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Academy Examiner

T H E A C A D E M Y O F L D S D E N T I S T S N E W S L E T T E R FA L L 2 0 1 2
Presidents message
It is with great excitement and trepidation that I assume the role of president of the Academy of LDS Dentists. John Gerritsen has been such as devoted and hard-working leader for so many years that I can only hope to continue what he has started. I feel like I am jumping on a stagecoach going at full speed and have been handed the reins to keep it on track. John has been on the executive committee for nearly 18 years. He began as secretary. When the time came to move to vice president, he asked if he could defer that office to form a separate service committee. Because the Academy was beginning to experience challenges in coordinating and expanding its service activities, John stepped up to provide that direction. For the next 12 years, he and Jerry Summerhays worked to explore and develop the Academys mission to promote service. Four years ago, he decided to complete his earlier commitment to serve as vice president and then president of the Academy. During his tenure he made great and significant changes to the Academy. He had the website redesigned and the newsletter upgraded. He started the email communications, developed a database of members, fostered student chapters, developed the Academy Representative Council, brought an executive director to our team, and has really helped the Academy to grow. Attendance at the annual conference has increased each year, as has our membership. John also has fostered friendships and been an advocate for the Academy in all his circles of influence. Thank you, John, for all you have done. Our conference this year was a great success. The presenters were excellent, and our fireside speaker, Dr. A. Lynn Scoresby, was thought provoking and inspiring. We had more people attend this year than we have ever had, and we hope to be able to continue to grow. I have personally found the conference to be one of the best continuing education programs I attend. It gives me insight into what is developing in dentistry so I can keep current and incorporate methods into my practice that will help me better serve my patients. In a continuing effort to be of service to our members, we are making changes to the website. We have added two new buttons at the bottom of the home page: Oral Health Resources and Clinical Tips and Questions. Under the Oral Health button will be several items to help you as you teach oral hygiene, either during a service project abroad or at home. We hope to collect and make available the best resources so you dont have to go searching for them yourself. Under Clinical Tips we hope to take advantage of our collective experience and share techniques and practices that will help us be better dentists. We will also have a panel of specialists and other dentists that can answer some of the perplexing questions or help us solve some of the difficult situations we sometimes encounter. These two areas are intended to be interactive, and we encourage you to help us. If you have a DVD of something that really has worked for you to teach oral hygiene, send it to us so we can share it. If you have a clinical pearl that has made a difference in your practice, pass it on to us. We hope that in this way we can help each other in the challenges of dentistry. Finally, while we encourage you to support those who help those in need of dental care throughout the world, we also want to address those needs right in our own backyard. I encourage each Academy member to participate in a local service project in his or her community. Please email me and let me know what you do in your community! Write to: LDSDentists@gmail.com Dentistry is a great profession. By sharing our time and expertise, we can be of great service to those who are less fortunate. Dentistry has blessed our lives. May we share those blessings with others. With love and respect,

201214 aCademY COUnCiL


Evan M. Roundy, President Laurence R. Palmer, Vice President Tom C. Johnston, Secretary/Treasurer John A. Gerritsen, Past President Gordon J. Christensen, Founder

Evan M. Roundy 20122014 President Academy of LDS Dentists

35tH AnnuAl confErEncE ovErviEw


2012 dEntAl confErEncE
By Laurence R. Palmer, Academy vice president
The 35th Annual Conference of the Academy of LDS Dentists was another great success. Members gathered from around the world to enrich their lives through education and fellowship as well as through wonderful spouse and family activities. Dentists presentation The dentists were given great educational opportunities from seven dynamic speakers on the topics listed:

FridaY nigHt BanqUet and Fireside DR. A. lyNN sCOResby, feAtuReD speAkeR
By Scott M. Healey, executive committee member
The Academy had a wonderful dinner, entertainment and speaker Friday night at the Marriott Hotel in Provo. For the third year in a row, a blind, self-taught concert pianist, Ron Roberts, played the prelude and background music during our dinner. Kerilyn Johnson sang two inspiring musical numbers. She has performed in numerous mainstage productions and at the Promised Valley Playhouse. She began teaching privately in 1992 and at BYU in 1994. She uplifted us with her beautiful and entertaining music. Dr. A. Lynn Scoresby was our featured fireside speaker. He is an expert in child and family psychology with 40 years of experience as a teacher and consultant. He is a gifted speaker and communicator. His topic was How to Make Love in a Marriage Dr. A. Lynn Scoresby Last. He spoke of four aspects of communication to achieve this: 1. Take small bites and chew slowly. In other words, we are to take time to enjoy our communications with our spouses. Discover your spouses likes and dislikes, and enhance your relationship by communicating to your spouse using the things he or she likes. 2. It takes two to grow a marriage with unity and trust. To grow we must have a growth mindset. Identify positive things in the relationship. Work on things you can do better. Remember that you cant love someone you are hurting. Once you begin seeing the faults of your partner, you get stuck in that mode. 3. Look for the good. Boost your partner and bond your relationship. Ask your spouse what he or she likes, and then do that. 4. Bad things sometimes happen in life. Many times we look and find the bad in our relationships and do not search for and identify all the good and positive things our spouse and others do for us. 5. Foster freedom. Never rob another person of freedom. Allow others to exercise their agency to do what they like with their lives. As they grow by personally developing their interests, talents, accomplishments, and confidence, the overall relationship will be enhanced and amplified. Restricting that freedom diminishes personal satisfaction and stifles the relationship, admiration, and love. This was truly one of the highlights of the conference.

Friday, August 10, 2012


Gary TakacsPractice Management Sam Low, DDS, MSPeriodontics and Implants Terence E. Donovan, DDSFixed and Removable Prosthodontics

Saturday, August 11, 2012


Jeffrey P. Okeson, DMDOcclusion Charles Blair, DDSInsurance and Coding with Confidence Peter L. Jacobsen, PhD, DDSPharmacology Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhDWhats New2012 Saturday also included a new optional breakout session Question-and-answer session on Service in Developing Countries. During a break Saturday morning, dentists and students looking for an associate or a partner, or either buying or selling a practice, were given the opportunity to meet each other. This was extremely helpful and a real benefit to both groups of dentists.

stUdents and CHaPter Leaders


During the Academys business meeting, students were able to meet with the Academy leaders who work with the student chapters. Gordon Christensen discussed the profession of dentistry and various issues with members of the student chapters. This informal discussion was helpful for the students and the chapter leaders.

YOUtH adVentUre
Youth had an action-filled weekend with great BYU counselors. Activities included visits to The Leonardo, Chuck E. Cheese, Boondocks, City Creek Center, Lagoon and Seven Peaks Water Park. Before leaving for the activities, the youth got to play on large blow-up toys on the lawn adjacent to BYUs Conference Center.

Happy conference attendees

Comparing technology

35tH AnnuAl confErEncE ovErviEw


2012 distingUisHed serViCe aWards
By Laurence R. Palmer, Academy vice president
Each year, the Academy honors individuals for their dedicated, long-term service to their fellowman, either at home or abroad. Service presentations during the Saturday lunch in the Wilkinson Center Ballroom were a highlight Brent and Charlene Gerald (Jerry) Lee, oral surgeon Summerhays, of the conference, with two periodontist awards presented. Jerry Summerhays and Brent and Charlene Lee received awards from the Academy for their many years of dedicated service to their fellowmen. The recipients gave excellent PowerPoint presentations, which validated that each is very deserving of this prestigious honor. To read the summaries of the recipients, go to the Academys website under News and then Recent News, or click the link to http://academyofldsdentists. com/2012-academys-distinguished-service-award-recipients/.

2012 SPouSE ProGrAm

by Melea Mortenson (Bozeman, Montana)


This years Spouse Program began Friday with our president, Rebecca McDonald, introducing the theme, Come Unto Christ. She encouraged us to trust Him, align our wills with His, and try to learn to serve with love in a real and tender way. Our first speaker, David A. David A. Christensen greeting attendees Christensen, explained that the process of sanctification really means coming unto Christ today. He quoted Brigham Young, who said, Be as perfect as you can, for that is all you can do. He spoke of the challenges we face as women, in part because we are so hard on ourselves. He also spoke of parenting challenges and the trial of having wayward children. He explained that come unto Christ and be perfected in him (Moroni 10:32) means that we come in our imperfection, and Christ will make up the difference. Next, Steve and Johanne Perry sang and spoke about gratitude, prayer, humility, forgiveness, family, and enduring to the end. What an amazing couple, and what beautiful music! After lunch, Hank Smith spoke about the anatomy of a high-trust marriage. Donald W Parry spoke . about symbols from the scriptures and the world around us in his presentation, All Things Testify of Christ. Both presentations were very interesting. The final Mingling at the spouses breakfast Saturday presentation of the day, by LaNae Valentine, dealt with understanding our emotions. It was worthy of note. Her conclusion that ultimately we have to work through the emotional pain in our lives and let it instruct us, rather than trying to avoid dealing with it, was very thought provoking. Saturdays events began with a lovely breakfast, during which author Dean Hughes spoke about the conflict between our cooperative and our competitive feelings. It was the first time we have enjoyed a breakfast together. Many hope this tradition will continue due to its success! A highlight of the entire conference was the amazing Jon Schmidt concert in the Varsity Theatre. Not only did his music completely entertain, he also took questions from the audience, making it an unusual and fascinating experience. Then Randal Wright inspired us to Jon Schmidt identify and fulfill our missions here on earth, sharing stories and encouraging us to study our patriarchal blessings. Finishing off our day, we all enjoyed Liz Edmunds, The Food Nanny, as she inspired us to plan so we can help our families eat dinner together at home more often. The whole conference was wonderfula weekend to remember! 3

HYgienists LUnCH and Learn


By Kathleen Young, hygienist, clinical instructor at Utah Valley University
Dr. Kim Cassity, a periodontist from Provo, Utah, spoke at the Lunch and Learn session for hygienists. He spoke about establishing a periodontal protocol. This is an important topic in light of the large numbers of people with periodontal disease, perhaps much of it undiagnosed. Kathleen Young He discussed some of the challenges we face as hygienists in this endeavor. Some of these challenges are: Are we probing, charting and analyzing? Do we have support to perio chart (an assistant)? Is there sufficient appointment time to do periodontal assessments? Is there a complete understanding of periodontal disease? Are there unwritten protocols in therapy? Are we afraid to tell patients they have a relapse? Are we afraid to tell patients the cost of periodontal therapy? He went on to discuss the importance of establishing a written protocol for the office relating to periodontal therapy. If each office does this, it will improve the quality of care for their patients. The hygienists who attended this Lunch and Learn thoroughly enjoyed the presentation by Dr. Cassity. We thank the Academy for offering this session.

Break time

Fond farewells

35tH AnnuAl confErEncE ovErviEw


Statements by Attendees about the Academys Annual conference LOng-time attendee tO tHe sPOUse PrOgram
By Sandee Spencer (Florida)
What an amazing treat it was to participate again in the Spouse Program. There is nothing better than listening to many speakers who would be featured at Education Week, but in a more intimate setting. How can you beat relaxing in a beautiful presentation room and having the most Spirit-filled and inspiring speakers come to you? BYU always does an amazing job of providing snacks, drinks and goodies for our breaks, which add to the enjoyable time. The banquet and fireside speaker are always a highlight for husbands and wives. Wowsers! Im also always inspired by the slides and information about charitable trips. Cant wait until we get one on our calendar. My husband says the dental program is always top-notch as well. It has renowned presenters, and the cost is less than the other continuing education opportunities he participates in. One of my favorite moments this year was at the luncheon with the dentists, learning of the recipients of the service awards. My husband spent most of the luncheon leaning over and answering a steady stream of questions posed by a young, brand-new dentist. It was so fun for him to be able to share his years of experience. We travel all the way from Florida to the Academy of LDS Dentists meetings, and it is a highlight for us each year! So awesome!

AtteNDeD tHe pAst tHRee yeARs, seRves As AN aCademY rePresentatiVe


Aaron Straw (Houston, Texas)
I have enjoyed this conference in Provo more than any other. The speakers are phenomenal and teach from their hearts, the attendees are friendly and supportive, and the leadership is unsurpassed. I always make a new friend and become aware of amazing service opportunities around the world. Instead of being bombarded in the hall by dental supply companies trying to make a buck, you can plan a dental mission to China, Cambodia, Samoa, Guatemala, etc. Its great to support the Academy of LDS Dentists. Unfortunately, my wife has never attended the spouses conference due to the ages of our young children, yet she expresses keen interest in attending in the future. It will happen!

First-time attendee
Joshua Nardone (Aurora, Colorado), Student at University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2014
As this was my first time attending the Academys annual conference, I was unsure of what to expect. Being a student, I wondered what relevance the conference would have to me. I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. The layout of the lectures and meetings was easy to navigate. The topics of the lectures were terrific supplements to my education and preparation for private practice. I felt warmly welcomed by the other attendees. I appreciated the student breakout session and the chance to meet with other dentists looking for associates or replacements in their practice. There was lots of good food, some great information on service opportunities, and many chances to get to know other likeminded dentists. My wife also found the Spouse Program to be an uplifting, positive, and fulfilling experience. She said the speakers taught such wonderful messages and left her feeling spiritually rejuvenated. She really enjoyed meeting other spouses. We were very glad to get to know the Academy better and look forward to attending the conference again in the future!

RetiReD, lONg-tiMe AtteNDee


By John Bevan (West Jordan, Utah)
After many years of attending the annual meeting of the Academy of LDS Dentists, I saw it through new eyes this year. I had the opportunity of hosting Dr. David Ameyaw from Ghana, West Africa. He was the recipient of financial assistance from both the Academy and the Perpetual Education Fund during his schooling. Without such assistance, he would not have been able to complete his last year of dental school. He graduated from the University of Ghana Dental School in March 2010. Davids eyes were opened to new ideas and possibilities in dentistry because Ghana is at least 20 years behind as far as dental practice is concerned. He had never attended a professional meeting and was amazed at the information presented. David loved the meeting and the reception and hospitality shown to him by everyone he met. He had never tasted strawberriesand loved them! He hadnt had peachesand doesnt want any more! The whole experience was new to him, including the ride in an airplane and sleeping overnight in Romes airport due to a delayed flight! He is hoping to be an on-site resource for those going to Ghana for various service projects. His e-mail address is ameyaw. dameyaw.david@gmail.com

Networking during a break

Building friendships

GivinG SErvicE: AbroAd And HErE At HomE


the need is Everywhere
Long-time Academy member Ralph M. Downey, a practicing dentist in Pueblo, Colorado, is an example to all of us as to how service can be provided. In acknowledgment of his service efforts, he was the 2010 Distinguished Service Award recipient at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Academy of LDS Dentists. the dental clinic to the homeless, who start camping outside of the clinic at about 5:00 a.m. to receive their early Christmas present of dental care. Rob McDonald, from Superior, Colorado, states: Each year we have arrived at 6:30 a.m. to start the day of service, to greet a line of people from our front office door around the side of the buildingsometimes in 23 feet of snow! The need is great. The service is rewarding. Joseph Johnson, from Logan, Utah, reports: Our office holds a free dental day once a year where we offer a free filling, extraction, or cleaning. The turnout has been amazing, and the support from dental professionals and local businesses has been fantastic. It is humbling, the amount of gratitude these patients show for the care they receive. A simple flier or notice on the bulletin board at the local homeless shelter will spark the interested of those in need. Or perhaps letting the local Church leaders know of your plans will get those in need into your dental chairs. However you advertise it, youll have more patients than youll be able to handle. In November 2005, Dr. Ralph Downey and his wife, Diane, founded the International Health Volunteers organization, a private nonprofit group whose primary purpose, according to their website, is to establish an accessible repository of physicians, dentists and other medical experts who have the requisite skills and interest to assist in domestic and international shortterm medical relief projects. (see http:// www.internationalhealthvolunteers.org/) Its an obvious fact that the needs in our own neighborhoods are great. We dont have to look any farther than our own communities to identify those without dental insurance or the funds to take care of basic dental needs. Creative ways exist where you can open your practice and utilize your own equipment, without needing portable dental equipment or bush guides in a foreign country. Regardless of whom you serve: Thank you for sharing your time and talents.

serViCe in tOnga and samOa


In 1998, Ralph Downey took his wife and eight children to the Kingdom of Tonga to work in the newly established Liahona Clinic. He sold his home, car, and practice to have the necessary funds to spend several months in Downey family in front of Tonga doing this the Samoa temple humanitarian service project. This was an extreme sacrifice he and his family offered to the people of Tonga. Ten years later, his younger children could not remember their time in Tonga very well, and one had not even been born at the time. Dr. Downey and his wife, Diane, returned with the family to the South Pacific, this time to Samoa, so his younger children could have the experience of service. At the request of the Area President of the LDS Church, he spent several months setting up a clinic similar to the one in Tonga. He and his family have also assisted with projects to bring dental care, eye care, and immediate medical care to several orphanages, hospitals and communities in mainland China. For the Downey children, service has been instilled into their way of life.

As discovered by reporter Matt Lubich of The Johnstown Breeze, the Downey brothers did it for another reason as well: because it was the right thing to do. We thought this would be a good thing to do for the community, Jacob Downey said. The article states: The brothers sent an estimated 150 letters to dentists across the state asking for help and supplies. Their aim is to set up a mini dental clinic Friday and Saturday and provide first-come, first-served treatment to anyone in the communities regardless of ability to pay . . . They didnt have to go any farther than their own Northmoor Acres home, southwest of Johnstown, however, to find one of those dentists, and an example of the spirit of volunteerism their father, Ralph Downey! See the last page of this newsletter for information about a current need at the Samoa clinic, which the Downeys helped start. It would be a great Eagle Project for any Boy Scout!

LOCaL serViCe tO tHOse in need


Dr. Downey fulfilled an idea he had, which can be done at any dental office without selling your home and moving to a developing country. On a designated Saturday, the four dentists and the support staff in his group opened up their 12-chair clinic to the homeless in Pueblo, Colorado. They worked all day in filling some of the needs in that community. Not much publicity needs to be given to the homeless before the schedule is booked for the entire day. Another loyal Academy member, Robert McDonald (husband of Spouse Program past president Rebecca McDonald), does something similar on the day before Christmas each year. He and his staff open

serViCetHe dOWneY BOYs eagLe PrOJeCt


Five years ago, Brenton Downey, then 16, and his brother, Jacob, 14 at the time, chose to organize a free dental clinic at the Johnstown Community Center in the city where they live. They did it as part of their Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project.

Brigham Young University Conferences and Workshops 115 Harman Continuing Education Building Provo, Utah 84602
Address Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PROVO, UTAH

PERMIT NO. 49

aUgUst 2013
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Mark your calendars now to attend the 36th Annual Conference of the Academy of LDS Dentists, August 1617, 2013.

Stalwart friends of the Academy, (l to r) Richard Smith, Harris Done, and Tom Call

Academy Examiner
A Challenge from Academy President Evan Roundy
This year, consider how you can provide care to those in your area. Try it out, then let us know how YOU serve the needs in your community. Contact us at LDSDentists@gmail.com, and well share your ideas with others in the Academy. Your service is appreciated!

Visit our Website


Visit the academys updated website for valuable resources: Annual conference information and registration Dental student resources Classified ads: Buy/sell a practice associate/partner opportunities News, recent and archived newsletters Membership dues renewal Humanitarian service opportunities Other valuable items

a Possible eagle scout Project


HeLP! We need SAMOA SUPPLIES at the Samoa Dental Clinic run by volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants. Basic supplies needed: Toothbrushes Dental floss Fluoride varnish Fugi IX capsules Please send any amount of these items to: Academy of LDS Dentists P.O. Box 9955 Salt Lake City, UT 84109 The Academy will ship the boxes to Samoa and tell them from which dental practice the supplies came. Ask your suppliers if they will help out, too!

Follow us on Facebook Website: academyofLdsdentists.com

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