Alpha Omegan - Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity

Alpha Omegan
Journal of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity
Volume 107 • Number 4 | Winter 2014-15
Periodontal
Prosthesis…
25 Years in Retrospect
Renowned Educator and Clinician
Leaves Impact on Dentistry
AO European Convention
London June 10th - 14th 2015
Venue: Marriot Hotel, Regents Park, London NW3
Join us in London for the AO European Convention from June 10th 2015 for a fabulous few
days of fun, good food, and lots of hospitality in this great city.
The London Chapter is organizing a fantastic series of events including the AO flagship annual Annenberg
Lecture day featuring world renowned speakers on the Digital Age of Dentistry.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday 10th June
Friday 12th June
Registration from 3.00pm
Welcome Cocktail Party from 6.45pm - 9.30pm
Annenberg Lectures 8.30 - 5.00pm
Hosted Evening 7.00pm - 10.00pm
London members invite you into their homes
for an informal evening with dinner
Thursday 11th June
International Board Meeting 8.00am - 2.30pm
European Meeting 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Spouses/Partners Tour 9.30am - 4.00pm
Gala Dinner honouring Dr Mervyn Druian
7.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday 13th June
At leisure in London
Sunday 14th June
Farewell Brunch 10.00am - 12.00noon
If you require any additional information please contact Dr Diana Spencer: enquiries@abbeyroaddental.co.uk
All meetings and lectures are taking place at the hotel which is centrally placed in London and an ideal
jump off point to explore this great city.
HOTEL INFORMATION
London Marriot Regents Park, 128 King Henry’s Road, London NW3 3ST
Phone: 44-207-722 7711 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonrp-london-marriott-hotel-regents-park
REGISTER
NOW!
Total cost including the Annenberg Day, Spouses/Partners Tour, Gala Dinner,
Sunday Brunch and Cocktails
Cost per delegate £400.00 Sterling
Cost per partner
£250.00 Sterling
All fraters and families are welcome!
Please complete and return the registration form overleaf,
or book online at: www.alphaomegauk.co.uk
AO European Convention
London June 10th - 14th 2015
Venue: Marriot Hotel, Regents Park, London NW3
Join us in London for the AO European Convention from June 10th 2015 for a fabulous few
days of fun, good food, and lots of hospitality in this great city.
The London Chapter is organizing a fantastic series of events including the AO flagship annual Annenberg
Lecture day featuring world renowned speakers on the Digital Age of Dentistry.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday 10th June
Friday 12th June
Registration from 3.00pm
Welcome Cocktail Party from 6.45pm - 9.30pm
Annenberg Lectures 8.30 - 5.00pm
Hosted Evening 7.00pm - 10.00pm
London members invite you into their homes
for an informal evening with dinner
Thursday 11th June
International Board Meeting 8.00am - 2.30pm
European Meeting 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Spouses/Partners Tour 9.30am - 4.00pm
Gala Dinner honouring Dr Mervyn Druian
7.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday 13th June
At leisure in London
Sunday 14th June
Farewell Brunch 10.00am - 12.00noon
If you require any additional information please contact Dr Diana Spencer: enquiries@abbeyroaddental.co.uk
All meetings and lectures are taking place at the hotel which is centrally placed in London and an ideal
jump off point to explore this great city.
HOTEL INFORMATION
London Marriot Regents Park, 128 King Henry’s Road, London NW3 3ST
Phone: 44-207-722 7711 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonrp-london-marriott-hotel-regents-park
REGISTER
NOW!
Total cost including the Annenberg Day, Spouses/Partners Tour, Gala Dinner,
Sunday Brunch and Cocktails
Cost per delegate £400.00 Sterling
Cost per partner
£250.00 Sterling
All fraters and families are welcome!
Please complete and return the registration form overleaf,
or book online at: www.alphaomegauk.co.uk
De d i c at e d t o t h e s pa n i s h a n d P o rt u g e s e H o r s e
Alpha Omegan
Journal of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity
VOLUME 107 • NUMBER 4
WINTER 2014-15
Alpha Omegan
Journal of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity
Image © Wissawakorn Kana | 123rf.com
Volume 107 • Number 4 | Winter 2014-15
peRiodontal
pRosthesis…
25 yeaRs in RetRospect
Renowned educatoR and clinician
leaves impact on dentistRy
On the Cover:
This special issue of Alpha
Omegan is in memory of frater
Morton Amsterdam.
4 International President’s
feature
6 From the Desk of the
8 Periodontal Prosthesis ...
departments
Message
International Editor
25 Years in Retrospect
By Morton Amsterdam, DDS, ScD, FACD
7 From the Desk of the
Scientific Editor
In this issue of Alpha Omegan, we have republished Dr. Morton Amsterdam’s influential feature on periodontal prosthesis from 1974. A renowned educator, clinician
and frater of Alpha Omega, Amsterdam penned what has become a staple in dental
educational literature.
2
Alpha Omegan | Winter 2014-15
www.ao.org
Alpha Omegan
2014 ALPHA OMEGAN PUBLICATION STAFF
Journal of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity
International Editor-In-Chief
Alpha Omegan (ISSN 0002-6417) is owned by Alpha Omega International Dental
Fraternity. 50 West Edmonston Drive, Suite 206, Rockville, MD 20852 USA;
Tel.: 301-738-6400; Fax: 301-738-6403; E-mail: headquarters@ao.org; Website:
www.ao.org
Steven Spitz, DMD
Scientific Editor
While the editorial staff of the Alpha Omegan exercises great care to ensure accuracy,
we strongly suggest that the reader consult the manufacturer’s instructions before
using any products mentioned within the publication. The views contained in the
Alpha Omegan are those of the respective authors and not necessarily those of the
publisher, the Fraternity, the advertisers, or our affiliates.
Ronald E. Goldstein, DDS
AO Contributors
Morton Amsterdam, DDS, ScD, FACD
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Contact: Heidi Weber
Executive Director
hweber@ao.org
Phone: 877.368.6328
or 301.738.6400
Domestic U.S.: Canadian and International: $75.00
$100.00
ALPHA OMEGAN PUBLISHING OFFICE
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Editorial Board
Steve Braunstein, DDS
Barry Chapnick, DDS
Ronald Feinman, DDS
Arnold Feldman, DDS
Ronald Goldstein, DDS
Steve Kahan, DDS
Fred Margolis, DDS
Morton Rosenbluth, DDS
Roger Spott, DDS
Michael Stern, DDS
Sidney Tourial, DDS
Daniel Uditsky, DDS
Tel:770.431.0867
Toll Free: 888.303.5639
Fax: 770.432.6969
Web: www.lionhrtpub.com
President
John Llewellyn
E-mail: llewellyn@lionhrtpub.com
770.431.0867, ext. 209
Publishing Editor Brooke Schmidt
E-mail: brooke@lionhrtpub.com
770.704.5189
2014 INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
Avi Wurman, DDS
International President
David Schneider, DMD
International Treasurer
Adam Stabholz, DMD
International President Elect
Steven Spitz, DMD
International Editor
Gary Scharoff, DDS
International Secretary
Art Director
Alan Brubaker
E-mail: albrubaker@lionhrtpub.com
770.431.0867, ext. 218
Assistant Art Director
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770.431.0867, ext. 228
nline Projects/FTP Manager
O
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770.431.0867, ext. 228
Display Advertising Sales Marvin Diamond
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Office: 770.431.0867, ext. 208
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Reprints
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E-mail: kelly@lionhrtpub.com
770.431.0867, ext. 215
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Postmaster: Send address changes to:
50 West Edmonston Drive, Suite 206, Rockville, MD 20852. No part of this publication
may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process without
prior written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2015 Alpha Omega
International Dental Fraternity.
Marcy Schwartzman, DMD
Immediate Past International
President
Alpha Omegan | Winter 2014-15
3
International President’s Message
2014: A Year of Goals Met
Avi Wurman, DDS
International President
awurman@ao.org
A few of weeks ago, I was out
for breakfast with a couple of close
friends, non-dentists, who wanted
to know how I felt my year as AO
International President went. They
asked, “Was it successful? Were you
able to accomplish your goals – the
ones you set out at the beginning of
the year?”
In truth, initially I had only three
goals for 2014:
The first was to enjoy the AO
cruise, the ‘Ship’ component of the
2013 convention. I think that I can
safely say that I, along with the many
Alpha Omegans on board certainly
had a fabulous time on the cruise.
My second goal was to survive the
year – and I think I did.
And the third goal was “Shalom
Babayit” – peace in the house – not
any house – the Alpha Omega House,
the Alpha Omega family. Judging
from the recent Tel Aviv Convention,
Alpha Omega is as united, focused,
and as at peace as it has ever been.
However, I quickly found out that
no matter what your goals are at the
outset, your responses to events out of
your control can determine the shape,
message, and theme of your presidency.
While Heidi Weber and I, along with
Team Schein and Allen Finkelstein
invested a considerable amount of time
in developing the Holocaust Survivor
Oral Health Program, we also spent
a great deal of time communicating
with our members and responding to
occurrences and current affairs where
4
Alpha Omegan | Winter 2014-15
we were observers and not active
participants. Allow me to list a few
examples:
• For the first time ever, Heidi asked
me to write a relevant message
to our fraters about Purim – a
holiday that is celebrated by
wearing ridiculous costumes
and by getting so drunk that you
are not supposed to be able to
distinguish between a good guy
and a bad guy.
• She also asked me to write
messages on Yom Ha’atzmaut,
Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah and
Chanukah. She must have
mistaken me for a well-learned
Rabbi.
• Throughout our travels to about
20 chapters, a consistent highlight
was always Shabbat Dinner. We
would light Shabbat candles, recite
Kiddush, drink wine, and eat
freshly baked Challa. Sometimes
we sang songs, learned new
melodies, and often we spent the
evening just talking and getting to
know our gracious hosts.
• In Brussels and in Marseille, we
learned about the anti-Semitsm
that is growing throughout
Europe. We talked about how
Alpha Omega can help relocate
graduating French dental students
and young alumni to Israel and
Canada.
• We responded with prayer and
hope when we heard about the
three kidnapped teens who were
eventually brutally murdered by
terrorists.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
We responded with support
for the Israeli soldiers and their
families during “Operation
Protective Edge.”
When some suggested that we
change the venue for the 2014
convention, we said “no.” We
stood together with the People of
Israel and our Israeli fraters.
We had a successful inaugural
“Shabbat Over AO” program.
During the Toronto Regional
meeting we brought in a speaker
from the Centre for Israel and
Jewish Advocacy to talk to our
students about confronting
anti-Semitism in university
campuses.
We sent letters of protest along
with the Israel Dental Association
to the FDI who ignored their
normal legal procedures to allow a
vote to take place that recognized
the Palestinian Dental Association
as a full member.
We sent several letters of objection
to dental organizations that
planned meetings during the
Jewish High Holidays.
And as recognition for being the
Jewish dental fraternity that plans
to treat Holocaust survivors,
Sharon and I were honored
to represent Alpha Omega at
President and Mrs. Obama’s
Hanukkah reception at the White
House, along with hundreds of
other American Jewish leaders.
We are the dental fraternity that
proudly witnessed the donation of
a Magen David Adom Ambulance
www.ao.org
•
by our French Alpha Omega
Chapters.
And, yes our convention was
in Israel, where we had the
opportunity to visit the dental
schools that we helped create,
where we visited the Knesset,
where we had a special JNF tour
Israel’s South, and where many
of us watched and listened to a
most moving live performance on
the origin of Hatikvah – Israel’s
National Anthem.
Have you noticed any commonality
with all those highlights?
In the December 2014 issue of
the AO NOW, I wrote that during
Chanukah we are obligated to display
our lit Chanukah Candles to the public.
This requirement is called ‘Pirsum
Hanes,’ publicizing the miracle to all.
Chanukah is, therefore, the Jewish
Pride Holiday.
Alpha Omegans should be proud of
who we are and what we do. In business
they call it brand. In everyday language
it’s called identity. What is the identity
of Alpha Omega? It’s really quite simple
– it’s who we are, it’s what we do, and
it’s why we do it.
So if I had a goal for Alpha Omega
in 2014, it was to make this fraternity
proud of our identity. I thank all of
you for helping me achieve that goal.
As this is the final Alpha Omegan
for the year, I would like to take
this opportunity to commend our
International Editor Steve Spitz for
his dedicated work in producing a
quality publication that is interesting,
thought provoking, and relevant. I also
want to thank our Executive Director
Heidi Weber for her constant help
and commitment to Alpha Omega. I
would like to thank my kids, Cory and
Ilana, for their unwavering support
and enthusiasm; for their advice; and
for their patience. I hope that the true
ideals of Alpha Omega have somehow
made an impact on their lives and the
choices that they will make.
Being involved in a leadership position
in any organization is a commitment that
cannot be made without the complete
support of a life partner. Sharon has been
more than supportive; she is a leader in
her own right, and I am grateful that
we were able to represent Alpha Omega
together.
I wish Adam and Ayala a meaningful
and fulfilling year as leaders of Alpha
Omega. BeHatzlacha and LeHitraot. AO
Alpha Omegan | Winter 2014-15
5
From the Desk of the International Editor
Facing Change When it Comes
Steven Spitz, DMD
International Editor
drspitz@smileboston.com
“The times they are a changing.”
Bob Dylan characterized changes
in social and political feelings in
1960’s America with those words.
Change is good and can also be quite
scary. For example, when we have a
member of our dental team exit, we
wonder what kind of an impact that
will have on our practice, on our
team and on our patients. However,
in my experience, when we replace
that person, we often see powerful
benefits to the change. New ideas,
new systems arise, and our practice
(and sometimes our entire team)
grows as a result. This is the fourth journal of my
first year serving you as editor of
the Alpha Omegan. As I write this
editorial I think about change. Soon
we will be going to our International
Convention in Tel Aviv, where we
will be installing a fellow Israeli as
International President; we will be
starting the new Holocaust Survivors
program; and this Alpha Omega
journal will no longer be physically
printed.
I am thrilled to introduce this very
special journal edition in memory of
our frater Morton Amsterdam.
By this time you all must have
received our first electronic Alpha
Omegan. Yes, the journal is now
electronic. If you have not received
your journal in your e-mail inbox,
please contact Heidi Weber at Alpha
Omega headquarters to make sure your
e-mail is listed properly. Although you
might have concerns, I want assure you
that this change will only upgrade the
quality of the journal as well as allow it
to reach a larger audience.
With that, I am thrilled to
introduce this very special journal
edition in memory of our frater
Morton Amsterdam. It is my honor
and pleasure to bring to you a
reprint from the 1974 edition of the
Alpha Omegan: Morton Amsterdam’s
“Periodontal Prosthesis… 25 Years in
Retrospect.”
Although this piece was written
well before I even attended dental
school, I recall reading it for the first
time as a prosthodontic resident and
hearing that many other residents did
the same. I recall seeing this journal
mentioned in several lectures, by the
greatest minds in dentistry today.
Although I never met Dr. Amsterdam,
I have always considered him a
mentor and am proud to share this
once again.
I hope you enjoy re-reading this
journal on its 40th year anniversary as
much as I enjoyed re-creating it. AO
Call for News
The Alpha Omegan needs your help! Please send any news items about events or members to
AO Executive Director Heidi Weber at hweber@ao.org.
6
Alpha Omegan | Winter 2014-15
www.ao.org
From the Desk of the Scientific Editor
“Periodontal Prosthesis…
25 Years in Retrospect”
Ronald E. Goldstein, DDS
Scientific Editor
esthetics@mindspring.com
I was so privileged in my early years
as a dentist to spend weeks at a time
learning in both Walter Cohen and Mort
Amsterdam’s offices. In fact, I graduated
dental school in 1957, the same year both
Walt and Mort gave their first training
program in periodontal prosthesis at
the University of Pennsylvania. What I
learned at the feet of these two masters
of periodontal and prosthetic dentistry
would help shape my future concepts of
esthetics in dentistry.
Thus, when I was considering a topic
for my last scientific issue as editor of the
Alpha Omegan 40 years ago, I realized
that Mort had some amazing material
but had seldom published. I went to him
with the pledge to devote the entire issue
to his 25 years of spectacular results. And
it took a great deal of persuasion to get
him to finally commit to the project. He
agreed, but only if Lenny Abrams; Arnie
Weisgold; and Robert “Slick” Vanarsdall,
Jr. in addition to myself would help him
put it all together. I said at the time in my Editor’s Note
in 1974 that the monograph would be
a classic in dental literature. And I was
correct! It has been required reading in a
number of graduate programs around the
world. And now it will be possible for even
more students and dentists to get inside
the mind of one of the greatest men the
world of dentistry has ever known.
See page 8 for the reprint of Morton
Amsterdam’s classic work. AO
Dr. Morton Amsterdam
Renowned Educator and Clinician Leaves Impact on Dentistry
Morton Amsterdam, DDS, ScD, FACD,
Professor Emeritus of Periodontics and
Periodontal Prosthesis in Penn Dental
Medicine’s Department of Periodontics and an
internationally renowned dental educator and
clinician, died June 27, 2014. He was 92.
Dr. Amsterdam, who was recognized by
many as “the father of periodontal prosthesis,”
had a far-reaching impact on the fields of
periodontics and advanced restorative dentistry.
“Few individuals have so profoundly
influenced the science and practice of dental
medicine,” says Dr. Denis Kinane, Penn Dental
Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam dean. “Dr.
Amsterdam was an exceptional innovator,
clinician, and educator, who helped to establish
a legacy of leadership for Penn periodontics and
periodontal prosthesis and directly mentored
many of today’s leaders in the field. He will be
fondly remembered as an example of excellence
in clinical dentistry.”
A 1945 graduate of Penn Dental Medicine
and a 1943 alumnus of Penn’s College of Liberal
Arts, Dr. Amsterdam first joined the Penn
faculty in 1953, advancing through the ranks
to Professor of Periodontics and Periodontal
Prosthesis and serving in that position from 1967
through his retirement in 1992. Dr. Amsterdam
served as chairman of the Department of
Prosthetic Dentistry within the University of
Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine
from 1963 to 1967 and was director of Penn
Dental Medicine’s Graduate Periodontics and
Periodontal Prosthesis from 1969 through 1973.
Throughout his career, he also held academic
appointments at Temple University, Boston
University, Harvard University, and The Medical
College of Pennsylvania.
“Dr. Amsterdam’s energies as a clinician,
teacher, and leader have left an eternal mark on
the profession,” wrote Dr. D. Walter Cohen,
Professor Emeritus of Periodontics and a
colleague of Dr. Amsterdam’s during his tenure
at Penn Dental Medicine, in a 1977 tribute issue
of the Alpha Omegan.
Penn Dental Medicine paid tribute to Dr.
Amsterdam’s innumerable contributions to the
School and periodontics with the naming of the D.
Walter Cohen and Morton Amsterdam Periodontal
Clinic in his honor, dedicated in January 2008. And
in 2004, the deanship of Penn Dental Medicine
was designated the Morton Amsterdam Deanship,
endowed through a gift given by the late Hon.
Walter H. Annenberg in honor of Dr. Amsterdam,
a long-time friend of the Annenbergs. In addition,
an endowed chair in periodontal prosthesis was
established in Dr. Amsterdam’s honor at the
Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine,
Jerusalem, in 1973, where he also received the
University’s Torch of Learning Award in 1973.
Among his many other awards, Dr.
Amsterdam received an honorary Doctor of
Science from Dickinson College in 1974; the
Thomas Evans Achievement Award from the
Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society in 1980;
the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for
Distinguished Teaching from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1981; the Jerome and Dorothy
Schweitzer Research Award from The Greater
New York Academy of Prosthodontics in 1984;
an honorary Doctor of Odontology from
Goteborg University, Sweden, in 1988; and the
Penn Alumni Award of Merit in 1997. He was
also part of the International College of Dentists
Major Contributions to Dentistry in the 20th
Century Video Series for the Museum of Dental
History in 1997 and was named Laureate for
The William Thomas Green Morton National
Award for the Advancement of General
Dentistry in 2000 by the Maryland Academy
of General Dentistry. In 2003, Dr. Amsterdam
received the Master Clinician Award from the
American Academy of Periodontology. And in
September 2013, he was honored as a luminary
by Penn Dental Medicine’s Department of
Periodontics.
Dr. Amsterdam established a successful
private practice in Center City Philadelphia in
1947 and continued to maintain that throughout
his academic career.
Alpha Omegan | Winter 2014-15
7