From one blizzard to another

Feb 2, 2011

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

I just returned from a blustery Yankee Dental Congress in Boston to find myself smack dab in the middle of one of the worst blizzards in Chicago's history.

The Yankee meeting was, as always, outstanding. I attended some very interesting continuing education (CE) courses and met some great people. And kudos to Yankee Dental for offering five CE credits for attending the meeting. I have always been an advocate of receiving CE for attending the exhibit hall area. An astute clinician can garner an amazing amount of valuable knowledge from speaking with manufacturers' representatives.

Kudos also to Yankee Dental for its Annual Women's Conference. The content is always wonderful. Yankee is one of the only dental conferences that does offer topics specifically by women for women, presented by some of the most powerful women speakers in this industry. I love it!

One outstanding feature at this year's meeting was smack dab in the middle of the convention exhibit hall: the High-Tech Playground. Paul Feuerstein, DMD, held court in a green room, of sorts, with comfortable couches and presented a fast-paced program on several topics, including caries detection, intraoral photography, and a potpourri of products. One of the best parts of this program was the "no sales zone" posters throughout the room. Several vendors were present to discuss the products Dr. Feuerstein had mentioned and were available for an up-close and personal view without the pressure of a sale.

We need more opportunities like this at our meetings. Small, intimate gatherings to discuss new products and techniques, with no obligation to buy. Pure research. Especially in this recovering economy. The information Dr. Feuerstein gave was priceless, and in his forum, you were able to research and then decide, away from the sales booths.

Another very informative program was on preventive maintenance for equipment. Several large manufacturers that have their own equipment services could have touted their maintenance plans, but instead they took pieces of equipment and discussed how to care for them. Again -- no pressure, no sales. This is an exceptional program idea, and there should be more like them at all the dental meetings.

One final comment: The exhibit floor did seem a bit sparsely attended. The northeast was hit with a major snowstorm prior to the start of the meeting, and some representatives were unable to make it in due to airports closed and travel in disarray. (Likely it was the same for some attendees.) But there are so many dental meetings to choose from these days -- maybe it's time to consolidate?

And now, back to digging out from the Chicago Blizzard of 2011. Maybe this year, the Midwinter Meeting will have no snow. I sure hope so -- we've had our share for this decade!

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 Journal and Woman Dentist eJournal. You can reach her at [email protected].

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.