I am very happy to introduce myself in this, my first report as President of the Southern Nevada Dental Society.  During the past 30 years of my dental career, I have been actively engaged in dental practice while giving birth to and raising six beautiful children, now ranging from 14 to 30 years of age. I am also a proud grandmother of four most darling grandchildren whom I adore.

With the continuous support, cooperation and encouragement of my dear family, we managed to squeeze in a 3 1/2 years’ Prosthodontics specialty training for myself while carrying and having my fifth child.  Looking back with much emotion, I give thanks to my Heavenly Father and pay tribute to my sweet family for what I am today!

After 23 years of practice in Birmingham, Alabama, we came to this special place called Las Vegas, to start yet another chapter of our lives. While I never participated in organized dentistry much in the past, I was privileged to have served as a Delegate, Secretary-Treasurer, President-Elect and now President since 2005.  I owe a big THANKS to Bob Anderson, our Executive Director, for the initial invitation, to Dr Scott Weaver and Dr. George McAlpine for seeking me out and trusting me and training me thus far.  By serving in the society, it has allowed me great opportunity to meet many of you, and to learn about all the different facets of organized dentistry and our own society in specific.

One thing that I have learned in particular is now, more than ever, there are very good reasons for being members of organized dentistry.  There are some signs that our economy here in southern Nevada may be starting to recover.  This would be good news for all of us, dentists included!  Many of us have had our practices inversely impacted by this economic slowdown, hopefully that, too, will start to turn around.  Fortunately, member discounts on a variety of products and services, and the networking opportunities provided at our meetings and seminars can prove to be very helpful.

Foremost among these benefits is our Continuing Education program.  The Continuing Education Committee is in the process of compiling together a series of excellent speakers and topics that will benefit a wide range of dental issues.  We are able to bring to you speakers such as Carl Misch and enable you to hear the world-class presentations right here in our own backyard.  I am also very pleased to say that once again, this year there will be no fee increase for our members.

Over the course of my term serving as your President, it is my heart’s sincere desire to meet many more of you, and work together with you to build relationships and collegiality among our members.  Let us not forget that we are a society, not a business.  It is also vital to share in fellowship and build lasting friendships.  As we recruit new members, I believe it is that sense of community that will attract them.

This reach of friendship extends to improving attendance at our dinner meetings, our seminars and all of our Society functions.  These are great opportunities for sharing, fellowshipping, and uniting us as a true community.  It is so easy to let a small handful do the work of the Society, or to speak for us, when in reality we can be so much more effective, get more from our membership, but only if we strive to reach out to our colleagues, step out and work together to improve our very own society.

Watch for the prezfax and other reports from the SNDS office for details on our Continuing Education programs, meetings and events, however, by all means, feel free to contact either the SNDS office or myself if you have any questions or suggestions.  This is your Society, and any input you have is vital to the betterment of everyone as a whole.

I look forward to serving you, and with your help, we can make this a great year and put a smile on southern Nevada!