Dr. Perry Brickman, GSOMS Past President, founder of our GSOMS Educational Trust and recipient of our John Freihaut Lifetime Achievement Award, is the author of Extracted, a fascinating book that describes the antisemitism he and many other Jewish students experienced at Emory University’s Dental School and the Atlanta Southern Dental College in the 1950’s and early 60’s. Also a part of the “racial quota” scheme was ADA’s Council on Dental Education (CODE).

Perry’s story is compelling in many ways but his relentless pursuit of the truth stands out throughout the tightly written text. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You will be proud of Perry, ashamed of the leadership at Emory during that critical time in dental education but pleased with the end result of reconciliation and forgiveness.

ADA has announced that dental anesthesiology has become “the 10th dental specialty recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards.” On March 11, the National Commission “adopted a resolution based on an application from the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists to recognize dental anesthesiology as a dental specialty.”

Dr. James Tom, president of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists, said, “This historic vote by the National Commission certainly reflects the ADA’s ongoing efforts towards improved patient care and safety in the areas of dental sedation, dental anesthesiology and access for those with special health care needs.”

In addition to dental anesthesiology, other recognized dental specialties include dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics.