PFA Dental World Newsletter — March/April 2003

			March/April• 2003
	The Legacy Continues…
	As example of Dr. Robert Shira’s continuing legacy, the PFA Foundation wishes to thank the following people for their donations in memoriam to the Foundation in Dr. Shira’s name. Well over $6000 has been donated in his name.* • American Academy or Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons • Albertson, Carol • Barrett, Dr. C. F. “Larry”—past PFA President • Benoit, Dr. Christine—past Rhode Island Section Chair • Bers, Trudy • Boker, Mattie & Irving • Brophy, Dr. James—PFA Editor • Campbell, Dr. M. David—past PFA President • Cowen, Dr. Edward • Cripton, Dr. Michael & Nancy—past PFA President • DeChamplain, Dr. Richard & Edwina, Medical University of South Carolina • Distelhorst, Dr. Fred • Dugoni, Dr. Arthur—University of the Pacific Dean • Dugoni, Dr. Steven • Englander, Dr. James—PFA International Trustee • Goodman, Dr. William—Oklahoma Section Chair • Gottschalk, Dr. Jack—Harris Dental Museum • Hayward, James & Jane • Hesse, Dr. & Mrs. Robert—Louisiana Section co-Chair • Higue, Dr. George—past PFA President, Foundation Treasurer • Hutchinson, Dr. Rowland—President, American Dental Education Association (ADEA) • Japan PFA Section • Kempf, Dr. Kenneth & Linda		• Kishi, Dr. Shigeo Ryan—past PFA President, Foundation Executive Director • Kostos, Dr. James • Kozal, Dr. Richard—PFA Secretary/Treasurer, past ADAVP • Kramer, Justin • Kruger, Gustav • Laser, Norman & Mary • Levit, Dr. Bernardo—PFA International Trustee • Long, Dr. James—past PFA President • Lundgren, Dr. Carl—past PFA President, Foundation President, USA ICD President • Maihofer, Dr. Glenn—Wisconsin Section Chair • Marois, Dr. Pierre—PFA International Trustee • McCallum, Dr. Charles • Nakayama, Mrs. Tomiko—Hakusui Trading Company of Japan • Parson, Nan • Perpich, Dr. Michael—PFA Vice President • Rothchild, Philip & Miriam • Saccone, Dr. Nicholas—past PFA President • Stine, Dr. Gordan—past PFA President-elect • Trimarco, Patricia • Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Dean Lonnie Norris • Van Dusen, Elizabeth & Duncan • Vernetti, Dr. James—1999 PFA Gold Medal recipient • Welch, Dr. Scott—immediate past PFA President *More donations to the Foundation are being received in Dr. Shira’s name, and additional names of donors will follow in subsequent issues of Dental World.

Table of Contents- March/April 2003

Presidents Message
Rebuttal

Mary Ann Irvine

Foundation News

Funeral Services

Grants and Scholarships

Dr. Robert B. Shira Foundation News Cont'd

The Legacy Continues Foundation News USA

Our General Marches On Section News- International

Mobility Gains Momentum Section News- Cont'd

Central Office Report Section News- United States

2003 Calendar

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	Our General Marches On by James R. Hayward
	Robert B. Shira (1910-2002) might best be described as a “born leader.” The achievements of Major General Shira, Dean and University Provost, Editor, and past President of the full spectrum of professional organizations are unparalleled. With a disarming humility, Bob could choose his teams and inspire them with significant responsibilities to excel. This ability to spot talent and to develop potential was exhibited in students, residents, junior officers, and faculty. In following the legend of Kurt H. Thoma, Bob led the “Triple O” publication of CV Mosby from 1961 to 1993. As a skilled clinician, teacher, and lecturer, he emphasized judgment and empathy in service to patients. His humble homespun lectures combined wisdom and humor. He would say, “I never met a man I didn’t like, (pause) I can’t remember who said that—Will Rogers or Elizabeth Taylor.” His wonderful stories were linked to a full range of subjects. While at Walter Reed Medical Center, he pioneered closed-circuit television surgical demonstrations in very popular postgraduate courses. While serving as Chief Dental Surgeon of the European Command (1964-1967), he personally visited every army dental clinic in Europe, inspiring junior officers to better serve their soldier patients. These contacts in Europe revealed potential for advancement of his specialty. In 1966, Bob generously arranged a special program for the organized specialty at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, which featured new techniques in orthognathic surgery by Professor Hugo Obwegeser of Zurich, Switzerland. This was a recognized benchmark of the specialty and crowned his presidential year of the ASOMS. He also arranged for training of army residents in famous European surgical centers. Bob could look at professional organizations and implement changes for improvement. In 1965, as President-elect of the American Society of Oral Surgeons, his military duties kept him away from its headquarters. Uncertain times fell on that organization after a series of disappointing Executive Secretaries. Dr. Shira and a small committee selected a very young, talented Bernard J. Degen, who served that organization through 25 years of development to the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.		It would not be possible to name all of the professional organizations with which Bob served with meaningful distinction. These include, in part, the American Dental Association (President 1975), the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (President 1965), the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (President 1975), the Pierre Fauchard Academy (President 1985) and the PFA Foundation (President until 2002), as well as local, state, and other professional groups. Concluding his 33 years of military service with the highest rank attained in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, Bob took on another challenge in the academic area of his profession. He was appointed Dean of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (1971-1979). Later he served as Senior Vice President, and then Provost for Tufts University. He also was Vice President for Health Services at Tufts, completing his career there in 1993. The Robert B. Shira Lecture was established at Tufts in 1996. Dr. Shira was awarded honorary degrees from six distinguished universities. He received special awards in professional, military, and academic circles that are too numerous to itemize. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather to a family that he and his beloved Eileen established. She preceded him in death. Their three wonderful married daughters, Mary Ann Irvine, Sharon Lou Swanson, and Linda Kay O’Hara look with pride on their father’s superlative careers and cherished memories. He left his profession and the world a better and more compassionate environment. Funeral services for the General were held in Silver Springs (Maryland) and internment with full military honors followed at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in the General’s name may be made to the Pierre Fauchard Foundation, c/o Dr. Shig R. Kishi, 1441 Avocado Avenue, Suite 508, Newport Beach, CA 92660, USA.Calendar 2003

Mobility Gains Momentum
Licensure Changes Give Dentists More Room to Practice
by the Academy of General Dentistry

Several States recently have enacted legislation that enables dentists licensed in one State to practice in another without having to retake a clinical entry exam. Forty-three States allow some form of licensure-by-credential (also referred to as licensure recognition), according to an article in the January 2003 issue of AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Legislation adopted by most of these States is fairly “cookie-cutter” in that most require applicants to have been licensed for at least five years, to have graduated from an accredited U.S. dental school, and be in good professional standing.

But regulations vary from border to border, and from region to region. Some States have reciprocal agreements with a limited number of others. Other States open their borders to applicants from around the United States.
So what qualifies an Iowa dentist to practice in Minnesota or Montana may not be enough for Kentucky or Arkansas. Enough variation exists among States that one State dental board Web site urges dentists not to make life or career-making decisions before knowing they fulfill that State’s licensing requirements.

With 53 dental boards governing an equal number of licensing systems, friction is bound to result—and it has, for more than 150 years. Though the first known practice of dentistry in the New World occurred in 1639, it was not until the mid 1800s that licensure took root in the United States. By the turn of the last century, every State had established licensure rules.

Today, dental licensure is regulated by one dental board in each State, as well as in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. The position of AGD is supporting licensure-by-credential.

Most debate about licensure-by-credential concerns the clinical entry exam. State clinical exams vary in their degree of difficulty. While some States’ exams may average a 90% pass rate, others average only 60%.
“Dentistry has been trying for years to get a definition of quality, but it cannot. What we are really talking about is competency,” says Dr. Myron Bromberg, Chairman of the AGD Council on Dental Care. “Having to take State exams is a bone of contention for some dentists because they feel if a dentist graduates from an accredited school, they should be able to practice dentistry.”
Though dentists may argue over certain details, some are happy the federal government has not infringed on States’ rights to regulate licensure. “Dentists do not ever want to see anything federalized. I want the U.S. Government to stay out of State issues. Whenever the federal government gets involved in regulating our profession, dentists have a heavy price to pay,” Dr. Bromberg notes.

Any confusion resulting from a State’s licensure recognition system pales in comparison to its benefits, supporters say. One of the driving forces behind the adoption of licensure-by-credential laws has improved access to dental care. It also gives dentists greater mobility. And pressure from organized dentistry along with the general public has forced many States to rethink their stance on licensure-by-credential.

“I do not think there has been a lot of activity on the part of dentists who want licensure-by-credential to put pressure on the States,” Dr. Bromberg states. A State-by-State list of links to dental boards is available on AGD’s Web site at www.AGD.org/licensure.RebuttalYour editor asks what differs from State to State in filling a tooth, extracting one, making dentures or other prostheses? In the immediate coming years, there will be a shortage of dentists to serve the growing U.S. population. Already, studies demonstrate that mobility of dentists has improved access to dental care. And the European Union already has continental licensure of dentists.

Agreed that most dentists are conservative and do not wish to see federal government involvement, but teeth do not vary from neighbor State to neighbor State, like laws do. We can wait until the federal government comes to the realization that national licensure will be a benefit to the general public as well as to dentists changing locations for health or recreational reasons. Or the States, if they act now through their dental licensing boards, agree on certain parameters for accepting an out-of-State dentist to move in, they can keep their States’ rights to accept or reject an applicant. If they wait until time catches up with them, the federal government will be pressured toward national licensure.

If the States were so concerned about maintaining this as a personal right, over actually serving their populace, why did they let so many dental schools close in the last few decades? Why not State-fund the private dental schools, like Wisconsin does for Marquette’s School of Dentistry? Or why did public health cut off the Illinois dental schools from accepting public aid patients, a vital source of income and providers for the dental needs of indigents?
National licensure is the coming trend. Either out of dental access needs or the simple realization that a student trained and graduated from Tufts has all the ability to practice in California. Competency can be judged after five years of practice. State licensing boards can act now to control the coming problem, or have it taken from them by an aggressive federal government. All this talk about States’ rights ended after a war was fought over this in the 1860s. The federal government that hatched OSHA for the dental profession, can do the same for licensure. Wait and see, or act now.

	Table of Contents- March/April 2003

	Presidents Message		Rebuttal
	Mary Ann Irvine		Foundation News
	Funeral Services		Grants and Scholarships
	Dr. Robert B. Shira		Foundation News Cont'd
	The Legacy Continues		Foundation News USA
	Our General Marches On		Section News- International
	Mobility Gains Momentum		Section News- Cont'd
	Central Office Report		Section News- United States
	2003 Calendar

	new online and printable format

	download newsletter in Adobe PDF format _665k		Page 1 \| Page-2 \| Page-3 \| Page-4 \|


	Mobility Gains Momentum Licensure Changes Give Dentists More Room to Practice by the Academy of General Dentistry
	Several States recently have enacted legislation that enables dentists licensed in one State to practice in another without having to retake a clinical entry exam. Forty-three States allow some form of licensure-by-credential (also referred to as licensure recognition), according to an article in the January 2003 issue of AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry. Legislation adopted by most of these States is fairly “cookie-cutter” in that most require applicants to have been licensed for at least five years, to have graduated from an accredited U.S. dental school, and be in good professional standing. But regulations vary from border to border, and from region to region. Some States have reciprocal agreements with a limited number of others. Other States open their borders to applicants from around the United States. So what qualifies an Iowa dentist to practice in Minnesota or Montana may not be enough for Kentucky or Arkansas. Enough variation exists among States that one State dental board Web site urges dentists not to make life or career-making decisions before knowing they fulfill that State’s licensing requirements. With 53 dental boards governing an equal number of licensing systems, friction is bound to result—and it has, for more than 150 years. Though the first known practice of dentistry in the New World occurred in 1639, it was not until the mid 1800s that licensure took root in the United States. By the turn of the last century, every State had established licensure rules. Today, dental licensure is regulated by one dental board in each State, as well as in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. The position of AGD is supporting licensure-by-credential. Most debate about licensure-by-credential concerns the clinical entry exam. State clinical exams vary in their degree of difficulty. While some States’ exams may average a 90% pass rate, others average only 60%. “Dentistry has been trying for years to get a definition of quality, but it cannot. What we are really talking about is competency,” says Dr. Myron Bromberg, Chairman of the AGD Council on Dental Care. “Having to take State exams is a bone of contention for some dentists because they feel if a dentist graduates from an accredited school, they should be able to practice dentistry.” Though dentists may argue over certain details, some are happy the federal government has not infringed on States’ rights to regulate licensure. “Dentists do not ever want to see anything federalized. I want the U.S. Government to stay out of State issues. Whenever the federal government gets involved in regulating our profession, dentists have a heavy price to pay,” Dr. Bromberg notes.		Any confusion resulting from a State’s licensure recognition system pales in comparison to its benefits, supporters say. One of the driving forces behind the adoption of licensure-by-credential laws has improved access to dental care. It also gives dentists greater mobility. And pressure from organized dentistry along with the general public has forced many States to rethink their stance on licensure-by-credential. “I do not think there has been a lot of activity on the part of dentists who want licensure-by-credential to put pressure on the States,” Dr. Bromberg states. A State-by-State list of links to dental boards is available on AGD’s Web site at www.AGD.org/licensure.RebuttalYour editor asks what differs from State to State in filling a tooth, extracting one, making dentures or other prostheses? In the immediate coming years, there will be a shortage of dentists to serve the growing U.S. population. Already, studies demonstrate that mobility of dentists has improved access to dental care. And the European Union already has continental licensure of dentists. Agreed that most dentists are conservative and do not wish to see federal government involvement, but teeth do not vary from neighbor State to neighbor State, like laws do. We can wait until the federal government comes to the realization that national licensure will be a benefit to the general public as well as to dentists changing locations for health or recreational reasons. Or the States, if they act now through their dental licensing boards, agree on certain parameters for accepting an out-of-State dentist to move in, they can keep their States’ rights to accept or reject an applicant. If they wait until time catches up with them, the federal government will be pressured toward national licensure. If the States were so concerned about maintaining this as a personal right, over actually serving their populace, why did they let so many dental schools close in the last few decades? Why not State-fund the private dental schools, like Wisconsin does for Marquette’s School of Dentistry? Or why did public health cut off the Illinois dental schools from accepting public aid patients, a vital source of income and providers for the dental needs of indigents? National licensure is the coming trend. Either out of dental access needs or the simple realization that a student trained and graduated from Tufts has all the ability to practice in California. Competency can be judged after five years of practice. State licensing boards can act now to control the coming problem, or have it taken from them by an aggressive federal government. All this talk about States’ rights ended after a war was fought over this in the 1860s. The federal government that hatched OSHA for the dental profession, can do the same for licensure. Wait and see, or act now.


	Central Office Report by Secretary/Treasurer Richard Kozal
	The Central Office has made all the preparations for the Executive Board Meeting to be held on 8 March 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Reports for the Meeting packet should be sent to the Central Office on or before 15 February 2003 to be included. Once President Gary Lowder approves the Meeting agenda, it will be sent out to the Board. Nominations for the PFA Gold Medal were sent out and are now coming in. The last quarter of 2002 is now in the accountant’s hands for preparation for the next Finance and Budget Committee conference call.		The Minutes from the New Orleans Meeting have been completed and mailed out to the entire Board, the accountant, and the PFA attorney for any necessary corrections. The annual informational packets have been sent to all 119 Section Chairs for this year. If you failed to receive your packet, inform the office at the address/communications listed on the last page of Dental World.