president's report january 2010

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President’s report January 2010As I contemplate the handover of the Executive from New South Wales to South Australia I cannot but think of all those who have preceded me in this position and wonder how I became one of these ‘names’! I have been indeed fortunate to be in a position where I have been able to be have the opportunity to be president, a situa- tion which I could never have foreseen when I left the Royal Australian Air Force dental service to take up full time postgraduate (as it was known at that time) study in 1983. But as my time as President of our Society is rapidly approaching its conclusion I cannot but admit to a degree of relief as this moment approaches! Over the last 3 years there have been many positive and even happy moments as president but I can think of very few unpleasant moments over the time of my presidency. It has been generally a wonderful experience to be at the helm of our profession’s premier special interest society. Of course my time would not have been such a marvellously positive and almost easy time had not it been for several people who have been such a support and a help to me over this period. The first of this support group is of course Dr Fiona Heard who has served these 3 years with me as our Secretary/Treasurer. My job could not have been done if it were not for her continual support, advice, guidance, friendship and ability to provide a balanced analysis over the past 3 years! The previous president, Dr Ross Apple- garth provided a wonderful resource and acted as a living encyclopaedia of the ASE in the initial periods of my tenure. My wife Elizabeth also deserves a large vote of thanks as she has been the unseen rock that has sup- ported and encouraged me over my time as president. Also my grown children, Nick and Louisa, who have helped with mail-outs, graphic design and computer advice with their help often going unsung until now! There are other areas that also deserve our attention as a society promoting the advancement of endodontics and Endodontology in this country. Of course the Society has a proud record of providing to our members and to the greater dental community, continuing education courses; be they one day courses as provided by the state branches, evening lectures (also by the state branches) or the previous touring lecturer program. The federal ASE has organised in the past several TransPacific Endodontic Conferences (a conjoint meeting with our Canadian brothers) with these now been supplanted by the Tran- sTasman Endodontic Conferences, the second eagerly awaited meeting of which will held in Christchurch, New Zealand in November 2010. Although such meetings are important, it is also critical that the Society be involved with the formulation and perhaps even the future direction of endodontic education at an undergraduate level. This is becoming even more critical with establishment of new non- metropolitan dental schools in this country, four of which have been established over the last decade and three of these four over the last 3 years! There are a number of important questions we need, as a Society, to ponder. Who is to provide the endodontic education at these institutions? It was easy when all the endodontic educators were well known within the pro- fession and all were members of the Society, but will such a situation continue? Where will educators be found to fill such positions? Who will supervise in the preclinics and clinics? Is there a need for sharing of staff and teach- ing materials (especially web-based material (with appro- priate licensing arrangements) and the improvement of distance education) between faculties and schools? Would this be a way of alleviating the chronic, dare I say critical, shortage of dental academics in this country? Of course this is not just a problem unique to Australia, but endemic to dental education throughout the world. But how will such a situation be dealt with? Does our Society have a role? I’m sure you will agree with me and would hope it does! Also of concern is some material that is available to the profession. I recently had a situation where I approached one of the larger supply companies with a query on ‘Procosol’ cement that appeared to be no longer supplied in their range (apparently as it was no longer registered with the TGA). Imagine my consternation when I was told that this material had been replaced with ‘Endomethasone’! Quite a long email exchange with the suppliers ensued following this where I pointed out that the use of this particular material was not taught in any dental school in Australia and New Zealand, that its use had been linked to neurotoxic effects and its use was to be discouraged. Importantly, I was able to ascertain that this material was not being advocated as a replacement for Procosol. The explanation was that as ‘Endomethasone’ had been registered by the TGA and was used in over 100 countries then this material would continue to be stocked and supplied. It now appears that Procosol is easily available through other suppliers (and is registered with the TGA). ‘Endomethasone’ has been replaced by Aust Endod J 2010; 36: 2–3 2 © 2010 The Author Journal compilation © 2010 Australian Society of Endodontology

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President’s report January 2010aej_227 2..3

As I contemplate the handover of the Executive fromNew South Wales to South Australia I cannot but think ofall those who have preceded me in this position andwonder how I became one of these ‘names’! I have beenindeed fortunate to be in a position where I have beenable to be have the opportunity to be president, a situa-tion which I could never have foreseen when I left theRoyal Australian Air Force dental service to take up fulltime postgraduate (as it was known at that time) study in1983.

But as my time as President of our Society is rapidlyapproaching its conclusion I cannot but admit to a degreeof relief as this moment approaches! Over the last 3 yearsthere have been many positive and even happy momentsas president but I can think of very few unpleasantmoments over the time of my presidency. It has beengenerally a wonderful experience to be at the helm of ourprofession’s premier special interest society. Of course mytime would not have been such a marvellously positiveand almost easy time had not it been for several peoplewho have been such a support and a help to me over thisperiod.

The first of this support group is of course Dr FionaHeard who has served these 3 years with me as ourSecretary/Treasurer. My job could not have been done ifit were not for her continual support, advice, guidance,friendship and ability to provide a balanced analysis overthe past 3 years! The previous president, Dr Ross Apple-garth provided a wonderful resource and acted as a livingencyclopaedia of the ASE in the initial periods of mytenure. My wife Elizabeth also deserves a large vote ofthanks as she has been the unseen rock that has sup-ported and encouraged me over my time as president.Also my grown children, Nick and Louisa, who havehelped with mail-outs, graphic design and computeradvice with their help often going unsung until now!

There are other areas that also deserve our attention asa society promoting the advancement of endodontics andEndodontology in this country. Of course the Society hasa proud record of providing to our members and to thegreater dental community, continuing education courses;be they one day courses as provided by the statebranches, evening lectures (also by the state branches) orthe previous touring lecturer program. The federal ASEhas organised in the past several TransPacific EndodonticConferences (a conjoint meeting with our Canadianbrothers) with these now been supplanted by the Tran-sTasman Endodontic Conferences, the second eagerly

awaited meeting of which will held in Christchurch, NewZealand in November 2010.

Although such meetings are important, it is also criticalthat the Society be involved with the formulation andperhaps even the future direction of endodonticeducation at an undergraduate level. This is becomingeven more critical with establishment of new non-metropolitan dental schools in this country, four of whichhave been established over the last decade and three ofthese four over the last 3 years!

There are a number of important questions we need, asa Society, to ponder. Who is to provide the endodonticeducation at these institutions? It was easy when all theendodontic educators were well known within the pro-fession and all were members of the Society, but will sucha situation continue? Where will educators be found tofill such positions? Who will supervise in the preclinicsand clinics? Is there a need for sharing of staff and teach-ing materials (especially web-based material (with appro-priate licensing arrangements) and the improvement ofdistance education) between faculties and schools?Would this be a way of alleviating the chronic, dare I saycritical, shortage of dental academics in this country? Ofcourse this is not just a problem unique to Australia, butendemic to dental education throughout the world. Buthow will such a situation be dealt with? Does our Societyhave a role? I’m sure you will agree with me and wouldhope it does!

Also of concern is some material that is available to theprofession. I recently had a situation where I approachedone of the larger supply companies with a query on‘Procosol’ cement that appeared to be no longer suppliedin their range (apparently as it was no longer registeredwith the TGA). Imagine my consternation when I wastold that this material had been replaced with‘Endomethasone’! Quite a long email exchange with thesuppliers ensued following this where I pointed out thatthe use of this particular material was not taught in anydental school in Australia and New Zealand, that its usehad been linked to neurotoxic effects and its use was to bediscouraged. Importantly, I was able to ascertain that thismaterial was not being advocated as a replacement forProcosol. The explanation was that as ‘Endomethasone’had been registered by the TGA and was used in over 100countries then this material would continue to be stockedand supplied. It now appears that Procosol is easilyavailable through other suppliers (and is registeredwith the TGA). ‘Endomethasone’ has been replaced by

Aust Endod J 2010; 36: 2–3

2 © 2010 The Author

Journal compilation © 2010 Australian Society of Endodontology

‘Endomethasone N’ (which is free of paraformaldehyde),but the material’s unfortunate name remains!

It goes without saying that I welcome, from SouthAustralia our new executive of President Dr Dan Farmerand Secretary/Treasurer Dr Ian Trantor to the helm of ourSociety. I wish them every encouragement for their termof office. I am sure it will be a very successful one. Theyhave my sincere best wishes. To my friend and mentor, DrTony Martin who proposed me for a state committeeposition many years and started me on this journey, I amgrateful for your nomination. To you, our Society’smembers, thank you for having me as your president. Ithas been a wonderfully rewarding experience and onethat I would recommend to you all. Remember there isnever a ‘right’ time to be president, or to serve on any

executive or committee, so if the opportunity comes yourway, take the ball and run: you never know, you may scorea try or two and it’s most unlikely that you will ever playalone as you will have a whole team of support players!

Remember this is a society for all of us with an interestin endodontics and Endodontology. I encourage you all tobe part of the decision-making process. Do not shy awayfrom being on committee, embrace the opportunity ifpresented to you, for, as the supporters of the LiverpoolFootball Club know and Jerry and the Pacemakers sang,you will ‘never walk alone’ in such a position. Thank youagain for three tremendously fulfilling years!

Peter DuckmantonFederal President

President’s Report

3© 2010 The Author

Journal compilation © 2010 Australian Society of Endodontology