President's Message  
March is here. That means March Madness, spring break for those of us with kids in school and our March meeting. We have a change this year. Due to a scheduling conflict Johnny Johnson, Jr, DMD, MS will be speaking to us and our staff members March 16 at Eastlake Woodlands Country Club instead of at the April meeting. Mark Davis, DMD will tell us about implants at our April 20 meeting at Bon Appétit restaurant.
Johnny Johnson is going to update us on Fluoride in Pinellas County and the Clearwater area. Recently, Fluoride levels have been anywhere from normal to zero in Clearwater. Just when we thought Fluoride levels were optimal in our local water, we find out that is not the case. Don't prescribe Fluoride supplements for your Clearwater patients, because not all areas of Clearwater have low levels. Johnny will tell us what we should do and what is being done by the water department.
Warm Regards,
John (Marty) Bindeman
Volunteers still needed for FDA's Mission of Mercy in Jacksonville April 22-23rd. Visit www.flamom.org to register.
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Fluoride - What You Should Know
March 16th - Invite your staff
Speaker: Dr. Johnny Johnson
Time: 6:00 p.m. social hour, 7:00 p.m. seminar, 1 CEU
Exhibitors: Dental Services Group, Hiossen Implant, Onsite 3D Imaging, Pension Services, PNC Bank, Raymond James, Solutionreach, Synovus Bank and TD Bank
Meal Options: Chicken, Fish or Veggie - when you RSVP please include your meal choice. Those that do not select will receive chicken.
Fluoride - What You Should Know
This course will focus on the current status of Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) in the state of Fluoride as well as around the U.S.
Specifically, it will provide an update of the latest science and fundamentals of CWF. Extensive debunking information of anti-fluoridationist's science-fiction claims will be presented. Activism by the UPCDA is paramount to retain CWF in Pinellas County, Tarpon Springs, Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Dunedin, all of which have their own fluoridation schemes.
If you thought that Pinellas County's debacle in 2011 was settled, think again. It is constantly challenged. Some of the candidates for elected offices in the county oppose CWF. It is incumbent on us to vet these candidates, as well as sitting officials, on their position on CWF.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Johnson actively assists communities throughout the state of Florida, as well as across the United States, in protecting and preserving community water fluoridation (CWF).
Dr. Johnson was instrumental in establishing the American Fluoridation Society to defend and protect water fluoridation around the US. He is the President of the American Fluoridation Society, a newly formed group of top advocates in the U.S. This group helps communities all across the country, as well as internationally, with credible documentation of the science which supports CWF. Additionally, this group provides expert testimony to U.S. communities needing their help with on the ground presentations which definitively debunks the science-fiction claims made by anti-fluoridationists.
Dr. Johnson also led a successful collaborative effort with the local dental societies, state leaders in dentistry, residents, concerned citizens, dental hygienists, healthcare collaborative, and others that formed a re-fluoridation group when the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners ceased in 2011. This group was successful in having the water fluoridation faucet turned back on 15 months after it was stopped.
Lastly, he expects you, the best CWF advocates EVER, to help him in establishing and defending CWF in your communities. You are the first line of defense. You are the eyes and ears of your communities. He expects you all to be on the lookout for challenges in your communities
Message from UPCDA: Please help UPCDA keep cost down by referring vendors to sponsor our local meetings. Exhibit cost is $350.00. Exhibitor form
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NOTICE: CITY OF CLEARWATER NOT FLUORIDATED
Please note that it has recently come to my attention that Clearwater DOES NOT fluoridate their water. At this time, DO NOT prescribe fluoride supplements. I am working with the city to resolve this issue and will need your support. Stay tuned.
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Volunteers Needed - Support our Local Clinics
 You can make a difference by volunteering your time.
Community Dental Clinic
The mission of the Community Dental Clinic (CDC) is to provide low-cost access to dental care through treatment, prevention, and education to low-income adults. That dental care is provided by volunteer dentists (active or retired) in our community with a clear and active dental license. To volunteer contact Allison at Allison@communitydentalclinic.net or call at 727-216-6155.
Gulf Coast Dental Outreach
Volunteer by contact Dr. Robert Ettleman
Homeless Emergency Project
Volunteer information: The "on site" person handling paperwork is: Margaret Lett Phone number - 727-442-9041 ext. 107 Email: mlett@ethep.org. For information regarding the clinical service aspect - contact: Dr. Patrick Lepeak. Cell # 727-424-3559. All phases of dentistry are needed and appreciated. An active Florida dental license is required. Hygienist services are also very much needed.
Healthy Teeth Clinic, Department of Health, Largo
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. 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.
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 Florida's Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) 2016
FLA-MOM is a massive free, two-day dental clinic held in a different part of the state every year. The inaugural event was in Tampa 2014 and a sequel is planned for Jacksonville in 2016. This is a first-come, first-serve event with a goal of treating 3,000 patients in two days.
To help provide oral health care services to the large number of expected patients, we need volunteer dental and health professionals including general dentists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, nurses and pharmacists. Additionally, community volunteers are needed to assist with registration, clinic setup, data entry, escorting patients, translating, and much more. Please consider giving your time to this extraordinary event, you will not regret it.
FLA-MOM Jacksonville
April 22-23, 2016
Prime Osborn Convention Center
Click here to register to volunteer.
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Mark Your Calendar
UPCDA Meetings
March 16th - Dr. Johnny Johnson - East Lake Woodlands Country Club
April 20th - Dr. Mark Davis
Bon Appétit
May 13th - End of Year Social, Ozona Blue
Other Important Dates
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April 22-23, 2016
FDA Mission of Mercy
Jacksonville
June 16-18, 2016
FDA's Dental Convention
Gaylord Palms, Orlando
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Invite your non member colleague to a UPCDA meeting at no cost. Contact UPCDA (727) 449-1232.
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TRACK YOUR PRO BONO SERVICE AND REDUCED FEE SERVICES
click here
It is important to track and report your pro bono services in order to provide financial and statistical information to state and national legislators.
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FUN Stuff
History of Dentistry in Pinellas County, Donations needed
Professional local historical journalist, Jon Wilson, has agreed to author an inspiring and instructive story, a legacy which would be sadly lost to our present and future dentists were we not caring enough to preserve our past and path forward. The sacrifices, difficulties and ethical dilemmas faced by our pioneer mentors need to be known, respected and preserved. They bequeathed to us a noble profession, raising the bar of public trust and confidence that we must maintain in order to stop the gradual slide into an adverse health system we have fought so long and hard to prevent. click here to read more...
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UPCDA
Executive Board
Dr. John Bindeman
President
Dr. Emanuel Kontos
President-Elect
Dr. George Kostakis
1st VP & Program Chairperson
Dr. James Doerner
Secretary
Dr. Jeremy Albert
Council At-Large
Dr. Kristin Burch
Treasurer
Dr. Uday Mehta
Membership Chairman
Delegates
Dr. Kristen Burch
Dr. James Carazola
Dr. Oscar Menendez
Alternate Delegates
Dr. John Bindeman
Dr. William Kochenour
Dr. Larry Lieberman
Peer Review Chairman
Dr. Mark Obman
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