the family dentist

Official Publication of the Ohio Academy of General Dentistry              
Spring 2007 Web Edition

WHY A.G.D???

Member since 1976...This statement appears upon my AGD membership card. A similar statement is on every AGD membership card. The only difference is the year included in the statement. When I renew my membership for the calendar year 2005, I will be in my 29th year of membership in the Academy of General Dentistry. Why does anyone remain a member of any organization for 1 year or 5 years, or 10 years and why on earth for 29 years? There are over 33,000 answers to that question. Each member of the academy will have his or her own unique answer. For some it is the friendships that we have formed with others. For others it is the recognition of long hours of work and study to improve professional skills that the Fellowship and Mastership awards provide. Many feel the sense of security that being part of a large group with similar interests can provide. While some feel their membership allows them to give back to their profession, which has enriched their life by serving as leaders or mentors to others. Most often our reason for membership is a combination of the things I have listed along with many others blended in a mixture that is ours alone. 

When you receive your renewal for next year take a moment, to reflect upon your particular reasons for joining the Academy of General Dentistry and the reasons you have remained a member for 5 or 10 or in my case 29 years. Relate these thoughts to a friend and colleague who is not a member and encourage them to join so that they might benefit from membership.

Ken Garrett, DDS, MAGD

Sometime I just get a little tire of of people making a big deal about something not too important. For example, who cares about someone setting a record for being a the first person to hit a home-run on the third Tuesday of April on leap-year after 10:00p.m.? It seems that sometimes we just make up records to indicate some great feat of some kind.

If you think you know where I'm going with this, you probably are wrong. You know me better to get involved expressing my opinion in this column,----Yeah Right!

At any rate, just what is all this talk about when and when not to refer? I have always been of the opinion that the pie is plenty big to go around. Yet it seems that some feel that their piece might be a bit smaller than others. 

I can make this situation very simple and easy for all of us. 

Like Clint Eastwood said  "A man's got to know his limitation". Well, this really applies to all general dentists, no matter how old or young, male or female, or whatever. 

I look at general dentists as specialists of general dentistry. The general dentist should be the gate keeper, and the primary dentist to the patient. All of us know what procedures we are comfortable with. So, as promised, I'll make it simple. First and foremost, the best interest of the patient should be kept in mind. If you feel comfortable with any procedure, and if you are doing so in the best interest of the patient--- DO IT! If you feel the patient may be better treated for a certain procedure immediately then refer. But, refer with, and make it quite clear that you remain the primary care giver. 

That seemed pretty easy, and I don't think I offended anyone or any group. I wish everything in life was as simple as deciding when to refer a patient. 

And finally, on a different subject, the Ohio AGD is sponsoring a speaker on April 07-14, 2007 Holland America cruise. the speaker is a good friend of mine Dr. Brian Smith. You will find more information on the cruise in this publication. Further, please feel free to call me personally if you would like more information on thins or any subject.

James C. Schneider, DDS, MAGD
Regional 7 Trustee
Ohio A.G.D. Editor

None at this time.

www.agd.org (you must be a member to access the journal page at the AGD website)

Academy of General Dentistry
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Chicago, IL  60611-2670
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FAX: 312.440.0559

the family dentist is published
quarterly by the Ohio Academy of
General Dentistry
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Phone 440.235.9590  
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