Modern Hygienist - November 2008 - (Page 10)

open | EDITOR’S LETTER a woman blessed she is also a woman called to give back. For the full story of how her hygiene background has allowed her to love her neighbor down the street and halfway around the world, go to p.26. DON’T JUST READ—DO! I promised myself that if I ever had a column I would restrain myself and not give in to the temptation and write a typical “what I’m thankful for” piece in the month of November. However, it seems that after months of hearing about the economy’s downward spiral, a hard-fought election winding down, and another holiday season upon us with loved ones in the military still abroad, it is necessary to reflect on what positive moments from the last year we can be thankful for. Since I sat down at my computer to write this, I’ve been flooded with emotion over how blessed my family has been—my mother surviving cancer, my father-in-law finding a wonderful job after being laid off, my beautiful new niece taking her first steps, surviving the Chicago marathon and more. Here at the office, I am grateful for our amazing editorial and creative team that makes Modern Hygienist happen each month and you, our readers, whose e-mails and letters both challenge me and put a smile on my face. There has been a lot of transition this year and our success in the midst of those transitions is all thanks to you! But I don’t want this to be just a one-way conversation. Once you are done reading some of the fantastic articles in this issue, I encourage you to send me an e-mail sharing what you are most thankful for in 2008. We can then publish your responses in our end-of-the-year issue. Enlightenment without action is meaningless. This piece of advice wasn’t shared with me in a dental setting, but putting together the content for this issue I was struck by how limited I am as an editor. I can work with authors, suggest topics, make sure sentences are clear and points are easy to understand, but when it comes to taking some of the very valuable advice presented in these pages—I am powerless. It’s up to you to draw the lines between orthodontic and periodontal treatment (p.18), or start a dialogue with your employer about his or her approach during recall appointments (p.28), or—on a lighter note—try a new technique with this year’s turkey (p.34). Advice is mere words until you make them action. We’ve done our part to bring these voices together in one publication. We ask that you do yours and put some of these great ideas into practice. mh tcarter@advanstar.com Do this! What are you thankful for in 2008? In the midst of a tumultuous fall, it can benefit us all to remember some positive moments from the last year. E-mail mh@advanstar.com and your submission might be published in our next issue! THIS MONTH’S MENTOR Of the people we’ve interviewed over the last year, I’m so pleased to introduce you to Heidi Walberg, RDH, in this issue. Her story is built around her faith and the belief that as 10 modernhygienist.com | November 2008 http://www.modernhygienist.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - November 2008

Modern Hygienist - November 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters Modern Solutions Brace Yourself Pathways: Behind the Mask Faith In Place Ultimate Recall: You Can't Work Alone Going Public: Why Public Health? A Fresh Approach to Thanksgiving Ad Index Classifieds Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - November 2008

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