Dental News

CE on finances, clinical skills kindle practice strategies

2009-05-04

Honolulu鈥擜 trip to annual session can be a wise investment for dental professionals facing the challenges of today’s economy.

The ADA’s extensive continuing education program, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, provides attendees with hundreds of opportunities鈥攎any free with registration鈥攖o learn new clinical skills, focus on practice management strategies and generate new enthusiasm to take back to their practices. And, in honor of the Association’s 150th anniversary celebration, the Live Operatory Center on the exhibit floor will feature a presentation of 150 new technologies that can help dentists improve their profitability and ability to diagnose and treat patients.

 

“When they make Hawaii happen, every attendee鈥攄entist, spouse or team member鈥攚ill find a treasure trove of ideas to bring enthusiasm to their practice, new and updated dental procedures and possibly the right material or technology to help provide the very best dentistry to their patients,” said Dr. Steve Carstensen, 2009 annual session program chair.

“There is plenty of discouraging news out there, but at the ADA’s 150th annual session, we are focused on the bright future that awaits dental professionals who work to make their patients’ and team members’ lives better.”

Annual session speakers will emphasize two main themes鈥攑revention and putting clinical skills to use, he added. “For instance, Dr. Gordon Christensen will present 150 Clinical Tips in 150 Minutes and Linda Miles and Dr. Rhonda Savage will present, for the first time together, The Consultants’ Files. These two presentations alone will provide every attendee with practical, proven clinical and management tips to make the whole trip pay off in short order, and there is so much more. We have the most distinguished educators in dentistry coming to share their expertise in finance, leadership, practice marketing and practical, hands-on procedures to take home and use.”

Annual session attendees can also take advantage of live patient CE at the CAD/CAM stage in the Live Operatory Center and also with Education in the Round courses. These live patient courses are designed to demonstrate real time, step-by-step dentistry that participants can take home and use. Education in the Round courses will be included in the ADA365/MultiMedia package for review back at their office.

ADA postsession courses will also be offered Oct. 6-7. Courses on mini-implants (on Maui), digital photography (on Hawaii’s Big Island) and the Invisalign system (on Kauai) are scheduled for 8-11 a.m. both days, leaving the rest of the day free for participants to explore the wonders of Hawaii. Participants can earn an additional six hours of CE credit after annual session by taking one of the postsession courses, offered at a Marriott resort on each island. These hotels and others on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii (the Big Island) and Oahu offer reduced ADA rates for annual session registrants before, after and during annual session.

“By investing in a trip to Hawaii, dentists can combine the best learning available with a family vacation to paradise,” Dr. Carstensen added. “We’ve scheduled our program to provide abundant family time and there’s never been a less expensive time to see Waikiki.”

A sampling of CE courses to help participants focus on financial topics include:

  • Debt and the New Dentist, by Dr. Gary DeWood, Oct. 1, 7:30-10 a.m., Course 5303;
  • Accelerate Your Practice and Your Life, by Dr. Mark Murphy, Oct. 1, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Course 5312;
  • Dental Marketing Strategies and Tactics, by Joel Harris, Oct. 1, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Course 5315;
  • Promoting Your Practice From the Inside Out, by Dr. Andy Doerfler, Oct. 2, 8-10:30 a.m., Course 6311;
  • Building Your Dream Office in a Challenging Economy: Business and Financial Planning, by Dr. Gregory Liberatore, Gavin Shea and Arthur Wiederman, Oct. 2, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Course 6114;
  • It’s Better with a Plan: Grow Your Practice with the Revenue Goal Planner, by Dr. Gary DeWood, Oct. 2, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Course 6212;
  • Virtues of Profitable Dentistry: Business Strategies, by Dr. Howard Farran, Oct. 3, 7:30-10 a.m., Course 7101;
  • The Dentist as an Entrepreneur: Balancing the Roles of Dentist, Manager and Leader, by Amy Morgan, Oct. 3, 8-10:30 a.m., Course 7309;
  • Practice Dentistry Because You Want To: Creating a Plan Gives You That Choice, by Darrell Cain, Oct. 3, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Course 7317;
  • Building Your Dream Office in a Challenging Economy: Design and Technology Planning, by Dr. John Jameson, Gavin Shea, Geri True and Dr. Michael Unthank, Oct. 3, noon-2:30 p.m., Course 7109;
  • Virtues of Profitable Dentistry: Building Harmony, by Dr. Howard Farran, Oct. 4, 8-10:30 a.m., Course 8102;
  • Changing Times Require Action: Insight into the Economic, Financial and Political Situations, by Darrell Cain, Oct. 4, 8-10:30 a.m., Course 8301.

For more information on annual session CE courses, log on to www.ada.org/goto/session to view the preliminary program.聽