USA - Grand Blanc periodontist taking dental health to a world stage as president of International College of Dentists
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2008/12/grand_blanc_periodontist_takin.html
by Laura Misjak | Contributing writer
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 9:59 AM
GRAND BLANC, Michigan -- Dr. Dick Shick has spent practically his whole life fighting for exceptional dental health.
Now, the periodontist soon will be calling the shots from the helm of a world authority on the subject.
On Thursday, the Grand Blanc man becomes president of the International College of Dentists, where he will oversee a variety of humanitarian dental efforts across the globe. Shick said he also will attend meetings and give input on policy decisions within the organization.
Shick and wife Rose Marie's 2009 travel schedule is extensive, with trips already planned to South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Spain, Canada and Portugal.
"He's considered an ambassador for the International College of Dentists," said the organization's executive assistant, Kathleen Bula.
"He travels to different parts of the world and greets our fellows as they get inducted into the college. He's also a gatherer of information, and that information we use to help us help others."
For instance, Shick will travel to underdeveloped countries and make recommendations to the college about what could better the dental healthcare there, such as putting fluoride in the water or adding more dentists, Bula said.
Shick, 79 and a Davison native, was inducted into the International College of Dentists in 1976 and has served as president of the Michigan Dental Association and the first vice president of the American Dental Association. He's also a member of the American College of Dentists, but has been focusing his efforts in the invitation-only international organization, where he was chosen as vice president two years ago before moving up to president-elect. Shick said about 3 percent of American dentists are members.
"It's an honor to be invited," Shick said of joining the international association. "You don't apply for it. Somebody in the college has to observe what you've done in the way of voluntary services. Your name goes through an extensive screening process to identify if you in fact have been a volunteer, then you're voted in."
One of Shick's voluntary efforts has been to help implement fluoride into Flint's water in 1966, he said.
Shick has been in the profession all his life, he said, except for when he served in the U.S. Air Force and was attending school at Flint Junior College and the University of Michigan. At UM, he earned his specialization in periodontics, the area of dentistry that works with the supporting structures of the teeth. He opened his own practice in Flint in 1954 and retired in 1995.
Bula said Shick's passion for dentistry is seen through his dedication.
"He's very polite and genuine. ... He's very dedicated to this organization," she said. "He's a wonderful person to work for."
Comment
Posted by nyscof on 12/30/08 at 4:06PM
It's a shame that an old-timer will be spreading misinformation about fluoridation. He probably isn't aware, as many dentists are unaware (see http://tinyurl.com/Yoder), that modern science indicates that fluoride's beneficial effects are topical not systemic. This means swallowing fluoride conferns little, if any, benefit but does expose people to fluoride's adverse health effects which undoubtably Dr. Schick has not been taught about.
Some health risks of fluoride are here
http://www.FluorideAction.net/health
Fluoridation is an out-dated non-scientific method whose time has gone. After 60 years of water fluoridation and 50 years of fluoridated toothpaste, tooth decay is an epidemic, according to the US Surgeon General.
At the same time, fluoride overdose symptoms (dental fluorosis) are afflicting almost half of US school children, according to the Centers for Disease Control
We can see how fluoride discolors teeth. But unseen is how fluoride is weakening bones.
Very sad
by Laura Misjak | Contributing writer
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 9:59 AM
GRAND BLANC, Michigan -- Dr. Dick Shick has spent practically his whole life fighting for exceptional dental health.
Now, the periodontist soon will be calling the shots from the helm of a world authority on the subject.
On Thursday, the Grand Blanc man becomes president of the International College of Dentists, where he will oversee a variety of humanitarian dental efforts across the globe. Shick said he also will attend meetings and give input on policy decisions within the organization.
Shick and wife Rose Marie's 2009 travel schedule is extensive, with trips already planned to South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Spain, Canada and Portugal.
"He's considered an ambassador for the International College of Dentists," said the organization's executive assistant, Kathleen Bula.
"He travels to different parts of the world and greets our fellows as they get inducted into the college. He's also a gatherer of information, and that information we use to help us help others."
For instance, Shick will travel to underdeveloped countries and make recommendations to the college about what could better the dental healthcare there, such as putting fluoride in the water or adding more dentists, Bula said.
Shick, 79 and a Davison native, was inducted into the International College of Dentists in 1976 and has served as president of the Michigan Dental Association and the first vice president of the American Dental Association. He's also a member of the American College of Dentists, but has been focusing his efforts in the invitation-only international organization, where he was chosen as vice president two years ago before moving up to president-elect. Shick said about 3 percent of American dentists are members.
"It's an honor to be invited," Shick said of joining the international association. "You don't apply for it. Somebody in the college has to observe what you've done in the way of voluntary services. Your name goes through an extensive screening process to identify if you in fact have been a volunteer, then you're voted in."
One of Shick's voluntary efforts has been to help implement fluoride into Flint's water in 1966, he said.
Shick has been in the profession all his life, he said, except for when he served in the U.S. Air Force and was attending school at Flint Junior College and the University of Michigan. At UM, he earned his specialization in periodontics, the area of dentistry that works with the supporting structures of the teeth. He opened his own practice in Flint in 1954 and retired in 1995.
Bula said Shick's passion for dentistry is seen through his dedication.
"He's very polite and genuine. ... He's very dedicated to this organization," she said. "He's a wonderful person to work for."
Comment
Posted by nyscof on 12/30/08 at 4:06PM
It's a shame that an old-timer will be spreading misinformation about fluoridation. He probably isn't aware, as many dentists are unaware (see http://tinyurl.com/Yoder), that modern science indicates that fluoride's beneficial effects are topical not systemic. This means swallowing fluoride conferns little, if any, benefit but does expose people to fluoride's adverse health effects which undoubtably Dr. Schick has not been taught about.
Some health risks of fluoride are here
http://www.FluorideAction.net/health
Fluoridation is an out-dated non-scientific method whose time has gone. After 60 years of water fluoridation and 50 years of fluoridated toothpaste, tooth decay is an epidemic, according to the US Surgeon General.
At the same time, fluoride overdose symptoms (dental fluorosis) are afflicting almost half of US school children, according to the Centers for Disease Control
We can see how fluoride discolors teeth. But unseen is how fluoride is weakening bones.
Very sad
posted by Bill at
9:49 AM
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