Craig T. Ajmo, DDS
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
Dunedin, FL
Testimonial Posted on: Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Working in the DPBRN has been stimulating and enjoyable, but the real revelation for me came at the group meeting in Atlanta. It then became clear to me that the issues that I deal with on a daily basis are shared by many, and interestingly enough, also resolved by many in the same way that I do. As a solo practitioner who often feels isolated, this, perhaps more than anything else, has been the most rewarding aspect of this experience.

I also see this program as an opportunity for dentists to take back control of dentistry. In my opinion, far too much research in dentistry is either so narrowly focused that it is of limited use to daily practitioners, or is performed by large companies who have a vested interest in selling us a product, thus presenting the profession with more favorable data without giving us the whole truth. We are then left to our own devices to determine whether equipment and materials are worthwhile or not, which ultimately puts our patients and reputations at risk, not to mention the negative financial impact that can accrue.

The DPBRN is providing our profession with the vehicle to determine what we want to study, how to study it, and then evaluate and discuss the outcomes without any hidden agenda. I see this as one of the most positive developments in our profession in the last 25 years.

Dr. Michael Mann
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
Huntsville, AL
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

The Atlanta meeting was so different because doctors from such diverse backgrounds could sit and discuss the best treatment for our patients without having 'something to sell'. It is always a challenge to hear that someone is doing something differently from the way you think it should be. However, it forces you to examine why you do it a certain way and then consider whether there is a better way. I am definitely looking at, discussing, and treating shallow caries differently than before. I'm already looking forward to the next meeting.

Edward C. Bozeman, Jr., DMD
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
Columbus, MS

Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

On returning from the Atlanta DPBRN Meeting, I decided to make a real effort to apply what I learned from all the presentations. Over the first few days back in the office I saw several patients who had E1 proximal surface lesions that I decided to monitor instead of treat. Each of these patients has low caries risk factors. One interesting case involved a patient who had not been in for re-care in three years. At his last re-care visit we took BWX radiographs and found a proximal lesion that had just reached E2 status. He failed to return for his appointment to treat this lesion, and when I saw his name on our daily schedule for re-care I feared this tooth would now be non-restorable. To my surprise his BWX update revealed no change in radiographic appearance of the lesion. This time I chose to monitor the lesion rather than restore because of what I learned from the presentations at our meeting. Hopefully this patient will continue his good home care practices, and we will find this lesion to remain inactive.

Dr. Jocelyn McClelland
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
Alabaster, AL
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

The DPBRN meeting had a large impact on my practice. I have attended many continuing education programs in my 20 years of practicing dentistry, but this was the first one that I actually implemented knowledge gained on the weekend into my practice on Monday morning! It really made me appreciate being a part of such an important project.

Dr. Thomas Walker
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
Trussville, AL
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

It was very interesting and informative meeting the many dentists from various regions of the world at the recent meeting. The philosophies of treatment were as diverse as the doctors that related them. The conference impressed upon me that what appears as a simple restorative procedure as I had been taught was not viewed the same outside my community of dentists. It also planted the seeds that perhaps this research may be the standardization of treatment that may follow. Many items of interest to ponder however.

Dr. Don Worley
Full-time private practice of general denistry
HealthPartners
White Bear Lake, MN
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

The DPBRN meeting in Atlanta was an eye opener. To have practicing dentists from all over the country and Scandinavia sharing their treatment philosophy was a unique experience.

Mike Bauer, DDS
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
HealthPartners Riverside Clinic
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

I found the Atlanta meeting engaging, challenging, and rewarding. I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of dentists in providing evidence-based solutions to every day practice decisions. I would like to have more regular meetings with dentists from the US and Scandinavia. We should try to bring all our colleagues into the DPBRN.

Dr. Vince Riehm
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
HealthPartners
Bloomington, MN
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

The 2008 Atlanta DPBRN meeting was well planned and carried out. It provided ample time for taking in new information and for each of us to share our own observations with others. I picked up some good information and I would encourage other dentists, who haven’t yet gotten involved in DPBRN, to sign up. DPBRN is good for our patients and our profession.

Dr. Robin Yardic
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
HealthPartners
Mendota Heights, MN
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

I was very proud to be a representative of HealthPartners attending the DPBRN conference. I was able to share information about risk assessments and interventions that showed HP’s commitment to dealing w/ the caries process, and realize how far ahead we are of other practices. It was very interesting meeting the Scandinavian dentists who have an even more conservative approach to restorative dentistry than we have. It was great meeting with other practitioners and researchers who are involved in the same goals we are at HP.

Dr. Bob Maland
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
HealthPartners
St. Paul, MN
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

It has been very gratifying to be a part of DPBRN. The meeting in Atlanta was a great opportunity to share and compare philosophies of caries management with dentists from Scandinavia and from other sections of the US. I feel participation in DPBRN gives us a chance to give something back to dentistry by participating in clinical research which has the potential to change the way we practice.

Dr. David Gesko
Dental Director of HealthPartners
Bloomington, MN
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

Being able to learn perspectives from other portions of the country - and in this case world - allows growth and excitement for change! DPBRN allows a perfect forum to advance our profession and improve the health of those we serve.

Dr. Haakan Flink, Sweden
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

Finally a network who is concerned about the development of odontology. Looking forward to an interesting development!

Dr. Dorthe Olesen, Denmark
Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

It was a great and interesting meeting - very rewarding to discuss our treatment procedures with other dentists. It stated how important research is - we treat differently depending on the theories and assurances of the University - that's why it is so important, that we all contribute so we can all improve. It will be interesting if we can affect each others’ treatment procedures - when our health systems are different

Cyrus Lee, DMD
Full-time private practice of general dentistry,
Permanente Dental Associates
Beaverton, OR

Testimonial Posted on: Monday, July 28, 2008

The Atlanta DPBRN Network-Wide meeting reaffirmed to me that PDA truly is at the forefront of defining and delivering evidence-based dental care. I feel more confident about the effectiveness of sealants in treating early occlusal caries, and whether to intervene surgically or medically when it comes to interproximal carious lesions. I also realize, however, that there is a lot of information we don't have, especially on the outcomes of different treatment strategies. So really, the biggest change is realizing the importance of incorporating PBRN studies into my practice.

Patrick J Foy, DDS
Full-time private practice of general dentistry
Minneapolis, MN
Testimonial Posted on: Thursday, July 17, 2008

The meeting in Atlanta was well-designed and helped
solidify my goal of a credible network that reflects a good cross-section of a diverse group of practice-styles. I honestly had the feeling that we all entered Atlanta with our personal chip on our shoulders. That chip represented our individual practice styles and philosophies. Quickly those personal chips melted away and the open-minded discussion ensued. As a
result we left not only better informed, but more receptive to alternative treatment modalities and treatment options. I am convinced that this is the answer to filling the void that exists in Evidence-Based Dentistry. I left proud to be part of an international solution to dental care that honestly
focused on what was best for the patient regardless of the potential economic ramifications. Thanks for your hard work.