Steven K. Hedlund, DDS

This is my third President's Message, and as I write to you I find that my year as President is half over. Time is going fast, and I still have a lot to do and so little time in which to do it.

I would like to personally invite those of you who are going to the ADA Convention in Orlando, Florida, on October 7-10, 2010, to attend our PFA events. On Saturday at 11:30 am we have our annual Awards Luncheon. The President's Reception is at 6 pm on Saturday, and the President's Dinner Party is on Sunday evening. Details can be found in this issue of Dental World, and schedule updates will be posted on our PFA Web site.

Speaking of events, in June 2011 the Pierre Fauchard Academy will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in Paris, France. Thus it is only fitting that the next Academy President will be Dr. Hubert Ouvrard from Paris, France. Plans are already being made for this big event, which will include lectures, a ceremony at the Paris 6th District Town Hall, nice hotel accommodations, and much more. If you would like to visit Paris next year, please join us for this great event. See future issues of Dental World for more details.

When I attended the plaque dedication for Dr. Richard Kozal at the College of Southern Nevada, I also was able to attend the Southern Nevada Section meeting. Dr. Bill Rohel was a wonderful host. Twenty-seven Fellows enjoyed a great meal, program, and fellowship. The program included a presentation on the local I-Smile Program, which is partially funded by a PFA Foundation grant that was presented to the group. It is always gratifying to hear how much good the Foundation does. By the time you read this message I will have attended the Washington State Section meeting at the kind invitation of Section Chair Barry Feder. I am looking forward to visiting our friends in the Northwest.

Two of the questions I hear most frequently are, "Why should I belong to PFA?" and, "What do I get for my money?" These questions are valid and deserve an answer. I will try to answer as best I can from my perspective.

First and foremost, it is an honor to be asked to be a member. Your peers have thought enough of you that they want you to belong to their organization, the Pierre Fauchard Academy. But as we all know, beyond this honor there must be other reasons to want to be a member and stay a member. For example, as part of the benefits of your paid membership, you receive six issues of Dental Abstracts, our very fine scientific journal, which otherwise would cost $109 for a year's subscription. (Note: The Academy did not raise dues [$125 in the United States] this year, and there are no plans to do so next year. Academy leaders believe that during these tough times the organization should tighten its belt like everyone else.)

Another reason for belonging to PFA is that there is real value in what the Academy does through its Foundation and the various causes that members volunteer to support. Projects like I-Smile, Mission of Mercy, and dental school scholarships are just a few examples of the good that is done by our organization. As I travel to visit PFA Sections across the United States and the world, I am constantly thanked for the grants given by PFA that allow members to make a difference in so many lives. For instance, in Georgia I was able to go to mobile dental vans and see firsthand our members doing dental work for needy school children. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy "Ask not what the Pierre Fauchard Academy does for you but what you can do for the Academy."

Well, that is enough sermonizing, but before I end this message I want to say that the Academy hopes you enjoy the new changes in the Dental World format. If you have comments please send them to our Editor, Mark Stanley. Mark is doing a great job and continues to improve our Web site and electronic communication. Please visit our Web site at www.fauchard. org; you can log in with your registered e-mail address to access the secure Member Services area that is reserved for PFA Fellows only.

Thanks to all of you, our valued members, for your support and time, which is much appreciated.

Steven K. Hedlund, DDS President of the Pierre Fauchard Academy