The Explorer Winter 2018 Explorer Winter 2018 | Page 3

PRESIDENT’S
Unity In
Diversity
I am absolutely humbled and honored
to be serving as your President. I will do
my best to meet the challenge. Let me
take this opportunity to congratulate
Dr. Michele Frawley for a very
successful year and also thank all the
Past Presidents and leaders of our
dental society for their vision.
I am not a native Angeleno, but I have
been privileged to live and work in so
many different communities, and the
common denominator is that regardless
of where we live or work, it is our
responsibility to take care of our
community.
These are no ordinary times. The world
is much more intertwined today than it
was when I was graduating from high
school. We need to have a deep
understanding of cultures around the
world. It’s time to appreciate and
celebrate not only our similarities,
but our differences.
The options for
continuing
education are
innumerous.
There are so many
topics and formats
from which to
choose from that
offering more of the same didn’t seem
to add value to what LADS was
currently providing to you already.
While LADS will still continue to offer
convenient, local CE for our regularly
attending members, the Program
Committee wanted to address a more
pressing issue – the lack of clinical
experience among new dentists.
Dental schools do a fine job of
introducing students to direct patient
care. While the curriculums vary across
schools, the general outline is a rotation
through various clinics and hospital
settings. This exposure to all kinds of
Los Angeles Dental Society Explorer
MESSAGE
By Fariba Kalantari, DDS
It is through this unique demonstration
of unity in diversity that we can stand as
an organization.
While we have made a lot of progress,
we’re going to push hard this year to
build on the success of 2017. LADS
will continue to be a channel for
connecting members with resources–
a catalyst for our members growth
which will benefit our organizational
growth well into the future. In addition
to LADS’ usual menu of services, we are
offering a couple of new programs to
meet new dentists’ needs.
Our continuing education will include,
small-sized group study for dentists
seeking tips and tricks on common and
not-so-common clinical techniques.
We’re proud to say that our own
experienced LADS’ dentists will be
leading these group studies so you’ll be
learning from some of the best in town!
We also found out last year that you
enjoy short-form lectures. So we’re
By Teresa Chien, Executive Director
patients is a wonderful foundation for
building experience, but it is simply that
– exposure, not experience. The years
students spend in clinical study do not
compare to the years of experience of
the steadily practicing doctor. It is,
therefore, LADS objective to assist both
associates and practice owners in
training new dentists to excel in their
patient care.
This year, LADS is adding to its CE
curriculum a new format in the form of
small group, hands-on study, targeted
toward young dentists but open to
anyone wanting to hone their clinical
going to include some of these kinds of
lectures again, one of which will be
focused on the business side of dentistry.
In one evening, you’ll learn about
updates in labor law, things you should
be aware of as a tenant, payments
management and more.
Finally, I’m very excited to be including
milestone recognition into our
membership appreciation services! As
those who attended my installation will
know by now, I celebrated a milestone
myself that evening with my 50th
birthday. These marks of achievement
are signs of our progress and I look
forward to acknowledging and thanking
you for your years of service in
organized dentistry. Keep an eye out in
your mail for a little surprise this year!
Once again, it's a true privilege to be
leading our Society through the
strength of unity in our diversity.
I look forw ard to meeting you at our
upcoming events. 䡲
techniques. Taught by our own
experienced LADS members, each
group study will cover tips and tricks on
how to complete common procedures
more effectively, quickly and safely.
Depending on the procedure, models
may be available for practice as well.
In its initial year, LADS plans to host
four group studies. However, if demand
calls for more, we will certainly attempt
to add more topics and groups. So don’t
be shy! If there is something you want
to learn, let us know.
We all know the adage “practice makes
perfect.” LADS wants to give its
member every opportunity to be the
best dentist they want to be. If you think
your fillings, bridges, extractions, etc.
could be better or faster, check out a
couple of our group studies this year.
One slight change in your wrist
positioning could wholly change your
patient care! 䡲