In this issue . . .
...we look at the wonderful and scary world of computerization of the
School of Dentistry.
Wonderful, because of the promise that things can be done better and more
efficiently - and scary because of the feeling we all have when we move
into new unknown territory.
The incorporation of computer technology has been ongoing at the School
for some time. We have started a web page which soon will be greatly improved
with the hiring of an individual whose job it will be to develop a number
of useful features. You will be able to see for yourself beginning in
September this year. We also plan to place this journal on the Internet.
We have developed a continuing dental education program available on the
Internet. Dr. Jaime Lozada, director of the advanced education program
in implant dentistry, has developed a course entitled "Immediate
Loading of Dental Root Form Implants" You can access that at the
Internet address <www.llu.edu/llu/dentistry/cde>.
Digital radiography has been incorporated into the advanced education
programs in endodontics and implant dentistry and is expected to become
available to dental students at some point in the near future.
E-mail is, of course, available everywhere these days. I confess to be
one of the last in the School to begin using this wonderful way of communicating
with the rest of the world. If you would like to comment on any aspect
of this issue through e-mail please do so addressing it to me: <lbakland@sd.llu.edu>.
No doubt computers will increasingly become incorporated into dental education
and in dental practice resulting in changes we can hardly imagine today.
The issue of patient records being electronically stored raises the fear
of the unknown that many of us have with regards to the use of computers.
Will electronic records be accessible to too many individuals (and organizations)
which have no business looking at an individual's health record, for instance?
This is just one of many issues to be concerned about as we bravely move
into the new computer age (not to mention the worry about the Y2K bug!)
This Dentistry issue also contains other news and information about your
School that you should find interesting. The expansion project is moving
right along and should be completed by the time many of you arrive for
the 2000 Alumni-Student Convention. It is not too soon to start making
plans to attend the convention (February 10 - 13) so you can be part of
the opening ceremony of the new addition.
Leif K. Bakland, SD'63
Editor
The Alumni
President's Message
The Alumni Association's constitution reads, "The principal objective
of the Alumni Association is to mobilize the full strength of the organized
alumni in support of the education program in all its spiritual, moral,
and practical manifestations" The operating guidelines expand our
purpose, stating that the Century Club "will direct its efforts toward
raising funds to enhance the development of the life of the student and
to enrich the quality of Christian dental education at Loma Linda University.
As president of the Alumni Association, I have been meeting with president-elect
Dr. Tom Rogers and Century Club chair Dr. Dan Kunihira. We are committed
to a three-year plan that partners the Alumni Association with the School
of Dentistry in pursuing donations of major gifts. Together with our dean,
Dr. Charles Goodacre, we are currently seeking a major gifts officer to
assist in identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors for major gifts
on behalf of the School of Dentistry. This new, full-time position will
work with the Alumni Association and our School's development office.
This exciting partnership with the School of Dentistry promises to have
long-term positive effects for the students. First and foremost, I envision
qualified Christian students being able to more easily afford our dental
education programs through scholarship endowments and low-interest loans.
Other worthy projects would include facility upgrades in the students'
laboratories and classrooms, recruitment and retention of qualified faculty,
and endowed chairs.
On behalf of the Alumni Association, I ask for your thoughtful prayers
and input as we search for the right person to coordinate this new major
gifts program. If you know someone with major gifts experience, excellent
interpersonal and communication skills, self-direction, and the willingness
to travel, please let us know by contacting Kathleen Moore at (909) 558-4399.
Judith Strutz, SD'85, MSEd, PG'89
President, Dental Alumni Association
 |
|
| Judith Strutz, SD'85, MSEd, PG'89 |
The Dean's Message
Scientific Practice Promotion
For decades, dentists have used various methods of developing and enhancing
their practices. Providing quality dental care and exceptional service
in a caring environment has always been the standard. In today's era of
more educated and inquisitive patients, another manner of practice promotion
has largely been overlooked - the use of scientific knowledge. It is easy
to feel we are incorporating/applying scientific advances through the
use of new materials, devices and techniques in the treatment of patients.
While most of these new procedures are in fact based in science there
is another scientific avenue that can be most beneficial.
I would propose that dentists market their scientific knowledge and continuing
education activity. If practitioners stay abreast of current and rapidly
advancing dental knowledge, they are better equipped to provide a comprehensive
diagnosis which can greatly enhance dentist-patient communication. Patients
appreciate information about their treatment, particularly when it is
appropriately grounded in scientific knowledge. The ability to tell patients
the factors that affect clinical success (both positively and negatively)
and the complications they may encounter with a particular treatment is
an important and common aspect of medical care that is not as routinely
utilized in dentistry. Enhanced communication facilitates a patient's
understanding of their oral condition, strengthens the dentist's credibility,
and thereby promotes satisfaction which has many positive effects on a
practice.
In addition to verbal communication, there are educational and motivational
values in providing patients with personalized "take home" information
related to the treatment procedures they are contemplating or will be
receiving. If you were the patient, what would you like to be told verbally
and what would you like to receive in a written form to read, review and
more fully comprehend? Whatever that is, do it! Help your patients be
good (and appreciative) dental consumers!
Charles J. Goodacre, SD'71, MSD
Dean
 |
|
| Charles J. Goodacre, SD'71, MSD |
All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University.
All rights reserved. Revised
February 28, 2001
Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu
URL: http://www.llu.edu