Editor's desk

Dental Assistant, The, July-August, 2009 by Michi Trota

Welcome to a special edition of the Dental Assistant, spotlighting our feature interview with the American Dental Assistants Association President, Stephen E. Spadaro. The ADAA is heading in an exciting, new direction, so go to page 4 to see what President Spadaro says the future holds in store for the Association.

Speaking of futures, ADAA, with the support of the American Dental Assistants Association Foundation, has produced a short feature career video, "Your Future in Dental Assisting;' available to view on the web at ADAA's website, www.dentalassistant.org. The feature is also available, free of charge, on DVD. Contact adaahelp@aol.com to order your copy now. To learn more, see the Association Bulletin on page 46. If you know anyone who may be interested in pursuing a career in dental assisting, this feature is a must-see!

In this issue, you'll also find a free CE course covering the ins and outs of the patient care coordinator, how to provide dental care for the visually-impaired, how the U.S. Air Force supports professional development for dental assistants, a profile of the U.S. Army providing dental care to the remote regions of Alaska, and the latest in dental assisting--related legislative updates.

On a personal note, this issue marks the end of my first full year with ADAA, and I couldn't be more proud or happy to be a part of this wonderful organization. I can't believe how quickly the year has flown by and how much has been accomplished as the ADAA continues to adapt and expand to meet the ever-changing needs of its members. I look forward to continuing my work here at the Journal and strengthening the Journal's relationship with our readers.