contact Stuart Segelnick at eperiodr@aol.com. Journalists as a non-geographic section of the American College of Dentists. The Board of Regents of ACD and the Board of Directors of AADEJ have approved a one-year trial affiliation, during which time we will work out administrative details. This Skill Building Program: Social Media Overview Friday, 3 December for about 2½ hours, beginning at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Zoom platform. is similar to the status of the American Society for Dental Ethics in the College, which ACD Fellows “Social media is about finding your reflection online for a moment of micro-fame.” –Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants. (Recently appointed to the presidential commission on social media.) may join based on their professional interests in addition to their geographic section. Our partnership also provides a pipeline to Fellowship for AADEJ members who are on a trajectory to leadership in dental writing and editing. The editors’ organization was founded in 1930 by William Gies and other Fellows of the College as a result of the work of its Commission on Journalism. AADEJ helps dental organizations strengthen their communication with members and the publics they serve. The ACD and the AADEJ already have Timothy Vassilakos, Director, Strategic Business a joint code of ethics in dental journalism. Operations, Henry Schein Overview of Social Media We urge you to join us in raising the level of communication in the ACD and the profession. American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists

Nathaniel Lawson, Biomaterials Director, University of Alabama Instagram as a remote instructional platform

Leo E. Rouse, DDS, FACD President, American College of Dentists Brian K. Shue, DDS, FACD President, American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists

2022 ACD Leadership

ACD Foundation Consultants

Patricia L. Blanton, DDS, MS, PhD, FACD Rockville, Maryland

Dr. Blanton has established a reputation as a disciplined educator, researcher, administrator, clinician- scholar and community advocate. She is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the fields of surgical anatomy, local anesthesia, and pain management. Over the past fifty plus years, Pat has lectured extensively, providing more than one thousand hours of continuing education on these topics.

As a leading authority in surgical anatomy, she has published more than one hundred peer-reviewed publications, numerous book chapters, and one textbook. Dr. Blanton has regularly published her research findings and she has been awarded research grants from a variety of well recognized entities to include NIH, NIDCR, and multiple, interdisciplinary intramural funding initiatives.

In 2017, Dr. Blanton received the American Dental Association’s highest honor – the Distinguished Service Award for her sustained contributions to our profession and she is a 2022 recipient of the ADEA Gies Award recognizing her myriad contributions in dental education. Thomas J. Connolly, DDS, FACD New York, New York

Dr. Connolly is currently a Consultant for the American College of Dentists Foundation and chairs the ACDSPEA Task Force. He served as President of the American College of Dentists from 2018-2019 and as President of the New York Academy of Dentistry from 2005-2006. He participates as a Donated Dental Service volunteer and continues being an Ethics Facilitator at Columbia as he has for over 25 years.

Tom was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey and is the oldest of seven children. He attended St. Peter’s College. He earned his DDS and Certificate in Periodontology from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery.

He and his wife, Arlene, live in New York City. His three daughters and three grandchildren also live in New York. He enjoys playing tennis in Central Park with Arlene and his oldest daughter, Julie, with whom he practices. His hobbies include travel, cooking and photography.

Outgoing Board Members

Members of the Board of Regents leave an indelible mark on the College. The depth and breadth of their experience and thoughtful servant-leadership guide the advancement of the mission and help to chart a course for decades to come.

Stephen A. Ralls, DDS, EdD, FACD

Dr. Ralls served as Executive Director of the ACD from 1997 to 2017 and was elected as Vice President to the Board of Regents upon retirement. He subsequently served as President-elect, President, and President of the ACD Foundation. He led the College through the early days of the pandemic, ensuring that the mission would continue. Dr. Ralls is the 2021 recipient of the William John Gies Award, the highest honor the College bestows, and one of the highest honors in dentistry. Douglas W. Bogan, DDS, FACD Regent, Regency 6

Dr. Bogan stepped up to lead Regency 6 after the untimely loss in early 2020 of Robert M. Anderton, DDS, JD. Dr. Bogan led with grace and sensitivity, stepping in as Chair of the Bylaws and Sections Committee, and serving on the Membership Committee. Dr. Bogan has been in private practice in Houston, Texas for 48 years.

Gary S. Yonemoto, DDS, MS, FACD Regent, Regency 7

Dr. Yonemoto was elected to the Board of Regents in 2017 and served as Chair of the Membership Committee, as well as a member of the Awards Committee. He is a former President of the Hawaii Dental Association. He is retired from the private practice of endodontics in Honolulu, Hawaii. Michael C. Meru, DDS, FACD

Dr. Meru joined the Board of Regents in 2016 as the Liaison to the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association. He had formerly served as the Regent Intern to the Board. Dr. Meru is in private practice in orthodontics in Utah and California.