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United States Public Health Service
DENTAL NEWSLETTER
A publication of the Dental Professional Advisory Committee
Volume VI, Issue 3 December 2006
In this issue of the USPHS Dental Newsletter:
Click on the titles below to go directly to the articles.
COVER STORYReport on Annual ADA Session 1
REGULAR SECTIONSChief Dental Officer Column 2 DePAC Chair’s Column 6DePAC Vice Chair’s Column 8 FEATURESRADM Kleinman to Retire 3Requests for USPHS Paper Submission 5Surgeon General - FEMA Courses 5 Links of Interest 5 Senior Officer Spotlight 10 Junior Dental Spotlight 11 Associate Recruiter Program 12 Dr. C. Everett Koop Honorary Lecture 12Call for Nominations 13 Upcoming Events 14 Co-Editor CAPT Hsiao Peng Co-Editor CDR Coleman Palmertree Consultant CAPT Suzanne Saville Consultant CAPT Steve Torna
The USPHS Dental Newsletter is published 3-4 times annually, and is distributed electronically through the USPHS Dental Bulletin Board, agency distribution lists, and the USPHS Dental Directory. The next issue of the newsletter will be published in June 2007. If you have suggestions or comments about the newsletter, or would like to submit an article, please contact the editors, CAPT Hsiao Peng [email protected]
and CDR Coleman Palmertree [email protected] or consultants CAPT Steve Torna [email protected] and CAPT Suzanne Saville [email protected].
ADA Outgoing President, Dr. Robert Brandjord at ADA 2006 Opening Session
REPORT ON THE ANNUAL SESSION OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
OCTOBER 16 – 20, 2006LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CAPT Daniel J. HickeyADA Delegate
INTRODUCTION: The 147th Annual Session of the American Dental Association convened October 16 – 20, 2006 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Session featured extensive presentations in the latest developments in science and technology; a wealth of varied, excellent continuing professional education courses; a prodigious array of dental, health, and business-related exhibits; and the meeting of the delegates of the profession’s respective constituent societies.
The House of Delegates (HOD), as the legislative and governing body, is the supreme authority of the American Dental Association (ADA). As such, it speaks for the 152,000 members of the Association and for the dental profession in the United States. The HOD is composed of officially certified delegates of the 53 constituent dental societies; two officially certified delegates from each of the five federal dental services; and five student members of the American Student Dental Association. In 2006, the U. S. Public Health Service contingent to the HOD was
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delegates RADM Christopher Halliday (IHS) and CAPT (Continued on page 8)
RADM CHRIS HALLIDAY, DDS, MPHChief Dental Officer, USPHS
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS
Hello to the Dental Category! As calendar year 2006 comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the many Transformation-related initiatives that have been developing over the past several months. I would like to share with you some of the information I have gathered at the various meetings I have been attending with the hopes that by sharing the information in this venue, you will become better acquainted with key issues impacting the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service.
First of all, I’d like to provide you an update on the Transformation of the Commissioned Corps. As you will recall, on December 5th of last year, Secretary Michael O. Leavitt shared his vision of a Transformed Commissioned Corps. The overall goals of the Transformation were to better prepare the Commissioned Corps for coordinated response, staffing of difficult to fill positions in the U.S. Public Health Service and the continuous career development and training of officers. Since that time, five Transformation Implementation Planning work groups were formed and a series of weekly meetings were held to develop a suggested plan of action for Transformation. The five workgroups dealt with the following issues:
Readiness Sizing of the Corps Recruitment, Training and Career Development Assignments Classification and Positions
Each agency and staff office that employs Commissioned Corps Officers was invited to appoint a member of each work group, and the charge to the work groups was to develop the detail that would be needed to implement Secretary Leavitt’s plan for the Transformation of the Corps. The Commissioned Corps Transformation Implementation Plan, containing the force management changes approved by Secretary Leavitt, is now available at the Commissioned Corps Management Information System website: http://dcp.psc.gov/. Please take a look at this very important document as I feel it will help you to answer questions you may have pertaining to the Transformation of the Commissioned Corps. There will also be a series of articles providing updates on the Transformation process in the Commissioned Corps E-Bulletins. The most recent issue of the E-Bulletin, along with an archive of past issues, can be found at the following link: http://dcp.psc.gov/ccbulletin/ccbul_main.aspx. Please review these sources of information in order that you may be kept informed of the latest information pertaining to the Transformation of the Commissioned Corps.
There are a number of additional activities taking place, related to the Commissioned Corps, that I would like to share with you. The office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) has implemented the Electronic Commissioned Corps Issuance System (eCCIS) to replace the old Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual (CCPM). The eCCIS consists of directives, instructions, personnel policy memoranda, personnel operation memoranda, plans, pamphlets and handbooks. The eCCIS is an excellent resource tools for officers, and the inclusion of a search function will greatly facilitate the ability to locate documents. The eCCIS can be found at the following web-link: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/ . Another eagerly anticipated tool, for officers and applicants to the Commissioned Corps, should be rolled out during the spring of 2007: the new electronic Call to Active Duty system (eCAD). The new system is intended to help manage the documentation associated with recruiting new officers into the Corps. Applicants to the Corps will be guided by marketing materials, which are in the final stages of development, and a new recruitment website which will allow an individual to apply online. The eCAD system will offer the ability to pre-qualify individuals interested in serving in the Commissioned Corps and will help to assure that each applicant meets the minimum qualifying
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criteria for entry into the Corps. An additional benefit of the eCAD is that once an applicant receives a Commission, the electronic information captured through the online application will be shared amongst the payroll and benefit system, the
electronic Officer Personnel File, a job assignment system, a readiness system, and a career management and training system. Many of these systems are still in the planning stages, but the Transformation timeline, as approved by Secretary Leavitt, mandates that key elements of all the systems be completed no later than the end of calendar year 2008.
The implementation of many Transformation-related issues will be partially coordinated by the twelve, recently hired OCCO and OCCFM Transformation Officers. These officers will fully develop the concepts for recruitment, creating officer profiles and billet systems that will play pivotal roles in making officer assignments, filling hard to fill, isolated hardship and hazardous duty positions, creating functional groupings of officers, classifying positions, determining billet description content, articulating training objectives, determining the career development needs and developing the integrated fashion in which each of these activities will be efficiently coordinated.
Communication will play a vital role in the successful implementation of the Transformation of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS. I would like to ask the officers in the Dental Category to openly discuss Transformation-related information with their Commissioned Corps and civilian colleagues so that accurate and factual materials can be shared and discussed. A multifaceted communication strategy will be created and implemented in recognition of the importance of communicating with officers, civilians who supervise officers and others who have a stake in the outcome of Transformation.
Before I end this article, I’d like to provide a briefing from the 2006 American Dental Association (ADA) annual meeting. CAPT Dan Hickey, CAPT Linda Jackson, CAPT Suzanne Saville and I participated in the ADA House of Delegates (HOD); CAPT Hickey and I served as Delegates, and CAPT Jackson and CAPT Saville served as our alternates. The HOD, as the legislative and governing body, is the supreme authority of the ADA. As such, it speaks for the 152,000 members of the Association and for the dental profession in the United States. Several resolutions dealing with access to care in underserved populations were discussed during the HOD sessions, and resolutions were passed which dealt with workforce models within the dental profession. Several USPHS Dental Officers also attended the Reference Committee hearings dealing with the following topics: (1) Dental benefits, practice, science and health, (2) Dental education and related matters, (3) Budget, business and administrative matters, (4) Communications and membership services, and (5) Legal and legislative matters. The USPHS Dental Category also staffed a recruitment booth at the annual meeting and many individuals stopped by the booth to inquire about potential opportunities with the DHHS agencies employing dentists. I’d like to encourage each of you to attend the annual ADA meeting, and I’d like to thank all the USPHS dental officers who were able to attend the 2006 meeting.
In closing, I would like to thank all members of the Dental Category for your continued support, assistance and dedication during this time of change. Your enthusiasm and contributions towards meeting the mission of the USPHS will be the foundation for the success of the Transformation of the Commissioned Corps. Working together, we will help assure the promotion, protection and advancement of the health and safety of our nation.
Dr. Dushanka Kleinman to Retire From NIDCR
(ADA News-Nov 14)
Dr. Dushanka Kleinman, deputy director at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, will retire from government service January 1, 2007, to assume a position at the University of Maryland-College Park's College of Health and Human Performance, which is transitioning to a School of Public Health. Dr. Kleinman will be associate dean, Research and Academic Affairs, at UM-College Park, and also have an appointment as professor in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department. The former chief dental officer of the U.S. Public Health Service, Dr. Kleinman has served in the government for 28 years-26 of those years at NIDCR. Joining the (then) NIDR in 1980, she conducted research on oral mucosal tissue diseases and conditions, directed
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planning and evaluation activities, and managed the Institute's epidemiology and oral disease prevention program. Access article online at: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=2221
By CDR Tim Ricks, DMD, MPH [email protected]
As your Dental Professional Advisory Committee (DePAC) ends another year of service, we understand that 2007 will bring unique challenges to all of us in the Dental Category, and we are preparing ourselves to meet these challenges while at the same time completing 2006 tasks.
2006 has been an exciting year for all of us. We made a smooth transition in Chief Dental Officers, from RADM Dushanka Kleinman to RADM Chris Halliday. As outgoing Chair of DePAC, I would like to personally thank RADM Kleinman and RADM Halliday for their mentorship and leadership to me over this year. We are very fortunate to have in both of these officers a Chief Dental Officer that is engaged in everyday issues and reaches out to all of the Dental Category on numerous issues.
Our Dental Category continues to hover around the 80% mark in the number of officers meeting Basic Readiness requirements. Many of you have worked this year to rejoin the ranks of those meeting Readiness; in doing so, you help fulfill one of the missions of our cadre of officers. I urge each of you to continue to meet these simple requirements so that 100% of the Dental Category will continue to be available to provide a workforce that can respond to our Nation’s needs.
It is very difficult to put into a short summary what DePAC has done this year. Many of the projects listed here as accomplishments by DePAC are a result of hundreds of hours of substantial work by a dedicated group of people, many of whom work on these projects and issues late at night, on weekends, and other non-duty times. Here is a short summary of the major accomplishments of your 2006 DePAC:
Expanded existing communication networks within the Dental Category through improvements in the web page, newsletter, etc. (Thanks to CAPT Steve Torna, CDR George Bird, CAPT Hsiao Peng, and CDR Coleman Palmertree)
Released the Career Development Resource Guide, which will hopefully be the cornerstone of career development planning by both CC and CS dentists (Thanks to CAPT Suzanne Saville and CDR Robin Scheper, among many others who contributed)
Developed the Readiness and Deployment Workgroup, a group dedicated to looking at readiness and deployment issues from the individual officer’s viewpoint (Thanks to CAPT Dave Labadie and CDR George Bird for leading this effort)
Successfully held Dental Category Day at the 2006 COA Conference, with Dr. Nick Mosca (MS State Dental Director) as the Satcher Lecturer (Thanks to CDR Lynn Van Pelt and her Planning Committee)
Developed Partnership Letters and improved communications between DePAC and dental organizations representing minority dentists (Thanks to LCDR Phillip Woods, LCDR Stephanie Burrell, and the Minority Issues Subcommittee members)
Created a Women’s Issues Survey (follow-up to the 1999 survey) and a Women’s Issues Forum to address issues of concern to women dentists (Thanks to CAPT Monina Klevens and the Women’s Issues Subcommittee members)
Created an Awards Board of Consultants and nominated 29 of our colleagues for Category Awards (Thanks to CDR Lynn Van Pelt, CAPT Jose Rodriguez, and the Awards Workgroup)
Continued to improve the Category Mentoring Program, and looked at other ways to mentor officers (Thanks to CAPT Bill Catelli and the Mentoring Workgroup)
Held discussions and included issues of concern to Civil Service dentists (Thanks to Dr. Mary McEnery)
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Oversaw the selection of a diversified pool of candidates for voting membership, and helped ensure that those wishing to participate on DePAC activities had a chance (Thanks to LCDR Stella Wisner)
Reviewed and updated the Dental Category Benchmarks, and reviewed the Shared Benchmarks (Thanks to CDR Robin Scheper and all of DePAC)
I first joined DePAC in January 2001 after then-RADM Bill Maas convinced me that I should be a part of Category activities. I have thoroughly enjoyed my six years of membership on DePAC under the leadership of CAPT Terry Hoffeld (2001), CAPT Lee Shackelford (2002), CDR Dan Hickey (2003), CAPT Ron Bajuscak (2004), and CAPT Gary Pannabecker (2005). By getting involved with DePAC, I have felt a sense of fulfillment and esprit de Corps. As I close out my term on DePAC and move to “ex-officio” status in 2007, I would like to encourage everyone to become involved in DePAC or other Category activities.
I welcome CDR Reneé Joskow as the 2007 Chair of DePAC, and CDR Lynn Van Pelt as the 2007 Vice-Chair. CDR Joskow and I have worked together on Category issues for the past three years, and over the course of this year as DePAC Vice-Chair, she has provided me with constant support and guidance. She will be bringing new, innovative ideas to the 2007 DePAC, and this promises to be an exciting, enthusiastic year for the entire Category. CDR Van Pelt and I go way back to dental school – she, too, is an excellent leader with fresh ideas. Contact either CDR Joskow ([email protected]) or CDR Van Pelt ([email protected]) if you want to become involved in DePAC activities.
Thanks to all of you for a great year – it has been a privilege and honor to have served as DePAC Chair this year. And welcome our new leaders, CDR Joskow and CDR Van Pelt!
Paper Submissions to USPHS MeetingDec 15, 2006 was the deadline date of contributed paper/poster submissions for the 2007 USPHS Scientific
and Training Symposium, which will be held June 3-7 in Cincinnati.Presentations will be given on Thursday, June 7th. Posters will be displayed on Monday, June 4th. Approved presenters qualify for the reduced speaker registration rate. Presentations are being requested in the 11
professional categories of the USPHS, as well as in the topics of disaster preparedness, global health, mental health and occupational safety & health. Visit www.coausphsconference.org/agenda/cfp.cfm for
more information or to submit.
In April 2006 the Surgeon General notified all PHS Officers that they would need to take four web-based FEMA courses related to Incident Command System (ICS) in order to be better prepared to respond to disasters like Hurricane Katrina. On 03 November 2006 the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment made this a basic requirement. On Nov 3 2006, an extension of Manual Circular 377 was implemented resulting in some amendments to Corps-wide Readiness Requirements. These requirements affect all officers regardless of whether you are being considered for promotion this year or not. There are amendments to immunization requirements and training as well as other policy changes or additions. Please make sure you meet Corps Readiness Requirements so that the Dental Category can remain as one of the most prepared categories in the PHS.
Links of Interest (click on links)
USPHS Dental Category Home Page Division of Commissioned Personnel
Page 6 USPHS Dental Newsletter December 2006
2005 Dental Professional Advisory Committee Roster USPHS Dental Listserv HomeLinks to USPHS and Dental Organizations Links to previous newsletters
By CDR Reneé Joskow [email protected]
Where we’ve been and where we’re going?
Well, this year really flew by. I can tell because it is getting cold again and the leaves on the trees have fallen (ref: Van Morrison). That usually only happens as winter draws near, holiday music abounds, and friends, coworkers and families start planning parties. But where did the year go?
In the February Dental newsletter we talked about the Jan 2006 press release of the Secretary’s “New Initiative Announced to Transform the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps”. The Transformation efforts took firm hold in January with the hard work of the Corps leaders, officers and civilians assigned to Transformation Task Force workgroups. Then in the July newsletter, I wrote about the intersection of Transformation and recruitment and described the changes in recruitment policy and operations undertaken by OCCFM and OCCO and the impact on the Associate Recruiter program.
So for the final newsletter of the year, I thought I would share some year-end observations and thoughts and contemplate the change around us.
First, what does Transformation mean? How do ‘the scholars’ define Transformation? The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language defines Transformation as “a marked change, as in appearance or character, usually for the better”. Perhaps closer to home is the Cambridge International Dictionaries’ definition: “to change completely the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that they are improved”. But isn’t it constant improvement, our striving for excellence, that we as dentists pride ourselves on? Historically, Dentistry has emerged from a “trade” or “apprenticed” based structure to a true profession. The American College of Dentists Ethics handbook (2004) describes a “professional” as a member of a profession. They further stipulate that four qualities have been attributed to those who practice a profession:
1. A professional has respect for human beings;
2. A professional is competent;
3. A professional has integrity;
4. A professional’s primary concern is service, not prestige or profit.
So it is fitting that Secretary Leavitt said, "We are undertaking this transformation to ensure that this elite force is better-equipped to meet the public health needs and necessities of the future."
I have heard some officers express their concern and are upset about the Transformation. But is it really the movement to “improve”, to “become better than we already are”, that they complain about, or rather the discomfort associated with things changing? It is hard for many of us to change routines or even to create routines for those who don’t already have them.
Either way, I believe that “time changes everything”. However, an apparent juxtaposition to this is expressed by what Andy Warhol said about change:
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“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”
And so I believe that is where we are as we approach the end of another year. We are ourselves, changing and the “things” or organization we call the Corps, changes with us. Thus, the Corps Transforms. We, the officers, are changing the very shape and presence of who we are, of what we represent, and what we do. Commissioned officers and Civil Service alike spent hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks, serving on Transformation Task Force workgroups, representing their professional categories and their agencies serving as your voice. Recently, transformation billets were filled in OCCO and OCCFM by officers working toward the next steps – combining input from the multiple professional categories and PACs, representing the officers in the field and locally, multiple agency assignments, and the CPOs.We ARE changed; even though to some the full impact or meaning of the Corps Transformation has not yet been fully realized, we are a different Corps. Dentists have deployed in record numbers, not only in clinical or forensic roles, but as Team leaders, liaisons, as part of healthcare delivery assessment teams, we are trained as responders, vaccinators, and yes, even better clinical dentists. For each time we encounter a new environment, there are new challenges and we grow. Those officers who remained at their duty station to serve their constituent populations or agencies may have handled an increased patient or work load. And thus, they too have changed. I have seen fellow officers adapt, improvise, and create the very best for those they serve. The dental category has persisted despite decreasing numbers, increasing vacancies, and increased workloads.
In the interest of “vested change” which for the purpose of discussion I would like to define as those modifications or modulations whereby we have input, a voice. I propose to you that the Dental Category is poised and positioned to make our voice heard in a constructive and effective way.
We have many leaders and mentors among us and the depth and breadth of talent is self-evident in the work you do each day. So each day, every patient, every procedure and every interaction, we are adapting, bending, changing to meet the challenges presented by our patients and our programs.We have the opportunity now to fashion the Corps by providing our input, guidance, and recommendations to the Transformation effort. I encourage you to get involved in a workgroup or contact a DePAC member, raise your voice, and share your experiences and views, help us be the best we can be.
This month on the CCMIS website, Transformation summary documents and recommendations from the Transformation workgroups were shared with the entire Corps. And within the last week, the newest intersection between DePAC and Transformation efforts was the appointment of a dentist liaison to serve as lead to each of three functional groups: Clinical, Applied Public Health, and Research.We understand that in order to be fully engaged in “things changing” we will need to be responsive and provide scientifically sound recommendations to decision makers.
Now is the time for us to make a difference. Beginning in January, with the 2007 DePAC, the structure and organization of the DePAC meetings will change too. Our goal is to be more aligned with the needs and interests of the PHS dentists and the field of Dental Public Health. We will be providing subject matter specific topic-based meetings to discuss issues related to the field of Dental Public Health and your input is always welcome and encouraged. We will be piloting a streamlined monthly workgroup/subcommittee reporting form to allow the DePAC members more time to address current issues of the field of dentistry, to serve in an advisory role to the CPO and OSG, while balancing our need to address DePAC business matters.
I believe change can be good, if done with thoughtful contemplation, a sound strategic plan, and the leadership to illuminate the path forward. I welcome all of your comments and input and look forward to a productive, dynamic, rewarding, and fun-filled year ahead.
Best wishes for happy holidays and a happy new year.
CDR Reneé Joskow
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Chair-elect, DePAC Vice-chair, DePAC 2006 [email protected]
(Report on the Annual Session of the American Dental Association, Continued from page 1)
Daniel Hickey (BOP); alternate delegates CAPT Suzanne Saville (USCG) and CAPT Linda Jackson (IHS); and CDR Robert Lloyd (IHS), who assisted in covering the Reference Committee hearings.
2006 STRATEGIC ISSUES DISCUSSION: A mega-issue discussion on one of the ADA’s priority issues was conducted, independent of the first meeting of the House, on Monday, October 16, 2006 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. The topic was entitled “House of Delegates Dialogue on Public Affairs Capacity.” Over the summer, a “Backgrounder” paper and subsequent addendum for the strategic discussion outlining the format and expected outcomes of the session was provided to the selected delegates for perusal prior to this participatory function. This strategic discussion evolved from a key follow-up item from the 2006 ADA Advocacy Summit regarding implementation of an integrated public affairs management approach to advocacy. The facilitated discussion format consisted of small mixed-district groups led by table facilitators; report outs and discussion; and prioritization. Focus was on three areas: (1) what will be needed to enhance the capacity of the ADA, individual states and local members in using a public affairs approach to advocacy; (2) what strengths already exist that should be capitalized upon; (3) in what areas does capacity need to be created. Results of the discussion will be compiled and the information generated will be factored in, as appropriate, by various ADA agencies.
CAPT Lozon, RADM Halliday and CDR Lloyd PHS Recruitment Booth located on the main Convention floor
HOUSE OF DELEGATES (HOD): The First Meeting of the HOD was called to order Monday, October 16, 2006 at 3:30 PM by the Speaker of the House, Dr. J. Thomas Soliday. After the introduction of ADA officers and distinguished guests, Dr. Michele Aerden, President, FDI World Dental Federation, addressed the House. Dr. Aerden declared that the FDI is the world-wide voice of dentistry and as such, is the profession’s greatest advocate; the FDI promotes optimum oral health within the context there is no health without oral health; and continues to support and disseminate advances in the art and science of dentistry. Within these parameters, the FDI focus for 2007 revolves around a triumvirate of Excellence, Education, and Ethics. With the conclusion of Dr. Aerden’s comments, Dr. James Hagenbruch, Chair of the Committee on Credentials, Rules and Order, presented his report to the HOD, which was quickly and unanimously approved.
2006 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT: The highlight of the afternoon was the address of the outgoing ADA President, Dr. Robert Brandjord -- the 2006 “Report of the President” -- a review of the last twelve months on his watch. Dr.Brandjord issued a basic challenge before the House: “will the ADA be the leading voice for this nation’s oral health care, or just one of
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the many voices in the increasing crowd calling for change in our nation’s oral health care policy?” Dr. Brandjord directly cut to the “issue most frustrating for our membership” -- the access to oral health care in remote Alaskan villages. He touched on the political and legislative background; hard lessons learned by the Association; and the need for focus on positive messages and solutions in the future. Improving access to oral health care constituted a major portion of Dr. Brandjord’s address.He discussed population categories, citing while 71% of the U.S. population has adequate access to the finest dental care in the world, 29% are limited because of special needs, be they because of location, economic circumstances, health or other reasons. He noted positive solutions proposed by the 2006 Workforce Task Force Report, including a new model provider, the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC); the proactive Elder Care Task Force Report, focusing on access to care for growing numbers of vulnerable elders with limited mobility, limited resources, or complex medical status; and the critical issue of oral health literacy, a cornerstone of overall health literacy, and pointed out poor literacy skills were a strong predictor of an individual’s health status. Dr. Brandjord discussed the plan for a major public affairs program that would be a nationally coordinated, state implemented partnership. He expounded on the Strategic Membership Study considering current trends and future issues related to membership. Dr. Brandjord explained the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) creation of a National Healthcare Information Infrastructure (NHII), the foundation which is to establish an electronic patient record, the goal being to improve patient care. In conclusion, President Brandjord commented on the important matter of trust in our profession – for the delegates and members to trust their elected officials, and for appreciation of these volunteers’ depth and breadth of knowledge, and the fact that “we need to be a knowledge-based profession and association.”
Dr. Perry Tuneberg presented the Reports of the Board of Trustees, with subsequent approval of the elected members on the various councils and commissions (Resolution 31).
Nominations of Officers and Trustees were completed:
President: Dr. Mark Feldman (NY)
Second Vice President: Dr. Harris Colton (NJ) Dr. Jane Glover (MI)
Treasurer: Dr. Ronald Lemmo (OH) Dr. Edward Leone (CO) Dr. Richard Smith (TX)
Dr. Robert Frame, the Veterans Administration (VA) delegate and a highly decorated veteran of the Iraq war, addressed the HOD to express his appreciation to the ADA for its support of veterans. He issued a call to partner with the VA and veterans, and requested dentists give priority to care for veterans, as some are bound for combat, some to the Reserve, and some returning to civilian life with futures in rehabilitation, education, and employment. At the conclusion of his remarks, Dr. Frame received a standing ovation.
REFERENCE COMMITTEE HEARINGS: The Hearings of the Reference Committees transpired on Tuesday, October 17, 2006. The five Committee meetings are staggered so that they run concurrently or overlap. Each delegate and alternate was tasked with covering a particular reference committee. The Reference Committees are the following:
Dental Benefits, Practice, Science and Health Dental Education and Related Matters Budget, Business and Administrative Matters Communications and Membership Services Legal and Legislative Matters
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Dr. Kenneth Moran
By CDR Coleman Palmertree, Jr. DDS
The Senior Officer Spotlight this month falls on Ken Moran, who currently serves as an Area/Regional Consultant for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for the Indian Health Service, at Tuba City, Arizona.Dr. Moran grew up in Las Vegas, NV, where he graduated from UNLV with a B.S. in Biology. His quest for a dental career took him to Milwaukee, WI, where he graduated with a DDS from Marquette University. Both the specialties of endodontics and oral surgery were of interest to him, and he deferred his decision by way of a Chicago VA hospital GPR. After completing hospital rotations in New Orleans and Chicago, and seeing the uniqueness of the specialty, he decided surgery was the path to pursue.
His next professional step was Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training at the University of Illinois, Chicago, which also included rotations at the VA, Cook County Hospital, and Michael Reese Hospital. He was fortunate for the exposure received from a large and diverse program. He had planned to return to Las Vegas and start a private practice, but while in Chicago he met his wife Kate, who is a Commissioned Officer in the USPHS, and they decided to embark on an adventure prior to settling down. That adventure turned out to be, and continues to be, the Indian Health Service.
Dr. Moran was initially brought on as a Commissioned Officer in a Staff Clinical Specialty Billet. It was wonderful to be so well received by both patients and co-workers, as their need was overwhelming. The ability to practice the full scope of his specialty, more so than the average private practice surgeon, has been consistently appealing to him. After three years in this billet, Dr. Moran switched from the Commissioned Corps to Civil Service.
With the retirement of his IHS mentor, Dr. Kent Broadbent, Dr. Moran assumed the role of the National Oral Surgery Consultant. He held this position for six years, and considered this to have been a very valuable and enlightening experience.
Another enriching aspect of the position was the capability to teach continuing education courses and travel to other clinics and hospitals. Both of these activities allowed him to interact with fellow PHS employees and lessen the isolation sometimes felt by people employed in remote areas. In addition, he served on many local, area, and national committees which further broadened his perspective and added to his professional satisfaction.
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After three children and fourteen years primarily in Tuba City, the job still proves to be very challenging and enjoyable for Dr. Moran. To all of those out there who have made his career to this point what it is, he says “thank you”.
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Dr. Harry Israel
By CDR Coleman Palmertree, DDS
Spotlighted as the Junior Officer this month is Civil Servant Dr. Harry Israel. Dr. Israel started his career by spending four years at the University of Michigan for his undergraduate work. While there he felt drawn to dentistry as a career to pursue. He received his dental degree form the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio and immediately entered a periodontal graduate program at the University of Pennsylvania. He secured and NIH fellowship in oral pathology at Boston University while there. When this was completed Dr. Israel returned to the University of Pennsylvania where he was once again supported by the National Institutes of Health for training and Board Certification in Oral Medicine. He then sought a special fellowship and doctoral degree in Anatomy at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
A research position in the Fels Research Institute in Yellow Springs Ohio became available and for the next 11 years Dr. Israel pursued his interests in craniofacial growth and aging supported by the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and the Fels Institute. For the next 25 years of his life Dr. Israel was tenured as the Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton Ohio, pediatric component of the Wright State University School of Medicine. While there he conducted research, participated in that hospitals pediatric dental program and had a separate periodontal practice. He published 50 original articles in refereed dental, medical and biologic journals along with chapters in several books. As a corollary of his career interests, he was privileged to generate a lesser series of invited manuscripts. This extended period of hospital association broadened into medical staff involvement where Dr. Israel served as Chair of the Department of Surgery and Chair of the Medical Staff. It was his privilege to have been invited to create both an Institutional Review Board for the protection of children from research risk and an Infants and Childrens Bioethics Committee at the Children's Medical Center. This was a high advocacy period in our national conscience and the genesis of autonomous patient health care rights found its soul within the civil rights movement in mid-twentieth century. The force of social change activated the scientific, political, economic and academic establishments of community and brought patients and families into direct dialogue with health care institutions and providers over matters of health care decision making. Upon his entrustment with constituting each of these bodies, he served as chair of each for over 15 years. This opportunity to serve individuals, the hospital and the community had been an experience for which he is grateful to have shared.
In 2003, Dr. Israel opted to redirect his career and received a Civil Service position with Indian Health Service. Upon accepting an appointment with the Rosebud Hospital in South Dakota he was greeted by a reception on the Rosebud Reservation that was both warm and gracious. He spent an enjoyable and rewarding 2 years there and when an opportunity availed itself, Dr. Israel relocated to the Ft. Peck Reservation in Wolf Point Montana. Since that time the ensuing 19 months have been equally salutary. He emphasized the poignancy of a seemly and facile transition between the more conventional practice environment from which he emanated to a facility expressly devoted to the underserved. The opportunity to broadly apply concepts of dental practice across a panorama provided the multivariate experience that has been fulfilling and at the same time challenging. An enlightening aspect for him has been the clear exemplification that our nation is a rich enclave of pluralism where philosophical relativism embodies expressed practical fact parallel with intellectual experience. Dr. Israel values this educative nuance as an imprimatur fostering the intellectual, psychological, social and personal affect of himself as a health provider. Toward an experiential conclusion, he has found nothing of his previous commitment inapplicable to the milieu within the Indian Health Service.
The ethos of the Indian Health Service draws from the culture of the people, the grandeur of the natural setting and the benefit of personal contribution. He closed saying, “The past 4 years have been an exhilarating experience coupled with opportunity to live among the most beautiful and expansive regions of the Western United States.”
Page 13 USPHS Dental Newsletter December 2006
By CAPT James T. Owen, D.D.S.
The Dental Associate Recruiter Program is headed by three Associate Recruiter Leads to assist with projects and activities involved in the recruiting program. CAPT Suzanne Saville is stationed with the Coast Guard in Petaluma, California, CDR Renee Joskow is stationed with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. and CAPT James ‘Tim’ Owen is stationed with the Bureau of Prisons at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas. Please feel free to contact us anytime you have a question about the recruitment program or you would like information for a potential recruit. Our email addresses are [email protected] [email protected], and [email protected].
The Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO) has approved the manual for the Associate Recruiter Program on April 3, 2006. This manual may be reviewed at http://dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/2316ARP.pdf, (Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual, CC23.1, Associate Recruiter Program). The manual outlines the prerequisites to become an Associate Recruiter (AR), including, AR introductory training, completion of BOTC and IOTC, and satisfactory completion of probationary period. OCCO has developed introductory training to satisfy the training prerequisite for new AR’s. This training will be located on the CCMIS website (dcp.psc.gov) under “SERVICES” and then click “Associate Recruiter Program” and click “ Introductory AR Training”. All officers interested in applying for the Associate Recruiter Program for the 2007 calendar year will need to complete this training, generate the required AR Introductory Training Certificate and submit a copy of this certificate with a complete application package to DCCR by April 15, 2007. After January 31, 2007, the latest version of the training program will be placed on the CCMIS website.
CAPT Tim Lozon organized a recruitment booth at the American Dental Association meeting in Las Vegas this October. The booth was staffed by CDR Brenda Burgess, CDR Michael Cadieux, CDR Leonard Fath, CDR George Hartley, CDR Reneé Joskow, CDR Robert Lloyd, LCDR Michael Overbeck, CDR Coleman Palmertree, CAPT Hsiao Peng, CAPT Suzanne Saville, CAPT Linda Jackson, and RADM Christopher Halliday. The booth was visited by many dentists and dental students interested in loan repayments, pay, malpractice insurance, benefits, differences between private practice and PHS, and questions about the Indian Health Service, Bureau of Prisons, Coast Guard and National Health Service Corps. Thank you Officers for volunteering your time to staff the booth!
CDR Louis Marchiori ([email protected]) and CAPT James T. Owen ([email protected]) are organizing a recruiting booth for the Chicago MidWinter Dental Meeting February 22-25, 2007. Information about this meeting may be found at www.cds.org. Associate Recruiters will be needed to staff this booth so please contact either CDR Marchiori or CAPT Owen if you are interested in staffing the booth.
Many Associated Recruiters have moved to new duty stations and have invalid email addresses on the distribution list. If you have changed duty stations and feel we do not have your current address, please up-date it with one of the Associate Recruiter Leads. Recruitment activities should be documented by sending an activity report form to [email protected]. The activity report form may be found on the DePAC website under Recruitment/ARP.
The Anchor and Caduceus Committee Of the Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Foundation For the
Advancement of Public Heath Is Pleased to Announce the 2007 Dr. C. Everett Koop Honorary Lecture Delivered by The Honorable Richard A. Carmona, M.D.,M.P.H., F.A.A.C.S.17th Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commemorating the 118th Anniversary of the Founding of the PHS Commissioned
Corps At Dinner Friday Evening, January 12th, 2007 Washington, D.C. Proceeds will benefit the Educational Programs of the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation Reservations required Location and additional
details to follow For furtherinformation 866-544-9677
Page 14 USPHS Dental Newsletter December 2006
The Junior Officer Advisory Group (JOAG) is requesting nominations for three awards to be presented at the annual COF Scientific and Training Symposium to be held in Cincinnati, OH, June 3-7, 2007.
1. The Junior Officer of the Year Award recognizes a Junior Officer at temporary grade O-1 through O-4 in the United States Commissioned Corps who has made a significant contribution to the overall mission of the Public Health Service.
2. The JOAG Excellence Award recognizes a non-voting, active member of the Junior Officer Advisory Group (JOAG) for demonstrating outstanding, dedicated effort, and commitment to JOAG through active committee participation.
Also, JOAG is excited to introduce a brand new award this year:
3. The VADM Richard H. Carmona Inspiration Award recognizes a Senior Officer at temporary grade O-5 or above who exemplifies outstanding leadership by example, mentorship and empowerment of junior officers, unwavering support of the Commissioned Corps and its mission, and overall inspiration and motivation to the PHS community. (Nominations only accepted from Junior Officers.)
If you know any outstanding officer deserving recognition of theses awards, please review the criteria and nomination forms available on the JOAG website www.JOAG.org <http://www.joag.org/> and turn in your nomination no later than February 23, 2007.
All nominations will be considered! Self-nominations welcome (except for Richard H. Carmona Inspiration Award).
Send nominations for Junior Officer of the Year to:
LCDR Carolyn Tabak
Phone office: (240) 777-3878
Send nominations for JOAG Excellence Award to:
LCDR Diedre Presley
Phone office: (703) 681-3279 ext 154
Send nominations for VADM Richard H. Carmona
Inspiration Award to:
LCDR Jonathan Rash
Phone office: (760) 735-6885
If you have any questions, feel free to contact JOAG Awards Committee Chair LCDR Jonathan Rash at (760) 735-6885 or at [email protected].
Page 15 USPHS Dental Newsletter December 2006
Upcoming EventsOrganization Mtg. Mtg. Date Mtg. Location
American Academy of Craniofacial Pain Annual Meeting Jan. 26-27 Scottsdale, AZAmerican Society of Forensic Odontology Annual Meeting Feb. 20 San Antonio, TXAcademy of Operative Dentistry Annual Meeting Feb. 21-23 Chicago, ILAmerican Prosthodontic Society Annual Scientific Feb. 22-23 Chicago, ILAcademy of Osseointegration Annual Meeting Mar. 8-10 San Antonio, TXHinman Dental Society Hinman Dental Meeting Mar. 15-17 Atlanta, GAAmerican Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Meeting March 17-21 New Orleans, LA
International Association of Dental Research General Session and Exhibition
Mar. 21-24 New Orleans, LA
Academy of Laser Dentistry Annual Conference Mar 28-31 Nashville, TNAmerican Academy of Oral Medicine Annual Meeting Apr. 17-21 San Diego, CAAmerican Dental Society of Anesthesiology Annual Session Apr. 19-21 Monterey, CAAmerican Association of Endodontists Annual Session Apr. 25-28 Philadelphia, PAAmerican Academy of Orofacial Pain Annual Scientific Apr. 26-29 Philadelphia, PAAmerican Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) National Oral Health
ConferenceApr. 30- May 2
Denver, CO
American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Session Apr. 30- May 2
Orlando, FL
American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Annual Meeting May 4-9 Kansas City, MOAmerican Association of Dental Consultants Annual Workshop May 10-12 Scottsdale, AZ
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Scientific Session May 15-19 Atlanta, CASociety of American Indian Dentists (SAID) Annual Meeting May 18-21 Oklahoma City, OKAmerican Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual Session May 24-28 San Antonio, TXOrganization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) Annual Infection Control
SymposiumMay 31- Jun. 3
Charlotte, NC
Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS Annual Conference Jun. 3-7 Cincinnati, OHAmerican Dental Association Committee on the New Dentist (ADA CND)
New Dentist Conference June 21-23 Portland, OR
Academy for Sports Dentistry Annual Symposium June 21-23 Charleston, SCAcademy of General Dentistry (AGD) Annual Meeting Jun 27-
Jul 1San Diego, CA
American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) Annual Conference July 19-21 Colorado Springs, CO
National Dental Association (NDA) Annual Convention July 27- Aug 1Atlanta, GAAmerican Dental Association (ADA) Annual Meeting Sep. 27-30 San Francisco, CAAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons,American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Annual Meeting Oct 8-13 Honolulu, HI
American Academy of Periodontology Annual Meeting Oct. 27-30 Washington D.C.American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics Annual Meeting Oct. 28-31 Miami, FLAmerican College of Prosthodontists Annual Session Oct. 31- Nov.
3Scottsdale, AZ
American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting Nov. 3-7 Washington, D.C.American Academy of Implant Dentistry Annual Meeting Nov. 7-11 Las Vegas, NVAcademy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry Annual Scientific Session Nov. 8-10 TBDAssociation of Military Surgeons of the U.S. (AMSUS) Annual Meeting Nov. 11-16 Salt Lake City, UTHispanic Dental Association (HDA) Annual Meeting TBD Miami, FL
Note from the EditorsThe DePAC Communications Work Group would like to thank all who have contributed to the DePAC Newsletter for 2006. We would encourage each officer to contribute information for publication through their DePAC work groups to help improve our
newsletter and communication to all dental officers for the next year!
