2 www.pagd.org Carl Jenkins, DDS, MAGD PAGD President The primary goal of PAGD is to advance the field of dentistry by promoting excellence and fostering professional relationships through education. Our vision is to create a community of general dentists who constantly strive for more. Personally, I can attest to the impact PAGD has had on my career. Since attending my first PEAK meeting in 1999, I have been part of a group that has not only inspired my growth as a dentist, but also encouraged me to provide a higher standard of care to my patients. While I believe I would still have the same passion for dentistry without PAGD, the relationships I have formed within this organization have made my journey much smoother. Whenever I encounter a question or challenge in my practice, I know exactly who to turn to for guidance and inspiration. Thanks to the encouragement from my PAGD colleagues and the PEAK program, I have been able to offer my patients a range of services that I may not have otherwise pursued. These include neutral zone impressions for complex prosthetic cases, endodontics (including molars), CBCT diagnosis, implant restorations, comprehensive restoration of severe wear, and surgical implant placement. When I received my “license to learn” in 1990, I never anticipated delving into these areas of dentistry. The best part of this continuous learning journey has been the motivation and enjoyment it brings. Although I may not always be the quickest learner or the first to adopt new procedures, witnessing my colleagues present their work at PEAK motivates me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. The benefits to my patients have been tremendous, and I owe much of my growth and knowledge to the inspiration I have received from all of you. But it’s not just about education and motivation; we have also had a great deal of fun along the way. Over the years, we have built teddy bears for our children, explored museums of medical oddities, participated in trap shooting and axe throwing, and dressed up in outrageous costumes for Halloween (and that’s just in Pennsylvania). In recent years, our adventures have reached new heights with PEAK conferences in the Caribbean. Imagine spending the morning engaged in enriching continuing education sessions, followed by relaxing on a sunny beach at an all-inclusive resort. If you haven’t experienced one of these trips yet, mark your calendar for the weekend before the Super Bowl and join us. This year, we’ll be in Antigua. We also want to take a moment to remember our dear friend and colleague, Kurt Laemmer, who enjoyed these trips with us. We will miss him dearly, especially seeing him in his Hawaiian shirt, diligently taking notes. As we raise our glasses, we will toast to his memory and express our gratitude for the inspiration he provided throughout the years. May your journey be peaceful, my friend. License to Learn Carl Jenkins, DDS, MAGD “The best part of this continuous learning journey has been the motivation and enjoyment it brings.” | president’s message Drs. Carl Jenkins and Kurt Laemmer
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