From one magic kingdom to another

Oct 18, 2010

Editor's note: Dr. Doniger's column, Dental Diaries, appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

Just returned from Orlando, FL, the Magic Kingdom for children and the site of this year's ADA meeting. The weather was perfect. There were ample things to do around town, and even more to do at the convention center: a plethora of continuing education programs along with the ADA Marketplace and a new technology area.

My granddaughter now has a set of pink princess ears (with her name emblazoned on the back). (Doesn't every 8-month-old need to see all the princesses in Disney World?) But while she and her parents enjoyed the wonders of Orlando, I was doing my thing at the meeting.

The exhibit floor was never superbusy, so if you had any question about a product, you did not have to wait for the attention of the sales people. This was a good thing, especially if you were interested in any technical data. You did not feel rushed. It is really great free education on products that you already have, are thinking about purchasing, or merely would like to do research. I did not feel any pressure to buy, but I did learn. (I will be discussing five of these products in upcoming issues of this blog.)

In addition to all the continuing education, the ADA does some really great freebies at the annual meeting, such as offering professional pictures. At the ADA Pavilion, for example, you could take a photo, which was immediately uploaded to your information on its website where the public searches for a dentist. Then they gave you the flash drive so you could use the photo on any of your own publications, either in print or online. A small bonus, but something that I now don't have to run out to the local photo studio to do.

I am sorry the ADA Foundation discontinued their health screenings. Aside from the fasting, it too was a nice perk at the meeting. For years they offered latex sensitivity testing, as well as a full blood panel. A great idea. I hope they reinstitute it again next year.

The night at Universal Studios could not have been better. Harry Potter is certainly a draw. Allegedly, there were 6,500 people running to ride the Potter experience. I, for one, passed, but I did do the prerequisite amount of screaming on the Incredible Hulk ride.

Now we're back home and Disney is but a memory. The baby and my family had a blast. Next year, we go to the adult magic kingdom: Las Vegas. Although I love seeing all the people spend money in Disney, it is far more entertaining watching them spend money in Vegas. And on that thought, with all the money being spent in Disney, maybe the economy is bouncing back. If we only would be able to market our business like Disney markets theirs, we would be truly recession-proof!

Sheri Doniger, D.D.S., practices clinical dentistry in Lincolnwood, IL. She has served as an educator in several dental and dental hygiene programs, has been a consultant for a major dental benefit company, and has written for several dental publications. Most recently, she was the editor of Woman Dentist Journaland Woman Dentist eJournal. You can reach her at [email protected].

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