A large group of hygienists converged on Chicago for the 10th annual RDH Under One Roof meeting the end of July. This meeting is a PennWell® event and has become the largest hygienist meeting in the country. This year, attendance was more than 1,800, and from what I saw, everyone was having a great meeting! If your hygienists missed this year’s event, be sure to sign them up for next year’s meeting to be held Aug. 1-3 at the All Suite Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. I can assure you it will be one of the best learning experiences they will ever have.
July was a busy month. The annual Blaes family reunion was held over the July 4 weekend in St. Louis, and we had a great time! It is always fun to see all the grandchildren get together. I really cannot call them “kids” anymore because they are too old for that.
Last year, I recorded a podcast for the Academy of General Dentistry with Dr. Wes Blakeslee. The subject was one of my favorites — new products to use in your dental practice. Wes and I had such a good time doing the first one that he invited me to do another in late June. It is now available on the AGD website for members. I think you will find both podcasts to be very informative. You will not only hear what I think about the products, but Wes is using many of them and his comments are great. He gave me some wonderful new ideas. Be sure to tune in!
I admire anyone who is disciplined enough to write a book. I do a lot of writing and even more editing, but I have never had the stamina to do a book. However, I have written a “Pearl” about “Refresh Life,” by my friend, Dr. Dan Sindelar. Be sure to read it. You can order the book at amazon.com.
Next year is the 100th anniversary of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting. Two years ago, I told some of my good friends in the Hinman Dental Society that I would give anything to be on the program of that meeting. Well, I got my wish and more — I am giving five half-day programs during the meeting. I hope to see many of you there. Beginning with this issue of DE and continuing into January 2012, I am highlighting some of the speakers that you will see March 22-24 in Atlanta. Be sure to mark your calendar now for this great event!
I have a new columnist starting this month, and I know you will be interested in what he has to say about “Secrets to Success.” Dr. Mike Kesner is a successful dentist who uses unusual methods to grow a dental practice. He has used these methods to build an outstanding practice in this down economy. I have noticed as I travel the country that two dentists can be across the street from each other, and one will be highly successful while the other is just surviving. It cannot be the location, but it could be the way these two dentists view their businesses. The successful ones have made dramatic changes while the survivors have not. Dr. Kesner has some great information for your future in dentistry. He believes (as I do) that right now is one of the greatest times to be a dentist.
I have picked the new products I feel are important to see at the Annual Session of the American Dental Association in October in Las Vegas. You can read about the featured new products I have highlighted. But this year I have also included a list of all the companies that are launching new products at this year’s meeting. This list is conveniently organized by booth numbers so you can tear out the page and easily find the ones that interest you. I think you should take the list and start at the first booth and cover the entire floor. You will probably find some products that I have missed.
A number of people made memorial contributions to some of Shawn’s favorite charities. These were local organizations that are managed by volunteers. We know that some contributions were not acknowledged, so the family asked me to express our sincere appreciation to all who honored Shawn’s memory. Thanks for your continued prayers for Mike, Alex, and Kyle. God’s blessings on all of you.
Joe Blaes, DDS, Editor — email: [email protected]
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