SFDS’s Dan Davidson - Installed as 39th CDA PresidentSFDS president in 1989, over twenty years ago. At that time he was entering Stage II of his career, accelerating into his practice

Volume 64 • Number 6 • December 2011 • San Francisco Dental Society Organized 1869

MISSION STATEMENTThe San Francisco Dental Society promotes the oral health of the community and is the recognized resource for dental professionals in the City and County of San Francisco.

President’s Perspective

Page 5

Dr. Dan DavidsonInstalled as

2012 CDA President (photo pages)

Page 10 & 11

On Your Behalf:California Legislative

Year-End ReviewPage 14

SFDS’s Dan Davidson - Installed as 39th CDA President

San Francisco Dental Society • Page 2

2011 SAN FRANCISCO DENTAL SOCIETY OFFICERS AND

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2011 Executive CommitteePresident

Gail Duffala, DDS

President-Elect Courtney Fitzpatrick, DDS

Immediate Past-President Sima Salimi, DDS

SecretaryPaul Weller, DDS, MS

TreasurerMatthew Young, DDS

CDA TrusteesCurtis Raff, DDS

Natasha Lee, DDS

Executive DirectorDeborah A. Elam, MS CAE

THE BRIDGE EditorIrene Hilton, DDS MPH

DirectorsWayne Del Carlo, DDSDavid Ehsan, DDS, MD

Joseph Gabany, DMD, MSDLauren Hebel, DMDPeter Lee, DDS, MSWilliam Lee, DDS

Carlos Nogueiro, DDSSandy Shih, DDS

Dennis Song, DDS, MDKatherine Vo, DDSAllen Wong, DDS

SFDS StaffAlfonso Estera, Jr. – Membership CoordinatorLisa Tamburrino – Administrative Assistant/

Advertising

2011 Committee ChairsBylaws - Paul Weller, DDS, MSCommunity Dental Health -

Jeffrey Jang, DDS, Allen Wong, DDS & Benjamin Yount, DDS

Ethics - Mark Wiesen, DDSExecutive - Gail Duffala, DDSFinance - Matthew Young, DDS

Legislative - Claudia Masouredis, DDS MPHMembership - Dennis Song, DDS MD

New Dentist - Sandy Shih, DDSPeer Review - Michael A. Ramsay, DDS

Policy - William L. Gallagher, DDSPoster Contest - Dennis D. Shinbori, DDS

& Stafford J. Duhn, DDSProgram - Courtney Fitzpatrick, DDS

Well-Being - Bruce Hiura, DDS(Confidential assistance to professionals,

spouse and staff for drug and alcohol abuse, call (415) 776-5855)

� In Memory �Our condolences to family and colleagues…

Edward S. Mack, DDS

Edward S. Mack, DDS, Life Retired pediatric dentist and third-generation resi-dent of San Francisco, passed away September 13, 2011, at the age of 93. Dr.Mack graduated from Stanford University in 1938, served as a Navy dentist inWWII, before establishing his practice in San Francisco. He joined the SFDS in1943 and ascended to the top of his profession when elected president of theAmerican Society of Dentistry for Children, named an ASDC "Great" and alsoreceived the American Dental Association Award of Excellence. Dr. Mack issurvived by Ronald Mack, DDS, Bruce Mack and Kevin Mack, DMA.

Robert C. Stieg, DDS

Dr. Robert Carl Stieg, 67, passed away Friday, July 29, 2011.After serving in the Air Force (1967-1970), Dr. Stieg built hispractice in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Petaluma andNovato, eventually moving his practice to San Franciscowhere he founded the San Francisco Dental ImplantInstitute. He joined the SFDS in 1974 and was a Diplomat ofthe American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. Afterretiring, he enjoyed many months in Bocas del Toro, Republic

of Panama, where he and his wife were actively involved in a children's charity,the Bocas School Project (a project of One World Children's Fund).

BOARD ACTIONSJuly 2011

• Ratified presidential appointments: Dr. Briana Roykh to New Dentist Committee,Dr. Michael Molosky to New Dentist Committee, Dr. Donna Hurowitz to Dr. DanDavidson Installation Task Force, Dr. Ben Amini to Community Dental HealthCommittee, Dr. John Allan Bier to Bylaws Committee, Dr. Natasha Lee to Chair,Hygiene Task Force, Dr. Wayne Del Carlo to Hygiene Task Force

• Membership Status Report for period ending June 30, 2011 includes provisionalmembers and excludes students: 70.7% Market Share, up from 68.2% April 2011;1212 members: 45.9% active; 33.7% zero dues; 20.4% reduced dues.

•• Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee, approved 3% dues increase

• There being no additional candidates by petition and in accordance with SFDSBylaws, Secretary Weller, by direction of the members, cast the ballot for the slate ofcandidates for election for 2012 as presented to the membership for Officers,Directors, Delegates, Alternate Delegates and Nominating Committee Members tobe installed December 1, 2011

September 2011

• Ratify Presidential Appointments: Dr. Phoebe Good, Membership Committee; Dr.Magtanong-Madrid, Community Dental Health Committee; Dr. Sandy Shih, Re-appointed Chair, 2012 New Dentist Committee

• Approved Program Committee Job Description-Operating Guidelines

• Membership Status Report for period ending August, 2011: 1253 Members, includesprovisional and excludes students; Market share is 72.3% up from June at 70.7%; 45.1%are at full active dues; 54.9% pay zero or reduced dues (18.3% reduced; 36.6% zero).


EDITORIALIrene Hilton, DDS, MPH

Ijust returned from the annualCDA House of Delegates, whereone of our own SFDS members,

Dan Davidson, was installed as the39th President of the unifiedCalifornia Dental Association.

The California Dental Association wasoriginally founded in 1870 in SanFrancisco. In 1913 the SouthernCalifornia State Dental Associationwas established, and for 60 yearsorganized dentistry in California wasdivided north and south. In 1973, thetwo organizations merged. Althoughthe San Francisco Dental Society wasthe first component dental societyfounded and chartered in 1869, this isthe first time one of our members hasserved in this important position sinceunification in 1973.

There are several aspects to Dan’s jour-ney that provide food for thought. Ican still remember 8 years ago, whenDan was elected to serve as one ofSFDS’s trustees to CDA. I’m sure atthat moment Dan was not thinking, “Iwill be CDA president someday”.Sometimes, the path to leadership is acombination of opportunity presentedand taken.

After becoming a trustee Dan joinedthe CDA finance committee andfound his calling. Because of his apti-tude and interest, he was approachedto see if he was interested in runningfor CDA treasurer. Dan might haveserved as CDA treasurer for years,except an unexpected opportunity to

and also come back to later. The infra-structure for service to our professionand the communities we serve willalways be there, waiting for us.

Lastly, Dan is the right person at theright time. The profession of dentistryis at a critical juncture. We hear this sooften the words lose their effect.Health care reform, dental manage-ment organizations, access to care,workforce innovation. Many of theseissues will be in play next year andDan will be CDA’s thoughtful andconsiderate voice, as he articulates ourviewpoints on these and other issues.

This year’s House of Delegates votedto start implementing the first phaseof CDA’s Access to Care plan, whichwill occur during Dan’s tenure (if youhave not read the plan it is available atat www.cda.org). California is the onlyState that has developed such a com-prehensive plan and is the most logicalState to pilot this ambitious endeavoras the leader and innovator in so manyareas. As the leader of the largest statedental association, Dan is in a uniqueposition. Sometimes you can steer asmaller boat faster than a giant ship.

Let us wish Dan the best of luck as he embarks on his presidential yearand give him our support and advice.Remember, any of you reading thiscould be the next CDA president from SFDS! ❖

join the leadership ladder as vice-presi-dent 2010 presented itself, which Danembraced.

Everyone who volunteers, whether inorganized dentistry, church or com-munity non-profit of choice, has achance to serve at their comfort level,yet be open to opportunities forgreater self-development…who knowswhere this might lead you!

Another interesting piece is the factthat this is Dan’s second turn at lead-ership in organized dentistry. Dan wasSFDS president in 1989, over twentyyears ago. At that time he was enteringStage II of his career, accelerating intohis practice peak with a family andyoung son. After serving the yearsrequired for the leadership ladder atSFDS, Dan placed that part of hisservice in neutral, while remaining anSFDS member.

Now in his return Dan is in Stage IV,with a successful, mature dental prac-tice, stable family life and a grown upson with his own successful career.Likewise, for all of us service to organ-ized dentistry is something that wecan take up at any point in our careers,

“…Dan is the right person at the right time.”


Our sincere thanks and gratitude to all the volunteers participating at the October 5 Project Homeless Connect especially for'going that extra mile' for the patients and the people of San Francisco. You can be proud…here are the numbers:

Screened: Bill Graham Auditorium Screened by UOP and SFDS: 165Treated: Tom Waddell Health Center: 21 (SFDS and DHP)

Tenderloin Health Center: 14 (DPH and SFDS)Southeast Health Center: 21 (UCSF GPRs and DPH Dental Team)UOP Oral Surgery: 34

Project Homeless Connect, October 5, 2011


foundation for our incoming president,Courtney Fitzpatrick, to have a runningstart on her service to you. I have reconvened the Leadership Task Force,to tackle the issue of continuing toidentify and cultivate our own home-leadership and a Dental Hygiene TaskForce to study the evolving role of dental hygienists.

The increased number of voices hastaught me so much. One can learn a lotby listening to others and I appreciateall that our members have taught meabout their lives and practices. I amproud of the diversity of our member-ship. As our holiday season arrives,please consider giving your gift to oth-ers. Your gift may be trust, loyalty, sup-port or inclusion. Gifts come in so manyforms, please share yours.

Attending many events has given me agreater appreciation for all that we(SFDS) do for dentistry. Committeemeetings, city political caucuses, newdentist seminars, CE membership meet-ings, CDA events, public health advisorymeetings, participating in events toserve our community (Project HomelessConnect, kindergarten school screen-ings, RAM Bay Area), our poster contestto increase awareness of dentistryamong our youth, awarding merit schol-arships to assistants and graduating

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVEGail Duffala, DDS, President

dental students, and providing assis-tance to those in need has enriched mylife beyond measure. I could go on andon with many more examples, as I havelisted just a few. The San FranciscoDental Society is truly a great organiza-tion and will continue to be so withyour involvement.

In November, your elected delegates,trustees and executive director will beattending the CDA House of Delegates.There are several significant resolutionsthat will be presented and voted on.Many could have a great impact on den-tistry (work force, access) and other reso-lutions just insure that things runsmoothly at the state association level.You can be confident in your leadershipand that your elected delegates will beattentive to opinions brought forth andwill have thoroughly prepared and readthe material presented to them. They willvote with you in mind. We do not vote asa block but by our conscience and youhave chosen a diverse group of delegatesto represent you at the CDA house.

Lastly, SFDS is proud that one of ourown, Dr. Dan Davidson, has been elect-ed as 2012 CDA President, and will beinstalled at the November house. ❖

Editor’s note: Pictures and details of this cele-bratory event are in this issue!

Iam sitting in LAX awaiting myflight back to the Bay Area. It isamazing how quickly the planes

arrive and depart again. People comeand go and time passes ever so quickly.This brings me to review/ponder 2011,as this year of service has passed quicklytoo. I thoroughly enjoyed serving asyour president this year. I have hadmuch support from my fellow boardmembers, dental society members,members of the San Francisco commu-nity, and the SFDS staff.

Our executive director, Deborah Elam isexceptional. Words cannot adequatelyexpress the gratitude I have for her sup-port and knowledge of our organization.I also would like to acknowledge AlfonsoEstera for his hard work and thorough-ness in researching my frequent ques-tions. Our newest staff member LisaTamburrino is also a joy to work with.Great people all around have made myservice much easier. It has been hardwork, but very satisfying and I have triedmy best to make the needs of SFDS myprimary focus this past year.

I began the year urging others to con-template volunteer service. Thankfullymany of you have heard the call andhave volunteered for committees. I ampleased to have a full compliment ofworking committees to provide the


The CDA Board of Trustees metOctober 1st in Sacramento.SFDS members in attendance

were CDA Trustees Dr. Natasha Lee andDr. Curtis Raff, as well as CDAPresident-Elect Dr. Dan Davidson.

The following resolutions were passedand will be forwarded to the CDAHouse of Delegates, meeting November10-13 in Sacramento:

• Approval of the 2012 CDA budget.While there is a net operating budgetdeficit of $2,011,162, this will be off-set in full by dividends from theCDA Holding Company (TDIC),

resulting in a small net budget sur-plus of $74,867, which will be used toincrease overall reserves. For the thir-teenth year no member dues increasewill be required to balance the CDAbudget.

• Approved funding up to $2.3M to the company Aptify to develop andinstitute new management softwarefor CDA.

• Commended Kerry Carney, DDS forher contributions as CDA editor in2011. CDA will retain Dr. Carney aseditor in 2012.

• Approved up to $250,000 towards aCDA dental benefits task force to

research the dental benefits industryand its impact on dental practices.This task force will extensively investi-gate the impact of third-party payers’impact on dentistry and how CDAmight best aid dentists with conflicts.Third party payer issues are the #1complaint of member dentists.

Approved donation to Donated DentalServices (now known as the DentalLifeline Network DLN) of $51,791 fromthe issues fund. DLN is a non-profitorganization in which co-ordinates careand facilitates volunteer dentists treatingdisadvantaged patients in their office. ❖

BOARD OF TRUSTEE REPORTBy Curtis Raff, DDS & Natasha Lee, DDS

Dental students and faculty fromthe Arthur A. Dugoni School ofDentistry and UCSF School of

Dentistry recently joined together towalk across the Golden Gate Bridge insupport of juvenile diabetes research.On the morning of Oct. 30, over 40 par-

Dental Student Kristen Hann is thisyear's American Student DentalAssociation (ASDA) NorthernCalifornia Community OutreachCoordinator, a role in which she isresponsible for creating opportunitiesfor students from both the DugoniSchool and UCSF to join together andtake part in community service events.This is the second event the two dentalschools have jointly participated in thisacademic year, the first being a shore-line cleanup in August.

There will be additional collaborativeASDA community outreach eventsplanned for 2012. ASDA is a nationalstudent-run organization whose mis-sion is to protect and advance therights, interests and welfare of studentspursuing careers in dentistry.

To learn more about the JuvenileDiabetes Research Foundation, visit:http://www.jdrf.org/. ❖

ticipants from the two schools tookpart in the 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes,an annual event hosted by the JuvenileDiabetes Research Foundation. Theteam collectively raised over $2,300which will go toward finding a cure forjuvenile diabetes.

CAMPUS NOTES

Dental Students and Faculty Walk the Golden Gate Bridgein Support of Juvenile Diabetes Cure


EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVEDeborah Elam, MS, CAEExecutive Director

5 Leadership Lessons Learned on the Race Track…

With all of the great programson leadership offered inschools, written in books, and

espoused by public speakers, some ofmy greatest leadership lessons havecome from life experiences. Learninghow drive a 1.1-mile road track, withoutharming myself, was one such experi-ence. Here are five lessons in leadershipthat I would love to share with you:

1) Start with the end in mind… This isparticularly true in both our organi-zations and on the race track. As myracing instructor guided me to lookat where I wanted to be vs. the imme-diate corner I was trying to navigate, Irealized how true this lesson is forour organizations, as well. Your out-going president, Dr. Gail Duffala,understood this, too. She started heryear by gathering leaders together todiscuss and craft a 2-3 year strategicplan that focused on where we want-ed to be vs. focusing only on today.

2) Identify high potential pitfalls…such as other drivers on the track...and yes, this applies to our ownorganizations, too. Who are our com-petitors? What about funding andresources? This year we identified theeconomy as an immediate pitfall toimplementing some of our ideas andreassessed our plans.

3) Knowing the path you will travelallows for midcourse correction… I took a couple of practice lapsaround the course to first gauge howthe car would handle and to knowwhere I was going. This also helpedthe instructor and me to provide

feedback to each other and to thinkabout potential course correctionoptions. The same is true for leadersof organizations…for example, thisyear we found it necessary to mid-course-correct by cancelling a pro-gram due to cost and venue accessibil-ity. Plans change and we must be ableto respond accordingly.

4) Leaders must be willing to activelylisten and listen with an openmind. When someone tells you to“hit the brakes” followed by “hit thegas” both in a few short seconds, itcan mean the difference between stay-ing on the track or spinning out ofcontrol. In addition to steering, look-ing at where I wanted to be, and towhere I was at the moment, I had to“actively” listen to the instructor sit-ting next to me. By the 7th lap, I gotpretty good at it. It did not take Dr.Duffala seven laps get this; she is anatural. She actively listened to every-one with an open mind and heart.

5. And the most important prerequi-site of leadership, I believe, isTRUST! Trust in self and trust inothers. Thank goodness I had aninstructor who trusted me (and him-self). There is a lot at stake at 120MPH, especially with an inexperi-enced race driver. Yet Pete pushed mepast my own comfort zone. Clearly hehad to be a bit worried when the carstarted to fishtail a bit too much onthat 4th S curve. In spite of that, hecontinued to tell me, “Great, now hitthe gas”. And I trusted him enoughto listen. While I was in the driver’sseat, I realized how important it is totrust others. I hope my own teamknows how much I trust & value theirinput. Alfonso is a whiz on the com-puter and Lisa is my “creative” talent.They have skills I do not have. Thesame is true of your SFDS Board ofDirectors.

Your society has an excellent leadershipteam, the SFDS Board of Directors andCommittees, with Dr. Gail Duffala inthe driver’s seat, steering the societythrough some challenging S-curves atrather high speeds, always with the endgoal in mind. Please join me in thank-ing them all for a remarkable year. ❖

I used to think that running an organization was equivalent

to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don’t think

that’s quite it; it’s more like jazz.There is more improvisation.

- Warren Bennis


BITS & PIECES......Know Your Association

This Month’s Top Ten Reasons for Being an ADA Member

Reason #5: Resources to be a better dentist

Reason #9: Give Kids a Smile Day®, the largest charita-ble oral health program in the U.S.

Reason #16: Legal support to maintain the dentist andpatient as treatment decision makers.

Reason #103: Volunteer opportunities in the onlineInternational Volunteer Directory

Reason #111: Networking with your colleagues

Reason #124: Evidence-based clinical recommendationson oral cancer screening

Reason #128: Led opposition to taxes on health careservices, including employer-paid healthbenefits

Reason #129: The Resident Report – information for den-tists pursuing advanced dental education

Reason #132: Support for national examination

Reason #148: No sales commissions on insurance plans

Reason #143: Free booklet for members, McCarranFerguson Act-Some Key Points for ADAMembers

Are You Retiring?

If you plan to retire before March 2012, don’t let your mem-bership lapse. Please give us a ring so we can send you anAffidavit of Retired Status, which will entitle you to reduceddues while maintaining eligibility for insurance, CDAPresents, the annual ADA meeting, access to websites, andall publications. NOTE: If you are earning income fromdental consulting, teaching, or assisting a colleague inanother practice, you are not considered retired.

SFDS JOB Bank – A Member Service

SFDS has contracted with an on-line job search firm to helpyou find able candidates for your open positions: dentalassistants, hygienists, office managers, receptionists, andassociate dentists. A database of resumes is at your disposal.In the last 12 months we responded to 288 member requests,providing 586 candidate resumes for consideration. To takeadvantage of this free service, pick up the phone and give Lisaa call or send her an email at [email protected]. Tell her whatyou’re looking for and she will send you a list of potentialcandidates and resumes. We ask that you let us know if youhire one of the candidates so that we can 1) remove the per-son from our candidate database and 2) determine if thisprogram is a value-add for our members.

CDA E-Learning

Can’t attend the SFDS offered OSHA/Infection ControlCourse or the California Dental Practice Act Course? CDAoffers both courses on-line; individual courses are $49 percourse or as a bundled option for both at $75. For moreinformation visit: http://www.cda.org/conferences_&_edu-cation/education/e-learning.

Crowns for Kids

Give back to your community by helping the SFDS raisefunds for toothbrushes and toothpaste for ourNeighborhood Mayor’s Back-To-School Backpack Programand the SF Firefighters’ Annual Giving Program. Donateyour scrap gold to our SFDS/CDA CROWNS FOR KIDS!With only 4 one-quarter-cup donations we’ve already raised$610. Please help us make a difference! Give us a call todayto arrange a pickup or bring your “can of gold” by theoffice. We’ll brew a pot of coffee or a cup of tea, have a chat,and if it’s a big can, we owe you a big hug! ❖


What are the organizations that youwork with and what is your specificinvolvement?

I volunteer in different ways. I serve as aworkshop and speaker host duringCDA and ADA meetings when they areheld in San Francisco. I have also been amember of the SFDS peer review com-mittee, reviewing patient initiated peerreview cases. Currently, I have beennominated to the CDA Council of PeerReview for the entire state. The commit-ment for this position is three yearsstarting in 2012.

I have been helping screen elementaryschool children for over 20 years,including the last 10 or so in the KScreening program with the SFDepartment of Public Health. We go todifferent schools and provide basicscreening for children.

How long have you been workingwith these volunteer organizations?

Over thirty years for peer review andover twenty years of being a speaker andworkshop host and helping with oralhealth screening programs.

How did you get involved?

My involvement with oral health screen-ing began when I first graduated in1975 when I was on staff at North EastMedical Services (NEMS) in Chinatown.At that time NEMS provided valuablescreening for immigrant children from

northeast Asia. The screening often pro-vided the first dental encounter for thechildren and provided a mechanismwhereby the parents of the children wereintroduced to the local healthcare sys-tem. After 10 years with NEMS, I con-tinued to screen children with the SanFrancisco Department of PublicHealth’s K Screening program.

Years ago CDA asked for volunteer den-tists to be speaker/workshops hosts dur-ing the meetings in San Francisco and Isigned on and have been doing it eversince.

Finally, years ago I was approached by amember of the local SFDS peer reviewcommittee and asked to join. You haveto be in clinical practice a minimum of5 years. I signed on and have been amember since. Sadly, I will be leavingthe local peer review committee andcontinuing on at the state level startingin 2012 as a member of the CDA PeerReview Committee.

There are many worthy organiza-tions. Why did you select these foryour volunteer time?

I never really selected one specific organ-ization. I was approached and given anopportunity and took it. I never lookedback.

However, with regards to our local SFDSpeer review committee, I have stayed onbecause it is very difficult to recruit new

long-term members, and there are aminimum number of members that arerequired to review a case. The peerreview process that we have here inCalifornia provides a very valuable serv-ice to the membership. The vast majori-ty of our cases are resolved withoutbeing litigated, which in turn provides aquick remedy to situations that wouldotherwise be prolonged. Unfortunately,it seems the majority of the CDA mem-bership is unaware of the existence ofthe peer review system.

How do you feel about volunteerism,in general?

Volunteerism is an extension of youroffice. You develop people skills and itallows you to feel good about yourself.

What would you tell other SFDS den-tists about volunteering with yourorganizations?

Contact the dental society for moreinformation on becoming a peer review-er or volunteering at CDA presents orthe ADA annual session (coming to SFin 2012!). To volunteer for the KScreening program contact LisaTamburrino at the SFDS (415) 928-7337 or [email protected].❖

John Fong graduated from the Pacific DentalSchool in 1975 and is in general practice inthe Pacific Heights/Japan Town area.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTFeaturing John Fong, DDS


2011 CDA House of Delegates Meetings & Events

SFDS in Viva Las Vegas for ADA Annual Session


CDA Installation of Officers, 2011 House of Delegates

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1. Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos addresses the CDA 2011 House of Delegates & incoming 2012 CDA officers, richwith anecdotes from over 40 years in local, state and national politics

2. Mayor Agnos delivers heartfelt address to Dan Davidson, his personal dentist for over 30 years

3. Mayor Agnos and Dr. Davidson shake hands after installation

4. SFDS delegation and Dr. Donna Hurowitz congratulate Dr. Davidson

5. Dr. Davidson presented a gift from SFDS

6. The gift, a working replica of a vintage rotary telephone, was in honor of the picture (#7) on the SFDS commemorative giftgiven to all 2011 HOD attendees in honor of Dr. Davidson.

7. Dan Davidson at age 4

8. Dr. Davidson gives installation address

9. SFDS delegation with Dr. Davidson

Congratulations Dr. Dan Davidson!


Ann Azama

Kenneth Bianchi

Cynthia Brattesani

Barry Burstein

Warren Chee

Jack Chow

Russell Choy

Robert Christoffersen

Antonio Cucalon

Daniel Davidson

Wayne Del Carlo

Gail Duffala

Richard Felton

Courtney Fitzpatrick

John Fong

Newton Gordon

James Hayashi

Eddie Hayashida

Irene Hilton

Donna Hurowitz

Thomas Jacobs

Peter Jacobsen

Jeffrey Jang

Stephanie Jee

Helen Jow

Albert Kadosh

George Karsant

Robert Koshiyama

Natasha Lee

Peter Lee

Rodney Lee

Richard Leeds

Thomas Madill

Claudia Masouredis

Donald Missirlian

Charles Mohn

Raul Montalvo

Kathy Mueller

Michael Parrett

Leslie Plack

Norman Plotkin

Curtis Raff

Garry Rayant

John Rayher

Peter Rengstorff

Kuniko Saeki

John Schulz

William Shea

David Shen

Dennis Shinbori

Susan Soderstrom

Dennis Song

Jennifer Terry

Galen Wagnild

Fredric Warren

Jane Weintraub

Paul Weller

Allen Wong

Nathan Yang

Craig Yarborough

David Yee

Mojgan Yousefzadeh

To become a new member of San FRAN-D-PAC or to renewyour current PAC membership,remember to complete theVoluntary Contributions SFDSPAC Option on your 2012 CDADues Statement and forward withyour payment. If paying on-line orthrough CDA’s EDP Program (the 12 month payment option),the same applies.

The San Francisco Dental Society Political Action Committee, San Fran-D-Pac, thanks the following members for their support in 2011, Drs.:

DAVID LEEGarfield Jean Parker John Yehall Yick Wo Alt Sanchez

KENNETH NGFrancis Scott Key Jefferson Lawton AltR L Stevenson Sunset

BERGEN JAMESCesar Chavez E R Taylor George Moscone Hillcrest

PETER RENGSTORFFBret HarteDr Charles Drew EcdcG W CarverMalcolm X

RICHARD CHOIChinese Educ CtrMarshall McKinley

NATASHA LEEArgonne Year Round AltGeorge Peabody Lafayette

RUSSEL TAYLORShermanCreative Arts Charter Tenderloin Community

ANUPA LAHERIClaire Lilienthal AltDr William L Cobb

CHAD LYEWJose Ortega Sheridan

CURTIS RAFFFairmount Junipero Serra

JENNIFER HONG CHEWCommodore Sloat Rooftop Alt

HAO TRANFrank Mccoppin Sutro

JERRY LAUEl Dorado Paul Revere (K8)

KATHERINE VOMiraloma Sunnyside

DAVID ZOVICKIANBryant Buena Vista

PRESTON BROWNAlvarado Harvey Milk

RAVI KOKARedding Rosa Parks

LAUREN HEBELAlamo Dianne Feinstein

SAMAR KOOPAHGuadalupe Longfellow

DARREN MACHULELeonard R Flynn

DOROTHY PANGUlloa

GABRIELA PINANew Traditions Alt

GAIL JANGGlen Park

HAYDEE MOJICA CAMPOSMonroe S F Community Alt

HELEN JOWVisitation Valley

JOHN FONGSpring Valley

LEILA ZOKAEIJohn Muir

M CHEE/L QUANGordon J Lau

MEENA TAPPOUNIGrattan

NEWTON GORDONMission Educ Center

PETER LEEAlice Fong Yu Alt

PHILLIP LIVINGOODChinese Immersion At DeAvila

ROBERT MOSTOVOYDaniel Webster Starr King

RYAN HORNCleveland

SAM THACHERClarendon Alt

SONA BEKMEZIANBessie Carmichael/Fec (K8)

SUSAN SODERSTROMLakeshore Alt

CYNTHIA YEEWest Portal

To volunteer, contact LisaTamburrino at the SFDS: (415)928-7337 or [email protected]

A big round of applause to our 2010-2011 program volunteers, Drs.:



human subjects in the licensure exam.Several states including California, NewYork, Minnesota, Connecticut andWashington, responded by acceptingcompletion of a 12-month general prac-tice residency (PGY1) as an alternative tothe clinical exam.

In 2009, Minnesota became the firststate to offer a non-patient based licen-sure exam modeled after the NationalDental Examining Board of Canada’stwo-part exam. Canada developed anational competency exam in the late1950s. The exam consists of 2 partsgiven over 2 days. The first day is similarto our National Boards, with a full dayof testing consisting of questions cover-ing all basic science and dental sciencesubjects. The second part is composedof stations of mock clinical situationswith preps, x-rays or diagnostic informa-tion provided.

Other legislative issues include theGovernor’s signing of SB 540 – theDental Board sunset review. Key ele-ments of this bill include continuationof the Dental Board until January 1,2016 and the addition of another publicboard member. This brings the Boardcomposition to eight dentists, five pub-lic members, one RDH, and one RDAplus a newly formed Dental AssistingCouncil acting as an advisory council ondental assisting issues.

ON YOUR BEHALFClaudia Masouredis, DDS, MPH, Chair, Legislative Committee

California Legislative Year End Review 2010 – 2011

In an ongoing effort to chip away at thestate’s estimated $26 billion deficit, thebudget passed this June included a 10percent reimbursement rate reductionfor Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal providers.In addition, it requires a $5 patient co-pay per visit that would be deductedfrom the provider’s reimbursement.

Opposition to Medi-Cal rate reductionsgoes back to April of 2008, when theIndependent Living Center of SouthernCalifornia (ILC) filed suit against thestate, trying to block previous reduc-tions. In August 2008, the U.S. DistrictCourt in Los Angeles ruled in favor ofILC and issued an injunction requiringthe state to restore the 10 per cent cuts.The state appealed this decision but theappeals court upheld the District Court’sdecision. The issue is now being arguedin the U.S. Supreme Court and a deci-sion is not expected for several months.

I encourage all dental society membersto stay informed about legislative issuesthat directly impact dentistry and den-tal practice. Active involvement is theonly means to preventing passage oflaws or regulations that could adverselyaffect dentistry. ❖

There were several legislativeissues of interest that occurredover the last year. The most sig-

nificant was the signing of AB 1524, thePortfolio Licensure Bill, by GovernorSchwarzenegger on September 29, 2010.With enactment, California becomes thefirst state in the nation to create a den-tal school-based portfolio examinationprocess. Students at all six Californiadental schools will now have the optionof taking a school-based licensure examthat will allow them to build a portfolioof completed clinical competencies inseven subject areas in the course of theirfinal year of dental school.

Students will complete clinical experi-ence benchmarks in seven categories andpass a final assessment in each area.Once benchmarks and assessments havebeen satisfactorily completed studentssubmit their finished portfolio to theDental Board for final approval andlicensure. The passage of this bill repre-sents the culmination of a multi-yearlobbying effort by both the Dental Boardand the California Dental Associationalong with all six dental schools. This billwent into effect on January 1, 2011 butshould take 1 – 2 years for implementa-tion due to regulatory formulations, cali-bration of faculty, etc.

In 2000 the ADA House of Delegatesrecommended the elimination of


A STANDING OVATION…

TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST SFDS MEMBERS:

Sinduja Bhaskaran, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011;Office Address Pending

Gina M. Borrelli, DDS; GP; UOP 1996;Office Address Pending

Dami Cho, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011; UCSF AEGD 2012

Ting F. Cho, DDS; UCSF 2011; GPR USC 2012

Sahar Dadvand, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;Office Address Pending

Maciej W. Dolata, DDS; GP; Michigan 2010; Office Address Pending

Michael Dumas, DMD, PhD; Oral Surgeon;Tufts 1956; 595 Buckingham Way, Ste 208

Benjamin Ellsworth, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011;Perio VA LA 2014

Nicole Flanigan, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011;Office Address Pending

Eric H Fredericksen, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;AEGD Navy San Diego 2012

Felicia Y Frizzell, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;Office Address Pending

Elnaz Hassanzadeh, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011;Office Address Pending

Denly Herbert, DDS; GP; UCSF 1980; 707 Parnassus Ave

Lisa T. Hoang, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;Office Address Pending

Bhumika Jain, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011;Office Address Pending

Saba S. Khandani, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;Office Address Pending

Wanda S. Leong, DDS; GP; UOP 1994;260 California St; Ste 805

Kimberly E. Louie, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;Office Address Pending

Nima Massoomi, DMD, MD; Oral Surgeon; Pennsylvania 2001,Vanderbilt 2007; 301 Main St, Unit 1A

Nazish Mir, DDS; GP; UOP 2011; Office Address Pending

Kimberly Mitchell-Sorensen, DDS; GP;UCSF 1998; 133 Kearney St, Ste 201

Tykeisha D. Muhusin, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011; Office Address Pending

Chan M. Park, DDS, MD; Oral Surgeon;UCLA 2005; Loma Linda 2011; 2155 Webster St

Sahar W. Tawfik, DDS; GP; Northwestern1990; 601 Van Ness Ave, Ste 2020

Shinil Thomas, DDS; GP; UOP 2011;Office Address Pending

Vikram Tiku, DDS; GP; UOP 2011; USC AEGD 2012

Yi-Pin Tsao, DDS; Perio; Kaohsiung 2000;Michigan 2004; 2243 Van Ness Ave, Ste 101

Andy H. Uh, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011; Office Address Pending

Pinalben M. Viraparia, DDS; GP; UCSF 2011; Office Address Pending

The game, the fans, the kids, the eating—That’s baseball, and a great time was had by all!

Giants vs. the Rockies, night at the game, Sept 27, 2011


COMMUNITY CORNERBe a volunteer! Give back to your community!Change someone’s life!

• Clinic by the Bay, a new volunteer-powered, free health clinic for low-income working uninsured adults islooking for volunteers to provide dentalcare. The San Francisco Dental Society,in assisting the Clinic, developed aneeds assessment to learn more aboutthe oral health of the clinic’s patients.Findings indicate most of the clinic’spatients have not had access to dentalcare for more than two years and willbenefit from dental cleanings, assess-ment and treatment. As the Clinic moves forward, we arelooking for volunteers to provide dentalcare in this exciting new clinic for theworking uninsured. We anticipate theprogram will start in approximately 6months, providing services oneThursday evening per month. The clin-ic is located in the Excelsior neighbor-hood of San Francisco and became the82nd Volunteers In Medicine clinic inthe country on November 9, 2010. Tolearn more about Clinic by the Bay,please visit: www.clinicbythebay.org. Tovolunteer, contact the SFDS at 415-928-7337 or [email protected]

• Delancey Street continues to look fordentists to provide dental services toparticipants. This would includecleanings, general prophylaxis, restora-tive and prosthetic services. The gift ofself-confidence to men and womenwho are looking to enhance their livesis the springboard for their success inlife. Please contact the Delancey StreetFoundation at (415) 512-5118 if youare interested in contributing to thisendeavor. For more informationplease visit the website atwww.delanceystreetfoundation.org.

• SafeHouse, a clean and sober livingcommunity for formerly homelesswomen, seeks the services of generalpractitioners who will each provideservice to one of their clients. Pleasecontact SafeHouse, Carola Shepard at(415) 643-7861.

• Success Through Education,Students Rising Above is dedicated toproviding educational resources tohigh school students who are over-coming staggering obstacles to pursuetheir education and their dreams for abetter life. Many of the students in thisprogram do not have a dentist. Theorganization is building a database ofdentists who are willing to provideservices to these students on a probono or reduced fee basis. If you

PBjwould like to assist these studentsplease contact Lynne Martin or BarbHendricks at (415) 333-4222. For moreinformation please visit the website atwww.studentsrisingabove.org.

• Smiles for Success (Smiles) offerscost-free dental care to women gradu-ates of accredited job readiness andplacement programs. The dental careoffered is meant to be a short-termsolution to those who need treatmentunavailable to them as they movefrom public assistance to the workingworld. We currently have severalwomen who are awaiting treatmentand we need volunteers to assistSmiles participants. By eliminatingdiscomfort, pain, and missing teeth,participants regain their confidenceand smiles, which help them do wellduring job interviews and futureemployment. To learn more log on to:www.smilesforsuccess.org. Dentistswishing to participate in this reward-ing program can sign up on theSmiles for Success web-site or call(800) 920-2293. ❖

If you know of or participate in an organizationthat has needs for the underserved, developmen-tally or physically challenged, please contact theSFDS and we will include the request in ournext newsletter.

COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTHBy Claire Sit, RDH

2010-2011 RESULTS OF THE K SCREENING PROGRAM

Many of you are familiar with theK-Screening Program, the long-standing collaboration between

SFDS and the San FranciscoDepartment of Public Health and theSan Francisco Unified School Districtthat screens every Kindergartener in theSan Francisco public schools on a yearlybasis. This program is one of the mostimportant things we do as volunteerdentists, identifying children with dentalneeds as they begin school so that chil-dren can be guided into care and notresult in dental problems impacting abil-ity to learn. The data obtained allowsSFDPH to allocate resources to schoolsand areas of greatest need.

During the 2010/2011 school year:• 4274 children received a dental

screening in 72 of 72 schools (100% of schools!)

• 22% had one or more actively decayed teeth (untreated)

• 41% had experienced decay (treated and/or active)

• 4% were classified with emergent dental needs

We're holding steady from last schoolyear with the same percentage of chil-dren who have experienced decay (41%)and who have active decay (22%). Thetop 5 zip codes with the highest numberof children with active decay also remainthe same as in the 2009-2010 schoolyear: 94112, 94124, 94134, 94110, 94122.

Over the last ten years we have observeda 17% decrease in the percentage ofSFUSD Kindergarteners with untreatedcaries. These improving results are dueto many factors: San Francisco’s commu-nity water fluoridation and universalhealth care for low-and moderate incomechildren, dental educational and screen-ing programs, and the public and privatesafety-net for children’s dental care inSan Francisco. Please join us in con-tributing to improving oral health! ❖

Claire Sit graduated from the UCSF DentalHygiene Program in 1985 and is a hygienistwith the San Francisco Department of PublicHealth. She is the program manager for the K-Screening Program. To volunteer, contact LisaTamburrino at the SFDS at (415) 928-7337or [email protected].



What is the title of the research activity?

Glass Ionomer Sealant and FluorideVarnish Randomized Clinical Trial(GIFVT)

Who are the investigators?

Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MS, MPH(UCLA) and Stuart A. Gansky, DrPH

What are you trying to find out?

The primary aims of this clinical trial are:

1. To compare the efficacy of FluorideVarnish (FV) alone versus FV com-bined with Glass Ionomer Sealant(GIS) in dental caries prevention andreduction in children, initially aged2.5 to 3 years old, and followed for 36months.

2. Assess baseline influences on earlychildhood caries to identify factorsaffecting caries incidence/incrementin young (initially 2.5- to 3-year-old)children.

3. Assess parental acceptance of inter-ventions, retention in the study, andwhere applicable, compliance withmultiple treatment visits in the ran-domized clinical trial.

Why is this research important?

The National Health and NutritionExamination Survey (NHANES) III deter-mined Early Childhood Caries (ECC) isthe most prevalent childhood disease inthe nation. ECC is a threat to child wel-fare, particularly among economicallydisadvantaged populations and minoritycommunities. Caries that go untreated inyoung children negatively affect theirphysical health, growth and psychosocialdevelopment. The adverse health effects,economic costs, and disparities by

race/ethnicity and income posed by ECCdemonstrate a compelling need for effec-tive prevention strategies.

In 2006, the Symposium on thePrevention of Diseases in Children andAdolescents noted the need for researchon dental sealant efficacy in primaryteeth and for research on new emergingmaterials, such as glass ionomer.

Most resin-based sealants are safe andefficacious; however, they are underuti-lized in young children, in part, becauseof the meticulous technique involved.Resin-based sealants combined with FVapplications have been proved todecrease pit and fissure caries in perma-nent molars in numerous studies.However, the efficacy of the combinationof FV applications and fluoride-releasingglass ionomer sealants in preventingcaries in the primary molars of youngchildren has not yet been tested. Thisstudy will allow us to determine if, andto what extent, glass ionomer sealantsprovide additional caries prevention ben-efit above and beyond FV applications.

How are you doing this research?

This is a community-based, multicenterrandomized clinical trial (RCT). Children2.5- to 3-years-old will be initiallyenrolled at two study sites (one dentaland one non-dental setting). At eachsite eligible children will then be ran-domized to one of two parallel arms- FVor FV+GIS, and followed for 36 months.

Children in the FV groups will receivetopical FV applications. Children in theFV+GIS groups will receive fluoride-releasing Glass Ionomer Sealants (GIS)on occlusal surfaces of primary molarsin addition to topically applied fluoride

varnish (FV). FV will be applied every 6months through 30 months, and GISwill be re-applied annually through 24months, as needed.

Caries status will be measured at base-line and at the 12, 24 and 36 monthphase of the study.

When will this research be finished?

Recruitment for the main phase of thestudy started in June 2011 and enroll-ment will continue for approximately 20months. Data collection will endFebruary 2015.

How could the results of this researcheventually translate into clinical den-tal practice?

If this study shows GIS can be placedsuccessfully and lead to decreased cariesincidence, dental clinicians will be ableto apply dental sealants in primarymolars of young children with a materi-al that does not require a technique assensitive as resin-based sealants. Youngchildren may have access to more pre-ventive options, and more dental clini-cians may be encouraged to work withyoung children. ❖

This research is funded by NIH/NIDCR support: U54 DE 019285. Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MS, MPH is a Professor in theSection of Pediatric Dentistry, University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles and was previously at UCSF School of Dentistry. Stuart A.Gansky, DrPH is a Professor and biostatisti-cian in the Department of Preventive &Restorative Dental Sciences at the UCSFSchool of Dentistry. They are both with theNIDCR/UCSF Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities in Children (CAN-DO).

THE RESEARCH CORNER - UCSF

Published by the San Francisco Dental Society

2143 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

415.928.7337 • Fax 415.928.5297Email: [email protected]

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Advertising rates and information sentupon request. Acceptance of advertis-ing in The Bridge in no way constitutesapproval or endorsement by the SanFrancisco Dental Society of productsor services advertised. The SFDSreserves the right to reject any adver-tisement. Opinions expressed byauthors are their own, and not neces-sarily those of the SFDS or The Bridgeeditorial board. The SFDS reserves theright to edit all contributions for clari-

ty and length, as well as reject anymaterial submitted. The Bridge is pub-lished bi-monthly by the SFDS, 2143Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA94123, 415.928.7337. Subscriptions are$45 per year for SFDS/$50per issue fornon-members. � 2011, San Francisco Dental Society.All rights reserved. Deadline for February 2012 publicationis: January 1, 2012


Group Practice Opportunity:Ronald Leong D.D.S. Space for a specialist in new office in downtown San Francisco. Great Location. Practice alongsideother dentists; operate your ownpractice. [email protected]

In-House Periodontist/ImplantSurgeon Available for YourPractice in the Greater SanFrancisco Bay Area--ImplantSurgery/Bone Grafting/PerioSurgery/3rd molar [email protected] or call(617) 869-1442.

CLASSIFIEDS

Caries Management by Risk Assessment: The Caries Balance

Attendees to the October 6, 2011, CE meeting featuring UCSFSchool of Dentistry Dean, Dr. John Featherstone, evaluated theprogram with a near perfect score at 9.71 on a 10 point scale.Remarks included: Well Done!; Excellent; Right on Track.Congratulations to our big winners for the evening: Dr. MatKiisk - Free CE Voucher for a future meeting; Dr. MarwaAlkordy - $100 Dela Rosa Restaurant Gift Card; Dr. MichaelRamsey - $50 Cash.

October 6, General Membership CE Meeting

2143 Lombard St., San Francisco, CA 94123

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTSMonth Date Meeting/Event Location Time CEDecember 14 Project Homeless Connect Bill Graham Auditorium TBA NA2011 15 Executive Committee SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:30 PM N/A

19 Staff Holiday Luncheon TBA Office Closes at 11:30 AM N/A26 Christmas Office Closed Holiday N/A

January 2 Holiday Office Closed Holiday N/A2012 16 MLK, Jr. Birthday Office Closed Holiday N/A

20 1⁄2 Day General Membership TBA 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 3 CECE Meeting- Emergency Preparedness

20 SFDS Social Hour 25 Lusk 6:00 PM N/A21 Board of Directors SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM N/A24 Membership Committee SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:30 PM N/A25 CPR Renewal SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM 4 CE30 Community Dental Health Committee SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:30 PM N/A

February 1 Legislative Committee 33 Robin Hood 6:30 PM N/A2012 2 Past Presidents’ Luncheon Delancey Street Noon – 1:30 PM N/A

3 Give Kids a Smile Day TBA TBA N/A7 Program Committee SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:30 – 8:30 PM N/A9 Crab Feed Concordia 6:00 – 9:00 PM 2 CE20 Presidents; Day Holiday Office Closed N/A23 Executive Committee Conference Call 6:30 PM N/A24 CE Express: Infection Control, SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 8:00 - Noon 4 CE

HazCom, Bloodbourne Pathogen24 California Dental Practice Act SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 1:00 – 3:00 PM 2 CE28 New Dentist Seminar SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:30—8:30 PM N/A29 CPR Renewal SFDS, 2143 Lombard St 6:00 – 9:00 PM 4 CE

Documents

SFDS’s Dan Davidson - Installed as 39th CDA PresidentSFDS president in 1989, over twenty years ago. At that time he was entering Stage II of his career, accelerating into his practice