by Joe Blaes
As I write this editorial, we are right in the middle of the winter/spring series of dental meetings. I have attended most of them. The Chicago Midwinter has been my meeting for 40 some odd years, and this year was no exception. The meeting was packed with great speakers and lots of new products on the exhibit floor (some of which you will be hearing about in "Pearls for Your Practice"). Next, I was a speaker at the Woody Oakes Excellence in Dentistry meeting in Destin, Florida. What a great place to have a meeting — white sand beaches, the bluest water I have ever seen, and a warm sun. I hated to leave, but it was on to Atlanta for another one of my favorites, the Hinman Dental Meeting. Along with a great learning experience, you enjoy the nonstop Southern hospitality of the Hinman members who run this meeting.
Now it is the middle of April, and I am off to Anaheim for the Spring Session of the California Dental Association. I am speaking to one of my favorite groups, the dental assistants. This is another terrific meeting right next door to Disneyland. I have developed some really close relationships with the people who volunteer their time to put on this great meeting. Most of us don't realize all the many people behind the scenes who make these meetings run smoothly.
I finish off the month of April speaking in Cleveland, Ohio, to members of the West Shore Study Club, then it is off to St. Paul, Minn., for the Star of the North Meeting, where I will be speaking for two full days. Then I'll be home for a day before heading for Myrtle Beach to speak to the South Carolina Dental Association. Sue and I are going to spend a few extra days there sitting on the beach and catching up on our reading.
I feel the need to make a clarification to an article that was published in the March issue of Dental Economics. The article, "New Day Dawning at New York University," was an interview with Dean Michael Alfano and Dr. Roger Levin. I would like to point out that Dr. Arthur Dugoni, dean of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, pioneered outside practice-management consultants at UOP more than seven years ago. He chose the Pride Institute to create and deliver its completely revamped practice-management curriculum. Subsequently, Dean Larry Goldblatt brought the Pride Institute to Indiana University more than three years ago, and Dean William Lobb asked Pride to begin a program at Marquette two years ago.My worry is that my interview could leave the impression that the new program at NYU is a concept that has never been tried before. Dr. Jim Pride is justifiably proud of his implementation of practice management programs at three outstanding dental schools. He has been able to fulfill his vision of bringing sound dental-practice-management principles to the dental students.
Watch for a big media announcement by Scientific Intake™ on May 15th (about the time you will receive this issue of DE). I think you will be impressed by the possibility of improving the health and lifestyles of our patients with a simple intraoral device to control food intake. This device will be available only from dentists. It should be something that you will want to learn more about. Check out the article by Dr. Borio about his experience with the device, and then look for their ad in this issue.This is another issue that is packed with lots of great information to improve your practice and make it more fun and fulfilling. See you next month!
Joe Blaes, DDS, Editor — email: [email protected]Toll-free phone number: (866) 274-4500
