Dear Fellow SAID Members,

President’s message

Dear SAID members and website visitors.

It is with a great deal of pride, and I hope humility, I again serve as the president of SAID (Special Care Advocates in Dentistry) formerly called the Southern Association of Institutional Dentists. We have recently changed our name and logo to more accurately represent what we really have become. We are no longer just from the south witness the current president (Me) coming from Illinois via New York. Recent past presidents have come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire and even Kentucky. Our members no longer only work in Institutional settings. They serve patients in many different settings. And our members are not only dentists, but are assistants, hygienists, and in the corporate world. Our focus remains providing excellent oral health care to patients who are cognitively, physically or psychiatrically impaired in any of the myriads of settings in which they live, government clinics or in private offices.

I would like to urge members and visitors to explore our web site. We have for many years published our modules that contain useful information for any clinician treating individuals with disabilities. Our annual literature review highlight recent publications of interest to all involved in this difficult field.

Our next meeting is scheduled for November 2-4, 2011, and for the first time we will be meeting in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Galt House in Louisville to be exact. Our immediate past-president Bob Henry has worked very hard to put together a wonderful meeting. The theme of the meeting will be “Update in Diagnostic Evaluation, Medical Risk and Oral Medicine. As usual we will do our annual literature review session and have a session of Pearls where our members can share tips, problems, cases, new products, old products, or anything else you feel may benefit others. I would like to make this session more interactive so feel free to bring issues or questions that may benefit from the collective expertise always found in our attendees. I have always felt that the SAID meeting provides not only a wonderful educational program, but almost more important the opportunity to get together with colleagues doing similar work in our specialized field. Remember the President hosts the party on Wednesday evening. Bring your small door prize gift and party with me. For more information take a look at our page Labeled ‘Next Meeting’.,

Our executive committee met last week in Raleigh to discuss issues and the future of our organization. Like many similar organizations we have problems with size and our ‘all volunteer’ status. I know many of you reading this message have served the group in any number of capacities but honestly SAID will need many of you to again step up and assist it so our organization can continue to exist and grow. If you haven’t served yet now may be the time. You can expect to hear from our vice-president Bill Milner or myself asking for your assistance in the near future. Of course you can beat us to it and volunteer!!

I would like to encourage ALL members and potential members, guests and friends to join us in Louisville for this wonderful meeting. I understand the hotel is beautiful and historic and Louisville is a unique and worthy destination. Bob says come for the meeting and take a vacation.

. I am confident you cannot find a meeting with better continuing education and wonderful colleagues for such a reasonable price.

I hope to see everyone who reads this message In Kentucky!!

David

David Itzkoff , DDS, FADPD, DABSCD

President, SAID