Ready for the annual session

San Antonio鈥擶ith a backdrop that includes the historic Alamo and the scenic River Walk, the American Dental Association’s 149th annual session will convene Oct. 16-19 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Continuing education courses will run Oct. 16-19 (with a few courses on Oct. 15), the World Marketplace Exhibition will be open Oct. 16-18 and the House of Delegates meets Oct. 17-21.

But you don’t need to wait until October to participate in annual session learning opportunities. Be sure to join the ADA’s new online community, ADA365.org . Starting June 1, more than 50 CE courses will offer links to expand your learning experience beyond annual session. Register to network with fellow attendees, create a profile, participate in discussion forums and message boards, access course materials and more.

Learn and earn continuing education credits in every aspect of dentistry by attending some of the 225 courses offered at the annual session.

New this year, earn up to 3.5 hours of CE at the ADA Live Operatory Center, a unique blend of product training and CE on topics covering lasers, 3-D imaging and CAD/CAM. Also returning will be the ADA’s Education In The Round series, featuring live patient procedures conducted in a fully functional dental operatory and projected on 60-inch flat-screen monitors.

The ADA’s educational track offerings allow you to target your own CE needs and interests. Tracks are offered for new dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists, and also cover topics such as team building, anesthesia and sedation, esthetic dentistry, oral longevity and healthy aging and federal dental services.

Schedule a visit to the ADA World Marketplace Exhibition, where you can test drive the latest products and equipment and find money-saving specials. And don’t miss the New Product Showcase, where you can see the latest product releases.

Scenic San Antonio offers attractions outside the convention center, too. Take a stroll along the scenic River Walk; soak in some history at the Alamo; enjoy the panoramic view of the city from atop the Tower of the Americas; visit SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas or other family-friendly attractions; or book a spa retreat or a golf outing on one of more than 40 golf courses local to San Antonio. Or choose from 30 unique ADA tour options geared to a variety of tastes and interests.

Satisfy your hunger with a great variety of San Antonio fare, from Tex-Mex and German cuisine to barbecue and family-friendly food. From fine dining to dining al fresco along the River Walk, San Antonio’s cuisine is sure to please.

Registration is now open on ADA.org. The annual session preliminary program is posted online, or available via U.S. mail. (Call toll-free, 1-800-232-1432 or e-mail annualsession@ada.org for a copy of the preliminary program.)

Register by Sept. 12 to save money on registration and course fees. Save time by having your badge and continuing education course and special event tickets mailed to you before you go, and ensure your choice of CE courses and hotel.聽