By: Dr. Sanjay Nayak, Mangalore INDIA
On October 21st 2013 exactly three days after his 52nd birthday Dr Joseph Samo Dovgan, a.k.a. Joey D lost his 6 yr battle with Myeloma. The world of endodontics lost its shining star, a highly talented soul, a fountain head of knowledge and a great humanitarian.
Born Oct. 18, 1961, in Omaha – Nebraska but raised in New Mexico and Colorado, Joey D. as he was better known, returned to his birthplace, attended Creighton University for an undergraduate degree (majored in physics) as well his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.). Moving later to the University of Iowa he continued with specialty training and received his Certificate of Endodontics and a Masters of Science degree. He extensively lectured in the USA and internationally, taught hands-on courses, help organize entire
Endodontic Societies like Roots, started grass-root movements to bring to the AAE better practice standards, preached and pushed for microscope dentistry every time and everywhere. He has been a Vice-President of the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry (AMED). He published at least 10 research papers* and also became an inventor of innumerable endodontic related products which have helped raise the standard of endodontic care not just in the USA but even around the world**.
The ROOTS SUMMIT in Amsterdam in 2006 showed us that Joey had great organizational and public relations skills. Unfortunately it was after the ROOTS Amsterdam Summit that Joey D was diagnosed with Myeloma.
It is now revealed that during the terminal stage of his fight with Myeloma he was busy trying to finish the prototype of a new electro-chemo-mechanical irrigation device along with co-inventor Dr Marc Balson! Right when his body was undergoing the torment of chemotherapy, the various hospital visits and the three Stem cell transplants he was engaged in inventing one more useful tool for the dental community! Such supreme dedication, such sacrifice! By pushing the limits of human endurance! He actually defeated death!
His close friends like Dr Balson, Dr Terry and Dr Gary Henkel kept in touch with him all along.
Dr Marc Balson Past President American Association of Endodontists of Livingston, New Jersey said “Joe was an integral part of Roots from its inception and was the Master of Ceremonies and many of the Roots meetings over the last two decades. He will be missed by so many people whose lives he touched in dentistry and endodontics.”
Dr Terry Pannkuk President The Schilder Institute for the Advancement of Endodontics Santa Barbara, CA said:
“Joey was a great friend, mentor, researcher, inventor, and educator. There will be an outpouring of emotion by the great many dentists whose professional lives he touched. One of his last urgent wishes was to become a Schilder Institute member which he became 3 weeks ago. Joey’s presence made everyone feel positive, enthusiastic and uplifted as a professional. He lived to educate, discover, and share freely with everyone around him”
Joey was given a Catholic Funeral Mass on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 and was cremated as per his request in Little Rock, Arkansas. A celebration of the life of Joe Dovgan will be held at the home of Stephanie Dovgan on Saturday, February 22, 2014. All of Joe’s family, friends and colleagues are invited to attend. Bring your memories of Joe with you and be ready to share them with everyone in attendance. Perhaps it’s about the first time you met him or maybe it’s a funny or poignant experience that brought you to the realization that you were in the presence of a unique and remarkable person.
Stephanie is planning to serve Joe’s favorite foods for your culinary delectation. The Dovgan residence is about 20 minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Further details, such as time and lodging suggestions are forthcoming. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend this special event.
Address: Stephanie Dovgan
11652 N 22nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85028
sdovgan15@gmail.com
Donations for Joe can be directed to the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy. Checks should be made out to the Myeloma Institute and mailed to
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy
#816
4301 W Markham St
Little Rock, AR 72205-9985
Donation forms to be included are available online @ http://myeloma.uams.edu/donation
Online donations by credit card are also available @ http://myeloma.uams.edu/donation
Annexure 1
*Joey’s Publications :
March 1993 Adaptation of thermafil components to canal walls, Juhlin JJ, Walton RE, Dovgan JS, J Endod. 1993 Mar; 19(3):130-5.
Sept 1995 Electrothermal debracketing: patient acceptance and effects on the dental pulp, Dovgan JS, Walton RE, Bishara SE Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1995 Sep;108(3):249-55
June 1996 Comment on electrothermal debonding, Dovgan JS, Walton R, Bishara SE, Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1996 Jun; 109(6):15A
Oct 1998 Incorporating Nickel Titanium Endodontic Instrumentation into your practice, Dent Today. 1998 Oct;17(10):86-8, 90-3.
Summer 1998 Incorporating Nickel Titanium Endodontic Instrumentation into your practice, Burkhardt Concepts
Spring 2000 NSET in the New Millennium, Schein Catalog
May 2000 NSET in the New Millennium, Endodontic Practice Magazine
Dec 2001 The ThermoHydraulic Condensation Technique, Nahmias Y, Mah T, Dovgan J, Oral Health & Dental Practice Management, Dec 2001
March 2002 The ThermoHydraulic Condensation Technique, Nahmias Y, Mah T, Dovgan J, Oral Health & Dental Practice Management, March 2002
July 2002 Evolving Technologies: Conventional Considerations in Root Canal Therapy, Endodontic Therapy 2002, Volume 2 Number 1, Pages: Cover-1
Annexure 2
**Joey’s inventions in dentistry:
1998 JD 35/45 and JD 60/80 0.04 Nickel Titanium Condensing Pluggers,
Miltex 1998 Pow-R Coronal Shapers, Nickel Titanium Cervical Shapers,
Miltex 1999 Slide; optically clear, Water soluble, Non EDTA containing, Disinfecting Lubricant. Specifically designed for endodontic instrumentation under the scope,
Miltex 2000 1.6 mm outer diameter Dovgan MTA Carriers (Bendable and NonBendable), Niti push rod allows the material to be smoothly introduced with control. The bendable carrier permits use in those hard to reach areas.
Quality Aspirators 2000 First dual cleaning cycle ultrasonic for cassettes removing ZOE and other contaminants using common household cleaners and degreasers. The system completely avoids manual handling of instruments during the cycle since it is a “one button” comprehensive solution. It includes cascading ultrasonic rinse for removing accumulated films during washing on instruments and drying in the vessel.
2001 Dovgan Microscopic Mirrors, #0, #1,
Miltex 2000 Full size double wide cassettes specifically designed for endodontic instrumentation.
Thompson Dental 2000 Niti Irrigating Needle for Endodontics: 17, 21, and 25 mm,
Vista Dental Roots 2001 0.8 mm Dovgan Bendable MTA carrier,
Quality Aspirators 2002 0.99 mm Dovgan Bendable MTA carrier,
Quality Aspirators 2002 Vista Unidose Methylene Blue Dye Roots,
Vista Dental 2002 Dovgan GTX coated 100/140 0.02 Condensers,
Miltex2004 Dovgan XL Niti Condensers 35/45, 60/80 0.04 Condensers,
Miltex 2004 Dovgan Surgical MTA condensers available in 0.65, 0.8, 1, 1.2, and 1.6 mm,
Hartzel 2005 Co-Developer: Vista Versabrush. An Intracoronal brush to clean endodontic access,
Vista Dental 2005 Dam-It, a Dovgan Rubber Dam Sealing Material,
Vista Dental 2005 Dovgan Resin Painting Instrument, EJD 2/3,
Hartzel 2006 Dovgan Disposable Carriers (metal) 0.8, 0.99, 1.6, and 2.4 mm
Vista Dental 2007 Collaborator: Chlor-Xtra, a better penetrating tissue dissolving irrigant,
Vista Dental 2009 Dovgan Disposable Carriers (plastic) 0.8, 0.99, 1.6, and 2.4 mm
Vista 2011 Provisional Patent for Endodontic Irrigation device. for ElectroChemoMechanical Irrigation along with Dr Marc Balson ( BAD Endodontics -( BAD = Balson and Dovga