So I’m having one of those weird space-time continuum moments. Being the editor and writing this upfront column definitely has its advantages, but this is one of those times when I’ve had to rewrite this column a few times. You see, I’m writing this note on April 17, and you probably won’t see it for a couple of months. This is like that Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock movie, “The Lake House,” isn’t it?
Maybe the hardest thing about writing this month’s Editor’s Notes is that our Professional Dental Assisting conference hasn’t happened yet, but by the time you read this, we’ll already be planning the 2008 event in Norfolk, Va. Yep, we’re coming to the East Coast, so be ready. And in 2009? Viva Las Vegas! But I’m really getting ahead of myself here.
I’m sure PDA 2007 was a huge success. I’m sure we had assistants from all over the country converge on Indianapolis and leave with a renewed sense of pride in their jobs. I’m sure everyone was excited to see the inaugural winners of the Dental Assisting Award of Excellence. If I could use that time machine right now, I would. But, since I’m not Dr. Emmitt Brown, I can’t. So, be looking for a complete wrap-up of PDA 2007 in the September/October edition of Dental Office, which will be polybagged with the September issue of Dental Economics and also available at the ADA Annual Session in San Francisco.
In the meantime, mark your calendar for April 24-26, 2008, as PDA descends upon the Marriott Waterside in Norfolk, Va. It will be a great show. I have already been in contact with several lecturers for PDA 2008 ... and you won’t want to miss it. You can find more information on the show at www.professionaldentalassisting.com.
Won’t you be my friend?
Ever been the new kid at a new school? Ever been leaning against the chain link fence waiting to be called as teams were chosen for kickball? Well, that’s me right now. I’ve ventured into the world of MySpace in hopes of building a community of dental assistants. I’ll be using the MySpace group for random surveys and quick questions, so if you’re a member of MySpace, I’d love to be your friend. Pick me! Pick me! Drop me a line at www.myspace.com/kgh23 and ask me to be your friend.
Also on MySpace is my editorial buddy and office next door neighbor, Mark Hartley. He is the editor of RDH Magazine and together we’re forming a dental team members group, where assistants and hygienists can come together and share topics and answer questions from Mark and me. It’s a cool concept and we’re hoping you’ll be a part of it by searching for “dental team members” on the MySpace group page.
One thing you need to know about Hartley - he has many more MySpace friends than I do. He likes to remind me of that often. So help me teach the guy a lesson and join my friend list. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long summer.
Jules Verne and I are buddies
In March, I had the experience of literally travelling around the world, going from Oklahoma to Japan to Germany to Norway, then back to Oklahoma. It was one of those amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Yes, my around-the-world trip was for work, and I was lucky enough to attend the IDS meeting in Cologne. Some amazing new products out there, and some awesome ones will be introduced at the ADA meeting in San Francisco and the 2008 Chicago MidWinter. Be watching and be ready. Want to know more? Check out my MySpace blog at www.myspace.com/kgh23.
Read on, this is your magazine...
Kevin Henry
