Dr. Richard J. Albenesius
National President

Psi Omega Fraternity
1040 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407

Phone: (843) 556-0573
Fax: (843) 556-6311
Email:
psiomega@bellsouth.net

Fall '08

How quickly time passes. It has been my honor to have served as the 69th President and to have been a member of this fine organization as a student, Deputy Councilor, and Province Councilor for the past 29 years. What great memories and life long friendships that I have made! This past year has been quite a successful one. We have formed new chapters and continue to increase our enrollment. At the Conclave meeting the student reports on activities, social, educational, and community events are always enlightening. We are looking forward to our next Conclave here in Charleston, SC, in
February 2009.

Membership in Psi Omega provides the opportunity for alumni and faculty members to connect with students about our profession and the major issues forthcoming. Dentistry is a great profession. There is a dramatic increase in awareness of dental care access issues. In the March issue of JADA, “demand for oral health care is forecasted to increase dramatically over the next decade”. What a great opportunity for our student members; the future of the profession looks very bright. But there are significant challenges facing our profession.

Become politically active!

It is vital to the future of our profession that all of us become involved politically. Vote, support your candidates in this Presidential election year. Health-care is a major legislative issue, but more importantly so is your ‘support for the future of dentistry’. On a daily basis, glance at the ADA or AGD news releases which reveal new changes and proposed legislation that will dramatically change our profession. CDHC, ADHP, DHAT - if you are not familiar with these acronyms you should be because the potential impact of these “mid- level providers” will change our profession. Apathy and complacency are not an option! Become knowledgeable about these issues, become an active member of Psi Omega Fraternity and the ADA and, most importantly, discuss this with our student members.

Many thanks to the National Council and the Central Office: Tom, Jimmy, and Emily for all of their support and hard work keeping our fraternity a viable and vibrant one. Job well done!!

Best wishes to all of our members, alumni, and students. See ya’ll in Charleston in February 2009.

Rick Albenesius, DMD MHSA
National President

Psi Omega Fraternity
1040 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407

Telephone: (843) 556-0573
Fax: (843) 556-6311
E-mail: psiomega@bellsouth.net