A LITTLE HELP
With Thinking Things Through

A review of all the Web-sited ProsStars Newsletters is an easy matter. On our home page just link in the first line Archived Issues, and there in all of their glory you will find the nine webbed articles in their full content. For some quiet evening thought or some dandy reference content you will find some help with “thinking prosthodontic issues through.”

Using the previous version of the newsletter, the subscribed paper version, for the same purposes becomes somewhat more difficult, but it certainly is not impossible. The paper version was in publication for ten years, 1995 through 2004; and within, there were 35 varied subjects that will continue to remain part of the scholarly prosthodontic landscape. For your review here is one half of them with a number, a title, and a brief summary of each: [ordering information follows]

Part I. 1995 through 1999

Vol 1, No 1 April 1995. Beginnings
Sets forth the purpose of the newsletter, the founding of its name, and cements the reasons why trained prosthodontists are a unique and remarkable group.

Vol 1, No 2 July 1995. Institute of Medicine: Future of Dental Education Report.
Cites the problems as the IOM saw them, and broadly, what they found. It was a good document for deans, but it is physician related and carries their practice philosophies. [not recommended for order]

Vol 1, No 3 October 1995. 25th Anniversary of the ACP.
This is a very brief overview of the ACP as formed and as it is seen today. [not recommended for order] A much more comprehensive history of the College is given in Vol 6, No 4.

Vol 2, No 1 January 1996. Managed Care, Managed Care, Managed Care.
Lays down a thorough pattern of what “managed care” is. It extensively reviews what is being said in the literature and press about it and how it relates to our specialty. Finally, it sets forth the fallacies of third party systems. *

Vol 2. No 2 April 1996. The 3 “T’s”––Technology, Teaching and The Next Millennium
and More on Managed Care.
Describes new visual technologies related to teaching and their related use. The
second Managed Care discussion expands on the fallacies of it and how we as
specialists should think about it.

Vol 2. No 3 July 1996. Prosthodontics: A Specialty or Just “Extra” Training.
Explains why we have trouble seeing ourselves as specialists, and sets a correct stance on why we as specialists are different.

Vol 2. No 4 October 1996. Son of Prosthodontics: A Specialty or Just “Extra” Training.
Dissects in detail the Institute of Medicine Study of Dental Education: Issues Affecting Prosthodontics. We address critically the poor ACP response to it. Again, managed care philosophies mix in. It hits the report’s weak point hard. *

Vol 3. No 1 January 1997. Esthetics: As It Is and As It Should Be and Esthetics: As Adapted from the Philosophies of Ayn Rand.
Aristotle argued that ethos, or credibility, was the most powerful means of persuasion. This ancient concept holds well in teaching. This is a “without equal” creditable dissertation on Esthetics, one that cannot be found elsewhere in the literature. Every attempt at teaching, explaining or concepting esthetics by any author is over laid with the author’s own viewpoints. The discussion explains well, as it should, esthetics in relation to art. In addition, it is well expanded using the teachings of Ayn Rand. *

Vol 3. No 2. April 1997. We Don’t Get No Respect.
Clearly points out the weaknesses and strengths of prosthodontics in relation to general dentistry. It discusses the needs for the specialty, our literature, how to nurture dental students into the specialty and finally, how to garner money for training programs. Stated again and again is “don’t be our own worst enemy.” *

Vol 3. No 3. October 1997. The Issues of Autumn: I. The ACP Wants to Promote Prosthodontics and II. The ACP Wants Steady Growth in Membership Numbers.
Historical. A couple of past ACP initiatives discussed in detail. [not recommended for order]

Vol 4. No 1. January 1998. Advanced Education in Prosthodontics.
Nine questions were asked that deeply reflected on our specialty. Do you know that seven years later they are still pertinent? Five prominent educators in prosthodontics addressed the questions. They were: 1) Tom Taylor, 2) Howard Landesman, 3) James Holtan, 4) Steven Morgano, and 5) Gary Goldstein. Following, six more questions were posed. Answers anybody? *

Vol 4, No 2. April 1998. Competition 101.
We are in it. It is important to understand our “niche” in it. Types of competition are discussed. It is important to know how we can manage it and improve our personal and corporate (ACP) messages without blatant advertising.

Vol 4, No 3. July 1998. The Other End of the Spectrum.
Describes a poor lecture given at a constituent local dental society. [not recommended for order]

Vol 4. No 4. October 1998. We Have Met the Future and It Is “Us”.
Issues and problems of the specialty are clearly cited (from ProsStars and the ACP Messenger). Some 55 recommendations for help were condensed and edited and published. The conclusions put it all into perspective.

Vol 5. No. 1. January 1999. A Letter to All Non-Boarded Prosthodontists.
Cites strong reasons to look at a wrong decision to remain “trained, but not boarded.” Guest diplomates making their own statements of value, that of being boarded, are: Bruce Valauri (2005 ACP President Elect); Andrea Jackson (Department Head, Howard University); Jonathan Ferencz (ACP Past President); Rhonda Jacob (American Board of Prosthodontics). Strongly recommend *

Vol 5. No. 2. April 1999. dentalhype.com - 1, 2, and 3.
Discusses “modern day” marketing strategies. Describes those determined to be overboard. “Form over function?” How a true professional will react positively.

Vol 5. No. 3. July 1999. 1] Stock Market Strategies and Evidence Based Dentistry and 2] Mentoring.
Yes, there is an analogy between confirming what we are now doing in treatment (evidence based dentistry) to the most scientific analyses of stocks and mutual funds. Some definite guidelines helping us to analyze the articles we review are taken from the Academy of Prosthodontic’s Research and Education Committee. Finally, some invaluable basic tenets of “mentorship” are laid down. The section on mentoring is unique, original and cannot be found elsewhere. It’s a must reference. *

Vol 5. No 4. October 1999. Century's End––It’s Been Quite a Trip!
A reflection of dentistry and the specialty of prosthodontics in the 20th Century. In an oral history Dr. Louis Blatterfein, an extraordinary teacher and clinician tells of his successes and blessings as the son of emigrant parents in New York City. Value steps of 20th Century pioneer dentists who founded our specialty are summarized as the century's “last chapter.”

* Recommend for order and for reference.

Reprint ordering information:

The entire 5 year volume set can be ordered for $10.00. This includes Priority Mailing. Just link on Contact Us on our home page, state your order and be sure to include a mailing address. You will be billed later.

Should you desire singular or multiple newsletter reprints (*), again just link on Contact Us on our home page, name the items wanted and be sure to include a mailing address. You may or may not be billed some nominal charge that will accompany the mailing, if necessary.

WISHING YOU:
GOOD READING,
GOOD THINKING
AND STAY INTERESTED!

NDW