My dear and valued patients,

Although I thought that retirement would always be way off in the distance, I’ve never had an exit plan from this fantastic profession that I’ve practiced for the past 48 years. I thought illness or worse would force my hand, but I find myself in excellent health, and although 50 years might have seemed a more rounded career number, the opportunity to join Barbara in travel and the chance to explore my art and other interests has guided me gradually to make this decision.

Once the decision was made two years ago, I searched for just the right dental professional to continue treating you and your family. Dr Yuxin Mei graduated from the McGill Dentistry last year and has just returned from a one year extended graduate program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the University of Connecticut. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I did the same thing. McGill and Montreal General and Childrens’ Hospital one year residency training. Dr Mei will continue to practice in our newly refurbished office with the latest in digital x-rays, spanking new and comfortable dental chairs, laser, sterilizing equipment and with the latest up-to- date training in all aspects of dentistry. He is the one I’ve chosen to continue treating you in the same understanding manner that we’ve treated you in the past. In short order you will meet his new staff.

I have found Dr. Mei to be energetic and very personable. He is a great communicator. He was very involved in student affairs while at McGill. You will have a fantastic opportunity to discuss with him any and all of your dental concerns and needs and he will listen to you. Barbara and I will be staying on in transition, to train Dr Mei’s office staff in all aspects of care. Dr. Mei and I will confer about each and every patient, including personal likes and dislikes in your scheduling choices and exactly what kind of treatment choices I have recommended for you and which direction you haven chosen to follow from those recommendations in the past.

As always, your personal x-rays and dental records have been intimately recorded up to date, albeit sometimes in my much-too-detailed professional chicken scrawl. Although every dentist has his or her main purpose in serving all of your dental needs, we all think in different ways to achieve these ends. I suggest you trust Dr. Mei’s ideas for your continued long-term health as you have trusted my own. Don’t forget, he has many new and innovative techniques in his playbook - all for your continued good dental health.