VDDS Newsletter - March 2013 Valley District Newsletter VOLUME 29 NUMBER 1 MARCH 2013   EDITORAL STAFF:   AARON DEMAIO, DMD & JACKIE BUTLER - vdentalsociety@verizon.net __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mark your Calendars Pain Management//ANNUAL MEETING WITH MDS PRESIDENTIAL VISIT  DATE:  Tuesday, April 23, 2013 PLACE:  Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA    TIME:    4:00pm - EDIC   5:30 pm. -                 Cocktails and 6:30 pm. Dinner & business meeting __________________________________________________________________________________________ Spring Gala and Awards Wine Tasting and Hors D'Oeuvres DATE:  Wednesday, May 15, 2013   PLACE:  UMass, Amherst, MA __________________________________________________________________________________   VDDS Golf Outing followed by a Pig Roast DATE:  Wednesday, June 12, 2013 PLACE: Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Northampton, MA All Staff, Clients and friends are invited to attend ___________________________________________________________________________________ OSHA Seminar followed by the Executive Committee & General Meeting DATE:  Wednesday, September 18, 2013 PLACE:  Springfield Marriott TIME:   OSHA Seminar - 4:00 pm to 6 pm and at 6:30 pm is dinner and the meeting. ___________________________________________________________________________________ PRESIDENT'S REPORT As I exit my position as President of the Valley, I just want to say two things: thank you and let's have some fun! Thank you to all of you that have made the VDDS the success it is and I want to invite everyone to get together to network and have a little fun as well. Please keep May 15th and June 12th open on your social calendars. On May 15th the VDDS is having the first Spring Gala and Awards Evening at the U Mass Campus Center. This is a catered affair and wine tasting night to celebrate some of our own. There are several of our colleagues that fly under the radar and this will be an opportunity to celebrate them in front of their peers. An email will be sent out asking for each of you to nominate a dentist that you feel deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. The nominations will be gathered and the awards will be presented during the evening. This will be a great way to see some of your old friends and meet some new ones in a very social setting. The other social outing coming up is the golf outing with a new twist. The VDDS is having the outing on June 12th at Hickory Ridge followed by a staff appreciation pig roast. Dentists and staff are invited to participate in both or just the pig roast. It will be a very casual affair with beer and wine served and will be an opportunity for your staff to meet and network with other staff and dentists. I cannot leave my post without thanking a few people who have made my job easier and enjoyable. I think everyone knows Jackie Butler but very few understand all of her jobs as the VDDS Executive Secretary. She has become an integral part of our Society and is the catalyst that keeps it going. Without her attention to details and anticipatory skills, I would be lost. Jim Maslowski has been an excellent President-elect. He has taken the job very seriously and worked hard to understand all of the issues before us locally and on the state level which has eased my burden tremendously. Our Secretary, Aaron DeMaio and Treasurer, Norman Lee, have stepped up to their new jobs and handled them admirably and I thank them for their commitment and their time. I would also like to thank all of our members for your support of me as your Chairman. The Valley continues to be the strongest district in the MDS and is the benchmark that other District Societies measure themselves against. To be chosen as your representative has been an honor and the experience has been rewarding. Through the Society I have met and worked with some great people and I thank you for the opportunity. I hope to continue to serve the VDDS in the future in some capacity and I look forward to seeing you all at future meetings and functions.   Respectfully Submitted, Stephen W. McKenna D.M.D. VDDS Chair     Save the date: September 18, 2013 OSHA Seminar and VDDS Executive and General Meeting The format of the initial meeting for the 2013-2014 year is now being completed. The meeting will start at 4:00 at the Springfield Marriott with an educational component.   Dr. Howard Pactovis will bring us an update on infection control for doctors as well as a review of the new required OSHA labeling system. The general meeting will commence at the usual 6:00 pm time. I hope that this advance notice will allow time to change your schedules in order to attend this very important educational meeting as well as the follow-up general meeting. Respectfully submitted, James Maslowski, D.M.D. VDDS Pres-elect   TRUSTEE'S REPORT   Yankee Dental Conference was a success.  Over the past five years it has shown a 6% growth.  This is remarkable under the present economic circumstances.  Many other meetings are showing a decline.   MDS is dedicating significant time and effort to be prepared for the Affordable Care Act.  In the coming years there will be systemic changes in the way oral health care is delivered, evaluated, reimbursed and integrated with other health care.   There will be an Oral Health Care Summit on June 7, from 9 am to 4:30 pm in Boston at Westin Copley.  It has the purpose of educating current and future oral health care workers about changes and ways to adapt.   MDS is working to have a bill filed again to limit control by insurance companies of uncovered service.  A bill will be filed to stop retroactive denial of dental insurance claims paid.   MDS is committed and works diligently to promote the interests of dentistry.  It has the objective of assuring that dentistry has a seat at the table in developing and responding to changes that are coming.   Edward J. Welch, Jr., D.D.S. V.D.D.S. Trustee   CPR PROGAM   The VDDS program was recertified as a community training center (CTC) on Oct. 2012 to Oct. 2014. Thanks again to our volunteer instructors, Drs. Bontempi,  Edmunds, Fraziero, Kreitzer, Kosiorek, Paolella, Pepek, Smith, Szal and Trombly. The number of people taking the VDDS CPR BLS Defibrillator course since June of 2012 is already 85. Please support your local CPR program.  The fee is minimal compared to other courses. Alan D. Sampson, D.M.D. CPR Chairman EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT   Members of the educational committee met on Tuesday evening, Feb. 12th to plan the future programs for the 2014 and 2015 educational year.  Attending the meeting in addition to our education committee members was our current President, Dr. Stephen McKenna as well as our incoming President, Dr. Jim Maslowski. Following a lengthy discussion it was voted by the committee unanimously to consider changes in the education program of the future to includeevening programs with registrations starting at 4:00 pm with programs ending at approximately at 8:30 pm.  It is hoped that incorporating evening programs amongst our customary full day programs may increase attendance by both doctors and staff.   As chairman of the education committee, I want to personally thank Dr. Thomas Cleary for his many years of service as chairman of Dental Connections.  His service has brought Dental Connections, a dental auxiliary oriented meeting to be the pride of our dental society and the most attended educational program by dental auxiliaries in the state other than Yankee Dental.   As committee chair, I would like to welcome our new Dental Connections Chairman, Dr. Michael Caban who will be taking over the reins.  His committee looks forward to bringing Dental Connections to a new level of success.   It was also discussed and voted upon by our committee to continue our current policy of not offering our CE accreditations support to any of our local doctors who may want to hold their own programs here in the Valley.  It has been felt over the many years of myself as chairman as well as past chairmen of education that the political ramifications of this would be a negative for a membership as well as difficult for our society to know what education information is given out at these programs.  This policy was reaffirmed and voted on unanimously by our committee members.   Finally, with regards to our current educational programs we will all be welcoming, Dr. Harald Heymann from the University of North Carolina speaking on "Esthetic Dentistry", coming this May 1st.   Vincent J. Mariano, D.M.D., FACD VDDS Education Co-chairman   DENTAL CONNECTIONS Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA 6:00 pm Buffett and 7:00 pm Presentation   Dental Connections presents programs in March and April.  The first one was on March 5th when Howard Pactovis, DMD spoke on OSHA, Risk Prevention & HIPAA.  This program was meant to be for the Dental Auxiliaries who need this for certification.  The V.D.D.S. will sponsor another OSHA program later in the year for the dentists.  Most dentists decided to wait for the program in September to allow room for the auxiliaries. It was a sellout as in the past.  There was over 325 attendees.  Thanks.   On Wednesday, April 3, 2013, Cynthia Sheridan Murphy, RDH will discuss "Diet and Dental Health".  She is a certified      weight management and life coach and a certified nutritional consultant.  Her program will give us a model to reform our activities around life style, diet and weight control.   Thomas M. Cleary, D.M.D. VDDS Education Co-chairman   GOLF OUTING AND PIG ROAST FOR DOCTORS, STAFF AND CLIENTS The Dental Connections Pig Roast will be immediately following the Open Wide Open on June 12 at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst. In the golf outing, we are permitting dentists to invite patients or reps. to golf to comprise of 2 or 4 person teams. We will have special pricing to make entertaining clients very affordable. The pig roast will also have special pricing to allow the offices to take care of the cost for all of their staff and have a fun, social evening. Pricing and organizing is still in the planning process as well.   James G. Hunt, D.D.S. VDDS Golf Outing MDS-PAC The Massachusetts Dental Society Political Action Committee, or MDS-PAC, is preparing for another busy year.  With several special elections in the state legislature and a fight against non-covered services policies on Beacon Hill, the PAC needs your support now more than ever.  The PAC funds political education programs, such as the morning briefing session at Beacon Hill Day, and also supports pro-dentistry candidates for elected office.  These are activities that are separate from the services provided by the Massachusetts Dental Society, and are not covered by your MDS dues.  Please join your colleagues and help to continue the Valley District's long-standing support of the MDS-PAC by contributing today at www.massdental.org/pacform.  The following Valley District Dental Society members are Governor's Club Contributors for 2013: Mary H. Kreitzer, DMD Frederick S. Mackler, DMD Christopher Steed, DDS John W. Torchia, DMD   The following Valley District Dental Society members are Beacon Hill Club Contributors for 2013: Thomas M. Cleary, DMD Badri Z. Debian, DMD Patrick Edmunds, DMD James G. Hunt, DDS John S. Mott, DDS James B. Reid, DDS Stephen H. Root, DDS Joseph A. Walz, DMD Martin A. Wohl, DDS   Any questions or concerns may be directed to Victoria Ryan, Manager of Grassroots and Political Advocacy at the Massachusetts Dental Society, at 508-449-6042 or vryan@massdental.org While the Valley District still has the best percentage of PAC members in the state, too many have not contributed. When an examination and bitewing images or a simple composite restoration would cover your annual contribution, it is hard to justify not contributing. Please send your contribution today. James G. Hunt, D.D.S. MDS-PAC, Valley District Chair NEW LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARDS   The following members will be presented with their Life Membership Awards at the Valley District Dental Society Annual meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 23rd.  The requirements are that you must be 65 years of age by December 31st, 2012 and a member of the VDDS for at least 30 continuous years.   The following members have met these requirements.  They are;   Jerome M. Azia, DDS                            Gary F. Circosta, DMD Charles P. Hapcook, DDS                     Alan M. Kasperowski, DDS Mark S. Levy, DDS                               J. Michael Pepek, DDS Kevin L. Trombly, DMD                         Donald H. Willett, DDS   The recipients may use any member of the VDDS as a presenter at this April 23rd meeting.  In the absence of a selected presenter, I will make the presentation of your award.  Those not present at this meeting will receive their award by mail.    Donald L. Farley, DDS Awards Committee Chairman NEW MEMBERS   There are several new members that have applied for membership with the Valley District Dental Society.  The first being Mirkal Minaxi, DDS and she will be practicing at the Hilltown Community Health Center.  There is also Richard Yen, DMD who works out of the Holyoke Health Center.  Next, Jeffrey Humphrey, DDS will be working out of the River Valley Dental Practice in Hadley.  Sean Willcutts, DMD and an Orthodontist will be working out of Reen and Reen Dental Office.  Maruricio Garcia, DDS will be working out of Chicopee Dental Center.  Arti Dahiya, DMD will be working out of Small Smiles of Springfield and Saxena Sumeet, DDS has purchased the practice of Dr. Cinner and Dr. Matuson at The Valley Dentist in Hadley.  Dhaval Vithlani, DDS will be working out of Aspen Dental in Springfield.  We wish all of these new members a long career in the Valley District.   Patrick W. Edmunds, D.M.D. Chairman of the Membership Committee IN MEMORIAM Dr. Thomas Blanchard, passed away on March 4, 2011 in his home. He was a graduate of Tufts University Dental School. He practiced in West Springfield and retired in 2002.   Dr. Rene J. Leclerc passed away peacefully on Monday November 5, 2012. Rene was a practicing dentist in Springfield MA for 40 years. He was a graduate of American International College and Tufts University. He was a lifelong member of the ADA and the Massachusetts Dental Society. His love of dentistry and his patients were a huge part of his life. Rene most enjoyed his children and grandchildren. He was an avid  Patriots and Red Sox fan. Rene leaves three children and nine grandchildren. Dr. Harold R.Ratchford died, November 7, 2012 at his home. Harold proudly served our country in the United States Army during in World War II, and later continued his education at Mount Saint Mary's in Maryland and Tufts Dental School in Boston.  He operated a dental practice in Holyoke. While still in practice he volunteered his services at Holyoke Health Center as well as offering dental services to his fellow veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Harold served as a coach, director and past president of the Holyoke baseball league. He was past treasurer of the Lion's Club, and served on the board of the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club, where he was Co-coordinator of the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament. He was a former Commissioner of the Holyoke Parks and Recreation Department and a member of the St. Patrick's Committee of Holyoke, where he was honored with its Citizenship award in 2000.Harold was predeceased by his wife and son, and he leaves four children and twelve grandchildren. Respectfully submitted, Patrick Pepek, D.M.D. VALLEY DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY ELECTED OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS JUNE 2013-2014 (Newly elected officers don't start their new positions until after the June 2013 Annual Sessions) PRESIDENT PAST-PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP Dr. James Maslowski (2015) Dr. Stephen McKenna Chairman: Dr. Patrick Edmunds (2015) PRESIDENT-ELECT VICE-PRESIDENT MEMORIAL Dr. Benjamin Falk (2015) Dr. David Reen (2015) Dr. Patrick Pepek TREASURER ASSISTANT TREASURER INSURANCE COMMITTEE Dr. Norman Lee (2017) Dr. Michael Caban (2017) Dr. Steven Wolman SECRETARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY EDITOR Dr. Aaron DeMaio (2016) Dr. Benjamin Falk (2016) Dr. R. Scott Smith (2015) TRUSTEE SPEAKERS BUREAU LEGISTLATIVE COMMITTEE Dr. Edward J. Welch, Jr. (2015) Dr. Francis Feeney Dr. John Torchia VDDS WEBMASTER ETHICS COMMITTEE MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Dr. James Maslowski Chairman: Dr. R. Carl Szarlan Dr. Laurie Brown (2014) Members: Dr. Mary Kreitzer Dr. Christopher Root (2014) Dr. Mark Klepacki Dr. Michael Margolis (2015) Dr. Michelle Roberts Dr. Thomas Reen (2015) Dr. John Mott (2015) PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE Dr. Claudiu Marin (2016) Chairman: Dr. Thomas M. Cleary (2016) Dr. Sean Willcutts (2016) Members: Dr. Daniel Stiefel (2016) Dr. Frederic Mackler (2016) CONSTITUTION AND Dr. Edward J. Welch (2016) BY-LAWS COMMITTEE Dr. Rebecca Cochrane (2016) Chairman: Dr. William Bontempi Dr. Walter Gazda (2015) Dr. Kelly Bouchard Dr. Bruce Nghiem SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Dr. Sue Keller Dr. Sue Keller Dr. Aaron Demaio Dr. Joseph Wegiel VDDS EDUCATION COMMITTEE SOCIAL COMMITTEE Dr. Ronald Szarlan Chairman: Dr. Vincent Mariano Dr. R. Scott Smith Dr. R. Scott Smith Co-Chair: Dr. Thomas Cleary Members: Dr. James Hunt CPR COMMITTEE AWARDS COMMITTEE Dr. Lisa Emirzian Chairman: Dr. Alan Sampson Chairman: Dr. Donald Farley Dr. Sue Keller Dr. William Bontempi Dr. Robert Van Valkenburg Dr. Mohammad Moini Dr. Mary Kreitzer Dr. Frederick Conlin Dr. Steven Goldsher Dr. R. Scott Smith Dr. Paul McKenna Dr. Mary Kreitzer Dr. David Kosiorek Dr. James Brown Dr. William Bontempi Dr. Stephen Paolella Dr. Gregory Odierna Dr. Stephen Scannell VDDS NOMINATING Dr. Jonathan Sudol Dr. John Rhicard COMMITTEE Dr. Joseph Wegiel Dr. Mukesh Agarwal (2014) Dr. R. Carl Szarlan Dr. Christopher Steed (2014) Dr. Patrick Edmunds Dr. J. Michael Pepek (2014) Dr. Richard Szal Dr. Jared Reid (2014) Dr. J. Michael Pepek Dr. Alan Garlick (2014) VDDS GOLF OUTING VDDS HISTORY & LIBRARY DELTA DENTAL ADVISORY Dr. James Hunt VDDS Office COMMITTEE: Dr. Christopher Root     MASSACHUSETTS DENTAL SOCIETY COUNCILS 2013-2014 (new positions start in June after MDS Annual Sessions)   MDS DELEGATES MDS ALTERNATE DELEGATES Dr. Thomas Cleary, Jr. (2014) Dr. Christopher Root (2014) Dr. J. Michael Pepek (2015) Dr. Anthony Laudano (2015) Dr. Brian Craven (2016) Dr. Mary Kreitzer (2016) Dr. Martin Wohl (2017) Dr. David Reen/ Dr. R. Scott Smith (2017) Dr. John Sudol (2018) Dr. Patrick Edmunds (2018) MDS COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS MDS-PAC/MDS-POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Dr. Alan Garlick (2014) MDS Chair: Dr. John Torchia VDDS Chair: Dr. James Hunt COUNCIL ON DENTAL CARE AND BENEFITS PROGRAMS COUNCIL ON ACCESS, PREVENTION AND Dr. Thomas M. Cleary (2016) INTERPROFESSIONAL RELATIONS (CAPIR) Chairman: Dr. Thomas Manning (2016) COUNCIL ON DENTAL PRACTICE Dr. Jared Reid COUNCIL ON MEMBERSHIP COUNCIL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Dr. Patrick Edmunds (2015) Dr. Michael Caban (2015) FLUORIDE COMMITTEE STANDING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN IN DENTISTRY Chairman: Dr. Frank Mitera Dr. Carina Wohl Dr. Richard Elfman Dr. Mark Klepacki STANDING COMMITTEE ON NEW DENTISTS Dr. Craig Saltzman STANDING COMMITTEE ON ABUSE / NEGLECT COUNCIL ON DENTAL EDUCATION Chairman: Dr. Thomas Manning Dr. H. Randolph Scott (2016) GERIATRIC & NURSING HOME COMMITTEE Dr. Kevin Trombly