PDA 150TH ANNIVERSARY
What did it mean ? Too conceptual for a six-year-old to understand , but after several years of being a dentist , I did understand . Dentistry had provided me with a stable and rewarding life . It wasn ’ t just the material rewards but the intangibles that really counted . Having the ability to make immediate and personal improvements in patients ’ lives , having generations of patient families return to me , learning life ’ s lessons from them , having them share the important news of their lives … how many other “ jobs ” have such a great give back ? There was gratitude also for collegiality , having leadership friends who shared my interest in organized dentistry , friends from dental school who are still my friends , dentist friends who understand better than anyone the challenges another dentist faces on a daily basis . I wrote about that and I came to believe that one of the most important aspects of being an editor was to mirror the concerns , frustrations and hopes of the member dentists . One of the most satisfying rewards of the position was to receive a letter to the editor which thanked me for my editorial . This is my “ thank you back ” to those who took the time to write and send those kind words .
There were behind the scene obligations for the editor : Board meetings , trips to other districts for their meetings , and routine drives to Harrisburg to meet with Rob Pugliese , who was just moving in to his position in charge of the Journal in the Communications Department as I was becoming Editor . We would discuss upcoming issues , plan strategy for getting articles together and in on time to meet Journal deadlines . It was an exciting and fun time . Rob ’ s knowledge of journalism and the profession made my job as editor so much easier and more interesting . It is no surprise that he is about to work with a fourth editor . He was and still is Chief Extraordinaire of the Journal .
When Dr . Richard Galeone became Editor after my term of office expired and I retired as Editor , I knew he would do an excellent job , but I knew also that I would greatly miss his column , On the Lighter Side , that he wrote as Associate Editor . I can now admit that the first thing I turned to when Rob sent me the proofs of upcoming issues was Rich ’ s columns . He put together an unforgettable cast of characters : the terrifying dental school professor , the snarly patient , the goofy family members . They were all portrayed in scenes that rivaled the best TV sit-com scripts . He has the unique timing with words that characterizes the best comedy writers . I still miss his columns .
Looking back , I now believe that it is best not to have a “ job description ” for an editor . Each will bring his or her own sets of skills and beliefs to the Journal . Of course , the Editor will support and reflect the policies of the PDA , not because of a job obligation but because his own set of beliefs supports the mission of the tripartite . One of the most gratifying aspects of being the Editor was traveling down the road of discovery , facing an issue , putting time and effort into researching the details and then sharing my thoughts with members . This was a process that could never have been defined in an Editor ’ s Job Description .
It was , as they say , a great run .
Dr . Judith McFadden of the Philadelphia County Dental Society served as editor of the Pennsylvania Dental Journal from 1992-2000 .
1970 1976 1977
CONTINUES ON PAGE 24
1970
The House of Delegates votes to raise member dues $ 50 a year for four years to supply a line of credit to Pennsylvania Dental Service Corporation .
1976
Esther F . Richwine is appointed PDA executive director by the Board of Trustees . She had been serving as acting executive since July 1 , 1975 .
1977
PDA files a class action suit on behalf of all dentists in Pennsylvania against Blue Shield in the Court of Common Pleas in Cumberland County .
JAN 18
MARCH / APRIL 2018 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 25