Component News

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Pandemic Doesn’t Slow us Down

Steven Feigelson, D.D.S.

Busy, busy, busy. Suffolk County Dental Society has hosted many events in past months, both virtual and live/in-person. Here’s a summary.

October 21: New Dentist zoom event; Oct. 27: “Welcome to the Jungle,” a live CPR course; Nov. 2: New Dentist zoom event; and Nov. 2: “Social Media in Healthcare.”

On Nov. 3, we hosted a 7 CE live lecture with Dr. Howard Glazer; on Nov. 7, we sponsored a live/in-person New Dentist event at Riverhead Ciderhouse, with Dr. Rekha Reddy and Dr. Nora Odingo; and on Nov. 10, we held a live/in-person General Membership Meeting, with Dr. Ken Kurtz lecturing on implants.

On Nov. 12, we went live and in-person for our 12th annual LI Women’s Dental Conference (“Scrubs and Stilettos”). On Nov. 17, we hosted a New Dentist panel live/in-person at the Hilton Garden Inn in Stony Brook. On Dec. 1, we were live/inperson for our 7 CE course with Dr. Adamo Notarantonio; and on Dec. 7, we hosted a dinner with ASDA members and Stony Brook faculty at Faradays in Smithtown.

Don’t Miss a Thing

Like/Follow us on social media. We continue to make a significant push to better communicate and connect with our members in methods that more easily integrate with their lifestyle. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and, even, Spotify, in addition to our traditional www. SuffolkDental.org presence.

New dentists and residents receive advice on managing their practices from panel of experts assembled by New Dentist Committee.

ASDA members and faculty from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine were treated to dinner at Faradays in Smithtown.

Scrubs and Stilettos, NCDS and SCDS women’s conference was a go this year and presented live in Bethpage.

SEVENTH DISTRICT

District Office Moves

H. Bradley Davidson, D.D.S.

The Seventh District and Monroe County Dental societies moved their offices Dec. 9 to 155 Culver Rd., #200, Rochester, NY 14620. We are sharing space with Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc., an insurance agency, who is offering Seventh District members and their families access to a team of professionals who can assist with all aspects of insurance, including employee benefits, specialized wellness programs, business and personal insurance.

Counties Meet In-Person

Cayuga and Seneca counties held a joint in-person Meet & Greet on Dec. 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. Seventh District President Richard Andolina Jr., Vice- President Sean McLaren and new Executive Director Becky Herman attended, shared information from the district and connected with the local members.

Livingston County hosted an in-person continuing education event on Dec. 8. Dr. Jolly Caplash, an oral surgeon with Rochester Oral Surgery Associates, presented a two-hour course on “Common Soft Tissue Lesions and their Management.” Dr. Rosemeire Santos-Teachout, county representative, planned the event held at Peppermints Restaurant in Avon. Seventh District President Richard Andolina Jr., President-Elect Christopher Calnon and Executive Director Becky Herman were on hand to meet and update members.

Oral surgeon Jolly Caplash, third from left, presenter at Livingston County CE event, meets with, from left, Rosemeire Santos- Teachout,Richard Andolina Jr., Christopher Calnon.

Monroe County Hosts Scholarship Luncheon

The Monroe County Dental Society hosted an in-person luncheon for 10 University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine students on Dec. 20. Hosted by Scholarship Committee Chair Terry Giangreco and a committee of eight local dentists, the luncheon provided students with an opportunity to interact with Monroe County members to learn more about practicing in the region and the benefits of organized dentistry.

Students were required to apply in advance. All of those attending received a financial award to help offset the costs of their dental education.

FOURTH DISTRICT

The Fourth District Dental Society congratulates and celebrates with Dr. Christina Cocozzo of Malta, recipient of a Give Kids A Smile Award fromNew York State Dental Foundation. Dr. Cocozzo, pictured fourth fromleft, used her award money to create dental hygiene packs, securingsupplies from vendors, to distribute to needy children at localelementary schools during the holidays. More packs will be given out inspring. Dr. Cocozzo is joined by members of her team, along with NYSDAPresident-Elect James Galati at left and NYSDF Chair Kirk Gleason atright.

SECOND DISTRICT

Michael Donato to Head SDDS in 2022

Alyson Buchalter, D.M.D.

The Second District Dental Society is excited and proud to welcome Dr. Michael Donato Jr. as its president for 2022. Dr. Donato is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he earned both his D.M.D. degree and specialty certificate in orthodontics. He has offices in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Metuchen, NJ. Dr. Donato is a diplomat in the American Board of Orthodontics, a fellow in the American and International colleges of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Michael Donato Jr.

Dr. Donato has been an active member of the SDDS. Most recently, he served as a delegate to the NYSDA House. He was a member of the NYSDA Council on Dental

Practice and New Dentist Committee. He is a past co-chair for the NYSDA Children’s Dental Health Month Committee and held the post of Oral Cancer Consortium/Dental Society Liaison. He is a past president of the Richmond County Dental Society and a past borough coordinator for National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Dr. Donato has served on the SDDS Board of Trustees for many years. He is proud to have volunteered at the GNYDM every year since enrolling in dental school.

But all these accolades pale beside his family. Dr. Donato and his wife, Elaine, have three adult children: Nicolle, Michael III and Matthew. He is beyond words proud of their successes and was recently delighted when Nicolle, who received her D.M.D. from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, joined his practice.

The SDDS also welcomes its other new officers: President-elect Raymond Flagiello; Vice President Tricia Quartey-Sagaille; Secretary Paul Teplitsky; Treasurer Valerie Venterina; and Librarian/Curator Phyllis Merlino.

Though Omicron forced the postponement of our annual Installation of Officers and Awards Luncheon, we are looking forward to celebrating together on April 3 at the University Club of New York. We are eager to once again show the dental community how Brooklyn and Staten Island honor their own.

Richmond County Installs Sandra Scibetta

COVID also caused postponement of the Annual Dinner Dance and Installation of Officers hosted by our branch society, Richmond County. That has not decreased enthusiasm for welcoming Dr. Sandra S. Scibetta as 2022 president.

Dr. Scibetta received both her D.D.S. degree and certificate in prosthodontics from NYU College of Dentistry and a D.D.S. from the Ministero della Salute in Rome, Italy.

Dr. Scibetta will be joined by President-Elect Joseph M. Merola, Vice President Christen J. Carute, Treasurer Allison P. Blutstein and Secretary Bryan D. Pieroni as Richmond County’s 2022 officers.

Sandra Scibetta

BRONX COUNTY

Society Welcomes New President

Laurence Schimmel, D.D.S.

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Don Safferstein as the new president of the society. Dr. Safferstein is a home-grown talent, growing up in the Bronx and attending the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. After graduating from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, where he met his wife, Vicki, Dr. Safferstein returned to the Bronx to serve his community at multiple offices. In 2004, he agreed to serve as the BCDS representative on the NYSDA Chemical Dependency Committee. The role developed into something he is quite passionate about. Don is currently representing NYSDA in a national institute on a drug abuse study attempting to reduce opioid overdoses.

Don has also become quite serious about dentists using their skills to give back to society. He represents the Bronx on the Board of Donated Dental Services. And he has become involved with a dental clinic in rural Haiti.

In his new role as president, Dr. Safferstein maintains a singular focus on providing help and information to the members of BCDS as we all adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are extremely proud to have Dr. Safferstein as our president, as I’m sure his wife, Vicki, and three daughters—Dayna, Julie and Rachel—are as well.

Job Fair

The Bronx County Dental Society will be hosting a job fair for dental students, dentists seeking associates and dentists transitioning to retirement. It will be held on Friday, April 8, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Van Courtland Golf Course. Several DSOs and businesses essential to practice transitions will be in attendance. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.bronxcountydetalsociety.org.

New Website We are excited to roll out our new website www.bronxcountydentalsociety.org.

The site is designed to be a resource for member dentists, as well as the public. A Member Center, full of relevant information for BCDS members, is just one of the new features. All material is updated continually by the ADA and NYSDA to keep you informed in real time. A Public Resource Center for the general public and a “Find A Dentist” feature enable patients to search for ADA member dentists by zip code and specialty.

Upcoming Lectures On Tuesday, Feb. 15, the BCDS will host a lecture entitled “Introduction to Bioactive Materials Utilizing Bioglass” and presented by Dr. John Kanca. Attendees will learn the difference between real and pseudo bioactive materials. Dr. Kanca will also familiarize participants with proper methods of using bioactive materials.

To register for this dinner lecture, please email Joy Pantane at bronxdental@optonline.net.

NINTH DISTRICT

Hope Springs Eternal

Olga Lombo-Sguerra, D.D.S.

As we continue to adapt to the new normal of our daily lives, let us not forget to look back over the past 20+ months and realize how far we have come. The way has been both challenging and enlightening for, although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of people overcoming adversity. Our commitment to organized dentistry, to our colleagues and staff, and to our patients has provided the path toward that light at the end of this long tunnel.

A special thanks to our Executive Committee who, with the Board of Governors, committee chairs and past presidents, have been meeting regularly (both in-person and virtually) to keep the business of our association moving ahead, as they continue to guide us—keeping us all safer and better informed.

The Joy of Getting Together

Both our September and November General meetings were held in-person and were wellattended. The joy of coming together, seeing, talking and laughing together was palpable and had been sorely missed. And, although there was still enough hesitancy with in-person events that we continued to offer our fall CE programs via Zoom, the glimmer of hope was realized and the purpose of our mission reinforced as we came together once again.

Our last meeting of 2021 was held at the Westchester Country Club in Rye on Nov. 17. It included the installation of the following 2022 officers (Executive Committee):

• President Stephen Ossen, D.M.D., Westchester County.

• President-Elect Daniel Doyle, D.M.D., Putnam County.

• Vice-President Duraid Sahawneh, D.D.S., Westchester County.

• Secretary-Treasurer Renuka Bijoor, D.D.S. M.P.H., Westchester County.

• Immediate Past President Roberto Rodriguez, D.D.S., Westchester County.

Newly installed 2022 officers are from left: Secretary-Treasurer Renuka Bijoor; Immediate Past President Roberto Rodriguez; President- ElectDaniel Doyle; President Stephen Ossen; Vice President Duraid Sahawneh.

The meeting also included a very enlightening seminar given by Dr. A. Ross Kerr, D.D.S., a clinical professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology & Medicine at New York University College of Dentistry. He presented “Oral Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Oral Cancer.”

Come Spring

With the current rise in Omicron-variant cases, we expect that our spring courses will continue to be offered primarily via Zoom. We’re considering trying some inperson CE later in the spring, as we have learned that warm weather, which allows for opened windows, provides a bit more of a comfort factor for indoor events. If conditions warrant, we can move courses to webinars quickly.

We are also pleased to announce that our March 16 General Meeting will be held once again at Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls—a venue that has quickly became a member-favorite. Dr. Frank Celenza will present “Seeking Interdisciplinary Excellence.” Dr. Celenza is uniquely dual-certified in the specialties of both orthodontics and periodontics.

We are also planning to bring back our in-person Frills and Drills event April 6 at The Manor in Pleasantville, a meeting we are all looking forward to. Keep an eye on your inbox, as we will be sending more details as the date draws closer.

Keep in Touch

Please feel free to reach out to your association staff for help, advice or to share your thoughts and concerns, so we can be sure all of our members’ needs are met and voices are heard.

EIGHTH DISTRICT

The Return of Santa in Person

Kevin J. Hanley, D.D.S.

The Eighth District Dental Society held its annual Children’s Christmas Party on Dec. 4 at the Brookfield Country Club in Clarence. The party was held in-person for the first time since 2019. Because of the pandemic, the 2020 party was scaled down and held at the district office. Its return in 2021 was a huge success, with breakfast being served, a magician on site to amaze the children and their parents, and Santa Claus—who flew in to give all the children gift bags.

Virus Causes Delay in Installations

The Erie County Dental Society Installation Brunch, scheduled for Jan. 16 at the Mansion on Delaware, has been moved to Sunday, March 13, at the same venue. The society’s leadership felt the current infection rate of the COVID-19 variant was too high to risk exposing attendees. We look forward to seeing everyone in March.

The Eighth District’s annual President’s Reception was also rescheduled due to the rise in COVID-19 infections in Erie County. Originally set to take place Saturday, January 29, the reception will now be held on Saturday, March 26, at the same location, 500 Pearl, in downtown Buffalo.

NEW YORK COUNTY

New Officers for 2022

Suchie Chawla, D.D.S., M.D.

New York County Dental Society President Ioanna G. Mentzelopoulou, D.D.S., will lead the society in the coming year, along with her colleagues: President-Elect Mina C. Kim, D.D.S.; Vice President Suchie Chawla, D.D.S., M.D.; Secretary Vera W. L. Tang, D.D.S.; and Treasurer Andrew S. Deutch, D.D.S. Plans are being made for an installation ceremony in the spring.

Maurice Edwards

Former President to Serve as NYSDA Trustee

Dr. Maurice Edwards is the latest NYSDA Trustee representing New York County. Dr. Edwards, who started his term after the NYSDA House of Delegates in August,

is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed his dental training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Edwards went on to receive his specialty training at the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Program at NYU/ Bellevue Hospital Center. Dr. Edwards has been in private practice in Midtown Manhattan for over 20 years.

Before he became president of NYCDS in 2015, Dr. Edwards served as presidentelect, vice president and treasurer of the society, and he sat on numerous committees. He is immediate past chair of the NYCDS Membership Committee and NYSDA Council on Membership & Communications. He served on the Greater New York Dental Meeting’s Organization Committee from 2017-2020.

Pre-holiday gathering of new dentists had attendees mingling in-person under tent at Torch & Crown Brewing Co.

New Dentists Meet Up Before the Holidays

An energized crowd of new dentists came together at Torch & Crown Brewing Company in SoHo on an unseasonably warm evening in late November. Turnout was great, and it was wonderful to see so many dentists new to the NYCDS community mixing and mingling with more familiar ones. The society’s incoming president for 2022, Dr. Ioanna Mentzelopoulou, attended the event and had this to say:

“We were so lucky to gather in person after so many months isolated. We were able to celebrate all the fresh faces of dentistry today. I feel grateful to meet all these young dentists, who represent the profession. Dentistry’s future is definitely bright.”

The New Dentist Committee looks forward to holding more events at unique venues in the year ahead.

Greater New York Dental Meeting went bold in 2021 opting to stage convention in-person at Javits Center in New York City.

In-Person Greater New York Dental Meeting a Success

The 2021 Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) was the largest dental convention in the United States to be held entirely face-to-face. The GNYDM hosted over 23,539 healthcare professionals at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It featured over 800 exhibits of the newest technology for the dental profession. Attendees could choose from among 175-plus educational programs, including full-day and half-day seminars, essays, hands-on workshops and scientific poster sessions.

The Road to Recovery Webinar Series Sponsored by Henry Schein

In the aftermath of the pandemic and the impact it has had on dentistry, NYCDS and Henry Schein have teamed-up to offer an important eight-part webinar series to help members move forward and flourish again. The topics covered in the series range from the financial, to the practical (lease negotiations, insurance and cybersecurity) to wellness and team building. There are two remaining programs in the series:

• Feb 2: “Cyber Hygiene: Safeguarding Your Technology and Dental Practice Against Cybersecurity Threats.” Learn how to identify and reduce risk in the ever-changing critical security landscape. 7 p.m.

• Feb 16: “Wellness/Stress Management.” While you will never eliminate stress, Cathy Jameson, Ph.D., will help you discover the keys to stress control. 7 p.m.

CE Highlights

NYCDS is starting the year with new, returning and core continuing education webinars and in-person classes. Throughout the year, we will offer a variety of in-person and virtual courses to fit your schedule. Webinars continue to be free for ADA members.

We are pleased to continue to partner with Henry Schein Dental for the “Road to Recovery” practice management series, which will be presented through February. A new virtual four-part orofacial pain series will be presented by Dr. Donald Tanenbaum beginning in February. The series will include some review from last year’s orofacial pain series, but the February sessions will include new content and titles.

New and original in-person courses will be presented in March and April by Drs. Layne Martin, Leonard Tau and Daniel Pompa.

The ACD Mentoring Lecture Program, created and developed by Dr. Guy Minoli, continues its series of webinars on diverse topics for residents and new dentists. The ACD Mentoring Lecture Program has gained local recognition with New York metropolitan-area hospitals, helping dental residents satisfy their ADA CODA requirements for ethics and practice management.

Visit www.nycdentalsociety.org for our latest course and registration information.