Local humanitarian service
Conferences and Workshops
Local Service Can Be Very Rewarding
By Albert “Al” Clark
The purpose in writing this article is three fold:
1. On behalf of the current Academy leadership we recognize the
service that so many of you give.
2. To open a dialogue in this newsletter and encourage others of
you to report on your favorite local service projects.
3. Inform the few that have NOT discovered this secret—that you
do not need a passport nor travel great distances to find the joy
of service.
Over 25 years ago I started on a great adventure. I volunteered to
be the dentist for a care center for mentally handicapped patients.
Some of them are happy and cooperative and some are very hard
to deal with. I have grown to appreciate the caretakers of these
individuals. Many of these patients have become my good friends
even though a number have passed on and some have relocated to
other facilities.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take my daughter, a new
hygienist, with me to the facility to do annual cancer screenings
for the edentulous and completely uncooperative. As we walked
through the halls, at least 20 patients came up to me, calling me by
name, giving me hugs or wanting me to look at their teeth or see
something special in their room. My daughter was touched by the
tender relationships that many felt for me, their dentist. When we
get to the other side of the veil, I know those friendships will still
exist. Since those special spirits will be close to the Lord, I trust
they will say to Him of me, “He didn’t accomplish much of what
he should have but show him mercy and grace. He was my friend.”
Personally, I have found joy in service in my own office and in a
local clinic, ten-minutes away.
There are opportunities all around us. If you like organization and
leadership, organize a project.
Ralph Montgomery started Donated Dental Services, a unique and
nationally known project in Salt Lake City; and
Eric Vogel started Share a Smile in Provo to care for the dental
needs of the homeless.
Their efforts have built clinics, and they are continually finding vol-
unteer staffs and providing great care. Projects can be small.
The first “Give Kids a Smile” in Utah County was three dentists in
an office complex working in their own offices.
Two former Academy presidents, Bret Tobler and Mike Rockwell
have “Dentist’s with a Heart” days where they provide free services
in their offices one day a year.
If you would like to learn organization skills, volunteer with your
local dental district, state dental society, or a group—like the
Academy.
5 CWA11_011
Brigham Young University
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Academy Examiner
115 Harman Continuing Education Building
If you would like less commitment to organization and more hands PROVO, UTAH
Provo, Utah 84602 PERMIT NO. 49
on delivery, volunteer with a local or national group that provides
care. In Utah County there is an organization called Community
Health Connect. They screen and find patients with real needs Address Service Requested
and connect them with doctors and dentists in the community. So
many similar organizations exist that I can’t begin to list them. The
Internet and local United Ways and dental societies can help you 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 • W inter 2 0 1 1
find them.
Most members of the Academy to whom I have spoken have found
rich rewards of service in their own wards, stakes, and missions. President’s message
Bishops are a wonderful resource to know who really needs your As we begin a new year, and look back over the past, very often we pen-
help. Any mission president’s wife would appreciate your help in sively consider, “What did I accomplish that will make a difference? As we
providing care to missionaries or organizing dentists throughout
contemplate our answer, we might consider this counsel from American
the mission area to provide discounted or free care. I have to rec-
ognize dentists in Utah County that annually provide hundreds of
writer Leo Rosten: “The purpose of life is not just to be happy. . . It is to
be useful, to be honorable. It is to be compassionate. It is to matter, to
thousands of dollars at no cost to foreign missionaries that come
through the Provo MTC. have it make some difference that you lived.”
If you want to know the joy of service, try something. It can be in a These are not just lofty words – they are keys to living well. Put into ac-
foreign land or close to home. “Out of small things proceedeth that tion, they build character, shape positive outlook, and bless the lives of
which is great.” others as well as our own.
Dr. David Hincks is our ‘chairman’ of Local Service Opportunities. In this issue, we are sharing various aspects of dental service. It is awesome to see the myriad
We would love to hear what you are doing. Please contact him by
of ways dentists have chosen to share their skills with others to help improve the dental health
writing to LDSDentists@gmail.com.
in underserved areas. As you read it or as you peruse the Service Section of our website, you
“Share a Smile” started by serving needy may be inspired to join with your team, your dental friends, and maybe your family and go
patients in Utah Valley help needy patients that are longing to have the service you can give.
Dr. Eric Vogel has done a lot of dental humanitarian service in for- As we make our plans for the future, may we choose to be useful, honorable, and
Academy Examiner
eign countries. However, we will share, in his own words, similar
compassion­ate. We will then find that our life has indeed mattered, that it has made some dif-
service that he and his staff have done locally, in the Provo area, for
ference that we have lived.
many years.
At the beginning of every year we encourage our members to renew their Academy mem-
“In addition to helping those abroad we felt a strong need to pro-
berships so that our organization can continue to grow and remain a viable influence in our
vide for the poor in our own community. With that in mind, Share
a Smile was born. profession. As involved members of the Church, we often have assignments which sometimes
Circle your calendar for the 34th Annual Conference conflict with the Academy schedule and thus we are not always able to attend the annual
“We decided to donate all of the proceeds of bleaching performed August 12th and 13th, 2011 AUGUST Visit our Website
in our office to fund our humanitarian efforts. I donated the materi- conference.
als and office space and the staff donated their time to take impres- Friday, August 12, 2011 1 2
3 4
2011 www.AcademyofLDSDentists.com/
We have noticed that many associate the annual conference registration with keeping their
• Jeff J. Brucia DDS—Esthetic Dentistry 7 8
5 6
sions, make trays and so forth. Our patients were very excited to 9 10 Visit the Academy’s updated Website membership dues current. Dues and conference are two separate items. Of course, current
• Lee H. Silverstein DDS MS—Periodontics 14 15 11 12
both get their teeth bleached and also help to fund our humanitar- • Ray R. Padilla DDS—Sports Medicine/Dentistry 16 17 13 for valuable resources:
21 22 18 19 Academy members are given reduced conference fees. Membership dues, whether or not you
ian efforts. The first year bleaching raised about $12,000 for Share 28 29
23 24 2 0
a Smile.” In addition we decided to host a triathlon where all pro-
Saturday, August 13, 2011 30 31
25 26
27
• Membership dues renewal attend a conference, are essential to enable us to fulfill the purposes of the Academy. When
• Linda L. Miles CSP CMC—Practice Administration each member is current with his or her dues, we are able to accomplish so much more.
ceeds were donated. This raised about $6,500. With this money • Annual conference information &
• Michael A. Ignelzi Jr. DDS PhD—Pedodontics/Orthodontics
we were able to purchase three portable dental units, chairs and • Barry L. Musikant DMD—Endodontics registration
May you have great experiences as you participate with the Academy and as you share your
needed supplies. Many of the supplies were donated by dental sup- • Gordon J. Christensen DDS MSD PhD—What’s new in 2011 • Classifieds ads: professional skills with others.
pliers, other local dentists and groups like CRA. We’ll see you there! • Buy/sell a practice
• Associate/partner opportunities With best wishes,
At first it was just my office going but since then other dentists have We need your Email Address!
gotten interested and now we always take another dentist along • News, recent and archived
Please go to the Web page and click on “Join” Newsletters 2011 Academy Council
every month.” then “Update Your Info”. The Academy will be
President: John A. Gerritsen
sending out monthly “News Blasts” by email • Humanitarian Service opportunities
containing a brief list of the most recent news Vice President: Evan Roundy
• Other valuable items John A. Gerritsen
and activities of the Academy. We want to Secretary/Treasurer: Laurence Palmer
include you in those mailings. The Academy Academy Of LDS Dentists President Past President: David Geddes
does not share any contact information with Founder: Gordon Christensen
others. Your feedback is welcomed!
 humanitarian service in latin america
Dental Equipment Donation to Cordoba,
Argentina
By Dwayne Zobell
On October 22, 2010, a major donation of dental equipment
took place in Cordoba, Argentina. Ten dental chairs and delivery
systems, along with 10 dry heat sterilizers, instrument setups
for restorative and prophylaxis, burs and bur blocks, instrument
sterilization cassettes and assorted surgical instruments were do-
nated to the Municipal Health Department in Cordoba courtesy of
The South America South Area Presidency’s Office, and Deseret
International.
Representing the Church were Carlos Aguero, Public Affairs
Representative for Argentina and David Frol of the Church Welfare
Office in Buenos Aires.
Representing Deseret International was Ronaldo Walker who had
done most of the legwork in obtaining the donation.
The equipment will be installed in public health clinics that
the Municipal Health Department has in place in Cordoba. In
November, 2009, Ronaldo Walker along with Dr. Dwayne Zobell
and Dr. Anabel Garzon visited the directors of the Dental Health
Department in Cordoba, Dr. Nelson Rugani and Dr. Olga Edith
Brizuela.
They were informed that of the 100 health clinics in Cordoba only
70 had a dental operatory. They requested help to obtain dental
equipment for the other 30 clinics and a portable dental unit, if
possible. Dr. Zobell and Dr. Garzon met with dental equipment
manufacturers in Cordoba and obtained favorable pricing from
Denimed, a family owned dental equipment manufacturer in
Cordoba. Ronaldo Walker presented the plan to the Church Area
Offices and funds were released in October 2010.
The project is intended to raise the profile of the Church even
higher in Cordoba in conjunction with the construction of the
Cordoba Argentina Temple. Plans for future projects include
professional educational exchange via continuing education
and also participation in outreach projects the Municipal Health
Department currently provides.
The donation ceremony can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=MDcN5Sz3SEA.
2 3
Smiles for Central America / Honduras
In November 2010, a 40-
foot shipping container was
sent and safely delivered
to the Dental School in
Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This
was the 8th such container
donated to Honduras since
the project began.  It was
filled with 15 tons of dona-
tions, including 30 dental
chairs, delivery units, x-rays,
dental instruments and supplies, missionary clothing, humanitar-
ian kits and supplies, and a large commercial air compressor for
the dental school.
 Please join us in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 29–May 8, 2011.
We have served in Tegucigalpa a number of times before, and the
local leaders are excited about our return. The group is planning
on concluding the brigada with a two-night trip to the island of
Roatán.  Go to www.SmilesForCentralAmerica.com to learn more
about the trip.
Academy wants to learn of your service
projects
We appreciate the several thousand volunteers who have given
so much of their time and means to make Smiles for Central
America a great success.
We would like to learn of the humanitarian efforts of members
of the Academy. While we are aware of some projects, we would
like to find out as many as possible and share them on our web-
site. The purpose is to let others, who may have interest in doing
something similar, either join with an existing group or learn
from their experiences how to successfully carry out a charitable
endeavor.
If you have participated in a humanitarian venture or know of
others who have, we would like to get the contact information
and a short description of the project to share with others. Also,
there are many who are willing to serve and give but don’t know
where to go to participate. This list will provide a resource to both
those looking to serve and those who need help with their proj-
ect. Please send the information to: LDSDentists@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Humanitarian service in latin america
NOTE:
Student involve-
ment in humanitarian
dental work gives
dentists a boost to
continue doing it
throughout their
lives.
Students at usc give “AYUDA” to Those in Need
By Cody Cirac, D.D.S., USC Class of 2010 Ayuda Inc. USC
Co-director 2008-2009
Every year, students from the University of Southern California
join with AYUDA to hold eleven mobile dental clinics in Southern
California, as well as one or two international clinics in underserved
areas of Central America. The clinic we are describing here is not un-
usual. There will be eighty USC dental students, four volunteer den-
tists, all under the direction of USC instructor, Dr. Harris Done.
The day’s agenda is reviewed for the middle school patients in the
gymnasium. After medical histories, first stop is the screening sta-
tion, a comprehensive examination with digital radiographs and the
patients are diagnosed and treatment begins. Next is the anesthesia
station and rubber dams are placed. Restorative and palliative care is
received in one of ten portable operatories. After treatment and oral
hygiene instruction, the children leave with a goody bag.
The students speak of being unified in a common cause, “We serve
our fellow man with the talents we have been blessed with, helping
those who cannot help themselves”. At the end of the day these are
the comments, “I learned so much,” “I was able to save two teeth for a
boy who has never been to the dentist before”. “I came today to give
back, but I think I ended up getting more out of it than I gave.” “As
a dental student, the chance to reach beyond myself was invaluable.
Serving my brothers and sisters gave me a foundation of service that
will influence me for years to come”.
This and other clinics are possible because of Dr. Done expanding the
borders of AYUDA which began in 1967 as a humanitarian medical, den-
tal, educational organization in Guatemala. Its mission is to improve and
sustain the health of
people in underserved
areas of the world, by
providing assistance
through reatment,
training and educa-
tion. Teams have trav-
eled to countries from
Belize to Cambodia to
Russia treating 210,000
patients.
We are grateful for the blessing of interacting with spiri-
tual and professional giants while serving in the ranks of
AYUDA volunteers. And the countless children we have
been fortunate to meet have each taught us that we can
all serve one another with love.
To donate, please visit http://www.ayuda-inc.com or
email mailto:harrisdone@aol.com.
My experience as a student lead to a lifetime
of humanitarian dental experiences
By Paul Fillmore, full-time missionary with his wife Joanne,
at the clinic
The value of the friendships formed, the cultural exchange and the
goodwill generated, in my opinion, outweigh the procedures per-
formed, although the recipients of that service might argue otherwise.
There are many, many service groups, nearly all run as a small cadre
of dedicated individuals—and all are in need in of volunteers.
While a Student at UCLA, I got my first taste of volunteer clinics when
Dr. Harris Done, came from USC to tell us about his program. He told
us of a mobile clinic for migrant farm workers in the San Juaquin valley,
a denture clinic on the Apache Indian reservation, and my first foreign
clinic with AYUDA in Guatemala. After a few years, dedicated to be-
ginning a family and starting a practice, I began again with trips with
AYUDA to Guatemala. As AYUDA expanded its reach, I went along  for
the ride.
For many years I traveled to the clinics alone to renew special friend-
ships in addition to giving service. Eventually, spouses began to be
included and then older children. Everyone is given a role in the
clinic and everyone is busy from start to finish. At the conclusion of
my wife Joanne’s first clinic she understood why I went and said it
was one of the best things she had ever done. Our children who have
accompanied us have likewise had their lives impacted.
I have traveled to numerous clinics in a dozen countries with half a
dozen different sponsoring organizations. The people are invariably
gracious and grateful for any help given. Frustratingly, there is usually
little opportunity for comprehensive care but the hearts of all involved
are changed. I have never organized a trip and have never been very
successful in persuading others to go, but on occasion I have been
the volunteer that provided the tipping point for someone else’s plan
to become reality. That is how I continue to this day. Joanne and I are
now serving a full-time dental mission at the Guatemala Dental Clinic
in Guatemala City.
We would welcome any of you to come join us for a week or two and
you will see how fulfilling this volunteer dental service is. We all need
a brief escape from the cultural bubble we live in and the needed real-
ity check such an experience provides. So take the plunge with your
fellow Academy members. Make new friends. Have the experience of
your life and then do it again!
humanitarian service in latin america
Testimonial from Paul’s Wife NOTE: Another experience with the
Academy member, Dr. Rich Call, from Guatemala Dental Clinic
By Joanne Fillmore
Colorado, organized a group of four
The first week in January Frederick
Paul has been going on humanitarian den- (one DDS, one RDH, two assistants)
G.S. Deal, who practices in Centeron,
tal trips since he was in dental school. It and spent a week over Thanksgiving
Arkansas, traveled to Guatemala to spend
has always been an important part of his with Dr. Paul Fillmore in Guatemala.
a week working in the Guatemala Dental
enjoyment of dentistry. I began going with Dr. Call stated that Paul Fillmore
Clinic. He states it was a pleasure to work
him when we only had two of our eight is doing a marvelous work with the with Ron and Judy Tobler and Paul and
children left at home. My first trip with Guatemala Dental Clinic. The Academy
Joanne Fillmore who are serving as senior
him was to Peru and it was one of the most encourages any of you who are inter-
health missionaries there. He writes:
enjoyable “vacations” I had ever been on
ested to share your skills at the clinic in
simply because of the wonderful people I had the misconception that the climate
Guatemala your time will be rewarded.
we traveled and worked with and the op- would be either tropical or semi-tropical.
A special thanks goes to all of you who At 5,000 feet the climate in Guatemala
portunity to combine travel and service. It
have been to the clinic to help out.
was so much more memorable than simply City is as close to ideal as possible. Also
going on a cruise or taking a sightseeing past experience with volunteer clinics
trip to another country. We took two of our led me to believe that I would be working
children on a second trip to Peru and it was a wonderful experi- with marginal equipment. It was surprising to find state of the
ence for them. All the children of the dentists that went had an art dental units and hand pieces (some of the best I have ever
opportunity to work in the clinic. used).
Since then I have traveled to Moscow, Bolivia, and the Ukraine It was rewarding to work not just with the niña orphans at the
with him. Most of his trips have been to Spanish speaking coun- facility but also with local elders and sisters in the mission and
tries but in the last few years he has been to Siberia three times, futura missionaries preparing to serve.
St. Petersburg, Moscow, and the Ukraine. Ron and Judy make the trip interesting not only with great res-
taurants but also with visits to local sites of interest. I had such
We are now enjoying our experiences serving in the Guatemala
an enjoyable and rewarding experience serving the wonderful
Dental Clinic.
people of Central America. Please consider scheduling a trip to
the clinic sometime this year. The needs are great and the bless-
ings are eternal.
BREAKING NEWS
The Church has recently asked the
Academy of LDS Dentists to ­develop a
resource, which would help members
throughout the world improve
their dental health. This is a unique
opportunity to ­facilitate the recognition
of proper dental care. We need members
of our Academy to help with this project.
Paul and Joanne Fillmore with patient If  you have a public health background,
are creative, comfortable with various
medias, and/or want to make a
real difference, please email
To learn about experiences at the
the Academy  leadership at
Guatemala Dental Clinic in Guatemala,
LDSDentists@gmail.com.
check out their blog at:
Thank you.
­guatemaladentalclinic.blogspot.com
4
 humanitarian service in latin america
Dental Equipment Donation to Cordoba,
Argentina
By Dwayne Zobell
On October 22, 2010, a major donation of dental equipment
took place in Cordoba, Argentina. Ten dental chairs and delivery
systems, along with 10 dry heat sterilizers, instrument setups
for restorative and prophylaxis, burs and bur blocks, instrument
sterilization cassettes and assorted surgical instruments were do-
nated to the Municipal Health Department in Cordoba courtesy of
The South America South Area Presidency’s Office, and Deseret
International.
Representing the Church were Carlos Aguero, Public Affairs
Representative for Argentina and David Frol of the Church Welfare
Office in Buenos Aires.
Representing Deseret International was Ronaldo Walker who had
done most of the legwork in obtaining the donation.
The equipment will be installed in public health clinics that
the Municipal Health Department has in place in Cordoba. In
November, 2009, Ronaldo Walker along with Dr. Dwayne Zobell
and Dr. Anabel Garzon visited the directors of the Dental Health
Department in Cordoba, Dr. Nelson Rugani and Dr. Olga Edith
Brizuela.
They were informed that of the 100 health clinics in Cordoba only
70 had a dental operatory. They requested help to obtain dental
equipment for the other 30 clinics and a portable dental unit, if
possible. Dr. Zobell and Dr. Garzon met with dental equipment
manufacturers in Cordoba and obtained favorable pricing from
Denimed, a family owned dental equipment manufacturer in
Cordoba. Ronaldo Walker presented the plan to the Church Area
Offices and funds were released in October 2010.
The project is intended to raise the profile of the Church even
higher in Cordoba in conjunction with the construction of the
Cordoba Argentina Temple. Plans for future projects include
professional educational exchange via continuing education
and also participation in outreach projects the Municipal Health
Department currently provides.
The donation ceremony can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=MDcN5Sz3SEA.
2 3
Smiles for Central America / Honduras
In November 2010, a 40-
foot shipping container was
sent and safely delivered
to the Dental School in
Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This
was the 8th such container
donated to Honduras since
the project began.  It was
filled with 15 tons of dona-
tions, including 30 dental
chairs, delivery units, x-rays,
dental instruments and supplies, missionary clothing, humanitar-
ian kits and supplies, and a large commercial air compressor for
the dental school.
 Please join us in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 29–May 8, 2011.
We have served in Tegucigalpa a number of times before, and the
local leaders are excited about our return. The group is planning
on concluding the brigada with a two-night trip to the island of
Roatán.  Go to www.SmilesForCentralAmerica.com to learn more
about the trip.
Academy wants to learn of your service
projects
We appreciate the several thousand volunteers who have given
so much of their time and means to make Smiles for Central
America a great success.
We would like to learn of the humanitarian efforts of members
of the Academy. While we are aware of some projects, we would
like to find out as many as possible and share them on our web-
site. The purpose is to let others, who may have interest in doing
something similar, either join with an existing group or learn
from their experiences how to successfully carry out a charitable
endeavor.
If you have participated in a humanitarian venture or know of
others who have, we would like to get the contact information
and a short description of the project to share with others. Also,
there are many who are willing to serve and give but don’t know
where to go to participate. This list will provide a resource to both
those looking to serve and those who need help with their proj-
ect. Please send the information to: LDSDentists@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Humanitarian service in latin america
NOTE:
Student involve-
ment in humanitarian
dental work gives
dentists a boost to
continue doing it
throughout their
lives.
Students at usc give “AYUDA” to Those in Need
By Cody Cirac, D.D.S., USC Class of 2010 Ayuda Inc. USC
Co-director 2008-2009
Every year, students from the University of Southern California
join with AYUDA to hold eleven mobile dental clinics in Southern
California, as well as one or two international clinics in underserved
areas of Central America. The clinic we are describing here is not un-
usual. There will be eighty USC dental students, four volunteer den-
tists, all under the direction of USC instructor, Dr. Harris Done.
The day’s agenda is reviewed for the middle school patients in the
gymnasium. After medical histories, first stop is the screening sta-
tion, a comprehensive examination with digital radiographs and the
patients are diagnosed and treatment begins. Next is the anesthesia
station and rubber dams are placed. Restorative and palliative care is
received in one of ten portable operatories. After treatment and oral
hygiene instruction, the children leave with a goody bag.
The students speak of being unified in a common cause, “We serve
our fellow man with the talents we have been blessed with, helping
those who cannot help themselves”. At the end of the day these are
the comments, “I learned so much,” “I was able to save two teeth for a
boy who has never been to the dentist before”. “I came today to give
back, but I think I ended up getting more out of it than I gave.” “As
a dental student, the chance to reach beyond myself was invaluable.
Serving my brothers and sisters gave me a foundation of service that
will influence me for years to come”.
This and other clinics are possible because of Dr. Done expanding the
borders of AYUDA which began in 1967 as a humanitarian medical, den-
tal, educational organization in Guatemala. Its mission is to improve and
sustain the health of
people in underserved
areas of the world, by
providing assistance
through reatment,
training and educa-
tion. Teams have trav-
eled to countries from
Belize to Cambodia to
Russia treating 210,000
patients.
We are grateful for the blessing of interacting with spiri-
tual and professional giants while serving in the ranks of
AYUDA volunteers. And the countless children we have
been fortunate to meet have each taught us that we can
all serve one another with love.
To donate, please visit http://www.ayuda-inc.com or
email mailto:harrisdone@aol.com.
My experience as a student lead to a lifetime
of humanitarian dental experiences
By Paul Fillmore, full-time missionary with his wife Joanne,
at the clinic
The value of the friendships formed, the cultural exchange and the
goodwill generated, in my opinion, outweigh the procedures per-
formed, although the recipients of that service might argue otherwise.
There are many, many service groups, nearly all run as a small cadre
of dedicated individuals—and all are in need in of volunteers.
While a Student at UCLA, I got my first taste of volunteer clinics when
Dr. Harris Done, came from USC to tell us about his program. He told
us of a mobile clinic for migrant farm workers in the San Juaquin valley,
a denture clinic on the Apache Indian reservation, and my first foreign
clinic with AYUDA in Guatemala. After a few years, dedicated to be-
ginning a family and starting a practice, I began again with trips with
AYUDA to Guatemala. As AYUDA expanded its reach, I went along  for
the ride.
For many years I traveled to the clinics alone to renew special friend-
ships in addition to giving service. Eventually, spouses began to be
included and then older children. Everyone is given a role in the
clinic and everyone is busy from start to finish. At the conclusion of
my wife Joanne’s first clinic she understood why I went and said it
was one of the best things she had ever done. Our children who have
accompanied us have likewise had their lives impacted.
I have traveled to numerous clinics in a dozen countries with half a
dozen different sponsoring organizations. The people are invariably
gracious and grateful for any help given. Frustratingly, there is usually
little opportunity for comprehensive care but the hearts of all involved
are changed. I have never organized a trip and have never been very
successful in persuading others to go, but on occasion I have been
the volunteer that provided the tipping point for someone else’s plan
to become reality. That is how I continue to this day. Joanne and I are
now serving a full-time dental mission at the Guatemala Dental Clinic
in Guatemala City.
We would welcome any of you to come join us for a week or two and
you will see how fulfilling this volunteer dental service is. We all need
a brief escape from the cultural bubble we live in and the needed real-
ity check such an experience provides. So take the plunge with your
fellow Academy members. Make new friends. Have the experience of
your life and then do it again!
humanitarian service in latin america
Testimonial from Paul’s Wife NOTE: Another experience with the
Academy member, Dr. Rich Call, from Guatemala Dental Clinic
By Joanne Fillmore
Colorado, organized a group of four
The first week in January Frederick
Paul has been going on humanitarian den- (one DDS, one RDH, two assistants)
G.S. Deal, who practices in Centeron,
tal trips since he was in dental school. It and spent a week over Thanksgiving
Arkansas, traveled to Guatemala to spend
has always been an important part of his with Dr. Paul Fillmore in Guatemala.
a week working in the Guatemala Dental
enjoyment of dentistry. I began going with Dr. Call stated that Paul Fillmore
Clinic. He states it was a pleasure to work
him when we only had two of our eight is doing a marvelous work with the with Ron and Judy Tobler and Paul and
children left at home. My first trip with Guatemala Dental Clinic. The Academy
Joanne Fillmore who are serving as senior
him was to Peru and it was one of the most encourages any of you who are inter-
health missionaries there. He writes:
enjoyable “vacations” I had ever been on
ested to share your skills at the clinic in
simply because of the wonderful people I had the misconception that the climate
Guatemala your time will be rewarded.
we traveled and worked with and the op- would be either tropical or semi-tropical.
A special thanks goes to all of you who At 5,000 feet the climate in Guatemala
portunity to combine travel and service. It
have been to the clinic to help out.
was so much more memorable than simply City is as close to ideal as possible. Also
going on a cruise or taking a sightseeing past experience with volunteer clinics
trip to another country. We took two of our led me to believe that I would be working
children on a second trip to Peru and it was a wonderful experi- with marginal equipment. It was surprising to find state of the
ence for them. All the children of the dentists that went had an art dental units and hand pieces (some of the best I have ever
opportunity to work in the clinic. used).
Since then I have traveled to Moscow, Bolivia, and the Ukraine It was rewarding to work not just with the niña orphans at the
with him. Most of his trips have been to Spanish speaking coun- facility but also with local elders and sisters in the mission and
tries but in the last few years he has been to Siberia three times, futura missionaries preparing to serve.
St. Petersburg, Moscow, and the Ukraine. Ron and Judy make the trip interesting not only with great res-
taurants but also with visits to local sites of interest. I had such
We are now enjoying our experiences serving in the Guatemala
an enjoyable and rewarding experience serving the wonderful
Dental Clinic.
people of Central America. Please consider scheduling a trip to
the clinic sometime this year. The needs are great and the bless-
ings are eternal.
BREAKING NEWS
The Church has recently asked the
Academy of LDS Dentists to ­develop a
resource, which would help members
throughout the world improve
their dental health. This is a unique
opportunity to ­facilitate the recognition
of proper dental care. We need members
of our Academy to help with this project.
Paul and Joanne Fillmore with patient If  you have a public health background,
are creative, comfortable with various
medias, and/or want to make a
real difference, please email
To learn about experiences at the
the Academy  leadership at
Guatemala Dental Clinic in Guatemala,
LDSDentists@gmail.com.
check out their blog at:
Thank you.
­guatemaladentalclinic.blogspot.com
4
 humanitarian service in latin america
Dental Equipment Donation to Cordoba,
Argentina
By Dwayne Zobell
On October 22, 2010, a major donation of dental equipment
took place in Cordoba, Argentina. Ten dental chairs and delivery
systems, along with 10 dry heat sterilizers, instrument setups
for restorative and prophylaxis, burs and bur blocks, instrument
sterilization cassettes and assorted surgical instruments were do-
nated to the Municipal Health Department in Cordoba courtesy of
The South America South Area Presidency’s Office, and Deseret
International.
Representing the Church were Carlos Aguero, Public Affairs
Representative for Argentina and David Frol of the Church Welfare
Office in Buenos Aires.
Representing Deseret International was Ronaldo Walker who had
done most of the legwork in obtaining the donation.
The equipment will be installed in public health clinics that
the Municipal Health Department has in place in Cordoba. In
November, 2009, Ronaldo Walker along with Dr. Dwayne Zobell
and Dr. Anabel Garzon visited the directors of the Dental Health
Department in Cordoba, Dr. Nelson Rugani and Dr. Olga Edith
Brizuela.
They were informed that of the 100 health clinics in Cordoba only
70 had a dental operatory. They requested help to obtain dental
equipment for the other 30 clinics and a portable dental unit, if
possible. Dr. Zobell and Dr. Garzon met with dental equipment
manufacturers in Cordoba and obtained favorable pricing from
Denimed, a family owned dental equipment manufacturer in
Cordoba. Ronaldo Walker presented the plan to the Church Area
Offices and funds were released in October 2010.
The project is intended to raise the profile of the Church even
higher in Cordoba in conjunction with the construction of the
Cordoba Argentina Temple. Plans for future projects include
professional educational exchange via continuing education
and also participation in outreach projects the Municipal Health
Department currently provides.
The donation ceremony can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=MDcN5Sz3SEA.
2 3
Smiles for Central America / Honduras
In November 2010, a 40-
foot shipping container was
sent and safely delivered
to the Dental School in
Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This
was the 8th such container
donated to Honduras since
the project began.  It was
filled with 15 tons of dona-
tions, including 30 dental
chairs, delivery units, x-rays,
dental instruments and supplies, missionary clothing, humanitar-
ian kits and supplies, and a large commercial air compressor for
the dental school.
 Please join us in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 29–May 8, 2011.
We have served in Tegucigalpa a number of times before, and the
local leaders are excited about our return. The group is planning
on concluding the brigada with a two-night trip to the island of
Roatán.  Go to www.SmilesForCentralAmerica.com to learn more
about the trip.
Academy wants to learn of your service
projects
We appreciate the several thousand volunteers who have given
so much of their time and means to make Smiles for Central
America a great success.
We would like to learn of the humanitarian efforts of members
of the Academy. While we are aware of some projects, we would
like to find out as many as possible and share them on our web-
site. The purpose is to let others, who may have interest in doing
something similar, either join with an existing group or learn
from their experiences how to successfully carry out a charitable
endeavor.
If you have participated in a humanitarian venture or know of
others who have, we would like to get the contact information
and a short description of the project to share with others. Also,
there are many who are willing to serve and give but don’t know
where to go to participate. This list will provide a resource to both
those looking to serve and those who need help with their proj-
ect. Please send the information to: LDSDentists@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Humanitarian service in latin america
NOTE:
Student involve-
ment in humanitarian
dental work gives
dentists a boost to
continue doing it
throughout their
lives.
Students at usc give “AYUDA” to Those in Need
By Cody Cirac, D.D.S., USC Class of 2010 Ayuda Inc. USC
Co-director 2008-2009
Every year, students from the University of Southern California
join with AYUDA to hold eleven mobile dental clinics in Southern
California, as well as one or two international clinics in underserved
areas of Central America. The clinic we are describing here is not un-
usual. There will be eighty USC dental students, four volunteer den-
tists, all under the direction of USC instructor, Dr. Harris Done.
The day’s agenda is reviewed for the middle school patients in the
gymnasium. After medical histories, first stop is the screening sta-
tion, a comprehensive examination with digital radiographs and the
patients are diagnosed and treatment begins. Next is the anesthesia
station and rubber dams are placed. Restorative and palliative care is
received in one of ten portable operatories. After treatment and oral
hygiene instruction, the children leave with a goody bag.
The students speak of being unified in a common cause, “We serve
our fellow man with the talents we have been blessed with, helping
those who cannot help themselves”. At the end of the day these are
the comments, “I learned so much,” “I was able to save two teeth for a
boy who has never been to the dentist before”. “I came today to give
back, but I think I ended up getting more out of it than I gave.” “As
a dental student, the chance to reach beyond myself was invaluable.
Serving my brothers and sisters gave me a foundation of service that
will influence me for years to come”.
This and other clinics are possible because of Dr. Done expanding the
borders of AYUDA which began in 1967 as a humanitarian medical, den-
tal, educational organization in Guatemala. Its mission is to improve and
sustain the health of
people in underserved
areas of the world, by
providing assistance
through reatment,
training and educa-
tion. Teams have trav-
eled to countries from
Belize to Cambodia to
Russia treating 210,000
patients.
We are grateful for the blessing of interacting with spiri-
tual and professional giants while serving in the ranks of
AYUDA volunteers. And the countless children we have
been fortunate to meet have each taught us that we can
all serve one another with love.
To donate, please visit http://www.ayuda-inc.com or
email mailto:harrisdone@aol.com.
My experience as a student lead to a lifetime
of humanitarian dental experiences
By Paul Fillmore, full-time missionary with his wife Joanne,
at the clinic
The value of the friendships formed, the cultural exchange and the
goodwill generated, in my opinion, outweigh the procedures per-
formed, although the recipients of that service might argue otherwise.
There are many, many service groups, nearly all run as a small cadre
of dedicated individuals—and all are in need in of volunteers.
While a Student at UCLA, I got my first taste of volunteer clinics when
Dr. Harris Done, came from USC to tell us about his program. He told
us of a mobile clinic for migrant farm workers in the San Juaquin valley,
a denture clinic on the Apache Indian reservation, and my first foreign
clinic with AYUDA in Guatemala. After a few years, dedicated to be-
ginning a family and starting a practice, I began again with trips with
AYUDA to Guatemala. As AYUDA expanded its reach, I went along  for
the ride.
For many years I traveled to the clinics alone to renew special friend-
ships in addition to giving service. Eventually, spouses began to be
included and then older children. Everyone is given a role in the
clinic and everyone is busy from start to finish. At the conclusion of
my wife Joanne’s first clinic she understood why I went and said it
was one of the best things she had ever done. Our children who have
accompanied us have likewise had their lives impacted.
I have traveled to numerous clinics in a dozen countries with half a
dozen different sponsoring organizations. The people are invariably
gracious and grateful for any help given. Frustratingly, there is usually
little opportunity for comprehensive care but the hearts of all involved
are changed. I have never organized a trip and have never been very
successful in persuading others to go, but on occasion I have been
the volunteer that provided the tipping point for someone else’s plan
to become reality. That is how I continue to this day. Joanne and I are
now serving a full-time dental mission at the Guatemala Dental Clinic
in Guatemala City.
We would welcome any of you to come join us for a week or two and
you will see how fulfilling this volunteer dental service is. We all need
a brief escape from the cultural bubble we live in and the needed real-
ity check such an experience provides. So take the plunge with your
fellow Academy members. Make new friends. Have the experience of
your life and then do it again!
humanitarian service in latin america
Testimonial from Paul’s Wife NOTE: Another experience with the
Academy member, Dr. Rich Call, from Guatemala Dental Clinic
By Joanne Fillmore
Colorado, organized a group of four
The first week in January Frederick
Paul has been going on humanitarian den- (one DDS, one RDH, two assistants)
G.S. Deal, who practices in Centeron,
tal trips since he was in dental school. It and spent a week over Thanksgiving
Arkansas, traveled to Guatemala to spend
has always been an important part of his with Dr. Paul Fillmore in Guatemala.
a week working in the Guatemala Dental
enjoyment of dentistry. I began going with Dr. Call stated that Paul Fillmore
Clinic. He states it was a pleasure to work
him when we only had two of our eight is doing a marvelous work with the with Ron and Judy Tobler and Paul and
children left at home. My first trip with Guatemala Dental Clinic. The Academy
Joanne Fillmore who are serving as senior
him was to Peru and it was one of the most encourages any of you who are inter-
health missionaries there. He writes:
enjoyable “vacations” I had ever been on
ested to share your skills at the clinic in
simply because of the wonderful people I had the misconception that the climate
Guatemala your time will be rewarded.
we traveled and worked with and the op- would be either tropical or semi-tropical.
A special thanks goes to all of you who At 5,000 feet the climate in Guatemala
portunity to combine travel and service. It
have been to the clinic to help out.
was so much more memorable than simply City is as close to ideal as possible. Also
going on a cruise or taking a sightseeing past experience with volunteer clinics
trip to another country. We took two of our led me to believe that I would be working
children on a second trip to Peru and it was a wonderful experi- with marginal equipment. It was surprising to find state of the
ence for them. All the children of the dentists that went had an art dental units and hand pieces (some of the best I have ever
opportunity to work in the clinic. used).
Since then I have traveled to Moscow, Bolivia, and the Ukraine It was rewarding to work not just with the niña orphans at the
with him. Most of his trips have been to Spanish speaking coun- facility but also with local elders and sisters in the mission and
tries but in the last few years he has been to Siberia three times, futura missionaries preparing to serve.
St. Petersburg, Moscow, and the Ukraine. Ron and Judy make the trip interesting not only with great res-
taurants but also with visits to local sites of interest. I had such
We are now enjoying our experiences serving in the Guatemala
an enjoyable and rewarding experience serving the wonderful
Dental Clinic.
people of Central America. Please consider scheduling a trip to
the clinic sometime this year. The needs are great and the bless-
ings are eternal.
BREAKING NEWS
The Church has recently asked the
Academy of LDS Dentists to ­develop a
resource, which would help members
throughout the world improve
their dental health. This is a unique
opportunity to ­facilitate the recognition
of proper dental care. We need members
of our Academy to help with this project.
Paul and Joanne Fillmore with patient If  you have a public health background,
are creative, comfortable with various
medias, and/or want to make a
real difference, please email
To learn about experiences at the
the Academy  leadership at
Guatemala Dental Clinic in Guatemala,
LDSDentists@gmail.com.
check out their blog at:
Thank you.
­guatemaladentalclinic.blogspot.com
4
 Local humanitarian service
Local Service Can Be Very Rewarding
By Albert “Al” Clark
The purpose in writing this article is three fold:
1. On behalf of the current Academy leadership we recognize the
service that so many of you give.
2. To open a dialogue in this newsletter and encourage others of
you to report on your favorite local service projects.
3. Inform the few that have NOT discovered this secret—that you
do not need a passport nor travel great distances to find the joy
of service.
Over 25 years ago I started on a great adventure. I volunteered to
be the dentist for a care center for mentally handicapped patients.
Some of them are happy and cooperative and some are very hard
to deal with. I have grown to appreciate the caretakers of these
individuals. Many of these patients have become my good friends
even though a number have passed on and some have relocated to
other facilities.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take my daughter, a new
hygienist, with me to the facility to do annual cancer screenings
for the edentulous and completely uncooperative. As we walked
through the halls, at least 20 patients came up to me, calling me by
name, giving me hugs or wanting me to look at their teeth or see
something special in their room. My daughter was touched by the
tender relationships that many felt for me, their dentist. When we
get to the other side of the veil, I know those friendships will still
exist. Since those special spirits will be close to the Lord, I trust
they will say to Him of me, “He didn’t accomplish much of what
he should have but show him mercy and grace. He was my friend.”
Personally, I have found joy in service in my own office and in a
local clinic, ten-minutes away.
There are opportunities all around us. If you like organization and
leadership, organize a project.
Ralph Montgomery started Donated Dental Services, a unique and
nationally known project in Salt Lake City; and
Eric Vogel started Share a Smile in Provo to care for the dental
needs of the homeless.
Their efforts have built clinics, and they are continually finding vol-
unteer staffs and providing great care. Projects can be small.
The first “Give Kids a Smile” in Utah County was three dentists in
an office complex working in their own offices.
Two former Academy presidents, Bret Tobler and Mike Rockwell
have “Dentist’s with a Heart” days where they provide free services
in their offices one day a year.
If you would like to learn organization skills, volunteer with your
local dental district, state dental society, or a group—like the
Academy.
5 CWA11_011
Brigham Young University
Conferences and Workshops
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Academy Examiner
115 Harman Continuing Education Building
If you would like less commitment to organization and more hands PROVO, UTAH
Provo, Utah 84602 PERMIT NO. 49
on delivery, volunteer with a local or national group that provides
care. In Utah County there is an organization called Community
Health Connect. They screen and find patients with real needs Address Service Requested
and connect them with doctors and dentists in the community. So
many similar organizations exist that I can’t begin to list them. The
Internet and local United Ways and dental societies can help you 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 • W inter 2 0 1 1
find them.
Most members of the Academy to whom I have spoken have found
rich rewards of service in their own wards, stakes, and missions. President’s message
Bishops are a wonderful resource to know who really needs your As we begin a new year, and look back over the past, very often we pen-
help. Any mission president’s wife would appreciate your help in sively consider, “What did I accomplish that will make a difference? As we
providing care to missionaries or organizing dentists throughout
contemplate our answer, we might consider this counsel from American
the mission area to provide discounted or free care. I have to rec-
ognize dentists in Utah County that annually provide hundreds of
writer Leo Rosten: “The purpose of life is not just to be happy. . . It is to
be useful, to be honorable. It is to be compassionate. It is to matter, to
thousands of dollars at no cost to foreign missionaries that come
through the Provo MTC. have it make some difference that you lived.”
If you want to know the joy of service, try something. It can be in a These are not just lofty words – they are keys to living well. Put into ac-
foreign land or close to home. “Out of small things proceedeth that tion, they build character, shape positive outlook, and bless the lives of
which is great.” others as well as our own.
Dr. David Hincks is our ‘chairman’ of Local Service Opportunities. In this issue, we are sharing various aspects of dental service. It is awesome to see the myriad
We would love to hear what you are doing. Please contact him by
of ways dentists have chosen to share their skills with others to help improve the dental health
writing to LDSDentists@gmail.com.
in underserved areas. As you read it or as you peruse the Service Section of our website, you
“Share a Smile” started by serving needy may be inspired to join with your team, your dental friends, and maybe your family and go
patients in Utah Valley help needy patients that are longing to have the service you can give.
Dr. Eric Vogel has done a lot of dental humanitarian service in for- As we make our plans for the future, may we choose to be useful, honorable, and
Academy Examiner
eign countries. However, we will share, in his own words, similar
compassion­ate. We will then find that our life has indeed mattered, that it has made some dif-
service that he and his staff have done locally, in the Provo area, for
ference that we have lived.
many years.
At the beginning of every year we encourage our members to renew their Academy mem-
“In addition to helping those abroad we felt a strong need to pro-
berships so that our organization can continue to grow and remain a viable influence in our
vide for the poor in our own community. With that in mind, Share
a Smile was born. profession. As involved members of the Church, we often have assignments which sometimes
Circle your calendar for the 34th Annual Conference conflict with the Academy schedule and thus we are not always able to attend the annual
“We decided to donate all of the proceeds of bleaching performed August 12th and 13th, 2011 AUGUST Visit our Website
in our office to fund our humanitarian efforts. I donated the materi- conference.
als and office space and the staff donated their time to take impres- Friday, August 12, 2011 1 2
3 4
2011 www.AcademyofLDSDentists.com/
We have noticed that many associate the annual conference registration with keeping their
• Jeff J. Brucia DDS—Esthetic Dentistry 7 8
5 6
sions, make trays and so forth. Our patients were very excited to 9 10 Visit the Academy’s updated Website membership dues current. Dues and conference are two separate items. Of course, current
• Lee H. Silverstein DDS MS—Periodontics 14 15 11 12
both get their teeth bleached and also help to fund our humanitar- • Ray R. Padilla DDS—Sports Medicine/Dentistry 16 17 13 for valuable resources:
21 22 18 19 Academy members are given reduced conference fees. Membership dues, whether or not you
ian efforts. The first year bleaching raised about $12,000 for Share 28 29
23 24 2 0
a Smile.” In addition we decided to host a triathlon where all pro-
Saturday, August 13, 2011 30 31
25 26
27
• Membership dues renewal attend a conference, are essential to enable us to fulfill the purposes of the Academy. When
• Linda L. Miles CSP CMC—Practice Administration each member is current with his or her dues, we are able to accomplish so much more.
ceeds were donated. This raised about $6,500. With this money • Annual conference information &
• Michael A. Ignelzi Jr. DDS PhD—Pedodontics/Orthodontics
we were able to purchase three portable dental units, chairs and • Barry L. Musikant DMD—Endodontics registration
May you have great experiences as you participate with the Academy and as you share your
needed supplies. Many of the supplies were donated by dental sup- • Gordon J. Christensen DDS MSD PhD—What’s new in 2011 • Classifieds ads: professional skills with others.
pliers, other local dentists and groups like CRA. We’ll see you there! • Buy/sell a practice
• Associate/partner opportunities With best wishes,
At first it was just my office going but since then other dentists have We need your Email Address!
gotten interested and now we always take another dentist along • News, recent and archived
Please go to the Web page and click on “Join” Newsletters 2011 Academy Council
every month.” then “Update Your Info”. The Academy will be
President: John A. Gerritsen
sending out monthly “News Blasts” by email • Humanitarian Service opportunities
containing a brief list of the most recent news Vice President: Evan Roundy
• Other valuable items John A. Gerritsen
and activities of the Academy. We want to Secretary/Treasurer: Laurence Palmer
include you in those mailings. The Academy Academy Of LDS Dentists President Past President: David Geddes
does not share any contact information with Founder: Gordon Christensen
others. Your feedback is welcomed!
 Local humanitarian service
Local Service Can Be Very Rewarding
By Albert “Al” Clark
The purpose in writing this article is three fold:
1. On behalf of the current Academy leadership we recognize the
service that so many of you give.
2. To open a dialogue in this newsletter and encourage others of
you to report on your favorite local service projects.
3. Inform the few that have NOT discovered this secret—that you
do not need a passport nor travel great distances to find the joy
of service.
Over 25 years ago I started on a great adventure. I volunteered to
be the dentist for a care center for mentally handicapped patients.
Some of them are happy and cooperative and some are very hard
to deal with. I have grown to appreciate the caretakers of these
individuals. Many of these patients have become my good friends
even though a number have passed on and some have relocated to
other facilities.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take my daughter, a new
hygienist, with me to the facility to do annual cancer screenings
for the edentulous and completely uncooperative. As we walked
through the halls, at least 20 patients came up to me, calling me by
name, giving me hugs or wanting me to look at their teeth or see
something special in their room. My daughter was touched by the
tender relationships that many felt for me, their dentist. When we
get to the other side of the veil, I know those friendships will still
exist. Since those special spirits will be close to the Lord, I trust
they will say to Him of me, “He didn’t accomplish much of what
he should have but show him mercy and grace. He was my friend.”
Personally, I have found joy in service in my own office and in a
local clinic, ten-minutes away.
There are opportunities all around us. If you like organization and
leadership, organize a project.
Ralph Montgomery started Donated Dental Services, a unique and
nationally known project in Salt Lake City; and
Eric Vogel started Share a Smile in Provo to care for the dental
needs of the homeless.
Their efforts have built clinics, and they are continually finding vol-
unteer staffs and providing great care. Projects can be small.
The first “Give Kids a Smile” in Utah County was three dentists in
an office complex working in their own offices.
Two former Academy presidents, Bret Tobler and Mike Rockwell
have “Dentist’s with a Heart” days where they provide free services
in their offices one day a year.
If you would like to learn organization skills, volunteer with your
local dental district, state dental society, or a group—like the
Academy.
5 CWA11_011
Brigham Young University
Conferences and Workshops
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Academy Examiner
115 Harman Continuing Education Building
If you would like less commitment to organization and more hands PROVO, UTAH
Provo, Utah 84602 PERMIT NO. 49
on delivery, volunteer with a local or national group that provides
care. In Utah County there is an organization called Community
Health Connect. They screen and find patients with real needs Address Service Requested
and connect them with doctors and dentists in the community. So
many similar organizations exist that I can’t begin to list them. The
Internet and local United Ways and dental societies can help you 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 • W inter 2 0 1 1
find them.
Most members of the Academy to whom I have spoken have found
rich rewards of service in their own wards, stakes, and missions. President’s message
Bishops are a wonderful resource to know who really needs your As we begin a new year, and look back over the past, very often we pen-
help. Any mission president’s wife would appreciate your help in sively consider, “What did I accomplish that will make a difference? As we
providing care to missionaries or organizing dentists throughout
contemplate our answer, we might consider this counsel from American
the mission area to provide discounted or free care. I have to rec-
ognize dentists in Utah County that annually provide hundreds of
writer Leo Rosten: “The purpose of life is not just to be happy. . . It is to
be useful, to be honorable. It is to be compassionate. It is to matter, to
thousands of dollars at no cost to foreign missionaries that come
through the Provo MTC. have it make some difference that you lived.”
If you want to know the joy of service, try something. It can be in a These are not just lofty words – they are keys to living well. Put into ac-
foreign land or close to home. “Out of small things proceedeth that tion, they build character, shape positive outlook, and bless the lives of
which is great.” others as well as our own.
Dr. David Hincks is our ‘chairman’ of Local Service Opportunities. In this issue, we are sharing various aspects of dental service. It is awesome to see the myriad
We would love to hear what you are doing. Please contact him by
of ways dentists have chosen to share their skills with others to help improve the dental health
writing to LDSDentists@gmail.com.
in underserved areas. As you read it or as you peruse the Service Section of our website, you
“Share a Smile” started by serving needy may be inspired to join with your team, your dental friends, and maybe your family and go
patients in Utah Valley help needy patients that are longing to have the service you can give.
Dr. Eric Vogel has done a lot of dental humanitarian service in for- As we make our plans for the future, may we choose to be useful, honorable, and
Academy Examiner
eign countries. However, we will share, in his own words, similar
compassion­ate. We will then find that our life has indeed mattered, that it has made some dif-
service that he and his staff have done locally, in the Provo area, for
ference that we have lived.
many years.
At the beginning of every year we encourage our members to renew their Academy mem-
“In addition to helping those abroad we felt a strong need to pro-
berships so that our organization can continue to grow and remain a viable influence in our
vide for the poor in our own community. With that in mind, Share
a Smile was born. profession. As involved members of the Church, we often have assignments which sometimes
Circle your calendar for the 34th Annual Conference conflict with the Academy schedule and thus we are not always able to attend the annual
“We decided to donate all of the proceeds of bleaching performed August 12th and 13th, 2011 AUGUST Visit our Website
in our office to fund our humanitarian efforts. I donated the materi- conference.
als and office space and the staff donated their time to take impres- Friday, August 12, 2011 1 2
3 4
2011 www.AcademyofLDSDentists.com/
We have noticed that many associate the annual conference registration with keeping their
• Jeff J. Brucia DDS—Esthetic Dentistry 7 8
5 6
sions, make trays and so forth. Our patients were very excited to 9 10 Visit the Academy’s updated Website membership dues current. Dues and conference are two separate items. Of course, current
• Lee H. Silverstein DDS MS—Periodontics 14 15 11 12
both get their teeth bleached and also help to fund our humanitar- • Ray R. Padilla DDS—Sports Medicine/Dentistry 16 17 13 for valuable resources:
21 22 18 19 Academy members are given reduced conference fees. Membership dues, whether or not you
ian efforts. The first year bleaching raised about $12,000 for Share 28 29
23 24 2 0
a Smile.” In addition we decided to host a triathlon where all pro-
Saturday, August 13, 2011 30 31
25 26
27
• Membership dues renewal attend a conference, are essential to enable us to fulfill the purposes of the Academy. When
• Linda L. Miles CSP CMC—Practice Administration each member is current with his or her dues, we are able to accomplish so much more.
ceeds were donated. This raised about $6,500. With this money • Annual conference information &
• Michael A. Ignelzi Jr. DDS PhD—Pedodontics/Orthodontics
we were able to purchase three portable dental units, chairs and • Barry L. Musikant DMD—Endodontics registration
May you have great experiences as you participate with the Academy and as you share your
needed supplies. Many of the supplies were donated by dental sup- • Gordon J. Christensen DDS MSD PhD—What’s new in 2011 • Classifieds ads: professional skills with others.
pliers, other local dentists and groups like CRA. We’ll see you there! • Buy/sell a practice
• Associate/partner opportunities With best wishes,
At first it was just my office going but since then other dentists have We need your Email Address!
gotten interested and now we always take another dentist along • News, recent and archived
Please go to the Web page and click on “Join” Newsletters 2011 Academy Council
every month.” then “Update Your Info”. The Academy will be
President: John A. Gerritsen
sending out monthly “News Blasts” by email • Humanitarian Service opportunities
containing a brief list of the most recent news Vice President: Evan Roundy
• Other valuable items John A. Gerritsen
and activities of the Academy. We want to Secretary/Treasurer: Laurence Palmer
include you in those mailings. The Academy Academy Of LDS Dentists President Past President: David Geddes
does not share any contact information with Founder: Gordon Christensen
others. Your feedback is welcomed!