Greetings From the Editor

Hello everyone,

I wish you the happiest of holidays! I hope that your Thanksgiving was wonderful and delicious, that December brings you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, and that January rings in a bright and festive 2009!

Staying Connected
2009 will introduce some exciting online opportunities. The AAE Live Learning Center debuted at the 2008 Annual Session and takes session recordings to the next level. Users will be able to view more than 150 hours of 2009 Annual Session course content online, captured in real-time and posted as multimedia files with synchronized slides, audio and video, handouts and much more. You can download MP3 files for portable listening as well!

In addition, users will be able to earn CE credit for the courses of their choice by taking a computerized quiz, making this an ideal opportunity for those who did not attend the meeting or missed valuable sessions on site. A special discounted price of $199 is available for purchases made before April 17 (a savings of $100)! Visit the AAE Live Learning Center at www.aae.org/livelearningcenter to preview the online sessions today, or buy them with your online meeting registration.

This past summer, an online study guide was posted on the Journal of Endodontics Web site as a free resource for AAE members going through the Board certification process. We are sure that many residents as well as new practitioners who are on the Board-track will be interested in accessing this important information.

I'd also like to remind everyone of the great Resident and New Practitioner Discussion Forum—a FREE valuable resource that is part of your Association membership. Please post your ideas, cases, questions and concerns. We're listening!

Stepping Up
Recently, I received an e-mail asking, “How do I get involved in the AAE?” I'd like to share a few of the ways YOU can participate locally or nationally:

Resident Network Representatives
If you are a resident, ask your program director to appoint YOU as the next resident representative at your institution. To see who is currently listed as your school's representative, visit the Resident and New Practitioner Web site. All program directors are invited annually to appoint a representative to the network.

The Network is designed to involve you in Association activities and to help the AAE identify how to meet its newest members' needs. Coordination and oversight of this group is provided by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee. Each committee member serves as liaison to several postgraduate programs. The representative's responsibility is to share information about their program with the committee liaison and take back information about AAE activities and initiatives to their fellow residents. If a committee member hasn't contacted your program's resident representative yet, please send a message to your liaison or me via e-mail.

The Network gives residents and their institutions a significant voice and presence in the life of the Association. Currently, the Network assists in distributing information about:

• APICES
• Annual Session programs and activities specific to residents and new practitioners
• Messages to and from the committee on behalf of fellow residents in your program

New Practitioner Representatives
The committee also hopes to involve more new practitioners (members who have been in practice five years or less). We are looking for eager and enthusiastic alumni who are still involved with their institutions. If you served as a resident representative and are willing to continue as your institution's new practitioner representative, please feel free to e-mail us. We would like to hear from you about running a business, getting referrals, and dealing appropriately with patients, colleagues, staff or referring dentists.

Engage. Energize. Educate.
Attending the 2009 Annual Session in Orlando, Fla., is one of the best ways to meet colleagues and socialize. The Resident and New Practitioner Committee will host a Career Fair on Friday, May 1, 2009, which will be immediately followed by the Resident Reception where refreshments and lots of fun activities like bocce and mini golf will be available.

AAE Committees
In closing, each year the AAE president-elect requests nominations for members willing to serve on AAE committees. If you would like to volunteer, nominate yourself and/or ask others to nominate you. Committee service is a great way to learn about organized dentistry and be involved on the local and national level. Contact Trina Andresen, governance and leadership affairs manager, at tandresen@aae.org,with any questions.

Sincerely,

Judy D. McIntyre, D.M.D., M.S.

‘Tis the Season
By Kimberly A.D. Lindquist, D.D.S.

With the holidays around the corner, the season of giving is once again upon us. Like most specialty practices, the vast majority of our patients come from a referral base of general dentists and other dental specialists. The holidays are an appropriate time to show your appreciation to these colleagues for their generous business.

The Power of Giving
I am not the most creative person, so I ask my office administrator (and loving husband) to develop ideas for the festivities. We keep a record of what we gave and to whom in past years to avoid duplication.

My first holiday gifts were drug books from Lexi-Comp, Inc., with my practice information attractively placed on the front cover along with treats for the referrer's office staff. This a lesson for endodontic residents and new graduates—do not underestimate the power of including staff in your giving. When I practiced general dentistry, one of the endodontists we worked with lavished my employees with many gifts for holidays, birthdays and “just because.” When one of my patients left with a stack of referral slips for local endodontists, guess who my staff steered the patient to? That's right, the generous endodontist who kept them happy. The gifts you select do not need to be expensive; think about what your staff members would enjoy. It is truly the “thought that counts.”

Selecting the Perfect Gift
I try to tailor my holiday gifts to each office and doctor. If the office is large, then the gift should include enough goodies for everyone. Modify your choice to be appropriate for the size of the group. Generosity is important, but over-gifting can be in bad taste and make for an uncomfortable situation. Once, we sent a tray full of sandwiches to an office consisting of one doctor and two staff members. The point is, know the composition of your referring doctor's office. You want to thank them for letting you become part of their dental team.

There are resources available to help you develop a plan. I like to give gifts as a symbol of appreciation and gratitude versus for purposes of promoting my practice, although a little extra marketing never hurts! In my office, we loosely follow an “A - F” grade referral designation as a way to decide what gifts to send the referring doctor and staff. A great referrer who sends us all of their endodontic cases, even the easy ones get an “A” rating. Those who send us one case per year and there is a separated instrument in the tooth receive a “F.” We look at the number of patient referrals in a calendar year and decide which gifts to give them based on those numbers. It usually boils down to dollars, i.e., we spend more on those who send us the most patients.

Gifts can span the spectrum of candy treats to gift certificates or even event tickets—creativity is a bonus. Again, know your referrers; a ticket to a hockey game can raise a smile with one and produce a shoulder shrug from another. Think of what you would like if the situation was reversed. As for their staff members, chocolates, goodies or other small gifts say “I appreciate you” quite well.

Also, keep spouses in mind as you socialize with your referrers during this holiday season. It is likely the most important person in their life has some influence over matters, even if they are not involved with the practice. You should try to avoid gifts or cards with a religious affiliation. If your sentiment offends someone, your effort is void.

Finally, have fun! Referring offices love gifts, both big and small. Allow enough time to talk a little with the referrers when delivering your gifts. This is another way to personally thank them for their confidence in you, continued referrals and for making you a part of their dental team.

Happy holidays from all of us on the AAE Resident and New Practitioner Committee!

The Economy: Has the Stock Market Influenced Your Root Canals?
By David T. Holden, D.M.D.

When I decided to specialize in endodontics, I made a comprehensive list of items I felt were important in deciding which specialty would be right for me. The list included questions such as:

• What do I enjoy doing?
• What fits my personality?
• What specialty will continue to fare well if the economy was to take a downward turn?

I was confident people would continue to choose to have root canals over some other procedure—pain relief is a good motivator.

So was I right? The economy isn't exactly doing well. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has yo-yoed up and down hundreds of points over the last several months. “Bail-out” has become the latest catch-phrase and it was confirmed earlier this month that the United States has been in a recession since December 2007. It seems that now would be the time to prove my theory.

Whenever I speak to my local dental colleagues, I ask them how their business is going. The responses have been very similar. A friend of mine says her general dentistry practice has slowed so much that she has begun consolidating her patients into two days a week. An orthodontist reported he has seen a significant drop in the number of new cases in the last several months. An oral surgeon noted the number of sedation cases in his office has dropped from eight-to-10 a day to one.

The economic situation has also affected my office, although its impact has not been as significant as my colleagues. In my practice of four endodontists, we sometimes have patients scheduled only one day out. Prior to the economic down-turn, we were scheduling patients about one week out. However, it is still rare that a day begins without all of the available appointments times filled. We have not had to take any drastic measures such as reducing office hours.

Endodontics seems to be weathering the current economic circumstances fairly well. I do recognize things can still change, but I remain optimistic for the future. I also realize the economic impact felt by other endodontists may be influenced by where they live. In El Paso, Texas, where I practice, the area has been resistant to many of the hardships felt by other areas of the country.

I am interested in hearing about your experiences. Please post your comments on the Resident and New Practitioner Discussion Forum.

Until then, happy drilling!

Sights and Adventures Abound at the 2009
Annual Session
By April L. Alford, D.D.S.

The 2009 AAE Annual Session will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center April 29 – May 2, in the heart of Florida just outside of Orlando. The Gaylord Palms Resort is conveniently joined to a convention center making it very easy to get from your hotel room to the exhibits and sessions. The resort features three themed areas representing popular destinations within the large state of Florida. You can experience the tropics of Key West, the mystique of the Everglades and the old-world charm of St. Augustine underneath the resort's beautiful atrium.

If exploring the hotel isn't enough to keep you occupied, there are seemingly endless options for recreation and entertainment. It wouldn't be Florida without world-class golf opportunities nearby! Falcon's Fire Golf Club is a 72-par, 18-hole course consisting of 6,900 yards of the area's best terrain. If relaxation is more your style, visit the full-service Mobil Four Star-winning Canyon Ranch SpaClub^® or lounge at the adults-only luxury South Beach Pool. Oh, and there's always shopping at the Gaylord Palms Resort Shops!

The Annual Session is particularly family-friendly this year. While you are attending the excellent educational sessions, your kids can go to LaPetite Academy Kid's Station, which is like a children's resort within the resort. Children three to 14 years old can spend a few hours or the whole day creating and constructing in a safe and secure environment. The resort's Coquina Dunes Recreation Park and Clearwater Cove have water fun and games, which include bocce ball, croquet, sand volleyball, a putting course, and a family pool and waterslide for everyone to enjoy.

After all of these activities you will have definitely worked up an appetite, but don't worry, you won't go hungry. If you like sushi, try Sora Sushi Bar, or if you want your seafood cooked, dine at Sunset Sam's Fish Camp. Both restaurants are located at the resort, which also houses a steak house, sports bar and even a piano bar. In short, there's something for everyone. More information is available on the Gaylord Palms Resort Web site.

If you do wish to venture outside of the resort, several theme parks are within 10 minutes of the property. Your options include Walt Disney World and Epcot^® Center, SeaWorld^® Adventure Parks, and Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure. There are also many other fun and interesting sites to see such as the Kennedy Space Center, Gatorland and the village of Winter Park. Optional tour excursions and discounted theme park tickets are available to Annual Session participants through Convention Planning Services, Inc.

You can also visit the official Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site to find even more things to do in the area.

Hope to see you in Florida!

APICES 2009—Residents Will be “Sleepless
in Seattle”
By Brian P. Chuang, D.M.D.

APICES 2009 will be hosted by the University
of Washington in the breathtaking city of Seattle.

Residents at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., are sleeplessly working to organize APICES 2009, an event that will take your breath away next August 7 – 9!

In addition to developing a comprehensive list of speakers for the educational program, the planning committee is considering a more causal approach to the event. An outdoor barbeque is scheduled for Friday night to break the ice and allow residents from various programs to mingle with each other as they arrive. The main social event on Saturday night will be held at the Space Needle—the city's most famous local landmark!

Seattle is a city with plenty to offer. Strolling along Alki Beach Park, overdosing on caffeine from the many coffeehouses and indulging in truly fresh seafood at Pike Place Market are just some options visitors can expect and enjoy. For the more adventurous souls, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and The Museum of Flight offer an adrenaline rush. Beautiful surroundings at Gas Works Park and Washington Park Arboretum, along with impressive views from the Seattle Harbor Cruises are some other great venues to experience before or after the symposium.

There is no fee for this educational program and lodging is provided in the university's dormitories. Residents are only responsible for travel expenses and, in recognition of the current economic climate, the AAE Foundation is offering a special travel reimbursement of $100 to each resident.

The Resident and New Practitioners Web site and future issues of The Paper Point will keep you posted as more details are finalized and registration information becomes available. Stay tuned!

UBC Establishes new Advanced Specialty
Program in Endodontics
By Drew R. Brueckner, D.M.D.

In September 2008, the University of British Columbia Division of Endodontics and Dental Hygiene opened its doors to three endodontic graduate residents in the beautiful city of Vancouver. Endodontic leaders at UBC, including Dr. Jeffrey M. Coil, interim program director, and Drs. Markus Haapasalo and Ya Shen are the foundation of the program.

Residents who complete the three-year program earn a certificate of endodontics and a master of dental science degree in dentistry. There has been an increase in the applicant pool for the 2009 class, and the local endodontic community has also been very supportive by contributing their time to the residents.

The new program was recently featured in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. The University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has the only other graduate endodontic program in the country.

Visit the UBC Web site to learn more about the program. The AAE Resident & New Practitioner Committee wishes the university a bright and successful future in advanced endodontic education.

Public Awareness Campaign Resources Help Build Your Practice
By Dan Aske, AAE Public Relations Coordinator

Since 2005, the AAE public awareness campaign, Endodontists: the root canal specialists, has had a litany of successes in targeting its core audiences with messaging promoting the specialty. Consumers have learned in leading nationwide publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, LA Times and many others, the benefits of saving natural teeth and how endodontists are uniquely trained to provide virtually pain-free endodontic treatment.

However, did you know that the campaign also has free resources for you to conduct marketing outreach in your community? The Community Outreach Tool Kit was distributed to all Active, Educator and Life members in March 2005 to supplement the Association's work at the local level. Logos, customizable advertisements, press releases and other templates, together with detailed advice and suggestions for easy-to-implement promotional activities are included in the kit and allow members to “fill in the gaps” of the AAE's national outreach. A bonus to these activities is getting your name and practice out to your community and local referring dentists.

“Promoting yourself and trying to grow a practice in a difficult economy can be a daunting task for new and experienced endodontists,” said Matthew V. Lindemann, 2007 Ohio State University endodontic graduate and member of the AAE Public and Professional Affairs Committee. “The beauty of the Tool Kit is that it gives you many of the necessary materials to build a practice and promote the specialty.”

One activity suggested in the kit is to send a letter introducing yourself to general dentists in your area. The letter template introduces the public awareness campaign and explains how you can work together on providing the highest quality of patient care. The template allows you to insert your contact information and can be customized with any personal note you wish to provide.

To download all or parts of the Tool Kit or to learn how you can become more involved in the AAE public awareness campaign, log in to the members-only campaign Web pages or contact me at daske@aae.org.

Where in the World Have You Taken Your JOE?

As endodontic residents and new practitioners, we work hard, but we also play hard. That's why it's important to multi-task.

	Dr. David C. Funderburk, Resident and New Practitioner Committee Board liaison used his downtime while snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands to catch up on articles in the Journal of Endodontics.
	Dr. Judy D. McIntyre makes sure her son, Patrick, is up-to-date on the latest news and research in the JOE. It's never too early for endodontics!

Can you top that? Send us your best shot. Tell us, where in the world you have taken your JOE. The committee will judge all entries and award an AAE travel mug as the first place prize for the most creative entry. All submissions must include background information and details of who, when, what and where are represented in the photo. The image cannot be altered and/or edited in any way.

The photo and description must be submitted to residents@aae.org by February 14, 2009 to be considered for the prize.

Put Your Program in the Spotlight

Have any recent exciting events or activities happening in your program? The Resident and New Practitioner Committee is looking for fun news, such as groundbreaking research or famous alumni to include in the next issue of The Paper Point.

Please direct all questions or send any news items to Suzanne Riger, AAE development coordinator, at sriger@aae.org.