Join HPV Alliance, Moffitt Cancer Center, and AdventHealth, for a Facebook Live event in honor of International HPV Awareness Day on Thursday, March 4th from 1-3pm EST. The virtual summit features leading researchers, oncologists, and celebrities impacted by HPV who will dispel myths, supply facts on prevention, give advice on staying healthy with HPV, share compelling stories of diagnosis, and provide empowering tips for self-advocacy.
​
 Register at www.hpvalliance.org/m4

The New York State Dental Foundation was proud to help match a veteran in need of dental care with a NYSDA dentist, who volunteered his time and expertise to restore oral health. The Foundation did this via a partnership it has established with Everyone for Veterans (E4V), a service organization which seeks to provide dental care to combat veterans (and their spouses) who are having a tough time transitioning back home.
 
E4V screens low-income veterans who were deployed to combat or imminent danger areas, and then contacts dentists to find out if they will provide comprehensive care to qualified veterans. Most states have some programs for veterans, but there may be limitations in terms of age, location or sliding scale fees that are still unaffordable. E4V hopes to complement existing programs and, in the process, increase volunteerism.
 
E4V founder Dr. Theresa Cheng, who recently was awarded the 2021 ADA Humanitarian Award for her outreach efforts, is thankful for the Foundation’s involvement. “E4V needs more dentists to help veterans in New York State,” she explains. “The Foundation’s ability to connect our veterans with NYSDA dentists for the care they need is enormously helpful, and is a win-win for everybody.”
 
NYSDF Executive Director Laura Clark Stedman notes that the Foundation Board and staff are only too happy to do whatever possible to give back to our country’s veterans: “As with NYS Veterans Smile, E4V gives dentists a manageable way to volunteer, as each participant is assigned only one veteran, who can be accommodated within the dentist’s office and schedule.”
 
The ultimate goal of E4V is to provide treatment to restore health and establish adequate function and esthetics. To volunteer, or for more information, go to https://www.everyoneforveterans.org/dentists.html
​

The NYSDA New Dentist Committee developed four new, never before produced webinars entitled “Survival Guide Series: Setting Yourself Up for Success.” The webinars will engage both members and nonmembers. They begin in February, with the final presentation in the series in May/June. Topics include wellness and mental health, financial planning, starting a practice, and marketing your practice and self. After each webinar, registrants will receive a tip sheet to add to their Survival Guide folder. Attendees should register for all four webinars to complete their survival guide. For more information please visit: ​www.nysdental.org/survivalguide 

Rescheduled for March 30, 2021 - ​Offered in partnership with Ivoclar Vivadent, Digital Workflow: Materials Selection and Cementation Protocol provides an extensive review of digital technologies, various ceramic materials and their properties, clinical selection, etc., to assist the modern practitioner to make optimum decisions for contemporary, esthetic restorations.
 
Instructor Dr. Shashikant Singhal, B.D.S., M.S., is passionate about dental materials research, and uses this enthusiasm to share his data at national and international scientific meetings. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Singhal directs education initiatives and participates in the development of new products/technologies and conducts clinical evaluations for Ivoclar Vivadent, United States. He is an editorial board member of Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, published multiple research articles, presents his research data at scientific meetings and lectures at national international venues. 

In celebration of 2021’s GKAS promotion, the New York State Dental Foundation is giving away toothbrushes on a first-come, first-serve basis to community health organizations/programs, schools, food banks, etc. The limit is one box of 144 toothbrushes, with free shipping.
 
To apply for a free box of toothbrushes, simply complete the product donation form on this link: https://www.nysdentalfoundation.org/our-programs.html and email to Laura Clark Stedman, NYSDF Executive Director. 

Continuing Education

​Some regulations restrict licensees to a certain percentage of self-study for continuing education requirements. In response to the evolving situation with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and for those licensees whose registrations are due to renew March 1, 2020 – January 1, 2022, the Department will grant an adjustment to all licensees to complete up to 100% of the continuing education as self-study, provided that it is taken from a Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject area for the specific profession.

Additionally, the Department will grant an adjustment to all licensees, regardless of registration renewal date, to utilize self-study for any coursework taken during the period from March 1, 2020 – January 1, 2022, provided that it is taken from a Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject area for the specific profession.  Coursework taken outside that timeframe must meet the continuing education requirements in each individual profession’s laws and regulations.

SED is working closely with other New York State agencies and the Governor’s Office to tackle issues relating to COVID-19. Please continue to monitor the Department’s website for updated guidance.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/COVID-19.html 

​The New York State Dental Foundation distributes thousands of dollars each year as part of its Give Kids a Smile Award (GKAS) program, which recognizes an organization’s ability to build, expand or enhance oral health education, access and/or capacity for NYS children. Special attention is given to programs that set higher standards of oral health care and quality to better meet the challenges of the future, are driving innovation and expand current capacity. We are currently accepting GKAS nominations for the 2022 funding cycle; information and applications can be found at:
​
https://www.nysdentalfoundation.org/nys-give-kids-a-smile.html

Winning nominations will receive up to $5,000 in funding and/or product/equipment donation. Deadline: 1 July 2021. 

Dr. Lawrence E. Volland, former NYSDA President (2005), has been elected to become the Treasurer of the New York State Dental Foundation, effective 2021. Dr. Volland, who has been a Foundation Trustee since 2016, succeeds Dr. Robert Doherty, who retired at the end of 2020.
 
A 1975 graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Volland has maintained a private general practice in Lockport since 1976. He has also held many academic positions, including with his alma mater. Included in a lengthy list of professional positions he has held are chair of the Empire Dental Political Action Committee as well as the NYSDA Medicaid Advisory Committee. Dr. Volland has a longtime history of involvement and held leadership positions in community organizations and foundations, including the Dale Association and the Lyman Spaulding Society.
 
According to Foundation Chair, Dr. G. Kirk Gleason, “Dr. Volland is taking office at a particularly challenging time for all nonprofits, as the effects of the pandemic will continue to resonate into the new year. But having worked with him for many years, I have every confidence that he will be able to help our Board and staff as we steward our resources into a new era.”
 
Dr. Volland’s family includes wife Judith L. Volland, children Judd, Laura, Allison, Geoffrey, and four grandchildren. 

​ Dr. Robert Doherty, who has served as Treasurer of the New York State Dental Foundation since 2012, has announced his retirement, effective 31 December 2020.
 
Dr Lawrence Volland will become the Foundation Treasurer effective 1 January 2021.
 
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Doherty challenged his colleagues to match his annual $1,000 donation challenge, which affectionately became to be known as “the Doherty Challenge.” Though characteristically jovial, with a wry wit that will be much missed, Dr. Doherty never shied away from posing hard questions, especially when it came to the question of weighing the benefits to the Foundation (in terms of growing good will and increasing support) of potential donations.
 
Prior to serving on the Foundation, Dr. Doherty served in many capacities in the tripartite, culminating in serving as NYSDA President in 2010-11. In retirement, he hopes to spend more time with his family, including his three young grandchildren on the west coast. 

To say this past year has been challenging, chaotic, maddening (well, you get the point) would be a vast understatement. However, it definitely revealed rare opportunities to be thankful.
 
On behalf of the Foundation Board of Trustees and our staff, we extend our sincere gratitude to all who have continued to push through in order to ensure that dental care is seen as an essential service, to those who worked really hard to get dental offices back up and running, and to the many who continue to support our mission to improve the oral health of all New Yorkers.
 
Our generous donors, loyal partners and volunteers continue to inspire us to do more, which we are committed to doing in 2021 and beyond. .
 
We thank you, and we wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season