That’s the quote that has guided Dr. Rami Dimitri’s pursuit of excellence in dentistry. He says “I read that quote a few years back and it motivated me. The Fellowship of the Academy Of General Dentistry was the ideal route to fulfill this goal (of excellence in dentistry). Receiving such an award is an honor, as it made me join this small group of elite dentists that value their patients greatly. Broadening the scopes of knowledge and skills in all fields of general dentistry, through the large number of continuing education hours, is what gives me the capability to give the ultimate care to my patients, and achieve the clinical excellence which we are all striving for in our practices. Clinical excellence is the backbone of our performance  to create patients for life, with the support of  Pacific Dental Services (PDS).”

Last year, Dr. Rami Dimitri, DDS, FAGD, of Eastvale, CA, received not one but two fellowship awards!  Dr. Dimitri was one of the recipients of the 2011 Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).  The AGD is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public.

The Fellowship award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Dimitri completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive exam and fulfilled three years of continuous membership in the AGD. As a recipient of the Fellowship award, Dr. Dimitri joins more than 7,000 active AGD Fellows who understand that providing great smiles and good oral health for their patients are the result of going above and beyond basic requirements.

“We are proud to honor Dr. Dimitri for his commitment to the profession,” says AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD. “He has distinguished himself professionally among his peers and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to both his fellow dentists and to the members of the community.”

Dr. Dimitiri also received a Fellowship Award from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). The award is bestowed on a dental professional involved in dental implant treatment. The ICOI has a Fellowship program in which active members are encouraged to achieve Fellowship status through their efforts in education, research and actual clinical experience. The ICOI is a tax-exempt, non-profit, worldwide dental educational organization. It is dedicated to communicating scientific knowledge and improving the clinical practice of dental implantology worldwide.

Dr. Dimitri graduated from the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University in Egypt in 1984 and currently practices dentistry at   Gateway Dental Group and Orthodontics in Eastvale, California.

Starting in January 2011,  the Nevada Region issued a call to action asking our patients to donate items in exchange for discounts on treatment.  With our patient donations, we gathered enough jackets to fill the entire coat closet for CIS.  Then we asked for toys and school supplies and again our patients generously gave enough to supply CIS with months of birthday gifts for the kids and backpacks full of supplies, so they can start the school year off right. The year ended with a successful drive for toys and food for the holidays.

Our patients have been thrilled to help us with our mission to showSouthern Nevada’s students that their community is there for them. As a result, the Nevada Region and the Smile Generation were honored at the Clark CountySchool District’s Annual Recognition Breakfast along with many other companies including Stations Casinos, United Healthcare, Cox Communications and University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Regional Managers from Nevada show their award from CIS

Our region’s goal for 2011 was to become more involved with our community and make a difference.  By doing that, we developed enriched relationships within our team and with our patients.  We are looking forward to 2012 and developing more ways we can touch lives and create awareness for others to get involved in their communities. If any other regions are interested in developing programs with Communities in School, please log on to www.communtiesinschools.org to see if there is a chapter in your area.

 You can make a difference, too – donate, advocate or volunteer today!

CEREC v4.0 is the most intuitive and advanced CEREC software to date. It represents the most progressive software since the initial release of CEREC 3D nearly a decade ago. CEREC v4.0 is more than an upgrade; it is a major enhancement and redesign of the CEREC software platform which brings better performance, better working tools, and a workflow that makes using CEREC better than ever.

Here are just a few of the highlighted features to look out for with the new CEREC 4.0 Software:

• Multiple restoration designs that can be utilized in the same application.
• Enhanced tools that will allow for direct modification on the restoration.
• A workflow tool bar that allows the user to know the indicated design process.

For videos on CEREC v4.0, visit CERECdoctors.com.

About the author: Daniel Blandin is a CAD/CAM Support Specialist at PDS. This article was co-written with Andrea Lewis, Back Office Trainer, and originally appeared in PDS LIFE.

Take 560 stone tiles painted for pathway, 200 volunteers, 160 – 80 lb bags of concrete, 125 cubic yards of mulch, 28 plants and bushes, 118 patients, 8 deck benches and planters, 4 planter benches and what do you get? One incredible day building a playground for Casa Ramona Academy in San Bernardino, CA in cooperation with KaBoom! and serving the dental needs of San Bernardino, CA together with one amazing company that we all have the privilege of being a part of — Pacific Dental Services.

The project was completed as part of PDS' Braveheart Outreach Mission for 2011. It took place on a rainy Saturday, November 12th, 2011.

We also conducted a free dental clinic for the community of San Bernardino, CA. PDS-affiliated dentists including  Dr. Lance Rygg of Town Center Dental Group, Santee, CA,  Dr. Sudhakar Chokka of Imperial Dental Practice and Orthodontics in Yucaipa, CA, Dr. Matthew Darbro of Glendora Smiles of Glendora, CA,  Dr. Nikki Norton of Ranch Plaza Dental Group in Las Vegas, Nevada and Dr. Tanisha Jackson of Redlands Dental Group treated 118 patients.  The dental team performed services including x-rays, cleaning, tooth extractions and dental restorations.  It was amazing that our dentists were able to provide these treatments, including same day CEREC crown restorations, in a makeshift dental clinic which was actually an old classroom at the Casa Ramona Academy.

Pacific Dental Services debuted its Private Practice +™ model in high-tech booth number 2549. The brightly colored yellow 20 x 20 booth with its RAD Board (Real-time Alignment Deployment), which played videos introducing PDS, stood out on the ADA Expo Floor. There were also a number of PDS-affiliated owner doctors manning the booth to answer questions and share their personal insights on Pacific Dental Services.

PDS Private Practice+ Booth at the 2011 ADA in Vegas

According to Joseph Feldsien, Sr. Vice President of Professional Partnerships, one of the highlights of PDS’ participation in this year’s ADA was the party hosted by the company at the Eye Candy Lounge of the Mandalay Bay Casino. “The reason that this was such a huge hit was because it was a meeting of the who’s who in dentistry!,” said Feldsein.

The PDS Executive team including Stephen Thorne, President and Founder; Gary Tinseth, Chief Administration Officer; and Jon Thorne, Sr. Vice President of Operations, welcomed attendees who included respected dental speaker Dr. Paul Homoly, and representatives from Sirona, Henry Schein, Patterson, Proctor & Gamble, Ivoclar, 3M ESPE, Kerr, Inside Dentistry, Compendium, The Progressive Dentist, Joe Blaes of Dental Economics, Roger Levin from the Levin Group, and more.

“All these dignitaries learned again for the first time the story of PDS and Private Practice +,” said Feldsein. “They learned about our belief in Patients For Life and how proven technology affords the PDS clinician the unique advantage of modern dentistry that other large group practices just don’t have.”

Among the 300 people who attended the party was Ed Loonam, Specialty Recruiting Manager at PDS. “While on the floor at the ADA, I met some talented specialists who were very interested in working with us,” said Loonam. “It was great to speak with these doctors about PDS and learn about their goals. It was also incredibly rewarding to continue those conversations in a relaxed environment at the PDS party.”

Next year’s ADA will be in San Francisco and Joseph Feldsien says with a smile, that we should expect bigger and better things from PDS Private Practice+ “We will definitely connect again with all the people that we met at this year’s event and hope to connect with more movers and shakers in the dental industry,” said Feldsein. “And yes, we will definitely host another party.”

CHICAGO (Novemberber 3, 2011)—The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public, is pleased to announce that Cari Callaway, DDS, FAGD, of Las Vegas, Nevada, received the association’s 2011 Fellowship award during the AGD 2011 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held July 28 to 31 in San Diego, Calif.

Dr. Callaway received this year's Fellowship Award from the AGD

The Fellowship award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Callaway completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive exam and fulfilled three years of continuous membership in the AGD.

As a recipient of the Fellowship award, Dr. Callaway joins more than 6,500 active AGD Fellows who understand that providing great smiles and good oral health for their patients are the result of going above and beyond basic requirements.

“We are proud to honor Dr. Callaway for her commitment to the profession,” says AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD. “She has distinguished herself professionally among her peers and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to both her fellow dentists and to the members of the community.”

Dr. Callaway graduated from USC Dental School in 1999 and UCLA Undergrad in 1995 and currently practices dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada at Montecito Town Center Dental Group and Flamingo Smiles Dentistry. In addition to the AGD, Dr. Callaway is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. More than 772,000 persons in the United States are employed directly in the field of dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients’ oral health needs. For more information about the AGD, please visit www.agd.org.

The American Dental Association has been in existence since 1859, when it was founded by twenty six dentists representing various dental societies in the United States at a meeting held in Niagara Falls, New York. It has since grown to be the largest and oldest dental society in the world, encompassing over 157,000 members in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As listed on its website, the Association’s goal is “to be a recognized leader on oral health.”

The ADA is run by its dentist members, and managed by an elected Board of Trustees and a House of Delegates. The Board of Trustees is the administrative body of the Association, and consists of the President-elect, two Vice Presidents, the President Treasurer, the Executive Director, and 17 trustees, one from each trustee district.

The House of Delegates serves as the legislative body of the American Dental Association, and consists of 473 members. Its members represent smaller associated dental societies in the United States, federal dental agencies, and the American Student Dental Association.

There are also 11 councils in the ADA, composed of members from the 17 trustee districts. Only the best dentists in an area can be considered for the role of council member. The councils’ purpose is to research specific issues related to oral health, from which to give recommendations to the ADA on policy making or policy changing.

Headquarters for the American Dental Association are located in Chicago, with an office also in Washington, D.C. Between them, the ADA employs over 400 people. There is also a website for the ADA online, providing a variety of informational resources and services, for professionals, students, and the public. Find a dentist in your area using the website, or learn about the latest scientific research.

As a leader and authority on oral health, the ADA reviews products and informs consumers of the healthiest and safest toothpastes, toothbrushes, dental flosses, mouth rinses, and more. Oral products bearing the ADA Seal of Acceptance can be trusted by consumers to be of quality and safe.

Dr. Minh Pham of Crossing Dental Group in CA receives an award from PDS Founder Stephen Thorne.

Dr. Brad O’Neill of Cornerstar Dental Group in Colorado.

“Partnering with Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is without a doubt the perfect balance of very good businessmen partnering with excellent clinicians,” Dr. O’Neill continues: “It’s like a private practice plus! Each sharing their strengths with the other with the sum being much greater than the parts. As a result I have more freedom, not less, than at any other time in my career. More joy, more time, and more income.” Dr.O’Neill is the owner-doctor of Cornerstar Dental Group and Orthodontics in Aurora, Colorado.

When one thinks of the dental industry,the term “private practice” is generally understood as “solo” private practice where a general dentist owns the equipment, the materials, the facility (rents or owns), and is ultimately responsible for the financial success of the practice. Many dentists in dental school think about this as their ultimate career goal.
However, private practice comes with both opportunities and challenges. There is the opportunity to own your own business and directly benefit from its success.The dentist is her or his own boss and reports to those stakeholders such as the bank, the vendors, and the employees relative to the success or failure of the practice. They also are able to keep all the profits for themselves. As a result, the dentist makes all the decisions. This is both rewarding and intimidating.

The challenges related to private practice can be varied and diverse. One of the common challenges is running the business side of the dental office.Too often, many dentists have little to no training in running a business.They usually end up trusting vendor partners to help them make the best decisions related to their practice.In some cases this works out well and in others, not so well.

So what is Private Practice+ ? Private Practice+ is how dentists are branding Pacific Dental Services., as Dr. O’Neill so eloquently put it in the beginning of this post.Meanwhile, Dr. Minh Pham of Crossing Dental Group, elaborates thus: “It’s like Private Practice plus, which is the luxury of owning your own practice and having the freedom in making the right and ethical clinical decisions for the patients while still having the 50 ton corporate gorilla providing the infrastructure and management leadership running the business side of things.”Private Practice+ means that a practicing dentist can benefit from a relationship with PDS in a number of ways.First, there is ownership. PDS has over 100 dentists that have purchased equity into their affiliated practice and directly benefit from the financial performance of the office.Second, it also means that they strategically partner with a business services provider, that can help them navigate those challenging business decisions that most dentists are not prepared to make.Third, it means access to capital that supports the needs and many wants of the best private practices. It means having access to proven technology that has demonstrated to make a difference in patient care and in reducing the daily overhead costs of most offices.

PDS practices are located in some of the strongest retail centers in America. They utilize proven technology such as Schick digital X-rays, CEREC CAD/CAM technology, Sirona Lasers, QSI digital charting. Providers also work with the best materials provided by vendors such as 3M, GC, Ivoclar,Kerr, Nobel Biocare and Tulsa.

The ultimate benefits are the lifestyle and income benefits. Since the PDS owner doctor shares in the equity, they benefit as the practice is profitable. The average PDS owner makes $384K annually. This allows them the flexibility to make life choices that many private practice clinicians are not afforded.

Take it from Dr. Pham, “Basically,it’s having the best of both worlds.”

The Pacific Dental Services team will be spending the majority of its time performing extractions and some restorations in the 75-year-old village of Korah. According to We Serve Manager Kyle Guerin, “Last year Korah made such an impact on all of us that we decided to return and make this village our primary focus. These people have to travel great distances to find a dentist, if they can find one at all, and if they do find a dentist, they can’t afford it. We’ve come to try to bring a smile to the people of Korah, which is why we’ve named the trip Ethiopia Smile.” Korah was originally set up to transplant people with leprosy outside of the city.

The dental mission, Ethiopia Smile, is led by Dr. Moody Alexander, an orthodontist in Arlington, Texas. The group includes Pacific Dental-affiliated general dentists Dr. Yasmin Easley from Palmdale, Calif., and Dr. Tanisha Jackson from Redlands, California, who also participated in last year’s trip. First time participants include Dr. Christina Kraft from Oro Valley, Ariz., Dr. Jennifer DeLaPaz from La Quinta, Calif., and Dr. Nora Vinh from Tustin, Calif.

Pacific Dental Services is proud to have a team that cares about making a difference in the world we live in.