Australasia

The new Section Officers are Section Chair Mark Sinclair of New South Wales, Secretary/Treasurer Patrick Meaney of New South Wales, and Trustees Richard Sawers of South Australia, Gerry Clausen of Victoria, and Dexter Bamberry of New Zealand.

Belgium/Luxembourg

Chair Jose Dahan organized an extensive number of Section affairs for the visiting President-elect last June, including an all-day seminar on Sleep Apnea at the University of Liege.

Fellow Christiaan Colpaert presented a seminar on “Microdentistry,” explaining how to avoid unnecessary destruction of dental structures.

Two prominent dentists were inducted last year—Dr. Alain Arys, a clinician and dental teacher in Brussels, and Dr. Odile Hutereau, Chairwoman of the Luxembourg Society of Orthodontics.

Canada

International Trustee for Canada Barry Dolman reported that Fellow Dr. Bernie White of Saskatoon has been appointed the Registrar/CEO for the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Burton Conrod of Sydney, Nova Scotia, was named FDI President-elect during their annual World Congress in Montreal. Dr. Conrod’s two-year term as FDI President will commence in 2007 following that of Dr. Michele Aerden of Belgium.

Fellow Jack Cottrell begins his year as President of the Canadian Dental Association by meeting with Fellow Richard Haught, ADA President, and with ADA President-elect Robert Brandjord.

Fellow John P. O’Keefe is the CDA Editor and has just recently redesigned the publication.

Fellow Gary MacDonald and the Atlantic Section will be hosting the 2006 CDA annual Meeting.

The PFA Annual Awards and Installation Ceremonies will be held on 24–26 August 2006 in St. John’s, N
ewfoundland.

Germany

Chairman Frank Braun visited the PFA Central Headquarters in Las Vegas last July and toured the PFA Dental History Museum there.

German Chair Frank Braun at the Las Vegas Dental Museum

Haiti

Dr. Jeremy Lowney, Jr. of Connecticut, who received our PFA Distinguished Service Award at the Philadelphia Awards Banquet, initiated this project and established the Haitian Health Foundation. Their Foundation spends 93% of their donations in serving the poor and needy of Haiti. Dr. Jeremy, his wife Virginia, and Marilyn Lowney work tirelessly to construct sanctuary homes for the sick and needy, distribute food to the malnourished children, build a school, offer medical services, and provide dental treatment, and offer eye care services. They are making a difference in the world, one person at a time.

Japan

Japan held their 36th annual Section Meeting in Hiroshima last October.

At the PFA Philadelphia Board Meeting and events, retiring Chair Tsuneaki Kuwahata made many friends with his attendance at our functions. He received the retiring Section Chair’s Service Award at the Awards Banquet and attended the Section Chair’s Caucus.

Japan Chairman Tsuneaki Kuwahata with Sumo champion body guards

Japan Chair Tsuneaki Kuwahata of Tokyo is a big Sumo Wrestling fan. This sport is very big in his country. He has become a favorite of two great champions. My Japanese is very rusty (two words, and Dr. Kuwahata taught me one of them), so I cannot translate the names of these champions very well. But their wrestling program lists them in order of greatness starting with very small (unreadable type) to very large, bold figures. These two men are named in the largest of the Japanese type.

Editor Brophy and retiring Japan Section Chair Tsuneaki Kuwahata

Mexico

Chair Ernesto Acuna hosted their Section Meeting last November 3rd at the Centro Asturiano. They inducted ten new Fellows into the Academy. Dr. Armando Hernandez, founder and former Dean of the dental school of the Univesidad de Lasalle Bajio introduced the Foundation Scholarship recipient Patricia Murillo Flores. Three dental schools in Mexico City were introduced to the Mentorship Program for the Intercontinental University, Technological University of Mexico, and the Latin-American University. A presentation by architect Carlos Flores Marini discussed “Gaudi and his repercussions in Mexico.” Gaudi was an architect from Barcelona, Spain (1828-1926).

Netherlands

Dr. J. A. van Bentum, Section Secretary for Chair Annette Dony, announced that he is retiring after five years as Secretary. He will be replaced by Dr. Buisman. Treasurer for four years, Dr. Balkema will be replaced by Dr. Donker.

This year’s lustrum was to Barcelona, Spain. Dr. H. Goeneveld, a member of the European Dental Committee, gave a talk on “harmonization in Dental Care and Dental Education in Europe.”

The Section presented their dental Scholarship Award to E. Zwinkels at the University of Groningen. The Foundation also helped sponsor their project “Bridge the Gap,” which was reported in July/August issue of Dental World.

Last March, their meeting encompassed a program on the 2006 Healthsystem, which is ending the difference between the National Health System and the private Health Assurances. The first presentation was given by Dr. J. den Dekker, advisor for the Governmental Organization College of Health Assurances. Dr. Hehenkamp, a PFA Fellow, discussed the vision of the greatest Health Assurance Companies (VGZ). Dr. L. Zeegers, a PFA Fellow, an old member of the Dutch Dental Organization, presented the viewpoint of the general practitioner.

United States

Alaska

Dr. James Cerney is reorganizing the Section of three Fellows. Alaska is the largest State with its population spread over many isolated towns and villages. Hosting a gathering in one spot is a major undertaking.

California, Northern Section

Fellow Robert L. Boyd was the recipient of UOP’s Dr. Frederick T. West Endowed Chair in Orthodontics at their September Faculty Development Day. Dr. Boyd is the first to be so honored for this position at the Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry. Professor Boyd, Chairman of the Orthodontics Department, holds certificates in both orthodontics and periodontics. He is a renowned educator, but his research interest in the orthodontic damage to the periodontal tissues has led him to become a principal investigator for the Invisalign appliances in a major research effort. He is a Fellow in PFA, ICD, and ACD. He is also past President of the Edward H. Angle Orthodontic Society. He has had many publications and lectures and the honors that go along with them. He is the 1999 recipient of the John Vallentine Mershon Award from the American Association of Orthodontists. He earned his dental degree from Temple University, his post-graduate certificates from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida. He has taught at UC-San Francisco for 15 years and has been at UOP since 1996.

Fellow A. Thomas Indresano, Professor and Chair for the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department at UOP’s Dugoni School of Dentistry, was presented by the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) with their Donald B. Osbon Outstanding Educator Award during their 87th annual Meeting in Boston last September. Teaching for 30 years, AAOMS Faculty Section past Chair G. E. Ghall stated that “under his tutelage, Dr. Indresano’s trainees were provided not only the necessary requisites to practice the specialty in a competent manner, but he also instilled in them the highest ethical and moral ideals of a professional.” Dr. Indresano has authored some 90 articles while being involved in numerous research projects that included one funded by NIH—“Long Term Cancer Survivor: Research Initiatives.” He has held many leadership positions in his field, including past President of the American Society of TMJ Surgeons, and he serves as AAOMS’ representative to the ADA.

Kentucky

Chair Karl Lange and his Fellows participated in a dental health care program at the Kentucky State Fair that served 1500 children. Over 750 dental volunteers provided hygiene education and sealants.

California, Southern Section

Chair Charles Eller reports that Dr. Cherilyn Sheets of the Children’s Dental Center in Englewood has presented a videotape of her special project for viewing by the Fellows to see how the Foundation grant is being used.

In honor of the late Latin American Trustee Bernardo Levit, the Section donated $1000 seed money to start a small dental clinic in the Argentina Pampas region.

The Section has contributed $5000 to assist any Fellows requiring assistance in the Hurricane Katrina–affected areas. They will be working with the PFA Foundation on this project.

Their Section was able to achieve a $15,000 donation of equipment from Jerry Peck of the C-Dental X-Ray, Inc., to provide to Loma Linda School of Dentistry. The equipment includes a cephalometric dental x-ray unit, a cephalostat, tube stand, control and generator as well as a Konica medical processor and an AT-2000 dental processor.

The UC-San Diego Student-run free clinic will need financial assistance this year. Two Fellows make an annual trek to the Philippines to work in a mission clinic at their own expense, but they will need funding for dental supplies.

The PFA Foundation grant to St. Leo’s Clinic in Del Mar has established the clinic to be self-sufficient. The Esparanza Project in Baja California has also achieved this status. All this is due to Foundation grants.

The California Dental Association has 11 component societies in their area. The PFA Section has a Fellow in charge in each one of these component areas.

Georgia

Past ADA President T. Howard Jones, recipient of the 2003 PFA Presidential Award of Excellence, has written us a letter urging our support for another PFA Fellow, Congressman Charlie Norwood. Dr. Jones notes Dr. Norwood’s outstanding record of leadership and accomplishment. He has been a strong supporter of issues important to dentists. He has a national reputation for his efforts to reform America’s health care system. He has served his Georgia District and his profession faithfully. If you are wondering why dentists are not hearing so often from OSHA, wonder no more. Congressman Norwood needs more political help to win the day for our programs.

Smile PAC was established to help elect members to office that favor our profession. Government needs to stop onerous regulations that cause the delivery of dentistry to get out of the reach of those needing it. Help Charlie Norwood help our profession. Send a contribution to Smile PAC, P.O. Box 2178, Evans, Georgia, 30809, Dr. T. Howard Jones, Treasurer.

United States continued...

Michigan

Chair Joe Harris held their annual Spring Breakfast last May in Grand Rapids during the Michigan Dental Association annual Meeting. Fellow Josef Kolling became President of the MDA, taking over from Fellow George Goodis. They remain very involved in the Bay Cliff health camp dental services project. Fellow Dr. Cheri Newman spent a week at the camp providing dental care. The Section donated $8000 along with a donation from the Delta Dental Plan of Michigan to enable the camp to purchase three specially designed wheelchair-accessible operatory chairs and refurbish the main cottage to allow wheelchair access.

Drs. Timothy Gietzen, Gregory Oppenhuizen, and Michael Wojcik were inducted into Fellowship.

Last August, the PFA Section met with the Detroit Dental Clinic Club and MDA to finalize plans to mentor dental students and new graduates. The Section’s annual Meeting was held this November during the Detroit District Dental Society Review.

Nevada

Secretary General Richard Kozal, PFA Section Chair William Rohel, and Dean Patrick J. Ferrillo of UNLV’s School of Dental Medicine have requested your contribution to assist in erecting a large display case in their new dental school to properly exhibit the Dr. Henry Zeller 1900’s antique dental office. This completely intact office, down to the patient records, was donated by PFA through a generous donation by Dr. Robert Ibsen of Den-Mat Corporation. The PFA Museum Committee is spearheading a fund-raising drive to raise the $20,000 needed to fabricate an enclosed exhibit that will preserve this century-old office in the excellent condition that it exists as now. Your name will be proudly displayed with other donors on a plaque located near the exhibit. The antique office will be located in the main lobby of the dental school. This will not only be a historical educational resource for the students, but patients and other professionals can appreciate how far we have come in 100 years. To add your donation to the many other Fellows, please contact Richard Kozal at the Central Office or Zach Smith, the Director of Development at 702/774-2507.

New Hampshire

Chair David Stahl reports that their small Section supports the “Give Kids a Smile” program as part of the Children’s Dental Health month. Six new Fellows are awaiting induction.

New Mexico

Dr. Tomas J. Schripsema, past President of the New Mexico Dental Association and a prominent member of the ADA Council on Dental Care, is the new Section Chair.

Ohio

PFA President Michael Perpich attended the Ohio Section Meeting where retiring Chair Al Uveges was honored by his Fellows at his 24th Section Meeting as Chairman. Incoming Chair Karl Schneider of Mentor, former Northeast District Chairman, was presented their Distinguished Service Award. Eight new Fellows were also inducted.

Oregon

Chair William Tenpas has resigned. Trustee Charles Eller is seeking a new replacement.

Rhode Island

Chair Richard Walsh inducted three new Fellows in the Academy last May. They are Drs. Judith Pratt of Cranston, Robert Conte of Warwick, and Marian Royer of Middletown. Their major service projects remain (1) the Anti-Smokeless Tobacco displays; (2) their Mentorship services for recent graduates and new dentists; and (3) Donated Dental Services chaired by Fellow Dr. Nicholas Barone, in which the Foundation has funded, contains 90% PFA Fellows participation.

Utah

Chair Richard Petty hosted their largest-ever annual PFA Breakfast Meeting in Salt Lake City with past PFA President Gary Lowder in attendance with ADA 14th District Trustee and Fellow Joel Glover of Reno; ICD 14th District Regent, Fellow Newell Warr; and the 1992 PFA Gold Medal recipient Gordon Christensen. Drs. Jim Ott, Gary Crawford, Paul Innis, and Jeremy Ellis were inducted into Fellowship. State Senator Lane Beattie, President of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Meeting. Former Utah Section Chair Gary Lowder was honored by receiving the Special State Section Chair Award for his total dedication to the Academy.

Washington State

Chair David Minahan inducted Drs. Sarah Fraker, Keith Leonard, Randall Ogata, and Richard Seims into Fellowship at a PFA Reception prior to the Washington Oral Health Foundation Gala at the Washington Athletic Club.

Their Section continues to participate with ICD and ACD in the 14th Annual Continuing Dental Education Day to help provide scholarship funds for the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

Dr. Greg King has been chosen to receive the Award for Distinguished Professorship at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

West Virginia

Chair Bob Hornbrook hosted their Annual Awards Reception last May at the Erickson Alumni Center of West Virginia University in Morgantown. Their Section’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. H. Richard Marshall of Lewisburg. Also honored were Dr. Nicholas Taylor of Sissonville as recipient of the 2005 Dental Student certificate of Merit and Dr. Eleisha Nickoles of Wellsburg as the 2005 Foundation Scholarship recipient.