For the second year, AAWD will join the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Assistants Association in Anaheim, Calif., for a fun-filled weekend offering opportunities for education, networking, and relationship-building.
The meeting kicks off on Friday afternoon with a session co-sponsored by the ADAA on a topic that is always of interest to AAWD members — "Communication — Your Key To Success," presented by Linda L. Miles, CSP, CMC. Linda will speak about how — in addition to the clinical and business skills a dental professional needs to run a successful practice — effective communication is critical to your success. Never in the past 40 years of dentistry has this foundation been more important than it is today. Having just the right words at the right time will make team members able to see themselves as the patients see them.
Following Linda Miles, we are proud to offer a special program for our student members, an "Ask a Woman Dentist" panel. The roundtable discussion will be extremely valuable for those students who want some practical advice for entering the workforce.
The evening ends with our annual Wine and Cheese Reception, sponsored by BioLase and featuring the BioLase Band. This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with some old friends and make new ones. So, put on your dancing shoes and have some fun!
On Saturday, we are proud to present Dr. Alvenia Rhea Albright in a seminar co-sponsored by ADAA. "Empowering Yourself To Recognize and Maximize Your Future Opportunities" promises to be "a motivational experience guaranteed to make you question personal and professional complacency." This inspiring lecture will teach you how to be in control of yourself and your happiness. This seminar will encourage you to reflect on choices you have made, question your decisions about life and career choices, and encourage you to examine the steps necessary to "get you where you want to be."
After that, find out "Why Your Patients Love You!" as we welcome Marvin H. Berman, DDS. Every successful personal relationship that we have — with children, spouse, employer, patient — depends on mutual respect and understanding. Each member of the dental team has the opportunity to make or break a patient relationship. Because the dental office is "your house," you have to treat "the company" right while teaching them, through friendly persuasion, to respect YOU as well. Dr. Berman uses captivating audiovisuals to show the high-performance dental team how to focus on showing, telling, listening, smiling, and — above all — CARING. Dr. Berman emphasizes coordination between the extraordinary dentist and indispensable auxiliaries to provide quality dentistry, minimize stress, and even have fun.
Our 83rd Annual Business Meeting will be held during lunch on Saturday. We will take care of business during this time. The luncheon will feature the presentation of the 2003 and 2004 Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award winners, a special presentation to past LHT winners, election of the 2005 Board of Directors, and student table clinics.
Immediately following lunch, we will wrap up the conference with a very special presentation by Dr. Mark Scarbecz of the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Dr. Scarbecz, a sociologist with a long-standing interest in gender issues in the workforce, will present the findings of his research on the study of women in dentistry. Dr. Scarbecz's research includes women's entrance into the field of dentistry, its implications, future prospects, and patients' oral health.
Just added — AAWD Conference attendees are invited to a special Champagne Reception at the Sheets and Paquette Dental Practice and Newport Coast Oral Facial Institute, Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (transportation provided). See the invitation from Drs. Sheets and Paquette in this issue of the "Chronicle"!
Register by using the form in this issue or go online to www.aawd.org. Registration fees include all events. We look forward to seeing you and continuing the fun, education, inspiration, and camaraderie that is AAWD!
