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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * FOR HIGH-NET-WORTH CLIENTS with fixed-income investable assets over $500,000, firms might consider designing customized bond portfolios that meet each client's unique financial goals and risk tolerance. * [...]

The study was undertaken to determine possible differences in incidence of caries between groups of persons with specific mental disorders.

The article focuses on a study of the members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants about their knowledge of financial planning accreditation and their view of its costs and benefits. A survey was mailed to a random sample of 1,500 personal financial specialist (PFS) division members. Among those not certified as financial planning specialists , there was a slight preference for the certified financial planner (CFP). The CFP's popularity may be due to its familiarity. A second survey was mailed to certified public accountants (CPAs) who hold the PFS designation. Both survey groups, those who held the PFS and those who wanted the designation, were asked whether they agreed with nine statements about the potential benefits of specialization. Respondents viewed five benefits favorably. At least 42% in both groups agreed with each statement and said that the accreditation had enhanced their professional image, improved their skills and expertise, and helped them compete more effectively with non-CPAs offering PFP services.

The article offers guidance on personal financial planning (PFP) engagement functions and responsibilities issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) in the U.S. There are numerous guides to help determine practice responsibilities. The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct requires observance of high ethical standards. The PFP also often involves providing tax advice. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) defines engagement objectives to determine the services needed. To judge the appropriate scope of service to meet a client's needs and to reach an understanding with the client concerning engagement objectives, it is necessary to understand the client's goals and resources. The CPA also needs to understand the client's family situation, commitment to the planning process, current cash flow and assets available, personal preferences and relationship with other professionals. The appropriateness of the original engagement objectives should be carefully evaluated as the engagement proceeds. If the CPA identifies issues the client did not consider originally that require special consideration, the CPA should bring those matters to the client's attention. The PFP engagements involve collecting, analyzing and integrating information to develop a basis for recommendations, including the client's goals, financial position and the resources available to achieve those goals.

The article discusses the alternative means to finance college costs. The cost of a college education is rising faster than the inflation rate, forcing parents to implement a savings program to meet these expenses. The American Council on Education estimates by the year 2000 the total cost of tuition and fees, room and board and miscellaneous expenses for four years will be $104,800 at the average private college or university and $52,400 at a corresponding public institution. In formulating a college savings plan, it's wise to consider how the funds will be held for the child's benefit. Savings earmarked for college are the best way to meet tuition expenses. Loans, scholarships and grants have been cut, and the "pay as you go" method drains family resources. Custodial accounts or trusts are used to maintain money earmarked for a child's education. For children under age 14, investments should be selected to avoid the "kiddie tax." For older children, investments with a high current yield are desirable. INSET: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.

Focuses on the long-term healthcare planning strategies in the U.S. Medical issues related to financial planning; Transfer of assets to children and into into an irrevocable Medicaid qualifying trust.

Gives advice on the conversion of tax clients to personal financial planning by certified public accountants. Focus on financial concerns rather than financial planning; Review of tax return checklist; Questionnaire on financial planning.

Mentally subnormal patients at the Lincoln State School participated in this three-year study on the effect of a daily consumption of carbonated beverages on the incidence of dental caries. In addition to a diet that is similar to that consumed in normal populations, the experimental group at LSS was given 12 oz of carbonated, acidulated beverage daily. This consumption did not produce a statistically significant increase in dental caries rates, except as the scores were analyzed by tooth surfaces. Scores for the buccal surfaces of maxillary anterior teeth and for the buccal and buccolingual surfaces of the mandibular posterior teeth were statistically significant.

Three dentists independently diagnosed subjects as bruxist or nonbruxist. Ratings were compared with polygraph recordings made in the sleep laboratory. Intense masseter electromyographic activity was found to be associated with diagnosis of severe bruxism.

In a study investigating the incidence of dental caries in various subdivisions of mental subnormality at the Lincoln State School for the mentally subnormal, it was found that the mentally defective patients had a lower decay rate than the mentally retarded and the lower the IQ, the lower the decay rate.

From deciduous tooth caries experience rate at age 6, subsequent caries experience rates may be fairly accurately predicted. Exposure to fluoridated water after the age of 6, however, reduces the expected caries experience rate.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to a letter to the editor titled “Revisiting the Publication Culture in Computing Research,” by Moshe Y. Vardi in the March 2010 issue.