CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY WINTER 2023 | Volume 51 – Number 3
4
President's Message 10 Bills of Interest
ANKYLOGLOSSIA & PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
This series, consisting of three 1.5-hour webinars, aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of ankyloglossia. With contributions from esteemed experts in pediatric dentistry, pediatrics, and lactation consulting, this course will empower participants to approach ankyloglossia consultation, evaluation, referral and treatment with confidence and expertise
Richard Baxter, DMD, MS, FAAPD
Dr Richard Baxter is a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery He is an internationally-recognized speaker on tongue-ties, author of the best-selling book, Tongue-Tied: How a Tiny String Under the Tongue Impacts Nursing, Speech, Feeding, and More, and instructor of the acclaimed course Tongue-Tied Academy. He is also the founder and owner of the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center.
Jenny Thomas, MD, MPH, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM
Dr. Jenny Thomas is a pediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) She is now serving her 12th year on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Breastfeeding Leadership Team She has received multiple awards, and has been published in Clinical Pediatrics, the Journal of Human Lactation, and Breastfeeding Medicine
Maya Bunik, MD, MPH
Dr Maya Bunik is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine She is the current Chair of the Section on Breastfeeding for the American Academy of Pediatrics She leads the BF Management Clinic ‘Trifecta Team’ (pediatrician, lactation specialist and psychologist) at Children’s Hospital Colorado and has been helping mother-baby pairs for over 25 years
Melissa Cole, MS, IBCLC, RLC
Melissa Cole is a board certified lactation consultant, neonatal oral-motor assessment professional She has been passionate about providing comprehensive, holistic lactation support and improving the level of clinical lactation skills for health professionals She collaborates with several lactation and health care professional associations and actively conducts research, including with Dr Bobby Ghaheri
WINTER 2023
4 President's Message
5 Member Pairing Program
8 Executive Director's Report
WSPD President's Message
Members are invited and encouraged to contribute to the CSPD Bulletin. Articles of general or specific interest, Letters to the Editor, and commentary on issues of public policy and matters of pediatric oral health are welcome. Items intended for publication may be submitted to Managing Editor Dr. Chanel McCreedy at chanel.mccreedy@gmail.com or to admin@cspd.org
The mission of the Bulletin of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry is to communicate with members on issues affecting the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry and the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents. The Bulletin will provide information on Society activities, initiatives, governance, and member services, as well as information and notice of the accomplishments and actions of its members.
The views and opinions expressed by individual members in articles and commentaries are those of the author and do not necessarily represent policy or viewpoint of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
THANKFUL FOR CSPD
Dr. Don Schmitt - CSPD President
As I sit down to write this article, it’s 85 degrees outside, the sun is shining, and my garden is still producing big, delicious tomatoes. By the time you are all reading this, Halloween will have come and gone and it will be near if not just past Thanksgiving. Our fantastic and dedicated editorial team led by Chanel McCreedy works diligently to get this Bulletin produced and delivered to our members as efficiently as possible. But it’s a complex and timeconsuming process. In each Bulletin, we hear from a broad range of sources and individuals to provide you with as much information about our Society and pediatric dentistry as possible.
While I enjoy this warm weather and watch my Raiders lose…yet again…my mind turns to the months ahead. As I mentioned, this bulletin will reach you sometime around Thanksgiving, which is the perfect time to reflect on all the things for which we are thankful.
First and foremost, I am thankful for the support and love I receive from my wife and family. Everyone that serves CSPD, and organized dentistry in general, dedicates quite a bit of time out of the office and away from family and that is certainly true for me. Without their blessing, I would not be your President. Thank you, Paula, Charlie, and Brandon, for the gift of your time and understanding.
I am thankful to be a pediatric dentist. We are blessed with a wonderful profession serving appreciative families (well most of them are at least!). There is no greater joy in dentistry than watching that very young child come in scared of everything around them and through the warmth of the office environment, the tenderness of our caring staff and maybe a little of our own magic, by the time they leave, that same child is having a great time. Or having a parent say their kids get excited when they are told they are coming to the office. Knowing that we have positively affected a child and their parents is truly something for which to be thankful.
Thank you to our indefatigable, dedicated, resourceful, amazing Executive Director Paul Reggiardo. Paul is an absolute font of information about all things even tangentially related to CSPD, AAPD, California politics and so much more. He is available virtually 24/7 and does everything he can to assist me and all our volunteers in serving our members and advancing the CSPD’s mission. Paul also has the often-unenviable task of being the wise sage in the room that reminds us of the nitty gritty details we need to consider as we debate issues facing the CSPD. Thank you, Paul!
Thank you to all of the CSPDs wonderful volunteers. We are very fortunate to have so many people willing to donate their time. It takes well over 100 CSPD members to fill the ranks of Officers, Directors, committee chairs and members, and liaisons. I especially want to thank the Executive Committee (Mitch Poiset, MyLinh Ngo, Natalie Vander Kam, Gary Sabbadini, Tom Tanbonliong and Chanel McCreedy) and our Public Policy Advocate, Amber Nierode, for their time, ideas, and input, all of which make my job infinitely easier and the results so much better. The CSPD is fortunate to have a fantastic group of leaders working their way up the ranks. Thank you all!
And thank you to all of you who are members of the CSPD. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as your president. We are a member driven and orientated organization and without your continued support the CSPD would not exist. Our total membership of over 1000 and high retention rate indicate that members feel they get value for being part of the CSPD family. Your CSPD leadership is always striving to do more for our members, and we encourage you to reach out with any concerns or ideas. Thank you for your membership!
On a final note, as you read this registration is open and well under way for our next Annual Meeting at the JW Mariott in Palm Desert March 21-24, 2024. We have some great speakers and social events lined up as highlighted in AM Chair Ora Lowe’s report in this Bulletin. One brand new event we have this year is the all-day Thursday preconference NuSmile Restore Course. NuSmile has generously allowed the CSPD to offer this course to our membership at a significant discount. It is limited to the first 75 registrants, so sign up soon. I look forward to seeing you all in Palm Desert!
CSPD LAUNCHES A MEMBER PAIRING PROGRAM - SIGN UP!
Dr. Natalie Vander Kam, Chair of Membership Services Committee and Secretary
The membership services committee is happy to introduce our Membership Pairing Program for CSPD members. The purpose of this program is to serve as a resource for our members to connect and grow. This program will pair pediatric dentists from our membership so that as they develop a relationship, they can learn from one another, providing a path to skill and knowledge transfer in areas such as clinical skills, employee management, business skills, leadership, etc. The program may also help to foster a pathway to future associateships or practice transitions. The pairing program will have a one-year commitment once the pairings have been made.
Use the QR code below to go online to complete this form if you are interested in being paired with a CSPD colleague! We will collect forms through the end of 2023 and plan to have pairings ready by the spring Annual Meeting in Palm Desert! See you there!
GREETINGS FROM YOUR ANNUAL MEETING LEADERSHIP!
Dr. Oariona Lowe - CSPD Past President and Annual Meeting Chair
Dr. Mylinh Ngo - CSPD Vice President and Annual Meeting Co-Chair
The Annual Meeting Committee is busy planning the Spring 2024 Annual Meeting, March 21-24 at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, CA. Our speakers will share a wealth of knowledge that can be used in your private practices. Here is a preview of the academic program.
Exciting programs are planned for Thursday, March 21st. A pre-conference course, the RESTORE hands-on workshop, hosted by NuSmile, is scheduled from 8am-5pm. The course is limited to 75 participants! Information regarding the workshop can be found on the CSPD website. In addition to the workshop, CSPD’s first Resident Business Seminar will take place Thursday afternoon. For those members who need to renew or get certified with BLS and/or PALS, these courses will also be available on Thursday from 1pm-6 pm. Following these dynamic sessions, we will welcome our guests with a “Desert Springs” Welcome Reception at the Resort. Please join us for the excitement!
Exciting programs are planned for Friday, March 22nd. The Annual Meeting and Academic session will formally commence on Friday morning with an invigorating presentation by Dr. Jim Coll on “Pulp Therapy Guidelines and Best Practices.” Dr. Don Chi will follow with “Parental Resistance to Fluoride.” On Friday afternoon, we welcome back CSPD Talks (aka String of Pearls). An announcement to submit a CSPD Talk topic will be coming soon. The annual Business meeting is scheduled on Friday at the end of the day.
Exciting programs are planned for Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th. Saturday is
our Prevention Course Series. Dr. Brian Novy will welcome us in the morning with his presentation on, “Nobody Caries.” Enamel Remineralization and Caries Control will be presented by Dr. Norman Tinanoff Saturday afternoon. Following Dr. Tinanoff’s lecture, a special presentation on Practice Management: Associateships, Partnerships for the Early Career Pediatric Dentist (ECPD) is scheduled. Past-president of the International Academy of Traumatology, Dr. Anne O’Connell will present on Sunday morning on Dental Trauma: “Turning Tears into TriumphOptimizing Outcomes for Traumatic Dental Injuries.”
Be sure to check the CSPD website and social media posts for announcements about the RESTORE Workshop and how to submit topics for CSPD Talks. Only 3 topics will be selected for presentation.
The 2024 Annual meeting program will be posted on the website along with specially planned social events just for you, including the CSPD Foundation reception on Friday evening! A fun-filled Thursday night Welcome Reception and a “Tropical-Themed” Cocktail party on Saturday night should not be missed! Please come and join us for excitement, relaxation and education!
See you in the Desert!
ACCESS TO CARE
MEETINGS OF THE DENTAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
Dr. Paul Reggiardo - Executive Director
The Dental Board of California met in Sacramento, CA, August 17-18, 2023. The following report summarizes actions and issues coming before the Board pertinent to pediatric oral health and practice delivery.
Earlier this year, the Board reestablished an Access to Care Committee for the purpose of exploring initiatives to improve access to dental services in the state. The Committee reported ongoing dialogue with the Office of Oral Health within the California Department of Public Health and, based on its findings, requested authorization to take the following four actions to address a dental workforce shortage:
1. Explore strategies to improve dental and dental auxiliary licensure examination pass rates, such as providing greater content to candidate information bulletins and website posting to assist with examination preparation.
2. Evaluate the impact of examination time on candidates for whom English is a second language. Consider the implications of providing portions of examinations in a language other than English.
3. Survey candidates as to why they perceive they are failing examinations.
4. Analyze Registered Dental Assistant pathways to licensure to determine if they are providing access to practice in a fair, equitable, and valid manner. Consider pathways other than written examination, such as educational credentialing.
The Board voted to approve these actions by the committee and will receive status reports on each at future meetings.
COMMENT: Under ongoing policy, the Board establishes each year a number of standing committees affecting such jurisdictional areas as licensing examinations, enforcement and disciplinary matters, and regulatory compliance. Each two-member committee meets as relatable issues arise and makes recommendations to the full Board. For 2023, two committees especially relevant to pediatric dental services were identified as follows: (1) Access to Care Committee, (2) Anesthesia Committee. On each committee, one of the two pediatric dentists on the Dental Board were appointed, Dr. Yogita Thakur to Access to Care and Dr. Steven Chan to the Anesthesia Committee.
SEDATION PERMITS ISSUED UNDER SB 501
Under SB 501, signed into law in 2018, significant updates to anesthesia and sedation permitting became effective January 1, 2022. Changes include a new moderate sedation permit replacing the conscious sedation permit, a new pediatric minimal sedation permit replacing the oral conscious sedation permit for minor patients, and new pediatric endorsements for general anesthesia and moderate
sedation when providing these services to pediatric patients. Delays in the rulemaking process impeded the ability of the Board to begin issuing these new permits and endorsements until mid-August of last year and existing permits will expire steadily throughout the remainder of this year and next.
COMMENT:
While permits issued and renewed prior to January 1, 2022, remain in effect until their biennial expiration date, it remains to be seen how many will be allowed to expire without replacement under the new permitting certification. The Board reports that 1,109 oral conscious sedation permits for minors and 528 conscious sedation permits are due to expire between now and December 31, 2024. Of 940 existing general anesthesia permits, only 10 applications for a pediatric endorsement have been received by the Board. This could have significant future access implications.
DENTAL LICENSURE BY PORTFOLIO
There exist currently four pathways to dental licensure in California, the most common being passage of the competency evaluation administered by the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). Licensure by Credential (holding an unrestricted valid dental license in another state) and Licensure by Residency (completion of an ADA CODA-approved GPR or AEGD program) are two other fairly common routes. Least common is the California Dental Portfolio Examination, established in 2014 for the stated purpose of (1) offering an alternative pathway to a stand-alone “challenging” examination and (2) eliminating the need to obtain live patients for examination purposes. Recent figures released by the Board reveal that for the past four licensing cycles, 3,803 dental licenses were issued by examination, 759 by credential, 456 by residency training, and only 8 by portfolio. Reasons for the apparent lack of applicant interest include minimal support from California dental schools secondary to issues related to meeting Board licensing requirements during dental education and a lack of subsequent licensing reciprocity with other states. Of more importance to the licensing
process itself is that the portfolio route does not supply the level of standardization provided by the ADEX. A recent assessment by the Department of Consumer Affairs Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) pointed out a lack of examination development, lack of psychometric evaluation, and lack of examiner audits since the Portfolio was initiated in 2014.
The OPES further opined that if the Board were to continue to offer the Portfolio pathway, additional development effort would be needed to bring it up to current standards, involving an extensive investment of time, staffing, and fiscal resources. Further, even if the Board were willing to make this investment, there would still be no assurance candidates would choose this licensure pathway. For these reasons, the OPES concluded that continuing to offer the Portfolio pathway would be inadvisable and recommended that the Board initiate a process to eliminate the Portfolio licensure option. The Board concurred and moved to recommend in its Sunset Review Process to the legislature repeal of the Portfolio process.
COMMENT: In addition to the reasons stated above for failure of the portfolio pathway, the ADEX has moved to manikin-based examinations, no longer requiring candidates to obtain or secure their own live patients.
COMPOSITION OF THE DENTAL BOARD
The Dental Board of California is comprised of 15 members consisting of the following: eight practicing dentists, one registered dental hygienist, one registered dental assistant, and five public members. At its May 2023 meeting, the Board approved a proposal to recommend legislation that would eliminate the Board’s dental assisting advisory body, the Dental Assisting Council (established in 2012), increase the number of registered dental assistants on the Board to two, and decrease the number of public members from five to four.
At this meeting, the Board reconsidered the matter and voted to leave Dental Assisting Council intact and maintain the current Board member composition.
COMMENT: In addition to opposition from dental assisting organizations and educational interests, there was concern that reducing the number of public members would increase Board vulnerability to antitrust action of a state licensing board that places restraints on an occupation when a majority of its decision makers are active market participants in that occupation.
Questions or comments should be directed to Paul Reggiardo, CSPD Executive Director at preggiardo@ cspd.org.
BILLS OF INTEREST
Dr. Amber Nierode - Public Policy Advocate
SB 525 (DURAZO) MINUMUM WAGE: HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Summary: This bill would establish five separate minimum wage schedules for covered health care employees, as defined, depending on the nature of the employer.
Current Text: Enrolled 9/25/23
CSPD POSITION: WATCH
COMMENT: SB 525 as proposed does not include private dental practices. The legislation as proposed may affect hospital based dental facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, and dental clinics within a community health care setting, depending on several factors.
AB 1048
(WICKS) DENTAL PLAN EXCLUSIONS AND RATE REVIEW
Summary: Would prohibit large group dental plans from imposing waiting periods at initial enrollment and for excluding pre-existing conditions in dental benefit policies. This bill would also make all dental service plans subject to premium rate review by the Department of Managed Health Care or the Department of Insurance.
Current Text: Enrolled 9/18/23 and presented to the Governor 9/21/23 at 3:30 PM
CSPD POSITION: SUPPORT
COMMENT: AB 1048 passed in the Assembly in May and was ordered to the Senate. Amendments on 5/2/2023 allowed CSPD to change its WATCH position to one of SUPPORT. A letter of Support from CSPD was submitted to the Senate Committee on Health on June 21, 2023. Another letter of Support from CSPD was submitted to the Senate Committee on Appropriations on August 22, 2023. The bill was stalled in Appropriations and needed to be moved out of the Appropriations committee by September 1, 2023 to proceed to a vote. AB1048 was successfully moved out from the Appropriations committee by the September 1, 2023 deadline to be heard on the Senate Floor. A Support Letter to the Governor was composed and submitted on September 20, 2023.
AB 952 (WOOD) DENTAL BENEFIT PLAN TRANSPARENCY DISCLOSURES
Summary: Would require dental insurance plans to disclose both to enrollees and providers whether a dental benefit plan is governed by and subject to state or federal law and regulation.
Current Text: Approved by Governor July 27, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State July 27, 2023.
CSPD POSITION: SUPPORT
COMMENT: AB 952 was widely supported in both the Assembly and Senate and reached the Governor’s Desk for approval in late July. CSPD’s letter in support of the measure was submitted to the Senate Committee on Health on June 7, 2023 and to the Assembly Health Committee on March 15, 2023.
AB 481 (CARILLO) DENTISTRY: DENTAL ASSISTANTS
Summary: It is widely recognized there is a dentistry workforce shortage in California. AB 481 is intended to address this ongoing and very concerning staffing shortage by creating a new preceptorship pathway for dental assistant on-the-job training. The pathway would increase educational components while reducing the clinical hours and timeline to RDA licensure. The availability of a greater number of trained Registered Dental Assistants will allow dentists to provide more care and to reach more children. AB 481 will also provide recognition of alternative education programs such as formal apprenticeships, community college adult education programs, and ROP programs as RDA pathways. The bill will, additionally, update, clarify, and increase dental assistant, RDA, and RDAEF scope of practice duties (such as placing clear aligner buttons). Finally, AB 481 will streamline the licensure process for out-of-state dental assistants moving to California by recognizing Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification.
Current Text: Revised 7/12/23. Placed on suspense file – did not meet the September 1st deadline to be moved out of the suspense file. May be considered next year.
CSPD POSITION: SUPPORT
COMMENT: A CSPD Letter of Support was submitted to the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee Hearing July 10, 2023. A CSPD Letter of Support was submitted to the Assembly on April 10, 2023. CSPD will continue to see this bill through into next year. AB 481 is widely supported without opposition at this time. The California Dental Association plans on introducing this bill through alternative modalities with high hopes of successful implementation.
ACR 10 (WEBER) CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Summary: By proclamation, this resolution of the legislature recognizes and declares the month of February as Children’s Dental Health Month in California.
STATUS: Chaptered by Secretary of State 3/28/23
COMMENT: The purpose of the resolution is to inform and enlighten members (particularly new members) of the Senate and Assembly of the importance of oral health, especially children’s oral health, and the need for legislative involvement. Less than one-half of all children enrolled by Medi-Cal visited a dentist last year. The bill aims to promote preventative dental visits and care.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES:
G0330
CSPD provided a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services supporting the use of code G0330 in Ambulatory Surgical Centers. The primary intention for the use of G0330 is to assist with increased reimbursement of anesthesia services for dental care provided in Ambulatory Surgical Centers.
SB 501 PROPOSALS
Pediatric minimal sedation training for patients over the age of 13 years old.
Prior to SB 501, pediatric minimal sedation permitholders were allowed to provide minimal sedation to patients older than 13 years old. Currently, SB 501 requires pediatric dentists to apply for a separate adult minimal sedation permit to treat their adolescent patients. Pediatric residency training does not currently qualify a pediatric dentist for an adult minimal sedation permit. As of now, additional training is required to qualify for the adult permit and provide sedation to patients who are older than 13 years old. Proposed SB 501 amendments will allow pediatric dentists to qualify for an adult minimal sedation permit using their pediatric residency training. This proposal will allow pediatric dentists to minimally sedate the entire spectrum of ages of pediatric patients. This proposal is ongoing and has not yet been accepted. Updates will be provided as they are received.
INCOMING RESIDENTS
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY - NEW RESIDENTS
Dr. Berenice Cheng is from Melbourne, Australia where she completed her dental degree at the University of Melbourne. Whilst practicing as a general dentist in both private and public clinics in Australia and Canada, she developed a keen interest in global health and pro bono care for underserved populations. She completed a Master’s of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University with a Certificate in Global Health, and, over the past 15 years, has led aid trips in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Tanzania, Palau and most recently, Ukraine. Dr Cheng served on the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee for 8 years and enjoyed teaching predoctoral dental students at the University of Melbourne. She looks forward to a career at the intersection of all her interests; clinical practice, global health policy and education.
Dr. Yu-Chen Cheng was born and raised in Taiwan and graduated from the dental school at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan in 2011. After graduation, she practiced at the Veteran General Hospital in Taiwan for four years, specializing in Periodontology. Then, she worked in private practice as a periodontist. Because of her husband, she moved to the United States and attended Loma Linda University with her kids in 2017. As a mom of two kids, she loves and wants to help more kids, which inspired her to pursue a residency in pediatric dentistry. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and doing yoga.
Dr. Farin Ezzati was born in Iran and grew up in Tehran. She earned her DDS degree from Azad University. For a decade, she dedicated her career to working at her private office, as well as in a pediatric cancer institution. Afterward, she made the decision to immigrate to the USA. She continued her education as an international student at Loma Linda University, where she is completing her pediatric dental residency program. Dr. Farin has a passion for traveling and exploring nature, and she cherishes spending quality time with her family.
Dr. Esther Lee was born and raised in San Jose, CA. She completed her BA in Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. She moved on to earn her DDS from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, where she served the pediatric population through USC Mobile Dental Clinic collectively for 6 years prior to and during dental school.
Dr. Lee then served a rural California population through an AEGD program at NYU Langone Hospitals in Eureka, CA. She returned to Southern California to work as a general dentist serving both adult and pediatric populations. These unique experiences solidified her pursuit for pediatric dentistry, and she is now completing her pediatric dental residency at Loma Linda University. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Lee enjoys cooking, growing her plant collection, and spending time with her baby nephew.
UCSF - NEW RESIDENTS
Dr. Olivia Feng was raised in Bakersfield, California where she enjoyed weekend trips to nearby national parks and taught at a local art studio during high school. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Environmental Science at UC Berkeley. Moving across the bay, she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at UOP Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. While in dental school, she participated in various community outreach events and leadership roles. One pivotal role was serving as the clinic coordinator for the pre-doc Advanced Pediatric Clinic, which helped solidify her decision to pursue pediatric dentistry. She is excited to complete her conjoined dental residency and MPH degree at UCSF and SJSU so she may move forward to work with kids and promote oral health and prevention in marginalized communities. In her free time, Dr. Olivia enjoys rock climbing, exploring hiking trails around the bay area, and painting wildlife.
Dr. Umer Hasan was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences. During these years, he coached youth basketball, tutored underserved kids, and mentored foster children in the Valley. These experiences culminated in him entering dental school with a strong desire to specialize in pediatric dentistry.
Dr. Hasan attained his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. He was heavily involved with the Student Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. His passion for pediatrics, special needs, and integrating dentistry with medicine increased during this period. Dr. Hasan is pursuing his training in pediatric dentistry also at UCSF, and he is concurrently pursuing a Master of Public Health at San Jose State University.
Dr. Hasan’s faith and family are his foundation. He loves basketball and is a huge Phoenix Suns fan. He enjoys traveling, learning, and exploring the outdoors with his friends. Dr. Hasan remains highly curious and is motivated to excel in both his personal and professional life.
Dr. Benit Felker Meyer was raised in Newcastle, California, a small town situated between Sacramento and Tahoe. She completed her undergraduate studies in English Literature at UC Davis. During her time at Davis, she served as the dental coordinator of a student-run clinic focused on providing free dental care to unhoused individuals in Sacramento. This early experience ignited her commitment to improving healthcare accessibility.
Following her time at UC Davis, Dr. Benit earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at UCLA, where she was actively involved with the American Student Dental Association at both chapter and state levels. She was also an advocate for health and wellness among dental students and led wellness initiatives with health professionals in the Los Angeles area. Alongside her current role at UCSF, Dr. Benit is pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Her ultimate goal is to increase access to dental care for kiddos in rural communities following residency. Outside her professional commitments, Dr. Benit enjoys running, eating her way through San Francisco with her husband and friends, and traveling.
Dr. Elena McCormick was born and raised in the Boston area. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard College before she moved to New York City to study dentistry and public health at Columbia University. During her time in the dual degree DDS-MPH program, Dr. McCormick was active in leadership roles as a part of Class Council, ADEA, AAPD, and the Student-Run Free Clinic in Harlem. She is very interested in health policy, prevention, and inter-professional collaboration to improve oral health. Dr. McCormick is absolutely thrilled to spend the next two years training in pediatric dentistry at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland/La Clinica and exploring the West Coast. Outside of residency, she enjoys spending time with her husband, hiking and birding, and finding hidden gems in the Bay Area!
Dr. Aubrey Morrone was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. (Go Terps!) Dr. Morrone then went on to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where she was a participant in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.
While in dental school, Dr. Morrone was very involved in the Special Care Dentistry Association, serving as the president of her school’s chapter as well as the National Student Liaison. She is passionate about working with patients with special healthcare needs (SHCN) and underserved communities. Dr. Morrone is excited to be completing her residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), while concurrently earning her MPH from San Jose State University. She hopes to use this advanced training to advocate for underserved pediatric patients and those with SHCN.
In her free time Dr. Morrone enjoys trying new restaurants, traveling, exploring national parks, running, and spending time relaxing with her cat, Lily. She is excited to explore the west coast and see as many national parks as possible during her time in California!
Dr. Jonathan Wong grew up in sunny San Diego, California. He received his Bachelor degree in Chemistry at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, before attending the University of Southern California for his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. After graduation, Dr. Jon moved to New York City to complete a General Practice Residency at Montefiore Medical Center. He is currently pursuing his dream of being a pediatric dentist at the University of California-San Francisco, where he is honing his skills in order to provide the highest level of care for children.
Dr. Jon’s experiences working with underserved communities have shown him the underlying need for care and education in the pediatric population, and he aspires to be an advocate for their oral health. His passion for pediatric dentistry stems not only from the impact it imbues on the well-being of its recipients, but also from his fundamental love for the innocence, energy, and joy that children bring to the world. When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Jon enjoys surfing, skiing, hitting the gym, playing the violin, and going to music festivals.
Dr. Franklin Zhang was born and raised in Plano, Tx but moved with his family to the Bay Area (San Jose, CA) after high school. He attended Rice University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in both Cognitive Sciences and Neuroscience, along with a Certificate in Spanish Language and Intercultural Communication. He studied abroad in Spain (6 weeks) and Argentina (5 months) during college studying urban epidemiology, public health policy, and healthcare.
Dr. Zhang completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where he served as Vice President of the school’s American Student Dental Association (ASDA) chapter, Fellow of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and DMD Admissions Ambassador. During dental school, he worked on research projects related to CAMBRA and tele-dentistry. His desire to specialize in pediatrics came from when he served in a Global Dental and Medical Brigades trip in Honduras where he sang songs with young children to help them establish strong oral hygiene habits. He hopes to improve access to care issues for all children and help them build healthy habits for a lifetime.
Dr. Zhang is excited to be back with family in the Bay Area as a first year Pediatric Dental Resident at UCSF. As part of the UCSF Pediatric Dentistry Program, he is also congruently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at San Jose State University and hopes to integrate his public health knowledge in his future practice. In his free time, Dr. Zhang enjoys spending time with his partner and cavapoo, Teddie. He also enjoys photography, traveling, running, and exploring restaurants and coffee shops.
UCLA - NEW RESIDENTS
Dr. Karolina Brzyska was born in Poland and grew up in (arguably) one of the most diverse areas in the world: Astoria, New York! After graduating from LaGuardia High School as a Visual Arts major, Dr. Karolina studied both biology and psychology at the City University of New York: Hunter College. During this time, she shadowed in a variety of healthcare settings (i.e., in an ophthalmologist’s office, in an emergency room in a hospital, etc.) in pursuit of finding an exciting and fulfilling career. Over time, she realized that the dental profession offers the perfect blend of healthcare, interprofessional collaboration, and it may even serve as a creative outlet: the provider must be both strategic and innovative when addressing each patient’s particular needs! Dr. Karolina attended the UCSF School of Dentistry and was highly involved in a variety of clubs, research, and volunteer work; during this time, she learned to appreciate the power of mentorship, the joy of volunteering with children, and very much looked forward to the annual “Give Kids a Smile Day!”
Dr. Karolina is grateful for the opportunity to learn from her new UCLA family as well as from her wonderful patients. Dr. Karolina strives to educate families on the importance of practicing optimal oral hygiene as well as the benefits of establishing a dental home to help maintain healthy smiles, which come in all shapes and sizes.
Dr. Jade Christensen is a born and bred Los Angeles native, hailing originally from Pasadena. She relocated not far from home to the West Side where she attended UCLA for all of her academic career. Jade's academic journey began at UCLA, where she pursued her passion for understanding the human mind and body. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology. After earning her B.S. in Psychobiology, Jade continued her education at UCLA by enrolling in the School of Dentistry. During her time at UCLA, Jade has actively participated in community outreach programs like "Give Kids a Smile," where she volunteered her time and expertise to provide dental care to underserved children. Her time at UCLA not only provided her with a strong scientific foundation, but also instilled in her the values of empathy and kindness that would later shape her career. She is currently pursuing pediatric dentistry, also at UCLA. All of her experiences up to this point have reaffirmed her commitment to pediatric dentistry and her dedication to improving the oral health of young patients. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Jade finds solace in spending her free time by the ocean. She is an avid paddle boarder and enjoys swimming in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. She also takes joy in teaching her friends how to swim, sharing her love for the water and promoting water safety.
Dr. Eunice Hahm was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Lexington, Massachusetts. She completed her undergraduate education in Human Development at Cornell University. She then moved back to Boston to work as a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital as she prepared for dental school. After two years, she attended Tufts University School of Dentistry and received her D.M.D. in May 2023. Over the course of her education, she built her love for mentorship and volunteering that continued through dental school. This love led to her passion for children’s oral health and her pursuit of pediatric dentistry. Aside from the dental clinic, you can find her trying out new cuisines and restaurants, hiking trails, and hitting balls in the tennis court. She is incredibly excited and thankful to be a part of the UCLA Pediatric Dentistry family and looking forward to starting off her career as a pediatric dentist.
Dr. Alexander Han was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from University of California, Irvine with a degree in Biology and earned his DMD from Western University of Health Sciences. After dental school, he moved to rural New Mexico serving the underserved population for six years as a general dentist. During these years, he saw firsthand the lack of access to care in these rural populations and realized his passion for working with children. He also worked part time at a correctional facility, where he recognized that humans should treat everyone with the same level of respect no matter their background. He is excited to begin his career as a pediatric dentist and be a part of the Bruin family! In his free time, he enjoys golfing, checking out new restaurants, and hanging out with his family and friends.
Dr. Bernadita Manglona was born and raised in the Mariana Islands. She ventured across the Pacific Ocean to study Public Health and Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle. After years of soul searching, she made the dive into the world of dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. During her time there, she was exposed to many communities across Northern California that experienced similar health inequities that her island community faces.
After dental school, Dr. Bernie headed east to New York City to pursue a General Practice Residency at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist. During her time as chief resident, she continued to serve the Brooklyn population through the pandemic when dental offices were closed. She continued to work in family practice in Brooklyn and Queens where her love for serving the pediatric
population unfolded. She is thrilled to be a part of the Bruin community, while serving the greater Los Angeles community. Dr. Bernie believes in creating a dental sanctuary for children to receive quality, comfortable, and compassionate care. She believes in empowering patients and their caregivers with a strong foundation for their oral health and overall wellbeing.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she loves frequenting markets to experiment in the kitchen, indulging in pottery and jewelry making, and going on nature walks.
Dr. Payton Richardson, originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, has a strong background rooted in healthcare and community health awareness. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she interned at the Champaign Urbana Public Health District's dental clinic, primarily serving pediatric patients. This experience ignited her interest in pediatric dentistry.
After obtaining her degree in Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Richardson relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her DDS at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Alongside her DDS, she earned a public health certificate from Meharry, further emphasizing her commitment to community well-being.
Being a true water enthusiast, Dr. Richardson's affinity for swimming is part of her nature. She started swimming competitively at nine years old and loves taking a relaxing dip in the pool, snorkeling, and jumping over waves in the ocean. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and watching movies in her free time.
Dr. Richardson's career journey led her to specialize in pediatric dentistry, driven by a deep-seated passion for the well-being of young patients. Her commitment to improving pediatric oral health was underscored by her research and involvement in numerous professional and service organizations in dental school. Currently a passionate resident at UCLA, Dr. Richardson continues to positively impact the well-being of children and their families.
Dr. Shaylan Vanmali is a Southern California native who was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. After high school, he attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he developed a love for the environment and learning about sustainability, which led him to pursue his BS in Environmental Studies. From a young age, Shaylan knew he wanted to pursue a profession in healthcare and continued to shadow and volunteer in various health care fields until he discovered dentistry through his sister who practices general dentistry. His interest in dentistry was piqued on four different volunteer missions to Mexico through the Thousand Smiles Foundation, which provided free dental care to pediatric residents of Ensenada, Mexico. After completing undergraduate studies at UCSB, Shaylan moved to New York City to begin dental school at Columbia University. His passion for working with the underserved pediatric populations in New York City pushed him to pursue various outreach positions in the Hispanic Student Dental Association as well as a teaching position at Columbia University through a Pre-College Enrichment Program. After obtaining his DDS, Shaylan pursued additional training at a General Practice Residency at New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell. He has now returned to his home city of Los Angeles and is excited to serve the city that he calls home. Outside of dentistry, Shaylan enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, making TikTok videos, and traveling.
NYU LANGONE - SAN DIEGO - NEW RESIDENTS
Dr. Daniel Aclan was born and raised in the Bay Area, California to Filipino immigrant parents. As a kid he enjoyed his sweets which led him to be a very familiar face at the dental office. He loved his pediatric dentist, Dr. Golden, and would look forward to seeing him while growing up. This initially sparked his interest in the world of dentistry.
After graduating high school, he attended UC Santa Cruz, home of the fighting banana slugs! There, he coordinated outreach programs that served historically underrepresented high school students to pursue higher education. He also loves to dance and coordinated a hip hop dance troupe, “Haluan” where he traveled throughout the state for competitions. His love for performing arts and working with youth continued after his undergrad years when he was a dance instructor for inner city youth in San Francisco.
Dr. Aclan attended Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine in Southern California. He was involved with grassroot initiatives in the California Dental Association to increase access to care and advocate for lower health disparities among at-risk populations. He also coordinated events during Special Olympics to provide oral health screenings, fluoride treatment and fabricate mouth guards for special needs athletes. During his dental education, he was honored to receive the East West Scholarship for Clinical Excellence.
For the past two years, Dr. Aclan has practiced at a pediatric dental office in Sacramento, California. When he’s not in the office, he loves to workout, travel to new cities, and, yes he still likes to bust a move on the dance floor!
Dr. Ava Arshadi was born in Thousand Oaks, California and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. After spending a lot of time in the dental chair as a young child, she grew curious of the field and was determined to become a dentist one day.
Dr. Ava attended the University of Arizona, where she participated in many local and international dental mission trips serving vulnerable communities. After earning her bachelors in Molecular and Cellular Biology, she returned to her birth state of California and obtained her DDS degree at the University of California San Francisco. Eager to expand her skill set, Dr. Ava went on to complete a general dentistry residency on the Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation in Tucson, Arizona. It was here that her passion for community dentistry truly solidified.
For the past four years, Dr. Ava has been treating children in underserved communities at several federally qualified health centers in the Bay Area. She recognizes the importance of incorporating education and preventive care into every child’s life in order for them to develop good, life-long habits and oral health. She is excited to embark on a 2-year pediatric dentistry residency at NYU Langone Health in San Diego, California, to further strengthen her knowledge and skills in the specialty.
During her free time, Dr. Ava enjoys exploring new countries and cultures, reading mystery novels, attempting new recipes with her sous-chef (who happens to be her fiancé), playing pickleball, and spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Surisadai “Suri” Aquit is Cuban-American and was born and raised in sunny Miami, Florida. She was inspired by her mother, a teacher, to pursue a career working with children. Also, growing up, she was always tinkering with her hands- drawing, sewing, or playing the piano. Combining that with a knack for science, pediatric dentistry was her dream job! She is also the first in her family to pursue dentistry.
Dr. Suri graduated with honors from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. Suri was then accepted to Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York, New York where she earned her dental degree. At Columbia, she was part of the Hispanic Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She volunteered with local schools and daycares to provide children and families with tools to better their oral health. She also received the National Health Service Corps scholarship, awarded to doctors who are committed to community service and providing care to patients in underserved areas. She is now pursuing her certificate in pediatric dentistry at NYU Langone- San Diego, California.
In her free time, she loves traveling, enjoying nature, and cooking. You can find her on the weekends walking her dog, Bomi, in city parks or catching up with friends over brunch.
Dr. Anmol Gill was born in British Columbia, Canada and was joined by her twin sister five minutes later. Anmol then moved to Ontario, Canada where she played basketball, was a track star, and a spelling bee champion in elementary school. She and her family, which now included Anmol’s younger brother, moved to Washington state right before she started junior high. Anmol enjoyed cross country and track until high school. During senior year at Bothell High School, she had to complete a culminating project that involved shadowing a profession of her choosing. She shadowed a dentist and realized that was her calling.
She attended the University of Washington for her Bachelor’s in Biology degree and then her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. While in school, she developed a passion for hiking and traveling. Anmol has traveled to a total of 15 countries and has done countless hikes. She is always on the lookout for her next hike or her next travel destination. After graduating from dental school at the top of her class in 2019, Anmol moved to the central Washington city of Yakima where she worked for almost four years in a dental clinic geared towards pediatric patients. Anmol quickly became the lead dentist and a favorite amongst the patients and families at the clinic. There, she realized she wanted to focus on working with the pediatric population for the rest of her career. She recently moved to San Diego to pursue her postdoctoral specialty training in pediatric dentistry.
Anmol got married to a Californian native in May of 2023 and is excited to start her new journey with her husband in San Diego. She is excited to explore all that southern California has to offer while continuing to hike, travel, bake, and work with children.
Dr. Diana Luc was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a kid, you could find her getting her hands dirty in the sand or enjoying the ocean. If she was not at the beach, you could find her helping her family. As a first generation in America, Diana was brought to appointments to help her family out. It was during one dental appointment with her special needs cousin that she realized she wanted to become someone that understood her cousin. She wanted to become a pediatric dentist to help people who were in similar situations.
To achieve her goal, Diana left the islands and attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This is where she finally got to experience a true winter and grow as a person. After graduating with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Diana took a gap year to spend some time at home and work at her pediatric dentist’s office. From being a patient in that practice to becoming an assistant there, Diana loved how it was coming around full circle. She hopes to one day inspire her future patients in the same way she was inspired. Diana was accepted to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine where she received her dental degree this past May.
During her free time, Diana loves spending time with her friends playing board games or trying the newest boba shop in town. She loves exploring new places and trying new things. She even tried playing fantasy basketball for the first time this year and guess what? She won! It could have been beginner’s luck, but one thing for sure is that Diana is open to learning and having fun with everything she does.
Dr. Trang Pham was born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam, where she witnessed and experienced firsthand the lack of pediatric dental health and education, motivating her to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry. ADer studying abroad in Boulder, Colorado, during high school, she decided to stay in the USA to obtain her higher education.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in science at the University of California, Berkeley, Trang worked as a chemist in San Francisco, before earning a master’s degree at LECOM School of Dental Medicine, where she also earned her dental degree.
In her free time, Trang loves to play the Vietnamese zither- a string instrument called “đàn tranh,” and creates music videos on Youtube to share with friends. Playing her instrument, she won second place at the Vietnamese National Youth in America and third place at the LECOM Talent Show. Trang’s Vietnamese nickname is “Hề,” which means clown, earned at a young age and persisting today due to her playful and silly personality.
As the first in her family to pursue dentistry, and herself an immigrant, Dr. Pham looks forward to applying her knowledge, skills and compassion as she diagnoses, treats, and helps restore oral health for children in underserved communities. She plans to become a dental educator who will create the first pediatric dentistry residency program in Vietnam in order to provide improved dental care for children.
USC - NEW RESIDENTS
Dr. Sara Ardehali – I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry. I want to work to continue to combine/increase my knowledge in evidence-based dentistry and provide comprehensive dental care. I hope to build relationships with my patients by guiding them through different developmental stages and seeing them overcome their fear of the dentist! Outside of pediatric dentistry, I love to cook different foods and spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy being outside whether it’s a yoga or Pilates class.
Plans after residency: I hope to promote oral health education and instruction through teaching and working in private practice.
Dr. Hayley Botwin – A SoCal native and USC Alumnus, I earned my 2nd bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene at USC. I thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity to volunteer and provide hygiene services to underserved children with Ayuda Intl. During dental school, I continued to get my dose of younger patients while working at the pediatric dental clinic at LA General Medical Center. In my free time, I love to hike with my rescue dog Bronx, love to travel and spend time with my niece and nephew.
Plans after residency: I hope to keep my hands busy with multiple sectors of dentistry including private practice, academia, and of course, continuing to volunteer.
Dr. Jamie Chang – I was born and raised in Merced, California, then moved South. I graduated from UC San Diego in 2018 with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Human Biology, which led me to pursue my dental degree at the University of California, San Francisco. My interest in working with children began during my undergraduate studies. I was provided the opportunity to devote my life to serving and empowering children, as well as those with special needs, so that they can develop the skills and confidence to have a lifetime of oral health. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and eating, tending to my plants, and spending time with friends, family and dogs.
Plans after residency: I hope to work in private practice and dedicate my time to building my family.
Dr. Aida Dadashzadeh – I was born in Tehran, Iran and raised in Anaheim, California. I received a B.S. in Biochemistry from Cal State University Fullerton in 2019 and a DDS degree in 2023 from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. My interest in pediatric dentistry stems from a firm belief that establishing a ‘Dental Home’ at a young age is extremely vital for the health of children and establishes a healthy foundation for oral hygiene into adulthood.
Plans for after residency: I plan on working for an FQHC.
Dr. Najwa Howard, – I was born in Richmond, VA and raised in Temecula, CA. I obtained my B.S. from UC Berkeley and my dental degree from UCLA. I strongly believe that establishing good oral health habits at an early age sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. I’m excited to help children and their families build a positive relationship with dentistry, ease their fears and make them eager to maintain excellent oral health. In my spare-time, I enjoy spending time with my precious daughter and husband, hiking and planning for a fun vacation.
Plans after residency: My family and I would like to settle in the California Bay Area.
Dr. Grace Kim – I was born in South Korea and raised in Pullman, WA. I received a B.S. degree in Neuroscience from Washington State University in 2018, then a dental degree from UCLA in 2023. My determination to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry comes from the desire to equip families with the knowledge necessary to achieve healthy smiles at a young age. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf and trying new food.
Plans after residency: I plan to move to Orange County, CA and some day start my own family with my husband.
Dr. Anais Olivares – I was born and raised in Santa Paula, CA. I attended UC Merced and received a B.S. degree in Biology and in 2023 graduated from UCLA with a dental degree. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, baking and playing board games.
Plans after residency: After residency, I plan to return to my hometown and work with my mentor Dr. Sunny Dunng. I have been a patient in his office since I was two years old.
Dr. Simrun Sandhu – I was born and raised in Central California. I graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Biology, and from Loma Linda University Dental School in 2023. After interning at a pediatric dental office in Los Gatos, CA during my college years, I quickly fell in love with the idea of providing preventive care and a comforting environment for children who may be nervous about dental treatment. I recently learned to play tennis, and I love playing tennis and picnicking at different parks after my games.
Plans after residency: I would love to work in private practice.
Dr. Shauna Shafai – I am originally from sunny California. I graduated from George Washington University with a B.A. in Psychology and later attended the UCLA School of Dentistry. Preventive care is my favorite type of care. In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, pilates, watching new movies and trying new restaurants.
Plans after residency: I would like to work at an FQHC or hospital and eventually own my own practice.
Dr. Hailey Yoo – I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. I graduated from UC Berkeley and earned a B.A. degree in Sociology. I later went on to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and successfully earned a dental degree. After experiencing dental childhood trauma, I have an interest in managing dental trauma cases as well as providing appropriate treatment. I am interested in treating cleft palate patients. I enjoy exploring fun and local coffee shops during the weekend and love watching Netflix series.
Plans after residency: I would like to gain experience as an associate and then eventually open a private practice with my husband.
On Friday October 6th, Dr. David Okawachi (CSPD 42nd President) and Dr. Jacob Lee (CSPD 43rd President) were awarded Fellowship of the International College of Dentists. The International College of Dentists honors individual's outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service, and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind. Congratulations Drs. Okawachi and Lee!
WEBSITE NOTES
A VISIT TO THE OCE LIBRARY
Dr. Steven Niethamer – Website Editor Emeritus
The Online Continuing Education (OCE) library is growing. I believe that most of our members have not yet visited this library and know little about the programs available to view. Knowing that most of us are clueless about this great treasure trove makes me sad. So, I have decided that for this Website Notes I will explore the OCE and write my notes here so that you might gain some interest in doing your own exploration.
You do not need to sign in to the OCE unless you want to view some of the videos and get CEUs. Remember that the Login is separate from the CSPD website. It has its own username and password.
The Home Page features four of the latest programs. The top menu contains links to the CSPD tabs and its own OCE menu. The Webinars Tab contains some of our latest webinars/ PopUpEvents. The CE Series/Annual Meetings Tab contains links to Bundles of programs made from annual meeting offerings or from popular search subjects such as Sedation programs. These bundles usually offer a discount when purchasing multiple programs.
Other Tabs in the OCE menu help you Register for the first time and to login if you are already registered. The All Courses Tab will take you to a page that contains all of the programs in alphabetical order.
The first program is one by Joel Berg about emerging technologies to manage caries in your practice without always going to a restoration. Dr. Berg is one of our best lecturers in pediatric dentistry.
Just added is the legislative update by John Blake which will get you up to date on the latest sedation legislative mess. We have four programs by Dr. Anna Chen which will help you do everything from sedating the child to managing caries and restoring those anterior teeth. Do you need more ortho? We have programs by Drs. Wanda Claro, Sam Lee, and Boyd Martin, who explains how to manage ectopic and missing teeth.
Need to know more about the development of children in your practice or even in your home, we have great lectures by Drs. Beth Davis, Michael Swetye, Dennis Nutter, Clarice Law, and David Rothman on changing family dynamics. Of course, the OCE is privileged to have recorded one of the last lectures presented by the father of behavior management in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Gerald Wright.
And yes, we have sedation courses! The Drs. Rothman and Lenhart lectures are popular. But there are also three courses by Dr. Steve Yun, a new course by Dr. Travis Nelson and many more by Drs. Anna Chen, Jeff Brownstein, Christine Quinn and Stephen Long.
Seems like everyone these days wants information about myofunctional therapy, tongue-tie, and lip- surgery. Check out our programs by Dr. Soroush Zaghi and Anna Gross.
Lastly, we should all listen again to Dr. Lustig’s great Tooth and Liver Decay program and Dr. MacLean’s Less is More. And very, very lastly, what about Pulp Therapy with programs by Drs. Sue Seale, Daniela Silva and Anna Chen?
That’s enough for this time. Enjoy!
WSPD PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
TIME REALLY DOES FLY!
Dr. Felicity Hardwick - WSPD President
This is already my second report for the CSPD Bulletin, and I cannot believe it! Time really does fly when you’re having fun! This will be a brief report as the main item on the WSPD fall agenda is the Board meeting, which was held in Seattle on October 6th. Since the article submission deadline was before the meeting, I will present a more detailed report in the following Bulletin.
During the October 6th meeting some items discussed include:
1. Strategic Planning: The WSPD is undergoing a Strategic Planning Session! Many of our Board and other WSPD members have already had the opportunity to meet with Paul Amundsen (our leader for the strategic planning session) over Zoom, so I am looking forward to the ideas he’ll bring to our Board, as well as the long-term work all of our members will benefit from. I will have much to report for the next newsletter following our fall board meeting.
2. Dr. Nadiene Wu, our current intern, will be providing us with the findings of her study: To determine the feasibility and the establishment/ implementation of a position for a WSPD Public Policy Advocate (PPA)
Goal: To establish a WSPD PPA to communicate and provide action plans for ten chapter states and two chapter provinces
Desired Outcome: Inform chapters and the WSPD leadership on current legislative activities and coordinate support actions among chapters and with the AAPD.
Process:
1. contact the state PPAs and the WSPD BOT to form a group contact list
2. monthly collate latest legislative updates from each chapter’s contacts and disseminate information to the group
3. participate in agreed upon AAPD PPA zoom meetings to inform and to stay current with other districts/chapters
4. present progress report at the WSPD BOT meeting on March 25, 2023
Thank you to Dr. Wu for providing me with this outline, stay tuned for her results following our October meeting. Thank you also to Dr. Ora Lowe who has been the coordinator of the WSPD Stamp fund since its inception. She has kindly agreed to stay on in that position for another year, while mentoring her replacement, who will be announced following the October meeting.
In other news, I am happy to report that the January 2024 HAPDAkAPD CE Program sold out 8 days after the registration opened. Hopefully you registered early for what promises to be a great meeting in an amazing location. Looking forward to seeing many of our WSPD members at the January meeting.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, suggestions or just to say hello.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. DON SCHMITT
Dr. Jacob K. Lee - Western District Trustee
It gives me great pleasure to announce the official appointment of Dr. Don Schmitt, from the California Chapter, as the next Western District trustee, representing the members of the Western District on the AAPD Board of Trustees for a three-year term spanning from 2024 to 2027.
Warmest congratulations are in order for Dr. Schmitt on this significant appointment!
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Dr. Schmitt's career has been marked by his unwavering dedication to leadership. He currently holds prominent positions, most notably as the President of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and as a trustee of the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry. I am certain that he will effectively represent the members of the Western District in fulfilling the AAPD’s vision of optimal oral health for all children and its mission to advance optimal oral health for all children by delivering outstanding service that meets and exceeds the needs and the expectations of our members, partners, and stakeholders. His term officially begins at our upcoming Annual Session in Toronto, in May, but he will begin learning through practical experience almost immediately. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Don Schmitt, on this next phase of his service to the members of our Academy.
THINKING ABOUT VOLUNTARY LEADERSHIP
IN CSPD?
Are you ready to take it to another level? The Nominating Committee of CSPD is actively seeking applications for the following elected positions:
VICE-PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER
DIRECTOR – NORTH (1)
DIRECTOR – SOUTH (1)
DIRECTOR -- AT-LARGE (2)
Contribute your talents, experience, expertise, and passion for what you do in your office or academic setting to your professional organization. Lend your voice to the decision-making process. Let your opinions be known on how CSPD can best support its members and the children we serve.
Find out more information and submit an application and CV online at https://www.cspd.org/page/ VolunteerLeadership.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact CSPD President Dr. Don Schmitt at dschmitt425@gmail.com or Executive Director Dr. Paul Reggiardo at preggiardo@cspd.org.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 30, 2023!
BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER
23, 2023
MOTION 2023.09.23.01 (GUIJON): Move to approve the CE virtual course collaboration with the AAP California Chapters on the subject Caring for Patients with Neurodivergent Behaviors as outlined in the report of the CSPD Chapter 3 Liaison, with a revised webinar date of May 1, 2024. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION 2023.09.23.02 (VANDER KAM): Move to approve the minutes of the June 2023 Board of Directors meeting as presented. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION 2023.09.23.03 (GUIJON): Move to approve the appointment of Amanda Effat as member-at-large on the Annual Meeting Committee. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION 2023.09.23.04 (GIRN): Starting with the 20242025 Operational Year, the CSPD representatives to the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry Board of Trustees be as follows: CSPD President, CSPD Vice-President, WSPD Liaison, and an active CSPD member proposed by the President, and approved by the Board, who may or may not hold a position on the Board of CSPD. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION 2023.09.23.05 (VANDER KAM): Move that the Board accepts the recommendation of the Membership Services and Credentials Committee to approve the CSPD Matching Program workplan. MOTION CARRIED
CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
ELECTED AND APPOINTED LEADERSHIP
Full list of committee members is located at www.cspd.org
OFFICERS
President: Dr. Donald Schmitt
President-Elect: Dr. Mitchell Poiset
Vice President: Dr. MyLinh Ngo
Secretary: Dr. Natalie Vander Kam
Treasurer: Dr. Gary Sabbadini
Immediate Past President: Dr. Thomas Tanbonliong DIRECTORS
North (2022-24): Dr. Shan Girn
North (2022-24): Dr. Michael Suh
North (2023-25): Dr. Evan Chang
North (2023-25): Dr. Helen Mo
South (2022-24): Dr. John Guijon
South (2022-24): Dr. Dora Lee
South (2023-25): Dr. Leslie Butler
South (2023-25): Dr. Catherine Pham
APPOINTED OFFICERS
Managing Editor: Dr. Chanel McCreedy
Website Editor: Dr. Letitia Edwards
Public Policy Advocate: Dr. Amber Nierode
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Paul Reggiardo
WARREN BRANDLI LEADERSHIP INTERNS
Dr. Marivic De Leon (UCSF)
Dr. Angela Navas (USC)
UPCOMING EVENTS
SANTOS CORTEZ GRADUATE STUDENT LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY INTERNS
Dr. Nisha Choksi (UCLA)
Dr. Rand Khasawneh (UCSF)
Dr. Shelly Wu (UCSF)
CONTACTS & LIAISONS
AAPD Western District Trustee: Dr. Jacob Lee
AAPD Liaison: Dr. Catherine Pham
WSPD Liaison: Dr. Catherine Pham
Annual Meeting Sponsor Relations Liaison: Dr. Leslie Butler
California Dental Society of
Anesthesiology Liaison: Dr. Dave Rothman
CSPD Foundation President: Dr. Rebecca Lee
CSPD Foundation Liaison: Dr. Thomas Tanbonliong
Consultant – Legislative Affairs: Dr. Santos Cortez
Consultant – Dental Board California: Dr. Paul Reggiardo
CSPD VOTING MEMBERS TO THE WSPD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Donald Schmitt
Dr. Mitch Poiset
Dr. MyLinh Ngo
Dr. Catherine Pham
March 21-24, 2024
2024 CSPD Annual Meeting JW Marriott Desert Springs Palm Desert, CA
April 24-27, 2025
2025 CSPD Annual Meeting Seattle Westin Hotel Seattle, WA
STAFF
Diane Skullr, Administrative Operations Manager COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Executive Committee: Dr. Donald Schmitt
Governance: Dr. Thomas Tanbonliong
Membership Services and Credentials: Dr. Natalie Vander Kam
Nominations: Dr. Donald Schmitt
Annual Meeting: Dr. Oariona Lowe
Budget and Finance: Dr. Gary Sabbadini
Non-Dues Revenue Subcommittee: Dr. Michael Suh
Leadership Development: Dr. Ella Saeed
Communications and Publications: Dr. Catherine Pham
Academic Programs Advisory: Dr. WaiYin Chan
Continuing Education: Dr. Jean Star
Public Policy and Advocacy: Dr. Letitia Edwards
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 to www.cspd.org
• Opportunities Wanted
• Opportunities Available
• Faculty Positions Available
• Practices for Sale