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WINTER / SPRING '04 By Richard Kleefield, DDS This is the forty-ninth newsletter circulated to all of our patients, parents and colleagues. We hope that you will find its content both interesting and provocative. Please, always feel free to comment upon the content and to offer any constructive suggestions that you may have.  We earnestly try to listen to our constituency an apply your suggestions as a means of improving our care and service to all of our patients. A LITERARY HIATUS For almost twenty-four years, I had happily written these updates twice each year, even since my retirement from our practice as Y-2K dawned. No Tom Clancy or J.K. Rowling am I as my silence throughout '03 gives testament. Like any self-complimenting author and prophet, I did in fact opine that America would be powerful enough and sufficiently resilient to absorb and overcome the nightmare of "9/11". That said, for those who personally suffered the losses of that terrible day, recovery remains more metaphysical than tangible, more theoretical than practical, I suspect. But, let’s see if I can give a brief summary of '03? Martha Stewart, occasionally of Westport found that sometimes, it’s, NOT A GOOD THING to have friends in high places and try to make a profit in the stock market. Most of the good folks who ran Enron and Global Crossing remain unindicted, NOT A GOOD THING; the economy seemed to have improved A GOOD THING; the political season got under way the ten starters were reduced to nine by the departure of Senator Bob Graham of Florida. Secretary of the Treasury, Paul O'Neil was fired by President Bush he than wrote a book and went on 60 minutes to say that his former boss was, "like a blind man talking to people who were deaf…" (I still haven’t quite figured out what that means.) Ambassador Paul Bremmer said, "Well….we got'em!" (Saddam Hussein) which I think we all would agree was A GOOD THING. Our New York Giants (really New Jersey) and Jets went home early I don’t know whether that’s A GOOD THING, but I’m a Patriots fan so I think it is. Finally, UBL and friends didn’t blow up the Times Square New Years Eve party definitely A GOOD THING.  Probably, the best thing is that we’ve been granted another year, perhaps the word gifted is preferable to granted. GOOD THINGS...THEY ARE A HAPPENING! Honestly, I didn't mean to select the above title for the sake of redundancy. Nevertheless, you’ve probably noticed some improvements in our creature-comforts...new carpets, new wall prints, fresh paint and new waiting room furniture in Westport. That's a good thing.  What is even better is constancy. We now have five staff members who have been with us for between eighteen and twenty-five years and throughout the entire staff, the average longevity is approximately ten years. Really, that is utterly wonderful and truly explains why our practice has been so fortunate to continue its extraordinary growth. Our group has always prided itself in being a leader in orthodontic technology. Here is a recitation of '03's improvements: New computer system and network now permits scheduling of appointment in either office from any location; new telephone system for Westport office; new laptop computers with wireless communications to our central server allowing interactive patient-consultations in both Westport and Norwalk. This system allows patients to actually view how many aspects of treatment are accomplished with the Quick Ceph Smile-Studio which demonstrates various treatment modalities and mechanics. This provides the most complete description of our treatment thesis in a way that is totally comprehensible by the orthodontic patient, accomplishing our goal of a totally and complete informed consent. Additionally, we have the capability to scan x-rays for printing or for digital transmission via email. We have upgraded our appointment reminder telephone system which gives the patient's first name, office location and time of their appointment with a single phone call, the night before such an appointment. There is a confirmation option or and option to cancel or change such an appointment if deemed necessary. We have upgraded our digital photographic capabilities with higher resolution, 4 megapixel cameras to capture the accurate details required for greater precision in treatment. We have acquired the German-made Kavo enamel re-approximation system which allows us to reduce multiple tooth sizes in adults and children where teeth are mildly crowded. In many instances, this permits us to avoid extraction of permanent teeth which would otherwise be required. Lastly, 2004 will see the addition of more modern and comfortable treatment chairs as well as new waiting area accoutrements in our Norwalk office and addition of Chrisy, at our reception desk to increase our scheduling efficiency. As the official icon and founder of the Westwalk Orthodontic group, I have always been tremendously proud of David and Gary for their exemplary skills, foresight and their peerless professional integrity. In my new career as a program director for post-graduate orthodontic training at St. Barnabas hospital in New York, I have had a broadened opportunity to see the work of many fine colleagues and to better appreciate the enormous progress that has been made since I began my orthodontic career. Truly, with no prejudice, I have objectively concluded that the brothers Romeo rank among the most outstanding practitioners of our Orthodontic specialty. Their reputations are absolutely, second-to-none. Equivalently, our staff is and always has been comprised of some of the most talented, caring and dedicated people that I have ever had the good fortune to know. Their contribution to our practice, in my humble opinion, is what has made our practice grow and succeed beyond my wildest hopes and dreams. As I pass by our offices, I note with gratitude and pride that my name remains upon our trademark shingles. It is wonderful to know that I have left "WOG" in the finest of hands. FINIS With a joyous holiday season now recently passed and spring upon us, I recollect that a tradition dating back to the time our family came to the Westport/Norwalk area to make our lifelong home perhaps most aptly describes our life amongst you. One of the advantages of becoming a senior is the ability to look backward and reflect upon one's fortunes. It has now been an incredible thirty-six years since the Kleefield family planted its roots here. My time at WOG allowed me to see thousands of families and their children grow and prosper; to see their offspring establish magnificent careers and lives. Many gave me the gift of becoming part of their extended families and the opportunity to share their prideful achievements. To my great joy, many of those ties that bind remain as part of my life. My own children have grown into successful and happy adults and provided me with three beautiful grandchildren who reside in Weston and eagerly fill our home for repeated sleepovers. My wife, Mickey will see our forty-third wedding anniversary and our greatest gift of all is that of abundant good health. There is a great deal more that I could put upon my life inventory list which would substantiate my longstanding feeling that I have been a truly blessed individual. What is the tradition within our family? Every New Years Eve, we as a family watch an old, nostalgic and well-known film which starred the legendary Jimmy Stewart entitled, "It’s A Wonderful Life"...and so it is and so it has always been. Another of my traditions is to close by expressing our deepest appreciation to all of you who have chosen to select us to care for you and your families. In the simplest of terms, we are honored by your presence and trust. We wish one and all a wonderful year ahead and approach the future with unbounded optimism...God Bless!