OCTOBER 2016
NEWSLETTER
Volume 1
issue
five 2016
Shanah Tovah U’metukah!
With the High Holidays upon us, this is a
time of year for reflection. I am so proud
of how far the Holocaust Survivors’ dental
program has come and how much has been
accomplished, but there is still so much to
do. Dallas, the Greater Washington, D.C.
Bernice Edelstein
area, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Winnipeg
Program Manager
and Temple/KleinLife have joined the
program. On September 28th I held a
meeting at Jewish Family Services, West Hartford CT, and the Holocaust
survivors living there will soon be treated through the Program. In early
November, I will be travelling to Arizona. Houston is another potential
expansion city.
What’s Inside
•
By the Numbers
•
Spotlight on Seattle
•
Town Hall Meeting
•
Lab Feature - Nakanishi
Laboratory, Inc.
•
Protocol for Town and
Country Lab Services
•
Jewish Family Services of
Seattle
•
News Notes
•
Mazel Tov - Allen Finkelstein
•
AO Donors
Key Dates
October 2 eve - 4 | Rosh Hashanah
October 10 | Columbus Day
A US holiday and celebrated in Canada
as Thanksgiving Day
October 11 eve - 12 | Yom Kippur
October 16 eve -23 | Sukkot
October 23 eve - 24 | Shemini
Atzeret
October 24 eve - 25 | Simchat Torah
If you have any suggestions for
the newsletter including items
for submission (stories and/or
photos) please contact Bernice
Edelstein at [email protected].
On November 10th, we will be holding a Town Hall meeting to discuss the
successes, opportunities and challenges of the Program. I look forward
to creating community and harmony with our partners in order to help
service the dental needs of economically vulnerable Holocaust survivors.
I wish you and your families a healthy, peaceful and joyous 5777!
By the Numbers ( Jan. 2016 - September 2016)
City
Ambassador
In Treatment
Completed
AtlantaCary Goldstein5-
Boston
David Dano & Murray Miller
7
2
Chicago
Laurie Gordon-Shaw
17
13
ColumbusShaun Rotenberg67
DallasGary Solomon-1
Detroit
Jamie Feldman, Marv Sonne, Mark Luria
15
8
Los AngelesPaul Selski97
New YorkRada Sumareva22
Phila./South Jersey
Bruce Silver53
San FranciscoJay Cohen1Seattle
Kal Klass
5
12
Washington, DC
Ben Williamowsky
18
12
CalgaryBrian Sacks41
Montreal Jeff Tenser 8
4
TorontoGerald Pearson37
Winnipeg
Gary Hyman
19
2
Temple/KleinLife
TOTALS
9
16
133
97
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Spotlight on Seattle
T he S e at t le g roup i s c ompr i s e d of t he
fol low i n g AO dent i s t s:
A mba s s a dor K a l
K l a s s , Yon at a n A hdut , Pau l A m ato, R eb e c c a
B o c kow, B obby C oh a n i m, I r v i n g C ohen, G a r y
Fe ld m a n, R ob er t G e lb, D av id I s enb er g , Je f f
Ja n i son, Wa l ly K e g e l, Pau l L e der m a n, Wa r ren
L ibm a n, B e l l a M a k a g on, M at t he w M a nde l,
Don n a M a s s ot h, Ole g Shv a r t su r, A le x a nder
Shor, AO 2 016 I nter n at ion a l Pre sident Wendy
Shu lt z Sp e k tor, PI P M ic h a e l Sp e k tor, D a n ie l
Trembl ay, M a r i ly n Wei s s a nd Ja k e Wei s sm a n.
C on g r at u l at ion s to M at t he w M a nde l on h i s
up c om i n g re t i rement ! B e s t w i s he s ! !
I f you a re a pr a c t ici n g dent i s t i n t he S e at t le
a re a a nd wou ld l i k e to pa r t icipate i n t he
prog r a m, ple a s e c ont a c t B er n ic e E de l s tei n at
b e de l s t e i n @ a o.or g or A mba s s a dor K a l K l a s s
at : k l a s s d d s @ g m a i l .c om .
HOW TO DONATE
AO US FOUNDATION:
www.aofus.org
[email protected]
301-738-6400
AO CANADIAN FOUNDATION:
Marlene Tenenbaum Memorial Tribute Fund
www.aofoundation.ca or [email protected]
416-250-7417
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Meet the Dentists
Wendy Shultz Spektor
AO International President
Dr. Wendy is a native of the
Seattle area. She graduated
with honors from the
University
of
Texas
in Austin and received
her Doctorate of Dental
Surgery degree from the
University of Washington
Dental School. She opened
Spektor Dental in 1982
in Bellevue, Washington.
Wendy was elected AO
International President for 2016. Wendy is married to
PIP Michael Spektor, and they are both members of the
Seattle dental panel.
You are currently serving as AO International
President and also participate in the AO-Henry
Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health
Program as a member of the Seattle dental panel.
How do you view the program both in your role as a
participant and the leader of AO that is sponsoring
this important program?
The AO-HSC Holocaust Program is a perfect fit. It is great
example of a public and private partnership. The best part
of this program is that dentists can use their skills, help
people in need and give back to the community.
What has been your experience working with
Holocaust survivor patients?
Most of the survivors have complicated health issues.
Sadly, many of them seem to be neglected by their own
families as far as their dental needs. We have found our
AO-HSC patients to be grateful for our time and care.
Are there any program improvements you would like
to see made to improve the Holocaust Survivors Oral
Health Program?
Comprehensive care is costly so we are always limited
by what we can provide. That is why I called Nakanishi
Laboratory, our dental laboratory, for assistance for a
survivor patient. Although I do not do dentures any
more, they gladly donated two relines for the
AO-HSC program.
This gesture immediately
helped our patient in need. Another difficulty is the
language barrier. Most of the survivor patients need
a translator because they are not fluent in English.
This limits appointment times when they can be seen.
If we could address the language barrier in a systemic
way, that would be a great program improvement.
What do you do to relax and unwind? What is your
favorite activity outside of work?
I play bridge and golf and love to crawl in bed and
read. I love my family and am grateful for the time
we spend together!
Kal Klass
Ambassador, Seattle
Dr. Klass attended the
University of Iowa College
of Dentistry, graduating in
1981. He moved to Seattle
that same year and started
his dental practice. His
Capital Hill office near
Swedish Hospital has been
a perfect location for those
who live and work near the
city. Kal has had extensive
experience working with both adults and children and
specializes in Family Dentistry. He has had appointments
at the University of Washington working as a laboratory
instructor and in restorative dentistry. His volunteer
work has included serving as a volunteer dentist with
the WDS Foundation Smilemobile, volunteering at the
Swedish Hospital Medical Center Emergency Dental
Clinic, and as a Certified Delta Society Dog Therapy
handler with the Reading with Rover program.
When you chose to pursue a health care profession, how
did you come to choose dentistry?
I like working with my hands and I love working
with people at the same time. Before dentistry I used
to love pottery. Throwing ceramic pots on a potter’s
wheel was my minor in college. Dentistry was a perfect
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combination since I was more interested in the sciences
and combining detailed hand work with treatment of
patients, exactly what a dentist does.
What prompted you to decide to volunteer to be the
Ambassador for the Holocaust Oral Health Program
for the Seattle area?
As with many of us, I had personal experience with
survivors. My own grandparents escaped the pogroms
in Russia in the early 1900s. There were not many
stories which survived that period in my own family,
which probably is a good thing. The stories from the
Holocaust were different and more recent. I think it
gave me more of a sense of urgency. I felt the program
should have been started years ago, so I was anxious
to start this one right away since there are not many
survivors remaining.
What has been your experience leading the Program
and AO dentists in Seattle?
The experience has been positive. Almost all of our
volunteers have been extremely generous. There are always a
few volunteers who have stepped up and let me know in no
uncertain terms that they can help whenever and however
I need it. This support sure makes it easier to delegate in a
program as important as this one.
The majority of our volunteers have also gone above and
beyond providing immediate and emergency treatment.
Some have provided expensive treatment not obligated
under the program, and some continue to see these patients
on their recall system indefinitely (also not part of the
program). They want to help in any way which they can.
What has been your experience providing dental care
for Holocaust survivors?
My personal experience has also been very positive. In
addition to seeing some regular patients as part of the
program, I try to see “some of the overflow”; that is
those who may have slipped through the cracks. These
patients were turned away from other volunteers for
various reasons; for example, they may not have had
time in their schedule or they may not be able to provide
specific treatment. The bottom line is that no patient is
denied needed treatment. This should be the role of the
ambassador. Patients are very, very appreciative.
Anything else you would like to share about the program?
Only that it should be continued indefinitely. Since there
are not large numbers of patients to take care of in this
program, it should be acceptable to continue providing
needed treatment for them. Most cities have completed the
bulk of the most necessary treatments on survivors, so future
treatment on new patients should be much less.
What do you do to relax and unwind? What is your
favorite activity outside of work?
Exercise is the key word for me. I run in the morning,
early, before work. I try to run seven days a week. I
never over exert myself or compete in exercise. I just do
it in a relaxed way, and it clears my mind so I can always
put 100% into my work at the office. We live close to
mountains out here in the Northwest. So, I try to hike
or run in the mountains on some weekends when we can
get away. But I love my work and I never feel like I have
to break away from it for very long.
Paul Amato
Dr. Amato completed his
Doctorate of Dental Surgery
degree from the University
of Washington Dental
School. He is a Fellow in
the Academy of General
Dentistry. Originally from
Huntington Station, NY,
he is now excited to call
Seattle home for the past
12 years. His wife Rebecca is also a dentist practicing in
the Tacoma area. They have twin sons. He is an active
volunteer dentist through Jewish Family Services, Give
Kids a Smile, and the King County Dental Society. He
and his wife are also active supporters of Animal Talk
Rescue and Ginger’s Pet Rescue.
When you chose to pursue a health care profession, how
did you come to choose dentistry?
As a young adult, I gravitated toward the health profession. I
was not sure what I would do in the health field; I just knew
that I wanted to help people. As I was prepared to go to
college, I decided that I would study pre-med/pre-dent with
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a major in chemistry. It was not until I met a good friend
who encouraged me to pursue dentistry that I decided on
dentistry. I chose dentistry because of the relationships that I
could develop and the people that I could help. Often times,
when someone chooses a dentist, it is for life; I love that
aspect. I have a few families with multiple generations. How
cool is it I know the kids, the parents, the grandparents and
even the great-grandparents.
What prompted you to decide to participate in
the Program; to provide pro bono dental care to
Holocaust survivors?
How could I not assist Holocaust survivors, our people?
Holocaust survivors have lost so much, providing oral care
for them is the least I can do. I have been blessed with a skill
that can decrease or eliminate pain, bring back dignity, and
enjoy food to boot!
What has been your experience working with your
Holocaust survivor patients?
I have experienced their graciousness, gratitude, and
appreciation. I have volunteered for different programs over
the years, and the patients through the Holocaust survivor
program have been the most fulfilling.
Anything else you would like to share?
Every Holocaust survivor deserves our support and services.
What do you do to relax and unwind? What is your
favorite activity outside of work?
I am blessed with three young sons, Avram, Jake and
Sebastian. Avram and Jake are our three and half year-old
twins and Sebastian is 16 months old. When I leave my day
job being a dentist, I get to go home and be a dad, the best
and most rewarding job in the world. If I am not parenting,
I enjoy soccer and reading.
TOWN HALL
Meeting
Thursday, November 10, 2016
INVITEES
Program Ambassadors and Social Service
representatives of all current Program cities
and Social Service representatives from new
cities of Cincinnati, Louisville, Broward
County and South Florida, AO staff, and
Henry Schein Cares representatives.
LOCATION
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
2800 South Potomac Avenue
Arlington, VA 22202
MEETING PURPOSE
To discuss the successes, challenges, and
opportunities of the program.
GOAL
To increase the number of patients treated
in our current and newer cities.
For more information, contact
Bernice Edelstein ([email protected]) or
Bev Habada ([email protected] ) or
301-738-6400 for more information.
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Nakanishi Dental Laboratory, Inc.
We are pleased to have Nakanishi Dental Laboratory, Inc.
as a local lab participating in the Alpha Omega-Henry
Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program
in the Seattle area. Corban Cooper, Procurement and
Marketing Manager for Nakanishi Dental Laboratory,
Inc. was interviewed for this article.
Q: What has been your experience serving Holocaust
survivors?
Q: Would you tell us a little bit about the history of
Nakanishi Dental Laboratory (e.g. how long have you
been providing laboratory services for dentists)?
Q: Of what is your lab most proud?
Nakanishi Dental Laboratory, Inc. was established in
1953 by Ray Nakanishi. We are a third-generation
family-owned and operated company, providing dental
laboratory services to the greater Puget Sound area.
The dental community has been so good to us over the
63 years we have been in business, we are thankful for
opportunities like this to give back!
Q: How did Nakanishi become involved with providing
dental lab services for Holocaust survivors?
Drs. Wendy and Michael Spektor provided us the
opportunity to be involved. They have been such
incredible advocates for the community both locally
and nationally; we are grateful for their partnership
and dedication to dentistry.
We are honored to have the opportunity to provide no-cost
dental work for such incredible people. Our experience
working with the Holocaust Survivors Oral Health
Program was excellent.
We are proud of all the patients and doctors and staff
members we have had the opportunity to partner with
over the years. We are proud that we have played a role
in helping millions of patients feel great about their smiles
and oral health.
Special thanks to Steve Lampert and his team at Town
& Country Dental Studios located in Freeport, NY for
their support for program lab services in the USA and
to Bill Van Evans and his team at Orthodent located
in Oshawa, Ontario for their support for program lab
services in Canada.
Note: In the event program dentists in the USA are unable
to use their local dental lab and need to use the services
of Town and Country Dental Studios, please follow the
protocol shown on the next page of the newsletter.
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Protocol For Obtaining Services From Town & Country Dental Studios
1.
Every dental panel member should approach his/her lab for pro bono services prior to asking
Town & Country for services. Town & Country is our safety net and should only be used if the
dentist’s own lab is not able to provide services. We are only requesting the dentist’s regular lab
for pro bono services for 1-2 patients per year. In return, AO will provide the dental lab exposure
through various AO marketing channels. Each lab partner will receive an annual recognition
certificate from the Program for the services donated.
2.
In the event that the dentist’s lab is not willing to provide the service, Town & Country is our
Laboratory Program Partner who will donate the fabrication of crowns, complete and partial
dentures and other appliances necessary for proper care of patients.
3.
Dentists requesting laboratory services from Town & Country will notify and submit a treatment
plan to Bernice Edelstein. Please be sure to indicate the patient’s initials only on the treatment
plan. The dentist should attest to the patient being referred by the social service agency. When
the treatment including laboratory procedures is approved, an authorization to proceed and
laboratory prescription will be sent to the dentist. Please complete the Town & Country
laboratory prescription including the patient’s name, the type of restoration, as well as the
customary information on the treating dentist (name, address, phone and e-mail). Cases will
then be shipped by the dentist to Town & Country, using AO’s Federal Express account.
4.
Please send the cases secured in bubble wrap and in a cardboard box. Also, please send the
original impression, if it is still intact.
5.
Bernice Edelstein will notify Town & Country to let them know to expect a case with a prescription.
A technician from Town & Country may contact the dentist to request more information about
the case.
6.
Town & Country will inspect the case to ensure that the materials sent are accurate for successful
fabrication of the restoration.
7.
There will be no remakes of cases as this laboratory service is a one-time benefit per submitted
fabrication.
8.
Town & Country will ship the case back to the dentist using AO’s Federal Express account.
9.
This Protocol is in effect for the year 2016.
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Jewish Family and Child Services of Seattle
First row: Carol Prigge, Geriatric Specialist, Lani Scheman, Geriatric Care Manager, Eva Zakharevich,
Geriatric Care Manager, Stephanie Goldfarb, Intake and Assessment Specialist
Second row: Ben Kromash, Lutheran Volunteer Corps Participant - Adam Halpern, Director, Aging in Place
Program - Carol Mullin, Director, Emergency Services Program
Carol Mullin, Director of Emergency Services and
Adam Halpern, Director of Aging in Place Program of
Jewish Family Services were interviewed for this article.
How long has the agency been working with
Holocaust survivors?
We received our first grant dedicated to Holocaust survivors
in 1980 (36 years ago), but had been serving survivors for
many years prior to that.
How many Holocaust survivors are there in the Seattle
Metro area?
There are approximately 200 survivors in Washington State;
the vast majority live in the Seattle area.
And how many receive services from your agency?
We are currently serving 71 survivors.
What are the greatest needs of the Holocaust survivors in
your community?
Holocaust survivors have similar needs to other aging
community members, including affordable housing,
transportation services, in-home care, medical care
coordination, social engagement, and dental care.
Historically, dental care has been one of the local survivors’
greatest needs, since dental procedures are expensive, and
most of our survivors do not have dental insurance.
What has been the experience of Jewish Family Services
of Seattle working with the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein
Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program?
Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Seattle appreciates our
long term partnership with Alpha Omega.
AO in Seattle has assisted JFS low income clients
with emergency dental needs for several decades.
Thus it was easy to develop the additional focus on
the Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Project when
we started up in 2015. The JFS staff who work
with this population always make the extra effort
to be sure clients get the extra help they need to
get to the appointment or have someone with them
to translate. Addressing the oral health needs of
survivors has been a long term challenge, and it is
amazing to have this program now become available
for those in such great need.
What is one of your favorite stories about your work with
Holocaust Survivors?
Our Aging in Place program referred Mrs. M, a
survivor, to the Holocaust Survivors Oral Health
Program. She is an 80-year old woman with various
health problems. She was pleased to have a deep
periodontal cleaning done by Dr. Jeffrey Kanter. As
a person with health problems, the deep cleaning is
essential for her well-being, and she had put this off
for years. A few months later she was referred to
another dental panel member, Dr. Oleg Shvartsur, for
a crown as a result of a broken molar. Dr. Shvartsur’s
office also did the next round of the deep cleaning,
which is care that she will need several times a year.
Both the preventative care and the emergency care
were essential for her health and well-being. The
peace of mind for this particular client was helpful
as well, as she had been very concerned about getting
the deep cleanings done.
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NEWS NOTES
Ode of Remembrance
A fabulous evening of
music and art took place
at Temple Emanu-El,
NYC on September 20th.
It was in observance of
the International Day of
Peace in memory of the
Holocaust. It was cosponsored by the Alpha
Omega
Foundation,
the Russian-American
Dental Association and
the Russian Speaking
Jewish community of
Temple Emanu-El. World renowned RSJ musicians
Alexander Markov, Julian Milkis, Alexander Gunko,
Eugenia Pilyavina performed. Mikhail Turovsky, an
RSJ artist was honored at the event.
All proceeds benefitted the Harriet and Kenneth
Kupferberg Holocaust Research Center (“KHC”)
which was established in 1983. It is an educational
resource for Queensborough Community College.
On October 16, 2016 the KHC will launch “The
Jacket from Dachau: One Survivor’s Search for
Justice, Identity, and Home.” The exhibit highlights
a Holocaust survivor from Lithuania, who was a
prisoner in Dachau. He emigrated to Long Island after
liberation from a displaced persons camp. Almost 40
years after his death, his preserved concentration camp
jacket from Dachau was found in the back of his closet
and donated to the KHC. For additional information,
please visit www.qcc.cuny.edu/khrca or call them at
718-281-5770.
Program Expansion
West Hartford, Connecticut
On
September
28 t h ,
Progra m
Ma nager
Bernice Edelstein hosted a launch meeting
at Jewish Fa mily Ser vices in West Ha rtford
wit h prospective denta l pa nel members a nd
socia l ser vice agenc y representatives to discuss
expa nding t he Progra m to t he West Ha rtford
a rea. Those in attenda nce were ent husia stic
about t he progra m coming to t he a rea!
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MAZEL TOV!
Left to right: Dr. Bernard Dishler, Dr. Jay Goldberg,
Dean Musa Bajali, Dr. Allen Finkelstein, Dr. Adam
Stabholz, Dean Amid Ismail
Thank you to AO Member
Donors!
During the AO membership renewal season of August
and September, the Holocaust Survivors Oral Health
Program was the beneficiary of dues paying members
who chose to make a donation to the Program when
they renewed their AO membership. A total of $2,553
was received from renewing AO members! We are
grateful to the following 41 AO members who made
a donation to the program:
Dr. Dov Almog
Dr. S. Henry Lampert
Dr. Khosrow Azizi
Dr. Karen Lawitts
Dr. Sharon Bader
Dr. Miles Lazerwitz
Dr. Sanford Barr
Dr. Samuel Levine
Dr. David Bloom
Dr. Nolen Levine
Dr. Janet Century
Dr. Lawrence LeVine
Dr. Marvin Dash
Dr. Mark Perelmuter
Dr. R. Bruce Donoff
Dr. Aleta Rosen-Winick
Dr. Maxine Feinberg
Dr. Bernard Rothman
Dr. Michael Feldman
Dr. Robin Santiago
Dr. Paul Feuerstein
Dr. Joel Schaumberg
Dr. Israel Finger
Dr. Gail Schupak
Dr. Leonard Fram
Dr. Kurt Silberstein
Dr. Ilya Freyman
Dr. Steven Snow
Dr. Lynn Gitlin
Dr. Eric Studley
In addition to his many other positions, he also
is serving as an advisor to the New York City
Department of Health for the New York Cares
Health Improvement Program, an advisor to the
Public Health Foundation on oral health and is
the dental clinical officer overseeing the Holocaust
Survivor Program.
Dr. Paul Goodman
Dr. Donald Tanenbaum
Dr. Lisa Grant
Dr. Eliot Tokowitz
Mr. Jon Gurkoff
Dr. Mark Waltzer
Dr. Israel Helfand
Dr. Jack Weil
Dr. David Kanarek
Dr. Sidney Whitman
Congratulations to Dr. Allen Finkelstein on receiving
this well-deserved recognition!
Dr. James Kohner
Dr. Allen Finkelstein was honored at Temple
University on Thursday, September 22, 2016,
receiving the Gallery of Success Award. The
Award recognizes alumni who have distinguished
themselves in their careers.
Dr. Finkelstein graduated with a BS from the
University of Pittsburgh in 1965 and a DDS, with
honors, from Temple University School of Dentistry
in 1969. He has received many awards including the
2011 Dr. Harry Strusser Memorial Award from New
York University, College of Dentistry and the 2012
Alpha Omega Meritorious Service Award.
He is the chief executive officer of Bedford Healthcare
Solutions and the former chief dental officer of the
AmeriChoice/United Health Group. Following the
2001 attack on the World Trade Center, Dr. Finkelstein
served on the forensic staff at the New York City
Medical Examiner’s office.
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