Category: news

The American Association of Women Dentists Announces New Product of the Year

Pensacola, Florida
December 6, 2017

The American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) is pleased to announce VideoText™ as the recipient of the 2017 New Product of the Year Award.

The award was presented by AAWD President Dr. Karyl Patten to Atlanta Dental Supply executives Gary Kirkus and Tom Richardson on September 23, 2017, during the 96^th Annual Conference of the AAWD held at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Florida.

Atlanta Dental Supply is the first distributor of the new technology from Dental Innovations Inc. “We are pleased to introduce this practical and effective mode of patient education,” said Tom Richardson, president of Atlanta Dental Supply.

“We are excited to bring this solution to the Dental industry and harness the engaging power of the mobile device in the operatory for the benefit of the patient and the dental team” said Michael Boerner, founder and CEO of Dental Innovations Inc., also an Atlanta based company.

The VideoText™ solution enables a patient’s own mobile phone to become an instant, chair-side educational device by simply asking the patient to text a practice-specific procedure code, instantly summoning three, short, sequenced videos describing the recommended treatment, wrapped in the dentist’s brand.

“Patient education is critical to case acceptance, but it often creates workflow bottlenecks in both time and external equipment required to cue and convey the information. The ubiquitous mobile phone now in virtually every pocket and purse materially solves that problem and makes the information portable and reviewable with no cross-contamination clean up,” said Boerner.

Boerner explained that the subscription-based VideoText™ solution is unique because it bypasses common user experience barriers, such as email addresses, passwords, usernames and App downloads, while still delivering specific, practice-customized information at the height of interest and time of need.

VideoText™ links also connect directly to Google reviews and are being integrated into automated patient text reminder systems, providing practice-branded video education in advance of patient appointments.

About Atlanta Dental Supply:

Atlanta Dental Supply is a 100-percent employee-owned, full service distributor of dental supplies, equipment, software and technology, backed by full service and support. Office design and practice management services are also available. In addition to Web ordering, Atlanta Dental offers “breeze” in-office ordering software and exceptional value on all products and services. For more information on Atlanta Dental, visit www.atlantadental.com.

About Dental Innovations:

Dental Innovations Inc. is working with leading dentists on next-generation mobile video technologies previously developed by CEO, Michael Boerner, for Fortune 500 clients.

VideoText™ is a dramatically simplified method for patient engagement and education designed to remove friction and close knowledge gaps, resulting in improved case acceptance and operational efficiencies. VideoText™ allows patients to “send themselves a text” and instantly receive procedure specific video content at the height of interest and time of need using practice-specific key words, without the use of Apps, search, logins passwords. To see the patient experience, simply text Hornbrook DI to 33733 for an instant demonstration. For more information, visit www.dentalinnovationsinc.com.

December 6, 2017
AAWD Installs New Officers For 2018
December 4, 2017

Pensacola, Florida

The American Association of Women Dentists Installs Dr. Tamara Berg as 2018 President

The American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) recently installed its new officers, including Tamara Berg, of Yukon, Oklahoma, as president of the organization. Dr. Berg has been a leader in organized dentistry for more than 20 years. Previously president-elect, Dr. Berg will serve in this role for one year. The installation of officers took place during the AAWD Annual Meeting, held September 23, 2017, in Amelia Island, Florida.

Officers who were elected during the AAWD Annual Meeting include:
- Brittany Bergeron, DDS, of Baltimore, Md., as President-Elect;
- Daphne Ferguson Young, DDS, MSPH, of Nashville, Tenn., as Vice President;
- Jodie Wing Lee, DMD, of Kansas City, Mo., as Secretary;
- Tanya Gibson, DDS, of Kansas City, Mo., as Treasurer;
- Elizabeth Ramos, DDS, MSD, of Indianapolis, Ind., as Editor; and
- Karyl Patten, DDS, MPH, JM, of Atlanta, Ga., as Immediate Past President.
The AAWD board is responsible for overseeing operations, while maintaining the commitment to the mission of the organization. Founded in 1921, AAWD is the only association that exclusively serves the needs and represents the interests of female dentists.

For more than 96 years, AAWD has supported women in dentistry. Originally a social organization, the association adapted to changing times and member concerns. After World War II, when women dentists forfeited positions held in men’s absence, AAWD guided members toward new goals, and the tradition of mentoring was born. As membership increased, AAWD became a national network for employment opportunities and scientific exchange.

Dr. Tamara Berg of Yukon, Oklahoma, who was recently installed as 2018 President of the American Association of Women Dentists.

Brittany Bergeron, DDS, of Baltimore, Md., who was recently installed as 2018 President-Elect of the American Association of Women Dentists.

Daphne Ferguson Young, DDS, and MSPH, of Nashville, Tenn., who was recently installed as 2018 Vice President of the American Association of Women Dentists.

Jodie Wing Lee, DMD, of Kansas City, Mo., who was recently installed as 2018 Secretary of the American Association of Women Dentists.

Tanya Gibson, DDS, of Kansas City, Mo., who was recently installed as 2018 Treasurer of the American Association of Women Dentists.

Elizabeth Diaz Ramos, DDS, MSD, of Indianapolis, Ind., who was recently installed as 2018 Editor of the American Association of Women Dentists.

Karyl C. Patten, DDS, MPH, JM, of Atlanta, Ga., who was recently installed as 2018 Immediate Past President of the American Association of Women Dentists.
December 4, 2017
2017 Award Winners

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The 2017 AAWD Award Winners

We are excited to announce the winners of the Colgate Research Award:

Quynh Nguyen
Ayey Mourikhorasani
Karen Ben-Elazar
Lori Donnelly
Jennifer Dolan
Chijioke Ulasi
Ritika Bansal
Nameeta Gupta
Sangita Murali
Shylon Mathew

The winner of the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award:

Dr. Maxine Feinberg

The winner of the Federal Services Award:

Capt. Renée W. Joskow, DDS, MPH, FAGD, FACD

Diplomate, American Board of Dental Public Health CAPT, USPHS

The winner of the Student Of The Year Award:

Maeve Daly

The winner of the Chapter Of The Year Award:

University of California, San Francisco

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October 16, 2017
Nominations Open for 2018 Board of Directors

The American Association of Women Dentists is calling for nominations for officers and directors to serve on the 2018 AAWD board.

The candidate must be a current AAWD member in good standing with the desire to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and policy leadership. Prior leadership experience would be beneficial, but is not a necessity. Time commitments vary by position, with a minimum of 10 hours a month in most positions. All positions must contribute uncompensated travel to national meetings.

Self-nominations are encouraged. Please complete a nomination form and send with your resume to the AAWD National Office or email to Christina Reeder at christina.reeder@internationalamc.com.

All materials must be received by than June 30, 2017.

The 2018 Slate of Officers will be announced at the 2017 Annual Conference, September 22-23 on Amelia Island, FL.

Download Nomination Form

May 14, 2017
AAWD’s Newest National Student Representatives

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Deeva Bhatt, Nova Southeastern University, College of Dental Medicine

Deeva Bhatt is in her third year at Nova Southeastern University. She is concurrently pursuing her MPH degree with a goal to help enhance her contribution to the community upon graduation.  Deeva joined AAWD during her D1 year. The following year, she served as Secretary and is currently Vice President. She loves the strong female community AAWD provides and feels it is a great resource for advice, camaraderie and ideas. Her favorite part about her local chapter is the holiday event where they raise over 900 pounds of food for the local community.  In her free time, Deeva is an avid reader, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling to new places.

Katherine Sage, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Dental Medicine

Katherine is in her third year at LECOM. She was born in Burlington, Vermont and grew up in Michigan. In 2012, Katherine graduated with a degree in Biology from Loyola University Chicago. Her first career aspirations were to manufacture synthetic organs. During her third year of undergrad, she became interested in dentistry and changed her entire career path. Katherine is passionate about women in dentistry and orthodontics. She has served on both founding organizational executive boards for the Predoctoral Orthodontics Association and the AAWD Student Chapter at LECOM. Katherine is excited and feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve as a National Student Representative. She looks forward to enriching and furthering the lives and careers of the women in AAWD. Katherine enjoys spending time with her two sisters, her “spunky” 18-month-old niece and her “sweet” nephew.

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March 31, 2017
AAWD’s Heritage- Dr. Geraldine Morrow

Dr. Geraldine Morrow

by Dr. Mary Licking

Dr. Geraldine Morrow died March 20^th at the age of 86 and as a resident of Wasilla, Alaska.¹ While Dr. Morrow accumulated many accolades during her long career as a dentist, including service to the American Dental Association in 1991-1992 as its first female president, the American Association of Women Dentists has its own memories from her years as a member of the organization. Despite the barriers that her residing in Alaska posed in getting to AAWD meetings in the lower 48 states, she and AAWD found ways to communicate.

In 1985, Dr. Morrow was the third recipient (preceded by the first recipient, the late Dr. Jane Selbe, and by Dr. Marie Nylen) of AAWD’s highest honor, the Lucy Hobbs Taylor award.

In 1990, in the campaign that would take her to presidency of the ADA, AAWD members who were savvy in the ways of downtown Boston answered her call to help at the ADA convention being held in the city that year. Dr. Morrow acknowledged the campaign support she received from AAWD by mentioning the organization by name during an interview published on youtube.com in 2015.² In that interview she noted that AAWD itself had no vote in the ADA election process. However, she remembers AAWD’s support fondly and in talking about it, quoted June Warren Lee [the late Dr. Lee was an AAWD past president and a Lucy Hobbs Taylor recipient]. Dr. Lee had indicated to Dr. Morrow that a valuable outcome of Dr. Morrow’s candidacy and term was inspiration to those dentists who desired to participate in organized dentistry on their own terms. The corporate model of having a life’s goal of doing whatever is necessary to defeat opponents aspiring to the top of an organization became passé with Dr. Morrow’s example. Dr. Morrow tended to view the promotion of the idea that there was a place in organized dentistry for dentists who wanted to put boundaries on their time and energies toward the cause of organized dentistry as worthy of her efforts. Dr. Morrow’s campaign was fueled by her passion for keeping dentistry in the private sector and having the middleman being kept at bay. In the late 1980s and early 1990s there was a view gaining prevalence that the government had the ability to run healthcare in the United States. Dr. Morrow viewed the idea of a government takeover of dentistry as being incompatible with professionalism. Prior to her campaign, Dr. Morrow had achieved notable accomplishments in Alaska keeping dentistry as a private sector endeavor. Dr. Morrow credits the ability to join together with other members of organized dentistry in working toward common goals as key to those accomplishments.

In the early 2000’s, Dr. Morrow contributed to an Annual Meeting program that was held in Chicago by a taped presentation designed for the AAWD meeting audience.

¹accessed April 10, 2017: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/first-ada-female-president-dies-at-86published March 22, 2017.

²accessed April 10, 2017: www.youtube.com, “RL509 No 38 Geraldine Morrow” on the account of UMichDent, published August 26, 2015.

February 6, 2016
AAWD at the University of Florida

AAWD at the University of Florida
President: Michelle Thomas, Class of 2017
University of Florida AAWD Women at our Annual Initiation Dinner

It has been an incredibly productive school year thus far for the ladies of the University of Florida Chapter of AAWD full of socials, community service, networking, fundraising, recognition, and travel.

Our initiation dinner was the largest it has ever been to date, resulting in the doubling of our membership for 2016. Our increase in membership has made our organization one of the strongest and most well known on the UF Dental campus and we couldn’t be more excited about our progress. Despite the increase, we are so thankful to have been able to continue working with Patterson Dental who sponsors our Pearls of Wisdom Dinner where all members were welcomed to partake in a delicious 3-course meal while learning about aspects of dentistry we don’t typically touch on in the classroom. During the dinner we were given the opportunity to pick the brain of a local woman dentist as well. This year we also worked with Patterson to begin a new upper- classman study club to further delve into topics of business, associateships, and more.

For the second year, we hosted our Girl Scout Patch program developed last year by current president, Michelle Thomas, for the local girl scouts of our area. During the program, members work with girl scouts to help them learn about proper oral hygiene, what to expect from a trip to the dentist, basic tooth anatomy, and nutrition all while earning a fun dental health patch. The program is a blast for all involved and we are excited not only to continue this in the future but to share the program with other chapters very soon.

In order to recognize the dental achievements met this year by all of our members, we started a new initiative called “milestone gifts.” We identified major milestones met each year by our members: the first operative psycho- motor for the D1s, Boards Part 1 for D2s, White Coat for D3s, and Graduation for D4s. Upon each milestone, the members are given a small gift. For example, D2s were given good luck “boards bows” – a hair bow to be worn for good luck, where as D3s were given wire hangers that spelled white coat to commemorate the achievement. As dental students, we all know the level of hard work required and believe these small tokens not only further unify us as an
organization, but keep us smiling during some of the harder times in dental school.

Finally, for the first time ever UF AAWD was able to send members to this year’s AAWD Annual Meeting which took place in Washington D.C.. We sent 4 women – Michelle Thomas, our president, Annie Siassipour, our vice president, Rosa Wu, our historian, and Gina Nicoloso, a general member. We feel so fortunate to have been welcomed not only to the student portion of the meeting but to the dental portion as well, teeming with CE and networking opportunities. We had a blast meeting student leaders from other school chapters as well as some very strong and inspiring female dentists. In addition to the AAWD events we were all able to attend some ADA CE, the New Dentist reception, and explore our Nation’s Capital. We can not thank AAWD and the University of Florida College of Dentistry enough for opening up this opportunity to us and we are looking forward to making this a long-standing tradition.

As a growing chapter, we are so excited to have been able to uphold old traditions while creating new ones along the way and can’t wait for what the second half of the school year will bring!

February 6, 2016
AAWD at the University of California San Francisco

AAWD at the University of California San Francisco
President: Lili Szabo, Class of 2017

AAWD at the University of California San Francisco had an exciting fall quarter! The chapter kicked off the quarter by attending the annual AAWD session in Washington, DC. President, Lili Szabo and Vice president, Brittany Vacura spent three days in Washington, DC. attending the AAWD student session, several CE courses and exploring the city. The board members had a great time networking with other students and AAWD members and getting to learn from other student chapters across the country.

Back in San Francisco the chapter hosted a lunch and learn for school of dentistry students. Dr. Gwen Essex, a UCSF School of Dentistry faculty member spoke at the lunch and learn about her experience being a woman in a predominantly male profession and the importance of advocating for each other. Dr. Essex shared a powerful message about collegiality and teamwork.

In October the chapter participated in an event in San Francisco that encourages middle school aged girls to pursue careers in science and math. Chapter board members lead a 70 min interactive session for attendees that taught them about what it is like to be a dentist, the role science plays in dentistry and how to pursue a career in dentistry. The girls got the opportunity to learn about tooth morphology and participate in a tooth identification game, as well as place a composite restoration in a plastic tooth. Attendees remarked that they enjoyed the session
and some of them even said that they were now interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. In December the chapter raised money by coordinating a white coat embroidery fundraiser. The chapter collected white coats and scrub tops from students and faculty to be embroidered with their names.

The chapter is planning some exciting events for the new year, including a valentines day party for members, a dinner and learn with current female faculty and an outreach event with SafeHouse San Francisco to provide the program’s residents with oral heath education. The UCSF chapter is looking forward to an active and rewarding
new year.

February 6, 2016
Introducing AAWD’s New Executive Director… Ms. Donna Deans!

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Donna is the Chief Performance Officer (CPO) and Convention Services Director of International Association Management. Donna’s expert knowledge, experience with medical manufacturers and universities, and skills as a recognized leader make her an ideal choice to implement strategic initiatives and bring more value to our organization. She is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) with experience in management, hotel contract negotiation, financial management, on-site event coordination, continuing medical education, site selection, sponsorship, enduring materials, web design and travel.

Donna has a long history in association leadership. She is an active member and Past President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Meeting Professionals International. Donna is a sought-after instructor and speaker on certification topics such as hotel contract negotiation. Her professional history includes many awards for marketing excellence. Donna holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of South Florida.

Previously, Donna served as the Director of Conferences for two large medical device manufacturers. Working directly with the CEO and CFO, she managed the Meeting Services Department with a staff of ten and a scope of work that managed over five hundred events and fifteen trade shows a year. Donna also worked in the university system for twenty years as a Senior Meeting Planner for Baylor College of Medicine and the University of South Florida, College of Medicine. She planned conferences for both physicians and nurses.

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February 6, 2016
OAWD’s Annual Winter Party

OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN DENTISTS
Submitted by Dr. Mary Martin

The OAWD met Friday evening, January 15, 2016, at the home of Dr. Sara Spurlock for their Annual Winter Party. The meeting was well attended, especially by students from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
President Jennifer Jenkins welcomed everyone, made announcements of upcoming events and highlighted the Silent Auction. Monies from this year’s Auction will be donated to Good Shepherd Ministries Dental Clinic.
Everyone had a great time and loved seeing how the house built in 1929 was transformed into a beautiful modern home while maintaining the elegant architecture of the twenties.

January 15, 2016