Dear Ms. Burns:
Your article, “The past, present, and future at the 2014 Chicago Midwinter Meeting,” in the January issue of Proofs showed all of the hard work and dedication that goes into organizing a successful dental meeting, but unfortunately, your article did not represent the full spectrum of dental meetings.
See this article in the February issue of Proofs
The American Dental Association (ADA), the nation’s largest dental association, hosts annual meetings attended by dentists from across the nation and from around the world. Last fall, the ADA hosted its meeting in New Orleans to great success. More than 90 percent of attendees surveyed said they were pleased with the meeting and 95 percent thought the meeting effectively addressed their reasons for attending. Attendees were able to successfully combine work and play by taking 40 percent more continuing education courses than the previous year.
The ADA has been and continues to be the first to introduce cutting-edge programs at its national meetings, many of which have been replicated in regional meetings:
- Live-patient operatory learning in Education in the Round in 2007
- Education on the exhibit floor in 2008, including the Laser Pavilion, 3D Imaging Center and the Live-Patient CAD/CAM Stage
- Live stream of select courses on ADA365 in 2008
- New additions to the exhibit floor education in 2010 and 2011, including the Pride Institute Technology Expo, the Preventive Equipment Maintenance Zone and the New Speaker Stage.
- Hands-on cadaver learning in 2012
- Small group-led discussions via Learning Labs and Super Sessions in 2013
- New additions to the exhibit floor education in 2013, including the Dental Office Design Center and the Health and Fitness Center
- Partnership with the American Association of Women Dentists to offer a women dentists’ track as well as specialty dentistry offerings in 2014
The ADA’s meetings are successful due to the collaborative efforts of ADA-member dentist volunteers, dental student volunteers, auxiliary groups, and ADA and dental society staff. The ADA looks forward to and encourages you to experience ADA 2014 – America’s Dental Meeting, scheduled for Oct. 9 to 14 in San Antonio.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael M. Blicher
2013 Chair of the Council on ADA Sessions
Editor’s Note: If you’d like to voice your opinion on the state of the industry or on the content provided in this magazine, please send your letters to [email protected]. We’ll do our best to publish them in the upcoming issue of Proofs.
