Current News

All Members Invited to Discussion on Specialty Licensure by Credentials at January Board Meeting

The FSOMS Committee on Specialty Licensure by Credentials for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in the state of Florida met on December 12th, 2011. Much preparation and discussion led to the following recommendations:

1. That we recognize the national trends and the policies of the AAOMS and the ADA. Also, that we recognize the state policies of the FDA and our sister specialty organizations.
2. That we remain neutral on the issue.
3. That we do not pursue a legislative agenda pertaining to this issue.
4. That we submit a letter to FDA and our sister specialty organizations stating our conclusions. This letter is to be signed by the president with support of the FSOMS Board.
5. This should be discussed and voted on by the FSOMS Board at the January 22 meeting in Tallahassee.
   
   All members that have an interest in this subject should plan to attend the January Board meeting. See the details on the meeting below. Please RSVP by emailing FSOMS Executive Director Hank Holderfield at hholderfield@pami.org if you plan to attend. Directions will be provided on request.

AAOMS White Paper Discusses Why, When and How to Treat Third Molars

The following news release from the AAOMS was sent to more than 5,000 print and broadcast media outlets and over 5,500 Web sites via PR Newswire:

Tragedies like the recent death of a young Maryland woman undergoing surgery to remove her wisdom teeth (third molars), while rare, serve to remind us that there is an inherent risk in every surgical procedure, just as there is a risk in postponing or refusing a necessary surgery.

Every patient who undergoes surgery is unique. Such factors as age, physical condition, family history, medications, diet and potential underlying medical conditions are all pertinent factors that may complicate the most routine surgery.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and its members do not advocate the performance of unnecessary surgical procedures, including the prophylactic or unwarranted removal of third molar teeth. We do, however, support the surgical management of erupted and impacted third molar teeth for which there is the presence of pathology or a reasonable potential that pathology may occur in relation to, or as a result of, these teeth.

The initial decision to remove third molar teeth is most often made by a general dentist, orthodontist, or family physician in consultation with the patient and/or a caregiver. Once it has been agreed that third molar surgery is likely necessary, the dentist or specialist generally refers the patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for further evaluation and to perform the procedure.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are committed to providing a Culture of Safety that encompasses all areas of their practice and each member of the clinical team. This Patient First approach is ingrained into the job performance of all surgical team members and every step of the surgical procedure from consultation, to presurgical checklists, to the administration and monitoring of anesthesia, to the surgery, and to post-surgical monitoring and care.

A White Paper on Evidence-Based Third Molar Surgery, which discusses the considerations involved in deciding why, when and how to treat third molar teeth, is available on the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Web site. The White Paper references the latest research in third molar science, including the findings of a 14-year Third Molar Clinical Trial conducted at the request of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) through the auspices of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

The White Paper states that the removal of third molar teeth is always appropriate when there is evidence of pathological changes such as periodontal disease, non-restorable decay, infections, cysts, tumors, and damage to adjacent teeth.

The paper further asserts that third molar teeth that are completely erupted and functional, painless, free of decay and without other associated pathologic conditions may not require extraction, but do require hygiene maintenance and periodic clinical and radiographic surveillance if retained.

There is also general agreement in the dental community that complications of third molar surgery may be minimized when the patient is a young adult whose third molars are not fully developed and with immature roots that have not grown to become entangled with adjacent nerves and other structures.

The AAOMS encourages patients and their families to talk to their general dentist, orthodontist or family physician to determine whether third molar surgery is indicated. If a decision is made to retain these teeth, regular dental check-ups and good dental hygiene to control or prevent periodontal disease are essential.

THE FSOMS PRESENTS THE 2011 LEBOWITZ MEMORIAL AWARD

On May 7th, 2011, the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons presented the annual “Lebowitz Award” to “the most outstanding dental student with an interest in OMS at the University of Florida.” It was presented to Dr. Benjamin T. Barbetta.

Dr. Barbetta gained his Bachelor of Science degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, in 2007. He Majored in Biology and Minored in Chemistry, and graduated Cum Laude. Dr. Barbetta is presently enrolled at the University of Florida School of Dental Medicine and will be a 2011graduate.

Research:

Dr. Barbetta’s research projects include a 2007 project on “Bovine Dentin Phosphophoryn Extraction, Systematic Purification and Investigation of its Role in Tooth Development:” An In Vitro Bovine to Human Cross-Species Study.

In 2008 he participated in a study done at the University of Florida on Akt Inhibition by RNAi Reverses P. gingivalis-induced-survival of Epithelial Cells.
This research was formally presented at the 37th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the American Association of Dental Research, Dallas, Texas, in April of 2008.

Publications:

Yao L, Jermanus C, Barbetta B, Choi C, Verbeke P, Ojcius DM, Yilmaz O.
“Porphyromonas gingivalis infection sequesters pro-apoptotic Bad through Akt in primary gingival epithelial cells.” Molecular Oral Microbiology, 2010:25(2):89-101

Externships:

1. University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Department of OMS Knoxville, TN, Oct. 10 – 17, 2009.
   
2. University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, Department of OMS, March 5 – 13, 2010.
   
3. University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Department of OMS, Pittsburgh, PA, from May 30th thru June 11, 2010.

Continuing Education:

1. The 7th Annual Soft & Hard Tissue, Oral Pathology Symposium, Orlando, FL, Feb. 26 & 27, 2010.
2. University of Florida Spring Synergy Weekend: “Composite Restoration & Caries Detection; Diagnosis and Management,” April 9, 2010.
3. Celebration of Science: Clinical & Research Poster Presentations.
   

Honors & Awards:

1. Recipient of the 2008 AADR/Johnson & Johnson Oral Health Products “Hatton Award” – Junior Category.
2. Team Captain of Clinic Care Group at UFCD – Team 7, Clinic 3A

Community Service:

1. Helped to organize and attended a one-week mission trip to Las Matas de Farfan, Dominican Republic, in 2009.
2. Scheduled the return trip to Las Matas de Farfan, in August, 2010.
3. Worked with the department of Oral Medicine at the U of F to provide free oral cancer screenings at a number of U of F events.
4. Assistant for general anesthesia for full mouth dentistry procedures on special needs children in the operating room at Shands Hospital.
5. Personally raised $6,000.00 for ASDA Mighty Molar Picnic. The proceeds went to benefit “Give Kids a Smile Day,” at the U of F College of Dentistry.
6. Volunteered at St Francis House, Gainesville – cooking for the homeless.
7. Outreach to Children – Participated in the Oak Hill 2nd grade field trip to UFCD and traveled to elementary schools in Alachua County, FL, to talk about dental health care and tobacco prevention.
8. Volunteered at the Five Points of Life Marathon, Gainesville, FL.
9. Helped train professional assistants that now work in the U of F College of Dentistry.
10. Trained Dental Assistants/Hygienists on the use of N2O & O2 sedation in dentistry – a 2-day course.
11. Volunteered at the fundraiser for the U of F College of Dentistry.
12. Provided Oral Cancer Screenings at the U of F Relay for Life event 2010.
13. Was Camp Counselor at 2010 Craniofacial Camp, sponsored by the U of F Craniofacial Center.
14. Guided group tours of the U of F College of Dentistry for prospective dental students.

Organizations:

1. Co-Founder/Treasurer of the University of Florida College of Dentistry
   Professionalism and Ethics Club.
2. Current Member of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
3. Current Member of Dental Ambassadors.
4. Current Member of Psi Omega Dental Fraternity, U of F Chapter.
5. Current Member of the Academy of Osseointegration.
6. Former Founder/President of Westminster College Pre-Dental Society, New Wilmington, PA.

Personal Interests:

Benjamin obviously enjoys Volunteerism, but also Fly Fishing, Travel, Cooking, SCUBA and Archery, but his greatest interest is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After graduation he plans to begin an integrated M.D./OMFS program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.
Benjamin’s Mom is Kimberly, She is a homemaker and teller at a local bank in Pennsylvania. His Dad is Dominick; a retired coal miner and township supervisor. Ben has a brother, Matt, who is a licensed commercial pilot and undergraduate student at Purdue University.

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Benjamin. It is impressive to see that there are still young people who understand that with the privilege of advanced education come many social responsibilities. It is obvious that you taken on these responsibilities as a part of your lifestyle – fantastic!

The members of the FSOMS wish you every success and happiness as you progress through your remaining studies to become what we expect to be a very fine fellow member of the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery! Our hats are off to you for your many impressive accomplishments! May the wind be always to your back and the path of your life very smooth!

Lawrence K. Cook,
Editor, FSOMS Newsletter