Message from the Universe

 

53 years ago, I started my apprenticeship as a dental salesman. I went to work for almost a year at one of UK’s leading dental dealers, Cottrell & Co. in the heart of London.

Then, there were no composite filling materials, only silicates. No bonding materials, no disposable needles and hardly a seat in sight for the dentist. When you entered the stock room, a common sight was like the one below: boxes and boxes of acrylic teeth.

This was the sight that met me when I entered our dealer’s stock department last week – in Cluj, Romania. “And our stock levels are low at the moment”, I was told.
OK, they DO have composites and disposable needles, and the dentists DO sit down at their work. True, they don’t have dental hygienists, but that’s the same as France, Belgium, Greece and Turkey – and many other countries in the World. So I don’t want to be over-critical. Just observing…

 

 

This became doubly apparent when I visited Amsterdam’s ACTA (dental university) facilities earlier this week. In fact, on Monday I gave a lecture to 3rd year dental hygienists in an auditorium, that would not look out of place at a modern art museum. Quite stunning.

I mean, just look at the image below: this is just one quick view from the lobby. Could be a Las Vegas hotel with that atrium.

 

It illustrates the task ahead for those who are trying to bring dental care to the World. For instance, I suggest you check out the efforts of the ADI – Academy of International Dentistry, an organisation that voluntarily directs its funds and brains to exactly that subject. I am proud to help where I can, such as bringing them closer to the IFDH, the World Hygienists’ Association.

You and I may be getting good dental care. But so much of this World just has not caught up – and is in danger of being left far behind. Romania is an example of the problem: they joined the EU some years ago, but, as you see from the above image, have a long way to go.

Smile – Support Your Dentist

 

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As the notes about my blog state, I’m 53 years in this dental business.
Back in 1967, exactly 50 year ago, and after 3 years’ apprenticeship, I was given my initial sales territory: Holland, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland.
50 years ago, I started selling dental products here in the Netherlands.
And today, I am back here (perhaps for the 100th time) and shall take you for a little walk down Nostalgia Lane.

First, proof that I am in Amsterdam.
Do you know any country that promotes its cheeses as well as the Netherlands?
Yes, in many countries, there are fromageries – but they feature ‘cheese to buy’ from all over the World.
But you won’t see them at every tourist street corner or at the airports etc., as in the Netherlands.

 

 

A few meters away, I arrive at Nes, considered the oldest street in the city.
I stand approximately where one of my customers used to be. There’s am RHO hotel there. I am confused.
Then I see the sign above the doorway: Drijfhout & Zoon. It’s the same building, and there’s the proof!
They were primarily suppliers of precious metals to dental laboratories.
Customer # 1179…I was selling Jelenko products to them, especially the gold alloys.
Those were the days.

 

 

I went inside, and was happily surprised to see that they had retained the old look – now a beautiful hotel lobby, with Art Deco design.
In the old days this beautiful place had offices in every direction.
They told me the hotel had been established in 1990. That’s about right; I stopped working for Jelenko in 1982!

 

 

I continued walking along Nes…the old style on the left, the new on the right.
Strange effect, but that’s Amsterdam, a cacophony of old and new.

 

 

At the other end, next to the Old Mill Souvenir shop, I gaped at the building where I actually stayed for a few weeks.
I had a Dutch lady friend in those days – had met her playing tennis in London. And when I arrived in 1968, she and her boyfriend invited me to stay with them in Nes.
Look at the view we had from the back windows – and still today…

 

 

Dental is a great world of which to be a part, and Amsterdam is a great place to sell dental materials…

Smile – Support your dentist

 

admin Uncategorized Amsterdam, Cheese, Netherlands

 

His name is Stein Tessem.
He is Norwegian dentist, encountered at the recent national expo in Stavanger.
Yes, he likes American Eagle’s non-sharpening instruments.
But that’s not the point!!
The point is that he’s a happy guy who’s giving dentists a good reputation.

 

 

Stephen

Sale -Support your Dentist

 

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Annually, one of the many successful German regional dental exhibitions is held in the very attractive city of Leipzig.

You’ve seen images of stands, hallways, conference rooms and snack bars. But how about a view of a lovely building near the Old Town centre….

 

 

After the fair ended last Saturday, I had time to roam the town centre on a lovely, sunny late-summer’s day.
The streets were full of people. There were various types of markets: food, groceries, flowers – and the arts.
It was one special stand that caught my eye: Glass Pens.
There they were, being produced before my very eyes. Lovely ones, of every possible design and color.

 

“Try them out”, he and she invited. And they worked; perfectly. In fact, one dip in the old-style (Parker Quink?) liquid, and you had enough on the pen to write a postcard home.

And what variety of colors and designs….

 

 

 

 

 

They also were producing and selling beautiful wooden stands..

 

 

 

And special bottles, designed like inkwells.

 

 

Apparently the history of these goes back to the mid 17th Century. The need came from the limited lifespan of then current writing plumes. Glass was already recognized as something that may break, but did not wear, and that was important.

Am I allowed to so a little promotion here? The relevant website is www.buchrose.org. Includes an online shop.
And, according to the makers, if you break them, you just gather the pieces together, send them back, ands they will be repaired like new. That’s a free service (you just pay for the postage).

Of course I bought some. You would have as well.

Smile – Support your dentist

 

admin Uncategorized Glass, Hypezig, Leipzig, Lipsia

 

I am trying so hard to keep this non-commercial, but, hey, blocking out images spoils the fun!

So here she is, name omitted to protect her identity, admiring American Eagle’s XP non-sharpening technology.

 

I am their European Sales Director. I am not particularly fashion-conscious. She was therefore quite surprised and confused when I asked her how come she was advertising our Double Gracey line on her head….

 

“What are you talking about?”, she asked, smiling

 

‘Your hairclip”, I replied. How come you’re advertising our technology.

She went back to studying the instrument. But I know what she was thinking….”Nice guy, nice instruments, now how to persuade my husband to fork out the money?”

 

Smile – Support Your Dentist

 

admin Uncategorized FDI, Poland, Poznan

 

Basel, Switzerland is known for its financial gnomes. It’s a city that borders both France and Germany. In fact, it has suburbs in both countries. When counting its population, they always come up with greatly varying figures, depending on their definition of where Basel is!

There’s a lovely old town centre, dating back umpteen years. The Rhine river rushes through the city (the strong current is famous and infamous), dividing it very clearly with several bridges on which people love to stop and stare.

Next time you’re there, sit on the terrace of the 3 Kings Hotel; order a (very expensive) drink, enjoy the very special snacks that come with it and then just stare at the view, together with all the other tourists who take my advice.

And between June 23–25, Basel was invaded by the international community of hygienists. Their organization is the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH), and the conference, held every three years, is the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH). (The next conference is in three years’ time in Seoul, but after that, they have decided to hold the conference every two years, the first being in Dublin in 2021).

Obviously, the largest contingent was Swiss, with almost half the just over 2,000 delegates. Also obviously, the Swiss combined this with their annual conference; no need for duplication—especially considering the rather high registration cost.

Next highest, by a very small margin, was the USA. With their 180,000-odd hygienists (the only country in the world, I believe, that has more hygienists than dentists), that was to be expected. But it was closely run ‘race’, with S. Korea just losing out. Some were there primarily to promote the next conference…

 

 

Next we see the new President of the IFDH, Robyn Watson, promoting the Seoul conference.

 

I could not resist the temptation….

 

Some of you may have noticed that I live in that little island called Israel. (Well, originally, I am English, but that island was last seen being kept afloat by its Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish paddlers). The Israeli delegation was 5th or 6th in size. Here you see Sharon Friedman, president of the Israeli association, waving the flag at the opening ceremony and most of the Israeli hygienists enjoying the moment…

 

 

Our company, American Eagle Instruments, and our dealer in Israel, AB 2000, decided to make the Israelis extra welcome by inviting them to a Swiss evening. It was a warm evening, but still the guests seems to enjoy the very special cheese fondue served…

 

the wine and the speeches…

 

and the Swiss music…

 

Basel was a success. If you’ve never been to Seoul, now you have an excuse!!

Smile – Promote Your Dentist

 

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Annually, the Austrian dental trade show is held in the capital city. The expo centre is modern, conveniently-located. Lectures are organized, many stands offer refreshments, and there’s even a large area where traditionally-attractive and delicious open sandwiches are freely served, backed up by a very decent choice of the best wines – all free.

So why the usual post-expo discussions about how to attract more people?

• Used to be a 3-day meeting. They dropped the Thursday. Good decision?
• They’ve shortened Saturday to just 5 hours. Good decision? (If the sun’s out, as it was this weekend, who wants to go to a dental exhibition?).
• More lectures? Perhaps.
• Special offers? Getting everyone to agree is a problem.
• Hold the expo every 2 years? Being discussed.

 

Not sure if the Thursday night AC/DC concert at the adjoining stadium made any difference. Not sure if many of the black t-shirted long-haired guests at the hotel were potential dental buyers. (And that’s just the women…..).

So, what else could you have experienced here in Vienna?

Well, first, a taste of what’s happening in many parts of our world: on-the-edge-ones’-seat elections. Only a few minutes ago, Austria declared the leftist Green Party candidate, Alexander van der Bellen the new President, by the skin of his teeth. Having eliminated the centrist parties in the first rounds of the vote, van der Bellen defeated the Far Rightist, Norbert Hofer, by the narrowest of margins – after adding up all the postal votes. “Phew” whispers the rest of the World?

How about a meeting with Gerhard Strassgschwandner, director of the Third Man Museum, which shows not only the whole story of the famous Oson Welles movie, but also illustrates in great detail the incredible atmosphere of Vienna in 1947-8, still in ruins and totally controlled by the 4 Allied forces – just like Berlin except, the the 1st District, the Allied vehicles ALL were manned by at least 1 member of each of the 4 occupiers (US, France, Russia and UK).

 

 

 

You could have visited Stefans Dom, St. Stephen’s cathedral. (My parents named me after this church – my father was Viennese). Right now, Rod Stewart gets his name in the same spotlight.

 

 

 

You could visit the famous Palmers stores, Austria’s leading supplier of ladies intimate wear, and understand, from this ad., why they cause so many car accidents in the country.

 

 

How about sitting in the famous Naschmarkt, which means, literally, ‘snack market’. Took this strange image of 2 sisters from Arizona and their mirror images.

 

 

 

 

Have a tour of the city sites on one of the famous Viennese ‘Fiakers’ (hackneys).

 

 

Or have an implant inserted by Drs. Michael Weinlaender and Walter Wadsak in their beautiful and modern premises within meters of St. Stephen.

 

 

Go by tram to see Placido Domingo in ‘La Traviata’ at the Staatsoper.

 

 

 

See Vienna’s versions of Holywoods’s ‘walk of fame’…

 

 

 

 

 

Or learn to communicate by means of Esperanto, as per Dr. Ludwig Zamenhof

 

 

 

And finally, wash your hands at the Hotel Imperial – at up to $1,500 per night.

 

 

 

Smile -Support your dentist

 

admin Uncategorized Austria, Dental Expo, Vienna

 

Recently, there has been the usual dental event at Schein in the Netherlands. It has been running successfully for over 30 years.

Every year, there has been a theme. Might be ‘Roman Times’ or ‘Winter Sports’, ‘The Jungle or ’Traditional Holland’.

The decor in the special marquis and around the Schein building would reflect the mood of the theme. Staff would dress up; even the food served would be of a special flavor.

In earlier days, some – only some – of the suppliers would make an effort to join the mood. I’d make sure American Eagle staff were among the few who made the effort to support the idea…

In recent years, the philosophy has changed. Instead of ‘coming just for fun – and good deals’, the focus has been more in education. Schein puts on some very good lectures, and this has been attracting perhaps less of the ‘very faithful’, and has brought in the new, younger clients, willing to learn.

But the idea of a them continues.

This years, it was ‘The Movies’, and that’s right up my street. For4 my parents were both actors. I was this time perhaps the only supplier to do something special. I had a roll-up individually produced..

Here I am in front of the banner, showing different images from my parents’ careers –

 

 

In front of me, on the table, a book, a copy I produced, and a copy of which was given to every customer. It’s called ‘Visiting Hours’. It is not only a book that can be given to whomever you are visiting in a home or in a hospital, it actually reflects that theme: my father was Eric Pohlmann, who appeared in around 200 movies. (Check him out online. For instance, see his special connection wit the James Bond movies).

In the early 60’s, he spent some months in and out of hospitals. While there, he sketched the faces around him. Mostly patients, but also the doctors, nurses and visitors.

I put all the sketches into the book, plus a couple of others, and added the kind of words I think my father would have written, had he put his mind to it. We had the same sense of humour.

 

 

No, you don’t have to buy the book (although I’m considering marketing it). Just go to ourboox.com, and you’ll find it there – plus the other books I have published.

And the Dental Event?

Thanks to the book, we got far more orders, we welcomed new customers, the management and staff appreciated the effort I’d made, and everyone was happy.

 

Smile – Support your dentist.

 

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This is primarily for those amongst you who don’t get out enough, who are stuck in Smallville, somewhere, forever staring at the tourist maps, or perhaps flipping through images on Google of your potentially favourite vacation place.

After the cold and windy excitement of Chicago, I had the pleasure of attending Dental Expo in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is the capital of….the Netherlands. (Do NOT refer to Holland as the country when in the country. Holland is officially just one the the provinces in the Netherlands. And do not make the mistake of knowingly claiming that Den Haag / The Hague is the capital. It’s not. Amsterdam is the capital. However, you will find there the government buildings, the king’s palace and International Court of Justice).

As some of you may know, The Netherlands has been for many years the home of ‘open houses’, exhibitions put on by individual dealers, a chance for their loyal customers to become even more loyal, and to purchase a surprisingly large percentage of their annual needs during those couple of days.

I mention this, as some have presumed over the years that the Dutch dentist is ‘an easy sell’. Well, he/she may be very easy with whom to communicate, but an easy sell….no. This becomes obvious when attending the national expo, as was the case last week. A lot of interest, many discussions, but no avalanche of orders.

What was to be noticed was the effort to entertain. Almost every stand offered at least sweets, if not snacks, drinks and other goodies. Coffee machines were abundance. So you would think the visitors did not need to be fed. Far from it. I don’t think I have ever seen such an attractive display of foods etc. at a dental show…

 

 

 

And this is not on the floor above or in the foyer. This area was located right next to our booth. And the eating area was expansive and also very attractive.

Certainly, the visitor left the expo well-informed and very well-fed

Thence to Eilat in southern Israel. You all know that I am living in Israel since I moved with my Israeli wife and kids in 1984. If any of you want to know about the unquestionably interesting country, contact me – stephen.pohlmann@gmail com – and I’ll put you on my Letter from Israel’ distribution list. Been writing that for many years, giving my view of this country’s people, politics and landscape.

Eilat is a sliver of land squeezed next to Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia (there are 4 local airports). All 4 countries have resorts down here, but, I am told that Israel’s is by far the most developed. Las Vegas style hotels, boardwalks, night life, tax-free purchases, including the famous Dead Sea cosmetics, and access to the gorgeous waters of the Red Sea, ideal for snorkling. While many countries still freeze, Eilat’s current temperature is a perfect mid-20s C. Midweek, and you can always get on the tennis courts.

The occasion here is the biennial conference organized by AB 2000, perhaps Israel’s leading dental dealer.

100-150 dentists bring spouses – and some kids – to enjoy a good time, to view products on the 30 or so manufacturers’ stands (I displayed my American Eagle instruments) and to attend a series of always excellent lectures. This year, they were proud to welcome Lorenzo Vanini for the first time to Israel to show how the average dentist can become an artist with the materials available.

 

Here he is doing last-minute preparations for his lecture…

 

 

Otherwise, there were cocktail and dinner next to the pool..speeches by the dealer, Alon Brock, surrounded by his family, and happily-fed people…

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, the view from the room…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Not bad…

 

Smile – Support your dentist

 

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Starting to write this on what us known as Super Tuesday, March 1st, the first big day in the US primaries for the election of President. Just in case, I took picture of President Trip Tower…

 

 

Then, prior to the MidWinter Meeting,  I went to the Art Institute and met Christopher Monkhouse, curator of European Decorative Arts, where we arranged a meeting between 2 18th C English glasses, engraved by the same hand in 1714 (mine) and 1716. It were as if the 2 glasses were hugging each other, and speaking a clear Western County dialect.

 

 

Christopher then took me, my brother and nephew to some other galleries, which included a glimpse at a recently-loaned Jackson Pollock, valued at around $200 million

 

 

And a cute bit of trivia about the wonderful ‘Van Gogh’s Bedrooms’ exhibition – Here are 3 of his versions of the same scene. This bedroom was located in a house in Arles in Provence. In the acclaimed Kirk Douglas movie ‘Lust for Life’, the role of the owner of that house was played by….my father! (Eric Pohlmann).

 

 

Then we spent a morning visiting Crabtree Farm, the home of John H. Bryan, semi-retired businessman, philanthropist and fantastic art collector. Check out the 1926 indoor tennis court, at the entrance of which is what is claimed to be the oldest known painting of a tennis player, from the early 1500’s. (The English could really play in those days).

 

 

And among other wonderful objéts d’art was one of the original 4 Duke of Wellington chairs….

Then, to keep things legal, I HAD to to to the McCormick Centre and work. On the way in, I noticed….

 

 

America remains politically correct.

 

 

All are welcome, from all over the World…

 

 

And at the end, everything is put away in boxes…

 

 
….And we fly away.

Smile – Support your dentist.

Stephen

 

 

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