ADA News

Orlando, Fla.—From online learning, networking and self-study before annual session to competitions at the ADA’s high-tech multimedia Competition Hub on-site at the Orange County Convention Center, dental professionals have some unique opportunities to enhance their learning and share their knowledge with their peers this year.

Earning and learning: Attendees at the ADA 2009 annual session in Honolulu compare ideas on preventive care strategies and earn continuing education credit by viewing the Adult Preventive Care Practice of the Year Competition entries at the ADA Competition Hub.

Those registered for annual session continuing education courses can log on now to ADA365.org and join the online community. Users can create a profile, network with colleagues, share research experience, participate in forum discussions and message boards, and have access to lectures, readings and other supplemental course materials—all before annual session convenes Oct. 9-12.

And, beginning June 1, ADA365 online community members can earn an extra hour of CE credit for each participating ADA365 course. Attendees who register for one or more of these courses can simply log on to the website, read the speaker-supplied material for the course and complete a four-question self-assessment exercise.

The self-assessment exercises will be reviewed by the Council on ADA Sessions and each hour of self-study will be automatically added to CE verification after attendance at the in-person course. A list of ADA365 courses is available at www.ada.org/goto/session.

Dental professionals whose practice provides industry-leading preventive care to adult patients or clinicians who have made a professional discovery that can improve patient care and benefit the practice of dentistry should enter one of the ADA's professional competitions showcased at annual session.

The Adult Preventive Care Practice of the Year Competition, sponsored by 3M ESPE Preventive Care, recognizes and rewards offices that have:

• designed and implemented practical prevention techniques;
• provided preventive oral health care, outreach and patient education; or
• implemented a successful prevention program through a dental team communication and work plan.

The Education Exchange Competition, sponsored by Cleankeys Inc., gives participants a chance to share clinical experience, educate fellow dental professionals and raise awareness about a procedure, theory, service or emerging trend in dental practice.

Also appearing at the Competition Hub will be the 2010 Dental Office Design Competition sponsored by Matsco, a Wells Fargo company showcasing the best in new office designs and renovations.

Annual session attendees who visit the Competition Hub can earn continuing education credit by viewing entries for these contests.

Participants for all competitions must be registered for the 2010 annual session. Participants in the Adult Preventive Care Practice of the Year Competition and the Education Exchange Competition should enter their presentations online by July 31 at ADA365.org. Entries will be reviewed and judged by members of the Council on ADA Sessions.

Participants in the Dental Office Design Competition should enter by July 31 at www.matsco.com/DODC. Accepted entries will be showcased in the Competition Hub.

For more information, contact Rich Schuch, Ed.D., senior manager, Program Development, for the Council on ADA Sessions, by calling toll-free, Ext. 2663, or e-mailing schuchr@ada.org. Or log on to www.ada.org/goto/session.