There seems to be a buzz about “corporate dentistry” that concerns me. I tend to cringe when I hear the term corporate dentistry. It has become a term synonymous with corporation based chain dental clinics. But the reality is that many of us with traditional dental delivery offices are corporations. So the use of this term disparagingly is not a good choice.
According to a new clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Dental Association (ADA), the available evidence is insufficient to recommend routine antibiotics for dental procedures in persons with joint replacement. This guideline, titled “Prevention of Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures,” replaces the previous AAOS Information Statement, “Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Bacteremia in Patients with Joint Replacement.”
Speaker: Arthur H. Jeske, DMD, PhD
Date: February 19, 2013 * 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., General Meeting
Location: Austin Country Club
Continuing Education: 2 Hours State CE Credit
The Capital Area Dental Foundation is sponsoring its annual Gala on February 16, 2013 at the Four Seasons Hotel.
For a larger view of the flyer, please click here.
Welcome to February, and we have a busy month in store. I realize that this message will reiterate much of what was in last month’s newsletter, but I feel that these two things are worth repeating. I hope to see many of you at the TDA Legislative Day on February 20th at the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel. You need to register beforehand at TDA.org. If you have questions, contact Leigh Ann Montague at 512-443-3675, or lmontague@tda.org. This is the opportunity to get to meet the folks that will be working on legislation that will affect us and our profession. The registration fee is $30.
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In 1990, Dr. Leonard Dolce and other concerned local dentists conducted a needs assessment survey concerning the need for a dental hygiene school in Austin. The response of more than 60% of the surveys returned indicated that there was clearly a need. After several years of planning and meetings spearheaded by Dr. Dolce, the Austin Community College agreed to develop the new program. Renee Cornett, RDH, MBA, was hired as department chair. The school is located at the Eastview Campus of Austin Community College. Read more →
Henry Ford is credited with the invention of the automobile assembly line and a much more efficient system for manufacturing cars. That is good solid management. He also had the leadership and vision to want to have every family own a car. That is leadership. He advanced and managed a lean assembly manufacturing system that allowed more people to afford cars. He clearly knew the difference between doing things right and efficiently and doing the right things.
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The January 15, 2013 meeting will feature your president speaking on current issues, including what the TDA is doing for you tomorrow concerning such issues as Medicaid, taxation, and education. Dr. Stuart’s presentation will be followed by a presentation by Dr. Brian K. Schroder.
Don’t Forget the History!
The current leadership of your Capital Area Dental Society has been working hard to keep relevant to the desires of the members through strategic planning sessions and the discussions have continued with the nominating committee in their deliberations. The same goes for the budget committee in deciding where the best bang for the buck should be in the budget.
During the strategic planning meeting, most of the discussion was to recognize that what younger generations want from a professional organization are not the same benefits as those that are important to those of us that joined twenty or thirty years ago.
It is more important than ever to have a strong professional presence in the public, business and the legislative arena. The more fragmented we become, the less control we have over our profession with innumerable outside forces making decisions about the practice of dentistry. Who better than practicing dentists to make the best decisions about the best care for patients?
Your leadership is to be applauded for recognizing that different generations have different interests and values and making the effort to meet the needs of all members. Your input concerning what you would like from your professional organizations, especially, the Capital Area Dental Society is critical to getting what you want out of your organization.
I was thinking the other day about how, like almost everything in our lives has changed so much in the past decades, that dentistry has probably had more change in the past twenty years than all of the years dentistry has been a profession since the early 1800’s. We all are aware that if we fail to embrace and plan for change, that time will pass us by and we are rendered insignificant.
As things progress rapidly, we must remain mindful of our history. We are members of a profession that is much respected and many that have preceded us have worked unselfishly to give us a great foundation to build upon. As we evolve to become more relevant to the younger professionals and those to come, remember that it is possible to make the next advancements because of what has come before for the betterment of the profession and the members of professional organizations. Embrace the best of the older professionals who have preceded us. The values, integrity and professionalism should not be tossed out in the name of progressive change, but recognized as the pillars to build upon.
By J. Kavin Kelp, DDS
I would like to wish everybody a very happy New Year. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, is rested up, and ready to tackle the upcoming year.
We are starting off at a fast pace already. We have the Capital Area Dental Foundation Gala coming up on February 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel. I would love to see everyone there. To those who have attended before, you already know how much fun it is. Talk a friend into coming along so that they can see for themselves what a great time we have. Let us not forget, however, that we are not just having a good time. We are raising money for the Foundation which helps us fund programs for so many needy people in our community. Read more →