Friday was going to be a busy day, mostly sitting, so I started at the hotel health club and
then off to the meeting. The CE courses were in full swing and the exhibit hall was full of
friendly vendors anxious to speak with attendees about their products and services. I had
signed up for one of the “Ask a Lawyer” sessions with Thomas J. Weber, Esq. These sessions
were a little different from most legal talks I’ve attended. There were fewer attendees and
a more intimate environment. I sat at a round table with eight other dentists and the
attorney. The session was opened for questions or concerns from anyone in the group,
and att endees received a nice handout full of details about topics such as the State Board
of Dentistry, HIPAA, OSHA and malpractice avoidance. My group discussed a wide range
of issues and all of our questions were answered.
The Welcome Reception at Troegs Brewery.
Left – Dr. Brian Christian and Dr. Steve Radack;
Top Right – Dr. John Coole, Dr. James Tauberg
and Dr. Ronald Proctor; Bottom Right –
Teresa Roberts, Mary Radack, Dr. Cynthia Schuler
and Dr. Gary Roberts.
One of the perks of being a member of the American Dental Association’s Council on ADA
Sessions (CAS) is scouting the different dental meetings around the country to look for
speakers that may enhance America’s Dental Meeting. Rebecca Von Nieda, PDA’s Director
of Meetings, was kind enough to allow me to do some scouting at this meeting, and I was
pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of topics and the caliber of speakers.
On Friday I was able to stop into the following courses: “Better, Faster, Stronger Class II
Composites”, a hands-on course by David J. Clark, DDS, and “Smile Design, Bonding and
Esthetic Material Update” by Gerard Chiche, DDS. I thought both courses were well
attended, the topics were very current and the presenters knowledgeable about their
subject matter.
Having the president of the American Dental Association at your dental meeting is a big
deal and it was no different at the PDM this year. On Friday afternoon, there was an
opportunity to meet the current ADA president, Dr. Gary Roberts, and hear from both him
and our ADA Third District trustee, Dr. Andy Kwasny on a variety of ADA initiatives and
national issues. This forum was an excellent time to discuss concerns with our ADA
leaders, and they were more than happy to engage the attendees.
Once the formal part of the day concluded it was time for a little fun. Pitt and Temple both
had their alumni receptions in the early evening. Pitt was first, so I had a little food and
some beverages, and then stopped in at the Temple reception for desert. As I had noted
earlier, seeing old friends and alumni from your alma mater is another great reason to be
at Pennsylvania’s Dental Meeting.
Saturday morning started with another trip to the hotel health club and then a walk
around the hotel property to break up the routine. It is really a beautiful place and so quiet
and serene early in the morning. After a quick bite to eat, I was off to my only scheduled
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