Dear Friends,

Spring is finally here and I for one am glad to see it. Everything seems to come alive and be more active. Our Dental Society is extremely busy this time of year. By the time you receive this newsletter, the 1st Florida Dental Association's Mission of Mercy (FLAMOM) will be finished. We will have treated many underprivileged folks and in turn received a blessing. Thank you to all who volunteered.

The UPCDA is growing with lots of great new members. Please go out of your way to welcome them, they are the future of UPCDA.

Continue to volunteer as many days as you can. We have so many people in need in this area. In the past issues of this newsletter, we have listed 4 great venues locally who would love your volunteer hours. In case you've forgotten, here they are again; Gulf Coast Dental Outreach, Community Dental Clinic, Homeless Emergency Project and the County Health Department.

For those who don't know, one of our own, Dr. Johnny Johnson is running for County Commissioner. Please support him with your donations and time.

Our members are very active and prominent in representing Dentistry. Dr. Bill Kochenour continues to serve on the Florida Board of Dentistry. Dr. Oscar Menendez is the next West Coast District Dental Association Line Officer. Drs. Nolan Allen, Bob Churney, Pat Lepeak, Larry Lieberman, Oscar Menendez and Mike Pikos, were instrumental in the planning of FLAMOM. Dr. John Krueger and Dr. Pat Lepeak are our component representatives to the FDA FNDC Committee. Dr. Jeremy Albert was elected President of the Florida Association of Orthodontists last month. If I have left anyone out, I apologize. We all should be proud of these members and how they represent us.

Thanks to Dr. Kasem for his great presentation in March. I have always said our members give the best programs. This month our speaker is Dr. Bhattacharyya from the University of Florida. He is an Oral Pathologist who will inform and educate us. Don't forget to bring your hygienist. They will get as much out of is as you will.

In closing, your President has had the opportunity to ride on a float in the Krewe of Orpheous at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do for a strand of beads.

See you at Bon Appetit on 4-16-14.

Sincerely,

James R. Pitts II DMD

Dr. Indraneel (Neel) Bhattacharyya completed his oral and maxillofacial pathology training and received a masters degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1995. He received his DDS from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. He is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of the Oral Pathology Residency Program at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He has won numerous teaching awards throughout his career including three at the University of Florida. He has served as a Councilor, on the Fellowship Examination committee, Education committee for the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. He is actively involved in a large clinical oral pathology practice and biopsy service. He has authored or co-authored more than 90 papers and book chapters covering a diverse range of topics addressing both clinical and microscopic aspects of oral and maxillofacial pathology. He is also actively involved in several NIH and industry funded research projects studying bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis of jaws, molecular and clinical aspects of precancerous and cancerous oral lesions, polymicrobial periodontal disease and atherosclerosis in a unique animal model and Sjogren's syndrome. Dr. Bhattacharyya is a sought after speaker and has lectured extensively in the US and abroad at various regional, national and international meetings.

Message from UPCDA: Please help UPCDA keep cost down by referring vendors to sponsor our local meetings. Exhibit cost is $350.00. Exhibitor form

Community Dental Clinic

Healthy Teeth Clinic, Department of Health, Largo 

(click here for more clinic brochure)

Dentist Volunteers Needed! Want to be part of something great that will really make a difference? Volunteer your time and talents to the Healthy Teeth Clinic. Work with awesome assistants and grateful patients in a beautiful office. We work hard to make sure you have a great experience. Tell us the hours and dates that will work for you and the services you're happy to provide and we will take care of the rest. Currently we are in desperate need of volunteer dentists for January, February and March. Call  or E-Mail Christina Vongsyprasom at 727-824-6966 and Christina_Vongsyprasom@doh.state.fl.us for more information or to set up a volunteer date.  

Dear Friends,

I would like to take this moment to officially let you all know that I am running for Pinellas County Commissioner, District 4.  This is the seat that Susan Latvala currently has, but she has decided not to run again.

Now comes the hard part for me.  Asking not only for your support, but also for a contribution.  A check of any amount will be greatly appreciated.  I am going to have to raise a little over $100,000 for my campaign and the sooner I do this the more solid my candidacy becomes.  I will face a difficult primary with at least 7-8 candidates running against me.  One is the Mayor of Dunedin, Dave Eggers who voted against fluoridation.  The primary will prove to be the toughest test.  However, once we are past the primary, and with your help we will be, the general election will be ours! 

Below are suggested contribution amounts.  The maximum has doubled this year from $500 to $1,000.  That's whether you give as an individual or a business.  

I look forward to leading Pinellas County and representing our profession at local, state, and national level. It only takes 100 people to donate the max and my groveling will be over.

 Recommended Contribution Amounts:

$25     $50     $75     $100    $200    $300    $400    $500    $1,000

Checks made payable to: Johnny Johnson Campaign 

 P.O. Box 2702, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688-2702

The maximum contribution allowed by Florida law is $1,000.00 per individual or business.  Contributions to the Johnny Johnson Campaign are not deductible for Federal income tax purposes