Academy of LDS Dentists

President’s Message

Colleagues:

It has been said that if we are alert, we can’t see a sermon in our surroundings. As I have visited numerous dental offices these past few months, I’ve witnessed various degrees of “success.”

Success obviously means different things to different people. There are so many “highly successful” people in every field of endeavor who so craved “success” that they paid for it with broken homes, ruined health, lost morals, and a completely distorted sense of the true values of life. Somehow, I can’t just equate success with unhappiness, whether inflicted on others or imposed on oneself. So the first requirement for being successful is to come to a clear-cut, all-encompassing understanding of what it means to lead a successful life. I’ve never found a better formula than the one L. D. Pankey has taught for so many years…develop a balance of work, play, love, and worship. Those who don’t achieve success in all four of these lifetime goals can’t be considered successful in the richest sense of the word.

Within the context of this balance, the following suggestions have meant much to me.

1. Give your family top priority. No amount of “success” can even approach the happiness that comes from living and being loved by your own family.
2. Take time out to think. Realize that planning beats luck any day, so get in the habit of spending some personal think-tank time every day.
3. Visualize the end result. Whether it’s an occlusal problem, an anterior bridge, or a new room on the house, you’ll do it better if you’ll picture it completed.
4. Be analytical. Get all the facts you can and use that scientific attitude to make sensible decisions.
5. Don’t waste small segments of time. Using those few minutes of “in between” time adds up to real productivity. Salvaging just 30 minutes a day adds up to a full month of workdays.
6. Follow the either-or rule. If you think about it, there is always something else you could be doing. Start deciding on which option you would rather do.
7. Get tuned in to your Creator and trust Him to guide your life. His plan is always better than any we can make up.

One of the strong points of being a member of the Academy of LDS Dentists is our family-oriented August conference, which will help each member of our family be more successful in life.

Plan today to attend the conference. Mark it on your calendar. Fill out your application. Remain a member of the Academy even if you can’t attend this year. Your dues will help our Academy to be more successful. “Success” to you!

Your President,

Robert O. Boyer

Academy of LDS Dentists Committee Assignments 2003–2004

Founder: Gordon J. Christensen
President: Robert Boyer
President Elect: Albert Clark
Vice President: John Gerritsen
Secretary/Treasurer: David Geddes
Immediate Past President: Bret Tobler
Service Development Councilor: Gerald Summerhays
Service Funds Councilor: David Wright
Mission Development Councilor: Rick Meyers
Communication Councilor: Eileen Johnston
Membership Councilor: Richard Francis
Education Councilor: Karl Koerner
Spouses President: Kari Sanford
Hygienist President: Ellen Christiansen
BYU Representative: Robert Holcombe
Newsletter Editor: Eileen Johnston

Interview with Dr. Gordon J. Christensen, Founder of the Academy of LDS Dentists

Editor: Why was the Academy started and for what purpose?

Dr. Christensen: In 1976 I was approached by the then dean of the College of Agriculture and Biology at Brigham Young University about organizing the dentists in the Church. This was immediately after I had moved from Colorado to Utah and had changed my career direction from university academics to independent education, research, and practice. The suggested purposes of the request to organize the dentists were to provide continuing education for dentists, raise funds for the college, serve the Church, interact with the college and the profession, and assist in whatever other areas seemed logical.

Editor: Was dentistry the only profession considered? Were other professions, in addition to dentistry, able to raise money for the university and provide service for the Church?

Dr. Christensen: I suggested to the dean that the organization should represent all of the health sciences and not dentistry alone. He agreed. However, because of lack of interested leadership in medicine and other areas, the planned “Academy of LDS Health Practitioners” resulted in the “BYU Academy of Dentists,” with a name change later to the “Academy of LDS Dentists” for political and legal liability reasons. Subsequently, about ten years later, medicine started an academy, but it has struggled and has not been integrated with the Academy of LDS Dentists.

Editor: In what way would a coalition of health professions be useful to the Church?

Dr. Christensen: It is my strong opinion that eventually an overall academy of health professions should be formed. Such an academy would provide enormous eclectic advantages for the Church in all medically related fields. Because of the apparent lack of direction from other health services, I agreed to assist in the formation of an academy for dentists, wrote the original constitution, and served as the president for three terms. The Academy of LDS Dentists grew rapidly, and apparently it has filled a void in the profession for LDS dentists and their families. It is my hope that eventually an academy including all categories of health practioners will be formed.

Editor: How has the Academy of LDS Dentists evolved over the years?

Dr. Christensen: Over the many years of service to the profession, the Academy has provided excellent continuing education courses each year, cumulatively attracting thousands of dentists and their families and providing hundreds of the best non-LDS speakers/educators in the profession an opportunity to see BYU, Utah, and the Church. Fellowship among LDS dentists has been fostered, and the positive results are obvious. Additionally, service projects have been carried out throughout the world, providing dental care to hundreds of patients and allowing many dentists the opportunity to serve.

Editor: How well is the Academy integrated into the Church’s humanitarian service program?

Dr. Christensen: Church recognition of the Academy and its potential for both service and ecclesiastical help has been slow and sporadic, in spite of the efforts of many Academy leaders. However, at this time, Church recognition and acceptance is at an all-time high, and the potential is great!

Editor: What direction is the Academy taking now?

Dr. Christensen: Currently, the Academy of LDS Dentists is providing professional clinical services in numerous areas of the world. It is developing, staffing, and teaching in dental schools in diverse countries; delivering continuing education to Academy members, their spouses and children, guests, predental students, and others; organizing and funding donated continuing education to the dentists of developing countries (the 2005 program will provide five days of CE to the dentists of India, resulting in an estimated 5,000 dentists in attendance and influencing their ten million patients); and providing significant leadership for the Church in many other dental related projects. The original goals appear to have been satisfied well along with significant expansion into other areas.

Editor: That is amazing! Those 5,000 dentists in India will then be able use their newly acquired knowledge and skills to help an even greater number of patients. Of course, these dentists and possibly their patients will be introduced to the Church as well. What are the Academy’s goals for the future?

Dr. Christensen: In my opinion and that of other Academy leaders, the following appear to be the Academy’s goals:

* ·Continuing the ongoing programs
* Expanding the service projects to provide professional services to Church members and missionaries, as well as nonmembers of the Church, as directed by the leaders of the Academy and representatives of the Church
* Expanding the outreach continuing educational programs for dentists and staff members in developing countries, with official acceptance of and support by the Church
* Eventually becoming a Church “major initiative”
* Expanding the service and educational programs in the dental schools of the world as related geographically to missionary training centers
· Integrating with organizations representing other health professions
* Expanding the influence and size of the CE programs for members, staff, families, and guests; growing to the level that the Academy is the voice of dentistry for the Church
* Increasing the influence of the Academy among LDS dentists by increasing membership in the Academy and encouraging more attendance of members and guests at Academy meetings

I feel confident that with the continuing excellent leadership, the Academy has a fantastic potential to serve the Church, the public, and the profession.

Editor: It is evident that you are very optimistic about the Academy. I hope that other members of the Academy will catch this same spirit and have a better understanding of the amazing depth and breadth of the Academy’s worldwide vision and mission. Thank you, Dr. Christensen, for the time that you have taken for this interview and also for all that you do for the Academy and our profession.

Letter to the Spouses from the President of the Spouses Organization

To the Spouses:

One of the things that isn’t often discussed at our spouse’s meeting is the purpose of the Academy of LDS Dentists Spouses Organization. Education is one goal. Another is to provide service. We have enjoyed the educational benefits with our own wonderful program each August and would now like to begin to put more emphasis on the service goals.

The Academy of LDS Dentists is providing more service opportunities than ever before: Peru; Honduras; Guadalajara, Mexico; etc. Please investigate some of them. There are service opportunities for families, others just for you and your spouse, and some only for the dentist or the dentist and his or her staff. There is something to fit every situation and financial and time budget. We know that a supportive spouse can make an important contribution in encouraging the dentist to participate in a service project.

We are all so very blessed in our personal and professional lives. We hope that you will consider joining one of these service trips or lending emotional support to a family member’s participation as a way to express your gratitude for the blessings you enjoy.

May the Lord continue to bless and watch over you.

Kari Sanford

Note:
For our meeting in August we would like to do a service project. If any of you have participated in a service trip and have seen a need that we could help with, please contact me with your thoughts and ideas. Thanks

Progress in Fund-raising

Good news! As of January, 2005 $16,000 has been donated to the Academy Humanitarian Service Fund. The fund was launched for the purpose of raising $500,000 to establish and maintain two dental service clinics in dental schools in developing countries, the first being in Lima, Peru, and the second in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The good experiences that have resulted from these first two clinics have convinced us that we are on the right track. We are providing the best mode of humanitarian service, because we are teaching local dentists to provide better and more efficient care of their patients, including our Church members in their areas.

It takes up to $50,000 to establish each of these clinics, even considering that most of the dental equipment is donated, and there are several more countries we are exploring to set up new dental service clinics. Maintaining the clinics may take additional annual capital expenditures, even though the local dental schools assume the responsibility for the maintenance of these clinics. LDS dentists worldwide have a marvelous chance to make a difference in the lives of the local providers and thence the local citizens in these countries.

Please consider making donations on a regular basis.
Send donations to the Academy Humanitarian Service Fund:
c/o Dr. David N. Wright
345 South 990 West
Orem, UT 84058
(801)836-0619

Used Dental Equipment Is Creating Smiles in Honduras

Dental equipment is still being gathered to outfit dental clinics in Honduras, and Mr. David Sheets, a Utah businessman, is coordinating this herculean effort. The latest equipment drive was on October 27, 2004. Dentists from the Academy and other volunteers helped to move dental equipment from dentists’ offices to a donated warehouse where it awaits shipment to Honduras.

The equipment gathered in October is just the latest in a long list of dental humanitarian service efforts in which Mr. Sheets and his many volunteer friends have been involved. In the past year and a half, his group of volunteers, together with dentists of the Academy of LDS Dentists, worked diligently to gather the dental equipment and building materials needed to install 15 operatories in a new residency clinic in the dental school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The clinic opened in May 2004, with tremendous enthusiasm shown by students and faculty. Many Honduran government and university dignitaries attended the inauguration, which received national media coverage. The clinic is considered to be one of the finest in all of Central America, and competition is keen among students to be selected to do their residency there.

During the May 2004 trip, a dental operatory was also donated and installed at an orphanage/school that serves 1,100 children. The dentist at the orphanage is thrilled to have modern, reliable equipment to provide much-needed dental care to the children.

There is more work to be done, though, and plans are being made to establish postgraduate clinic and another residency clinic at a children’s cancer clinic not far from the dental school in Tegucigalpa. This clinic will provide vital care to children afflicted with cancer.

In addition to gathering equipment and supplies, and coordinating the opening of clinics, Mr. Sheets’ group has also been very active in assisting orphanages by donating food, toys, and clothing. Medical equipment and supplies have also been shipped to an impoverished hospital and an LDS chapel has been refurbished. Mr. Sheets noted that young Honduran members who would like to serve a mission often find it difficult if not impossible to afford the cost of clothing and dental care to prepare for a mission. This year alone, the group has collected and distributed nearly three tons of missionary clothing and assisted through the dental program many prospective and full-time missionaries with their dental needs.

Those interested in donating dental equipment may contact:

Dr. Bruce Whiting
Home: (307) 789-2301
Cell: (307) 349-0460

Peru Dental School Project, April, 2004

Each year, at the start of a new academic year (end of April), a dental team of 30 to 40 visits the University of San Marcos Dental School in Lima, Peru, and provides free dental service to the surrounding community. This past April, under the leadership of Dr. Greg and Florence Hatch, a group of 39 participants again visited the university. Dr. Rick and Alma Meyers, arrived a few days before the group in order to assist the Peruvian students and doctors who were in charge of organizing the clinics for the project.

On the Sunday morning after arrival, the humanitarian service group was able to have a wonderful sacrament meeting in their hotel conference room, followed by a one-hour orientation on university clinic procedures, policies, customs, and personal health tips. In the early afternoon, the group took all their equipment and materials to the university to set up the clinic for Monday’s activities. About 12 Peruvian students and doctors joined with the visiting group, and with everyone participating, the work was completed in a record time of about three hours. Most of the repairs, maintenance, and modifications needed for the clinic to function were completed at this time. Mr. John Spencer, president of DCI International (Pelton and Crane), had provided sufficient replacement parts to insure that all the dental units in the new clinic were left in perfect working order.

The week was filled with activities that truly make this type of project not only rewarding for those participating but far-reaching in its effect on those it is designed to serve. The total number of patients seen was 847, and 1,069 procedures were performed. Six separate lectures, a total of 30 hours, were provided on various subjects during the course of the week. In conjunction with the lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice were provided for participating students and professors. To help assure that the lectures and demonstrations would be well attended, the fourth-year dental class created a beautiful three-panel color brochure and color posters publicizing the lectures. These brochures and posters were distributed and posted throughout the school and other dental institutions in the city.

The Academy of LDS Dentists donated eight books on periodontology to the school library. This donation will bring the Department of Periodontics to an academic level that is acceptable to run a complete undergraduate and postgraduate program.

The endodontic lecture series, along with donations of endodontic supplies, brings the postgraduate endodontic program up to the most current level of endodontic practice. The donations will allow the students and faculty to practice the most modern techniques. The teaching staff is very enthusiastic and desirous to make the transition from the older endodontic techniques taught 15 to 25 years ago to the those that are most current in dentistry today. The University of San Marcos Dental School will likely be one of the first in Peru to make endodontic curriculum changes, with the help of an enormous amount of literature and audiovisual materials given to the school for their use. This curriculum change represents a huge move forward and a culmination of three years of great effort.

In comparison to other years, during this trip there was an increase in the participation of both students and professors. There was a great deal more teaching and interaction between visiting dentists and students. It was gratifying to see students and professors at the chairside practicing the techniques they had learned in lecture, under the supervision of a visiting dentist. Four members of the Peruvian chapter of the Academy of LDS Dentists came at various times to participate in the week’s activities.

Significantly, this was the first time the service project was managed entirely by a core group of Peruvian students and doctors who had been trained during previous projects. Dr. Mabel Salas was the project director during the week, and there were eight clinic directors. This dedicated group of Peruvian students and doctors is now trained and available to plan and manage future projects, in any university, and to do it in accordance with the standards, goals, and objectives of the Academy.

Social and spiritual activities were also part of the trip. On Tuesday, the group attended the temple to do endowment work and baptisms for the dead. This proved to be a very special and spiritual experience for all participating. There were tears and hugs in the celestial room as feelings of gratitude for each other and the Lords work were expressed. The group also spent a delightful evening visiting the cultural music and dance center and enjoying a presentation called “Las Brisas de Titicaca.” Traditional dancers, with classical Peruvian music, performed in spectacular fashion, and in between performances, the floor was open for the public. Almost the entire dental group was out on the dance floor having the time of their lives, dancing with Peruvian students, doctors, and each other. Another evening was set aside for shopping in the Peruvian shops. Students accompanied the group to help bargain for the lowest prices possible. During the Thursday lunch hour, a special musical and dance presentation was provided by the school. A young professional couple, who were dance champions five years in a row, presented the traditional marinera and other dances to honor the group.

While the other members of the group were shopping, Dr. Rick Meyers and 18 members of the Peruvian chapter of the Academy of LDS Dentists met in a restaurant. This dinner provided an opportunity to get to know each other better and discuss the future direction of their organization. Counsel was given and plans were made to improve the unity of their academy. The branch of the Academy of LDS Dentists organized in Peru is continuing to function and grow. Since its inception they have conducted various service projects in poor communities have provided low-cost (or free) services to missionaries or young men and women preparing to go on missions, and are learning to strengthen themselves, as a social group, in their professional and spiritual growth. Dr. Fanny Toulier is the Peruvian chapter’s president.

On Friday, at the conclusion of the week’s clinic activities, a special program was presented in the school’s auditorium. Music and dance started off the festivities, and many in the group participated. Then the dean of the school presented all the visiting team members certificates of participation. An additional certificate was given to those who gave lectures. This was a great honor for all and expressed the approval of the school for our efforts and donations.

The group is always forewarned that active proselyting in the university setting is not appropriate. If the local people come to members of the group wanting to know more about the Church, then Church doctrines can be discussed in a private setting. This type of opportunity constantly presents itself. At least 25 Books of Mormon were given out and more than 10 discussions were given. One of the periodontal instructors is currently receiving the discussions from the missionaries after two years of preparation from this type of contact with LDS dentists. So far, every trip has resulted in at least one baptism.

Dr. Rick Meyers said in his report to the Academy, “It’s hard to adequately explain the value of this type of project and the effect it has on the lives of the participants who provide service, to the members of the university community, and to those receiving this service in the form of excellent dental care. Each year there are a myriad of individual experiences, all of which are spiritual in nature and life changing for many. The hand of the Lord is constantly seen in every aspect of the planning, group selection, implementation, and day-to-day workings of the project. It is important to keep in mind that this is not just a group of dentists doing humanitarian work in a foreign country, like so many other organizations. It is a group of people who are comfortable using the gift of the Holy Ghost, who understand the power of prayer, and who seek inspiration and revelation to guide their paths. They have experience in welfare principles and understand the nature of appropriate humanitarian service based on experience and training. Their only desire is to please the Lord and do His will. They have a love for those they serve and recognize them as children of our Heavenly Father. That is what makes this project unique, and the results, both seen and unseen, are consecrated and blessed by the Lord and have eternal consequences.”

The Academy gives a special thanks to Dr. Greg and Florence Hatch for the work they put into organizing the most successful and rewarding trip so far. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work involved in putting together this type of project and organizing so many people. Their organizational skills and tenacity with details made everything run smoothly with less stress on everyone involved.

Update on Ghana

On a trip to Ghana, Africa, Dr. Rick Meyers learned that the dental school desired to start a dental technology program. The dental school laboratory at that time was only capable of making orthodontic appliances and dentures. All porcelain fused to metal crowns was sent to Benin, a country to the east of Ghana.

In February 2004, Dr. Meyers asked Mr. David Payne, a member of the Church, to head up a project to set up a crown and bridge laboratory with the necessary equipment, supplies, and training for porcelain fused to metal fabrication. The goal was to teach the skill of making crowns and bridges at the school. Ghana has an unemployment rateof 70 percent. Being able to fabricate crowns and bridges in-country would provide jobs as well as keep these funds in their own country.

Mr. Payne, through the help of friends, developed a four-page color prospectus that was mailed throughout the United States to dental supply houses, manufactures of dental laboratory products, and those who might give monetary donations. After many e-mails and faxes, donations of supplies finally started coming in.

A major donation came from Keystone Industries in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. During the winter, the roof of one of their warehouses caved in, partially damaging the supplies and equipment that were stored there. Some of the material was salvageable and the company offered them for use in Ghana. To Mr. Payne’s surprise and delight the supplies and equipment filled a semitruck trailer! This was indeed an enormous blessing. Almost everything needed was included in this one donation.

The big problem to overcome was getting the laboratory supplies to Ghana. Mr. Payne contacted Mrs. Edington of Globus Relief Fund. Again there was another miracle. Mrs. Edington had a container that was already scheduled for Ghana. Globus Relief Fund would be able to box and bundle two pallets for the dental laboratory project at no charge (2,000 pounds each). Fortunately, Keystone Industries was more than happy to have the supplies shipped to Globus Relief in Salt Lake. Their very large donation was joined with the various smaller ones.

There was more to this project than just supplies and equipment. The goal was to establish a dental laboratory training program. After many dead ends, Mr. Payne finally contacted Mr. Dana B. Cohen at the Los Angeles City College. By permission of the school’s supervisor, Mr. Cohen gave Mr. Payne their complete dental laboratory technology curriculum and books. This was only possible because it was going to Africa and would not be in competition with the Los Angeles City College.

Mr. Payne and Dr. Ron Tobler then traveled to Ghana and spent two weeks teaching Mr. Glover and Mr. Adu at the Ghana Dental School how to pin and base models, trim and prepare dies, wax copings, invest, metal finish, opaque, and stack porcelain. Mr. Adu and Mr. Glover already had an overall understanding of all these concepts, and Mr. Payne helped to refine their skills. He said, “The simple things made the biggest difference. The die trimming needed to be refined, their metal needed to be thinned down, contours and anatomy corrected, but the basics were there.”

Teaching took place in the clinic as well. Dr. Tobler helped the last-year dental students do a least one crown preparation before they graduated, and also worked with one graduate student. None of the students except the graduate student had done a crown preparation on a patient. Dr. Gordon Christensen generously donated five video presentations. The students learned much from the videos and were very grateful for Dr. Christensen’s generosity. Dr. Tobler was able to show the tapes as part of his lectures and discussions.

The dental school is hoping another visiting clinical dentist will come in 2005. They have asked for additional help with endodontics, adhesive dentistry, and periodontics. The dental school also has a mobile unit which could be used for dental outreach if a dental team were to come to teach prevention and children’s dentistry under the auspices of the dental school.

Mr. Payne, Dr. Tobler, and the Academy of LDS Dentists extend a warm thank-you to the companies and individuals for the supplies and monetary donations:
MDL Dental Products, Inc.; Buffalo Dental Mfg; Dental Ventures of America, Inc.; Air Techniques; Bonner Industries; Keystone Industries; Dental Lab Services; Econotek; SS White Burs; Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.; Los Angeles City College; Globus Relief Fund; Dr. Charles Brown; Dr. Mozafari; Avalon Dentistry; Brian Andre; Ken Hoagland; and Lois Payne.

Missionaries Dr. John and Pat Bevan Provide Important Liaison Assistance in Ghana

In December 2003, Dr. John and Pat Bevan began their church service as temple missionaries in the new Accra Ghana Temple. Although temple service occupies most of their time, Dr. Bevan has been able to serve as liaison between the dental school in Ghana and the Academy. He has also lectured at the school and met with faculty members. The Academy is very grateful for his success in improving communications with the school.

Before his mission call, Dr. Bevan previously visited Ghana in October 2003. It was then that he and Dr. Rick Meyers were sent by the Academy to the University of Ghana Dental School to evaluate the possibility of a dental project in West Africa.

Brother and Sister Bevan will finish their mission in May 2005. It would be better if arrangements could be made before this time for a dentist-spouse missionary couple to replace them.

Successful Honduran Project Continues

Dr. Frederick Meyers recently returned from Honduras. He reports that the new dental school clinic is running very well, in spite of the absence of a missionary couple. Dr. Ramon Arguelles, who is LDS and the dean of the dental school, is doing an excellent job taking care of the clinic and seeing that its objectives are being met. Dr. Michele Paredes, director of the Social Services Residency Program, supervises the facility and is constantly monitoring the residents in their use of the equipment and the handling of the instruments.

Chairs and delivery systems, compressor, air line pressure, and water pressure are all in good working condition. The suction units, though, are having difficulty functioning properly. Two have stopped working due the very heavy buildup of hard-water lime. They were put back in service after a complete disassembly and removal of the hard deposit with a hammer and chisel. Drs. Arguelles, Paredes, and Meyers will find a new source of water or see that a water softener is added to the water. In the meantime, these suction units are not in use.

The storage room remains well stocked with original materials and instrumentation. The security systems for the clinic, its storage areas, and supplies are fully adequate to maintain the clinic in excellent condition. Materials and instrumentation are dispensed by Dr. Paredes through an opening in the office glass window facing the clinic. There has been very little theft. The clinic is cleaned thoroughly twice a day by the school cleaning service who have been thoroughly trained on proper procedures. Once a month, the dental residents do a detailed cleaning and maintenance of each unit and all other equipment.

There are currently nine active residents who spend at least half a day at the clinic. Some spend a complete day assisting the director or dean with projects, tasks, or additional patient care. Every six months new residents are chosen for the clinic. Recently, four students were selected. The standards for admission to the residency program are very high and competition for these positions is keen. More resident positions will become available as students make the necessary changes to meet the academic and social standards to gain a position.

Although missionaries and prospective missionaries are seen in the clinic frequently, both members and nonmembers have equal access to care at substantial discounts. Many patients are seen at no charge. The dental section of the missionary application form is being filled out appropriately and work is being completed for the prospective missionaries. Missionaries from North America are also being seen for emergency treatment.

The Residency Clinic Program has had a tremendous impact on the standards of the entire dental school. Students are studying harder than before, competing for the resident position. The positive influence of the resident clinic on the staff to enhance their own programs is being seen. Some of the other doctors and specialists on staff are utilizing the clinic in difficult cases with the assistance of the residents. Overall, the clinic supplements the education of the dental students. It is not “adding” additional requirements to their curriculum.

The construction of the clinic and the dental service project in May 2003, combined by a continuous public relations campaign by the current dean and the vice rector (previous dean), is generating additional funding, support, and focus on the dental school and its services. Many other institutions are trying to make similar changes to their residency clinics in an effort to receive the same attention. The concept has captured the interest of groups in the U.S. and other Latin countries who are interested in providing support in other areas.

Since May 12, 2004, the clinic has registered 561 patients, and 928 procedures have been completed. The majority of patients come in for comprehensive work, but only about 35 to 40 percent return more than three times. The new resident clinic doesn’t add to the competition for patients that exists between all the clinics of the dental school, since much of the referral base comes from the other clinics in the dental school, other residency programs throughout the country, and the local mission presidents.

The LDS Dentists Database Continues to Grow

To date, the Academy has 562 LDS dentists in the database. The Academy continues to work on the ambitious goal of gathering information on all the LDS dentists in the world for the data base. It is very secure and will only be used by the Academy Executive Council for planning service assignments, mission service, and notification of Academy activities.

If you have filled out and returned your questionnaire, the Academy thanks you very much. If you have LDS dentist friends, please copy and give them the form so that they, too, can be included. Your help in locating LDS dentists is needed.

Please send the forms to:

Dr. Richard Francis
378 East 400 South Suite #1
Springville, UT 84663

Fax: (801) 489-9839

This Year’s Academy of LDS Dentists Conference August 12–13, 2005

Speakers include:

Friday, August 12, 2005

1. Joe Steven Jr., DDS – Practice Administration
2. Michael A. Siegel, DDS, MS Oral Pathology
3. Richard V. Tucker, DDS Restorative Dentistry
4. Robert R. Edwab, DDS Oral Surgery

Saturday, August 13, 2005

1. Ross W. Nash, DDS Esthetic Dentistry
2. Stephen Cohen, DDS, MA Endodontics
3. Joseph C. Piscatella Nutrition
4. Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD Dentistry Update