Improving the oral health of the public and the professional development of ASDA members

Obituary: Richard W. “Richie” Poe, ADA Member for 41 years

Richard ”Richie” W. Poe, a beloved member of the Harrison community, passed away at the age of 69 on Sunday, December 29, 2024. A cherished dentist known for his compassion and care, Richie dedicated 40 years to connecting with and loving the folks of Harrison.

Richie’s life was a testament to his love of his family, his faith, and his passions. He was a devoted grandfather, father, and husband. Nothing made him happier than spending time with them. He was a dedicated member of Northside Church of Christ, his second family. He was a passionate fisherman, singer, and Razorback fan and loved Andy Griffith.

Richie’s light will continue to shine in the hearts of those who knew him. He will be deeply missed but is singing with Jesus now.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ruth Poe. He is survived by his wife, Becky; his daughters, Ellie Jane (Kevin) of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Emma Gammon (Taylor) of Madison Alabama; grandchildren, Ella, Lucy, Millie, Hattie, and William; his sister, Alisa Davidson (Dan) of Searcy AR and a host of nieces and nephews who will deeply miss him.


The funeral service was on Thursday, January 3, 2025, at Northside Church of Christ, with Steve Powers officiating.

The interment was in Maplewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice the Hills 501 E Sherman, Harrison, AR 72601, or Camp Tahkodah, HU10844, Searcy, AR 72149.

Dental-Child Interaction Training workshop set for April 25

The University of Arkansas will host a free, one-day Dental-Child Interaction Training (DCIT) workshop for dentists and dental offices on April 25, 2025.

Dental-Child Interaction Training (DCIT) is a collaborative project funded by the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Surgery to promote child behavior management skills in order to enhance quality dental care for young patients.

The training workshop offers eight CEU credits, skill-building sessions, and interactive exercises.

For more information, contact Dr. Lauren Quetsch at quetsch@uark.edu and Becca Bradley at rsb0009@uark.edu.

Wellness Resources for the New Year: Introducing Talkspace Go

A Message from ADA President, Dr. Brett Kessler

Dear Colleagues,
 
A new year can represent a fresh start, with many of us setting intentions to improve our lives in some way. These resolutions often pertain to our well-being — of which mental health is an important part.  
 
Sadly, when it comes to mental health, the dental profession is facing a stark reality: according to the 2024 ADA Council on Communications Trend Report, more than 82% of dentists report major career stress. The pressures of our work often lead many of us to struggle in silence with challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout.   
 
Keeping our professional community well is among my top priorities as your ADA president. Dentistry and life are tough, and the ADA is committed to ensuring you have tools to help you feel your best.
 
I’m excited to share a new resource now available exclusively for all ADA members and dental students — completely free and confidential: Talkspace Go.

This self-guided therapy app is designed to fit into the busy lives we lead as dental professionals. In just five minutes a day, you can find tools to support your mental well-being, from managing work stress and relationships to maintaining balance in your life. The app is personalized, science-backed, and it meets you exactly where you are.

Here’s how to get started: Visit ADA.org/TalkspaceGo to log in with your ADA information. After you log in, you will receive your member-only access code. Download Talkspace Go on iOS or Android. Create an account and enter the ADA organization code. Answer 25 quick questions to help identify areas where you need support.   Dive into customized courses, daily journaling, and even live workshops led by therapists. I’ve used Talkspace Go myself, and I can tell you — it’s not just another app. It’s a powerful tool that can help you take those small, impactful steps toward living your best life.  
 
The support doesn’t stop there: I encourage you to visit ADA.org/Wellness to explore more resources for being at your best in 2025, including… Well-Being Index (WBI): This anonymous assessment tool helps you check in on your mental health and receive tailored resources. You can use it as often as you need year-round. Get started here.
  Physical and Ergonomic Health: Dentistry can take a toll on our bodies. The ADA offers tools to help reduce strain and improve your daily work environment.  Learn about ergonomic stretches and more at ADA.org/App. Beyond individual wellness, the ADA is committed to driving systemic changes that support our entire profession.
 
One of our key efforts is eliminating stigmatizing mental health questions from licensure applications. States like Texas, Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oregon have already made important changes, and more are on the way. Recently, the Oregon Board of Dentistry approved aligning their initial and renewal questions to those of the Oregon Board of Medicine, shifting health-related questions to focus on current impairment rather than past diagnoses or treatment. This is a big win in Oregon, and we look forward to continuing the momentum in the coming year.
 
We’re also supporting the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, the only federal law dedicated to reducing burnout and suicide among healthcare workers.
 
Additionally, through the ADA’s Wellness Ambassador Program, we’re training dentists to support their peers who may be struggling and facilitate connections with clinical professionals and other resources. This initiative is led by ADA’s Council on Dental Practice and their Dental Team Wellness Advisory Committee (DWAC)—a group of dedicated professionals that includes dentists, mental health experts, and other dental team members.
 
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please text or call 988 to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.

Let’s make 2025 the year we choose wellness, together.
 
Sincerely,
  Dr. Kessler signature
Brett Kessler, D.D.S.
President, American Dental Association  
Explore ADA.org/TalkspaceGo  
These important wellness resources have been made available to all ADA members. If you aren’t yet an ADA member, you can join us today to unlock your access. If you are already a member, don’t forget to renew your membership for 2025 so you can continue to take advantage of member benefits designed to help you thrive.  

Awards & Nominations

HONOR YOUR COLLEAGUES – Help ASDA recognize its outstanding members by providing a nomination for one or all the categories below. Please fax or e-mail your nomination to ASDA by Wednesday, January 29 at 12 noon with the following information:

1.   Name of nominee and award

2.   Brief narrative describing why the nominee deserves the award

3.   Your name and contact information

4.   Fax the nomination to ASDA at 501-834-7657 or e-mail to billy@arkansasdentistry.org

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD -As ASDA’s highest honor, this award recognizes dentists who have unselfishly served the best interests of dentistry and the public and have proven their commitment to all levels of organized dentistry in an ethical and moral fashion. 

Previous Recipients: 

Tommy Roebuck • Bob Burch, Sr. • Frank Grammer • Calvin Wilkins • Billy Capps • Kim Keisner • Wendell Garrett • Jim Orsini • Terry Fiddler • George Morledge • Warren Whitis • Bob Skinner • Bill Slagle • Wayne Looney (posthumous) • David Bell • Herman Hurd • Mark Murphy • Steve Kilpatrick • Tim Chase (posthumous) • Tom Isbell • Drew Toole • Werner Schneider • John Pitts • George Martin • Jim Phillips • Dwight Duckworth • Bob Mason

JACK LOGAN HUMANITARIAN AWARD -This award is given annually in recognition of the humanitarian spirit of the late Dr. Jack Logan. Nominees should have generously contributed to relief operations and/or lifesaving services at home and/or abroad. 

Previous Recipients:

Jack Logan (posthumous) • Bill Alfonso • James Hankins • Rob Lewis • James Lee, Jr. • Susan Wamble • Bill Panneck •  Alan Ainley •  Harold Mitchell • Terry Fiddler • Danny Haynes • Chuck Wood • Ken Pearson • Ken Covington • Kenton Ross • Hassan Bashiri • Mark Bailey • Mark Murphy

NEW DENTIST AWARD -Nominees must have graduated from dental school after 2006. He or she should exemplify outstanding leadership in varied levels of organized dentistry and be committed to representing dentistry in an ethical manner. 

Previous Recipients:

Alan Ainley • Bob Skinner • Carmella Montez • Niki Carter • Kenton Ross • Scott Byrd • Miranda Childs • Brock Brown • Tony Bartels • Stotts Isbell • Stacey Swilling • Joseph Barker • Troy Bartels • Paul Winborn • Tina Nichols • Jordan Cooper • Cynthia Caceres Baker (posthumous) • Angela Broomfield • Charles Liggett • Ryan Hanry • Bryan Bishop • Garrett Taylor • Natalia Hodge • Cole Johnson • Keith Jones • Ashley McMillan • Ethan Ake • Alan Nguyen

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 NOTICE OF ASDA GENERAL ASSEMBLY: MEMBERS ONLY

The Arkansas State Dental Association will hold its annual General Assembly meeting on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 12:00PM in the Hamilton Porter Room in Robinson Auditorium, 426 W. Markham St, Little Rock for the election of officers and other business. All ASDA members are welcome to attend. Lunch will be served.

ASDA Annual Session 2025 set for March 14-15 in Little Rock

This year’s ASDA Annual Session will be held Friday and Saturday, March 14-15, at the downtown Little Rock Doubletree Hotel. Join us for two days of fun, learning, and CE hours with our special guest lecturer, Dr. Mark Kleive of Asheville, NC.

Dr. Klieve will present on digital workflows, interoffice teamwork, business systems, strategies to increase case acceptance, and treatment planning for modern diagnoses.

Doubletree will offer special group rates for ASDA members through February 20.

Secure your spot and book your room today at this link!

CBS Touts Benefits of Fluoridated Water

reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle:

Currently, more than 72% of the U.S. population has access to fluoridated drinking water, according to a video report from CBS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called this effort “one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century.”

Proponents of fluoride have argued that including it in drinking water may improve oral health, particularly for children with developmental conditions.

Mary Beth Giacona, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, revealed that individuals residing in areas without fluoridated drinking water often present with higher rates of cavities compared with areas that do supply fluoridated drinking water to its residents. She emphasized that fluoridating water has been shown to prevent up to 40% of tooth decay.

However, RFK Jr. has falsely claimed that fluoride is linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease, according to the CBS report. As a result, dentists are once again debating the health benefits of fluoridated drinking water.

Read more: CBS

Obituary: Dr. A.C. Brizzolara, ADA Member for 65 Years

Dr. A.C. (Jerry) Brizzolara, III, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024, at the age of 96. Jerry was born on April 29, 1928, in Little Rock to Aristo Cornelius Brizzolara and Agnes Mahoney Brizzolara.

He graduated from Little Rock High School and went on to serve in the United States Army Air Corps in 1948, where he proudly served during the Korean War. After his military service, Jerry pursued his passion for dentistry and graduated from the University of Tennessee Dental School with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1959. He returned to Little Rock, where he practiced dentistry for over 43 years, becoming a trusted and respected figure in the community.

Jerry had a deep love for nature, hunting, and spending time outdoors with his four sons. His spirit of adventure was boundless, and he found joy in every moment of life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Barbara Marie Brizzolara; their son, Paul Benjamin Brizzolara; his second wife of 11 years, Judith Robins-Brizzolara; as well as his sisters, Agnes Aday and Marie Maginn; and his brother, Dr. A.J. (Jack) Brizzolara. He is survived by his sons, Aristo Cornelius (Jay) Brizzolara IV and his wife Carol, and their children Aristo, Elena, Elijah, and Emory, Richard Lee Brizzolara and his wife Charlotte, and their son Ian, and Jeffrey Allen Brizzolara and his wife Kristen, and their children Blake, Whit, and Grace. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Shields of Little Rock; and many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

The Lord blessed us with dad for 96 precious years. He had such a good and joyous spirit about him. Life was always an adventure to him, and if not, he certainly sought it out. Sometimes you just don’t know how good you have it, until you look back and see the Lord’s hand in everything! He took us through some amazing storms as only a strong dad could do. Dad had a wonderful way about him that caused you to love him, and, somehow, he is still doing that even now! He just kept looking forward, and I believe that dad is starting the greatest adventure of his life right now with Jesus! Praise the Lord for blessing us with this wonderful soul, whom we called dad these last 96 years!!!

A drop in memorial visitation in remembrance of Dr. Brizzolara will be held at 54 Longlea Ct., Little Rock, Ark., 72212. on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. No flowers or gifts are necessary, just come with memories to share.