April means more great meetings!

by Joe Blaes

In April, I attended a number of outstanding meetings, beginning right after Easter with the California Dental Association in Anaheim. I was honored to speak at this meeting to a group of very enthusiastic dental assistants. I enjoyed seeing many friends from the dental community. The CDA is one of the outstanding meetings with a group of highly dedicated meeting planners, and it is held right next door to Disneyland. How can you miss with a location like that?

Next, I was able to stay in the sun with a visit to Orlando for a very special meeting called "A Passion for Dentistry." This meeting celebrated the Dawson Center's 25 years of educational excellence and Dr. Peter Dawson's 50th year in dentistry. My dear friend, Joan Forrest, the executive director of the Dawson Center, and her team put together an outstanding educational program, along with a wonderful tribute to Dr. Dawson. I was honored to be a part of it.

Since 1954, Dr. Dawson's career has impacted dentistry around the world. His textbook, Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Occlusal Problems, continues to be the number one selling text on occlusion worldwide. However, Dr. Dawson has done more than change the practice of dentistry; he also has changed the lives of countless dental professionals. His message about the need for balance in our lives has been a guide for fulfillment and happiness for dentists and their families. Pete truly walks his talk, placing God and family before professional pursuits. Pete and his wife, Jodie, have been married for 47 years, raised four incredible children, and are actively involved in the lives of their eight grandchildren. He is a wonderful role model for dentistry.

Next, I flew from sunny, warm Orlando to St. Paul, Minn., for the Star of the North meeting. This meeting was a first for me. I had heard a lot about this meeting, but had never had the opportunity to attend. My hosts were terrific! They picked me up at the airport, saw to all my needs, and then returned me to the airport for my flight home. I must say that they worked me hard at this meeting by challenging me to do four, different half- day seminars, aimed at the entire dental team. It was a very enjoyable experience for me, and I will certainly return to the Star of the North meeting.

I returned home on a Monday from Minnesota, unpacked, repacked, and Sue and I left on Wednesday for Myrtle Beach and the annual meeting of the South Carolina Dental Association. Another first for me. At this meeting, I saw some old friends and met some great dentists, especially my host, Dr. Ben Daniel. We stayed a couple of extra days to enjoy the sun and the surf. Thanks for a great South Carolina experience!

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The buzz around the dental industry is the introduction last month of the Dental Diet System by Scientific Intake. The shroud of secrecy surrounding this system for the last few months has finally been raised. This is an outstanding opportunity for us to help many of our overweight patients as they struggle to get healthy. I urge you to take a look at the DDS program and incorporate it into your practice as I have.