PFA Dental World Newsletter — May/June • 2003

Membership
By Trustee Charles Eller

The world situation seems to be so unsettled, and yet there are organizations, such as ours, who try to do their part in assisting where the needs are physical, not political. We are the world’s largest philanthropic dental organization, a service academy in the truest sense, of nearly 8000 members. Our Foundation has distributed nearly $2.25 million in grants for worthwhile dental projects worldwide since 1996.

Membership recruitment is always a challenge. Each of us does his job differently, but sometimes it is good to share what works for one Section and what does not. We look for leaders in our local dental societies and deans of dental schools for qualified prospective members. Many dentists have never considered membership and are only vaguely aware of PFA. But if asked, they begin considering the option. Serving in positions of dental leadership is fleeting. But Fellowship in a service Academy is ongoing. Organized dental leadership positions are confining to their exacting duties, while membership in PFA is as creative as the individual desires to become. Dental leadership is defining in time and effort, whereas PFA projects are selective for available time and effort.

To Section Chairs, we are approaching the Spring and Summer months in the northern hemisphere where we can plan activities indoors and outside. Give the Academy one hour a month of your time, set yourself a goal, and then exceed it. The Central Office, our Web site, the new pamphlet can all be aids in keeping our membership viable and growing.
Motivation appears to be a universal problem in any organization. Our top leaders in the Academy must be the main source for this motivational effort. They are young and enthusiastic. They are encouraging in all efforts and carry a heavy load for PFA. They stand ready to help out in all areas that you as a Chairperson, or even as a member, wish to conceive and execute a project. The resources are available. The track record is proven. All that we need is your taking up the challenge to build membership, to create a dental project to serve the public, and to carry out together the goals you have set for your group.

And all you need to do is ask. Ask the PFA leaders. Ask the Central office. Ask your colleagues to join you in one of the world’s greatest dental service organizations serving the world.

By working, one person at a time, we multiply those simple efforts until they are magnified by all the Fellowship globally. Through our combined efforts, perhaps we can make our world a little less unsettled.

The Last Strive to Save a Dying Dental Art
by Arvid Saunaitis, CDT
President, Kromex Dental Laboratory

Compared with other technologies that have been replaced with new innovations, partial dentures or removable bridges will soon become a thing of the past because the knowledge to construct them will no longer exist. Unlike the need for full dentures, which has been reduced by root canals and fluoride, the demand for partial dentures is on the rise.

The reason that people lose their teeth is not always neglect. Accidents, sports injuries, genetics, prosthesis work done by cheap, less-than-quality laboratories are some of the other reasons. An improperly designed partial that fails to take in the biophysics of the oral cavity can be as damaging.

Unlike a fixed bridge that requires the reduction of healthy teeth and the stress that is put on them to absorb the shock of the entire bridge span in mastication, a partial denture shares the shock with the edentulous ridge and the clasped teeth. Today, the partial can be made thinly and small without exposing any unsightly metal. By relining the partial every year and a half to two years, the partial can last longer and cost only a fraction of a bridge.

But the exacting construction of partials involves some very complex procedures. Each procedure is usually handled by a technician familiar with only one part of the construction process. The technician that oversees the entire process from start to finish is the department head or laboratory owner. For a technician to reach that level of expertise requires talent, dedication, and a minimum of five working years under the supervision of an experienced technician. Unfortunately, most of such experienced technicians have reached the retirement age. The dental technology schools in the United States that still remain open, do not even have such instructors on their staff. Before the level of talent leaves the industry, the knowledge they possess must be passed on to the next generation of technicians.

Various dental, government, and outside organizations must take immediate action if this technology is to survive. I have authored several articles in dental magazines, even the Chicago Sun-Times, calling attention to this problem. The only response generated has been from the general public. No one else seems to care.

The dental manufacturers claim to have educational programs in place and demonstrate little concern. Having been in this industry for the past quarter of a century, I can only say that an expensive, short training course by companies that are only interested in selling their products is definitely not the solution.
For further information on this problem and what you can do to help, contact the Forum for Prosthetic Dentistry at 773/436-9440. Think of the alternative.

Editor’s comment: Arvid Saunaitis presents a very real problem facing dentistry, and through us, the public we serve. NHS has already determined that there will be a shortage of dentists by 2005. Now we will be also facing a shortage of qualified lab technicians that we depend on for our living. As the population is expanding and the desires of the general public are growing, the pool of dental purveyors will be shrinking. Technology has improved for us to serve the public better and faster; however, there are just so many stressful hours in the day that one dentist, one technician can put in.

If our professions do not step up to help answer these problems, then we leave it to the government or private for-profit companies to determine the direction these solutions will be taking. One such solution will be expanded duties in both fields to unqualified individuals to fill the void, or reduce the service to those who cannot afford the increased expense as demand will outstrip supply, driving costs and fees up. Is this what we want?

The Legacy Continues…
Dr. Robert Shira’s legacy continues on with your donations to his requested final act of humanity, the PFA Foundation. The Foundation thanks all those who remember this wonderful leader. He may have been a two-star general with the Army, but he was five stars to the Academy and Foundation. Send your remembrances into Foundation Executive Director Shig Kishi, 1441 Avocado Avenue, Suite 508, Newport Beach, CA 93660.
• Becker, Dr. Norman – Massachusetts Section Chairman
• Kort, Dr. William – past PFA President
• Osborn, Joan
• Roach, Dr. Kevin and Anne, PFA President-elect
To date, $7870 have been contributed in Dr. Shira’s name.

	Foundation News
	From the desk of the Executive Director… by Dr. Shig Ryan Kishi
	As of this April, 128 applications have been mailed out. The total 2002 applications were 93. Due to the economic recession, the Foundation has received an unprecedented number of grant application requests, and even more faxes and requests for information and guidelines. Six of this year’s requests are from Section Chairs.		Usually about one third of those applications are returned completed. About one half of those are ineligible. That would leave about 21 for Board review. Actually, this is ahead of last year’s requests. Just a reminder that the grant application deadline is 1 June 2003 for consideration by the Board in San Francisco. The Foundation has approximately $130,000 for distribution at this year’s meeting for 2003.

	Award recipient Satoru Morikawa holding presented certificate next to bemedaled Trustee Mamoru Sakuda and other dignitaries

	France Dr. Michel Lubin, on behalf of Paris’ Mobile Dental Clinic Association, expressed the Association Board’s appreciation for the Foundation grant presented them by International Trustee Pierre Marois and President Andrè Robert of the Conseil National de l’Ordre des Chirurgen Dentistes in a reception ceremony to purchase a new mobile dental health care bus to serve the poor of Paris. India Section Secretary/Treasurer T. Samraj reports presenting the Foundation Scholarship Award to Ms. R. Varna of the Government Dental College in Trivandram. Dr N. Subramanian, President of the India Dental Association Trivanandram Branch, made the presentation with Dr. T. Rameaj. Student R. Varna receiving award from Dr. N. Subramanian with Dr. T. Samraj present		Japan Meikai University School of Dentistry presented the Foundation’s Scholarship Award in the Dean’s Room to student Satoru Morikawa. PFA International Trustee for Japan Mamoru Sakuda and PFA Japan Section Executive Board member Dr. Hirokazu Hashimoto were on hand for the presentation along with Professor Hiroshi Nakajima, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Dean Toshikazu Yasui expressed his appreciation and opportunity that we helped provide to one of his students to aid in developing the student’s future career in dentistry. Switzerland Chairman Roland Soellner presented the Foundation Scholarship Award to the University of Basel Dental School student Mrs. Photini Mengisopoulos at a ceremony with the other dental students and faculty present. Professor Carlo Marinello gave the address concerning the structure and goals of the Academy and of the Foundation. Chairman Soellner outlined the importance of a “role model” in the PFA to motivate the younger generation to become dentists of high quality. Professor Dr. Jurg Meyer, SSO Magazine Editor for the Swiss Dental Organization, was also present at the awarding and organized the press part in which a whole page was dedicated to this PFA event.

	Foundation News

	United States Indiana Section Chair David Matthews of Ft. Wayne presented the Foundation Scholarship Award to Indiana University School of Dentistry student David C. Swiderski last January with Associate dean of Student Affairs Margot L. Van Dis and Dean Lawrence I. Goldblatt in attendance. L-R, Associate Dean Margot Van Dis, Chair David Matthews, recipient David Swiderski, and Dean Lawrence Goldblatt Iowa PFA International Trustee Steve K. Hedlund presented this year’s Foundation Scholarship to University of Iowa School of Dentistry student Marc Welge of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Student Marc Welge receives Scholarship Award from Trustee Steve Hedlund		Pennsylvania Dean Raymond Fonseca of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and Dean-designate Marjorie Jeffcoat presented the Foundation Scholarship to Student scholar Andrea Woods last February. Dean Raymond Fonseca, recipient Andrea Woods, and Dean-designate Marjorie Jeffcoat Wisconsin Chairman Glenn Maihofer reports continued outstanding success with their mentorship program with the Wisconsin Dental Association and the Marquette University School of Dentistry with more than 300 participants. They provide opportunities beyond the chairside preceptorship with functions planned every month, such as sports outings. At their recent Marquette Golden Eagles basketball outing they had 125 participants. This is their eighth year of the program. The Foundation Scholarship Award, which went to student Jason Guerrero at one of their functions, is another example of relating the PFA activities and demonstrating our concern for those in our profession.

	Table of Contents - May/June • 2003

	Presidents Message		Foundation News - United States
	2003 Calendar		Section News- International
	Executive Board Meeting		Section News- United States
	Executive Board Meeting Cont'd		Congressman Charlie Norwood…
	Membership		The Last Trumpets of Tribute
	Save a Dying Dental Art
	Foundation News		go to Page-1 \| Page-2 \| Page-3

	Membership By Trustee Charles Eller
	The world situation seems to be so unsettled, and yet there are organizations, such as ours, who try to do their part in assisting where the needs are physical, not political. We are the world’s largest philanthropic dental organization, a service academy in the truest sense, of nearly 8000 members. Our Foundation has distributed nearly $2.25 million in grants for worthwhile dental projects worldwide since 1996. Membership recruitment is always a challenge. Each of us does his job differently, but sometimes it is good to share what works for one Section and what does not. We look for leaders in our local dental societies and deans of dental schools for qualified prospective members. Many dentists have never considered membership and are only vaguely aware of PFA. But if asked, they begin considering the option. Serving in positions of dental leadership is fleeting. But Fellowship in a service Academy is ongoing. Organized dental leadership positions are confining to their exacting duties, while membership in PFA is as creative as the individual desires to become. Dental leadership is defining in time and effort, whereas PFA projects are selective for available time and effort. To Section Chairs, we are approaching the Spring and Summer months in the northern hemisphere where we can plan activities indoors and outside. Give the Academy one hour a month of your time, set yourself a goal, and then exceed it. The Central Office, our Web site, the new pamphlet can all be aids in keeping our membership viable and growing.		Motivation appears to be a universal problem in any organization. Our top leaders in the Academy must be the main source for this motivational effort. They are young and enthusiastic. They are encouraging in all efforts and carry a heavy load for PFA. They stand ready to help out in all areas that you as a Chairperson, or even as a member, wish to conceive and execute a project. The resources are available. The track record is proven. All that we need is your taking up the challenge to build membership, to create a dental project to serve the public, and to carry out together the goals you have set for your group. And all you need to do is ask. Ask the PFA leaders. Ask the Central office. Ask your colleagues to join you in one of the world’s greatest dental service organizations serving the world. By working, one person at a time, we multiply those simple efforts until they are magnified by all the Fellowship globally. Through our combined efforts, perhaps we can make our world a little less unsettled.


	The Last Strive to Save a Dying Dental Art by Arvid Saunaitis, CDT President, Kromex Dental Laboratory
	Compared with other technologies that have been replaced with new innovations, partial dentures or removable bridges will soon become a thing of the past because the knowledge to construct them will no longer exist. Unlike the need for full dentures, which has been reduced by root canals and fluoride, the demand for partial dentures is on the rise. The reason that people lose their teeth is not always neglect. Accidents, sports injuries, genetics, prosthesis work done by cheap, less-than-quality laboratories are some of the other reasons. An improperly designed partial that fails to take in the biophysics of the oral cavity can be as damaging. Unlike a fixed bridge that requires the reduction of healthy teeth and the stress that is put on them to absorb the shock of the entire bridge span in mastication, a partial denture shares the shock with the edentulous ridge and the clasped teeth. Today, the partial can be made thinly and small without exposing any unsightly metal. By relining the partial every year and a half to two years, the partial can last longer and cost only a fraction of a bridge. But the exacting construction of partials involves some very complex procedures. Each procedure is usually handled by a technician familiar with only one part of the construction process. The technician that oversees the entire process from start to finish is the department head or laboratory owner. For a technician to reach that level of expertise requires talent, dedication, and a minimum of five working years under the supervision of an experienced technician. Unfortunately, most of such experienced technicians have reached the retirement age. The dental technology schools in the United States that still remain open, do not even have such instructors on their staff. Before the level of talent leaves the industry, the knowledge they possess must be passed on to the next generation of technicians. Various dental, government, and outside organizations must take immediate action if this technology is to survive. I have authored several articles in dental magazines, even the Chicago Sun-Times, calling attention to this problem. The only response generated has been from the general public. No one else seems to care. The dental manufacturers claim to have educational programs in place and demonstrate little concern. Having been in this industry for the past quarter of a century, I can only say that an expensive, short training course by companies that are only interested in selling their products is definitely not the solution.		For further information on this problem and what you can do to help, contact the Forum for Prosthetic Dentistry at 773/436-9440. Think of the alternative. Editor’s comment: Arvid Saunaitis presents a very real problem facing dentistry, and through us, the public we serve. NHS has already determined that there will be a shortage of dentists by 2005. Now we will be also facing a shortage of qualified lab technicians that we depend on for our living. As the population is expanding and the desires of the general public are growing, the pool of dental purveyors will be shrinking. Technology has improved for us to serve the public better and faster; however, there are just so many stressful hours in the day that one dentist, one technician can put in. If our professions do not step up to help answer these problems, then we leave it to the government or private for-profit companies to determine the direction these solutions will be taking. One such solution will be expanded duties in both fields to unqualified individuals to fill the void, or reduce the service to those who cannot afford the increased expense as demand will outstrip supply, driving costs and fees up. Is this what we want? The Legacy Continues… Dr. Robert Shira’s legacy continues on with your donations to his requested final act of humanity, the PFA Foundation. The Foundation thanks all those who remember this wonderful leader. He may have been a two-star general with the Army, but he was five stars to the Academy and Foundation. Send your remembrances into Foundation Executive Director Shig Kishi, 1441 Avocado Avenue, Suite 508, Newport Beach, CA 93660. • Becker, Dr. Norman – Massachusetts Section Chairman • Kort, Dr. William – past PFA President • Osborn, Joan • Roach, Dr. Kevin and Anne, PFA President-elect To date, $7870 have been contributed in Dr. Shira’s name.