AOS MEMBERSHIP NEWS Turn Down the Noise I would first like to introduce myself. My name is Brian D. Vierthaler, and I am the new president of the American Orthodontic Society. I am a general dentist, practicing in Maryville, MO, with two other general dentists: we focus on orthodontics, implant dentistry and overall patient care. I graduated UMKC School of Dentistry in 2002, where my father taught for 32 years. One could definitely say that dentistry is “in the blood”. As we begin 2022, I always sit down with my inter-nal voice and think about the things I would like to accomplish in the upcoming year. Not all of these things are big. In fact, it’s the little changes that can lead to monumental accomplishments. These changes, whether they be in our personal lives, or professional lives, I believe are of paramount importance in order to keep improving our lives. I do not believe that we can “stay the same.” I believe that we are either getting better, or getting worse. With this is mind, I have decided in 2022 to “turn down the noise”. “Noise” is anything that distracts you from what you want to accomplish. Noise can be social media, television, or simply the “Eeyores” in life. As we remember, Eeyore was the donkey in the Winnie-the-Pooh books, by A. A. Milne. Eeyore, no matter what the situation, was always pessimistic, gloomy and depressed. Eeyore was the physical manifestation of Brian D. Vierthaler, DDS “noise.” We must attempt in our AOS President lives to turn down the noise and focus on what we are trying to accomplish. The American Orthodontic Society has lots of things we can improve on to become the best version of itself. The Board of Directors is working hard to accomplish these goals. I challenge each and every member of the AOS to “turn down the noise” in 2022. Stop procrasti-nating about taking that next class, and engage yourself in your profession. Stop telling yourself that in the future, you’re “going to get healthy.” Start now, and push yourself to the edge of the comfort zone, for that is where true learning and accomplishment begins! It is up to each and every member to determine what they want to accomplish in 2022. My hope is at the end of the year, we can look back and be proud. Just don’t let the “noise” be your excuse in 2022! Brian D. Vierthaler, DDS www.orthodontics.com Winter 2022 41
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Winter 2022: Page 41
