Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

XXXXX Dental Tribune U.S. Edition | April 2012A6 Ad Product NEWs The Canon G12 digital "dental" cam- era from PhotoMed is designed to en- able you to take all of the standard clinical views with “frame-and-focus” simplicity. The built-in color monitor lets you precisely frame your subject, focus and shoot. It’s that easy. Proper exposure and balanced, even lighting are assured. With the camera’s built-in flash, the amount of light necessary for a proper exposure is guaranteed, and PhotoMed’s custom close-up lighting attachment redirects the light from the camera’s flash to create a balanced, even lighting across the field. Find all details at (800) 998-7765, www.photomed.net or at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Scientific Session (booth No. 100) or California Dental Association Presents (booth No. 2034). (Source: PhotoMed) Canon G12 Photo/Provided by PhotoMed Customdesigndelivers balanced,evenlighting Canon G12 from PhotoMed evenly redirects light from built-in flash AACD BOOTH NO. 100 CDA BOOTH NO. 2034 An optional oral cancer course isn’t a big draw because it doesn’t make money. And dental practices are a business. So when dentists have to choose a course, they typically need to choose a course that will grow their business. But a course on oral cancer is a course that will provide their patients the best care pos- sible and potentially save lives. The ulcer in my mouth was a classic presentation of oral cancer. I could have been diag- nosed early if my dentists and oral sur- geons knew what they were looking at. At the very least, they should have ques- tioned the initial biopsy. If you are out of dental school 20 years, and haven't taken any C.E. in detection of oral cancer, how can you expect to be up-to-date on le- sion recognition? Do you talk about malpractice in your presentations? Normally, I don't have time to get into details, but if it is brought up in Q&A, I answer honestly. Yes, there was a mal- practice suit. There was negligence no doubt; however, I sued for two main rea- sons. First, I didn't want it to happen to someone else, and if they didn't take responsibility for their actions, change wouldn't happen. Second, I was abandoned as their pa- tient. I want to believe that my dentists and oral surgeons didn't know what to say to me after hearing about my late- stage diagnosis. Therefore, they didn't say anything at all. They never called. I wished they would have said, “I’m sorry this happened to you. Is there anything we can do?” There are many ways to say you’re sorry without admitting guilt. Your speaking schedule and other efforts look demanding; what motivates you? I was given a second chance at life. I work hard every day to seek out engagements to share my story with dental profes- sionals. It’s a tribute to those who have come before me and an obligation to those who will follow. And there will be many; the numbers are going up, espe- cially among young people because of the HPV connection. Every time I speak, I save lives. What could be more motivat- ing? “ SAGA, page A4