by Ted Rothstein, D.D.S, Ph.D

March 21, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Every country has a national anthem and a symbol representing it: (USA:”Star

Spangled Banner”, Bald Eagle; France: “La Marseillaise”, Fleur de Lys; Canada: “O

Canada”, Maple leaf; Israel: “Hatikvah”, Star of David).

Every state has a motto, flower, fruit, beverage, tree, flower, fish, animal, bird, insect,

AND A SONG! that it uses to represent its virtues: NY: Excelsior, Bluebird, Apple, Milk,

Sugar Maple, Rose, Beaver, Ladybug, I love NY.

The American Association has...a logo :-(

With this proposal, I enter into consideration the song "The Ballad of Dr. Ted: Master

Smilemaker" by Jon Rothstein & Rob Schiffmann to be the official song of the

American Association of Orthodontists.

I propose and nominate this song not because it was written by my son, but because it

so aptly and joyously hails the having of braces as a monumentally wonderful

experience with an outcome that brings a lifetime of happiness to the person who wore

them. After all is said and done "A winning smile is priceless asset.”

I recognize that since my proposal is novel, that there might be other songs the

committee wishes to consider for the anthem, as well, in which case I ask that my

submission be added to the pool of submitted songs which the committeee might also

enter into nomination.

I urge you to consider my proposal with the utmost seriousness that I offer it to you.

Yours truly,

Dr. Ted Rothstein

On the reverse page, please find lyrics to “The Ballad of Dr. Ted: Master Smilemaker” as it appears on the

DVD being presented to you today by our 2008-2009 President, Dr. Jack Kacewics. The video presentation

can be viewed again at www.drted.com/ballad_of_dr_ted.htm and on YouTube by searching “THE BALLAD

OF DR TED”.

Proposed to the AAO Saturday, March 21

in Boston, Massachusetts

by Ted Rothstein, DDS, PhD

Life-Active member:

Northeastern Society of Orthodontists

Private practice, Brooklyn, NY

www.drted.com drted35@aol.com (718) 852-1551

I was turning 12 years old when my parents broke the news — What a scare!

They said, "We don't want to upset you and we know you might refuse...and that's fair,

But your teeth are really crooked and you have an overbite —

You've got a lovely smile and we wanna' make it right:

We'll leave it up to you, we know that you are bright...Don't despair!"

So, I called up all my friends and asked them what they'd do, if they were me?

Well, Suzie said, "Forget it, " and Tommy said, "No way, even if it's free,"

But Jason, who had braces, said, "Hey, it's not so bad.

When your teeth are nice and straight, I am sure you will be glad...”

“And I have an orthodontist, who makes it really fun.

Hey, I think you'll really like him, I play baseball with his son.

His name Dr. Ted, and I know that he's the one,

To fix your smile right — You'll be happy when you're done, and...

I'm a fan of Dr. Ted! I'm a fan of Dr. Ted!

He's the man, Dr. Ted, and nobody does it better!”

Well, I went down to his office with my parents by my side, that Saturday.

We met with Dr. Ted, and he looked inside my mouth and then began to say,

"Your teeth are pretty crooked, and I see an overbite —

If you care about your smile, I'll help you make it right...

I can get them all together — Don't worry, have no fear.

You'll be finished up so quickly, you'll forget that you were here!

Don't worry how it looks, I've got brackets that are clear,

And ones that go behind the teeth"— Yes! Yes!...I nearly cheered.

I finished up in 19 months, the way that I'd been told when I began.

And my teeth, they weren't crooked and I had no overbite.

At last, I saw my smile. MY SMILE WAS WIDE AND BRIGHT!!!!

Now, I'm 24, and I still marvel at the sight.

Jason, if you're out there, thank you, you were right...now...

I'm a fan of Dr. Ted! That same man, Dr. Ted, yeah

I'm a fan of Dr. Ted and Nobody does it better, yeah

Nobody does it better, no...No, nobody, does it...better.

©1994 Jon Rothstein and Rob Schiffmann