The Second District Dental Society of New York Serving the counties of Kings and Richmond since 1868 VOLUME 41 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 WWW.SDDSNY.ORG SDDS BULLETIN Looking for an Associate? Seeking Employment? See the SDDS Job Board on Page 15. 2024 SDDS President’s Message Dearest Colleagues, Thank you for giving me the honor to serve as your president for 2024. I do not take lightly the faith that has been entrusted to me. I consider myself a second career dentist, having been a high school teacher and a mortgage broker prior to attending dental school. My path to dentistry may not have been as direct as others, but even as a dental student I saw the value in organized dentistry. I was an active member of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA) and part of their national executive board. After graduating from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2009, I began moonlighting in private practice in New Jersey while completing my Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Lutheran Medical Center. I have worked in private practices in both New York and New Jersey, in federally qualified health centers in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and in a dental support organization in New Jersey—all while building my startup practice. I have been an attending and an associate director of the GPR program at Interfaith Medical Center. The experience of working in many types of practice models has led me to one conclusion: We are all dentists. We are experts in the maxillofacial region, not just dentition. Advocacy continues to be a passion of mine. We must come together as the experts we are instead of finding reasons to be divided. For 2024, I’d like to bridge the gap. Bridge the gap between younger and older dentists, public health and private practice dentists, and solo practitioner dentists and large group practice dentists. After all, we are all dentists. I’m excited to offer our first series of hands-on continuing 2024 SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille Upcoming Events Continued on Page 2 » FRIDAY FEB 23 Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, NY, 9 A.M.–4 P.M. Continuing Education Course #2024-02 The Dr. Meryl J. Efron Memorial Lecture: “Prosthodontics—A 40-Year-Old Retrospective: Where We Have Come from and Where We are Headed”by Louis F. DeSantis, D.D.S. FRIDAY MAR 29 Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, NY, 9 A.M.–2:30 P.M. Continuing Education Course #2024-05 “CPR and Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office” by Michael Kaliroff, Certified Instructor FRIDAY MAR 01 Live webinar via Zoom, 11 A.M.–12 P.M. Continuing Education Course #2024-03 “The Social Marketologist: Learn to Master Social Media” by Minal Sampat, B.A., R.D.H. MONDAY MAR 04 Virtual meeting via Zoom, 7 P.M. SDDS Board of Trustees Meeting THURSDAY MAR 14 Dyker Beach Golf Course, Brooklyn, NY, 6:30 P.M. SDDS March Membership Meeting: “Update on Selecting and Cementing Ceramic Restorations” by Andrew Koenigsberg, D.D.S. FRIDAY MAR 15 Dyker Beach Golf Course, Brooklyn, NY, 9 A.M.–4 P.M. Continuing Education Course #2024-04 The Dr. Irving E. Gruber Memorial Lecture: “Implants, Prosthetics, Periodontics: Combining for Synergy” by James B. Fine, D.M.D. and Frank Valdinoto, D.D.S. TUESDAY MAR 19 Max's Es-Ca, Staten Island, NY, 7 P.M. RCDS Membership Meeting: “Overview of Practice Sale and Purchase Transactions” by Robert A. Blass, D.D.S., J.D. *Advance registration is required for all events. Visit sddsny.org to register.
A Publication of the SECOND DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY 111 Fort Greene Place Brooklyn, New York 11217 Tel (718) 522–3939 Fax (718) 797–4335 STUART L. SEGELNICK, EDITOR Jeffrey M. Galler, Business Manager ASSOCIATE EDITORS Paul S. Albicocco Gabriel D. Ariola Babak Bina Alyson K. Buchalter Jacques Doueck Howard I.A. Lieb Lauro F. Medrano–Saldaña Deborah A. Pasquale Craig S. Ratner Reneida E. Reyes James J. Sconzo Paul W. Teplitsky OFFICERS President–Tricia S. Quartey-Sagaille President–Elect–Paul W. Tepliltsky Vice President–Valerie Venterina Secretary–Phyllis G. Merlino Treasurer–Cherry Libramonte BOARD OF TRUSTEES Paul S. Albicocco Alyson K. Buchalter Saad A. Butt Joann M. De Leonibus John P. Demas Michael J. Donato Jr. Theressa L. Eliscar-Hewett Raymond A. Flagiello Marc Meiselman Joseph M. Merola Mitchell D. Mindlin Charles J. Mistretta Bryan D. Pieroni Gisele F. Richard Stephanie B. Sager Sandra S. Scibetta Stuart L. Segelnick Aia Shalan Ronald Turchak Kirstin A. Wolfe OFFICE STAFF Bernard Hackett, Executive Director Stephanie Carter Shayo Farinre Christine Terrio SDDS BULLETIN Continued from Page 1 » education courses during my presidency and to support our new dentist chair, Dr. Theressa Eliscar-Hewett, to bring new and exciting content to our younger members and mid-career dentists. I know many of us are struggling with rising costs and staffing shortages. The resolutions for this will take time, but I The Bulletin is the official publication of the Second District Dental Society. It is published bimonthly, by the Journal of the Second District Dental Society, Inc. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the Second District Dental Society. Subscription rates; members, $4.50 per year; others, $5.50 per year. Material for publication must be typewritten and double–spaced and must be received six weeks prior to the month of issue. Business communications and requests for advertising rates should be directed to the Second District Dental Society, 111 Fort Greene Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 The Bulletin reserves the right to alter or reject any copy. ADVERTISING POLICY The SDDS Bulletin and website welcome advertising as an important means of keeping the dentist informed about new and better products and services for the practice of dentistry. Such advertising must be factual, dignified, tasteful, and intended to provide useful product and service information. The publication of an advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement or approval by the SDDS Bulletin and website and/or its publisher, the Second District Dental Society, of the product or service being offered in the advertisement unless the advertisement specifically includes an authorized statement that such approval or endorsement has been granted. As a matter of policy, the SDDS Bulletin and website will sell advertising space when the inclusion of advertising material does not interfere with the purpose of their publication. The SDDS Bulletin and website reserve the right to accept or reject advertising, at its sole discretion, for any product or service submitted for publication. RCDS past presidents at the RCDS membership meeting on Nov. 14, 2023, which is designated as Past Presidents night. Standing, from left to right: Drs. Raymond Flagiello, Robert Sorrentino, Sandra Scibetta, Paul Albicocco, Valerie Venterina, Lydia Lam, Edward Jastremski, Michael D’Anna and Michael Costa. Seated, from left to right: Drs. Phyllis Merlino, Howard Lieb, Vincent Frazzetto, Robert Seminara and Charles Mistretta SDDS Photo of the Month am committed to helping all my fellow dentists be as successful as they aspire to be. I am honored to follow in the few steps of my organized dentistry mentors—Drs. Reneida Reyes, Steven Gounardes, Craig Ratner and Mitchell Mindlin. I’m blessed to serve alongside our officers and board of trustees, who spend countless hours volunteering for member and non-member dentists. It was Dr. Reneida Reyes who first encouraged me to get involved. After serving on the Second District Dental Society (SDDS) New Dentist Committee, I wasn’t sure if would continue to volunteer in organized dentistry, but it was Dr. David Miller who encouraged me and told me that change happens when you have a seat at the table. The biggest of thanks to our tireless team of Mr. Bernard Hackett, Ms. Shayo Farinre, Ms. Christine Terrio and Ms. Stephanie Carter, who allow SDDS to be the successful component that we are. Let us not forget: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yours in service, Tricia Samantha Naa Kwale Quartey-Sagaille, D.M.D, F.A.G.D, O.M.T. SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille with her son, Kendrick, and her husband, Noel 2 SDDS BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 — VOLUME 41 ◊ NUMBER 1
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS! REINSTATEMENTS DR. ALEXIS FERMANIS (Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Columbia University, 2002) 142 Joralemon St Ste 6B, Brooklyn, NY 11201 DR. DANIELLE FRIDLINE (General Practice: The State University of New York: Stony Brook University, 2009) 514 49th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220 TRANSFERS DR. ZACHARY GOLDSMITH (Periodontics: New York University, 2019) 6910 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11234 Transferred from New York County Dental Society DR. JAN KHORSANDI (General Practice: Nova Southeastern University, 2003) 1874 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10304 Transferred from New York County Dental Society DR. PARTH SAVANI (General Practice: New York University, 2021) 144 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 Transferred from New York County Dental Society DR. ADAM SCHWARTZ (General Practice: Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC, 2021) 2110 Rockaway Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11236 Transferred from New York County Dental Society DR. ALAN ZHOU (Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: New York University, 2019) 22 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206 Transferred from Eight District Dental Society DR. RYAN ZUCKER (General Practice: New York University, 2021) 1 Brookdale Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11212 Transferred from New York County Dental Society Small droplets of aquamarine ocean water aggregated onto the frigid window walls of The Liberty Warehouse, pointlessly trying to gain access to the most awesome Second District Dental Society (SDDS) event of the year. Peering through the foggy glass, SDDS members, dignitaries, VIPs, friends and family could be seen packing into The Liberty Warehouse alongside the sea’s shifting coastline on Pier 41 in Brooklyn. Sunday, January 7, 2024, marked a day of celebration with 175 attendees showing their love and utmost support during the SDDS’s annual installation of officers climactic event. Inside, sparkling electrical energy danced among attendees, connecting everyone in a cheerful, upbeat and happy way, bringing a warmth across the dark wood floors stronger than the orange blaze of the room’s majestic crackling fireplace. Smiling faces full of joy shone throughout the day while becoming acquainted or reacquainted with their colleagues. Navigating a pre-luncheon cocktail, attendees toasted one another and munched on bite-sized delicacies until it was time to enter the main dining hall. Dr. Raymond Flagiello, immediate past president of the SDDS, conducted the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. SDDS Past President Dr. Reneida Reyes gave an impressive invocation blessing us and the world with a path to peace, understanding and mindfulness to the common good. Dr. Flagiello then introduced all the VIP attendees and welcomed Dr. Maria Maranga, candidate for ADA president-elect; Dr. Brendan Dowd, ADA trustee; and Dr. Anthony Cuomo, president of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) to say a few words. Dr. Maranga, who also chairs the New York State Dental Foundation (NYSDF), began by describing the NYSDF’s new mission of “improving the oral health of all New Yorkers and supporting outreach to communities in need” and their vision of being the “leading oral health champions of the vulnerable and underserved.” Dr. Maranga praised both SDDS President Dr. Tricia QuarteySagaille and former NYSDA Speaker Dr. Steven Gounardes on all their accomplishments and especially for their leadership roles, noting that “through their own ‘giving back’ to communities in need, [they] have touched the lives of many New Yorkers.” Continued on Page 4 » SDDS Annual Installation of Officers 2024 Luncheon (Tricia’s Version) by Stuart L. Segelnick, D.D.S., M.S., CDE Editor, SDDS Bulletin Editor 2024 SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille delivers her inaugural address at the SDDS installation luncheon WWW.SDDSNY.ORG 3
Dr. Brendan Dowd spoke about how organized dentistry, even at the local level, can have far reaching ramifications by highlighting how the Eighth District Dental Society’s battle with the local government to fluoridate their water supply has made national news. Dr. Dowd reported how ADA membership has decreased to about 57% which led to changes in how the ADA does business. As ADA trustee, Dr. Dowd asked anyone who has recommendations for improvements at the ADA and the over 160 programs they run to speak with him and he will forward it to the proper channels. He is also looking forward to a new system of communication that the ADA will be introducing that is more member focused. Dr. Dowd concluded by asking everyone to root for the remaining New York football team (Buffalo Bills) still in contention for winning the Super Bowl. NYSDA President Dr. Anthony Cuomo then took the stage and said that “the SDDS has always been a beacon to professional integrity and service to the community” and spoke highly about the SDDS Loan Forgiveness program. He praised SDDS Executive Director Mr. Bernard Hackett and gave some presidential advice to Dr. QuarteySagaille, particularly in forming a team of individuals comparable to herself to help achieve her goals during her presidential year. Dr. Cuomo then thanked Dr. Gounardes for all his amazing service in every aspect of dental leadership. He also acknowledged the service and contributions of NYSDA Trustee Dr. John Demas and former Trustee Dr. Mitchell Mindlin, along with Immediate Past President Dr. Flagiello. Dr. Flagiello’s farewell address commenced with congratulations to the SDDS Distinguished Service award recipient Dr. Steven Gounardes. He also pledged his support to Dr. Maria Maranga, who is running for president-elect of the ADA, and asked the audience to donate to her campaign. He spoke proudly of what was accomplished during his term in office and in the continuance of the SDDS Loan Forgiveness Program year, and the many young new Brooklyn and Staten Island dentists it has helped by giving some substantial relief to their educational debt. The SDDS has awarded $200,000 this year, and cumulatively well over a million dollars to developing dentists. He proceeded by thanking the BOT, officers and SDDS trustee to NYSDA, Dr. John Demas. Dr. Flagiello also thanked Dr. Richard Oshrain, the outgoing general chairman of the Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM), the “number one dental meeting in the United States,” along with the newly elected general chairman of the GNYDM, Dr. John Young, Jr. and GNYDM General Manager Mr. Tom Loughlin. He concluded by thanking the SDDS staff for their amazing work, wished incoming SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille all the best and gave her his full support. Leaving the best for last, Dr. Flagiello thanked his wife, Meredith, and said he loved her with all his heart. Dr. Mitchell Mindlin, past president of the SDDS and former trustee to NYSDA, was then invited up to the podium by Dr. Flagiello to take his place as installing officer. Dr. Mindlin then installed our remarkable, capable and dedicated leaders, the 2024 officers: Treasurer Dr. Cherry Libramonte, Secretary Dr. Phyllis Merlino, Vice President Dr. Valerie Venterina, President-Elect Dr. Paul Teplitsky and SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille. They were sworn in with smiling faces and resounding standing ovations. Dr. Tricia Samantha Naa Kwale Quartey-Sagaille, 144th president and first Black woman president of the SDDS, mesmerized the crowd with her presidential speech. She started off with recognition of her parents and siblings. Dr. Quartey-Sagaille’s mother is a nurse and her father is a podiatrist, both of whom emigrated to America from Ghana. Her brother, Lambert, is a physical therapist and photographer; her brother Preston has a master’s in physical therapy and is a world-renowned DJ, fine artist and barber; and her youngest brother Michael is a lawyer and former NFL agent. Dr. Quartey-Sagaille thinks her “desire to help others come from the collectivist upbringing from my African roots.” Her involvement in organized dentistry stems from her involvement during dental school, where she was vice president of the Student National Dental Association and national board member at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine), where she graduated from in 2009. Afterward, she attended an AEGD program at Lutheran Medical Center and simultaneously moonlighted as a dental hygienist, gaining knowledge in practice management from all the offices at which she worked. Some of the other jobs she held were at Federally Qualified Health Centers in Brooklyn, DSOs and in private practice. She also worked as an attending at a hospital clinic. All these experiences taught her that we as dentists “instead of finding reasons that we are different, we must unify as experts in our field and find common ground in order to adequately advocate for ourselves.” Dr. Quartey-Sagaille remembered how she opened her practice and after five years was overwhelmed with patients, but was somehow not producing enough to continue operations, so she dropped off dental insurances and now six years later has expanded her office to seven operatories and has a periodontist and endodontist working there. Expounding on her personal life, she thanked her husband, Noel, and spoke about her trials in conceiving her two-year-old son, Kendrick. She talked about having to rush “back to work after giving birth when bonding with your baby is more important” and expressed that “women should not have to feel this guilt.” Although faced with many roadblocks to her career in dentistry, Dr. QuarteySagaille credited and is thankful that “my African parents created a steadfast unwavering young lady who would be fueled by others telling me no.” Dr. Quartey-Sagaille would like to give member dentists a voice and create opportunities for volunteerism at the SDDS. She will be focusing on unity, representation and inclusion during her presidency. She then very enthusiastically described how the SDDS will institute, for the first time, a new hands-on CE course series at SDDS Headquarters, along with the help of SDDS New Dentist Committee Chair Dr. Theressa Eliscar-Hewett. With much thanks and appreciation, Dr. Quartey-Sagaille mentioned Continued from Page 3 » SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille (center) and the rest of the 2024 SDDS officers. From left to right: Dr. Cherry Libramonte (treasurer), Dr. Valerie Venterina (vice president), Dr. Phyllis Merlino (secretary) and Dr. Paul Teplitsky (president-elect) 4 SDDS BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 — VOLUME 41 ◊ NUMBER 1
Drs. Reneida Reyes, Steven Gounardes, Mitchell Mindlin and Craig Ratner for helping her along the way. She also recognized Dr. David Miller, chair of One Brooklyn Health and past NYSDA president, who appointed her to the ADA New Dentist Committee. To complete her amazing speech, Dr. Quartey-Sagaille quoted the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.” The room went wild with roaring applause for their new president. Afterward, New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes praised the SDDS for all the work we do across the state and country and the impact that we have and for the patients we serve and the communities in which we work. Senator Gounardes holds the SDDS close to his heart and considers the SDDS to be part of his extended family and always looks forward to joining our events. He then bestowed a proclamation to Dr. Quartey-Sagaille for becoming president of the SDDS and later to Dr. Richard Oshrain as outgoing chairman of the GNYDM. Dr. Quartey-Sagaille then presented Dr. Steven Gounardes with the most prestigious award given to an SDDS member, the Distinguished Service Award. She then spoke about all Dr. Gounardes has accomplished and the many people he has mentored, including herself, and revealed this is only the 16th time this award has been bestowed. Dr. Gounardes served organized dentistry for over 40 years at every level, be it local, state or national. In 1985, he attended his first SDDS board meeting thanks to the late SDDS Past President Dr. Robert Halikias, who convinced him to attend and brought him to the meeting. After seeing how great and important organized dentistry is, Dr. Gounardes gradually became more involved and his wonderous association with the SDDS culminated in his presidency in 2002. In 2007, Dr. Gounardes was elected president of NYSDA. From 2010 to 2014, he was trustee to the ADA and then from 2016 to 2023 he was NYSDA’s speaker of the House, all while also serving on many committees, chairing committees, task forces and being a delegate to both NYSDA and the ADA. Dr. Gounardes is renowned for his parliamentary knowledge and is a certified parliamentarian. During his acceptance speech, Dr. Gounardes was humbled to be part of the legendary giants of the SDDS who had previously received the award. He indicated that his words of love could not fully express his gratitude on receiving the 2024 Distinguished Service Award and today’s acknowledgement by his peers is the pinnacle of his career. He went on to say that with all he offered to organized dentistry, “the SDDS returned it a thousand-fold” supporting him on every and “any path he travelled.” Dr. Gounardes then thanked everyone at the SDDS and SDDS Executive Director Mr. Bernard Hackett along Now available in Staten Island SDDS Immediate Past President Dr. Raymond Flagiello gives his farewell address with his residents from Woodhull hospital (Dr. Gounardes is GP director) that surprised him by being present at the installation. Looking in from the audience you could spot Dr. Gounardes’ family, who were all happily teary eyed proud, as they were acknowledged by Dr. Gounardes and recognized, along with his wife Dianne, for sharing this amazing day with him. The award ceremony resumed with Dr. Quarety-Sagaille presenting awards to Dr. Sari Rosenwein and Dr. William Bongiorno for serving on the SDDS Board of Trustees. Lifetime member awards were presented to 10 SDDS members. Dr. Deborah Pasquale received an award for her service on the NYSDA Council of Dental Education and Licensure and Dr. Mitchell Mindlin received an award for his service on the NYSDA Council on Nominations. Their praiseworthy work and assistance to the SDDS did not go unnoticed. The SDDS gives our sincere gratitude and appreciation to SDDS Executive Director Mr. Bernard Hackett, along with SDDS staff Ms. Christine Terrio, Ms. Stephanie Carter and Ms. Shayo Farinre, for their incredible work in promoting and elevating the SDDS. We truly appreciate their dedication. WWW.SDDSNY.ORG 5
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Dr. Steven Gounardes Receives the SDDS Distinguished Service Award On Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, former NYSDA Speaker and Second District Dental Society (SDDS) Past President Dr. Steven Gounardes was awarded the SDDS Distinguished Service Award at the annual SDDS Installation of Officers luncheon. The SDDS Distinguished Service Award is the most prestigious recognition bestowed by the Society and is awarded to individuals with an extraordinary history of commitment and dedication to their profession and to the betterment of organized dentistry. Dr. Gounardes is the 16th recipient of this award in the Society’s 156-year history. A graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Gounardes completed both a general practice residency and fellowship at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn (now NYC Health+Hospitals/Woodhull). He serves as assistant director of the Department of Dentistry/ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Woodhull, as well as director of the general practice residency program. He also maintained a private general practice for 35 years in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, where he received the Distinguished Service Award in 2007. Dr. Gounardes has spent a significant portion of his professional career serving organized dentistry. As his children often say, for over 30 years their shared family outings and vacations often revolved around attending and participating in dental society events and conventions. Dr. Gounardes began his service to SDDS in 1993 and was elected to every position in the organization’s leadership, culminating in his term as president in 2002. He served as a member of the New York State Dental Association’s (NYSDA) board of governors from 1999 through 2004 and in 2007, he was elected president of the state association. From 2005 through 2010, and again from 2015 through 2019, he served as a delegate to the American Dental Association (ADA). Dr. Gounardes served a four-year term as trustee for the ADA from 2010 to 2014, where he served on many committees including as chair of Finance and Budget and chair of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. He most recently served as the NYSDA Speaker of the House from 2016 to 2023. Not since 2002 has there been an officer or delegate here at SDDS who hasn’t received the “Gounardes Tutorial” on how to run an effective meeting, be it as a committee chair, a state delegate, officer, trustee or SDDS president. It has made us a more prepared and effective dental society. Dr. Gounardes has been a mentor for scores of hospital residents who continue to participate in SDDS activities after graduation and he has demonstrated to all what the words “commitment to the profession” truly means. Dr. Gounardes’ commitment to service does not just extend to molars, incisors and every level of dental association involvement possible. He has spent a nearly parallel lifetime in service to his community and church. He served on the parish council of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge for thirty years, including nine as presi- dent of the community. Since 1997, Dr. Gounardes has also served on the board for Saint Basil Academy, a residence for orphaned or at-risk children in Garrison, New York, including 20 years as president. He is a professional registered parliamentarian recognized by the National Association of Parliamentarians and is a certified parliamentarian teacher by the American Institute of Parliamentarians. Dr. Gounardes and his wife Dianne have been married for 45 years and raised a family of three children—Andrew, Patricia and Gregory—in their Bay Ridge home. Andrew is a New York state senator and is no stranger to the Society, having spoken before its members on numerous occasions in his official capacity. He lives in Bay Ridge with his wife Melanie and their two sons, Evan and James. Patricia is a senior manager at NBC Universal, where she is responsible for sponsorship and licensing rights for NBC’s Olympics coverage. She lives in Norwood, Massachusetts with her husband, Alex, and their son, John. Gregory is an administrative assistant in the office of the chancellor for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In this capacity, he assists in all matters related to the clergy and parishes through the United States and is responsible for the various scholarships offered by the Archdiocese. Gregory is engaged to Andrea Giavroutas and they are planning to be wed next summer in Greece. Now that their children have grown and moved out, Dr. Gounardes and Dianne spend their days thinking of new ways to dote on their three grandchildren, which gives them the greatest joy of all. SDDS Distinguished Service Award Recipient Dr. Steven Gounardes (center) and his family. From left to right: Dr. Gounardes’ son, New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes and his wife, Melanie, with their children, James and Evan; Dr. Gounardes’ wife, Dianne; Dr. Gounardes’ grandson, John, and daughter, Patricia; Dr. Gounardes’ daughter-in-law to-be, Andrea Giavroutas, and his son, Gregory SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille presents Dr. Steven Gounardes with the SDDS Distinguished Service Award WWW.SDDSNY.ORG 7
Sepsis is Serious—Recognize the Signs by Stuart L. Segelnick, D.D.S., M.S., C.D.E., SDDS Bulletin Editor A call comes in from an emergency patient soon after you remove a hopelessly infected tooth. Her major concern is having a fever, chills and feeling downright terrible. She has no difficulty breathing or swallowing, though her mouth still feels swollen. Grace is a middle-aged woman who suffers from diabetes and recently finished chemotherapy for breast cancer. She doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol. Also, she relates getting home too late to pick up the antibiotics that were prescribed. What should she do? Grace was fortunate to have gone directly to the hospital emergency room and had a CT scan, which didn’t show anything unusual. However, sepsis was suspected and IV antibiotics were administered. Feeling much better after a night of observation, Grace went home the very next day with a prescription for oral antibiotics. Untreated or poorly managed periodontal disease, caries and endodontic and dental alveolar lesions can lead to sepsis. Case reports have been published in dental literature highlighting the morbidity and mortality of dental disease complications. Although rarely reported, post tooth extractions have also been linked to sepsis1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)2 and the Mayo Clinic3, bacterial infections are the leading cause of sepsis (viral and fungal infections have also been implicated). When these microbes overwhelm your immune system, your body fights back causing overt damage to your organs, which may progress to septic shock with the accompanying free fall in blood pressure, organ dysfunction and ultimate death. The World Health Organization (WHO) realizes the severity of sepsis and reported that in 2017, sepsis accounted for 20% of all deaths globally. In America, the CDC reports that almost two million adults develop sepsis and 350,000 “die during their hospitalization or are discharged to hospice.” A third of the people who died at the hospital had sepsis during their stay. What is even more frightening is that “among adult sepsis survivors, one in three died within a year and one in six experienced significant, long-term morbidity.”4 Higher risks of acquiring sepsis are found in older people (over 65 years) and children who are under a year old, as well as those inflicted with chronic medical problems, immunocompromised individuals, sepsis survivors and people recently hospitalized and with severe sickness. Some of the signs of sepsis include fever, chills, shivering, sweating, severe pain, fast heart rate, fatigue, hypotension, confusion and altered mental state. Tests that your patient’s physician or the hospital will perform if they are suspected of having sepsis include a physical exam, blood cultures, full blood workup, X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds to aid in making a sepsis diagnosis.5 High temperature, elevated heart and respiratory rate, and high white blood cell counts are red flags for sepsis. Sepsis is considered a medical emergency and the most important thing you can do is recognize and treat it quickly. Treatment usually includes broad spectrum IV antibiotics, IV fluids and vasopressors. Monitoring serial lactate measurements is also important. Hospitals must report cases of sepsis to the federal and state government. According to Mannan et al., “Early antimicrobial intervention is associated with surviving severe sepsis, making it critical for dentists to understand local factors leading to the crisis and the signs and symptoms of the sepsis-septic shock continuum.”6 In a paper by Sato et al., the authors stated that “When an oral infection is suspected in an elderly patient, antibiotics should be quickly administered, the patient's local and systemic state should be confirmed...If no improvement is observed, medical attention should be quickly sought.”7 Organizations such as END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton (endsepsis.org) and the Sepsis Alliance (sepsis.org) have accomplished amazing work in bringing awareness to the seriousness of sepsis. END SEPSIS has been very successful in advocating for guidelines, regulations and increasing awareness of sepsis.8 A recent New York Times article by Emily Baumgaertner9 tells how the CDC has developed new guidelines in helping recognize and reduce sepsis in hospitals. The article also highlights that, “In 2013, New York became the first state to mandate that all hospitals adopt sepsis protocols, known as “Rory’s regulations.” Rory Staunton was only 12 years old when he died from undiagnosed sepsis and his parents started a foundation and the END SEPSIS organization. With these wonderful organizations helping to eradicate sepsis, the future looks promising, so much so that even AIs are now being used to detect sepsis!10 A month after my own gall bladder removal surgery, I had already returned to my office on a lighter schedule when I started feeling very fatigued and had pain in my right back flank. After three days of decline and pushing myself through the day, I noticed that my hands had started shaking at the end of a patient examination. At that point I knew I couldn’t continue and had my receptionist cancel the rest of my appointments. Almost falling asleep at the wheel, I barely managed to drive home. Once home I made my way to bed and fell right to sleep. At 1 a.m. I awoke bathed in sweat, simultaneously yet uncontrollably shivering and feeling downright awful. I knew something was dangerously wrong. I woke my wife up and we headed to the hospital ER, where they immediately took my vitals. My blood pressure was extremely low, my heart rate was racing out of control and my temperature was burning up at 103.3 F. The diagnosis was sepsis! After a CT scan of the abdomen and blood work, I was placed on IV antibiotics. I won’t go into the horrible details of eight miserable days in the hospital and four weeks of IV antibiotics, which were delivered through a picc line (Figure 1) inserted into my arm. I thank G-d every day that I’m alive and able to go back to caring for my family, friends, staff, colleagues and patients and cherishing every moment I’m still in this beautiful world. It makes me wonder if I, as a healthcare practitioner, couldn’t make a timely diagnose Figure 1: PICC line removed after four weeks, which went from the inner arm through the brachial vein towards the heart for delivery of IV antibiotics 8 SDDS BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 — VOLUME 41 ◊ NUMBER 1
Photo Highlights from the SDDS 2024 Installation of Officers Luncheon WWW.SDDSNY.ORG 9 of my own sepsis setting in, how could the average person? Sepsis is a major life-threatening event that dentists must be aware of. Be prepared to advise your patients when sepsis is suspected to head to the hospital ER, because that timely response just might save their lives. (Editor’s note: My family and I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2024!) REFERENCES 1. Lee JJ, Hahn LJ, Kao TP, Liu CH, Cheng SJ, Cheng SL, Chang HH, Jeng JH, Kok SH. Post-tooth extraction sepsis without locoregional infection--a population-based study in Taiwan. Oral Dis. 2009 Nov;15(8):602-7. 2. Centers for Disease Control. What is Sepsis? https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/what-is-sepsis.html. Updated August 24, 2023. 3. Mayo Clinic. Sepsis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/ syc-20351214. Published February 10, 2023. 4. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/ 334216/9789240010789-eng.pdf?sequence=1 5. WebMD. Sepsis (Blood Infection): Symptoms and Treatment. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-zguides/sepsis-septicemia-blood-infection. Reviewed December 5, 2023. 6. Mannan S, Tordik PA, Martinho FC, Chilian N, Hirschberg CS. Dental Abscess to Septic Shock: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Endod. 2021 Apr;47(4):663-670. 7. Sato H, Tamanoi T, Suzuki T, Moriyama H, Abe S, Yoshida K, Kawaai H, Yamazaki S. Risk Perception of Septic Shock with Multiple Organ Failure Due to Acute Exacerbation of an Infectious Dental Disease. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2021 Apr 22;17:365-369. 8. End Sepsis. About End Sepsis. https://www. endsepsis.org/about/. Accessed December 18, 2023. 9. Baumgaertner E. C.D.C. Sets New Standards for Hospitals to Combat Sepsis. https://www.nytimes. com/2023/08/24/health/sepsis-hospitals-cdc.html. Published September 22, 2023. 10. Moor M, Bennett N, Plečko D, Horn M, Rieck B, Meinshausen N, Bühlmann P, Borgwardt K. Predicting sepsis using deep learning across international sites: a retrospective development and validation study. eClinicalMedicine Part of The Lancet. August 2023;62(102124) https:// www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/ PIIS2589-5370(23)00301-2/fulltext. Accessed December 18, 2023. SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille presents a certificate of recognition to Immediate Past President Dr. Raymond Flagiello, who is pictured with his wife, Meredith NYSDA President Dr. Anthony Cuomo addresses the audience The 2024 SDDS life members who attended the SDDS installation luncheon. From left to right: Drs. Paul Albicocco, Ralph Costagliola, Jean Fayette, Craig Ratner, Steven Schwartz and Ronald Mizrahi SDDS President Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille (in white) with her family. From left to right: Dr. QuarteySagaille's parents, Samuel and Beatrice; her husband, Noel; and her brothers, Lambert and Michael Guests dine and mingle during the packed pre-Installation cocktail hour
The GNYDM Returns for its 99th Year! Thank You for Attending the GNYDM by Jayme Spicciatie, GNYDM Program Manager The Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) thanks you for making the GNYDM the largest face-to-face dental event in the United States. At its 99th annual session, which took place from Friday, November 24, 2023 through Wednesday, December 29, 2023, the GNYDM registered 36,081 (7% increase), including 13,302 dentists (9% increase), 2,793 dental students and residents, 2,027 dental assistants and 2,320 dental hygienists from 139 countries. The GNYDM remains the largest dental convention and event in the United States. The GNYDM hopes that you took the opportunity to make new friends, renew old acquaintances and make new contacts with decision-makers and partners for your continued success. The GNYDM exhibit floor offers special discounts and giveaways. Professionals visited over 1,020 exhibit booths. It was a great week of business, learning and networking. The GNYDM education included over 265 seminars and hands-on workshops with Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Chinese programs. In addition, over 200 scientific posters displayed new research in the dental field. The GNYDM continues to include meetings for specialists: World Implant EXPO, Global Orthodontic Conference, Pediatric Dentistry Summit, Sleep Apnea Symposium, 3D Printing and Digital Dentistry Conference, Public Health Symposium, Oral Cancer Symposium, Special Care Dentistry Forum, Women Dentists Leadership Conference and the GNYDM Lab Symposium. The specialty meetings cont- inue to increase attendance and revenue for the GNYDM as they welcome world-renowned clinicians to New York City. The Nurse’s Program continued; it is a collaborative effort to train nurses about proper oral health and the importance of referring patients to dentists for yearly checkups and overall healthcare. Added to the Nurse’s Program included volunteer efforts and RAM (Remote Area Medical). The GNYDM will work closely with additional organizers to grow this program in 2024. The GNYDM Organization Committee works tirelessly to ensure the Meeting’s success throughout the year. With the leadership of 2023 General Chairman Dr. Richard Oshrain, 2023 General Chairman-Elect, Dr. John Young, Jr. and the Second District Dental Society (SDDS) chairs on the 2023 GNYDM Organization Committee, Dr. Ian Lerner, Nathalie Mohadjeri, Charles Mistretta and Saad Butt, the Meeting continued its success in 2023. Of course, additional thanks for allowing the Meeting A packed audience at a GNYDM CE seminar An attendee at work during one of the many hands-on workshops at the 2023 GNYDM A view of the 2023 GNYDM exhibit floor 10 SDDS BULLETIN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 — VOLUME 41 ◊ NUMBER 1
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