The (politically correct) mission: To boldly go where no person has gone before!

Years back, I remember Magnum, PI, stating that we make several hundred decisions a day. Most of them meaningless and inconsequential, but sometimes one of those decisions jumps back and bites you in the derriere and demands your full attention. You just hope that your spirit point traveling in your rectilinear life path is reasonably prepared from your past "points" in life.

Captain Picard of the Starship Enterprise experienced just this. In the opening scene Picard "is in the White Light of Life after Life"; his predicament stemmed from a snap decision to intervene in a cadet school argument that resulted in him having a mechanical heart placed. Thus, the cause of his present situation. He is given the chance to go back and change that decision. Unfortunately, when he awakens in his own time again.....he is a "waiter" on the quarterdeck......light years from a ship's captain. Reliving his life, he had never taken the risks of youth and was never really more than a predictable bore. Naturally, he becomes Captain again as he is allowed to go back and gladly take the dagger again.

With wisdom we become capable of "new horizons" and certainly, more so, when the body of scientific research illuminates the way. Recently, Allegany College hosted an interactive satellite symposium in collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists' Association that explored the latest hygiene technology, but also showcased the very technology that allowed this particular "distance learning" event. As Cathy Blank inquired, we all saw and heard the forum members in Columbus, Ohio respond in-real-time via the satellite link. Two weeks later, Jo Powers and I attended the annual NERB conference in Arlington, VA where we met several of the presenters face to face. From now on, the written or didactic tests will be administered through the Sylvan Testing Centers. The 100 questions will be displayed on screen with an image and students will have 90 minutes to finish the test. Theoretically, they could have their pass/fail results instantly, but the State Board's refuse to allow this at this time. The nearest Sylvan Centers to the college are either Morgantown or Frederick. Students will have 45 days in which to schedule their tests. The clinicals will be administered as double-blind tests. Students and examiners will not contact each other in any way; there will be a roving examiner on the clinic floor, but the actual graders will be separate and even have their own clinic area.

I spent some time in real awe listening to one of our graduates describe the office technology in her dentists' Hagerstown office. Intra-oral cameras for marketing and data recording, electronic probing, and x-ray digital imaging with subtraction radiology interconnected with front desk total electronic record storage and electronic claims processing. I shudder to think of the capital outlay for this equipment. Conservatively, I estimate that this would cost well over $100,000. How many of your offices could afford this?

Technologically, we all seem to be on the cusp of a major paradigm shift. Research has confirmed that the new slim-line ultrasonic tips are in-fact superior to most hand instrumentation reaching , at least, 2mm more apical with less motor fatigue. Five millimeter depths may be the cleanable depth rather than 3mm. Metronidazole impregnated string is expected to be FDA approved in April. ADA research indicates that periodontal disease has decreased. We are winning the war!

I know that some of you have viewed the dental hygiene home page at

http://www.ac.cc.md.us/dental/ For alumni, my goal is to provide an information resource: classmate, regional continuing education courses, and if you choose to browse the student pages, pointers to some the late breaking clinical research. Remember the passwords are: alumni then tab, enter scaler. If you have browsed, the homepage, you have noticed that I can upload "pictures" and, particularly, in the class notes, that I have linked several student pictures. If you would like any pictures placed with the upcoming issues of the electronic newsletters, please send them to Mrs. Sherman or to me. I know that your particular graduating class would like to "see" how you are. Confidentially is paramount as all the Class Notes are password protected. Only alumni have access to those passwords.

I also plan to upload a directory of e-mail addresses so that as you go online, you may "mail" classmates. I hesitate to put your actual addresses and phone numbers up from our database, passwords considered. If you-out-there want this, let me know, but it would take a real clamor.

Finally, education is very much a dialogue. We need to hear from you regarding the new paradigms of private practice and don't hesitate to send us articles that would enhance the student learning process. If you don't like us or dentistry....there is a gripe about dentistry home page....but I'll let you find the home page and expend your anger there.

For all of you, may you have a healthful new year and if you're curious about the URL at the beginning of this article. Parenthood web has a frank discussion of marriage and the travails of the holiday season. God Bless All of YOU