2009 winter wmdds bulletin:layout2005

WINTER ISSUE 2009 VOL. 41, NO. 3

Bulletin

Contents Editor

Bruce Weny

Associate Editors

Jeff Smith Tara Meachum Seth Vruggink James Papp

Advertising Editor

Elaine Fleming Executive Secretary WMDDS 511-F Waters Building Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 234-5605 efwmdds@aol.com

West Michigan District Dental Society Executive Board 2008-2009 President Doug Killian President-Elect Douglas Klein Vice President Seth Vruggink Secretary-Treasurer Ryan Lebster Editor Bruce Weny Immediate Past Amy De Young President Directors Larissa Bishop Tylor Wolf Christopher Morgan Area Representatives Kent County Brant Erbentraut Ionia-Montcalm Kathleen Ellsworth County Mecosta County Margaret Gingrich Ottawa County Thomas Phares MDA IV District Trustees

Connie Verhagen Norman Palm

Big Rapids Dental Study Club Officers, 2008-2009 President Erick Perroud Vice President Erick Perroud Secretary Christa Stern Treasurer Erick Perroud Holland-Zeeland Dental Society Officers, 2008-2009 President Ryan Lebster Treasurer Robert Ankerman Secretary Immediate Past President Ionia-Montcalm Dental Study Club Officers, 2008-2009 President-Secretary Lowell Swartz Vice PresidentKirkwood Faber Treasurer Kent County Dental Society Officers, 2008-2009 President Paul O’Grady Vice President Brant Erbentraut Secretary David Armbrecht Treasurer Lathe Miller West Michigan Dental Foundation Officers President Thomas Harmon Vice President Donald Vander Linde Secretary Matthew Gietzen Treasurer Carl Kruyswyk The Bulletin of the West Michigan Dental Society is published six times a year (Directory issue, Sept./Oct., Nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr., and May/June). The opinions expressed in The Bulletin are not necessarily the opinions of the West Michigan District Dental Society.

Contributions to The Bulletin are welcome and should be addressed to The Bulletin Editor, 255 Washington SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Requests for purchase of advertising space should be directed to the Advertising Editor, Elaine Fleming, (616) 234-5605. The deadline is the 1st of the month prior to publication. © 2008-2009 West Michigan District Dental Society Bulletin

President’s Message ...................................................................................................... 2 2009 Silent Bell Recipient William Avery ................................................................... 4 2009 Silent Bell Recipient William Rocker ................................................................. 8 Silent Bell Past Recipients ............................................................................................12 WMDDS Honors Life Members .................................................................................14 Employee Performance Reviews..................................................................................15 Project Homeless Connect...........................................................................................16 Trustee Report ..............................................................................................................18 Program Review ...........................................................................................................20 Classified Ads................................................................................................................22 Advertiser Index ...........................................................................................................23 GRCC Dental Auxiliary Program Honored with 2008 Steel Water Award ..............24

About the Cover 2009 Silent Bell Recipients Dr. William Avery and Dr. William Rocker.

Mission Statement The Bulletin is the newsletter of the WMDDS and its mission is to inform the membership of upcoming and recent events, state & local issues related to dentistry, and as a forum for its officers, representatives, and members to discuss appropriate topics of interest to the membership.

Communication & Advertising Policy The Bulletin will publish submitted articles from members and others that relate to the practice of dentistry, small business, social, or political issues affecting dentists, or other subjects of interest to the membership. All published items are subject to space restrictions and the community standards of the WMDDS. The editors reserve the right to reject any article or advertisement deemed inappropriate and to edit submissions as they see fit.

Submission & Publication Policy: Articles and advertisements must be submitted no later than the 1st of the month preceding publication date. The Bulletin has six publications: the directory issue, fall issue, holiday issue, winter issue, spring issue, and summer issue. Direct submissions or correspondences to: Dr. Bruce Weny • 255 Washington SE • Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616.451.2336 FAX 616.222.1345 • Email: Bweny@aol.com Include “Newsletter” in the subject line.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Reaching Our Goals

By Dr. Doug Killian, WMDDS President

T

he economic forecast for Michigan and our country is showing few signs of improvement in the near future. What impacts can we expect in dentistry?

Many of us are already “slowing down” and are well aware of changes in the attitudes and concerns of our patients.

Employers and insurance companies are drastically changing and even eliminating policies for many people who are used to being well covered. Many patients are beginning to delay necessary treatment until their jobs or incomes stabilize, and some are not coming in altogether. This obviously creates some stress and anxiety for our practices as well as our own employees. Dentistry in our area has not experienced such a recession in many years, and in fact, has probably had steady growth with more emphasis towards esthetics and elective procedures. If dentistry is experiencing some decline, are other areas of the healthcare field experiencing the same? This raises concerns for the overall health of our patients. Perhaps our chair or our office is the only health-related attention some people are receiving. I would think that an economic recession also increases the access to care issue. It definitely is increasing public awareness of access to care, with many more people out of work. This is an area where we, in dentistry, have an opportunity to take initiative and make an attempt to address the need as exemplified with the recent Project Homeless Connect held at Van Andel Arena in January.

Approximately 203 patients were seen and helped. Another way to take initiative with access to care is the upcoming Oral Health Coalition Day. Our MDA trustees highly recommend all of us becoming involved by meeting our local legislators to push for increased funding of Healthy Kids Dental. If you

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are interested, call and we will get you some information to attend.

The economic changes may also have some of us rethinking our ways. This may, for some of us, be useful. It is a good time to review systems and protocols within our offices.

Improved efficiency and patient care will most likely result.

Finding the time for continuing education or volunteerism may be more attainable. More dentists are venturing into marketing with the hopes of attracting new patients.

Marketing can be done well and tastefully, thereby maintaining public perception of the profession and accomplishing the goal. However, I have recently seen and heard some advertising that makes me question whether or not it was for used cars or dentistry. This alarms me, that when times are tough, we may potentially resort to retail-style marketing to attract patients. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, and strategy to create the proper image of our profession to the public. It really is a matter of maintaining professionalism and ethics which helped us climb to where we are. When we resort to using retail tactics, we are training our patients and the public that all we offer is a product you can buy anywhere as opposed to a genuine specialized healthcare service. There are so many ways to attract new patients to our offices without compromising our integrity. Taking good care of the patients we have is a time-tested proven strategy that will build your office without spending a dime! I challenge all of you to use the “slower” times productively, give a little back, and take care of the profession we have spent so much time to build.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

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2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

William Avery, DDS

By Dr. Hank Milanowski

W

hen Patricia Whetzel first met William Avery during an open house at her Ohio State sorority, Delta Delta Delta, Bill was in dental school and Pat was in her third year of undergraduate studies on her way to becoming a secondary education teacher, and later, an elementary education instructor. The tri-Delts were known to attract more than just a few boys like Bill, a member of the dental fraternity, Psi Omega, on the OSU campus, so it wasn’t unusual that Bill and a half a dozen of his dental school buddies would have been found there amongst the throng.

One thing led to another, and, before you know it, Bill is showing his romantic and considerate side by insisting that the lovely Patty Whetzel accept a pair of ski gloves that he purchased just for her for a ski outing he had planned. She was duly impressed because this was just their third date together!

Fast forward through some 35mm slides and, several years later, a marriage and two children – Brian born in 1970 and Laura born in 1973 – follow. In 1967, Bill and Pat were married in Cincinnati, Pat’s hometown, before Bill entered his final year at OSU. She readily cites Bill’s compassion, attentiveness, entertaining personality, sweetness, and his “family man” dependability that all quickly come to mind when asked to list his many attributes. Bill jokingly states that Pat demurely rejects his attempts to shower her with jewelry; however, she reserves the right to change her mind about that. Bill adores Pat’s past and present ability to selflessly serve as a great advocate for her husband and her children. But before we get too far along on the life that these two have chosen to share, let’s

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snap an old carousel of slides onto the projector and look even further back into the life and times of one Bill Avery.

Bill is the oldest of three children born to Allen Avery, M.D., and Ruth (Munn) Avery. The senior Dr. Avery completed his undergraduate studies at Denison and received his medical degree from Western Reserve, now known as Case Western.

The family settled in Granville, Ohio, and Dr. Avery quickly established himself as the town’s preeminent general physician and, with a year of training in obstetrics cut short by the Depression, Dr. Avery quickly became the “go-to guy” when the nearby Ob/Gyn wasn’t available. Although the heightened activity this mix of Dr. Avery’s medical practice caused, Bill has fond memories of his father and greatly appreciates the sacrifices his father and mother made for the family. Hard work was promoted and accepted by all as good therapy for the heart and the soul. At a very early age, Bill learned to fill in for his father at home and quickly became his mother’s Mr. Fix-it.

Bill’s father passed along his fondness for trains and was fortunate to be able to shower the boy with Lionel models from time-to-time. Unfortunately, that first generation of “O” gauge trains caused, as Bill puts it, “one hour of play for every two hours of work to get the things to run.” Thus, a firm foundation was formed for the necessary hand-to-eye coordination needed for his ultimate vocation, dentistry. Bill always remembers being good with his hands. In fact, Bill remembers becoming quite the curiosity to the numerous Denison University psych students who would invade the Granville school system with its rich supply of human lab rats. Bill became famous for mastering exercises that required tactile agility, a superior spatial relations acuity, and the necessary application of abstract logic. His scores were off the charts on these tests. Little did he know it way back in the sixth grade, but Avery child number one was well on his way to becoming a dentist.

When Dr. and Mrs. Avery could carve out the precious little time the medical practice would allow, Bill, Bill’s brother, Chris, and his sister, Leslie, often found themselves crammed into the big family auto with mom and dad for the numerous family outings. Bill recalls his father’s propensity for cramming just about everything they owned into a couple of old Hartman steamer trunks and off the Averys would go – the WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

best dressed and best equipped family on the road at any given time. The need for plenty of clothes was due to the fact that Dr. Avery was considered to be a haberdasher’s dream-cometrue: the man had a penchant for only the best for himself and his family. But don’t be mistaken. Bill wasn’t any “Little Lord Fauntleroy” by any stretch of the imagination, although he willingly admits to being the best-dressed kid on the block any day of the week. Suits were worn on more than just Sundays, as it turns out. This was of no concern to Bill, however. He was big and tough enough to play center on the school’s basketball team and took no flak for his groomed looks. Unfortunately, that hand-to-eye coordination he learned early on didn’t lend itself well to the game of basketball because his coaches constantly accused him of watching the ball too much as he attempted to dribble it. As it turns out, his best sports by far were track and football. Bill did well for himself as a youngster. Like any kid, Bill thought he had it tough at the time but soon came to understand that his upbringing was ideal in many ways.

Curiously, Bill’s father was born in Columbus, Ohio, and his mother in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a fact that adds intrigue to the Avery-Munn connection to the two states. Bill’s maternal grandfather built a log home on Lake Bellaire, up north in Michigan’s Antrim County. The Avery-Munn roots run deeper in Ohio than Michigan; however, his great-grandfather Munn ran a mill in Flowerfield, Michigan, located just south of Schoolcraft. The mill served as the monetary and skill basis for that log home built in 1935 which is still standing in Bellaire. Although the senior Dr. Avery didn’t completely embrace the thought of leaving his extremely busy medical practice for extended stays in northern Michigan, he obliged willingly. Quite honestly, he’d much rather have hauled the family down to the Greenbrier which he did quite often. If you are unfamiliar with the Greenbrier nestled in the mountains in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, near the New River Gorge, think: “Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel on a giant WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

scale.” Although Bill’s father enjoyed the golf offered at those turn-of-the-century courses at the Greenbrier in the ‘40s and ‘50s, Bill never caught that bug. Riding horses at the resort?

Yes. Chasing a dimpled white ball? Not so much.

When he had his own children, Bill got wise to the fact that riding horses is a lot cheaper than actually owning and feeding them. He and Patty never pushed that love onto their son or daughter. They caught bugs of an academic nature instead.

Pat and Bill were always very supportive of their children’s inclination towards higher – and higher and higher – education.

Maybe even a bit too supportive given the fact that Brian has an electrical engineering degree and a computer engineering degree from Michigan State, an M.B.A., and a law degree from Case Western. He practices patent law in Cleveland and reports to his parents that he enjoys it immensely. Laura completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan and received her M.D. from Wayne State. She presently is an academic physician at Harvard University teaching radiology there and at Mass General in the emergency department. Laura and her husband, Jake Remley, an analyst and portfolio manager for a bond fund firm in Boston, have the only two Avery grandchildren: William, born in 2006, and Jonathon, born in January of this year. Even though they live out east, both grandparents have had numerous chances to spoil these two little darlings. Laura has been back in Michigan with the little ones quite often as it turns out – once to teach a radiology class at MSU’s med school and a few other times to visit up north and attend a wedding of someone in the extended Avery clan. Pat has been fortunate enough to enjoy extended stays in the Boston area after the birth of both babies. The Remleys and the Averys are destined to keep the airlines financially healthy for some time to come.

Bill’s interests vary widely and wildly. Beyond his love of model railroading, which has been put on a significant hiatus as of late, Bill could tinker ‘til dawn, Pat insists, in his three car

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2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

garage in a home they built in 1985 on Lake Bellaire. His immediate goal is to finish restoring an old ’52 Penn Yan wood boat plus a perfectly-mated 25HP Merc motor for the grandkids to use someday, although brother, Chris, and he are beginning to believe that a safer alternative may be in the grandkids’ better interest. Other hobbies include photography, a smattering of waterskiing, and servicing a ’69 red Volkswagen Beetle that Pat and he purchased in Germany for a six week jaunt around Europe. They completed that trip a summer or two after they were married. They had it shipped back after the European vacation and can’t find the heart to let it go. Bill insists that he’ll teach the grandkids how to use a stick shift someday on it. A ’69 Beetle, Bill? Maybe he may want to rethink that like he did with the Penn Yan. Bill’s first “hobby of choice” would probably trend towards photography. He actually supported himself quite well through his undergrad and grad days by working as a photographer’s assistant and later on as a very successful photographer, thus the affinity for all things photographic. Continuing education lectures in days gone by would find “A/V Avery” popping up during a course and fiddle with the speaker’s projector set-up. He couldn’t resist; however, he could always be depended upon to bail out a speaker with the correct replacement for a burned out projector bulb or coax the obstinate slide carousel into working properly. Although he reports being on his fifth generation of a digital camera, he still maintains a darkroom in his basement. Dr. Avery concedes that digital is the way to go but laments the fact that his old film-based SLR lenses may never be able to be mated to the new technologies presently available. Bill also has quite an impressive collection of old maps, too. Curiosities like those old lenses he has laying around the two houses the Averys own.

Needless to say, they are plenty of activities that will keep Bill busy if and when he ever retires. He’s mulling a transition of his practice located on Parchment Drive, his fourth location since leaving Columbus where, upon graduation, he worked for a year in a federal program designed to treat the

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underserved in the core of the city while Pat landed an elementary position in the Columbus ‘burbs. Without a doubt, Bill would certainly be a wonderful mentor. Some lucky man or woman is going to be very fortunate to end up under Bill’s steadfast guidance.

Bill’s first Grand Rapids location was next to the old Treet’s Pharmacy on the northwest corner of Michigan and Ball. In light of the fact that his maternal grandfather ended up becoming the chairman of the Ransom & Randolph board of directors, Bill set up that first office with Mitch Sedam, a salesman for Litton Dental, the R&R successor. Bill worked a summer at the Detroit branch of the old R&R and gained an immense knowledge of how to assemble, disassemble, and maintain dental equipment. More of that tinkering ability quickly comes to mind. His second practice location was in a building near the old Riley’s Pharmacy near Forest Hill and Cascade Road. Another spot he chose was behind the present 7-Eleven on Forest Hill, north of Cascade Road. His present locale was built in 1980. Bill points out that this practice location has left him fortunate enough to share space with some outstanding medical and dental professionals over the years and he has no intention of leaving that type of environment.

One of his favorite affiliations, the Vedder Society, has benefited from Dr. Avery’s long term membership, along with countless other organizations. He proudly proclaims to continue his contributions as a chief examiner for the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners in that organization’s quest to protect the public and elevate the status of the profession by insuring that only the truly competent receive an initial license to practice. Suffice it to say, a lengthy perusal of Bill’s prodigious curriculum vitae will undoubtedly give the reader a true sense of this man’s extensive and wide-ranging involvement in dental and non-dental organizations.

Truly, Bill serves as a man that possesses the quintessential body of work worthy for receiving our Society’s highest honor, the Silent Bell. Well done, good servant, and thank you for your selfless service to our profession and your community.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

William Avery, D.D.S. Education Denison University, Bachelor of Science degree, 1963 Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, D.D.S. degree, 1968 General Practitioner, October 1969–present Civic Activities Wolverine Educational Television, President 1974 Friends of Channel 35 Television, President 1975 Channel 52 (Kalamazoo) Activation, Chairperson 1976 Civic Ballet, Board Member, 1977-1980 West Michigan Dental Foundation Incorporator, 1981 Grand Rapids East Rotary Club Member since 1983 Club Historian since 1998 Youth Foreign Exchange, Chairperson, 1997 Social Committee 1985–present Chairperson 1986-1994 Three Lakes Association, Board Member, 1973-1976 Lake Bellaire Railroad Purchase Association, President, 1984-1988 Donated Land to Grass River Nature Preserve, 1988

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

Professional Activities American Dental Association Student Member, 1964-1969 Member since 1969 Michigan Dental Association, Member since 1969 MDA Annual Sessions Committee Member, 1985-1996 Chairperson, Annual Sessions, 1994 MDA Scientific Program Committee, 1994 MDA Committee on Dental Education, 1998 MDA Peer Review Committee Member 1979-1990 Chairperson, 1985-1987 MDA “Ongoing Assessment of the Quality of Dental Care” Validation Committee, 1979-1981 MDA House of Delegates Delegate or Alternate 1972-1986; 2000-2004 House Communications Committee chairperson, 1992 West Michigan District Dental Society Member since 1969 Secretary/Treasurer, 1977-1980 President, 1982-1983 Francis B. Vedder Society of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics Member since 1972 Membership chairperson, 1974-1977 Board member since 1974 Secretary, 1977-1979 President, 1981 Awarded Honorary Life Member 2007 (only one of five in 49 year history) Western Michigan Steering Committee Founding Member, 1981 Chairperson, 1986 Pierre Fauchard Academy, Member since 1988 American College of Dentists Member since 1990 Michigan Section American College of Dentists chairperson, 1996-1997 North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB) Member since 1990 Nominating Committee, 1998-2001 American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, 1998-2002 Pre-Doctoral Review Committee, 1998-1999 Dental Lab Tech Review Committee, 1999-2000 Dental Hygiene Review Committee, 2000-2001 Ad-Hoc Committee on General Anesthesia and IV Sedation, 2001-2002

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2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

William Rocker, DDS

By Dr. Reggie Vander Veen

D

r. William Rocker was born in Plymouth, Michigan, on July 2, 1942, the second of three children of Claude and Charlotte (Roediger) Rocker. Charlotte was a school teacher, and Claude studied mechanical engineering at Lawrence Tech and worked at tool and die shops in the Detroit area.

He spent the majority of his career, over thirty years, at the Ford Motor Company. The family also had an eighty-acre farm in Plymouth, including twenty acres of orchard.

They raised their own garden vegetables as well as dairy and beef cattle.

As a side project, the family cared for donkeys that were used by schools and other groups for “Donkey Basketball,” pitting the faculty against parents as a fundraising event.

Claude could “fix anything” and tried to teach Bill the same skills.

Teaching the value of hard work, his dad insisted on excellent work at all times, nothing could be “halfway.”

Charlotte, a pianist, and Claude, a violin and piccolo player, stimulated a love for music in Bill that has enriched his life. He has sung in his church choir and served for nine years on the board of the Fontana Chamber Music Society in Kalamazoo. His parents instilled in their

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young children a strong work ethic, a love of music, and a desire for education which prepared them well for college.

One of the most significant influences in Bill’s life centered on Camp Presque Isle, a seventeen-acre camp on Lake May near Rogers City, Michigan, purchased by his parents, aunts, and uncles in 1954. Bill was twelve at the time and spent his summers there with his extended family. “Camp” was an adventure – fishing, boating, canoeing, outdoor games, and a strong sense of family unity. Bill and his wife, Sharon, still go there with their children and grandchildren, continuing the family tradition and love of the out-of-doors.

Bill’s early years were marked by his involvement in Scouting. His scoutmaster, Edward T. Miller Jr., had a significant influence on him, and, eventually, led to his earning the Eagle Scout rank and learning the values of honor, leadership, and caring for others. Church was also important to the Rocker household, and Bill credits his first pastor, Dr. Henry Walsh, with having a marked influence on his life.

Bill graduated from Plymouth High School in 1960 and attended Western Michigan University from 1960-63, majoring in chemistry with an eye on veterinary medicine or medical school. However, he was greatly influenced by his uncle, Dr. “Woody” Anderson who practiced dentistry in California and later had an orthodontic practice in Plymouth. Dentistry became Bill’s choice of study, and he entered the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1963.

Let’s backtrack a little, though, to highlight a significant phase of Bill’s life that was sparked by the chance meeting of a female student while waiting in line to register for classes at WMU. They wound up in the same history class. Her name was Sharon Lee Root from Royal Oak, Michigan. Eventually, they were married on June 26, 1965.

They have two children, William Fredric Rocker Jr. born in 1968 and Bethany Christine in 1970. Bill Jr. has two children, WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

Ella, age eleven, and Martha, age eight. Bethany (Rocker) Else has one daughter, Anne, age nine.

Sharon has a Masters degree in English from WMU. After taking out twelve years from teaching while her children were young, she taught Advanced Placement English and American literature at Holland High School for twenty-three years before retiring in 2002. She then taught at Hope College for two years and is now tutoring at Davenport University.

Currently working part time for the First United Methodist as their Visitation Minister, Sharon has also been involved with the American Association of University Women, various church activities, and helped organize the Community Action House in Holland, which is designed to aid immigrant workers with legal, food, and housing issues. A highlight of Bill and Sharon’s life together was guiding student trips in the 1990s to England, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, exposing students to different cultures, languages, and literature.

Bill graduated from the U of M School of Dentistry in 1967 and moved to Holland, Michigan, taking with him all the positive influences of significant people in his life: • Parents – strong, healthy, and honest work ethic, love of music, giving to others, • Aunts and uncles – Camp Presque Isle, love of family, sharing healthy activities, • Scoutmaster – love for Scouting and its values, • Pastor – love of God and care for others, • Uncle Woodrow C. Anderson – inspiration for dentistry, • Judge James Townsend – mentor for leadership in Scouting and church, • Sharon (Root) Rocker – love of family.

In Holland, Bill purchased Dr. Ed Fuder’s general dental practice in 1967. After four years, he associated for nineteen WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

years with Drs. Landis Zylman and Bob Renzema. Bill has been in a solo practice for the past eighteen years.

Incorporating his values in his dental practice has earned him wide-ranging respect from dental colleagues and, of course, his patients. He was greatly influenced by his colleagues Ron Boven and Ed Fuder from Holland, and Bill Creason and Dave Seibold, both from Grand Haven. This led to his professional involvement with the Holland/Zeeland Dental Society, WMDDS board member, legislative teams of MDA and ADA, volunteer for Miles of Smiles Dental Van for ten years, and an MDA Public Service Award for a Scouting Merit Badge revision.

Bill’s involvement in his community through Scouting, Lions Club, and church stand out because of his years of service and leadership positions within these organizations: Scouting – He has been involved for over fifty years locally, regionally, and nationally, holding leadership positions at all levels. His service to Scouting continues to this day. Countless young men and women have been influenced by Bill and are changing the world around them. Numerous awards have come his way for his leadership skills, including the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope awards.

Lions Club – His forty years of service have been rewarded with at least four awards – 100% President Award, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the International President’s Leadership Award, and the International President’s Leadership Medal – while serving at all levels of this great organization. He has been club president, officer and board member, and zone chairman, raising money for the blind.

Holland First United Methodist Church – Bill has served the church for forty years, chairing numerous committees.

Sharon and Bill were also a lead couple for the Holland Marriage Encounter program with over 300 couples experiencing marriage enrichment through their leadership.

Bill Rocker has been a quiet “mover and shaker” in his world. His C.V. attests to this fact, and he still has an enthusiastic zest for life and helping others. One of his regrets is that there are not enough hours in a day. No rest for this guy! His only other regret is that he didn’t secure a B.S. degree from WMU (not required for admission to dental school in those days). How about graduating with one of your grandchildren, Bill, maybe from WMU and finally nailing down that degree?

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2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

In the meantime, we might find Bill engaging in the game of Trivial Pursuit where his wide range of knowledge and experiences usually lead to a winning score. He has experiences as an amateur radio operator, a photographer, hunter, and fisherman. Bill writes poetry, reads history, especially about the Civil War, and he even published an article in Persuasions, the Jane Austen journal, entitled “Regarding Mr. Spence” about dentistry in London in the 1800s. We also might find him writing a manual on “How to Pack a Car.” He is a fanatic about organizing every cubic inch of space prior to leaving for a trip.

Getting to know Bill leads one to discover a quiet man with an engaging smile, a sturdy, assured self-confidence, enthusiastic about dentistry, the world around him, and still engaging in activities of service to others. Sharon’s description of him as a model of integrity, unbounded dedication, and caring shines through the discussion of the events and accomplishments of his life.

Congratulations, Bill! You are a most worthy recipient of the Silent Bell Award.

William F. Rocker, D.D.S. Native of Plymouth, Michigan and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1960 Western Michigan University, Pre-dental Curriculum, 1960-1963 Employment: Private camp staff, summers of 1961-1963 Employed junior year as dormitory Staff Assistant University of Michigan Dental School, Fall of 1963 Married Sharon Lee Root, June 26, 1965 Graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, 1967 Private Practice, General Dentistry, Holland, July 1967 Scouting Background Cub Scout Boy Scout Troop 6, Explorer Eagle Scout 1958, Order of the Arrow Attended National Jamboree in 1957 as a Patrol Leader Camp Staff D-A Scout Ranch, 1958-1959 Adult Scouting Volunteer Service Started a Boy Scout Troop in Willow Run, Michigan District Adult Volunteer (began in 1967) O-A Chapter Advisor (Holland, Michigan) Training Committee (Holland, Michigan) District Commissioner (Holland, Michigan) District Chairman (Holland, Michigan) Cub Pack Committee (Holland, Michigan) Wood Badge Region Seven Canoe Base, 1969 Wood Badge Staff Region Seven Canoe Base, 1972 Scoutmaster Troop 10 (Holland), 1979-1986 Council Service (Grand Rapids BSA Council 266) Council Executive Board, 1969 to present Vice President of Scouting, 1974-1977 Vice President of Operations, 1977-1979 Council Commissioner, 1979-1991 Chair Council Strategic Plan, 1990 Scouting for Food Chair, 1992 Boy Scout Activities Chair, 1993 Vice President of Operations, 1998-2003 Vice President of Program, 2003 to present Strategic Plan Program Chair, 2002-2003 National Council Representative (various years) Mackinaw Rendezvous Committee (various years) Staff on many training events Philmont Incentive Program Committee, 2002 Council Endowment Committee, 2003-2006 Central Region Service BSA–1998 to present Member-at-large, Regional Board (currently) Committee Member of Regional Endowment Committee

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

2009 SILENT BELL RECIPIENT

National Council Service Represented the council at many National Council Annual Meetings Staff Key Three Training, Philmont Training Center Regional Medical Staff at 1985 National Jamboree Helped rewrite new Dentistry Merit Badge booklet Awards in Scouting District Award of Merit, 1970 Scouters Key Scouters Training Award Council Valued Eagle Award Silver Beaver 1973 Council Award Order of the Arrow Brotherhood Arrowman of the Year 1983 Grand Rapids Council James E. West 50 Year Veteran Award Silver Antelope 2006 Regional Award Community Service City of Holland Strategic Planning Committee in the 1970’s and early 1990’s United Way Board, 1990-1991 United Way Professional Campaign Chair Fontana Concert Society (Kalamazoo), 1990’s Board member and officer Holland Marriage Encounter–Lead Couple Nearly 300 couples had a weekend marriage enrichment experience through this program.

Holland First United Methodist Church Adult Leader of Methodist Youth Fellowship Board of Trustees Finance Committee (currently) Council on Ministries Chair Administrative Board Stewardship Committee Chair Stewardship Campaign Chair Member Strategic Planning Committee 1990 Communications Committee Building Committee (after fire destroyed church in 1979) Co-Chair of Building Fund Drive Staff-Parish Committee Member and Chair Sunday School Teacher Chancel Choir Member Witness Team Leader, 2004-2006

University of Michigan Alumni Club of Holland Board Member Vice President Chairperson of Scholarship Committee Lions Club Board Member Holland Lions Club Currently Vice President Past President (twice) Zone Chairman, 2001-2003 100% Presidents Award Melvin Jones Fellow International Presidents Leadership Award International President Leadership Medal – 40 years of membership Hobbies Amateur Radio, K8NFT Photography Hunting and Fishing Travel History Writing Leading student groups to Europe and England Holland High School, 1991-1999 Professional Service Member of Holland-Zeeland Dental Society Past Board member of the West Michigan District Dental Society (Ottawa County Representative) Member Local and ADA Grass Roots Legislative Team Member American Dental Association Member Michigan Dental Association MDA Public Service Award for Merit Badge Revision MDA Life Membership, 2007 Volunteer on Miles of Smiles Dental Van Family Wife: Sharon Lee (Root) Rocker Retired Holland High School English Teacher Holland First United Methodist Church, Minister of Visitation Tutor, Davenport University (Holland) Son: William F. Rocker, Jr. Daughter: Bethany C. Rocker

West Michigan Conference United Methodist Church Board of Discipleship, 1970’s Chairperson of Marriage Enrichment Committee Edited National Methodist Workbook on Human Sexuality for Cokesbury Publishing WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

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S I L E N T B E L L PA S T R E C I P I E N T S

Otto Lee Ricker, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1981

Lawrence R. Marcotte, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1996

Willard B. Ver Meulen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1981

Laurence J. Jensen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1997

Clifford T. Nelson, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1982

Harry H. Luton, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1997

William M. Creason, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1983

Robert W. Browne, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1998

Vernor H. Eman, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1984

Harold O. Steele II, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1998

Julius Franks, Jr., D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1985

Lawrence J. Manning, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1999

Henry L. Homan, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1986

Arnold Baker, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000

Ray E. Stevens, Jr., D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1987

Robert D. Mitus, Jr., D.D.S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000

Orren A. Bolt, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1988

Robert W. Klinesteker, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001

Robert F. Streelman, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1989

Timothy H. Gietzen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2002

Gerald L. Vander Wall, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1990

James L. Wieland, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2003

David H. Seibold, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1991

Charles R. Caldwell, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2004

Donald G. Hallas, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1992

Henry J. Milanowski, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2005

Robert E. Reagan, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1993

John J. Stepanovich, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2006

John R. Cook, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1994

Lonny E. Zietz, D.D.S., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2007

Eugene L. Bonofiglo, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1995

Michael H. (Reggie) VanderVeen, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2008

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2008

MARK YOUR CALENDAR West Michigan Dental Foundation Annual Golf Outing FRIDAY, June 5, 2009 Returning to beautiful Egypt Valley Country Club Registration begins at 10:30 am Lunch 11:30 am • Golf 12:30 pm $200 per golfer Fee includes golf, lunch, on-course beverages, and dinner

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

Skilled human resources experts helping your practice hire, align, measure, develop and retain the right employees.

For more information, contact getclear@getcleartalent.com or call 616.915.9880

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NEW LIFE MEMBERS

West Michigan District Dental Society Honors Life Members On December 11, 2008, nine West Michigan District Dental Society members were honored with life membership at the annual WMDDS Holiday Dinner and Awards Night at Kent Country Club. To be an ADA life member, one must be 65 years old with 30 continuous years of membership. A pin is awarded for this achievement. To be an MDA life member, one must be 65 years old with 35 total years of membership. All recipients were recognized, and those in attendance were introduced by WMDDS President, Dr. Doug Killian, who highlighted their accomplishments. Congratulations to all on this achievement!

MDA Life Member Dr. George Cripps Dr. Birney Hoyt ADA Life Members Dr. Robert Renzema Dr. Clare VanWieren

ADA and MDA Life Members Dr. John Duiven Dr. Ronald Lambert Dr. Howard Norlin Dr. Robert VanGemert Dr. Lonny Zietz Life Members (left to right): Dr. Lonny Zietz, Dr. George Cripps, Dr. Robert VanGemert, Dr. John Duiven, Dr. Clare VanWieren

New Law Requires Dentists to Install Amalgam Separators The legislation requiring dentists to install amalgam separators is now law. The law does the following: ・Requires a dentist, by December 31, 2013, to install or have installed and use a dental amalgam separator on each wastewater drain in the dentist’s office that is used to discharge dental amalgam. ・Allows a municipality to create an ordinance consistent with this law that requires dentists to install an amalgam separator before 2013. ・Requires a separator to have an efficiency of at least 95%. ・Preempts local units of government form requiring dentists to install any equipment other than a separator to reduce amalgam discharge. ・This law does not apply to: oral and maxillofacial surgeons, oral and maxillofacial radiologists, oral pathologists, orthodontists, periodontists, or dentists providing services in a dental school or hospital or through a local health department.

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This law does not change ordinances already in place.

Dentists in West Michigan who have purchased the G&S Mercury system will still be in compliance. Dentists will still be subject to having their water tested. Local municipalities still have to show a reduction of mercury.

The department of community health and department of environmental quality will begin creating rules regarding best management practices for dental amalgam collection, disposal, recycling, and the retention and inspection of related dental records.

This spring the MDA Journal will feature an article providing dentists with the facts about the new law and requirements. Also included will be an ADA professional product review of amalgam separators. In addition, there will be a class at MDA Annual Session for dentists and waster water treatment supervisors for local municipalities about the new law and ways to reduce amalgam discharge.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

HUMAN RESOURCES NEWS

Employee Performance Evaluations

By J. Devereaux Butler, Ph.D., Managing Partner, ClearTalent, LLC Dear Org Doctor: I have to start the “employee evaluation process” this year. I always hate this process – it seems artificial and contrived – plus I don’t feel like it adds value. Do you have any tips to make this a less stressful and more productive experience?

— “Struggling with Evaluations” in Kent County Dear “Struggling with Evaluations”: I’m not surprised you find employee evaluations difficult. The survey we distributed at the January WMDDS Continuing Education Seminar shows you are not alone. Many of your colleagues also identified that “managing employee performance” is an issue for them.

If a once-a-year performance evaluation is all that you do, you are right in feeling the process is artificial and disconnected from daily office life. The process is valuable when the evaluation is part of a greater whole which includes: 1. Setting Expectations – goals, objectives, desired behaviors 2. Providing Feedback – year round feedback including employee evaluation 3. Providing Resources – tools, information, authority 4. Obtaining Training & Knowledge – skills and abilities to do the job 5. Addressing Motivation – reinforcement and reward systems Only when done as a part of an ongoing, integrated system can the performance evaluation be truly effective.

Having said that, let’s look at making the performance evaluation more enjoyable and effective. Strangely, the most important part is not even the evaluation itself but, instead, the expectations communicated earlier in the year and the discussion resulting from the written evaluation. Every evaluation process can be viewed as three components: Pre-Evaluation: Evaluation feedback is no good if the staff member doesn’t know what you expect. Each staff member should have specific goals, a thorough understanding of acceptable/desired behavior, and knowledge of how they will be measured.

The Written Evaluation: Yes, you need to document the evaluation in written form. Whether you use a “number rating WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

system,” a series of statements such as “meets expectations,” or a free-form conversational system is your call. However, in the U.S., people are used to being rated – A, B, C, D, F in school, a GPA in college, scores in sporting events, etc. They will mentally translate your system into these “relative ranking” frameworks. Some basic tips for the written evaluation: • Keep an ongoing file. Have a file of staff behaviors, comments about the staff member from officemates or patients, and accomplishments. The evaluation is then just putting these year-long comments together.

• Focus on behavior. Saying the employee needs “a better attitude” has little meaning. Should the employee greet patients more quickly, smile more often, volunteer to cover teammates shifts? Be specific.

• Avoid rating errors – Halo Effect: The employee did one good thing early on and, in your mind, they can do no wrong.

– Horns Effect: The employee did one big “wrong thing” early on and now they can do no right.

– Recency Effect: Events, good or bad, in the last few months skews your perceptions of the entire year.

– Guilt-by-Association Effect: The employee is friends with those other employees, making them all alike.

The Discussion: A sit-down, dedicated discussion with the employee is a must. Schedule a specific time, in a location free of distractions, to have the performance conversation.

Minimize the chit-chat and keep on message. Get right to the point by saying “Susan, as you know we have a yearly performance evaluation. This meeting is to discuss your performance over the last year.”

If you think the discussion could escalate, don’t hesitate to bring a third person – someone who is senior to the employee.

You’ll outnumber the employee and protect yourself against possible violence or later outrageous accusations.

Following the advice above, performance evaluations can be a fun, productive, and collaborative event where you and the employee discuss their contributions and make plans for the coming year. They are an invaluable tool to creating a successful dental practice.

The “OrgDoctor” is written by ClearTalent, an HR company helping organizations to hire, measure, align, and develop employees for business results. You can contact ClearTalent at getclear@getcleartalent.com.

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PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT

Van Andel Arena Provides Home for Project Homeless Connect

O

n Tuesday, January 27th, Project Homeless Connect Jennie Mills, and Dr. Doug Klein to spearhead this year’s was held at Van Andel Arena. An estimated 820 dental clinic. people came to the third annual event sponsored Early on the morning of the event, Dr. Scott Hodges, who was by the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness. instrumental in organizing this year’s effort, was busy setting More than 50 social service up an 8-chair clinic with groups and hundreds of Dr. Dick Nieusma in the volunteers helped homesecond level concourse less visitors receive assisarea of the arena. When tance ranging from blood 10 am arrived, the dental pressure checks, foot care, clinic area quickly devellegal guidance, a hot meal, oped a waiting line that and clothing repair. Dr. lasted throughout the day.

John VanderKolk particiVisitors received dental pated in this event last year hygiene instruction, a along with Jennie Mills, goody bag, an oral exam, AmeriCorps coordinator and if needed, x-rays and at Cherry Street Health treatment. Over 203 people Services, doing dental visited the dental area, and screenings and saw the 59 visitors received treatneed for dental treatment. ment. Over 120 teeth were JoAnne Hodder, RDH, BS, Dr. Margaret Gingrich, and FSU dental hygiene students This year, he recruited extracted to relieve immeDr. Scott Hodges, Deborah assess visitors’ needs. diate pain. Some visitors DeWit (Patterson Dental), Holly Sturges (Director of also received a “ticket” to go to Cherry Street Health Services Program Management, Grand Rapids Housing Commission), on the Friday following the event for treatment. The people were very grateful for the care they received.

Dentists volunteering included: Dr. Scott Hodges, Dr. Dick Nieusma, Dr. Norm Palm, Dr. David Dalrymple, Dr. James Brennan, Dr. Jerry Mulder, Dr. Bruce Weny, Dr. Brant Erbentraut, Dr. Jerry Clore, Dr. Margaret Gingrich, Dr. Derek Draft, and Dr. Gina Biersack. Joining them were many dental assistants, hygienists, and office staff and dental hygiene students from Ferris State University along with their instructor Sandra Burns. Everyone deserves much appreciation for the compassionate dental care they provided.

Thank you to Deborah DeWitt and Gail Howarth from Patterson, Brett Garvin from SciCan, Alvareo Estivis and AmeriCorps members from Cherry Street Health Services, and Henry Schein for providing a Nomad handheld x-ray head.

Some of the participating dentists included: Dr. Jerry Clore, Dr. Norm Palm, Dr. Doug Klein, Dr. Brant Erbentraut, and Dr. David Dalrymple.

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT

Dr. Derek Draft prepares instrument trays.

Dr. Norm Palm treats patient, assisted by Amber Shaw Rogers, Anissa Rangel, and Lashawanda Sweet.

GRDAS Spring Seminar “Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliances” Presented by Laura Sheppard, CDT of Davis Lab When: Saturday, March 14th from 9am – 12pm, Registration at 8:30am Where: The ATC building at GRCC, Room 120, 151 Fountain Street NE Parking under the ATC is free, but it’s limited.

Three Credit Hours and breakfast will be provided.

The cost for everyone is $45.00 All members who bring & show their membership cards will receive a $10 discount and pay only $35.00, but you must have card present for discount. Please pay by cash or make check or money orders out to GRDAS. Email Kristi at klbrda@yahoo.com by March 4th, 2009 to pre-register, or after March 4th to register.

Note: Even though GRCC offers a greater capacity, there is still a limited amount of seating so please, reserve your seat early.

Membership in GRDAS Who can join the GRDAS? Any dental assistant can join the GRDAS How do I join?

Come to the next GRDAS or MDAA meeting and request a membership application or visit the ADAA’s website at www.dentalassistant.org.

By joining, you automatically become a member of all three organizations; local, state & national: The Grand Rapids Dental Assisting Society, The Michigan Dental Assistants Association, The American Dental Assistants Association

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

17

TRUSTEE REPORT

Highlights of December 2008 Board of Trustees Meeting and MDA Strategic Planning Process

By Dr. Norm Palm, MDA Trustee

H

ello and best regards to you. I hope by the time you read this we’re no longer under gray skies and a blanket of snow! This report will briefly update you on the December 2008 Board of Trustees meeting and the MDA’s Strategic Planning Process.

The Board and the MDA staff began the Strategic Planning Process in June of 2008. The results I am presenting will be forwarded to the MDA House of Delegates in April for approval. A nationally-recognized consultant working with non-profit professional associations was picked. Michael Gallery will continue to guide the MDA as it strives to meet the objectives being set as part of our strategic plan. We started by creating a new Mission Statement. Following the Mission, a Vision Statement, and Guiding Principles and Values were created with staff input. Together these words identify the MDA’s purpose: Mission Statement Helping Member Dentists Succeed.

Vision Statement The MDA will be Michigan’s oral health authority committed to the public and the profession.

Guiding Principles and Values We are … Guided by integrity and ethics.

Committed to the improvement of the public’s overall health.

We believe … Oral health is integral to overall health.

In an inclusive environment that embraces diversity.

Dentistry and the oral health team must be led by dentists to endure the safety of the public.

Life long learning is critical to excellence in patient care.

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Next, the Board and staff developed specific objectives to be met over a 24- to 36-month period of time. The areas of finance, membership, and organizational structure were looked at and the following goals were set: 1. Increase non-dues income to 55% of total MDA revenue.

2. Adopt and implement the mission statement.

3. Increase market share by 0.5% 4. Increase practice management services to members.

5. Revise the MDA organizational structure to achieve operational efficiencies and compliance with the Mission Statement.

6. Increase advocacy, education, and awareness of third party payor issues.

Specific strategies will be applied to the objectives to produce SMART outcomes. This means that the strategies must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. This process will flow into the MDA committees and task forces, and staff will report to the Board at each of its meetings as to the progress to date.

At the Board’s December 5, 2008, meeting a progress report on the new MDA headquarters was discussed. Construction has been slowed by the hard winter weather, but the steel superstructure is going up and the estimated completion date is August. The Board approved a funding plan using a variety of sources: the current $160 per year dues allocation, mortgage loan, line of credit or bridge loan, short-term cash account, reserve account, and sale of the current building.

There was a discussion of the publishing of disciplinary reports received from the Board of Dentistry. It was decided to continue to publish the report as is currently done, adding the disciplinary action taken on other licensed dental professionals, RDH, and CDA, as well. The House will review a resolution to renew the MDA Public Education Campaign in April. The renewal will continue the current three-year special assessment of $265 per member per year to conduct the Public Education Campaign. The Board approved and also sent to the House a proposed resolution to amend state statute applying to volunteer dentist licensure. The current applicable law refers to “physician” only. The amendment sought would add the term “dentist.”

At its February meeting, the Board will be looking at the WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

TRUSTEE REPORT

possibility of providing human resource assistance to members free of charge. The MDA would contract with an outside consultant and refer the many calls from members on topics related to human resources to this consultant. Similarly, there is consideration being given to endorsing legal services with a specific law firm. Members would pay for legal services.

A special thanks to all those who participated in the Project Homeless Connect venture in January, it was a big success.

Scott Hodges organized over 60 dentists, hygienists, and assistants. Over 200 patients were screened and received treatment, including hygiene instruction and extractions. The project demonstrated the dentist is the leader of the oral health care team to the community-at-large and called attention to the needs of people that do not seek care in a traditional practice setting for many reasons.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

I hope you will plan on attending the MDA Annual Session in Lansing April 22 thru April 25. My thanks to all the delegates and alternate delegates from WMDDS that will be serving to represent you, the member, so ably.

As always, contact me with questions or comments about your Michigan Dental Association at stsorminnorman@msn.com.

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PROGRAM REVIEW

The F.A.T.S. of Life According To Zonya Foco

By Dr. Tara Meachum

“W

ant a healthy body? Start with a healthy are dehydrating. For every cup of coffee consumed, 1¼ cup is mouth … and some beans.” It’s a twist on urinated. Zonya stressed that we will do our body wonders if the popular adage, but according to Zonya we can just drink water first thing in the morning every single Foco’s philosophy it couldn’t be truer. Zonya is a Registered day and have a glass of water every time we urinate. Lack of Dietitian and Certified Health and Fitness Instructor from the water is the number one cause of daytime fatigue and can east side of the state and is the author of two books; her cookcause a 2% drop in short-term memory. Studies show that book, Lickety-Split Meals for Health Conscious People on the staying sufficiently hydrated can lower our risk of breast Go, and her new weight loss novel Water with Lemon. She cancer by 79% and five glasses of water per day can lower our spent Friday, January 16th at Frederik Meijer Gardens & risk of having a heart attack by up to 55%. Drinking water Sculpture Park teaching West Michigan dentists and their staff may be even better than taking aspirin! If we can drink water about the F.A.T.S. (Food, Activity, Thoughts, and Sleep) of life. and keep non-milk beverages to less than 200 calories per day, Zonya started the seminar by discussing donuts. Donuts we can lose 10-50 pounds this year. are how we love people … it’s our culture. Need to celebrate Include breakfast and stop eating two or three hours before something? Here, have a donut. Need to have a meeting? Here, bed. Did you ever notice how if you eat breakfast in the mornhave a donut. The circumstances go on ing, you are hungry a few hours later? and on. Zonya showed the audience a This is a great example of this habit box of donuts she’d had for over a year working. Eating breakfast will boost with absolutely no mold growing anyyour metabolism and set the tone for where. She made the comment that your day. A good breakfast consists of a germs must be smarter than people. serving of fruit or vegetables, some She then listed the ingredients, most whole grains, some protein, and a little of which she was barely able to probit of good fat. For example, add a little nounce. The first ingredient was parspinach to scrambled eggs, a piece of tially hydrogenated vegetable oil foltoast, and a glass of milk. After a full lowed by sugar. Flour wasn’t listed until year of following this habit, we can be Zonya signs her cookbook for Dr. Scott Pirochta. the fourth ingredient. This was just one up to 30 pounds lighter. example of what’s happening to society and the food we eat.

Eat often and include a fruit or vegetable each time we eat.

Trans fats were traded for saturated fats. Foods went fat free, This habit will help to keep our mood level throughout the but the sugar was radically amplified. Then foods went sugar day. Most of us do not eat near enough servings of fruits and free and the salt was increased. Zonya’s not recommending vegetables. These foods are full of fiber and antioxidants, are that the world go on a diet, she’s just advising we change our naturally sweet, and often come in their own single serving lifestyle. She has considered everything she’s learned and conpackages. The fiber will help fill us up longer and the natural densed it into eight habits that define a healthy lifestyle. The sweetness will help to curb our sweet cravings. A good tip is to acronym DIET FREE encompasses these habits: Drink water, look at our grocery cart as a whole before we check out. If we Include breakfast, Eat often, Tame your sweet tooth, Find the eat a piece of fruit with every meal or snack, that’s six pieces a fat, Replace processed, chemically enhanced foods for wholeday, and 42 pieces a week per person. Does our grocery cart some close-to-the-farm foods, Eat only until you are no reflect that? Stick with this habit and we could drop 20 pounds longer hungry, and Exercise. Zonya recommends that we try this year. these habits for a year and evaluate all the positive changes Tame our sweet tooth so we will naturally eat as little sugar that will occur in our health. Knowing isn’t enough, we have as possible. Would we rather live our life craving sweets every to do it and make these habits who we are. day and every day denying ourselves? Or would we rather Drink water and think before you drink anything else. tame our sweet tooth so we don’t have those cravings at all? If What’s the first thing most people drink? Coffee or juice; both we can dial down our sweetness acuity it will be much easier.

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WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

PROGRAM REVIEW

Consuming Splenda or other artificial sweeteners will actually our colons. There are four steps we can follow to insure we get heighten our sweetness acuity. It conditions us to like things the proper amount of fiber in our diets: 1) eat three servings that taste sweeter and sweeter, thus increasing our cravings. of fruit per day; 2) eat three servings of vegetables per day; Studies show that people who drink diet soda actually con3) eat four servings of whole grains per day; and 4) eat beans sume more sugar throughout the day than people who don’t. four times per week.

Zonya recommends diluting juice and when baking, use half Eat only until we are no longer hungry. Our body is incredthe sugar. Eventually we may even come to like the taste ibly smart; it knows exactly how many calories we need each better. The four steps to decreasing our sugar intake naturally day. With the way portion sizes have changed in today’s society, are: 1) eat one piece of fruit and drink one glass of water every overweight people eat typical portions while normal-weight four hours while awake; 2) lower people eat less. Because it takes 15 our sweetness acuity by choosing minutes for the brain to even regto consume things less sweet; ister that we’re full, we need to 3) look forward to one to two learn to eat more slowly and give small sweet treats every day; and that message a chance to reach 4) when we’re faced with a fatour brains. We’ll soon begin to tening, full-sugar dessert “half it notice that we’re full before the and we can have it.” These simple typical portion size has been changes can lead to a 10-30 consumed. Following this habit pound weight loss by the end of could lead to a 50 pound weight one year. loss over the course of a year.

Find the fat. Choose foods that Exercise. We need to exercise are as low in fat as possible and every single day. Some of this can Zonya has the audience participate in some simple exercises to help then add back limited amounts of us be more active everyday. be accomplished just by being good fat. There was a big movemore active in our everyday ment recently to take the trans fats out of food. Consider the routines. Zonya does leg lifts when she brushes her teeth donuts from the aforementioned example. When we buy because this is a habit she has twice a day anyway. If we can tie those donuts today, the trans fats have been taken out but the small movements into our everyday routines, imagine how company nearly doubled the total fat grams and increased the this will build up over the course of a month – or a year. It all total calories by about 20%. People don’t understand that adds up. Zonya also recommends we be curious and couratrans fat-free junk food is still junk food. Zonya recommends geous and try something new. If we keep it fresh, it won’t seem cleaning our pantry and ridding it of anything labeled like such a chore. Our exercise routine should encompass both “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated.” Then, stock our aerobic and strength training exercises. Studies show that just houses with salmon, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and seeds. two months of strength training can reverse two decades of However, be sure to keep portion sizes in mind. muscle loss! Lastly, as dentists especially, we need to “respect Replace processed, chemically-enhanced foods with wholethe stretch.” Our body eventually limits itself to positions it some close-to-the-farm foods. Food coloring does absolutely sees most often. Zona suggests we explore yoga or pilates. nothing but make us want to buy more, yet it is added into So … if we follow everything Zonya says, it seems we have most foods at the grocery store and could be causing ADD in the potential to lose up to 180 pounds before next February! our children. Eating clean has three advantages: 1) keeps sodiZonya’s seminar was energetic and full of useful information um low; 2) limits preservatives; and 3) keeps fiber high. Eating even for the most health-conscious person. Be sure to visit her a diet high in fiber reduces the incidence of colon and rectal website, www.Zonya.com, where you can learn more and sign cancer as well as heart disease. Carrots and broccoli are high up for her free newsletter. in fiber. Putting it in dental terms; eating them is like flossing WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

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CLASSIFIED ADS

The classified ad rate is $10.00 up to and including 30 words; additional words 15¢ each. Space permitting, WMDDS members may place ads free of charge as a membership service. Ads should be submitted in writing and sent with payment to Elaine Fleming, WMDDS, 511-F Waters Building, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Telephone numbers and hyphenations count as two words, abbreviations count as one word. Ads received after the first of the month prior to publication may appear in the following issue.

Grand Haven – It can be a slow start for young dentists in private practice in this economy, but the rewards are there if you are willing to work towards them. We are two general dentists in our late 50’s who are looking for a full-time associate who would buy into our practice over a 3-5 year period. Ten ops, 4 hygienists, and as nice a hightech family practice as they come. It would be important to us that you live in and are an active part of our wonderful community. Please send your resumé to Drs. Kennard Creason and Walter Weber, 333A Jackson Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

Call 616.842.0822.

Dental Equipment Sale – Five operatories of dental equipment for sale. 5 Dental Ez chairs, 4 Pelton Crane Track lights, one chair mounted light, 3 Forest over the patient dental units, 2 assistant dental carts, 5 Telecam Intra Oral Cameras & 5 wall mounted Mitsubishi TV’s, photo printer, 5 assistant stools, 5 operator stools, 2 SS White x-ray machines, 2 rear delivery units, all other operatory cabinetry, vacuum pump, compressor, reception room furniture, 5 business office chairs, doctors office and business office desk/bookshelf cabinetry, conference table, 2 large patient records file cabinets, and more! Call 887.7389.

Space for Lease – Holland (great north side neighborhood location).

Previous tenant was a family practice dentist. High visibility sign available.

Building interior is ready for equipment installation. Three ops and small lab. Owner is willing to adapt building to needs. Call 616.245.9098 or 800.669.0717.

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Kentwood, Muskegon, Fowlerville – We have three practices for sale. These opportunities are excellent starters and satellite offices. Kentwood and Fowlerville have buildings also for purchase. Starting gross of $470,000 to $600,000. Financing and working capital available. Contact Dr. Jim David, Henry Schein PPT Sales at 586.530.0800 or daviddental@comcast.net.

Office Space for Lease – Great location! 2426 Burton St. SE, 915 sq. ft., 3 operatories, lab, private office, reception, business office, basement.

Contact Dr. Sam Bander at 616.949.5980 or email at drsam@sbcglobal.net West Michigan: Associate Wanted with Transition to Partner – Very busy, modern practice with eleven operatories and three full-time hygienists, seeking ambitious dentist who is committed to serving the general dentistry needs of our surrounding rural community. Our practice is located in an attractive lakeside village with a municipal airport. We are looking for a general dentist with some experience to work 2–3 days a week to start.

Transition to 4–5 days per week as senior partner shifts towards retirement. Contact draper@pathwaynet.com or wjwinget@hotmail.com with resumé and contact information.

Associate/Partnership – Great opportunity for a full / part time general dentist. Profitable, fee for service office.

This is a well established family practice. Excellent location in Spring Lake/ Grand Haven area. Call 616.842.1562 or e-mail dmirwin@chartermi.net.

Storage Space for Lease – Safe, secure, 24/7 access. Ideal for records, models, or just stuff you need to store. Located in the basement at 1151 East Paris Ave. Contact Dr. Sam Bander at 616.949.5980 or drsam@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Dental Practice For Sale – Jenison, Michigan. Established and growing dental practice on major Jenison traffic route. Great income potential.

Call for details 616.245.2767 or cell 616.485.1348.

Half of Building (2,424 Square Feet) for Lease. Other half is a full-service dental laboratory. Two year old building, excellent for a dental practice.

Great location in Kentwood on the corner of Breton and 32nd Street. If interested please call 447.0190.

Established Dentist with an Existing Office in Grand Rapids Wants to Buy – in or partner with another dentist.

Open to all options. Please contact P.O. Box 141661, Grand Rapids, MI, 49514-1661.

Grandville: 2000+ sq. ft. office space available for lease in exclusive professional office building. Other tenants include endodontist, family dentist, pediatric dentist, oral surgeon and orthodontist. Building partnership buy-in also possible as investment.

Call 616.531.6377 or 616.531.1260.

Dental Practices Wanted to Buy – Two dentists separately looking for a practice to buy in the Grand Rapids area. Contact Greg McGlaun of Proveer at 616.425.5523 or gmcglaun@proveerpm.com.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | HOLIDAY ISSUE 2008

CLASSIFIED ADS

Grand Rapids Area – I am looking to purchase a dental practice with or with out a transition. please call Dr. Martin 616.406.9399.

For Lease – Desirable SE Grand Rapids location. Some shared space (reception room, lab, etc.) with two other general dentists. Great opportunity for general, specialty, or start-up.

Excellent terms. Call 616.949.8990.

Dental Office Suite/Three Operatories for Lease – Desirable SE Grand Rapids location. Some shared space (reception room, lab, etc.) with two other general dentists. Great opportunity for general, specialty, or start-up. Excellent terms. Call 616.949.8990.

General Dentist – An excellent opportunity to join a progressive, fast-pace, well-established, practice in Grant, Michigan. Immediate opening for full-time or part-time general dentist (new grads welcome). Compensation commensurate with experience.

Send resume and letter of interest to: Human Resources, Baldwin Family Health Care, Inc., 1615 Michigan Avenue, Baldwin MI 49304, whelminiak@familyhealthcare.org, or FAX 231.745.3690.

For Lease – 1,500 sq. ft. (approx.) dental office suite with three operatories in newer (5-year-old) building.

Beautiful water views. Located on Forest Hill Avenue south of Burton.

Convenient, highly visible location.

For more information, please call Janie at 616.942.3343.

Dental Office for Lease – Sparta, MI. 2,000 sq ft with $75,000 improvements, includes two X-ray machines, vacuum extraction, cabinetry, laboratory. $1795.00/mo, plus utilities.

Traffic flow/14,000 daily.

616.874.4192.

Dental Vacuum Pump – 2 Hp Matrix Model Max-2000. Excellent condition.

Recently appraised at $1200. Will take $800 or best offer. Contact Chase Klinesteker at 949-8665 or ckspoonpl1@aol.com.

General Dentist – Family Health Care, a federally qualified health center, has an excellent opportunity to join a progressive, fast-pace, well-established practice in northwest Michigan.

Immediate openings in our Grant and White Cloud offices for full-time or part-time general dentist (new grads welcome). Compensation commensurate with experience.

Send CV and letter of interest to: Human Resources, Baldwin Family Health Care, Inc., 1615 Michigan Avenue, Baldwin MI 49304. Email: whelminiak@familyhealthcare.org.

FAX: 231.745.3690.

Spielmaker Accounting, Inc. – Specializing in medical practice accounting. Individually owned and operated by Holly Oudhoff, in practice over 20 years. Call today @ 616.897.1257 or 616.885.0432. References available on request.

RDH/RDA – Dental professional with over 5 years experience seeking fulltime, part-time or subbing opportunities where I will be able to utilize my professional experience with patients.

Please contact me at 616.262.8719.

ADVERTISER INDEX

The Bulletin wishes to thank our valued advertisers who support organized dentistry by helping to defray the cost of printing and mailing.

Advertising in the Bulletin is seen by over 90% of the dentists in the West Michigan District. This includes five of the fastest growing counties in the state: Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta.

For information on advertising rates, call Elaine Fleming, WMDDS Executive Secretary at 234-5605. Target your Market – advertise in the Bulletin!

Cleartalent .........................................13

CPR Collections, Inc.........................13

Davis Dental Laboratory................inside front cover

Founders Bank & Trust .................... 3

Henry Schein ............inside back cover

MDA IFG..................................... 3, 19

Professional Solutions .................outside back cover

Opening a Satellite Office. Looking for a good used panoramic x-ray and some other used equipment (in good shape). Please email: hanyb@juno.com or call my office at 616.774.9402 or cell phone 616.307.2213 (leave message).

For Sale – 1998 Gendex GX-Pan, $4500. Also available: 1970 Moss Lateral Ceph. Make offer. Call 538.5920 Mon.–Thurs.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

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GRCC NEWS

WMDDS Honors Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Auxiliary Program with the 2008 Steel Water Award

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n 2007, the West Michigan District Dental Society Board at the WMDDS continuing education seminar on January 16, and a group of WMDDS dentists came to the realization 2009 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. that there was no award to honor and recognize nonRepresenting Grand Rapids Community College at the dentists in our community for outaward presentation were Eve standing contributions to dentistry Sidney, program director, Bunny and oral health in the WMDDS Bookwalter, past program director, area. For a year-and-a-half, a Maureen Munger, first program special task force worked to create director, and instructors Christine and establish this new tradition.

Dobberstein, Jean Verwys, Deb The task force members include: Dr. Schultz, and Julie Bera. Also repreAmy DeYoung (2007-2008), Dr. senting the college was Paula Eugene Bonofilgo (chair), Dr. Sullivan, Associate Dean for the Arnold Baker, Dr. Larissa Bishop, School of Workforce Development.

Dr. Gerald Vander Wall, and Dr. Upon accepting the award, Eve Doug Killian (2008-2009). It was Sidney said, “The Steel Water sculporiginally named the Community L to R: Chris Dobberstein, Bunny Bookwalter, Eve Sidney, Deb ture reaches thirty-three feet up into Schultz, Jean Verwys, Julie Bera. Seated: Maureen Munger.

Contributor Award, but has been the vast skyline of Grand Rapids, so officially renamed the Steel Water Award. The committee will our programs continue to reach new heights as we grow selected Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Auxiliary in the future.”

Programs to be the first recipient of this award for the outCongratulations to Grand Rapids Community College’s standing contributions they have made in the community Dental Auxiliary Program! educating dental auxiliary since 1964. The award was presented

Steel Water Award Nominations Are Being Accepted The WMDDS recently created a new award to honor an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to dentistry or the community in the five-county area of the WMDDS. Nominees must be non-dentists. The first recipient of the Steel Water Award was Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Auxiliary Program. The award was presented on January 16, 2009.

If you would like nominate an individual or group for this award, please send supporting information about your

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nominee to the WMDDS Central Office by mail to West Michigan District Dental Society, 161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 511-F, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or by email to efwmdds@aol.com (put Steel Water Award Nomination in the subject line).

Nominations are due by April 15, 2009.

WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY | WINTER ISSUE 2009

WEST MICHIGAN DENTAL SOCIETY 511-F Waters Building Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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