Just For Canadian Dentists 2011-03 March April by Just For Canadian Dentists

march/ april 2011

DENTISTS life + leisure

win a VISA gift card!

page 37

+ texas blooms + work LESS,

the many tastes of

toronto

make more + a light on oral cancer + wines of ITALY + real-estate investing + fly-fishing now

beer, bratwursts + beauty in

germany

Publications Mail Agreement #41073506

inside: Continuing dental Education Calendar where will you meet?

cardiff

minneapolis

m o ro c c o

v i a re g g i o

Steady wins the race. In the end, through an ugly recession, our Limited Partnership One 2005 investors realized a profit of over 50% when in 2010 we sold the last two apartment buildings they owned. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s after all fees and equity paid to the general manager, and tenants enjoying renovated living spaces plus 1st class property management. Make money, leave the world a better place. Join us. Inside your RRSP or cash*. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it time you took some of your money out of that wild riding stock market, let inflation work for you if it happens, and discover the ROI power of rental properties in Western Canada from people with a track record of helping investors win big?

www.prestprop.com 1-877-434-4345 *ELIGIBILITY RULES APPLY - DEPENDING ON PROVINCE. This is not a solicitation for investment. This advertisement is a matter of record only. Past returns are not an indicator of future success. This is a risky investment. Investments are sold via offering memorandum (OM) to eligible or accredited investors in certain provinces only. This is not a guaranteed investment. Resale restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not every interested party is eligible to invest, but we encourage you to contact us, so we can direct you to one of our registered sales agents (RSAs) or exempt market dealers (EMDs) that have recently decided to sell our securities. No security commission has reviewed and/or approved the OM. Prestigious Properties is not in the business of selling securities, but rather developing and improving real estate and making investment products available for sale by registered sales agents.

J u stf o r C

dentists life + leisure

march/april 2011

contents

march/april 2011

Editor and Art Director Barb Sligl Editorial Assistant Adam Flint

Contributors Dr. Richard Beard Thomas Beyer Timothy A. Brown Dr. Holly Fong Janet Gyenes Tiffany Jarva Tim Johnson Dr. Neil Pollock Manfred Purtzki Dr. Kelly Silverthorn Dr. Derek Turner Corey Van’t Haaff Cover photo Doug Brown / www.torontowide.com Senior Account Executive Monique Mori

10 30

Account Executive Lily Yu Sales, Classifieds and Advertising In Print Circulation Office 710 – 938 Howe St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9 Canada Phone: 604-681-1811 Fax: 604-681-0456 Email: info@AdvertisingInPrint.com Associate Publisher Linh T. Huynh Production Manager Ninh Hoang Circulation Fulfillment Alison Mulvey CE Development Adam Flint

FEATURES

10 taste Toronto There’s plenty of diversity on the plate 30 a Teutonic tour Go east in Germany COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

14 motoring

5 March/April mix 19 CE calendar 37 sudoku 38 small talk with Dr.Tassos Irinakis

clockwise from top left: Ontario Tourism; B. Sligl; www.torontowide.com / Doug Brown

Isle of Man and motorcycles

Just For Canadian Dentists is published 6 times a year by In Print Publications and distributed to Canadian dentists. Publication of advertisements and any opinions expressed do not constitute endorsement or assumption of liability for any claims made. The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. None of the contents of the magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of In Print Publications. In Print Publications 710 – 938 Howe St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9 Canada

17 first person Northern wisdom

18 practice management The art of scarcity

25 drill me

Get real about real estate

27 the wealthy dentist

Tax plan before you sell

28 dentist unleashed

www.justforcanadiandentists.com

Printed in Canada.

34 the thirsty dentist want to reach us? check out our website!

Discover fly fishing Part 2: Italian wine 101

cover photo:

Toronto: cosmopolitan, ethnic and a mecca for fabulous fare. It’s also home to the annual Luminato Festival. The Sine Wave Sculpture by David Rokeby, here at Brookfield Place, was an installation at a past festival. See page 11 for what’s happening this year.

35 the hungry dentist

Luscious linguine

36 techworks Shining a light on oral cancer March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

from the editor

spring fling

he buds are out and things are blooming…in some places more than others—on the west coast, we’ve already seen a smattering of pink on the cherry trees, and in Texas the bluebonnets are sprouting up everywhere, along roadsides and fields for a touch of that Texas blue (page 5). In Germany, things are also fresh and green, especially in The Green Ribbon, a bucolic strip of land that’s been innovatively and inspirationally reimagined—from former Iron Curtain to nature preserve. The chestnut and linden trees are also blooming; find a seat under one in the ubiquitous German beer garden while sampling some fine brew. A spring visit to the culturally rich eastern end of Germany is a bit of a step back into a volatile and vibrant history and a glimpse

of the fast-growing new generation of German verve (see page 30). Elsewhere, it may be a while yet for spring to start. Like in Toronto. So get started with a bit of a food fest. The many tastes of Toronto are waiting to be sampled, from curry in Little India to scrumptious brunch in Leslieville. And some fine dining spots are garnering buzz. So, make it breakfast, lunch and dinner. (See page 10.) After all that noshing, take in the cultural vibrancy of Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. Coming up in June is the Luminato festival, showcasing art installations around the city (like the Sine Wave Sculpture on our cover). Look up! Spring is about renewal and that’s certainly on the plate—from Toronto to the Teutonic towns of eastern Germany. And a big thank you to all those who

completed our survey and requested a subscription (you still can; just go to justforcanadiandentists.com). The subscription contest winner is Dr. Felix Wu of Vancouver, BC, and the readership survey contest winner is Dr. Jimmy Kim of Victoria, BC. Please keep your feedback coming! feedback@InPrintPublications.com

THE ARTISAN APPROACH. Our Our Our Our

clients are your clients. work is your work. quality is your quality. hand crafted expertise is ours alone.

1638 West 3rd Avenue Vancouver, BC V6J 1K2 P 604 873 0888 · 1 800 561 0926

Ad_2.indd 1 4 Microdental Just For Canadian dentists

March/April 2011

2/14/11 9:15:20 AM

bottom photos: b. Sligl (2); top: courtesy tourism toronto / lady marmalade

clockwise from top Must-have waffles at Lady Marmalade in Toronto; former no-man’s land is now the Green Belt across Germany; and bright-red rugby jerseys in Wales.

what/when/where > march/april

Texas

Blue

mix

getaway

Bluebonnets, blue jeans and Blue Bell ice cream… It’s spring in Brenham!

tiffany jarva

Vehicles are pulled over on the side of the road. People stream out and run into the fields to be photographed in a sea of bluebonnets. “Nothing like bluebonnets in spring,” a tough-looking cowboy-of-a-man gushes about the state’s wildflower. Brenham, Texas, is about an hour’s drive west of Houston, and about mid-way to Austin. Part of Washington County, where the 1836 Texas Declaration of Independence was signed, Brenham has some of the best bluebonnet viewings in the state. >> March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

march/april

friendly fare

>> The pride of many a Texan, the bluebonnet, Lupinus subcarnosus, was declared the state flower in 1901, after successful lobbying by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. In 1971, four other species of bluebonnets were made official, including Lupinus texensis, often the favourite of tourists and artists. It typically hits its peak in late March and early April, covering many a field in Washington County. Many return each spring for their bluebonnet fix and annual photo. Outside of Brenham in nearby Belleville, Longhorns graze in fields on a working ranch where I’m quickly realizing that I’m a timid cowgirl, even after a thorough mounting lesson from John Elick, owner of Texas Ranch Life. “If you have no experience, don’t worry,” reassures Elick, clad in a pair of blue jeans with a red bandana wrapped around his neck. “Most riders who say they are experienced, really aren’t,” he chuckles. “So we treat everyone as though they have no experience.” This calms me a little. I’m surprised by how nervous I am. When packing for this trip, I searched storage bins for a pair of old cowboy boots trendy in the early 90s; I envisioned myself on a horse, confident and smiling, like Dale Evans. Instead I gingerly practice leading my horse slowly around a closed-in arena, making kissing sounds over and over again to get my horse to go and using my heels and a very low and calm whoa to stop. After encouragement from Elick and some time in the arena, I finally start to feel more confident and relaxed. We head out for a pasture ride, riding amongst the cows, trees and open Texas sky, different and much more enjoyable than the head-to-tail rides that I’ve done in the past. It’s hard not to feel a little more like a cowgirl, after the ride and an earlier retreat in the restored “lodge” building, where The Log of a Cowboy by Andy Adams joins other ranch and cowboy-themed books in my room. And where in the dining area, a Longhorn on the wall watches as I move from window to window, gazing at the open fields. When I tell a friend of mine originally from Austin that I’m going to Brenham, the first thing out of her mouth is: “You HAVE to try Blue Bell Ice Cream.” So here I am: at the famed Blue Bell Creameries factory, established in 1907 and, impressively, the third largest-selling ice cream company in the U.S. All samples are very tasty, but my favourite (and their bestseller) is the Homemade Vanilla. It’s rich and creamy, reminiscent of days past. I see now why some people from out-of-state have it couriered to them (and we can’t get it in Canada). “It’s a real treat,” says CEO Paul Kruse, the fourth Kruse to manage the company over a span of 90 years. “I’m in this business because ice-cream is fun.” —Tiffany Jarva

bluebonnets, blue jeans and Blue Bell ice cream…

getaway

Where to Stay 1 Texas Ranch Life, Bellville; texasranchlife.com An 1800-acre working quest ranch in nearby Bellville is home to American bison, quarter horses and one of the country’s largest herds of Texas Longhorns. Specializing in corporate retreats, stay in one of eight restored historic Texas homes and choose from a variety of cowboy experiences, from fishing to cattle roundups. 2 Ant Street Inn, Brenham; antstreetinn.com In the heart of Brenham, Ant Street Inn is a Renaissance Revival-style historical building. Each room is uniquely decorated, such as the Galveston Room with its large stained glass window, canopied queen-sized bed and carved footboard, antique desk and games table. Individual servings of Blue Bell Ice Cream are stocked in the hallway freezer if you encounter any late-night cravings. 3 Outpost at Cedar Creek, Round Top; outpostinn.com An 1880s restored German farm, Outpost is a B&B that has turned recycling, restoring and antiquing into a whimsical artistic endeavour. A popular place to stay during the Round Top Antiques Fair, which attracts thousands of dealers and buyers during the first weeks of April and October, so make sure you book well in advance. MORE For information on Brenham and Washington County, visit brenhamtexas.com.

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

oceanwise:

good on the plate, good for the planet Pan-Roasted Northern Shrimp with Lime Butter. Tilapia in Tomato, Onion, and Coconut Curry. Pickerel with Pistachio Butter Sauce. Oh, and Salmon Burgers (and a 911 Canned Salmon Party Platter). These are just some of the dishes in the tasty tome (with plenty of mouthwatering photos) The Ocean Wise Cookbook—Seafood Recipes that are Good for the Planet. And some of the contributing chefs from across Canada: Jamie Kennedy, Rob Feenie, Vikram Vij. and Michael Smith. Ocean Wise is a conservation program across Canada created by the Vancouver Aquarium to educate restaurants and consumers about sustainable seafood. It’s about making ocean-friendly choices easier— whether that be caviar or the old standby of cod and chips. Ocean Wise now has over 200 affiliated partners—restaurants, markets and suppliers. And now you, at home. As the cookbook points out, simple is often best, especially with Ocean Wise ingredients—like the classic combo of lemon juice, salt and pepper, butter, shallots and go-to herbs (chives, parsley, tarragon). But with this slew of recipes, consider your range diversified. Then go solo; there’s a table matching various flavours and seasonings. Arugula? Perfect with pickerel and prawns. Butternut squash? Try scallops. Mint? Mahi mahi, of course. For more on Ocean Wise: oceanwise.ca. For more on the cookbook and where to purchase: whitecap.ca. — B.Sligl

taste

photos: tiffany jarva

mix

time management

march/april

mix

accessory | watch it

dress your wrist stow + GO Travelling takes a toll on the chicest of jetsetters. Those in the know bring their favourite fragrances along must- for inflight freshening. But, instead of dealing have with wayward spritzing, there’s the far-simpler roll-on option—portable rollerball vials of Kiehl’s that meet security carry-on restrictions. Choose from Kiehl’s most popular essence oils—like the very first Musk 1921 (known as “love oil”) and coriander (our fave), grapefruit, vanilla and amber. The venerable New York City pharmacy has been using natural ingredients and botanicals in its musthave formulas for over 150 years now. Stick with the scent standard—and roll with it. kiehls.com. —B.S.

stowaway scent

Today’s modern man is likely better versed in the language of emoticons and apps than he is in morse code and weaponry. Or perhaps as a dentist, restorations or periapical radiographs. But even the most wired and busiest professional needs to keep track of time. So, why not do so with a proper timepiece, like the Infantry Vintage style Gunmetal Chrono by Swiss Army. It’s stylish enough to wear day in and out—in and out of the office—whether keeping track of the day’s appointments or trudging up Mount Kilimanjaro while on “vacation.” (We know you never really rest.) Plus, it’s water-resistant to 100 metres—perfect for heroic efforts like rescuing a kayaker from a raging river. (Yes, we know you do your share of that too.) Or, more likely, that unexpected dip in the hot tub. swissarmy.com — Janet Gyenes

ou … and if y , go for it rd bly a a a o b b y ro e P k isinfect. on your d p u d n h ic a c n p ie lu u d a hyg n te your to wipe ho ne e de u must pla oard is super easy w es o t v y s lo ti if g n ll, e is e d f? W keep h o le keyb t from a to ff s b e a o im u h t h s q a s a d re e e w t w you can, not to worr y. This flat, by another equipmen se operation that allowquickly realized there sa rd a o b y e d u k , rd g e o d a A ark thin em ybo able ea was sp spill some hands-fre hanical ke for the dis happen to any office, but the id -tracking device for chnology chool me c the te -s in r ld n te o o u r ti p e c v m fe in ad of in c bag s o ing in co n (a head ti re o liz s ti p ia la s good idea lu r the c P o e e . fo s p e th y s e c avoid pany, tal offi is read in-offic in the den just that to ntal team adian com e n s to a d n o C g e ti in e th p h rt . o d T o B.S res on). ienic nt a n eys.com — disinfecta ed for hyg ntists were gear a serioeures nn’te cutting it. Yet maCnyledaenkeys, just swipe wgitehlsae in the surgery.” cleank in h just w use any th iliar?). Wit (sound fam ts it: “Fab. Wouldn’t ry to ra e p u dental o dentist p nt. As one nex t patie

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

march/april

sweet stay getaway

2 3

bring big, bright designs to bed

spice it up!

Marimekko, the long-popular Finnish textile company, is known for it’s fun, vibrant décor design patterns of big blooms and bold organic and abstract shapes. It introduces dozens of new fabric designs every year. But its signature and muchcopied and ubiquitous print is the floral Unikko, designed in 1964 by Maija Isola. Today, Unikko is more hip than ever, and an innumerable amount of different colours and Unikko-pattern products are available. The old standby however remains the magenta-hue bedsheets. Who wouldn’t go to bed happy amidst such vivacious, happy blooms? Visit Canada’s first Marimekko Concept Store in Vancouver (marimekkovancouver. com). Or check out marimekko.com for other retailers across Canada—and loads of inspiration. Choose from seemingly limitless playful and inventive patterns, all of which will be inspirational in any home. Spice up your home décor. Out with the old, in with the fresh and new! — B.S.

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

5 ways to escape

Baby, it’s still cold outside, and you can still stoke some fires at these resorts across Canada— whether for romance or well-deserved r’n’r.

1 La Pinsonnière, Québec > Relais & Châteaux luxury in the midst of the snow-covered Charlevoix region on the St. Lawrence River, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy Québec hospitality featuring the five “C”s—Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm, Cuisine. lapinsonniere.com; 1-800-387-4431 2 Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta > The majesty, hospitality and scenery of The Fairmont Banff Springs is well known; for over a century it’s been a landmark in the Rockies. Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, The Fairmont offers amazing vistas and skiing, fine cuisine and a world-class spa. fairmont.com/banffsprings; 1-800-257-7544 3 Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel, Ontario > A sanctuary in the heart of a pulsing metropolitan city, this Zen-inspired hotel has it all: feng shui suites, Shizen Spa, and Doku 15 lounge and restaurant. You can chill in TO. cosmotoronto.com; 1-800-958-3488 4 Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, BC > Access to this seaside resort’s tenthouse suites is via a 1,500-foot treetop boardwalk over lush greenery. That’s solitude. Nestled among the arbutus trees, overlooking Secret Cove on BC’s Sunshine Coast, your private sanctuary opens onto an endless view of the Pacific Ocean. And, of course, there’s a spa. rockwatersecretcoveresort.com; 1-877-296-4593 5 Langdon Hall, Ontario > This 100-year-old mansion near Stratford was built to emulate the feel of a château in the Loire Valley of France. Sample old-world country living, award-winning restaurant fare and soothing spa treatments. langdonhall.ca; 1-800-268-1898 —B.S.

clockwise from top lefT: Travel alberta, rockwater resort; langdon hall; cosmopolitan; la pinsonnière

mix

march/april

mix

Is this a hilly forest in Algeria? tour An isolated mountainous pocket of Morocco? It may look like an exotic enclave in northern Africa, but this Barbary macaque is happily lounging in the countryside of the British Midlands—in the midst of leafy Trentham Estate (once home to the Duke of Sutherland) in the heart of England (London is a mere 130 miles away). Over 140 Barbary macaque monkeys live here, roaming free in 60 acres of forest. Once populating large areas of North Africa, their natural habitats have been devastated by deforestation. But at Trentham Monkey Forest (after the success of similar monkey forests in France and Germany), the monkeys are a thriving group affectionately called “the new little midlanders” (and over 800 from the related monkey forests have been reintroduced to Morocco). Visitors walk a loop through the forest as monkeys cross their path, sit and nap in trees, loll in the grass or amble about with babies on their backs. The experience is up-close and personal; you’re face-to-face with the furry residents’ sweet, expressive features. This is Shakespeare country, but here you get to see a very different kind of play. trentham-monkeyforest.com; visittheheart.co.uk —B.S.

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

play time

B. Sligl

Monkey Forest

The scenes and tastes of Toronto, from Chinatown to Little Italy, and from big bowls of pho to classic brunch fareâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or an exquisite ravioli dish by Executive Chef Anthony Walsh of Canoe Restaurant, high above downtown and a bit removed from it all.

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

clockwise top from left: ontario tourism; tourism toronoto / lady marmalade; ontario tourism; canoe / Jo-Anne McArthur; ontario tourism / daniel taub; Dutka / tourism ontario

travel at home

the many tastes of

Toronto

When you visit a city as diverse as this one, make sure to pack your knife and fork story by Tim Johnson

light it up!

For a creative apéritif or digestif to a tasty tour of Toronto take in the Luminato Festival. For 10 days in June, the city’s stages, streets, and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity. Now in its fifth year, Luminato is an annual multidisciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, music, literature, food (yes, the eating continues; save room for more culinary sampling), visual arts (like the stunning sculpture on our cover), fashion, film, and more. On the food front, don’t miss the President’s Choice® 1000 Tastes of Toronto™ food event. It takes place in Queen’s Park on the fest’s closing weekend, a feast for all the senses with gourmet fare prepared by the city’s finest chefs. Think street food at its best. Food or otherwise, Luminato is all about celebrating Toronto’s cultural diversity. And one of this year’s stand-out shows will be the stage adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights, a fusion of traditional and contemporary Arabic performance, music, and storytelling that imaginatively retells Shahrazad’s epic tales. Join other “Luminatics” for the 10-day party from June 10 – 19. luminato.com —B.S.

n undeniably dynamic metropolis, first-time visitors to Canada’s largest city often expect to find one big place, sprawling out north, east and west from the CN Tower and the shores of Lake Ontario. But once you start exploring Toronto, you begin to realize that this city is actually made up of dozens and dozens of distinctive neighbourhoods, often referred to as “villages.” It’s a place where you can completely change the vibe by walking a few blocks down the road, and you can travel across the world by simply crossing the street: Toronto is one of the most international cities on earth—more than 140 languages and dialects are spoken here, and half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada—and this diversity creates a cultural richness in the shops, businesses and especially restaurants that line the streets. Here is a brief look at some of Toronto’s best neighbourhoods, explored with the help of some long-time city residents, who take us to their favourite neighbourhood restaurants.

Gerrard India Bazaar The largest South Asian marketplace in all of North America, this village, just a few square blocks in size, brings the tastes and smells of the subcontinent to Toronto’s east end, with more than 100 shops and restaurants offering everything from saris to silk paintings and cricket equipment. It’s a long way from Delhi and Mumbai, but a Saturday afternoon here can truly feel like a trip abroad. “I like the Lahore Tikka House because it feels like a micro-vacation from North America. The service is friendly and the customers are as ethnically diverse as Toronto itself,” says Reb Stevenson, a Torontonian who makes frequent international trips for work. The restaurant features Pakistani and North Indian cuisine, including mouth-watering kebabs and naan from their tandoor oven, and heaping rice sizzlers. “There’s not a whiff of pretension—all you can smell is the aromatic butter chicken, really” says Stevenson. Lahore Tikka House; 1365 Gerrard St. East; lahoretikkahouse.com March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

travel at home The Annex

more bites

posh nosh If the tried-and-true local haunts are a bit too down-to-earth, Toronto has plenty to offer on the other end of the spectrum. Here are some hot-and-happening places on the food scene. Canoe Oliver & Bonacini’s flagship restaurant, Canoe (above)—on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower—reopened at the end of January following a reno that outfitted the sky-high space (with killer views of the lakeshore and the lights of downtown) with a sleek new look. And, of course, there’s the food…a sample dish from the new menu featuring regional Canadian cuisine: braised rabbit with pappardelle, chestnuts, rapini and café au lait sauce. oliverbonacini.com/Canoe.aspx Blowfish on Bay Blowfish Restaurant + Sake Bar is a hot dining destination in Toronto’s stylish King West district. And now it’s opened a new location—and spot of Zen—in the midst of the Financial District. Try the blue snow rolls with tuna and salmon. blowfishrestaurant.com Briscola A new trattoria is now open in the heart of Little Italy…Think modern Italian cuisine that includes stone-oven pizzas, unique antipasti, roasted and grilled dishes and inventive pasta. Named after one of Italy’s most popular card games, this new spot aims for a social atmosphere to match. briscola.ca TOCA The flagship restaurant of the new Ritz-Carlton. Featuring contemporary Canadian cuisine with a strong local identity using fresh, authentic, seasonal, sustainable, farm-to-table and organic ingredients. The sophisticated space includes a contemporary glass-encased cheese cave, wine display, walk-in wine cellar (with extensive wine offerings), private dining room, open pastry kitchen and “middle-of-the-kitchen” Chef’s table. Gourmands, get ready! ritzcarlton. com/en/Properties/Toronto/Dining/default.htm more For more on Toronto and its culinary scene, go to: SeeTorontoNow.com. —B.S.

Just north of the downtown core and right next door to the University of Toronto, the Annex radiates intelligence and class. Its leafy residential streets are lined with Victorian and Edwardian homes, while its commercial heart along Bloor Street ranges from the cheesy blinking lights of the famous Honest Ed’s to many tiny bookshops, record stores, coffee shops and cool restaurants, plus the renowned Bloor Cinema (often known as just “The Bloor”), a film festival venue that screens art house movies and cult classics. “The Annex is always vibrant, always changing, the people are awesome, and there’s never a shortage of new and exciting flavours,” says Emily Harrison, who grew up in the neighbourhood. Although she points out that you can get everything from Latin American to East Asian to sushi and excellent gelato, Harrison’s favourite place is Ghazale, a Middle Eastern restaurant that specializes in Lebanese fare, from falafel to shawarma and giant stuffed grape leaves. And don’t forget the baklava for dessert. “It’s a great, quick, affordable eat, and afterward you can catch a show at the Bloor,” says Harrison. Ghazale; 504 Bloor St. West; ghazale.ca

Little Italy The address of choice for the waves of Italian immigrants who settled in Toronto during the first half of the twentieth century, Little Italy, which is now home to an eclectic mix of ethnicities, still retains its Italian cultural roots in its meat, fish, flower and fruit markets, cafes, street festivals and eateries. It is also the destination of choice for flag-waving soccer fans following the glorious victories of the Italian squad. While he concedes that it’s not fine dining, David Hayes notes that Café Diplomatico was a major force in launching Toronto’s patio scene in the late ‘60s, and is still a favourite place for the neighbourhood to gather. “I go there for an old-school Margarita pizza, a decent Caesar salad and the house red,” says Hayes, a well-known writer who often covers food, and once created his own scale for rating diners for a major review of Toronto’s diners. “‘The Dip,’ as everyone calls it, is a refreshing reminder of the days when conversation and high spirits trumped what was on your plate and in your glass.” Café Diplomatico; 594 College St.; cafediplomatico.ca

east chinatown

While the city’s main Chinatown along Spadina Avenue—one of North America’s largest— gets more press (and visitors), people head to the sidewalks of East Chinatown, just on the edge of affluent Riverdale, for a slightly quieter opportunity to browse among the colourful stands of the many Vietnamese and Chinese vendors. “You can take as long or as little as you want. Take five minutes or five hours, the owners are sweet and happy either way,” says Melissa Carter, who lives nearby. Her favourite spot for barbecue pork, sweet rice and noodles is Mi Mi Vietnamese, a loveable dive that serves up soft pork-skin rolls, meaty pho, and roll-it-yourself platters (with meat, greens and rice paper). “It’s easy, cheap, kid-friendly, fresh, and delicious,” says Carter. “And I love the atmosphere. There are families from the neighbourhood, Asian grandmothers out for lunch, and moms with babies, all in the steady queue that files into the restaurant.” Mi Mi Vietnamese; 688 Gerrard St. E. ;416-778-5948

Leslieville This former industrial zone just east of downtown has been reborn as one of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods. The hulking warehouses and factories of “Toronto’s Brooklyn” have become condominiums, and the area’s traditional businesses, from antique shops to vintage clothing stores, now mix with marketing firms and yoga studios. It’s also a great place to find something to eat—especially on a Sunday morning. “Leslieville really is the land of a hundred brunch spots. If you’re thinking Leslieville, you’re thinking brunch,” says Jeff Hannaford, a designer who recently bought a house in a nearby neighbourhood and has sampled some of the best that Leslieville has to offer. And he has arrived at a decision about his favourite. “Lady Marmalade is the most enjoyable for me,” he says. The restaurant, which has another location in Victoria, B.C., evokes an agreeable 1960s feel with tin ceilings, mismatched chairs and apple green walls, and serves up excellent scrambles and bennies. “They have the freshest ingredients, and the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever tasted,” says Hannaford. Lady Marmalade; 898 Queen St. East; ladymarmalade.ca

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

A different Odyssey experience at OpenRoad.

2011 Odyssey

starting at $31,580* includes Freight & PDI *plus levies and applicable taxes.

Experience the OpenRoad Difference. Why just buy a Honda, when you can own an OpenRoad Honda?

Experience the OpenRoad DifferenceTM

6984 Kingsway, Burnaby (Five minutes east of Metrotown) Tel: 604-525-4667 Dealer D7828 www.openroadhonda.ca www.openroadautogroup.com

motoring

D r . k e l ly s i l v e r t h o r n

Dr. Kelly Silverthorn is Just For Canadian Dentists’ automotive writer. He tries to keep one convertible and/or one track-day car in the family fleet.

my own private TT Two wheels racing through the idyll of the Isle of Man make for exquisite fun and pain

mmediately after the crash, eerie silence. I am supine in the brambles, gazing up at the grey sky, and thinking…“Well, at least everything above the waist seems okay. Surely, I’ve shattered my pelvis and femur, though. That was such a HUGE hit.” I notice that I’m hyperventilating. And I really want my helmet visor up. One try, two tries, three tries with the visor… “I must have broken it too.” It all happenedsoooofast. I’dbeenonmy last ride from agreat year plyingmy ownversionof anIsle of ManTT motorcycle style course. Headingdowntight andtwisty “PumpHill,” I’dmanagedtoapply toomuchrear brake

while enteringaleft turn. That wheel locks andslithers tomy right. Uponreflexively releasingthe rear brake, tractionis suddenly rejoinedandI’mviolently high-sided off the bike tothe right. My short flight ends withmy hip impaledatopthe guardrail. Meanwhile, my 400-poundtrusty steedcartwheels andarrives tank-first fractionally later, tattooingmy hip tothe guardrail. Inthis configurationwe literally scrub off, courtesy of my thigh, the remaining40-plus kphof downhill momentumthat 600 pounds carries. Adrenalin thenquickly wills me out fromunder the hot exhaust pipe andleakingfuel tank. “Well there isn’t much point lying here. Let’s find out if I can bear weight on that leg.” It

are no nearby houses, but people are moving towards me from multiple directions— some even carrying garden tools. Though the woman is a good 150 yards away, I can hear, “He’s standing now.” I deduce the accident must have been louder than I thought, as I don’t remember screaming. She proceeds in more muted conversation with the 911 operator. I shout towards her, “I’m fine, but I’ll need a tow truck.” “My husband is going to come up and see you,” she replies, both ignoring my request, and committing her man to action, all in a few efficient words. Married for some time then, I infer. I’mnot inleadershipmode, soit’s Dave, the husband, that suggests weinvert myTriumphoff theguardrail onto its wheels. Goodidea, but I’mnot ahuge helpwithjust one useful hand. The bike won’t start, but I wasn’t going toride one-handedevenif it did. I arrange for atowtruck by cell phone andthank Dave for his help. He offers to stay until the truck comes, but I assure himI’ll be fine. I still needtodropinonDave andbetter express my appreciationtohimandhis wife.

The landscape of the Isle of Man (in the Irish Sea between the UK and Ireland) and the barely visible ribbon of road that winds across the charming island and serves as a race course. It looks idyllic, but these rolling hills, and a sudden twist and turn, can spell disaster. It’s what the Isle of Man TT race is all about...

takes 10 searing seconds to stand, but at least the prospect of spending four monotonous months in traction is put to bed. I’m serious about getting my (full-face) helmet off so I can inspect my now-electrified hip. I realize the visor is actually fine. It is my left thumb that is busted. I wrestle my helmet off one-handed. My thigh is a mess. The riding suit is in shreds, including the oval disc of Kevlar armour that I credit with saving my hip from fracture… Abrasions, even macerations galore, are visible, but thankfully no arterial pumpers. Voices. I hear voices. I jerk my head up to take in a surreal zombie movie scene. There

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

Thewait gavemetimetocontemplatemy pro-activeplan of intentionally never carryingcollisioninsurance onmy motorcycles. Accordingtotheplan, financial painwill call intoquestionmy continuedriding. SomehowI hadexpectedtheprecipitatingevent tobeadeer or errant gravel or aninattentivecar driver. Alas, it was my ownrider error that was about totrigger $5 – 6,000 of preordainedpain. I was oddly slower toclue-inonalternative traumascenarios. What if insteadof my ample thighas nutcracker, motorcycle landingpillow, andfrictionmaterial, it hadbeenmy spine, thorax, abdoor skull? Christ, surely those scenarios wouldnot have endednearly so, so“well”? I guess that means I’mlucky tobe alive. I’ve dodgedabazooka. This epiphany is goingtomake my recovery attitude, andmissingmy TargaNewZealandcompetition, alittle easier. (My apologies againtoDuane, Steve, Peter, Terry, andRobby for affectingtheir NZplans as well.)

from top: Grant Matthews; Jonathan Camp

The tow truck seems to take an awfully long time to arrive. I leave the left glove on, thinking it may tamponade the impressive swelling underway. My cell phone goes off, but I manage to lose the call in my onehanded fumblings. I hope that wasn’t the tow truck saying he was no longer coming. It starts to rain, hard, and I have no shelter. I realize I’ve been shaking for some time, with that post-traumatic adrenalin tremor we all recognize.

motoring [continued]

By the time the tow truck driver arrives, I’m certainly leaning to putting my riding career on protracted hold. Perhaps even as I turn 50, I can’t trust myself to behave with sufficient prudence. A shame that something I love so much can be this dangerous. At least my long-suffering wife will be relieved. But yikes, my tow-truck driver proves tobe of the “get back onthe horse” persuasion. Andforcefully so! Over the ensuingweeks inmy small hometownI’maskedhundreds of times, “What happenedtoyou?” I learntosay “motorcycles” andkeeplimpingright on by. Until I adopt that approachI’mgivenalot of uninvited advice. Several repeat the “get back onthe horse” message. Others impugnastrident “maybe nowyou will smartenup before endingupas anorgandonor.” Still others imply I must be feelingembarrassed… ”Toohappy beingalive,” I respondtothose. Interestingly, my fellowmotorcyclists are entirely non-judgmental andoffer noadvice onmy “to-ride or notto-ride” dilemma. They all gothroughthe same internal conflictions regularly. Eachof us knowthere is noright or wronganswer. It is the unconditional acceptance from other motorcyclists that is the best feature of our shared addiction.

solution from page 37

solution from January/February 2011 contest

I have the long Canadian winter to heal, rehab, and decide whether to get back on that steel horse. The wounded cobalt-blue Triumph Daytona is for sale, cheap. Some time away from bikes will be taken. Never say never, though. Riding the real Isle of Man TT course has not yet been checked off my bucket list.

sudoku 2 harder solution 2 5 8 6 9 1 3 4 7 4 3 7 8 5 2 1 9 6 1 6 9 3 7 4 5 8 2 5 7 6 9 3 8 4 2 1 3 8 2 4 1 6 7 5 9 9 1 4 7 2 5 8 6 3 7 2 1 5 4 9 6 3 8 8 4 3 2 6 7 9 1 5 6 9 5 1 8 3 2 7 4

Puzzle by websudoku.com

sudoku 1 easier solution 2 6 7 5 9 8 3 1 4 8 1 5 2 3 4 6 7 9 3 9 4 7 1 6 8 5 2 5 2 8 1 4 7 9 6 3 6 7 9 3 2 5 4 8 1 1 4 3 8 6 9 5 2 7 9 8 2 4 5 1 7 3 6 7 3 6 9 8 2 1 4 5 4 5 1 6 7 3 2 9 8

Puzzle by websudoku.com

first person dr. Richard Beard Dr. Beard practises dentistry in northern BC. He wrote this in response to Timothy Brown’s article, “Go Remote,” in the January/February issue of Just for Canadian Dentists. Here is his answer to “Why don’t more dentists want to live and work in northern environments?”

northern wisdom Why more dentists don’t live and work in the North

re you sitting comfortably? Then we will begin, or not, as is increasingly the case in much of Northern Canada for those who need dental care. My first practice was in northern British Columbia in 1976 in the town of Stewart, two miles from what claims to be the “Friendliest Ghost Town in Alaska,” Hyder. I had contemplated going to Terrace (population about 15,000) with four thriving dental practices plus a full-time orthodontist. At that time, no one was complaining about lack of service but 200 miles up the mostly dirt road they were complaining (in Stewart, population about 1,700)—and the fishing was better up there! Coming from smokestack Birmingham

UK, where the joke was “second prize, two days in Birmingham (first prize, one day),” Stewart was Nirvana. I could not believe my luck when we stumbled across the place after six weeks camping and canoeing when a fellow patron in a Hyder bar told me the town needed a dentist because the previous part-timer had quit. Part of my research the next day involved a couple of hours fishing—eight Chinook Salmon got off the hook, but I stayed on. During the next few years, increasing numbers of dentists came to northwestern BC, mostly young non-Canadians like me. Over the occasional beer we realized we were basically there for the same reason: lifestyle. Want to work 3.5 days per week and take four months per year to go

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

fishing? No problem, and, by the way here’s the number of someone who can help you with your tax problem. With straight-line thinking one might have assumed that dental care would become accessible to everyone. The line was straight but in the other direction. In 1978, the Granduc Mine (Stewart’s major employer) shut down taking 80% of my practice overnight. So, I bought a practice in Terrace as a kind of insurance (it had a full-time associate) while I worked between Prince Rupert and Stewart. The plane rides are another story. How happy I was when the mine started again under new ownership a year later. Yes, I sold the Terrace practice—it was easy in those days. A few years later, the salmon got

first person [continued]

another reprieve, this time for good. Stewart’s remaining mines closed and we moved to Vancouver in 1984 just as the phobia around HIV was nearing its height and as the tooth-bonding boom was getting underway. Track ahead to 1998 after 14 years of city dentistry and out-of-town locums and I’m back in the North, this time working for the Nisga’a Nation just north of Terrace. The not-so-invisible worm struck quickly—I soon realized that the dental plan responsible for covering First Nations had serious shortcomings. I have always

1. Some of the fee schedules are totally inadequate for the area. 2. There are a lot of administration costs relating to prior approvals, claiming and accounting for payments, resubmissions and so on (billing patients directly is just not an option in many northern communities). 3. Guys like me aren’t allowed into the country any more, unless you include being sent back to school for a couple of years. The north is now missing a major traditional supply of dentists— immigrants!

enjoyed volunteer work but that was not quite what I had in mind. Nor, it seems, did many other dentists who became increasingly frustrated with the plan. And my old practice in Terrace? It was pretty successful, earning the owner very good money for four days of work per week. The only trouble was that after advertising it for two years he couldn’t find a buyer and ended up giving away the equipment and selling the charts for the price of a good holiday. The Soviet Union, Sri Lanka and Botswana had not prepared me for what I saw over the next few years when I did some locums in Nunavut. When I was at dental school in the early 70s some of the old timers used to refer to “bucket and forceps” shops. They are alive and well in parts of the far north! Just about any business incurs extra costs by working in remote locations. It seems that dentistry must incur lower costs judging by the relevant fee schedules. Maybe that’s because we don’t need many supplies or as much equipment that has to come thousands of miles and be serviced. Or maybe it’s because there are so many dental hygienists, CDAs and other personnel who will accept a lower wage to land a job! So, here’s why dentists are not going to the north:

4. The Black Hole of cosmetic dentistry— who wants to earn X dollars dealing with blood when you can earn X plus dollars doing bleaching and veneers? 5. Specialists are almost as rare as Starbucks locations. So, you don’t like the look of that infected impacted #38 in that very nervous patient…oh dear! 6. That practice you set up and worked hard on building and updating for 30 or more years—you may have to give it away. 7. (Why did I leave this to last?) With the effects of spreading environmental degradation and overharvesting, the fishing just isn’t as good as it used to be. And, now, with the benefit of 38 years of hindsight, how would I advise a young grad today? Working in the North is great, so long as you do not have to set up a practice. Buying a practice is okay because you can get one for 25 – 50 cents on the dollar which, along with lower rent, could more than compensate for a lot of the issues listed above. Also great: You will develop a complete range of skills and feel more needed than you can imagine. As for your investment money? Send it further south, unless you like roulette.

Rush Hour

In 1966, Butterfield & Robinson pioneered a new way to see places like Burgundy: biking on quiet lanes from one luxe hotel to another. Today, we bike and walk in style all over the planet. As we always say: “Slow down to see the world.” But first, hurry up and book now. Our 2011 trips are filling up quickly.

BIKING | WALKING SELF-GUIDED | CUSTOM

PHOTO: burgundy biking | 6 days, 5 nigHTs | us$5,795 Per PersOn

Over the occasional beer we realized we were basically there for the same reason: lifestyle.

FOR 2011 TRIP ITINERARIES VISIT BUTTERFIELD.COM Call 1-877-843-0261 or consult your travel professional

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

practice management

timothy a. Brown Timothy A. Brown specializes in dental practice appraisals, brokerage, consulting, locum placements, associateships and practice financing across Canada. Reach Timothy at timothy@roicorp.com.

the art of scarcity How to work less and make more written with Sarah K. Lynch

e have just returned from the 2011 What should you do when this Yankee Dental Congress in Boston happens to you? Massachusetts. All the various Relax. This is a very common symptom of practice management experts were talking the maturation of your practice. Having about this one very important statistic: too many patients is a luxury and an Over 50% of North America’s dentists opportunity to modify both your dental are now over 50 years of age. practice and your practice philosophy. This equates to over 125,000 dentists Let’s consider the basic economic that can now be classified as middle-aged principle of supply and demand for a and they have reached a very distinct moment. It states that supply has an impact precipice in their career—namely that they upon demand and vice-versa. It also proves all wish to increase their earnings—while that price changes with a rise or fall in reducing their working hours. either variable. This phenomenon is a direct result Now, let’s consider of the ageing “baby boomer” population the dental practice and our mentality to live a more active that has too many life outside of our career. The need to patients. This work fewer hours as we age is a natural suggests a greater process that most self-employed demand than professionals experience. We believe that supply. The result more professional advisors should be should be a higher encouraging a reduced workweek if only to price. Another result prolong both our life and career span. could be a limiting Evidence of this trend among dentists of the supply, which is found in the discussions we have with would support hundreds of clients each year. In fact, the the increased first quarter of 2011 is revealing the largest price while allowing for less work without increase in retirement planning clients that affecting the bottom line. our firms have ever served. Essentially, this is the work less/make Many report that they have too many stressors (staff, patients, landlords, suppliers, more objective that most professionals strive towards as they age labs, etc.) and that and perfect their skill set. their practice is staying solo Trying to The limiting of the supply ‘taxing’ them on achieve the art of scarcity is of your dental service an ever-increasing a dilemma for solo dentists. can also be related to basis. Most openly About 75% of dentists the principle of scarcity. admit they love Scarcity suggests that are in solo practice. It's the work (most of when the service is in an unfortunate side effect the time), and the very short supply, it may financial rewards, of being successful and demand a very high price. but that the bad choosing to operate as a Specialists are a good days are occurring sole proprietor. Every solo example. more often while dentist will face trying to the good days are Can general dentists work less/make more at one fewer. They also implement scarcity in stage of his or her career. say that they lack practice? the abundance of energy they once enjoyed and, given that Yes. We believe that general dentists, at their patients are also ageing, the need to various stages of their careers, can test address the increasing demands of those this theory. Test it for yourself. Schedule patients is causing a backlog of work and a a month or two of limited hours within feeling of inadequacy. your practice. You must plan it purposely Effectively, they have too many patient and resist the temptation to open up demands yet they want to reduce their more than 20 chair-side hours each week hours. So what do they do? in your schedule. After the test period is

over, return to your regular schedule for a few months then repeat the process again. Then judge the results for yourself, both personally and financially. You should discover that your scarcity (limited supply) immediately supports the increase in demand for your service. At first this appears to be an obvious effect due to your reduced hours. However, the unique side effect, which is often overlooked, is that you will be able to increase your fees. Some patients will have difficulty adapting to the new fees and your limited hours, and others will seek out a new dentist, thus creating a net patient loss for your practice. This may seem bizarre to some of you, but we know of dentists who are planning for a monthly net patient loss, and not for the more typical net patient increase figure. The result they are seeking is that they will be able to increase their fees and decrease their hours. Most professionals can take advantage of this phenomenon, assuming they are fully booked. This test is not advisable to those who are servicing large debts or family obligations. And furthermore, there are individual circumstances to consider. The principle of supply and demand is at the core of most every capitalistic venture. If, after trying this experiment you have not found relief, you may want to consider your other options, such as contracting a permanent, part-time Locum dentist to assist with your patient load. Whatever your patient load is today, it can be modified to suit your personal needs. If you have too many patients and desire to work less and make more, this test may prove to be one of the greatest you have undertaken.

This is the work less/ make more objective most professionals strive towards as they age and perfect their skill set

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

cardiff / minneapolis / morocco / viareggio / toronto … | c a l e n d a r

A n intern ation a l guide to continuing dental Education

spr ing 2011 + beyond

cardiff

6 2

Castles, literary legends, rugby and some very tasty Brains… (CE events in Cardiff are highlighted in blue)

B.Sligl

ales is a lovely little country tucked to the west side of its rather imposing neighbour. Its history is tightly meshed with England’s (it has more castles per square mile than any other country in Western Europe due to its strategic position) and visiting is an easy hop from London (it’s a three-hour drive to Cardiff). But the Welsh happily differentiate themselves with their own culture, national symbol (a fiery red dragon) and even language, cymraeg, which is still spoken and written everywhere. The country also has its own literary star in Dylan Thomas (forget Shakespeare), and other celebs: Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Richard Burton, Christian Bale, Catherine Zeta Jones (who named her son after Dylan Thomas). SEE > Cardiff Castle, an impressive and intact relic of those days of yore, is right in the centre of town (cardiffcastle.com) 1 . And the National Museum of Wales, just a short walk from the castle (and everything

else in central Cardiff), boasts the largest collection of Impressionist art outside of Paris (museumwales.ac.uk). Another stroll away is the Cardiff International Arena, where international acts perform (livenation.co.uk/ cardiff). PLAY > Go to a rugby match at the modernist Millennium Stadium (millenniumstadium.com). Watch the home team, wearing Welsh red, take on England 2 . The rivalry is intense—on the field and off. Rugby is the sport here, not soccer (wru.co.uk) and its players are superstars (forget Beckham and think Mike Phillips, who’s dating pop star Duffy, also Welsh). As one local describes footballers: “Nancys. Get up for God’s sake. A gust of wind and they’re all lying down.” The words “turgid” and “dire” are also used to describe a football match. So, rugby it is, and, yes, the Welsh are tough. STAY > The award-winning Park Plaza Hotel is in the heart of the city, within walking distance of Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium and the National

Museum of Wales. And it’s minutes away from St. David’s shopping centres (stdavidscardiff.com), the Café Quarter and the famous Victorian and Edwardian arcades of Cardiff. Oh, and there’s a fabulous indoor pool with a view of the grand Edwardian Cardiff City Hall. (parkplazacardiff.com). DINE > The Café Quarter, near all those shopping arcades (and iconic British stores like M&S and John Lewis) 3 , has plenty of dining options, including Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant (jamieoliver.com). Walk through the charming Cardiff market (here since 1891) 4 and sample the tasty treat Welsh have with tea: Welsh cakes 5 . Then, of course, have a brew. Brains is the local brewery, founded and based in Cardiff since 1882 6 . The red dragon, of course, is its symbol. Or there’s Felinfoel beer, with a double dragon symbol (two is better than one?), a nickname in Welsh for “feeling foul.” 7 A misnomer for sure. — B.S. For more info go to visitwales.com and visitcardiff.com.

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

c e calendar

Cosmetics / Aesthetics

Biomedical Science

Anesthesia

For:

when

where

topic

sponsor

contact

website

Mar 19-26

Caribbean Cruise

Dental Sedation CE Cruise - Western Caribbean

Conscious Sedation Consulting

888-581-4448

sedationconsulting.com

Apr 29May 01

Aurora Colorado

Local Anesthesia For Dental Hygienists

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

303-724-7122

cu4cde.com

May 23-25

Minneapolis Minnesota

Local Anesthesia: A Hands-On Training Program

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

800-685-1418

dentalce.umn. edu

Mar 04

Minneapolis Minnesota

7th Annual Dean’s Day: Dental Research Updates From The U Of M

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

800-685-1418

dentalce.umn. edu

Mar 25

Bozeman Montana

Biofilm

Montana Dental Association

406-443-2061

mtdental.com

Apr 07

Abbotsford British Columbia

Botox Training Courses For TMJ, Tension Headaches, Migraines & Facial Cosmetic Rejuvenation

Canadian Academy of Medical Education

877-685-0452

came-edu.ca

Apr 08

Mississauga Ontario

Advanced Anterior Composites: Developing Your Artistic Abilities To Create Life-Changing Smiles Hands-On Workshop

Clinical Research Dental

800-265-3444 See Ad Page 39

clinicalresearchdental.com

May 06

Boston Massachusetts

The Craniofacial Esthetic Institute: The Do’s And Dont’s Of Porcelain Laminate Veneers

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

617-636-3467

dental.tufts.edu

May 28

Moncton New Brunswick

Denturist Association Of Canada - Annual General Meeting

Canada

604-538-3123

denturist.org

Jun 05

New York New York

Aesthetic Essentials Continuum

Columbia University College

212-305-6881

columbia.edu

Jun 15

Abbotsford British Columbia

Botox Training Courses For TMJ, Tension Headaches, Migraines & Facial Cosmetic Rejuvenation

Canadian Academy of Medical Education

877-685-0452

came-edu.ca

San Francisco

Esthetic Posterior Restorations: Mastering Direct,

Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy

650-578-9495

ideausa.net

Abbotsford British Columbia

Botox Training Courses For TMJ, Tension Headaches, Migraines & Facial Cosmetic Rejuvenation

Canadian Academy of Medical Education

877-685-0452

came-edu.ca

St. Pete Beach Florida

Achieving Predictable Esthetics Results

The Dawson Academy

727-823-2047

thedawson academy.com

Montana Dental Association

406-443-2061

mtdental.com

Ohio State University, College of Dentistry

614-292-9790

dent.ohio-state. edu

650-578-9495

ideausa.net

Aug 11-14 Sept 15

Issue: Dentist Health and Wellness

Fax:

Nov 10-12 May 06

to be replaced Denturist Association of

California Semi-Direct and Indirect Techniques Just For Canadian Dentists

Mar / Apr 2011

604 - 681 - 0456 Helena Healthy Living Habits Montana

Attn: Jun 24

Columbus Seminar Series On Nutrition And Dentistry, Part 3 Advertising in Print Ohio

Email:

Interdisciplinary Dental Copy sent to admaterial@advertisinginprint.com Education Academy

Aug 21-26

San Francisco California

Orthodontic Treatment Based On Occlusal Plane Control: A Key For Successful Treatment Of Different Types Of Malocclusion With Or Without Dysfunctional Problems

DENTAL CE CRUISES

Companion cruises FREE

Alaska Glaciers

Jun 11 - 18, 2011

Oral health & mucosal diseases

Mediterranean

Aug 8 - 19, 2011

Digital Dentistry

Canary Islands

Oct 8 - 15, 2011

Dental Conference 2011

Wonderful experience! Great idea to combine conference with a cruise.

Just For Canadian dentists

1-888-647-7327 March/April 2011

cruises@seacourses.com

www.seacourses.com

General Dentistry

Evidence-Based Dentistry

Endodontics

calendar

when

where

topic

sponsor

contact

website

Apr 13-16

San Antonio Texas

American Association Of Endodontists Annual Session

American Association of Endodontists

800-872-3636

aae.org

May 02-05

Shiprock New Mexico

Advanced Endodontic Techniques

Indian Health Service

301-443-4464

ihs.gov

May 06-07

Miami Florida

Comprehensive Dental Implant Education For Endodontists

South Beach Dental Institute

305-934-8104

sobedental.com

Jul 17-24

Alaskan Cruise

Success-Odontics

KISCO Dental

800-325-8649

kiscodental.com

Nov 03-05

New Orleans Louisiana

2011 Fall Conference

American Association of Endodontists

312-266-7255

aae.org

May 13

St. Paul Minnesota

Spring Core Competency Day For The Dental Team

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

800-685-1418

dentalce.umn. edu

Sep 21-24

San Francisco California

Adult Orthodontics In The 21st Century: Are You Prepared?

Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy

650-578-9495

ideausa.net

Oct 23-26

Foster City California

Early And Late Treatment In Orthodontics: Functional And Esthetic Goals

Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy

650-578-9495

ideausa.net

Through 2011

Cardiff Wales

Various Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programmes

44-029-20687419

cardiff.ac.uk

May 20-21

River Edge New Jersey

Hard and Soft Tissue Lasers: A Standard Proficiency Certification Course

Health Professionals Development Institute

201-342-2204

njhpdi.com

May 28Jun 05

Viareggio Italy

Under The Tuscan Sun

Cruise and Travel Partners

800-856-8826

cruiseandtravelpartners.com

Jun 10-11

Collingwood Ontario

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd Annual Weekend Dental Conference

Clinical Research Dental

800-265-3444 See Ad Page 39

clinicalresearchdental.com

Jun 11-18

Western Caribbean Cruise

Oral Health Update

Sea Courses Cruises

888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20

seacourses.com

Jun 16-18

Myrtle Beach S. Carolina

Annual Dental Review At Myrtle Beach

University of North Carolina School of Dentistry

919-966-2729

dentistry.unc. edu

Oct 08-15

Canary Islands Cruise

Western Caribbean Cruise

Sea Courses Cruises

888-647-7327 See Ad Page 20

seacourses.com

Oct 23Nov 04

Western Mediterranean Cruise

Latest Techniques In Laser Dentistry

Mindware Educational Seminars

888-574-8288 See Ad Page 22

mindwareseminars.com

Nov 03-05

Southampton Bermuda

Bermuda Dental Conference

Clinical Research Dental

800-265-3444 See Ad Page 39

clinicalresearchdental.com

Dec 03

Oklahoma Oklahoma

Socket Grafting

Tulsa Periodontal Institute

918-852-5906

tulsainstitute. com

Cardiff University to be replaced

Learn Virtually anytime - anywhere access your Cme worldwide travel & Learn Format Connect with us 24/7. toll-Free:1-866-685-6860 www.neiconferences.com 7X2.5_canadian_family_physicians1 1

9:28:25 AM March/April 2011 Just For Canadian3/15/07 dentists 21

c e calendar

Orthodontics

Occlusion

Implantology

when

where

topic

sponsor

contact

website

Through 2011

Loma Linda California

MaxiCourse 2011

Loma Linda University

909-558-4685

llu.edu

May 14

Toronto Ontario

Perio 360°: From Herodontics To Implants

University of Toronto

416-979-4902

cde.utoronto.ca

May 20-22

Aliso Viejo California

Implants & Orthodontics 3-Advanced Implantology

Progressive Orthodontics

714-973-2266

progressiveseminars.com

Jun 03-05

Vancouver British Columbia

3-day Advanced Bone Grafting And Soft Tissue Grafting Cadaver Course

I.D.E.A.S.

604-444-3131

dentalideas.ca

Jul 09-12

San Francisco California

Excellence in Free-hand Bonding: Become A Master In Anterior Composites

Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy

650-578-9495

dentalideas.ca

Oct 14Apr 21 2012

Vancouver British Columbia

From Treatment To Planning To Surgical Implant Placement & Restoration

I.D.E.A.S.

604-444-3131

dental s.ca

Nov 11-12

Chapel Hill N. Carolina

Immediate Loading Of Dental Implants Training And Demonstration

University of North Carolina School of Dentistry

919-966-2729

dentistry.unc. edu

Feb 06-15 2012

South Amercian Cruise

Comprehensive Implant Prosthetics

Mindware Educational Seminars

888-574-8288 See Ad Page 22

mindwareseminars.com

July 2012

Mediterranean Cruise

Restorative Driven Implant Therapy: The ‘TEAM’ Approach

Mindware Educational Seminars

888-574-8288 See Ad Page 22

mindwareseminars.com

May 05

Minneapolis Minnesota

Advanced Occlusion & TMD

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

800-685-1418

dentalce.umn. edu

Oct 07-09

St. Pete Beach Florida

Functional Occlusion - From TMJ To Smile Design

The Dawson Academy

727-823-2047

thedawsonacademy.com

Apr 16-17

Aliso Viejo California

Removing The Fear Of Corticotomies

Progressive Orthodontics & Dentistry

714-973-2266

posortho.com

Apr 30May 01

Aliso Viejo California

Progressive Orthodontics & Dentistry

714-973-2266

posortho.com

May 15-25

Morocco Land Tour

Effective & Efficient Tooth Movements With Invisalign

Mindware Educational Seminars & Align Technologies

888-574-8288 See Ad Page 22

mindwareseminars.com

May 20-23

Phoenix Arizona

Comprehensive Orthodontics Session 1

Progressive Orthodontics & Dentistry

714-973-2269

posortho.com

Jun 13-18

Seattle Washington

Implant Surgery: Fundamentals To Details

BIOMET 3i

561-776-6815

biomet3i.com

Nov 11-12

Dallas Texas

Miniscrew Mayhem

Copesthetic Consulting

214-378-5555

CopestheticCE. com

to be replaced

Just For Canadian dentists

March/April 2011

Practice Management

Pharmacology

Periodontics

Pediatrics

Oral Radiology

Oral Pathology

Oral Health

topic

sponsor

contact

website

April 5, 7pm PST

online

Oral Cancer Screening in Dental Practice

PMI Labs

888-629-8779 See Ad Page 24

pmilabs.com

April 19, 7pm PST

online

Oral Biopsy Techniques in Dental Practice

PMI Labs

888-629-8779 See Ad Page 24

pmilabs.com

Jun 11-18

Alaskan Cruise

Oral Health And Mucosal Disease

Sea Courses Cruises

800-647-7327 See Ad Page 20

seacourses.com

Jun 03

Boston Massachusetts

Sixth Annual Oral Cancer Symposium

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

617-636-3467

dental.tufts.edu

Jul 20-22

Chapel Hill N. Carolina

Carolina Oral Pathology Institute Course

University of North Carolina School of Dentistry

919-966-2729

dentistry.unc. edu

Apr 02

Aurora Colorado

What’s New In Dental Imaging?

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

303-724-7121

cu4cde.com

May 02-03

Lincoln Nebraska

Radiology For Dental Auxiliary

University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry

402-472-7993

unmc.edu

May 03-11

Milwaukee Wisconsin

Radiology for the Dental Auxiliaries

Marquette University School of Dentistry

414-288-3093

marquette.edu

Mar 25

New York New York

Preventive Practices and the Developing Dentition

212-573-9816

nycdentalsociety.org

May 26-29

New York New York

64th Annual Session

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

888-840-4500

aapd.org

Apr 01

St. Paul Minnesota

Innovative Periodontics For The Successful Practice

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

800-685-1418

umn.edu

Apr 29

River Edge New Jersey

Oral-body Inflammatory Connection: The Interplay Of Periodontal And Systemic Diseases And Non Surgical Periodontal Disease

New Jersey Health Professionals Development Institute

201-342-2204

njhpdi.com

Mar 30

New York New York

New Drugs And Herbal Supplements Updated

Henry Spenadel Continuing Education Program

212-573-9816

nycdentalsociety.org

May 06

Helena Montana

Montana Dental Association 2011 Annual Meeting - Better Medicine, Better Dentistry: The Art And Science Of Dental Therapeutics

MedWoRx

406-730-2614

medworx.org

Mar 24

Toronto Ontario

Dental Office Management, Level 1

The Advanced Dental Education Institute

888-239-9908 See Ad Page 25

learndental.com

Mar 25

Toronto Ontario

Dental Hygiene Department: Ride The Wave Of Total Body Health!

The Advanced Dental Education Institute

888-239-9908 See Ad Page 25

learndental.com

12:20:13 PM Thinking Of Buying Or Selling A Practice?

UCL Eastman Dental Institute

0-20-7905 1234

eastman.ucl. ac.uk

Mar London lockoncreative 31 England

to be replaced Continuing Education Henry Spenadel Program

2/14/11

You make your patients look good! BEFORE

AFTER

Branding Web

where

CMY

calendar

when

Marketing

Advertising

Let us make you look good! We are a design agency devoted to the dental industry, giving us a unique insight into what it takes to brand a practice successfully. If you’re looking for more cosmetic procedures to retain patients or gain new ones we can help. Call us today and let’s get started building your brand! T.

604.754.2332

E. info@lockoncreative.com W. lockoncreative.com

LOCK on creative

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

c e calendar

RDA / Dental Assistants / Dental Hygenists

Restorative

Practice Management

when

where

topic

sponsor

contact

website

Apr 14

Minneapolis Minnesota

Spring Recordkeeping Workshop For The Dental Team

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

800-685-1418

dentalce.umn. edu

Apr 29

San Diego California

San Diego Dental Technology Expo

619-277-4743

ceadental.com

May 02-06

Rapid City South Dakota

Challenges In An Indian Health Service (IHS) Dental Practice

Indian Health Service

301-443-4464

ihs.gov

May 20

Cardiff Wales

Dental Care Professionals Symposium

Cardiff University

44-029-20687419

cardiff.ac.uk

May 13

Halifax Nova Scotia

The Keys To Case Acceptance

The Advanced Dental Education Institute

888-239-9908 See Ad Page 25

learndental.com

Jun 02

Toronto Ontario

Total New Patient Experience: 5 Star Customer Service

The Advanced Dental Education Institute

888-239-9908 See Ad Page 25

learndental.com

Aug 08-19

Mediterranean Cruise

Digital Dentistry

Sea Courses Cruises

800-647-7327 See Ad Page 20

seacourses.com

Mar 25

Toronto Ontario

The Modern Restorative Office: New Materials & Techniques To Enhance Your Practice

Clinical Research Dental

800-265-3444 See Ad Page 39

clinicalresearchdental.com

Apr 15-16

Toronto Ontario

Restorative Update: Hands-On Predicatable Composite And Glass Ionomer Restorations

University of Toronto

416-979-4902

cde.utoronto.ca

Apr 29

Vancouver British Columbia

Restorative/Adhesive Dentistry

Vancouver & District Dental Society

604-683-5730

vdds.com

Jul 15-22

Seattle Washington

Tracy Arm Fjord Alaskan CE Cruise

Metropolitan Denver Dental Society

303-488-9700

mddsdentist. com

Nov 03-05

Chesapeake Virginia

Comprehensive Examination and Records

The Dawson Academy

727-823-2047

thedawson academy.com

Apr 06

London England

An Evening With Anaxdent Skillbond

Dental Technologists Association

0870-243-0753

dta-uk.org

Apr 12-14

Phoenix Arizona

Dental Assisting Review

Indian Health Service

301-443-4464

ihs.gov

Apr 15-17

Calgary Alberta

Rocky Mountain Rhapsody

CE Solutions

604-575-4570

conedgroup.ca

Apr 28-29

Scottsdale Arizona

Assistant Sedation/Anesthesia Course

Dental Society of Anesthesiology

877-255-3742

adsahome.org

Sep 16-17

Vancouver British Columbia

Pacific Rhapsody

CE Solutions

604-575-4570

conedgroup.ca

Sep 30Oct 01

Toronto Ontario

Toronto Rhapsody

CE Solutions

604-575-4570

conedgroup.ca

to be replaced

For feedback, requests or to have your course featured please email ce@inprintpublications.com

PMI Labs

1.888.629.8779 www.pmilabs.com

Early diagnosis, better outcomes™

Discovered suspicious lesion in your patients’ mouth? PMI Labs offers fast and reliable oral pathology services:

1. OralAdvance™ - Early Detection Easy chair-side procedure using soft brush Detects lesions with malignant potential

2. Oral Biopsy

- Final Diagnosis

Pathology services for a full spectrum of oral diseases Biopsies processed in 48 hours

Just For Canadian dentists

March/April 2011

Online seminars for CE credits Oral Cancer Screening in Dental Practice April 5, 2011, 7pm PST

Oral Biopsy Techniques in Dental Practice April 19, 2011, 7pm PST

Call us today for complimentary kits.

We look forward to being your partner for better patient care.

d r i l l ME !

Thomas Beyer

Thomas Beyer, is President of the Prestigious Properties Group, an investment group which has transacted over $100M in multi-family real estate over the last decade. He can be reached at 403-678-3330 or at tbeyer@prestprop.com or via prestprop.com.

Advanced Dental Education Institute

WE CAN HELP YOU

syndicate scams

VISION EXPERTISE PROFITABILITY

What should I avoid when investing in real estate syndicates?

yndicating a large piece of real estate—or pooling your money with others to buy larger commercial real estate projects—can be a great idea when executed well. It’s a proven path for wealth creation when bought at the right price and managed well. But not all real estate classes are created equal—and not all operators are equal either. This recent recession is a case in point. So watch for these eight typical mistakes in real estate syndication projects—and avoid them!

1. Inexperienced operator with NO OPERATING TRACK RECORD. Operating a business is hard work and takes years of experience through the peaks and valleys of economic cycles. Many a syndicator has had some success raising funds, sometimes for flow-through tax deals or for other parties. They make a commission only. “Hey, let’s open up a syndication firm,” they say. “Buy an asset, manage it and take commission and an operating profit.” Big mistake in many cases; it takes years to understand how to buy, and even longer to buy well and not overpay…and then longer still to manage an asset well—especially in a lessheated economy! Ask: Has the sales person selling you the product actually delivered real results on previous products sold? So, check the operator’s and the sales person’s track record! Scrutinize the depth of knowledge in the asset space they operate—not just before the boom that ended in 2008, but through it. Don’t confuse slick marketing for a great investment. Talk is cheap, and sexy marketing with beautiful charts and fancy pictures may involve a bit more work but is still very easy. What’s really difficult is delivering hard returns in the harsh cold

ADE I

reality. And it’s been done by surprisingly few.

2. Unrealistic ROIs using unrealistic assumptions or paying you from your own money. “Double your money” by gambling in Las Vegas! Place your money on “red” on the roulette table, and you too could make a 100% ROI in two minutes. Of course, on average, you’ll lose. Instead, look at the risk-adjusted return; look first at the chance of a return OF your money, then look at a return ON your money. A common trick is to use unachievable future values of condos or land prices. A high ROI is easily achievable on a spreadsheet or in an ad. However this is now a lower-demand world caused by more financially cautious baby boomers. Although housing has shown feeble signs of recovery, this economy has been a wake-up call to investors who thought they could ride a never-ending real-estate bubble for condo projects, land sub-divisions or international real estate in hot markets like Costa Rica, Mexico or Belize. Then there’s commercial and office real estate, where many institutional investors have recently taken enormous losses. Also, keep in mind that often the promised returns are paid from your own investment dollars. It’s easy to produce a 20% return over 5 years by just paying you your money back. Be sure to look at the underlying vehicle that produces this return. Are these future values achievable in the timelines advertised?

Proven business strategies to grow your dental practice ADEI BUSINESS PLANNING We will help you turn your hygiene department into a profit centre and assist with elevated case acceptance. Together, we will develop an action plan to gain and retain new patients and you can expect your profits to increase. Your bottom line will improve by adjusting your systems and implementing new protocols with our expert guidance. You’ll ask yourself why you didn’t do this before!

1-888-239-9908 www.learndental.com LeeAnn Shipowick, B.Sc., RDH Practice Coach Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry

Not all real estate classes are created equal—and not all operators are equal either

PPB Enterprises Inc.

3. False sense of security. Beware syndications using terms such as “asset backed” or “up to 18%+ interest on our >> March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

drill me! [continued]

>> mortgages” or “secured by a mortgage.” In many cases these mortgages are in second or third position and exceed by far the value of the underlying real estate. In construction or land development projects the investors’ money is often in second or even in third position behind an expensive first position—hardly security, more a sham. Don’t call it a mortgage if it is indeed equity or investment dollars. So if the security is not in first position or exceeding going-in prices, based on future speculative possible prices, it’s simply not security—it’s false advertising.

20% up to 100% on some land deals. This used to be okay in a very strong market. Now, it’s not. Check the true asset value if you intend to invest and do not accept excuses for uplifting the building or land

money raised is reasonable, any more is not.

8. Not taking ownership of the asset as promised by their marketing. Ensure that the investors actually own the asset. Frequently the asset is not held by the investment group but by a privately held company, and the money is lent to them. It’s now almost impossible to trace the money trail, especially if this company also co-owns many other assets with many mortgages. And if just one of these collapses an unrelated project can derail your project too.

You too can successfully and profitably co-own a larger piece of real estate or a pool of hard assets with other like-minded investors

4. Overpriced assets sold to innocent investors at a huge premium. Often an asset is purchased by the syndicator and then sold to the “innocent” public for a lift from a low of

value because there just aren’t any. Instead, find and co-invest with one of the many ethical syndicators out there.

5. Excessive fees. Usually upfront, these are independent of project success. Some syndicators charge in excess of 10% sales commission, which may seem like the norm but is very high. Also, an annual asset management should probably not exceed 0.5% on the asset value or 2% of the cash invested, otherwise it’s too rigged towards the syndicator and not the investor. It has to be win/win. Lower is better. 6. Executives that were charged.

It has to be win/win. Are the operators’ profits aligned with yours, the investor’s— that is, usually at the end upon exit? Or are they lining their pockets upfront regardless of asset performance? There are quite a few scams out there, and many have been in the news lately. And even more exist that just exploit the legal loopholes. But there are many honest folks too. Use these eight guidelines to distinguish between the honest and the dishonest operators, and you too can successfully and profitably co-own a larger piece of real estate or a pool of hard assets with other like-minded investors.

Check that the executives involved are not charged by the provincial security commissions or embroiled in lawsuits with their current or previous investors. If so, that’s a have a big alarm bell. Do your research and look into question? the project and the people behind it. What did they do before this venture?

7. Big ads promising huge returns. The

drill me!

advertised returns are usually initially paid for with your own money. Big ads are an expense to the business. These marketing fees often approach 12% to sometimes 20% of the funds raised, plus sales commissions, setting up a very high hurdle that has to be then cleared through asset performance that may take a few years. A 30% initial cost hurdle (including sales commission) assumes a return of well over 40% on the remaining 70% productive cash just to break even. Look for soft costs or marketing costs besides (huge) commissions; 3% – 5 % of

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

We’relookingfor your questions—oneverythingfrom real estatetoimplants. Sendus your queries andwe’ll ask an expert toanswer theminour “drill me!”columnhere. Next issue, weuncover thebenefits of mini-implants. After that, it’s uptoyou. Want toknowif you shouldaddBotox toyour services? Or howtobuy a car intheUS? Ask us andwe’ll findtheanswer. Sendyour questions tofeedback@ inprintpublications.com. Comeon, drill me!

t h e w e a lt h y d e n t i s t m a n f r e d p u r t z k i Manfred Purtzki is the principal of Purtzki & Associates Chartered Accountants. You can reach him at manfred@purtzki.com.

tax plan Tax planning is crucial when selling a dental practice

t is only over the last 10 years that dentists started to list their practices as an asset. They were not counting on their dental practices to add significantly to their retirement savings. Now the value of the dental practice takes a prominent place in the net worth statement. Especially in urban areas the selling price of practices has risen dramatically. It is not uncommon any more for a solo practice to sell for more than $1 million. Implementing the appropriate tax strategy results in huge benefits when selling a practice. If you sell shares of your dental corporation and meet the other conditions for the $750,000 capital gains exemption, you can pocket the proceeds without any personal income tax. When claiming a large exemption, you are liable to pay only the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is refundable in future taxation years. To benefit from the coveted capital gains exemption, the following tests must be met: 1. At the time of sale, the nondental assets of the Corporation (investments, inter-company loans, and so on) cannot exceed 10% of the total fair market value of the corporate assets. 2. At any time during a 24 months period prior to the sale, the value of the dental assets always exceeded the value of the non-dental assets. 3. The shares of the Corporation must be held for 24 months prior to the sale. The 24 months holding period does not apply if you operated your unincorporated practice for at least two years prior to incorporation. However, it does allow you full entitlement to the capital gains exemption by incorporating your practice and selling your shares immediately thereafter. While dentists prefer a share sale, purchasers of dental practices prefer to

buy the dental assets rather than the shares. When you sell your dental assets, the purchaser acquires the assets at the market value, which is the basis for future depreciation. When the dentist acquires the shares of your corporation, he or she purchases the assets at the existing book value. To illustrate, if the dentist acquires your shares in the practice with the fair market value of the dental equipment of $100,000 and a book value of $40,000, then he or she assumes your cost of $40,000, which means the future depreciation is based on the $40,000 book value. In an asset sale, on the other hand, the dentist acquires the equipment at its market value of $100,000 which he or she can now depreciate over time. In summary, the purchaser of the shares loses the tax benefit of $60,000 of future depreciation. To come to an agreement, both the purchaser and the seller often times negotiate a discount as compensation for the loss of future depreciation of the assets. The calculation of the discount is called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;tax shield,â&#x20AC;? a formula that calculates the present value of losing the tax benefit from future depreciation claims. If both parties are at loggerheads about this issue of shares versus assets, tax planners have come up with a creative plan that will give the seller a share sale and the purchaser an asset purchase. This share/asset hybrid is, however, not without tax consequences to the seller. To illustrate, assume that the dental corporation has only one asset, the goodwill, with zero book value and a fair market value of $500,000. If this transaction is a traditional share sale, then the seller receives the $500,000

tax-free. If he or she decides to sell the assets, the net proceeds after corporate and personal taxes are about $390,000. In a share sale/asset purchase transaction, the seller receives about $460,000. The above amounts are approximate depending on the province. The hybrid is the perfect solution when the proposed deal is about to collapse, because the parties cannot agree on a share or an asset transaction. Where the dental Corporation is accumulating non-dental assets, then tax strategies need to be implemented well ahead of the contemplated sale in order to purify the dental corporation. Purification is the process of transferring non-dental assets from a dental corporation to a holding company on a tax free basis. The purification process is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, the purchaser only wishes to acquire the dental assets of the company and not its investments. Secondly, the shares will not qualify for the capital gains exemption as the corporation does not meet the above fair market value tests for non-dental assets. When you plan to sell your practice, you are well advised to retain a very experienced accountant to help you analyze the tax impact of the proposed transition, so that you can maximize the after-tax proceeds.

It is not uncommon for a solo practice to sell for more than $1 million

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

dentist unleashed

Dr. derek turner Dr. Derek M. J. Turner lives in Ottawa where he conducts a private aesthetic dental practice. Derek guest lectures at CE dental institutions in America. He is also the founder and Chairman of TTi/ProDrive Systems, a dental product company.

gone fishin’ Our adventurous dentist took the bait…and is now an angling aficionado

o guys and gals, don’t throw out your old needle drivers! Hemostats either! Turns out that they are prime instruments attached to the fishing vest of seasoned fly fishermen. Add nail clippers and your

vest is all-pro. Many of you reading this article have gone fishing but have not experienced the excitement yet tranquility of fly fishing. The sport is avoided because it looks like it requires too much practice, special skills and even expense. And, while it can be expensive (I can verify from experience!), it need not be, and novices are welcome. Anyone interested in some mental relaxation should be casting tied flies into Canada’s lakes and streams. Even a two-pound fish feels like a whopper on the end of a light rod. It’s exhilarating and more satisfying than inserting a crown with no occlusal adjustments. I’m proud to state that every fish that I have ever caught on a fly was reintroduced to its habitat and I use only barbless hooks. Catch-and-release is the motto of most fly fishermen. In Canada there’s a fly-fishing expert within 100 miles of you, wherever you are (the Internet, of course, is a resource boon in finding these pros). As for what it’ll cost you… Fly fishing 101 itself is $150 or so. A reel and rod can run $300 and up. Flies and lures are not expensive. Of course, then you get hooked…After I got the fly-fishing bug I bought an Orvis rod for $400 with a basic reel

and then I had a Thomas and Thomas rod handmade for me and bought an Abel reel. A few endodontic procedures later they were paid for. Don’t bother bringing any gear at all if you decide on a guided trip. The guides will provide everything including waders, rod and reel and they’ll attach their hand-picked flies. In fact they will probably pooh-pooh any lures in your kit. Then, some very basic casting instructions and you’re all set. Go with a guided trip your first time— even a day trip will suffice. You will never have to tie your own flies—even though it’s a natural for the dexterity of dentists (so is origami and few of us do that). The local fly-fishing stores or guides will know what flies to buy and where for the type of fishing near you. My brother in law, Murray Wozniak (in Brooks, Alberta) is the experienced fly fishermen who introduced me to the sport. Here’s where he got me started: Float the Bow River. The Bow River is the “blue ribbon” running right through Calgary. We spent a terrific day “mending” as we floated eastward and downstream from Calgary. Mending is an easy-to-do (sort of) technique when taught by a pro. We landed some beauties…all rainbow and brown trout. Our drift boats were set up for a fisherman at bow and stern and a centre rowing seat— thankfully tended by the pro who deftly kept us off the river banks. We landed on the shore occasionally and waded in for some cast fishing. The Bow River is a must do! The Livingstone River. Twenty-five miles of wonderful river just an hour or so

stay I chose Tree Tops Lodge (treetops.co.nz) inthe rainforest highlands above Rotorua for hiking, mountainbikingandsuperbaccommodationand dining(this page). I hireda guide tofishthe Whirinaki River for rainbow trout. Walkingupriver inwaders for several kilometres I sawnoother fishermenandhookeda spectacular fishinnearly every pool. One rather wonderful specimenrandownstreamonme for several hundredmeters before cleverly snappingmy line ona cliff-side rock. Bliss. FACT Trout cannot be purchasedingrocery stores nor offeredinrestaurants onthe NorthIsland, sothere is sport fishingtodie for! Only graylings are native toNewZealand, while rainbows andbrowns were introducedfromthe US andUK respectively inthe 1800s. MORE For more infoonthe area gotorotorua.nz.com.

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

drive southwest of Calgary yields some of the greatest cutthroat-trout fishing you’ll ever experience. In a landscape paradise you can practice “dry-fly fishing.” That’s where the fly (lure) floats on the surface rather than sinking. The casting technique where the line whips in the air actually dries the fly on each cast so that it lands floating on the water, tantalizing our finned friends. The cutthroat are 12 to 16 inches—and lively. Once in a while a Bull trout will take the lure and reward the angler. Make a long weekend of it so you can float the Bow and experience the Livingstone. And Calgary, a great city in itself, is the easy choice for your accommodation headquarters—stay and dine in style after being outdoorsy all day. Every province of Canada offers great fly fishing—whether salt water or fresh—and then once you’ve had a taste, there’s the UK, Ireland, Australia, the US and New Zealand for the fly fisherman who travels. If you visit New Zealand here’s a gem: On the North Island of New Zealand in a picturesque and remarkable area of primeval forest and hills are the dozen or more lakes of the Rotorua area. Choose from dozens of resorts or camps. And there are wonderful activities for your family while you’re off fishing. Like exploring Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand...Find a resort here, but fish Lake Tarawera or one of the rivers of the area. Use a local guide. Cost varies and a splurge ($1,500 per day) will get you a helicopter destination in fly-fishing heaven. If you’re at all interested in this sport don’t procrastinate. You’ll regret the lost time. Get out there!

dentist unleashed [continued]

In the swing of things. Avid angler Dr. Peter Williams of West Vancouver, a professor at Simon Fraser University (and â&#x20AC;&#x153;my best fishing buddy,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Turner), casts in Kananaskis.

Dr. Derek Turner with a catch on the Whirinaki River in New Zealand.

Drifting down the Bow River near Calgary.

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

travel the world

story

+ photos

Go east.

Past a long-gone border in Germany there’s plenty of old and renewed beauty to behold.

O by

Barb Sligl

h, the beer you can drink in Germany. Every town seems to have its own brew, be it a pale and delightfully bitter pilsner or a dark and malty sweet Schwarzbier. And accordingly, upon arrival in the tiny town of Geisa, just past the former border that once divided East and West Germany, the perfect accompaniment to lunch is a natural, unfiltered local pilsner. Wunderbar! And sampling beer from here into the heart of the now long-united Germany (it’s been over 20 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain) is no difficult task—it goes down very easily, thank you. There’s the brew served in an old-school ceramic mug (think medieval era; without a flat bottom, you must down it or spill it) and the yummy and chewy Schwarzbier or “black beer,” in Erfurt (traditionally served in a tulip-shaped or fluted glass). But besides the bounty in brew (there is a Saxon German saying that a man without a beer belly is a cripple…), visiting these somewhat off-the-beaten-path places (at least tourist-wise comparatively) offers a hearty sampling of some extraordinary history and culture—beyond the beer (and alongside it).

Iron curtain. After that first pilsner in Geisa, it’s a short drive

to Point Alpha. A sobering spot, this now pastoral-looking piece of greenery was once the hotspot during the Cold War. This is where, after World War II, the US Army was stationed watching over the Fulda Gap for an attack from the USSR. And it’s where the Soviets put up an almost impenetrable fence—literally an “iron curtain”—1.5 metres into the ground to prevent digging, electrified and booby trapped to prevent climbing, and armed at one time with automatic firing devices and surrounded with mines. Thousands of people died trying to cross this fence. A small but significant museum here displays the disturbing details, and a wooden cross commemorates one of the last young men to perish while crossing. Now, what was once no-man’s land—1,400 km across Germany—has been revived as Vom Todesstreifen zur Lebenslinie (From Death Strip to Life Line) or the Green Belt, a long stretch of trails and nature preserve. As local guide Monika Held says, “Where there was danger for 40 years, where people suffered and died, has changed to a line of the living.”

Eisenach. Continue east and you’ll reach the birthplace of Bach. The town of Eisenach was also home to Martin Luther, who went to Latin school here. Wagner was inspired by the surroundings here to write his operas, and frequent visitor Goethe said, “The area is simply magnificent.” Oh, and you can stay in the same hotel (200 years old now) as Tolstoy once did. The town, founded in the 12th century, became known as a “nest of priests” with its seven monasteries (monks made up 10% of the population), and Luther translated the New Testament in 10 weeks while in hiding at Wartburg Castle nearby.

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

To channel a little of the founder of Lutheranism, you can sample a traditional “Luther” meal (potato soup, sausage and meat skewers) as well as brew in that medieval mug (Sturzbecher) and even mead in a horn, if you’re willing. An annual Luther festival takes place in August, growing each year in celebration of the “Luther Decade,” leading up to the 500-year anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. And to really get up close with the Luther legacy, there’s Wartburg Castle. The UNESCO World Heritage site has hosted many historic figures, including St. Elizabeth, Luther and Goethe, and it was the inspiration for Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser. Here you can see the room (Lutherstube) that Luther was quite literally holed-up in during 1521, with a writing desk and a whale-vertebrae stool (the only remaining original item from that time). Sitting high atop the Thuringian woods (the largest contiguous forest in Germany), the castle has strategic and sweeping 360-degree views.

Erfurt. Out of the forest and eastwards is the city of Erfurt. A historical and architectural gem known as the City of Steeples, only five percent of its buildings were lost in World War II. The Cathedral of St. Mary and Church of St. Severus stand side-by-side over the old town and marketplace. And, rare in Germany, Erfurt has also retained an intact 900-year-old synagogue, the oldest in Central Europe. Napoleon once met the Tsar of Russia here, and, of course, Luther lived at the Augustinian monastery in the centre of town. He would have walked down the still-standing and -thriving medieval-era merchant bridge, Krämerbrüke, with 32 buildings stacked along it, making it the longest inhabited bridge in Europe. Named for a bean (the Puffbohne, and if you’re from Erfurt, that’s what you’re called), Erfurt is the place to try some of that classic German fare—wild garlic soup, white asparagus (a spring specialty), Sauerbraten, Spätzle, schnitzel and potato dumplings. The daily market offers fresh seasonal produce (in spring look for that asparagus and rosy rhubarb) and the air is tinged with the smoky scent of succulent sausages. This is no low-brow fast food, rostbratwurst (barbecued sausage) is enjoyed by the coiffed and well-dressed as well as the student set. And there’s more than bratwurst. Try marzipan-and-pistachio or pomegranate-and-balsamic chocolates at Goldhelm (Golden Helmet) Schokolade…But don’t miss out on that other stand-by—this is where you should sample Köstritzer, a delicious dark Schwarzbier. Weimar. On to Weimar, known for the Weimar Republic, as well as the Weimaraner (the sleek-looking dogs were actually banned during Communist Rule as a sign of decadence and capitalism). Long a seat of nobility, it’s morphed to see a number of different movements and historical figures. In the late 1700s, Anna Amalia, Princess of then Prussia, lived here and collected a vast amount of literature that is now the Anna Amalia Library. The town has been home to artists and musicians;

travel the world

above, from left

Interior of Wartburg Castle; Remnant of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iron Curtainâ&#x20AC;? at Point Alpha. below The City of Steeples, Erfurt.

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

travel the world

Rhubarb at Erfurt market Liszt (the town is celebrating the “Liszt Year” throughout 2011 for his 200th anniversary), Goethe and Schiller all lived here, and this is where the Bauhaus school of art and design originated. And the pretty town was also the stomping grounds for Hitler. He loved the town and visited it some 40 times, staying at the famous (and still running) Hotel Elephant. He even built a balcony off of the hotel’s facade so that he could stand overlooking the town square to see and be seen. Hitler also installed Gestapo headquarters in the old Ducal stable buildings here. Today, everything related to the Gestapo has been ground up and preserved in the courtyard in a project called Zermahlene Geschichte or “Crushing History.” Nearby is the Buchenwald concentration camp, another tragic part of this area’s past. But with a growing population—the only city in the former East Germany with more people now living here than before the wall fell, including 6,000 students studying at the Bauhaus University and other design schools—the town is newly vibrant.

Spring asparagus at Erfurt market

Schwarzbier

Leipzig. Farther east to the city that,

before the Iron Curtain fell, was the country’s centre of trade. Named for the linden tree (the gorgeous, gargantuan trees are everywhere in Germany, especially overlooking beer gardens, along with chestnuts), Leipzig was where the peaceful protests and revolution began to end Soviet rule. “I saw Leipzig coming down,” says long-time resident and guide Birgit Scheffel, “I can see it coming up.” The old Stasi building (headquarters for the Secret Police) is now a museum documenting the surreal details and methods used to spy on virtually every citizen in the former East Germany—from scanning schoolchildren’s essays to outrageous disguises for spies. But, again, Leipzig’s history goes far beyond Communist rule. The 1,000-year-old town has long attracted musicians and artists. They’d meet at the oldest coffee house in Germany, and third-oldest in Europe, Coffe Baum (since 1711). And it’s still hopping. The Museum of Fine Arts holds one of the oldest and foremost collections of German art—from Cranach to the New Leipzig School—and is a centre for contemporary art, showcasing current internationally

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

Meissen. For even more culture and artistic inspiration, there’s yet another fairyland-like town with red-tiled roofs and twisting cobblestone streets steeply climbing to an imposing castle and Gothic cathedral that overlook it all. Meissen is known as the “cradle of European porcelain.” The crossedsword trademark has graced its fine china— known as “white gold”—for 300 years now, since 1710 when August the Strong, King of Saxon, began the operation. It’s the oldest porcelain factory in Europe, and probably the only one to have been run out of a castle. Albrechtsburg Castle was an empty edifice (due to the obscure and arcane politics of the noble class) until it became the centre of production for Meissen porcelain. The town itself also boasts more than a 1,000 years of history as the “cradle” of Saxony. Napoleon was a guest here; he stayed in a hotel off of the main square en route to battle. Apparently he lost, and the loss was blamed on his accommodations in Meissen. But this rich merchant town didn’t seem to suffer any adverse effects…until Communism, of course. But, again, the town—and the former East Germany—has shown that it has far outlasted two dictatorships in the 20th century. Here’s to the 21st. Prost!

+ if you go

Sturzbecher

renowned artists like local Neo Rauch (Brad Pitt owns his work). The Oper Leipzig building, built just 50 years ago during the Communist regime, was recently refurbished to showcase its minimalism—one of the few positive things to come out of that era. Leipzig’s musical heritage, of course, stems much farther back: Mendelssohn founded the oldest music academy here, and Bach worked and lived here for almost 30 years and is buried at the towering Church of St. Thomas. And the Gewandhausorchester, the oldest symphony orchestra in the world, is also based in Leipzig. And this is where Goethe was inspired to write his most famous piece of work, Faust. The wine cellar where Mephistopheles takes Faust is based on Auerbachs Keller, Goethe’s favourite bar and probably the best-known and second-oldest restaurant in Leipzig.

MORE For more info on planning a trip to Germany, go to: cometogermany.com. To discover the “heart” of Germany in the Thuringian region, including Eisenach, Erfurt and Weimar, go to thuringia-tourism.com. To explore the Saxon soul of Germany, including Leipzig and Meissen, go to saxonytourism. com. To get to Germany, Lufthansa has plenty of direct flights from major cities in Canada to Frankfurt and beyond: lufthansa.com.

travel the world

above, from left

The Stasi Museum in Leipzig; Wartburg Castle near Eisenach; mural in the Bauhaus School in Weimar.

above, from left

The Luther Room in Wartburg Castle; Trails on the Green Belt by the Fulda Gap; Coffe Baum in Leipzig.

above, from left

Flowering chestnut tree in Weimar; The red-tiled roofs of Meissen; Goldhelm Schokolade chocolates in Erfurt. March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

the thirsty dentist dr. neil pollock Dr. Neil Pollock is a member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada; visit his website on wine at vinovancouver.com or send feedback to drneil@pollockclinics.com.

Italian wine 101

iao da Valpolicella! In the first part of my recent article on understanding Italian wine (November/December 2010), I gave you an analytical toolbox in understanding the national regulatory structure and labelling scheme. Now all you need is to get a handle on the wine regions and varietals. And, even with 20 regions, don’t be overwhelmed—the trick is to start with a few core regions and vintages. So, in this issue, we’ll use that conceptual toolkit to uncork five big-name Italian wines, the ABCs: Amarone, Barbarella, Barbaresco, Brunello and Chianti. Familiarity with these heavy hitters provides a firm foundation. First up: A for Amarone della Valpolicella. Amarone is a blend dominated by lowtannin, thick-skinned Corvina grapes. While Corvina grapes are associated with lighter red wines that often carry a note of almost-bitter almond, the Amarone has a heavier, richer flavour because it’s mixed with Rondinella and Molinara grapes, more neutral varietals. The grapes are air-dried and left to ferment further in a process known as appassimento that ensures the wine doesn’t take on the sweeter character of Recioto della Valpolicella. With a deep, concentrated darkness, Amarone boasts syrupy tastes of dried prune, cherry and raisin. It’s a beguiling blend that soothes the senses (perhaps aided by the high alcohol content of 16%!). A longtime contender, Amarone was belatedly and deservedly promoted to DOCG status in 2009. Pour a glass and enjoy it with some parmagiano reggiano—a legendary pairing that captures the best of northeast Italian wine. On to the “Killer Bs,” as they are colloquially known, the Italian wine royalty. The first two, Barolo and Barbaresco, hail from the northern region of Piedmont. Barolo is often referred to as the king of wines. A bold, full-bodied dry wine, Barolo is made from Nebbiolo grapes. This is a highly acidic and tannic varietal due to the chalky soil composition and clay deposits that characterize the region. Nebbiolo-based wines must age 10 – 15 years in order to soften the intense tannins that characterize their youth. The king of kings would be

Barolo Riserva, Barolo that is aged in barrels for a minimum of four years. The Barolo zone in Piedmont is the largest in the region and within it you can find dozens of Barolos ranging in concentration and tannic structure. Lighter soil distinguishes Barbaresco, the other famous Nebbiolo wine, sometimes referred to as the younger brother of Barolo. The soil quality produces a wine that is less tannic in its early years. This gives it an elegance that Barolo lacks, but Barbaresco still seems to fail in capturing the limelight held by the “king.” This wine deserves greater appreciation for its greater approachability; with lighter tannins, it’s both mellow and muscular. Both Barolo and Barbaresco fall on the dark, tannic end of the Italian wine spectrum and are distinguished by blackberry and cherry flavours. With aromas of anise, licorice, and smoke, their flavours are long lasting. Any of their variants harmonize well with rich stews, roasted meat, or—trust me—pair a bottle with spinach and pecorino ravioli. Leaving Piedmont for Tuscany, we meet the third Killer B: Brunello di Montalcino, a 100% Sangiovese wine. Sangiovese grapes are arguably Italy’s most famous varietal and responsible for Tuscany’s unparalleled international profile. Sangiovese makes for rich yet subtle wines and are arguably one of the noblest grapes. Montalcino is one of the most arid regions of Tuscany. The climate’s consistency also means consistent quality in Brunello production. The wines are powerful and textured with smooth, ripe flavours. The best vintages have aged at least a

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

decade to expose their full-bodied natures and reveal layers of chocolate, blackberry and vanilla. Brunello also has the longest minimum age—four years—under Italian law. And interestingly, owing to its pure Sangiovese make-up, Brunello can also be bottled under the Chianti label…which brings us to our final wine, and another Tuscan export: the more reasonably priced yet no less renowned Chianti. At 70% Sangiovese and 10 – 30% Malvasia and Trebbiano, we get Chianti, the C wine, and what many think of as the classic red—in large part because of its traditional romantic basket wine image. Chianti is still bottled in this way, but now more often found in a standard bottle. To ease your way into Italian wine, Chianti is the way to go with its pleasing fruity flavours that don’t detract from its robust nature and sometimes-spicy personality. When choosing a vintage, it’s wise to look for the Chianti Classico label, an easy-to-spot black rooster. Chianti from the Classico sub-region must meet special requirements—there’s no flexibility with varietals and it must have a minimum alcohol level of 12%. Pair a glass of Chianti with herb bruschetta and you may be overcome to light a wine-basket candle! The alphabet of Italian wine by no means stops at Chianti, or even at DOCG wines in general. But Amarone is your key to the northeast (as well as sparkling wines), while no foray into Tuscany can exclude Chianti. And think of the Killer Bs as the conductors of Italian wine. Hundreds of producers take their cue and play with various blends based on their composition. After these, explore the rest of alphabet at your leisure. Acquaint yourself with the jargon of DOCGs, zones and grapes, but as any varietal scholar knows, tasting your way glass by glass is the best way to become a stellar student of wine. from left Tuscany; the Chianti Classico

black rooster; and the Chianti Superiore DOCG from Poggiotondo winery.

photo: Fototeca ENIT / Vito Arcomano

Part 2: The wine regions and varietals

t h e h u n g r y d e n t i s t d r . h o l ly f o n g Dr. Holly Fong is a practising speech-language pathologist with three young children who is always trying, adapting and creating dishes.

reliving steamy Rome in winter Linguine con vognole is a dish that’s easy to prepare and easily transports you…

right blue skies with the sun’s rays dancing along drifts of white snow make Canadian winters beautiful. However, after weeks of relentless cold, I find myself longing for warmer days where one doesn’t have to shovel to go somewhere. It’s on one of these days that I find myself standing in front of the fish section at the grocery store. The display of clams

The flavour of the dish far exceeds its simplicity

dr. holly fong

reminds me of when, in Rome, I had the most delicious dish of linguine with garlicky clams that tasted of the sea with a hint of lemon and parsley. Unlike the North American version of clams smothered in a thick white sauce, the Italian version showcased the freshness of the mollusks and the texture of the pasta tossed with good olive oil. The flavour of the dish far exceeds its simplicity. The key to making the dish is to have your ingredients prepped so that the sauce can be prepared while the pasta is cooking to ensure that the linguine will be hot and ready when the sauce is finished. At the table with a glass of wine, a salad of baby arugula and pomegranate seeds, I can close my eyes and be transported back to sitting in front of that Roman trattoria. For the wine, a good choice is a dry Italian white wine without much oak, a Pinot Grigio. Or for a change of pace, try the 2007 Arneis Langhe by Damilano. This wine made with the Arneis grape in the Piedmont region is fresh with lemon and green apple flavours. The medium-bodied wine has bright acidity with a slight almond finish which compliments the lemony herbs of the clams. Buon appetito!

Linguine Con Vognole (serves 4 – 6) 454g package of dry linguine ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 shallots or 1 small onion, chopped 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 4 lbs Manila or savory clams, scrubbed clean ½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped (approximately 1 large handful of parsley) ½ cup dry white wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio) 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter sea salt and fresh ground black pepper juice of ½ lemon zest from 1 lemon (be careful not to zest the white pith which is bitter)

Ina largepot, bringtoboil 6 – 8 quarts of water with2 tablespoons of salt. Addpasta, stirring constantly inthebeginningtoseparatethe strands. Cook for 8 – 10 minutes until tender yet firm(al denteinItalian).

Meanwhile, heat theoliveoil ina large, deep sautépanover medium-highheat. Oncetheoil is shimmeringandalmost smoking, reduceheat tomediumandaddtheshallots andsautéfor 2 minutes. Addthegarlicandstir for 1 minute, beingcareful not toburnthegarlic. Addthe clams andwine. Cover andsimmer, shakingthe panperiodically for approximately 8 minutes until clams haveopened. Discardany closed clams. Addhalf of thechoppedparsley andthe lemonjuice. Addgroundpepper totaste. Stir incoldbutter toslightly thickensauce. Set pan aside. Drainpasta but donot rinsewithwater. Add pasta tothepanof clams andmix thoroughly. Check seasoning. Pour pasta intoa largeservingbowl. Garnish withlemonzest andremainingparsley. Serve immediately.

March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

techworks

C o r e y Va n ’ t H a a f f Corey Van’t Haaff is Just For Canadian Dentists’ technology columnist and the owner of Cohiba Communications. She can be reached at medicalnews@ cohibacommunications.com and welcomes ideas for future columns.

the Velscope Shining a light on oral cancer

hen Peter Whitehead was 14, he submitted his first invention to a company which, in turn, sent Whitehead a cheque for $50. He bought himself a pair of skates with his reward, and was absolutely hooked on inventing. “It’s been a creative thing in my head since day one,” he says. “My goal was to be a doctor but I never got there. I went to UBC for philosophy—deductive logic…” was his interest, but his mind was too busy in finding solutions to medical issues to ever graduate. He also felt a strong sense of motivation to cure disease, having “a connection to every disease. Heart rejection – my friend’s father. Uterine and breast cancer – my mother’s family. My interest in oral cancer

developed from a woman, now dead, who was begging for her dentist to help her but her dentist couldn’t see anything wrong. Six months later, they totally resected her jaw.” An early goal of his was to use technology to look at mucosal cells. “My passion was for finding a real clinical solution to real clinical problems, not just projects that don’t make any sense for treating patients. When you look at mortality of oral cancer patients, it was a natural step to pursue this health problem.” Whitehead invented the Velscope, filing

his patent in 1998; it was awarded in 2000. The Velscope is a hand-held screening device used to find early stage oral cancers. Dentists are required to screen for oral cancer but haven’t had a tool that met the gold standard to help them—until now. “Most oral cancer lesions are found when they are no longer local but regional,” he says. “Dentists are the owners of the mouth. Forty-five per cent of oral cancer patients die within five years as cancerous lesions are caught too late. Frequently there are not enough lesions to see or you can’t see any of them. Velscope helps find occult lesions in the mouth that can’t be seen with the eye.” Historically, dentists shine a white light and stare into the mouth, moving the tongue, to see if there are any abnormalities. Since cancer typically develops on the base membrane between the lymphatic system and the epithelial cells, it has to migrate up through the skin to become visible in the mouth. By that time, it has possibly accessed the lymphatic system and become malignant. The Velscope greatly increases the likelihood of finding such lesions much earlier, sometimes before they become a problem. “Imagine, if you could, a big power source and a ton of fibre optic cable at a lot of cost. Shrink that to a hand-held device. The function is to have a screening device to find early stage oral cancer,” says Whitehead. It’s like a stethoscope for the mouth, he says. Instead of listening for abnormal activity, the Velscope shines the right type of light into the mouth, where its biochemistry has the capacity to illuminate when hit by the right type of laser light. “If it’s abnormal tissue, the response through the scope changes from an applegreen-gold for healthy, to burgundy. Dark

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

is worth investigating,” he says, adding that the Velscope uses light in the 400-to-450 wavelength, capable of identifying tissue changes that represent cancer or other diseases. “Different wavelengths illuminate different things. We use filters as not all information is needed…. It’s a direct viewing scope, hand-held, about the size of a small blow dryer,” he says. “In two minutes, you can take the Velscope and comb over the back of the throat, cheek, mouth and tongue and if the hygienist sees anything abnormal, the dentist rechecks when he does the clinical follow-up. There’s no rinsing or solution, just looking in with a different light. It’s very simple.” Simple perhaps, but also very effective. In a University of Washington study involving 600 patients, Whitehead says a study found that more than 20 per cent of the mucosal changes detected by Velscope had not been detected during standard clinical examination, including traumatic and other tissue changes, in addition to several lesions that represented dysplasia of the oral mucosa. With more than 6,000 Velscopes in use, screening approximately six-to-eight million people, there are those who believe that Velscope use should be imperative, even though only a small part of insurance companies reimburse for its use. Many dentists, he says, just add a $15 fee and screen every patient. “The response from dentists is that something needs to be done to improve clinical care given to patients. They should be doing this. Oral cancer is winning. The fact is dentists now have a device they can add to their bucket of technology to screen for cancer and to add to their business,” he says, adding the return on investment is less than eight weeks. “It’s easy to screen for oral cancer or abnormal tissue. This allows dentists to find and follow through. It puts you in the right position to deal with something that might become significant.”

diversion

sudoku Solve puzzle #2 for a chance to win a $50

VISA Gift Card! Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 through 9.

sudoku 2 harder solution in next issue

sudoku 1 easier solution on page 15

GOOD LUCK! LAST ISSUEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WINNER: Dr. Ursula Zagozda, Abbotsford, BC

7 8 1 5 6 1 9 7 4

6 2

2 8 2 6 1

3 4 6 8

5 1

4 6

5 2

4 9 2 3 1

1 4 5 2

Puzzle by websudoku.com

1 7 5 4 2

2 9 7 7

3 6 8

entry form (please print clearly): 3 7

6 4 7 8 9

5 2 4 7 3

Puzzle by websudoku.com

Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________ City, Province, Postal Code: _____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________________ Tel: ______________________________ Fax: _________________________________ Sudoku Puzzle Contest Rules: 1. Entry form must be accompanied with solved puzzle. Only correctly solved puzzles will be entered into random draw. 2. Send puzzle & entry form to Just For Canadian Dentists, 710 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 938 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1N9 or by fax to 604681-0456. Entries must be received by April 15, 2011. 3. Prize: $50 VISA Gift Card. Odds of winning dependent upon number of entries. Winner will be contacted by telephone and announced in the May/June 2011 issue. 4. Contest can be changed and/or cancelled without prior notice. 5. All entries become property of In Print Publications. Employees of In Print Publications and its affiliates not eligible to participate. March/April 2011 Just For Canadian dentists

s m a l l ta l k

dentists share their picks, pans, pleasures and fears

From Brioni business suits (nice!) to a vintage Omega wrist watch, this dentist has some serious style. Off duty, he can be found at the Apple store or watching the Canucks. But he’s happiest playing with his two-year-old twin boys or far away from it all at his family’s summer house in Greece. Other recent destinations: Saudi Arabia, Spain and India. Next up? Hopefully Fiji. Dr. Irinakis certainly enjoys travelling far and wide; if he wasn’t a dentist he’d have his airline pilot wings. And, as he says, “I always believed that the greatest investment someone could make is not in stocks or properties but in people, surrounding himself with loyal and trustworthy individuals.” My name: Dr. Tassos Irinakis I live and practise in: Vancouver, UBC, Kamloops and Calgary My training: DDS degree in Dentistry; Masters of Science degree in Oral Biology (MSc); Diploma in Periodontics (Dip.Perio); Fellow of the Royal College

My medicine cabinet is always stocked with: Muscle pain relievers

of Dentists of Canada, FRCD(C); Director of Graduate Periodontics & Implant Surgery, UBC

My last trip: Saudi Arabia

Why I was drawn to dentistry: My family. My mother is a dentist and my father is a dental technician and denturist who owns his own laboratory.

The best souvenir I’ve brought back from a trip: From Malaga, Spain, original art from a native artist.

My favourite exercise/sports activity: Running/gym

A favourite place that I keep returning to: Greece to visit my family

My celebrity crush: Jessica Alba

The most exotic place I’ve travelled: India

My ultimate dream vacation: Fiji If I could travel to any time, I’d go to: The Turkish Princess Islands with my wife My favourite book: Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield My favourite movie: The Usual Suspects

My guilty pleasure is: Pizza

My favourite sport to watch: Ice hockey…the Canucks I’d want this item with me if stranded on a desert island: Satellite cell phone My secret to relaxing and relieving tension: Playing with my two-year-old twin boys A talent I wish I had: Singing/nice voice My scariest moment: Choking in a restaurant while negotiating a contract with the Education Director of my company My fondest memory: Road trips as a child, just my father and I A big challenge I’ve faced: To come to terms with the fact that my wife is always right One thing I’d change about myself: My very direct and frank approach The word that best describes me: Dr. CF…”Control Freak” I’m inspired by: My father

My must-see TV show: 24

My biggest ego boost: The first time my mother, who is a dentist, requested my advice on her patients

My favourite singer: U2: Where the Streets Have No Name

My biggest ego blow: My new CDA telling me that I could technically be her father

My first job: In a grocery store stocking shelves The gadget or gear I could not do without: My iPhone 4 My favourite room at home: The family room My car: Audi Q7 My last purchase: Omega vintage wrist watch from the 60s My last splurge: Brioni business suit from Harry Rosen

Dr. Tassos Irinakis; with his wife Peggy; his guilty pleasure (pizza!) and the gadget he can’t do without (his iPhone 4); and his ride, the Audi Q7. clockwise from top left

Just For Canadian dentists March/April 2011

My most-frequented store: Apple store

I’m happiest when: My entire family is together for a family vacation at our Greece summer house My greatest fear is: That my sons will not become Periodontists and take over the family business (joking of course) My motto is: Always plan ahead and be prepared A cause close to my heart: Children’s charities

My closet has too many: Business suits

Something I haven’t done yet that’s on my must-do list: Spend a month traveling around the world, just my wife and I

My fridge is always stocked with: Caffeinated energy beverages

If I wasn’t a dentist I’d be: Airline pilot

Get More with

from

More Effective Teeth Whitening

Sticky viscous gel stays in contact with the teeth to deliver sustained whitening action – day or night! Rated No. 1 by REALITY in Take-Home Whitening!

More Protection from Sensitivity

Unique Potassium Nitrate with Fluoride formulation eliminates sensitivity for most patients. Higher water content keeps teeth from dehydrating, preventing sensitivity.

More Enamel Strengthening

PF formulation is proven to increase the mineral content of the enamel for greater strength & reduce susceptibility to caries.

More Choice

with 10%, 15%, 20% & 35% carbamide peroxide formulations!

More Savings! Get More NoW

with Opalescence PF Refills

Buy 10 x 4-packs at $22.99 each

GeT 8 More SYrINGeS Free! Equals just $19.16 per 4-pack

Special offer for “Just For Canadian Dentists” Offer expires March 31, 2011

JUST $19.16 each WITh ThIS OFFER

ORDER DIRECT

1-800-265-3444 w ww. cl i ni c a l re s e a rc h d e nt a l .c o m