TWIN CITIES DENTAL STUDY GROUP RECEIVES SEATTLE STUDY CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD
More than 33 dental professionals honored for creating a 'University Without Walls.'

ST. PAUL, May 30, 2002 -- The Seattle Study Club has announced True North Professional Studies, a Twin Cities based study group for local dental professionals, as the winner of the 2001 Seattle Study Club of the Year. The award, which is chosen from more than 187 study groups world wide, represents the pinnacle of private practice continuing education.

"This award reaffirms what our members believe in, continuing education," said Marshall Wade, president, True North Professional Studies Club, St. Paul. "This group allows us to maintain a new educational community in which we are able to listen to lecturers and discuss patients together in an effort to 'raise the bar' for our practices to a new level of excellence."

The Seattle Study Club is recognized as one of the most advanced continuing education groups today. The club consists of more than 100 active specialists across the United States and Canada, all with their own affiliated study clubs.

"Dentists in private practice face special challenges that can be discussed and shared when we learn together," said Tom Dresen, D.D.S. Woodbury Prosthodontics. "The old model of attending a course at a specified site still works in some situations, but bringing education to group members and establishing a university without walls allows us to customize our educational experiences to the needs of our group."

The True North Professional Studies group began 10 years ago, with only 12 members. Now, the organization has grown to more than 33 members from Maplewood, Woodbury, Shoreview, North Oaks, Stillwater, Hastings, Cottage Grove, Coon Rapids, and Hudson, Wisconsin.

The Seattle Study Club is a network of study clubs across North America that is expanding into Europe and Australia. There are now nearly 200 Seattle Study Clubs with a combined membership of approximately 4,000 dentists.