Michael Helgeson, D.D.S.
President, American Geriatric Dental Society
Co-Founder of Apple Tree Dental
by Ruth Garrett, PhD, MPH
Director Meharry Geriatric Education Consortium (MMC, VU, TSU)

The MMC Geriatric Student Forum sponsored the first Geriatric Retreat, April 28, 2004 at the Millennium Maxwell House Nashville. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the MMC School of Dentistry collaborated with the Meharry Consortium Geriatric Education Center (MCGEC) to provide this retreat. Originally planned for a full day retreat, this mini-retreat, 5-9 PM, fulfilled our objectives and accommodated the students’ schedules. Dr. James Powers, MD and Dr. Michael Helgeson, DDS were our speakers. J. Mark Wilson provided entertainment during dinner by relating his experiences as a bullfighter’s rodeo clown.

The retreat format provided an occasion for staff, faculty and students to get to know each other, and allowed us to give students an experience that was fun as well as educational. Experts from Geriatrics and Geriatric Dentistry highlighted positive aspects of geriatrics. Dr. Helgeson is President of the American Geriatric Dental Society and CEO of Apple Tree Dental, a corporation that he co-founded seventeen years ago to improve the lives of people with special access needs. In 2002, dental services were provided to 31,231 patients, with $1.9 million in uncompensated care. The students at the retreat rated Dr. Helgeson and Dr. Powers as excellent speakers with valuable information.
 

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