You know, it’s not often that I get to break big news in this column, but I do this month. After months of planning, it’s time to announce a very special conference - Professional Dental Assisting. Modeled after RDH® magazine’s highly successful Under One Roof conference for dental hygienists, Professional Dental Assisting (PDA) will focus on hands-on courses and lectures that will make dental assistants more proficient and more excited about their jobs.
Scheduled for May 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis, PDA is presented in alliance with the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). PDA will be a conference for dental assistants only, offering these key members of the dental office a chance to interact with other assistants and a chance to learn from some of the best-known trainers and speakers in the nation.
PDA will offer keynote lectures by two of the most popular speakers in the dental industry - Dr. Cathy Jameson and DE&M’s own Mary Govoni. Each will speak directly to dental assistants in their lectures. I have the opportunity to work with these two individuals on a regular basis, and I know they have a special place in their hearts for dental assistants.
There will also be tons of continuing-education opportunities for dental assistants with hands-on courses ranging from taking impressions to proper infection control techniques to working with digital/intraoral cameras. There will be lectures for front and back office personnel, with topics including Spanish for the dental office, business skills, case presentation, and much more.
The registration fee of $195 includes receptions and lunches. With hands-on courses scheduled to begin Thursday at 2 p.m., it should be a weekend packed with opportunities to expand horizons and improve skills.
There will also be plenty of free time in the evenings for dental assistants to explore the vibrant nightlife of downtown Indianapolis. There are tons of shopping opportunities within a few blocks of the Hyatt, as well as numerous restaurants and entertainment options.
It’s going to be a great meeting. For more information, call (800) 633-1681 or log on to www.professionaldentalassisting.com. You can also find more information on the inside back cover.
• Another big announcement comes in the form of the next issue of DE&M. Our fifth issue of the year will come out in November and will be a comprehensive buyer’s guide. You’ll be able to use it as a resource any time you need to purchase something for your office. Need to know which manufacturers produce chairs? It’s there. How about gloves? Yep. Endodontic instruments? Sure thing. Whatever category you need to find, you’ll find it in this buyer’s guide.
The issue will also contain information on all of the new products being launched this fall. If a product debuted at the California Dental Association meeting in San Francisco or the American Dental Association meeting in Philadelphia, you’ll be able to find out more about it in the November issue of DE&M. Keep an eye out for this special issue, which will be polybagged with the November issue of Dental Economics®.
• Speaking of the ADA gathering in Philadelphia, there will be plenty of gadgets and goodies to examine for possible use in your office. But, before you get too far into the shopping process, be sure to check out Dr. Jeff Carter’s column on page 6. Jeff has put together an outstanding series in this month’s issues of Dental Economics and DE&M to help you when you’re ready to buy equipment for your office. There are plenty of brands and options to consider, and Jeff has compiled some ideas to help you sort through the information jungle.
I’ll see you in Philadelphia in early October. Perhaps we’ll all finally solve the riddle of who makes the best cheese steaks in the city - Pat’s or Geno’s.
Read on, this is your magazine...
Kevin Henry, Editor
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