Here we are in March already! One–third of 2010 is almost gone. I've just returned from presenting my “Pearls For Your Practice®” lecture, all about dental products, in Kansas City, Kan., and Amarillo, Texas. It is always fun to be with you and your teams on a more personal level. I think that I really enjoy these small meetings more than the large ones. Thanks to Kansas and Texas for the great hospitality!
The second week of March, I will be attending the world's largest Appliance Therapy Practitioners Association Annual Symposium March 11–14 at the Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. This is a fabulous venue with great restaurants, terrific pools, a casino, and large, beautiful rooms that you will really enjoy. If you are using any kind of appliance therapy (orthodontic, sleep medicine, periodontic, simple tooth movement) in your practice, you should attend this meeting because it has the top speakers. I was the keynote speaker at this meeting last year and attended all the sessions, taking a ton of notes. For more information, go to www.atpasymposium.com!
Be sure to read my interview with Dr. Thomas W. Nabors, one of the most innovative dentists who I have met in a long time. He will give you some amazing information about using DNA to help us in our battle with periodontal disease. The inflammation that is present with periodontal disease is the causative agent that makes other diseases such as diabetes more severe. There is so much more that we can do for our patients' oral and physical health.
The third week of March is the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta. This is always a highlight for me because I have so many friends in the Hinman Society, and the weather is usually nice in Atlanta. They have a great group of speakers coming in for the meeting this year.
My good friend, Dr. Gordon Christensen, will be the keynote speaker at the next DDS Tech Fair, our “virtual trade show,” to be held April 30–May 1. Gordon will present “45 Tips in 45 Minutes.” You won't want to miss this show, and remember, you will not have to buy a plane ticket or book a hotel room because this show is as close as your computer. All you have to do is get comfortable and go online. This is not virtual as in “virtual reality,” where gamers slaughter aliens in arcade games as if “you're actually there, dude.” But it comes pretty close. You instant message exhibitors and have one–on–one conversations while “standing” in their booth, which if the exhibitor is smart, will offer a variety of things you can do while visiting. You can even receive continuing–education credits at some of the booths. The seminars are an interactive blend of PowerPoint and audio streaming, culminating in a live question and answer session. You can get to know fellow attendees in a casual setting where you can relax or network. There is no cost for the DDS Tech Fair or the CE, but you need to register at www.ddstechfair.com. I look forward to seeing you there and to buying you a virtual drink at the virtual bar!
If your hygienist is looking for some excitement this summer, be sure to tell him or her about “RDH Under One Roof” to be held Aug. 5–7 in Orlando, Fla. Last year's meeting drew more than 1,300 dental hygienists who learned a lot and partied a lot, too. So have your hygienists join us at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort to reconnect with friends and develop their skills at a unique meeting. Go to www.rdhunderoneroof.com to sign up.
I find that the road of life is generally fairly smooth, with a bump or two every once in a while, but nothing I can't handle. This past year our family hit a huge bump in the road that changed into a steep hill. My daughter–in–law, Shawn, is battling ovarian cancer. She had extensive surgery and then a round of chemotherapy that seemed to be working. But the cancer is back and she is on a new round of chemo. Our family finds strength in faith, family, and friends. Please pause and say a prayer for Shawn! Thank you.
Joe Blaes, DDS, Editor — e–mail: [email protected]
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