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LDAlsu school of dentistryDr. Henry GremillionDean, LSU School of DentistryI’ve had a smile on my face sincebecoming dean of the dentalschool last October. I knew I wouldbe happy to be home but I didn’tanticipate the many, many reasonsI experience on a daily basis.Some of you have asked whyI wanted to come back, especiallynow, when some of the scars andbruises from Katrina are still readilyapparent. The answer is easy: it’sthe spirit of the people and thepotential for the future of LSUSD.While it’s true that no otherschool has been through whatwe’ve been through, it’s also truethat no other school has whatwe have. The passion of ourstudents, faculty, staff and alumniinspire me. I think the commondenominator is a strongly feltsense of service and purpose.Just last week, an enthusiasticteam of dental hygiene studentsprovided screenings for adultswith disabilities living at the Magnolia School onRiver Road in New Orleans. Shortly before Christmas,a dedicated group of general practice residents andhygienists provided screenings for homeless veterans atthe New Orleans Mission.On a year-round basis we partner with Children’sHospital to provide clinical services. Pediatric clinicsat the dental school provide care to the Medicaidpopulation. Weekend community outreach events,such as the Special Olympics and Central City healthfairs, are common occurrences.During the recent Give Kids A Smile event, hundredsof school children poured into our clinics in BatonRouge, New Orleans and Alexandria. Talk abouthigh energy! They raised their hands and shouted theSmiling is a Two-Way StreetDr. Matthew Ganey screens young Abel Shields at the LSUSDclinic in New Orleans during the annual Give Kids A Smileevent. (Photo by Judy LaBorde, LSUSD)answers about the right way tobrush, floss and choose healthyfoods. Later the children werescreened and treated with sealants.There were a lot of smiles.The Give Kids A Smile eventis just seven years old and it hasgrown to be an extraordinarilysuccessful event. The idea isto devote one day to intenselyfocus on low-income children.By volunteering dental services,we not only help the child butalso put the public spotlight onthe much larger issue of access tocare. This year, 1,689 sites aroundthe country provided dental careto 458,209 low-income children.I think those statistics areimpressive. The numbers say thatcommunity service is germane tothe dental profession. As aspiringdentists, we were taught that inschool. As practicing dentists,I think it’s important to neverforget those lessons. Serving others goes to the heartof who we are as a person, the purpose of our lives,the humanitarian nature of dental care for those whocan’t afford it.If we accept that the mission of medicine is toalleviate suffering, then the next step is to help a childin pain. No dental provider can be happy that morethan 51 million school hours are lost each year todental-related illness.Even when the dental school was temporarilylocated in Baton Rouge and our future was uncertain,our students and faculty made time to volunteer theirservices for Give Kids A Smile. That’s such a goodexample of the passion and spirit that makes mehappy to be home. It also makes me especially proud20 LDA Journal
of my daughter, Lindsay, who is pursuing a pediatricresidency at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.Over the past several months, I’ve traveled aroundthe state in order to reconnect with our alumni. It’sgood to walk into a room and see people I went toschool with. I’m inspired by the stories of our alumniwhen they talk of their“Serving othersgoes to the heartof who we are asa person…”pride in the LSUSD.Many of you havestepped forwardand agreed to workas part-time facultywhich is providinga vital need as werebuild our full-time faculty. I want you to knowI appreciate you. Your teaching also provides ourstudents with priceless real-life experiences.I also want to personally invite you to attend theAnnual Alumni Reception set for April 3 at the PlimsollClub at the top of the World Trade Center in NewOrleans. This event is part of the New Orleans <strong>Dental</strong>Conference/LDA Annual Session. I think it’s importantfor us to personally reconnect.For those who play golf, I hope you’ll considerplaying in our golf tournament scheduled for April 17in Marksville.It’s been easy to smile since coming home. Seeingyou at our alumni events would give me even morereasons to be happy!Friday, April 3Alumni ReceptionPlimsoll Club, New Orleans5:00 to 7:00 p.m.Friday, April 3 & Saturday, April 4Class Reunion Dinners for the years1964, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994,1999 and 2004Friday, April 179th Annual Golf ClassicTamahka Trails Golf Club, Marksville, LAwww.paragoncasinoresort.com7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.(shotgun start at 8:00 a.m.)For more information, call (504) 941-8120or e-mail ccastr@lsuhsc.edu.Spring 2009 21
Page 1: JournalLDAJournal of the Louisiana
Page 6 and 7: LDAfrom the presidentDr. Maurice B.
Page 8: Celebrating50 and 25 YearsOF MEMBER
Page 11 and 12: It is not often that we have someth
Page 13 and 14: Ask Jim DonelonYour Commissioner of
Page 15 and 16: Attendees socializing at the Welcom
Page 17 and 18: Obviously, the enactment of water f
Page 19 and 20: THE PARAGON DIFFERENCEAfter thousan
Page 21: WHEN FACED WITH A MALPRACTICE CLAIM
Page 25 and 26: each individual receives. Also cons
Page 27 and 28: Katy Kimball, R.D.H. and Brynn Mart
Page 29 and 30: Dr. Ben Record gives an interview t
Page 31 and 32: LDAladpacDr. David KestelChair, Lou
Page 33 and 34: Dr. William K. DeJongDr. Damon J. D
Page 35 and 36: LDADr. Lynn PhilippePresident, Loui
Page 37 and 38: few of my patients had gone through
Page 39 and 40: LDAnewsNODA’S 2008 HONOR DENTISTI
Page 41 and 42: 2009 Course Schedule(All couses are
Page 43 and 44: LDS Glove ProgramSuperior exam glov

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