Bring growth to your practice—capitalize on the strength of teamwork to make your dream work. The entire office is invited!
• Dive deep into incorporating innovative products
Streamline your office flow with helpful new technology
• Build camaraderie and utilize effective teamwork
Encourage and train the team for peak performance
• Grow your marketing and social media
Increase your efficiency & profitability
• Network with others and create lasting friendships
Time and common experience builds strong bonds
• Signature Sprig hospitality
Have fun and enjoy exquisite cuisine while earning CE
“I enjoyed feeling like a ‘family’ and meeting everyone who attended. This was some of the best CE I have ever attended.”
JENNIFER MCDONALD, DMD
“It was such a fun weekend filled with interesting lectures, fun new products, and the best hospitality! ”
BREA SCHMIDT, DDS
WINTER 2022
CSPD members are encouraged to contribute to the Bulletin. Articles, Letters to the Editor, or other items of interest are welcome. Items for publication may be submitted to Managing Editor Dr. MyLinh Ngo via email at mylinh.ngo@gmail.com.
Products and informational content presented in the Bulletin by contributing authors and advertisers is not necessarily endorsed by CSPD.
Mission of the Bulletin: The Bulletin of California Society of Pediatric Dentistry shall be to examine and identify the issues that affect the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry and the oral health of teenagers and children. All of our readers should remain informed and participate in the formulation of public policy and personal leadership to advance the purposes of the Society. The Bulletin is not a political publication and does not knowingly promote the specific views at the expense of others. The views and opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily represent those of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
As I approach the end of my year serving as your CSPD president, I invite you to read about the highlights of the work accomplished by the CSPD Board of Directors and our many dedicated committee members. This is truly only a small snapshot of the year’s progress and reflects the thousands of emails and hundreds of working hours our volunteers spent working on behalf of our membership and the children of California. At the beginning of the year, I emphasized that CSPD would focus on three themes in everything we did: Connect, Support and Advocate. Each of these highlights hopefully continues to push the bar higher in staying relevant and vibrant as a professional membership organization.
1. POP UP EVENTS - Pop Up Events were planned throughout the year to connect and support our members. Although ongoing COVID-19 restrictions derailed many of the inperson programming planned, several were offered throughout the year with an enthusiastic response from our membership.
2. PALS -Two weekend PALS courses were organized in both northern and southern California locations to help our members satisfy their PALS certification requirement
3. AB733 - A workgroup composed of Drs. Santos Cortez, Lindsey Robinson, Mitch Poiset, Natalie Mansour, Paul Reggiardo, and Gila Dorostkar worked with CDA and the California Dental Hygienists Association as well as other stakeholders on proposed legislation that would place extended function dental hygienists in medical offices to provide preventive care for children on Medi-Cal. Ultimately, the legislation was withdrawn.
4. CSPD CONNECTCSPD CONNECT was launched as a periodic newsletter highlighting our members' accomplishments and CSPD activities to enhance member connections within our CSPD family
5. FINANCIAL AWARENESS
WEBINAR - Chair
Evan Chang and the newly formed Early Career Pediatric Dentist Committee planned a financial awareness webinar specially designed for practitioners with less than 10 years in practice. The webinar focused on student loan repayment as well as tax accounting advice.
6. PUBLIC HEALTH CONNECTIONSFocused efforts were made to introduce CSPD to Dr. Jay Kumar, our state dental director, to collaborate on children's oral health in California and also with community health dentists to encourage membership in CSPD. Presently, CSPD is working on a proposal to address the challenges that special needs patients have in gaining access to surgery centers for dental care.
7. RECRUITMENT LETTER - Mitch Poiset and the Membership Services Committee spearheaded a recruitment campaign intended for California pediatric dentists who are AAPD members, but not CSPD members. In addition to a personal postage-mailed invitation letter, individual followup phone calls and emails were made by the CSPD Board.
8. POST-DOC LIAISONS - Post-Doc liaisons were designated for each California residency program to enhance communication between CSPD and our academic programs. Residents were also invited to work on a limited project that supported our CSPD committee work.
9. SOCIAL MEDIA - Chanel McCreedy and Shukan Kanuga and their Communications and Social Media Committees enhanced our presence on the CSPD Instagram and Facebook accounts with a resulting increase in active followers. CSPD sponsored a fun Back-To-School Social Media contest in the fall featuring grade school pictures of Board members.
10. OCE - After purchasing a robust new online continuing education platform, our webmaster Steve Niethamer and chair of our OCE Committee, Helen Mo, have worked diligently to stock our OCE library with relevant clinical and practice management courses.
11. VISITING RESIDENCY PROGRAMS - Along with the Leadership Development Committee chair, Danielle Goodman, Gila Dorostkar visited with all 5 California residency programs-- either in-person or via Zoom-- to share information about CSPD and also Board internship opportunities.
12. CYBERSECURITY
WEBINAR - In October, CSPD hosted a riveting Cybersecurity webinar which is still accessible on the CSPD. org OCE site.
13. CPRC - A "Latest and Greatest on CSPD" presentation was showcased at the California Pacific Research Conference in September. CPRC attendees served as a focus group for input on CSPD's direction on current proposed legislation.
(Ahmed and Scully)
14. SB501 AND E-PRESCRIPTIONS - Timely membership advisory eblasts were distributed periodically notifying members of updates on SB501 implementation and also E-Prescribing requirements effective January 1.
15. WBI INTERNS - CSPD Board Warren Brandli Interns-Drs. Ahmen Imran, Letitia Edwards, and Ida Gorshteyn-presented their "Race for Relevance" projects to the CSPD Board in January. What can CSPD do to remain relevant as a professional membership organization?
16. COVID WEBINAR - Our "Update on COVID-19 Protocols" webinar in February focused on pediatric dental practices and featured UOP Associate Dean, Professor Eve Cuny.
17. MEDIA KIT - Treasurer
Gary Sabbadini and the NonDues Revenue Committee created the very first CSPD Media Kit. Potential advertisers and sponsors can view all the available opportunities in this sleek kit to showcase their products and services.
18. TEAM CE COURSECatherine Pham and the Patient Services Committee planned a terrific Team CE Course on "Management of Medical Emergencies and Sedation Safety". Unfortunately, this in-person course was cancelled partly due to the COVID-19 surge in January.
19. BULLETIN - Did you miss any issues of our quarterly Bulletin? Editor MyLinh Ngo and her talented associated editors, Chanel McCreedy and Angela Lee, continue to publish CSPD activities and news in a glossy, beautiful format. Check out previous issues on CSPD.org
20. STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION - The Strategic Planning Committee has secured the Association Options firm to assist our Board during its upcoming Strategic Planning Session scheduled for October 2022. The CSPD Board will dive deep into developing strategic goals for CSPD's future initiatives.
21. LSTR WEBINAR - Jean Calvo, Graham Hearn, and the Continuing Education Committee presented a clinical webinar on "Lesion Sterilization and Treatment Repair" in March
22. SPIN EVENT - The Early Career Dentist Committee is planning a social event featuring certified spin instructor and committee member, Andrew Vo, leading a class at Grit Studio in Long Beach.
23. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - Danielle Goodman and the Leadership Development Committee have developed a comprehensive manual to help potential CSPD volunteer leaders understand the structure and responsibilities of our many committees and encourage members to volunteer in a leadership role.
24. PARENT BROCHURE - The Communications Committee worked with former WBI intern, Evan Chang, on finalizing and publishing his Board project "Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?" pamphlet. This brochure will help parents understand the specialty training pediatric dentists have completed to take comprehensive care of children, adolescents and patients with special needs.
25. AAPD ADVOCACY DAY - CSPD Graduate Student Legislative Intern, JoyAh Brooks, will join a team of CSPD mentors and other residents to attend the AAPD Advocacy Day in Washington, DC in March. They will visit congressional representatives on Capitol Hill and advocate for key children's oral health issues.
26. SCOTTSDALE MEETING - Co-chairs Ora Lowe and Don Schmitt along with the dedicated Annual Meeting have planned a fabulous continuing education conference with amazing social events at the Omni Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona March 31- April 3. Join us for this joyful in-person joint WSPD meeting!
With heartfelt gratitude, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for the unwavering commitment of all the members of the CSPD Board of Directors, including the steadfast support of the Executive Committee composed of Drs. Nancy Hsieh, Tom Tanbonliong, Don Schmitt, Mitch Poiset, MyLinh Ngo, and Gary Sabbadini. And I can’t adequately express in just a few words my gratitude for the incredible dedication of our Executive Director, Paul Reggiardo, and his ongoing support of everything CSPD. It was definitely a year of many pivots and surprises as we continued to navigate through a global pandemic and the resulting turbulence in our practice and professional lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as a leader of an organization that means so much to me. Be assured that CSPD will continue to build on our solid foundation of dedicated leadership and purposeful initiatives to win the race for relevance.
GREETINGS!
Dr. Oariona Lowe - Annual Meeting Chair & Dr. Don Schmitt - Annual Meeting Co-Chair
Have you registered? The annual meeting is only weeks away! Don’t miss the special rate for Early Bird registration, sign up now! There are many great reasons to join us in Scottsdale to attend the annual meeting. First and foremost is our fantastic academic program which is loaded with up to 18 CE credits. Visit Scottsdale to golf, shop at the Fashion Square Mall, enjoy fine dining and nightlife in Old Town, partake in outdoor activities (hiking up Camelback mountain, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, more!) and enjoy a spa treatment at the OMNI’s renown Joya Spa.
CSPD President Dr. Gila Dorostkar will extend warm greetings on Friday morning. She will brief us on all the great things in store for us at the meeting. Our academic program will commence with Dr. Joel Berg’s presentation, “The Medical Management of Caries and Alternatives to Traditional Restorative Materials.”
Dr. Michael Swetye, a child Psychiatrist, will lecture to us on Saturday morning on Pediatric Mental Health in a Post COVID-19 World. His lecture will share current information on the mental health challenges
that children face and how the Covid 19 pandemic has impacted them. Following his lecture on Saturday morning is Dr. Wanda Claro who will lecture on Early Orthodontic Treatment. Take away knowledge on why, how, and when to treat.
Two great CSPeD Talk sessions are planned for Friday and Saturday afternoon. On Friday, don’t miss Dr. Eyal Simchi’s special session on Behavior Management Techniques as he will keep us focused by sharing tips on how to make a visit to the dentist a fun experience. Learn how he successfully manages an anxious child patient. Dr. Purnima Hernandez will present on Health Literacy for Healthy Behaviors and Change. Let’s stay healthy, happy and wise! Dr. Randy Lout will begin Saturday’s CSPeD Talk Session with “Substance Abuse in Adolescents”. CYTEK Security will complete the Saturday lecture session with a special presentation on “Protecting yourself from Ransomware”.
Sunday morning after breakfast Dr. Juan Yepes will teach us about, “Safety and Best Practices in Pediatric Dental Radiography “.
Poster Presentations will be available for viewing Friday and Saturday in the hallway outside the exhibit hall. This year they will be judged and monetary awards will be given. We truly appreciate all the CSPD and WSPD Program Directors and faculty who teach and prepare our wonderful residents to become outstanding and excellent Pediatric Dentists. Thank you!
Again, join us in Scottsdale, AZ for Continuing education, camaraderie and networking. It’s our first on-site Annual Session since 2020!
A friendly reminder, don’t miss the CSPD Foundation Reception on Friday night. Purchasable tickets are available, but limited.
Visit www.cspd.org to sign up for the meeting and the CSPD Foundation reception.
See you in Scottdale!
MEETING OF THE DENTAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
Dr. Paul Reggiardo - Executive Director
The Dental Board of California met by virtual platform November 18-19, 2021. The following report summarizes actions and issues coming before the Board pertinent to pediatric oral health and practice delivery.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT ON DENTAL ANESTHESIA AND SEDATION STANDARDS
SB 501 (2018) requires the Dental Board to review available data on adverse events related to general anesthesia and deep sedation, moderate sedation, and minimal sedation in dentistry and to report to the Legislature any findings relevant to modifying in statute or regulation current dental anesthesia and sedation standards. In satisfaction of the requirement, the Board approved at the meeting a report prepared by its Anesthesia Committee. The first half of the report summarizes the Board’s statistical findings regarding adverse events reported to the Board January 1, 2017 – Jun 30, 2021, and the second half considers relevant professional guidelines, recommendations, or best practices for anesthesia and sedation and how they compare to California laws and regulations.
The report concludes that with the implementation of the anesthesia provisions in SB 501, California will enact some of the highest patient monitoring standards across the country for all age groups, and especially for children. California statutes meet and generally exceed the guidelines of recognized professional organizations involved in the administration of anesthesia to children in dental offices.
Comment: The report will now be delivered to the legislature. While meeting the legislative mandate, and recognizing the limitations of data available to the Board, the report falls short of a complete assessment in that:
1. While the type of permit held by the provider is identified, the report is unable to identify the education and training of the dentist delivering the sedation/anesthesia. For example, a general dentist, dentist anesthesiologist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon may each hold a deep sedation/ general anesthesia permit. This information would be useful in identifying “root cause” of adverse events.
2. Similarly, the report fails to identify the intended level of sedation/anesthesia for each patient, focusing instead only on the level of permit held by the provider. For instance, a deep sedation/general anesthesia permit holder may administer moderate sedation to a patient. This information would more accurately assess how many incidents were associated with what levels of sedation.
3. Data is not available (inside or outside of the Dental Board) on the total number of sedation and general anesthesia procedures administered in the dental setting. The number of reported incidents of morbidity or mortality therefore cannot be evaluated or assessed in terms of relative incidence, percent frequency, or occurrence risk.
IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 501 BEFORE REGULATIONS ARE IN EFFECT
SB 501 (2018) will repeal and replace existing statutes and eliminate the issuance of permits for the administration of conscious sedation and oral conscious sedation for minors effective January 1, 2022. Existing General Anesthesia, Conscious Sedation, and Oral Conscious Sedation for Minors permits issued or renewed before January 1, 2022, may continue to follow the terms of that existing permit until it expires. However, when the permits expire after January 1, 2022, the permit holders must comply with new permit requirements and, as applicable, obtain a pediatric endorsement.
In the event the proposed regulatory language is not approved by January 1, 2022, the Board may not be able to issue new permits required for the administration of sedation and anesthesia in California. If the new Moderate Sedation and Pediatric Minimal Sedation permits and pediatric endorsements cannot be issued, dentists whose Conscious Sedation and Oral Conscious Sedation for Minors permits have expired and General Anesthesia permit holders who do not have the new pediatric endorsement will not be able to administer sedation to adult or minor patients and will not be able to administer general anesthesia to patients under seven years of age.
Comment: The Board is working with the Department of Consumer Affairs to craft a “work around” that would allow the continued administration of sedation and general anesthesia by affected permit holders until regulations are adopted. The primary issue with implementing SB 501 before the proposed regulations go into effect is the Board’s ability to charge fees related to Moderate Sedation and Pediatric Minimal Sedation permits, and pediatric endorsements. Members of CSPD should closely monitor all communications provided to licensees from the Dental Board and information posted to the Board’s website. CSPD will provide periodic member updates pertinent to permit application and renewal.
FUTURE LICENSING FEE INCREASES
The Dental Board of California is funded by the State Dentistry Fund, which derives income to underwrite its administrative, licensing, and enforcement activities through dental licensing and related fees. The Board is statutorily required to maintain income satisfactory to meet annual expenses and is not subsidized by taxpayer dollars. Without an increase in licensing and permitting fees, at current and projected income and expense levels, the Board would become insolvent by the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Comment: While no immediate fee increases are needed, the regulatory process to increase licensing fees takes 18 – 24 months and fee increase proposals may be expected in the next few years.
The Dental Board of California met by virtual platform February 10-11, 2022. The following report summarizes actions and issues coming before the Board pertinent to pediatric oral health and practice delivery.
BOARD UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 501
In 2018, Governor Brown signed SB 501 governing the permitting and administration of minimal, moderate, and deep sedation and general anesthesia in the dental office, effective January 1, 2022. In 2020 the Board developed draft regulations to implement the changes required under the legislation, and in November 2021 initiated the rulemaking process necessary to gain approval of the proposed regulations. As an interim measure until the regulations could be adopted, the Board and Department of Consumer Affairs allowed existing permit holders whose permits would expire in 2022 to renew and continue to practice under the existing terms of their permits if the renewal application was submitted by December 31, 2021. The Board identified 1,414 deep sedation/general anesthesia, conscious sedation, and oral conscious sedation permit holders eligible for such renewal. As of January 3 of this year, 77.5% of these permit holders had successfully renewed. A total of 307 permits remain unrenewed, of which 171 are for Oral Conscious Sedation of Minors. It is unclear how many of these were purposefully left inactive.
Comment: Until final regulations are adopted, and the BreEZe online registration system reconfigured to incorporate the new statutory and legislative requirements needed to issue or renew these permits, there exists a potential (and growing) “gap” in the provision of anesthesia and/ or sedation services. Securing a software vendor able to reconfigure BreEZe registration is further delaying the process and the effective date of full implementation of SB 501 is unknown. The Board is therefore supporting legislation by Senator Patricia Bates (SB 652) which, as amended, will extend current permitting and administrating requirements until SB 501 is fully implemented and would take effect immediately upon signing by the Governor.
CALIFORNIA NORTHSTATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE
The Board received a report on the academic status of the California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine in Elk Grove, California, outside of Sacramento. Under CODA initial program accreditation, the school admitted its first class in the fall of 2021 and is now the state’s seventh dental school. California Northstate University is a private enterprise university providing education and degrees in the health sciences, including medicine, pharmacy, and health care administration. The class size for the first two years of operation will be 40 students. When the school is fully operational, class size will increase to 80 students/year.
At this meeting, the Dental Board voted to grant provisional approval to the school, necessary to qualify graduates to being allowed to obtain a dental license in California or other states.
Comment: The school’s long-range plan is to establish a post-doctoral residency program in pediatric dentistry.
Questions or comments should be directed to Paul Reggiardo, CSPD Executive Director at preggiardo@cspd.org.
BOARD INTERNS
MEET THE CSPD 2022-2023 INTERNS
WARREN BRANDLI INTERNS
Name: Amanda Effat
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Dental School and graduation year: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC (Class of 2019)
Residency and (expected) graduation year: NYU Langone Dental Medicine (San Diego), (Class of 2023)
Fun Fact: Dr. Effat was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, practicing yoga and baking chocolate chip cookies!
Name: Pardis Farhadian Lipkin
Hometown: Menlo Park, CA
Dental School and graduation year: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), 2019
Residency and (expected) graduation year: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), 2022
Fun Fact: I was commencement speaker at my college graduation. Go Bruins!
As a Warren Brandli Intern, I aim to gain a better understanding of the impact of organized dentistry, how policies are established, and work with my colleagues to advocate for children of all ages. I hope to listen and learn from other members, recognize areas for improvement, and create meaningful change for our pediatric population at large.
Name: Jessica Vargas
Hometown: Van Nuys, CA (born) Plainfield, IL (raised)
Dental School and graduation year: Marquette University School of Dentistry, May 2020
Residency and (expected) graduation year: UCLA Pediatric Dentistry, July 2022
Fun Fact: I have two cats that I love dearly! Their names are Onyx and Ginger
I applied for the Warren Brandli Leadership Intern position because I am very eager to grow as a leader in the field of pediatric dentistry. I am looking forward to being mentored, becoming an active member of organized dentistry, and learning more about how best to truly advocate for the little smiles we represent.
GRADUATE STUDENT LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY INTERN
Name: Rebecca Renelus
Hometown: Winter Haven, FL
Dental School and graduation year: NYU College of Dentistry, graduated 2020
Residency and (expected) graduation year: UCSF, expected graduation 2023
Fun Fact: I am training for a half marathon
I applied to the GSLA internship as I wanted to grow in advocacy. I have always had a passion for public health and a desire to do my part in helping to advocate and fight for the dental needs of underserved populations and individuals. I hope to become a stronger leader throughout my time as a GSLA intern and continue to advocate for those in my community. I am looking forward to learning from and working alongside my fellow peers and mentors during my intern year, as well as making a difference for my patients.
PREPARED - FEBRUARY 7, 2022
BILLS OF INTEREST
Dr. Natalie Mansour - Public Policy Advocate
AB 733 (Chiu) Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice: Settings
Summary: The bill is intended to increase access to dental care for children and pregnant women enrolled in California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) by allowing medical practices to engage Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice (RDHAPs) onsite to provide oral health education, preventive services, and care coordination through referral to a dental home as entry to the dental delivery system. This is a California Dental Association (CDA) and California Dental Hygiene Association co sponsored bill.
STATUS: The California Dental Hygiene Association has chosen to not move AB 733 forward at this time. This bill has died in the second legislative session.
SB 652 (Bates) Sedation Permitting and Regulation
Summary: Extends to all patients regardless of age the current requirements effective January 1, 2022, under SB 501 (2018) for dental patients under 13 years of age. These are, specifically, that an operating dentist and at least two additional personnel be present throughout a procedure involving deep sedation/general anesthesia and that the dentist and one additional personnel maintain current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (instead of PALS) for adolescent and adult patients.
STATUS: On January 25, 2022 Senator Bates decided to use SB 652 (Bates) as a vehicle for fixing the access to care issues caused by the delayed implementation of SB 501 (Glazer) which passed in 2018. The passing of SB 501 created new sedation/anesthesia permits for January 1, 2022 while eliminating the old permits. The Dental Board of California does not expect the new permits to be available until later this year. Dentists were given the opportunity to renew their expiring 2022 permits prior to December 31, 2021. While 70-80% took this step, there are over 200 providers that will need the new permit this year. The CDA will work with Senator Bates to amend SB 652 and create a critical stop gap bill until SB 501 regulations can be finalized.
CSPD follows a number of bills under consideration by the state legislature which potentially impact pediatric oral health. Members having questions or wishing to comment on these or any other legislative matters are invited to contact CSPD’s Public Policy Advocate, Dr. Natalie Mansour, at natalie.usc.trojan@gmail.com
BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING - JANUARY 22, 2022
BOARD MOTIONS
MOTION: 2022.01.22.01 (SCHMITT): Move to approve the October 16, 2021, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes [as submitted]. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION: 2022.01.22.04 (TANBONLIONG): Move that the selection and appointment of the 2022-2023 Warren Brandli Leadership Interns [Drs. Amanda Effat, Pardis Farhadian Lipkin, and Jessica Vargas] be approved. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION: 2022.01.22.05 (TANBONLIONG): Move that the selection and appointment of the 2022-2023 Graduate Student Legislative Advocacy Intern [Dr. Rebecca Renelus] be approved. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION: 2022.01.22.06 (GUIJON): Move to accept the Committee Recommendation as presented to geographically define in the Bylaws Northern and Southern California for governance purposes. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION 2022.01.22.07 (HSIEH): Move to reschedule the 2022 Strategic Planning Exercise to October 23, 2022, (the day following the Fall meeting of the Board of Directors) as an in-person event at the Embassy Suites LAX North, retaining Mr. William Pawlucy as meeting facilitator and operating within the existing $21,850 budget line item. MOTION CARRIED
March
June
August
MEET DR. TOM TANBONLIONG
1. Where did your journey in pedo begin?
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, which I still call home, I came to the University of Southern California to go to college. My journey to Dentistry started at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. This was my initial exposure to Pediatric Dentistry, where I learned and experienced how fascinating and different the specialty is compared to others. Dr. Bernard Smith was a great mentor in dental school. Still unsure of specializing, I explored the world of general dentistry for a year of GPR at Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. This experience was an eye-opener and a year of tremendous growth. I have only lived in warm and temperate places all my life. Living in an area with four seasons and in the midwest, where the culture is different, is a learning experience. There were cold, snowy days and hot summers, allowing me to experience another way of life. After a year of GPR, I matched with Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital for my pediatric dentistry residency training. After graduation, I decided to stay for a year as a faculty member for the children’s hospital and the dental school. I moved back to Los Angeles and joined the faculty as the clinic and research director at the University of Southern California, under the leadership of Dr. Richard Udin for the past 23 years. I am excited to be involved in my latest adventure with the team at UCSF as program director of the postgraduate program in pediatric dentistry.
Throughout my journey, I have learned, experienced, and witnessed the value of hard work, resiliency, and the importance of having a broader perspective and skill set to work and collaborate with others. “No man is an island.” More can be accomplished by working with people, tapping on their expertise, and empowering them.
2. How has your transition from USC to UCSF been?
My transition in UCSF has been smooth, despite the impact of COVID which has necessitated substantial changes in the delivery of dental education and dental care. My most significant transition is my new responsibility as the program director. With this position comes the responsibility of ensuring the quality of residents’ clinical and didactic instruction and assessing if our modality of educational delivery has good outcomes. It is a change in learning and embracing the policies of a large state-run university compared to a private school and adapting to a
different culture. The first thing I have noticed in UCSF is the tremendous responsibility of patient care given to trainees. This is positive since trainees are dentists and, as such, must be held accountable for patient care. Trainees develop coping skills, hone their “clinical eye,” and learn to manage their time and efficiency on a daily basis. This empowers trainees, boosts their confidence, and prepares them for independent practice. The best thing about being a part of UCSF are the faculty and residents in the program. The resiliency and teamwork shown during this COVID crisis is remarkable. Our residents bring their soul, grit and grace to work every day. They provide the best and most compassionate care to our patients and their parents and I am proud of their efforts.
3. What does your typical week look like?
“Variety is the spice of life.” My typical work week starts Monday with a drive across the bay bridge to the La Clinica De La Raza/ Children’s Dental Clinic (LC/CHO) in Oakland, where our two-year residency program is based. I mentor our residents in oral sedation and serve as their attending for the rest of the day. This is my way of connecting to faculty, staff, and residents in LC/CHO. Tuesdays are our academic day, where our residents get together and discuss cases, review literature, and tune in to invited speakers to speak about the different topics related to pediatric dentistry or its practice. The rest of the week, I rotate between our various sites - UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital with our residents in the OR, our outpatient clinic, or our Parnassus Heights Dental Center, and attending to clinic or oral sedation cases. I am engaged in providing dental care with our residents in all aspects of pediatric dentistry.
Interviewed by Dr. MyLinh Ngo
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
There are of course a lot of administrative duties associated with being the program director. Unexpected situations may need immediate solutions. Leadership positions in various organizations in organized dentistry such as CSPD, ABPD, AAPD, and COD also require administrative time and keeps me busy. Thankfully, Dr. Ray Stewart, our division chair, is very supportive of this. Overall, there is never a dull moment. Having many responsibilities challenges me to be a better leader and clinician every day. It teaches me how to be organized, efficient and how to prioritize, but I could not be where I am without our excellent team. I am humbled and grateful by the team spirit of both my faculty colleagues, staff and our residents who help support the program at each and every step.
4. What in particular are highlights of the program at UCSF you’re excited to implement?
Several exciting highlights have occurred recently in UCSF. In addition to the traditional Masters of Orofacial Sciences that UCSF grants its 3-year program, we have added a Master of Public Health (MPH) option with our partnership with San Jose State University. This addition aligns perfectly with UCSF School of Dentistry and the Division of Pediatric Dentistry’s mission to serve and provide care to the underserved, vulnerable population and patients with special health care needs. We are looking forward to the efforts of the new trainees and how their knowledge will enhance care to underserved populations. We are also in the planning stages of expanding our 2-year certificate program at LC/CHO.
We have also added two training sites: Rohnert Park Health Center in Petaluma, CA, and La Clinica De La Raza in Vallejo, CA. Both are FQHC sites. Our Parnassus-based residents have started rotating to Rohnert Park, and rotations will begin soon in Vallejo. In addition to these changes, we have added didactic courses relating to quality assurance and medical and dental integration. These changes add more didactic knowledge, clinical experience and exposure for our residents, hopefully preparing and inspiring them to practice in different clinical settings. These changes advance our mission to train a well-rounded and holistic pediatric dentistry practitioner.
5. Any traditions the program celebrates each year?
I look forward to graduation and residents' orientation. Graduation ceremonies have been conducted remotely for the last two years with much success despite the challenges of COVID. This year, I am hoping and looking forward to an in-person event. Everyone comes together to celebrate our residents' accomplishments and hard work in graduation. "It takes a village to train a pediatric dentist" are no truer words to elucidate this.
Orientation is a time when new bonds are formed. It is always exciting to welcome our new members of the UCSF family. It is also a moment of reflection to remind me of the importance of molding and to set an excellent example for future colleagues.
6. Favorite past-time?
For me, a perfect weekend is sitting home and leisurely watching mind-numbing shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime. It’s my way of taking my mind off things and having a good laugh, which is therapeutic. I am still getting a good handle on this city by the bay, so weekends are spent hunting and exploring great places to eat or observing all the diverse communities this city has.
7. How has CSPD helped you as a member these past few years?
I have been a member of CSPD since I joined the faculty at USC. CSPD has an impressive network of dedicated and selfless volunteers who give back to the profession and advocate for the dental health of the children in California. It was at CSPD that I met good friends and mentors who have helped me develop the leadership skills that I use every day and inspired me to continue my mission to expand access to care to the state’s children. During this time of multiple changes, CSPD’s role is more important than ever. We banded together and helped each other through this tough time as an organization. This is a critical time to get involved with organized dentistry. I look forward to the next few years and to helping support CSPD’s important role in improving children’s oral health.
Once a month, we meet with orthodontic and pediatric dental residents from UOP and UCSF for a multidisciplinary seminar series on sleep medicine and surgery. The course is headed by Dr. Audrey Yoon, a UCLA alumni who is dual trained in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Some of the many topics that our amazing guest lecturers have taught are on the role of orthodontic intervention in OSA, phenotypic approach for treatment of pediatric OSA, and DOME expansion.
Last March, we attended the annual AAPD 2021 Pediatric Oral Health Virtual Advocacy Week. Together with our colleagues from USC, UCSF, and Loma Linda, we advocated for the HRSA Title VII Pediatric Dentistry Appropriations and DFLRP Tax Relief, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, and access to operating rooms for pediatric dentists.
In November, we attended the 52nd Annual Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies Symposium hosted by Saint
John’s Cleft Palate Center Team. In addition to learning about the roles of interdisciplinary team care for optimal patient outcomes, we were able to hear from the personal experiences from patients and their families.
Throughout the year, both first and second year residents are involved in teaching opportunities through our CAREPD program. One of the many sessions we hold include a lecture to the UCLA pediatric medical residents on topics such trauma, infection, and fluoride varnish application. We have also partnered with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO), an organization that manages many HS and EHS sites throughout the Central Coast and Valley regions to speak at parent education nights.
In January, we attended the NuSmile University Edition Progressive Esthetics Hands-on Workshop, led by Dr. LaRee Johnson where we learned about clinical pearls in pediatric dentistry and had the opportunity to practice with Nusmile crowns in a hands-on laboratory portion.
Next month, our first year residents are headed to Washington, D.C. for AAPD 2022 Advocacy Week and in April, the second year residents will be heading to the CSPD/ WSPD Annual Meeting in Scottsdale!
ADVOCACY
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO AB 733?
Dr. Gila Dorostkar - President
As you may recall from my president’s message in the summer issue of the Bulletin, I discussed a legislative effort in which CSPD was very engaged. AB 733 was jointly sponsored by the California Dental Association and the California Dental Hygienists’ Association. Its intent was to allow Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice (RDHAPs) to provide services as independent contractors in medical practices to pediatric patients and pregnant women to improve access to dental care for Medi-Cal Dental beneficiaries without a dental home and to increase medical-dental integration.
Throughout yearlong discussions, CSPD’s AB 733 Workgroup continued to affirm our commitment to access-to-care for all children in California, and to express our concerns regarding the proposed legislation. Would AB 733 delay or interfere with new or established relationships with a dental home or examination and treatment with a dentist? Would parents and caregivers perceive they were already receiving comprehensive examinations and care when seen by a RDHAP in their pediatrician’s office? Would AB 733 truly result in more --- or less --- children seeing a dentist and establishing a dental home?
Our Workgroup proposed, instead, making AB 733 a pilot project, with set parameters to measure and evaluate success before allowing the program to proceed indefinitely. These included an independent outcomes assessment determining, among other benchmarks, the percentage of children seen by the RDHAP in the medical setting successfully establishing a dental home compared to the general pediatric Medi-Cal population. The California Dental Association affirmed its desire for consensus among stakeholders before moving forward.
Ultimately, the proposed legislation was not pursued, and different initiatives will be brought forth to address the access-to-care challenge for the slightly over 50% of California’s kids covered by the Medi-Cal dental program. This is but one example of CSPD actively engaged and participating as a major stakeholder in an issue involving children and oral health. We are proud to be a significant voice at the table in these types of discussions and will always look out for the best interests of children in our state.
Available at www.cspd.org/oce
CSPD’s new Online Continuing Education (OCE) platform provides the ability to view our comprehensive library of pediatric dentistry lectures.
Programs can be viewed 24/7 from the safety of your home or office - without all of the extra travel costs and time away from families!
We now offer the ability to bundle programs for one low price. Offices can also purchase CE programs and share amongst the entire team.
Variety of Pediatric Dentistry Topics:
• Sedation Dentistry (Satisfies recertification for CA Oral Sedation Permit)
• Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry
• Esthetic Dentistry in Pediatric Dentistry
• Pediatric Oral Pathology
• Pulpal Therapy
• Special Patient Care Dentistry
• Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
• Trauma and Behavior Management
• And many more!
year’s Annual Meeting will be held at the beautiful Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. It is a modern oasis located only 10 miles from the Phoenix Airport.
GENERAL DENTIST AAPD AFFILIATE MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Dr. Jonathon Lee - 11th AAPD Western District Trustee
Recently, one of the Action Items from the September 25, 2021, meeting of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Board of Trustees (BOT) has created concern amongst our District Pediatric Dental Specialist Members. The action item is for the Affiliate (General Dentist) Advisory Committee to investigate developing an affiliate track for affiliate members to earn AAPD acknowledgment.
As such, AAPD President Dr. Jeannie Beauchamp has asked me to clarify the process for addressing this topic, notify the District Membership, and reassure everyone that they will have ample opportunity to discuss this issue openly.
What is next, and what can you do to effectively share your perspectives with AAPD leadership and membership? First, we need to see what the Affiliate Advisory Committee presents. President Beauchamp wrote to me that their report which is to be presented to the Board in May 2022 would be available to all members. Second, we welcome your input and feedback. AAPD embraces the diversity of opinion, the inclusion of perspectives by AAPD Active and Life Members, and equity amongst the AAPD Active and Life Pediatric Dental Specialist Members and the AAPD Elected and Appointed Officers. In addition, AAPD welcomes input from the Leadership of the Districts, States, and Provinces. Remember, this is your Academy. As such, our founding fathers 75 years ago ensured AAPD has a place and time for these discussions.
Based on member input, the Board will determine, if any, action to take on the Committee Report. Following any Board action, there will be more opportunities for discussion throughout the year and then at the 2023 Reference Committee Hearings and General Assembly of the Membership, which happens every year at the Annual Session. Any changes to the Affiliate Membership category must then be approved by a majority vote of the Active and Life Members at the General Assembly.
My duty as your District Trustee is to keep you abreast of the issues addressed by the AAPD and the process for addressing those issues. It is also my responsibility to be your voice on the Board, so I welcome your input as this process moves forward.
I look forward to seeing everyone in San Diego for our annual session of the AAPD celebrating 75 years as an Association!
WILL AAPD “ACKNOWLEDGEMENT” OF GENERAL DENTIST AFFILIATES IMPLY
THAT THEY HAVE SPECIAL EXPERTISE OR TRAINING IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY?
Dr. Dennis Nutter - WSPD President
In my last message to WSPD members, I reported that “the AAPD board is again considering allowing “Affiliate members to earn “acknowledgement” that can then be displayed on their websites, correspondence or advertising.” In that message, I encouraged members write to the AAPD Executive Committee and express their opinions on the issue. Thank you to those WSPD members in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona who wrote well argued, well expressed emails. All opposed Affiliate “acknowledgement”.
The Nevada Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Board responded by developing a consensus statement that opposed Affiliate “acknowledgement” as well as any change to the AAPD bylaws related to Affiliates. Their email was sent to all AAPD officers and Trustees.
We still do not know exactly what “acknowledgement” will look like, but we may guess its form from the language of charge to the Affiliate Advisory Committee (AAC) 2021-2022.
Background and intent:
“Originally proposed as a ‘Child Champion’ in the 2015 Task Force on Enhancing the Value of General Dentists Membership recommendations, the ‘Affiliate Track’ program would allow Affiliate Members to complete pre-defined activities to earn acknowledgement upon completion.”
From the above phrasing, it is apparent that the Affiliate Track Program has two components, an “acknowledgement” component and a “predefined activities” component. Awarding “acknowledgement” to general dentists for completing pre-defined activities seems fair. After all, pediatric dentists work hard in their multi-year, mentored residencies to attain a similar objective.
But there’s the rub. When both pediatric dentists and general dentists are “acknowledged” by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, how do parents and caregivers tell which one is a specialist? The distinctions between generalist and specialist are already being muddled by corporate ownership of dental practice that hires a mix of pediatric dentists and general dentists to treat children. This problem will only intensify as private equity transforms dental practice ownership to corporate ownership.
To prevent confusion about who is a specialist, AAPD bylaws prohibit Affiliate members from using...
“...the Academy name, membership status or logo, or imply special expertise or training in pediatric dentistry”
Giving “acknowledgement” to Affiliates after they complete “pre-defined activities” is essentially a form of affirmation that could be interpreted by the public to “imply special expertise or training in pediatric dentistry.” Awarding “acknowledgement” may require the use of the “academy name” and “logo”. It may also require disclosure of an Affiliates “membership status”. If passed, it will likely require that the above provision of the bylaws be rescinded. It is important to note that “acknowledgement” and “pre-defined activities” are not necessarily linked. For example, general dentist Affiliates who attend AAPD courses are already participating in AAPD education “activities”. Eliminating one does not preclude the other.
The AAPD Affiliate Advisory Committee has been tasked with developing the Affiliate Track Program. It has been tasked with developing the Affiliate Track Program. At the most recent AAPD Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting, the AAC report on the Affiliate Track Program was passed in the consent calendar without comment. The AAC report is now scheduled to be received by the AAPD BOT the at the San Diego board meeting in May where it is purportedly to be discussed.
AAPD leadership has assured me (and others) that they will not bring this issue to a vote at the general membership meeting which also occurs at the AAPD Annual Meeting this May. They inform me that the process for developing the Affiliate Track Program will include ample time to for membership to be informed of the the Affiliate Track Program details and for members to provide their input. But that means that “acknowledgement” can possibly be presented for a vote in Orlando, Florida next year.
The WSPD Officers and Board of Trustees will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates. WSPD may require a small dues payment, but it “communicates and coordinates” actions on big issues that are important to the leadership of our ten western states and three Canadian provinces.
ANNUAL MEETING COMING!
Dr. Steven Niethamer - Website Editor
This CSPD/WSPD annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, may be for most of us the first face-to-face meeting attended since we met in 2020 at the Fairmont in San Francisco. This year’s programs and the social events should be outstanding.
As in SF and before, CSPD will again be using the Guidebook Meeting Application which will contain the latest schedule, your favorite program which sends you a warnings when they are starting, slide and lecture handouts when available, lecture information, list of attendees, ways to communicate with sponsors, area restaurant list and also a meeting social media tab where attendees can text others and add snarky comments about the meeting.
All attendees should have received more information about how to sign-in to the Meeting App. As usual, we recommend that we all register on the App as soon as you can. Also important is answering the questions about EACH of the lectures/speakers if you want to receive CE credits for that event! No time stamped answers mean no credits - as required by the Dental Board of California.
For those unable to attend, most of the programs will soon be available to purchase in the OCE library.
And I First Thought That This is Really Cool
CSPD’s Online Continuing Education (OCE) website sends me an email whenever people register and when sales are made. A few weeks ago, my computer started lighting up with many emails from OCE. This was cool! Were we suddenly getting much more popular? Looking closer at the messages, however, revealed that they all looked suspicious in that they lacked degrees and license numbers and their email addresses were similar. Was this an attack of the Bots?
Internet bots are little pieces of code that execute specific tasks. They can be good and bad. The good ones can check website links to make sure they work. They can also crawl around the web to catalog and index all the pages as do all the Google bots. Some of you might remember how difficult searching the internet was before Google.
They can also do bad things like scraping names, phone numbers and email addresses from the websites to be used for spamming, leave messages in the comment sections, click on your ads automatically to boost the payouts for ad click and search for website weak spots to attack with ransomware and other malicious software.
While this attack was happening, I asked myself and our website management company why anyone would want to invade a pediatric dentistry CE website? What evil lurks out there? Whatever! We all agreed that these registration bots will likely only leave mischievous junk - meaning that the OCE program is probably safe. If it continues to be an irritant, we will add a CAPTCHA field to the registration form. I really dislike these little programs but now understand why they are used.
See you soon in Scottsdale. Welcome back, CSPD!
2020-2022 ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN DONORS
Ann Azama & Randy Lee
Lisa Brennan & Albert Cosand
Scott & Grace Fishman
Steve & Ellen Gross
Leslie Aspis
Mark & Tina Bayless
Thomas K. Barber
Stephanie Brandli
Madeleine Brandli
L. Jeffrey Brown
Santos Cortez
Donald & Shirley Dal Porto
Mark Dal Porto
Larry & Janet Darrow
J. Patrick & Julie Davis
John & Erica DeLorme
Howard Dixon
Gila Dorostkar
John & Kathy Fowle
Vernon Adams
Stephen Blain
Matthew Hamilton**
Jean Calvo
Tiffany Ham
Donald Dal Porto
Laurence Darrow
Gila Dorostkar
Steve Gross
Nancy Hsieh
Alexander Alcaraz
Jordan Buzzell
Lynn Fujimoto
Danielle Goodman
John Guijon
Letitia Edwards
Emily Alteri
Adolfo Barrera
Nicholas Bronzini
Joshua Cononlly
PRESIDENTS’ CIRCLE DONORS
DIAMOND LIFE LIFE - $25,000 Life Pledge
Wayne** & Zoe Grossman
Roland & Lorraine Hansen
Scott** & Marsha Jacks
Mark & Terri Lisagor
Oariona Lowe
Mike & Clarene McCartney
Bob & Judy Oliver
Mel & Linda Rowan
CORPORATE LIFE - $10,000 Life Pledge
Space Maintainers Laboratory
PLATINUM LIFE - $10,000 Life Pledge
David Good
Bernard Gross
LaJuan Hall
Robert Harmon
Jeff & Janet Huston
Alison & Jim Jackson
Bergen James
Neil Katsura
Martin & Shiela Lasky
Daniel Launspach
Jacob & Sophie Lee
Rebecca Lee
Lonnie & Jan Lovingier
Larry & Barbara Luke
Lynne & Tom Marian
Edward & Beverly Matsuishi
Ned Momary
Richard P. Mungo
Rick J. Nichols
Steven & Bounthom Niethamer
Gary Okamoto
David Okawachi
David & Judy Perry
Greg & Mary Rabitz
Paul & Cindy Reggiardo
David Rothman & Peggy Barbieri
Keith & Lucia Ryan
Estella Sanchez
Brian J. Saunders
Don & Paula Schmitt
GOLD LIFE - $5,000 LIFE
Alan Hoffman
Jonathon Lee
Dennis Paul Nutter
PATRON - $1,000
Mylinh Ngo
Gary Sabbadini
PLEDGE
Art & Gladie Rabitz
Salma Salimi
Jeffrey Sue
EMERITUS - Gifted $1,000 per Year After Compleation of Life Pledge
Rebecca Lee
Oriana Lowe
Richard Mungo
Steven & Bounthom Niethamer
Bob & Judy Oliver
Greg Rabitz
Paul & Cindy Reggiardo
Brian J. Saunders
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS DONORS
SUSTAINING - $500
Dora Lee
CONTRIBUTING - $300
Natalie Mansour
SUPPORT - $100
Janelle Holden
Allison Jackson
Tra Le
Vivian Lopez
Oariona Lowe
Chanel McCreedy
Helen Mo
Dennis Nutter
Gary Okomoto
Greg Rabitz
STUDENT - $25
Ameneh Khosrovani Neek LaMantia
OTHER - All Donations Much Appreciated
Jose Polido
Richard Sobel & Leticia Mendoza-Sobel
Ken & Patty Szymanski
David Seman
Eddie So
Andrew Soderstrom
Martin & Dea Steigner
Ray Stewart
Karen Sue & Curtis Hoy
Karen Teeters
Scott Thompson
Lynn Wan
Wesley & Jan Wieman
Randall Wiley
Phil & Donna Wolkstein
Cynthia Weideman
Sprig Oral Health Technologies
Richard Sobel &
Leticia Mendoza-Sobel
Martin Steigner
Scott Thompson
Steve Yun
Kanoknuch Shiflett
Daniela Silva
Karen Sue
Lynn Wan
George Wilson
Ella Saeed
Mary Claire Garcia
John Guijon
Ameneh Khosrovani
Giancarlo Lauriente
Aaron Lee
Oariona Lowe
Todd Pacofsky
Irma Perez-Martinez
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION www.cspd.org/?page=Donate
Susan Ann Sergie
Reza Tavana
Richard Udin
I LOST A FRIEND
Dr. Steve Chan, Past President
I lost a friend.
Christmas Eve.
He wasn’t feeling well. It hit him from nowhere.
His wife had to take him to the E.R.
They couldn’t find anything.
Christmas Day.
Not much of an appetite. He had to lie down.
Four days later.
Dave . . . suddenly . . . took one last breath.
Dave’s passing - was different.
Dave was a member of our mutual aid pact. Spring.
We were in the season of building our practices.
In the small world of pediatric dentists . . .
We started to hear some familiar names in that small world . . .
Who got hurt so badly that they couldn’t practice . . . or even died!
We put a lot of sleepless nights, sweat, and tears to get our practice where it was.
Hearing these nightmares were too close and all too real.
Debt from school and debt to start our practices faced us monthly. Costs to run an office kept coming. And we were just getting started.
Parents depend on us to ply our skills. Staff depend on us – to make a living to support their families. We could see the faces of our own families – look into our eyes, “What about us?”
When catastrophe struck, well-meaning colleagues rallied.
A lot of lives are disrupted. Practice income plummets. Costs mount up. The practice value nosedives. The practice driver is the doctor.
A practice isn’t just gears and cogs churning out dentistry.
The “cavalry” charge wouldn’t last.
Personal life commitments take over.
Driven by fear, some of us were determined that we were not going to put our families into a never-ending sinkhole.
Life insurance? Disability Insurance? Living Trust instructions?
There’s a looong waiting period - until the first check comes in.
We’d heard of other specialists – banding together in time of need.
We searched. We found . . . seven of us.
Yeah, we were a “Magnificent Seven”.
Marty (Petaluma) was rising to be President of CSPD.
Steve (Santa Rosa) was the innovator. He was first - to film a virtual tour of his office. He was first - to do the media event of a Halloween candy buy back – with a dumpster!
Nowadays – there are copycats galore.
Marty and Steve were the Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen characters.
Bob (Fairfield) was the smart one. He was the educator.
Scott (Larkspur) was the tall, quiet hero.
Leland (Union City) and me (Fremont) were the young, wideeyed bucks from the South.
Then there was Dave (Napa). He was the Charles Bronson character.
A man of few words . . . even with the corny zingers . . .
I can still hear Dave . . . “What about the kid?”
Once a year, every year – we met at each other’s offices. We reacquainted ourselves with the staff. We learned how things worked in someone else’s offices. We rehearsed. We invested our time for each other.
Twice a year, at the Berkeley Marina and Napa Silverado, we learned about new things – about to come at us. We learned about each other.
At our Spring meeting – I don’t really remember talking about technical stuff. It was mostly about problem solving - the human stuff. The exception – was discovering some new toy. After all, we are guys . . .
Our holiday gatherings were with our spouses.
It took a lot of restraint - not to do “shop talk”. We bonded. Summer.
Growing practices - and life . . . brought new challenges. We were within a few years of each other - in starting our own practices.
Our practices were picking up speed.
The “captain’s chair” – can be a lonely chair. No one truly understands the often gut wrenching dilemmas and decisions –unless you’re in the chair. There’s a lot of moving parts in the life of a practice.
Marty and Steve were the first . . . probing our frontiers - to bring associates. New territory – brings a host of unknowns. Our meeting “agendas” were – the safe places . . . to share.
We had our first alarm. We learned a lot. We learned about ourselves.
Fall.
Practices grow and mature into their own personalities. Our cohort learned that practices - never should be on autopilot. Our “compadres” – helped us to see - pitfalls and land mines ahead.
Transitions began.
Our practices were buzzing. There’s never enough time in the day.
Marty and Steve brought in associates. I followed.
Steve and Bob then brought their dentist-daughters in as associates.
We had . . . our second alarm.
Our compadres came.
We learned more.
Winter.
It’s been 30 years.
It’s the season to decide . . . “It’s time.”
One after another – we were transitioning.
Scott moved his skills to a Federally Qualified Health Clinic.
Marty and Steve began transitions from owner to associate.
It’s learning how to step back.
Steve and Bob’s daughter’s are now in the drivers’ seats.
My transition took 3 years to find the right fit. The young man who took over the practice – let me stay. It’s been 8 years.
Then Lee transitioned. He caught his second wind – as a substitute teacher in elementary schools. Dealing with kids one on one is very different than one against 30.
Dave was the last man standing - to own and operate a practice.
I’m the last man standing - who still has a license and practices.
The curtain is yet to fall on Dave’s practice.
I’m there.
We went through a lot of life together.
We didn’t have to go through it – alone.
At Dave’s Remembrance Memorial, the priest trembled about his own quivering flashbacks as a kid in the dental chair.
I couldn’t help but muse – his parents should have taken him to someone like us.
“Our patients – love us.”
And many . . . still do . . . even as they outgrew our chairs.
Our Magnificent Seven . . .
It wasn’t heroics.
It was the Ride . . .
It was the Ride - side by side – for decades. Through my career, I’ve adopted a profound quip from Dave.
When asked, “How many kids do you have?”
I proudly . . . and fondly respond, “Thousands!”
DR. DAVID SUTTIE
“Dr. David” Suttie passed away suddenly but peacefully in his home in Napa, CA at the age of 73 on December 29, 2021. David was born on in Henyang Hunan, China to missionary parents Rev. Melvin and Mary Elizabeth Suttie. He graduated in 1972 from the University of Illinois Dental School where he met his sweetheart, Rosie Sadowski.
After graduation, they married in 1972 and traveled cross country to Los Angeles where David studied at UCLA and earned a specialty degree for Children's Dentistry culminating in his becoming a Pedodontist in 1974.
They ventured up the west coast until they landed in the most beautiful town of Napa, CA or as they called it "A little slice of Heaven on Earth." Dr. David and Rosie settled there in January 1975 and set up a Napa Pediatric practice. He's been a staple in the community and was a practicing Pediatric Dentist for almost 47 years. He believed his work kept him young and that’s why he did it for so long. Since he loved what he did so much, he never worked a day in his life.
DR. PHILIP ALAN TRASK
Dr. Philip Alan Trask died peacefully on January 21, 2022 at his home. Born in Los Angeles, Trask spent much of his adolescence in an orphanage, and worked in a butcher shop while he was in high school. With no real sense of community, he found the camaraderie he craved in a gang. One thing led to another and before long, he found
himself standing before a judge who offered him two options: jail time or the military. Trask ended up serving as an Army artillery operator in Vietnam, where he suffered permanent hearing loss from cannon blasts.
Yet the experience helped him turn his life around. Following his honorable discharge, he put himself through community college, eventually transferring to UCLA, and then to UCSF, where he was admitted to the dentistry program. He opened a pediatric dental practice in Santa Monica and was there for over three and a half decades. He found his true calling as an instructor and mentor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he served for over 50 years.
DR. ROBERT WEIS
Dr. Robert Weis was a Charter Member of CSPD and served was the fifth President (19791080). He passed away on January 15, 2022. Bob Weis enjoyed a full life before passing with cancer. A fourth generation Californian, he was born in Oakland and attended UC Berkeley, where he met Arlene Garner. They
were married in 1959. In Santa Rosa, he established a dental practice that served generations. An avid outdoorsman, he backpacked, skied, sailed, and earned an MA marine biology. In retirement, he taught at SRJC, volunteered at Harvest for the Hungry, and delivered grapes. He endowed his children with the love of travel, exploring other cultures, the importance of spending time in, and appreciating nature, whether on a trail, at a beach, tent camping, or his favorite – on a sailboat. He is survived by Arlene, his children Janice Weis, Suzy Hayes, and Robbie Weis, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
CSPD LEADERSHIP
Full list of committee members is located at www.cspd.org.
Annual Meeting Sponsor Relations Liaison: Dr. Leslie Butler
California Dental Society of Anesthesiology Liaison:
Dr. Dave Rothman
CSPD Foundation Liaison:
Dr. Nancy Hsieh
Consultant – Legislative Affairs:
Dr. Santos Cortez
Consultant – Dental Board California:
Dr. Paul Reggiardo
CSPD VOTING MEMBERS TO THE WSPD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Gila Dorostkar
Dr. Thomas Tanbonliong
Dr. Donald Schmitt
Dr. Catherine Pham
STAFF
Association Management Services:
Smith Moore & Associates
CSPD Account Manager: Yelena Martynovskaya
CSPD Account Coordinator: Abi Hague
CSPD PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Have you been thinking about hiring an associate, but just aren't sure where to look? Or are you finishing your residency soon, and aren't sure where you'd like to live and practice?
The answer is right on the CSPD website. To look at these opportunities and others, go towww.cspd.org
• Opportunities Wanted
• Opportunities Available
• Faculty Positions Available
• Practices for Sale
CSPD’s newly launched Online Continuing Education (OCE) platform makes it easier to view our comprehensive library of pediatric dentistry lectures and webinars. Programs can be purchased and viewed at any time from the comfort of your home or office without all of the extra travel costs and time away from family!
• CSPD’s OCE can satisfy up to 50% of the total CE required for license renewal in CA
• All available sedation courses qualify for the renewal of California’s Oral Conscious Sedation for Minor Patients Permit
• Programs can be purchased in bundled packages or by themselves … all at affordable prices
