It has been an honor to serve as the President of the Pierre Fauchard Academy over the past year.As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible strides we have made together as members of the Pierre FauchardAcademy (PFA) and especially towards our goal of international growth and recognition. Having travelled to Kathmandu (Nepal), Cairo andAlexandria (Egypt) as reported in my last issue of Dental World, I now had the privilege to attend the PFAconvocation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Here we welcomed a new cohort of inductees into ourAcademy. I am delighted to announce that all the inductees were outstanding representatives of our profession.
I arrived in Manila (Philippines), home to our Past PresidentArmyl Banez andAsia Trustee Myrna Banez. I was greatly impressed by the Philippines section. Their success stems from a strong sense of collaboration and a deep commitment to upholding the PFA vision.
I'm excited to visit Lucknow, India, soon. The section has already secured 120 approved candidates who will be inducted at the Convocation ceremony.
It has been a great opportunity to meet, in person, with multiple section chairs who may not be able to attend theAnnual meeting in the USA
It has been a thrill for me to induct new fellows into theAcademy. For every ribbon donned and certificate handed comes immense pride to be part of thisAcademy. Induction into the PFAis a recognition of the exceptional contributions to dentistry and unwavering commitment to the principles of ourAcademy. We really do induct the best of the best.
DentalAbstracts
As a PFAFellow, you have access to DentalAbstracts and the quarterly supplement Dental World. DentalAbstracts is a highly regarded bimonthly publication that presents information
from around the world featuring approximately 50 abstracts from key articles in dentistry. Dental Abstracts keeps dentists informed of developments and advances in general dentistry and its specialties in an easy-to-read abstract format. Dental World is the quarterly insert that provides updates regarding the activities of the Pierre FauchardAcademy.
Our publisher moved DentalAbstracts and Dental World to an online publication. There are two ways to access these publications:
1. Login to your Member Login area on the PFAWebsite. Once logged in, you will see a link to DentalAbstracts. The full PDF of the journal is located here.
2. Go to https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/dental-abstracts and choose to receive an email notifying you of the latest issue. You can read online at the Elsevier site.
January 25
January 25-28
January 26
February1
February 16
February 24
February 24
March 1
March 8
March 22
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 20
April 26
May 3
May 7
May 9
May 18
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 24
May 26
May 31
July 11
August 17
August 22
August 24
August 31
September 13
September 27
September 27-28
October 19
November 2
November 8
November 15
December 8
PFACalendar of Events 2024
Hawaii Section
Alabama-Florida-Georgia Sections
Massachusetts Section
Utah Section
Nepal Section
Illinois Section
Egypt, NorthAfrica Section
Arkansas Section
British Columbia, Canada Section
The Netherlands Section
Poland Section
SouthAustralia Section
Kansas-Missouri Sections
Oklahoma Section
Michigan Section
Kenya Section
Iowa Section
West Virginia Section
Washington Section
Southern California Section
Victoria/Tasmania Section
Colorado Section
Uzbekistan Section
Philippines Section
Quebec, Canada Section
New York Section
Colombia Section
AsiaAt-Large Section
New Jersey Section
Kentucky Section
Japan Section
Ohio Section
Northern California Section
Spain Section
PFAGala
South Carolina Section
Wisconsin Section
Egypt, NorthAfrica Section
India Section
From the International Executive Director
Mr. Robert Cattoi
When was the last time you've turned on the news or tapped a news notification on your phone, and saw yet another corporate scandal? Your initial reaction might have been shock...but then, these scandals are nothing new, so you tend to expect nothing better.
That said, as a current or aspiring leader, the power is in your hands to make a difference. You can set the tone of your organization. You can stand out as an ethically conscious leader. By holding yourself to a rigorous set of standards, you can change the narrative and be respected by your peers, your employees, and your patients.
When people have ethical leaders who maintain high standards, thus leading by example, they are more likely to have respect and admiration for them, be more engaged at work, and speak more highly of their organization to outsiders. Several studies have shown that leaders whoAct with Personal Integrity andAct with Professional Ethical Values, are consistently perceived as better leaders.
Ethical leadership involves leaders and managers making decisions based on the right thing to do for the common good, not just based on what is best for themselves or the bottom line.
Ethical leaders encourage their team members to model this behavior, too. They help to build a workplace culture that values transparency, collaboration and inclusion, and an environment where everyone feels safe to share their voice.
While many dental organizations have their lists or codes on what constitutes ethical behavior, they all incorporate a similar set of behaviors. The terms used depend on the situation (e.g., clinical practice, business practice, organizational leadership). Nonetheless, in general, ethical leaders demonstrate the following traits:
1. Respect
Respect includes valuing others’skills and contributions. This includes respecting your team and your patient. Leadership in dentistry isn’t just about managing a team; it’s also about prioritizing patient care. Effective leaders ensure that their practice maintains a strong focus on patient satisfaction, addressing patient concerns empathetically, and striving to provide a comfortable and positive patient experience. The patient has the right to self-determine the care provided (in non-emergency situations). Mutual respect leads to healthier workplace relationships where both sides appreciate and support what the other is doing and feel secure in talking through issues and challenges.
2. Integrity
Being true to yourself and acting ethically. The dental profession holds a special position of trust within society.As a consequence, society affords the profession certain privileges. Treat others
how you want to be treated. What used to be universally accepted as good and true, right and just, is now up for considerable debate. This environment of relativism makes it very difficult for values-based leaders. Despite this environment, acting with honesty, morality and trustworthiness will enhance your team and patient encounters.
3. Accountability
Ethical leaders hold themselves accountable for their actions. They make decisions based on integrity and stand behind their work. They also lead by example, communicate openly about challenges, and don’t look to place blame on others for any shortfalls.
4. Honesty
Leaders who are transparent build trust amongst their organizations and amongst customers. To build and maintain trust, leaders must be good communicators who speak openly and honestly about issues. Regardless of the issue’s severity or unpopularity, a leaders’responsibility to be clear and candid empowers others to make the right decisions with the information they have.
5. Justice
Justice is not just about following the law, it’s also about ensuring that everyone is getting what they deserve. Ethical leaders approach situations with a focus on treating everyone fairly, and they expect their teams to treat each other and patients the same way. Through their actions, they build equitable work environments where everyone feels respected.
6. Beware of Bias
As humans, many of us have beliefs, subconscious or otherwise, that are outdated or erroneous. No leader wants to admit their flaws, but failure to practice self-awareness can have detrimental consequences. Recognize the biases, preconceived notions and stereotypes in every situation, and be sure to address them before you act.
Ethical leadership improves team satisfaction and attracts loyal patients. These benefits point to one conclusion–a moral leader is an asset to any organization. Everything from attracting and retaining patients to decreasing turnover rates through employee satisfaction positively impacts an organization.
Continuing Education Courses offered at NO COST to PFA Fellows
Cheryl Billingsley, DDS, MAGD, ND Chair of Continuing Education Committee
We are continually enhancing our continuing education list with valuable courses. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to further your professional development. The courses recently added include:
Mr. Stuart Oberman, a seasoned professional in legal issues facing the dental profession, presents the first in a series of courses. The first course, “What constitutes unprofessional conduct?” is a comprehensive review of many scenarios we face daily, expertly delivered by Mr. Oberman.
The next course recently added is by Dr. Gavin Quek. Dr Gavin Quek’s curiosity made him question why marginalized, homeless, and at-risk individuals had significantly poorer oral health outcomes. This curiosity led him on a journey on how we can give back to the community. Gavin has been working as a dentist in Hobart since graduating from The University ofAdelaide. He is an active oral health advocate and has always been fascinated by the links between oral health & general health. He serves as the Secretary of theAustralian Dental Association Tasmania and Chair of its Oral Health Promotion Committee. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
All courses are on the PFAwebsite under the Membership Tab.
Announcement regarding the Oral Health Foundation of the PFA
In a disappointing communication (received June 2024) from the Oral Health Foundation (OHF), the OHF Board announced it has decided to separate from the PFAand pursue their own mission. The OHF was established in 1986 through a generous bequest left by a previous PFAFellow to the PFA At that time, the PFABoard chose to create an independent foundation and placed past PFAPresidents on the Board. For over the past (almost) 40 years, this independent entity worked side-by-side with the PFAand has supported good causes throughout the world. The OHF (which is a 501c3 entity with its own governance structure) has made this unilateral decision - and thus ends almost 40 years of the close association and cross-promotion between the two bodies.
We wish the OHF well as they pursue their current mission. Despite this unfortunate circumstance, the Pierre FauchardAcademy will continue to advance leadership worldwide through the existing PFALeadership Foundation. The PFALeadership Foundation mission is to provide leadership guidance and education - arming the dentists of today for the dentistry of tomorrow.
For more information regarding the PFALeadership Foundation, please visit: https://fauchard.org/leadership-foundation/
PFASection Spotlight – Michigan (USA) Section
For many years, the Michigan Section of the Pierre FauchardAcademy has exemplified outstanding leadership within the community. Their commitment to continuing education, support for dental students, and recognition of exceptional faculty members from each dental school in Michigan underscores their dedication to advancing the field.
Leadership Structure and Strategic Planning
The leadership of the Michigan Section consists of a Section Chair, who serves a three-year term, an Editor, a Treasurer, and a Membership Officer. This Board convenes three to four times a year to engage in strategic planning and to sponsor new candidates for the Pierre FauchardAcademy. Each candidate undergoes a thorough evaluation process by the Board to ensure they meet the Academy's high standards. Here we introduce the Board Members in the Michigan Section. Section Chair: Richard Raad was inducted into the PFAin ‘2021 and became selected section chair in ‘2022. Being a part of the PFAis an honor and to fulfill what embodies the PFA(service to the profession, the community, lifelong learning and ethics). My goals for the Michigan PFA are to continue to grow the membership with young leaders, motivate all members to be the best we can be and to bring continuing education directly to our members.As the Michigan Section Chair, I am extremely fortunate to work with THE BEST Board around; with the valuable insight and knowledge these individuals bring as support, the Michigan Section continues to be an important component of the national PFA!
Editor: Dr. Mike Maihofer has been the editor since ‘2006.A4-page Newsletter, originally published twice a year, is currently an 8-page Newsletter published once a year in conjunction with our general membership meeting.After 41 years, Dr. Maihofer is now retired from his private practice in Roseville, Michigan. He has also serves as Chair and Editor of the Michigan Section of theAmerican College of Dentists, President of the Michigan DentalAssociation and President of theAmericanAssociation of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ).
Treasurer: Dr. Ben Underwood was inducted into the Michigan PFAin ‘2017 after receiving the M. David Campbell Young DentistAward the same year. He has been the treasurer for the past 5 years. Ben says serving on the Michigan Board has been an honor and is inspired by his fellow board members’drive to grow the organization and increase member value for all fellows.
Membership Officer: Bill was awarded the PFAStudentAchievement of Merit in 1978! He was inducted into the PFAa few years later at the MDAmeeting. He received the TeachingAward from the Michigan section in ‘2013. Bill was placed in charge of the membership committee and has been in that role for many years.
The National PFA: with the support of the national PFAthe individual components receive the support we need to operate as an international organization! Dr. Ghabi Kaspo (as our Vice President of the PFAAcademy International) and Mr. Robert Cattoi (International Executive Director PFA) have both been extremely supportive throughout the years in providing leadership direction and insight into growth for the Michigan Section. Your continued support is greatly needed and appreciated
Commitment to Continuing Education
Continuing education is a priority benefit for the Fellows of the Michigan Section.Annually, the Section offers a continuing education opportunity that is free of commercial influences and costs nothing for the Fellows. This commitment to ongoing professional development helps maintain high standards within the community.
Additionally, the Michigan Section holds its annual membership meeting during the Michigan DentalAssociationAnnual Meeting. This event serves as a platform for networking and professional growth.
Support for Dental Students
During the annual membership meeting, Fellows are encouraged to invite dental students from both the University of Detroit Mercy and the University of Michigan. Members generously donate to cover the cost of meals for these students, with any remaining funds deposited into a special account dedicated to providing scholarships for senior dental students.
Recognizing Excellence in Mentorship
The Michigan Section annually bestows awards to honor outstanding mentorship within the community. The Joseph C. Harris and Young Dentist David CampbellAwards celebrate those who have made significant contributions to mentoring and fostering camaraderie among professionals.
The Michigan Section of the Pierre FauchardAcademy stands as a beacon of leadership, education, and support within the community. Through their dedicated efforts, they continue to advance the profession and inspire the next generation of leaders.
PFA Fellow Spotlight – Dr. Pankaj Patel
Dr. Pankaj Patel lives in Kenya, Africa. Dr. Patel states: Kenya is a land of very varied awe-inspiring geographical landscapes with inland lakes, snowcapped mountains, the Great Rift Valley, deep blue ocean, sun kissed white beaches, wide open savannah plains, abundant wildlife, dense forests, intriguing woodlands, lush wetlands, vast deserts and much more! Kenya is known for being home to the “Big Five”, the EastAfrican Lion, the leopard, the black rhinoceros, theAfrican elephant, and the Cape buffalo. But it's also home to the ‘Marine Five'', which are the orca, the great white shark, the humpback whale, the tiger shark, and the giant manta ray. Kenya is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multireligion country.
Dr. Pankaj Patel has led the Kenya Section of the PFAto prominence. He currently serves as the International President of the PFA. Dr. Patel is a specialist in General Dental Practice, with a busy private practice in the Nairobi Hospital and has contributed a vast amount of his time and
expertise to actively aid in the development of dentistry in Kenya as well as admirably participating and shaping continuing education in the profession as a lecturer and examiner in Restorative Dentistry at Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi. In the early days of opening of The Dental School, the staff was recruited from lecturers from the United States and United Kingdom, and he had the opportunity to work with a professor from the University of Berkley for 4 years when he was in Kenya.At the timeAfrica had no fellows from either Academy of Dentistry International or the International College of Dentists. Dr. Patel was nominated to both Organizations for Fellowship. ADI immediately agreed and asked him if he would also be the CE lecturer at the Convocation inAnaheim in 1983. The ICD stated that Dr. Patel had to be nominated by a Fellow from the region. The professor argued that there were no Fellows inAfrica, but ICD insisted that the bylaws didn’t allow approving the Fellowship. It was then that Dr. Patel made up his mind that he would develop theAfrica Region to get the International Honor organization Fellowships to deserving candidates at whatever the cost.And over the years he identified Fellows forADI, ICD and PFA. Having been theADI Regent for Africa and Middle East, ICD International Councilor forAfrica, and PFATrustee forAfrica, Dr. Patel decided that PFAwas much friendlier, progressive and professional than other international honor organizations inspiring him to become a leader in the Pierre FauchardAcademy
Nominate your colleagues for Fellowship in the PFA
Requirements for Fellowship:
Candidates must be nominated by anActive or Life Fellow in good standing.
Acandidate in the United States must be an ethical member in good standing of theAmerican Dental Association or similar dental organization. Internationally, a candidate shall be an ethical member in good standing of their national dental association or similar dental organization.
Acandidate shall have graduated from an accredited dental school.
Acandidate shall have rendered outstanding contributions and service to the advancement of the art and science of dentistry and to society.
The candidate shall adhere to the purpose and objectives of the Academy.
Elsevier Patient Education Materials
As an additional benefit to PFAFellows, the Elsevier Patient Education Materials are available for your use. These materials explain dental topics in easy-to-understand language that dentists may share with their patients. The materials (in both English and Spanish, and in both standard and easy-to-read format) are available on the PFA website.After you login to your portal on the PFAWebsite, there is a link to the materials. You may use these materials for your patients as you wish.
Collaborative Leadership in Dentistry
Dr. Ghabi Kaspo
PFAVice President
Collaborative leadership within the Pierre FauchardAcademy starts with building strong, cohesive teams united by a shared vision and commitment to excellence. This means emphasizing the importance of fostering trust, mutual respect, and open communication among team members, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. Inclusivity lies at the heart of collaborative leadership, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives from across all our Sections are heard and respected within the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Effective communication is essential for successful collaboration. This means using ways that foster clear, open, and transparent communication, including active listening, regular feedback, and utilizing various communication channels to reach a diverse audience. In any collaborative endeavor, conflict can occur and how it’s managed can either strengthen or undermine team dynamics and relationships. This underscores the importance of addressing conflicts proactively should they occur, and using constructive dialogue, mediation techniques, and conflict resolution strategies to find mutually acceptable and beneficial solutions.
Diversity of thought is a powerful asset within the Pierre FauchardAcademy, enabling Fellows to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation from multiple angles. We encourage Fellows to actively seek out diverse perspectives, engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations, and cultivate an environment where differing viewpoints are welcomed and respected.
As Fellows, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead by example, fostering a culture of collaborative leadership, inclusivity, and teamwork within the dental profession. By building strong, cohesive teams, embracing diversity, communicating effectively, and resolving conflicts constructively, we can create a vibrant community of dental professionals dedicated to advancing the highest standards of excellence and patient care. Together, let us continue to champion the values of collaborative leadership within the Pierre Fauchard Academy and beyond, shaping a brighter future for dentistry worldwide.
