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Turning another leaf: 2014

Dec. 20, 2013
With another calendar year drawing to a close and 2014 just around the corner, FOCUS Editorial Director Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, reminds us that the new year symbolizes the birth of hope and the renewal of life. She also takes a few moments to reflect on the accomplishments of 2013 in the final issue of FOCUS this year.

Many choose the New Year as the time to turn over a new leaf. Some decide to change to a new and improved lifestyle, perhaps to lose weight to become healthier. Tobacco users vow to kick the habit, or at least try! The New Year symbolizes the birth of hope, and the renewal of life.

But before I speak about 2014, I want to address the end of 2013. First and foremost, I want to thank all of the wonderful RDH eVillage FOCUS authors and contributors, and the PennWell® staff, especially Duane DaPron and Mark Hartley. This is a team effort, and without the rest of the team, my efforts would fall short of my expectations. I am happy to say that in November, five of the top nine DentistryIQ articles viewed in our online newsletter world were from RDH eVillage FOCUS! Keep reading, and let us know what you want to read about.

The National Academies Press listed “The Top 20 Most Popular Titles Of 2013.”(1) Some of these titles are: Interprofessional Education for Collaboration: Learning How to Improve Health from Interprofessional Models Across the Continuum of Education to Practice: Workshop Summary; Evaluating Obesity Prevention Efforts: A Plan for Measuring Progress (see Section 4); and Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis, to name a few titles.

This is a time of year for New Year’s resolutions. “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”(2) We should all concentrate on being better, whether it is with our health, our careers, or our relationships. Inspirational thoughts for the New Year will spur you into action. “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”(3)

It is also a time to challenge yourself, to be with people that make you happy, and to affect positive change in your life in in the lives of those around you. We want to live life while we are able, and bear in mind, we are all mortal. Let’s make the best use of the time we have on this earth.

My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones this past year, and with those who are ill or caring for family or friends who are not well. Struggles and obstacles are very difficult, but in the end, make us stronger.

I wish all of you a very happy holiday season, and a happy, healthy 2014.

Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS

To read previous RDH eVillage FOCUS introductions by Maria Perno Goldie, click here.

To read more about resolutions for the new year and dental hygiene, click here.