Editor's Note:

First and foremost, thanks to so many of you who sent me e-mails or stopped me at a trade show to talk about my editorial in the March issue of Proofs, about the dental industry working together to take care of people in the United States who need dental help. I wasn't sure what kind of response the editorial would get, but it's been heartwarming to hear so many of my friends say we're on the same page.

One way that the dental industry continues to help Americans in need is through DentaCheques. As it tells its customers on its Web home page, "DentaCheques is the easiest way to support access to dental care. Considering the no-questions-asked $120 invoice credit from Patterson, Henry Schein, Benco and many others, it costs the purchaser essentially nothing. After the dozens of free goods available without qualifying purchases, the $149 cover price is more than recouped, while 93 cents of every dollar raised is used to support the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. You can't lose!"

I was in Anaheim for the California Dental Association spring session and was present when the group pictured below selected Nicole DeLuccia's name from all reps who sold DentaCheques during the year. DeLuccia, a Patterson rep, earned a free trip to Palm Springs for the annual meeting of the Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) in November. Congratulations Nicole. I look forward to seeing you there.

In the photo below, you'll see DentaCheques industry representatives: (front row) Al King, DTA Chairman (Preventech); Todd Lester, Axis; Mike Lynam, Past DTA Chair (Porter Instrument); Rob Saldaña, DentaCheques; Alex Miller, Meisinger; Gary Price, DTA President; Desiree Paananen, Henry Schein; and Milly Goldstein, Bosworth Company, as well as GC America's John O'Neill in the back row. When I was taking this photo in the Anaheim Convention Center, it reminded me of how many leaders in our industry are involved with helping others. It's a great testament to the generosity given so freely by so many, and a positive reminder that many needy Americans are helped every month through your kindness.

Speaking of DTA, it has joined a coalition of organizations with the goal of meeting the immediate oral health needs of the citizens of Haiti. Price said in an e-mail, "As their country begins to stabilize, it is critical to begin the process of restoring and improving oral health. Our coalition's goal is to provide the necessary equipment, supplies, and human resources to meet the tremendous challenge of ‘starting over' to improve oral health in Haiti."

In collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, the dental community in Haiti has completed an evaluation of the status of their facilities and the immediate needs in the community. Working with DTA, PAHO has also developed a mechanism to assure that donated equipment and supplies will reach the appropriate parties in Haiti.

A list of equipment and supply needs can be found at www.dentaltradealliance.org.

Read on ... this is your magazine.