Impressions of
PDM 2017
By Stephen T. Radack, III, Editor
Dr. Thomas Braun, dean of the University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine, speaks at the Pitt Alumni Reception.
I was not able to attend Pennsylvania’s Dental Meeting
(PDM) last year, as I had to be in Houston for an ADA council
meeting, so I was excited to get back to Hershey for the
meeting in April. This would be my first PDM as a past
president and I was looking forward to just being an
attendee with a few ribbons hanging off my name badge.
Mary and I left early Thursday morning and began the
familiar trek to the Harrisburg-Hershey area. I can’t remember
a more uneventful drive, probably due to there not being
one area of road construction on I-80 for the first time,
I believe, ever. I was glad to be back at the Hotel Hershey.
I have to tell you it never gets old driving through the
entrance to the hotel property and seeing that hotel emerge
in front of you. As always, check-in was a breeze and the
first rate hotel staff was as friendly as I remembered.
Judge Jodi Switalski, one of the featured continuing education
speakers at PDM 2017.
ADA president Dr. Gary Roberts during his discussion
with PDM attendees on April 21.
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JU LY/AU GU ST 2017 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L
One of my favorite parts of coming to a PDA meeting
other than seeing friends and colleagues is “checking in”
with our PDA staff at registration in the Fountain Lobby.
It is always great to see them and their warm, welcoming
friendly smiles. It is always interesting to see what they
have packed in that tote bag and snag a couple of Hershey’s
miniatures off their registration tables too. Our PDA staff
does a great job always, and especially with this meeting.
Our first event on Thursday night was the Welcome
Reception at Troegs Brewery. I had never been there before,
but knew of it because my daughter and son-in-law are
big Troegs fans. The event was also a mixer for the new
dentists who were attending the PDM. It is always great to
see our younger colleagues at an event and have the
chance to talk with them. The event was in a private tasting
area lined with large wooden barrels. We had our choice
of several of their in-house brewed beer and ciders and
delicious sandwiches and appetizers. As usual, the event
was over and I was still gabbing away when Mary took me
by the hand for the door. It was a great start to the meeting.