NEWS lessage From Our President

The best of t imes - The worst of

You buy your ticket and you take your pick. You can make a great case for e i t h e r boom times or bust.

In thirty years f reading and experiencing trends 1 private endodontic practice, I ave never seen a time like the resent for such strong opinions roclaiming either good times or ad for the future of dentistry and )r endodontics. Dentists who ave been out of school for a long me, whether in private practice, .~aching or the Federal Dental lealth Services, notice a growing iscontent among our colleagues, not in ourselves. This discontent

; not as apparent to the so-called oung dentists or recent graduates ince they don't benefit from a erspective of time, but take it om an "old t imer," it's there, erceived or not.

Nor is this feeling of discontent q~ited to dentists; indeed, physi- ians feel it even worse, if you can elieve what you read in Medical conomics or the daily press. A lirly recent article in the New York fmes writes about "Dispir i ted octors." Hassles and red tape estroy the joy of the job for many hysicians. "Younger practit ioners uit and older ones retire." The ar- t ie went on to describe the ustrations of younger doctors ith an educational loan and start- 3 investments debt load, as miserable and depressed," fight- ~g bureaucrats and demanding 3nsumers - - as well as older doc- ~rs looking over their shoulders at ~alpractice threats. Does all this sound too familiar?

1hat is behind this disappoint- lent, this despair, this discontent?

I suggest the answer is change. Change? Yes, changes in the way we treat patients, changes in the way patients treat us. Consider re- cent changes in endodontic prac- tice: Changes in referral patterns; changes in payment for services rendered; changes in the delivery of services; changes in basic en- dodontic treatment; changes in the work force; changes in profes- sional relationships; changes in dental schools . Many, many changes and even more personal and professional changes not men- tioned herein.

Change is difficult and irksome for most, but for those who can understand change and cope, great opportunit ies abound! It has been said "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sai ls." ADA President Art Dugoni is aware of the opportunities. He is quoted as saying "Today's dental students and recent graduates will be privi- ledged to develop their practice skills at a time of unprecedented opportunity - - dentistry's new golden age."

This AAE President happens to be an optimist as well. I agree with Dr. Dugoni; and if it's the golden age for dentistry, then it will be the PLATINUM AGE for endodontics and endodontists. We have a won- derful niche in dentistry and hope- fully, with a favorable acceptance of our rerecognition application, we can move forward into the Plati- num Age of endodontics with our heads up, our spirits bright, and our files filing!

To the pessimists among you, let me ask you to consider that more root canal treatments are being done than ever before. Increasing dental insurance helps to pay en- dodontic fees. Dental manpower has peaked and a shortage may

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even develop over the next 20 years. The public is more aware of endodontics and endodontists than ever before and you can bet your future on this. Once patients fully know and understand that their teeth can be saved through en- dodontics, they will never, never return to an extraction mentality. It is our job to get that message to them. Look what public education through articles in USA Today and the media has done for Oat Bran!

I'll leave you with this thought: the theme this year for the ADA An- nual Session in Hawaii is "Chal- lenge, change, and commitment." Those of you who are prepared to accept the challenge, to make the commitment to meet the change that you face in your professional lives, will prosper and your prac- tices will flourish. Those who grow tired of the constant changes and inconsistencies will watch their practices diminish and will finally "hang it up." What all of us do will pretty much depend upon our own attitudes and efforts and that, after all, is the way it ought to be!

Gerald C. Dietz Sr., DDS President

Attention Members: The AAE Central Office now has Fax capabil i t ies! Our Fax number is 312-266-9867. Also, don't forget to use the toll-free WATS line when telephoning the Central Office (1-800/USA-ENDO). Office hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday (Central Daylight Savings Time).