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Worldental Communiqué 11ADENTAL TRIBUNE Members’ Corner Dr. Michael Glick: outstanding scientist and clinician tee, reflects my philosophy about health. I am lucky to have the oppor- tunity to have a voice in sharing these beliefs with a larger group. But I see many examples of how dentists make a difference in their community at so many levels — such as extending free care. Every little bit makes a differ- ence. FDI Dr. Michael Glick is dean of the University at Buffalo School of Den- tal Medicine in the United States. He currently serves as chairman of the science committee for the FDI World Dental Federation. In this interview with World Dental Communiqué, Dr. Michael Glick dis- cusses his work with the FDI World Dental Federation and his views on the role of the dental profession in oral and general health. In October 2009, you were appoint- ed dean of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. What attracted you to this role and what do you hope to achieve? This position is a chance to have an impact with respect to dental educa- tion and, consequently, the future of dentistry: to build on the best of what we’re doing and take it to the next level. I am proud to be a dentist. But, first and foremost, I see myself as a health-care professional. There is a small but growing trend to enhance overall health by provid- ing medically based point-of-care screening in dental offices. In fact, last year I coordinated a seminar at the ADA Annual Session that was a hands-on course for den- tists in office-based medical screen- ing. There is a small critical mass developing that is eager to improve oral health-care delivery and educa- tion is where it all begins. You dedicate a lot of time to the FDI World Dental Federation as chairman of the science committee. What motivates you to participate in organized dentistry at the inter- national level? Working with the FDI World Den- tal Federation is an opportunity to make a difference, and I gladly give my time to help bring about positive change in the way the dental profes- sion is perceived; for instance, in re- evaluating how we provide care or providing care to people who do not have access. The structural complexity of our profession can be complicated, which further emphasizes a need for unity at the international level in order to make any progress. What does the FDI World Dental Federation bring to the world of dentistry? The FDI is the largest dental organi- zation in the world, bringing togeth- er representatives from many dif- ferent countries as a unified, global voice of dentistry. This gives us the privilege and opportunity to make a huge impact through the profession: to act as the facilitator for change. For example, in caries prevention, the FDI is leading the Global Car- ies Initiative, a profession-led project with the goal of significantly dimin- ishing the prevalence of caries world- wide by 2020. Other recent projects, such as the Oral Health Atlas and Dental Eth- ics Manual, are further examples of practical tools produced by the FDI that dentists can use in their coun- tries to support advocacy and aware- ness around oral health. You recently attended the FDI mid- year committee meetings in Gene- va. What are some of the areas of focus for the science committee in 2010? This year, the Science Committee wants to focus on setting a research agenda to respond to major global oral heath-care issues. We also want to proactively generate collabora- tion between researchers in different parts of the world and partner with organizations working toward the same goals, such as the Internation- al Association for Dental Research [IADR]. As chairman, I see my role as a facilitator: that is, does the committee work reflect the mission and vision of the FDI? This is a question I ask myself when embarking on a new ini- tiative. Another area of focus for the committee is science and evidence behind policy. To this effect, we are working to design FDI scientific state- ments that will help underpin policy and provide FDI members with valu- able scientific resources. How do your many responsibilities relate to your personal vision in oral health? All of my work, whether as the dean of a dental school, editor of JADA or the chairman of the science commit- About the publisher Publisher FDI World Dental Federation 13 Chemin du Levant, l’Avant Centre F-01210 Ferney-Voltaire France Phone: +33 4 50 40 50 50 Fax: +33 4 50 40 55 55 E-mail: info@fdiworldental.org Web: www.fdiworldental.org FDI Communications Coordinator/Managing Editor Laurence Jocaille FDI Worldental Communiqué is published by the FDI World Dental Federation. The newsletter and all articles and illustrations therein are protected by copyright. Any utilisation without prior consent from the editor or publisher is inadmissible and liable to prosecution.national caries classification system within the context of GCI. Vianna reinforced the FDI World f Continued, ‘FDI explores …’ Dr. Michael Glick scientific affairs, described the con- text of GCI in a presentation titled, “The Global Caries Initiative: A Profession-Led Call-to-Action,” and Dr. Nigel Pitts of the University of Dundee (Scotland) presented his research related to “A New Approach to Caries Classification, Detection and Assessment: The Experiences of ICDAS,” which addresses an under- lying theme identified early in the GCI consultation process; that is, the need for the profession to establish a common language for caries. Pitts has been working with the FDI World Dental Federation to explore an inter- FDI Education and Scientific Affairs Manager Dr. Julian Fisher Dental Federation commitment to oral health in an address to attend- ees of the Gulf Cooperation Coun- cil Preventive Dentistry Conference, paying a special thank you to Pro- fessor Abdullah Al Shammery, dean of Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy and an AEEDC Interna- tional Scientific Advisory Board mem- ber. Vianna said that the FDI World Dental Federation “is delighted to participate in this conference and looks forward to working together with the Gulf Cooperation Council and FDI member associations to fur- ther prevention at the national level.” FDI News in Brief 2010 Congress News Registration is open for the 2010 FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Brazil. Developing Dentistry: call for submissions The Editorial Board of Developing Dentistry, an annual journal of public health and devel- opment published by the FDI World Dental Federation, has announced an open call for submissions. Visit www.fdiworldental.org for more information.