ADA News

Orlando, Fla.—Three unique programs planned for the ADA annual session Oct. 9-12 will give attendees the opportunity to participate in discussion forums on hot clinical topics; preview up-and-coming speakers; and participate in a professional development program presented by the Walt Disney Co.

Honing in on oral cancer and oral cancer screening; evidence-based clinical recommendations for fluoride; and cone beam computed tomography—three Open Clinical and Science Forums—will enable registrants to participate in dialogue with experts, practicing dentists, educators and government and industry representatives on these important clinical topics while earning continuing education credit.

The free forums were developed in partnership with the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs and The Journal of the American Dental Association. Moderators for the programs will be Dr. Daniel M. Meyer, senior vice president of the ADA Division of Science and Professional Affairs, and Dr. Michael Glick, JADA editor and dean, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

"The forums offer the opportunity for open discussions among recognized experts, opinion leaders, clinicians, academia, government and industry," said Dr. Meyer. "One of the program objectives is to provide those who attend with the opportunity to freely discuss all aspects of what many consider relatively complex, clinically relevant issues for providers, patients and the public we serve. This is not about product promotion, but instead, discussing the scientific and clinically relevant issues to advance oral and general health."

• Oral Cancer and Oral Cancer Screening will be presented Oct. 9, 1-2:30 p.m. The forum will present differing views on oral cancer and oral cancer screening; offer the opportunity for participants to share the newest developments on screening and treatment; and provide comprehensive information to dental patients (course 5329).
• Fluoride: Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations is set for Oct. 10, noon-1:30 p.m. Differing opinions on the use of fluoride will be presented, and participants will share the latest in fluoride research and receive comprehensive information on fluoride to patients (course 6329).
• Cone Beam Computed Tomography will be held Oct. 11, noon-1:30 p.m. The course will cover the benefits and clinical applications of CBCT, offer the opportunity to share developments in CBCT technology and provide comprehensive information to share with patients. (course 7329).

Dr. Martin

The ADA New Speaker Stage will also make its debut at annual session this fall. Aspiring speakers can apply for a chance to present a one-hour lecture on a clinical topic of their choice and will have the opportunity to be seen by scouts from other dental meetings, receive promotion on the ADA annual session website and be listed in the on-site Official Guide.

Potential speakers can log on to www.ADA365.org for instructions on how to submit a proposal. The deadline for New Speaker Stage program proposals is July 31. The Council on ADA Sessions will review all proposals and notify individuals accepted for the program by Aug. 6.

Not only will the New Speaker Stage provide an opportunity for up-and-coming lecturers to test their skills, said Dr. Rise Martin, 2010 program chair for CAS, it will also allow meeting attendees to drop in, attend lectures and earn CE credit.

"There's no need for attendees to register before attending one or more of the speaker stage courses," said Dr. Martin. "It's a convenient way to earn an hour of CE credit whenever they have a free hour, and it gives them the opportunity to hear new ideas, presentations on creative topics and to see new people lecturing."

Attendees can log on to the annual session website (www.ada.org/goto/session) after Aug. 6 for a list of presentations and earn one hour of CE credit for each of the 18 presentations they attend as their schedules permit.

Dr. Meyer

Dentists and team members who want to don the mouse ears of success in customer service and teamwork should attend one of two special Disney Institute courses set for Oct. 9.

"Disney is the icon for outstanding customer service, and they spend enormous resources to train their 'cast members' (employees)," said Dr. Stephen W. Carstensen, 2010 CAS chair. "We are so pleased to be able to offer these courses to annual session attendees. They will help the entire dental team learn how to make their environment customer-service oriented and how to creatively interact with patients and fellow team members."

Part of the annual session Team Building Track, the sessions offer a choice between a morning session in a classroom environment at the Orange County Convention Center and an active outdoor afternoon event at Epcot.

Dr. Glick

During the morning course, Disney Institute Presents: Disney's Approach to Quality Service, Disney Institute facilitators will show participants how to instill pride and passion in the team using Disney's proven techniques to enable practices to anticipate and react to patients' needs. (Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., course 5121; cost is $50 per person when registering in advance.)

The afternoon session takes participating teams to Disney's Epcot theme park, where they will solve challenging puzzles and complete group activities while developing important team building skills. Participants will use critical thinking and problem solving techniques to develop their creative potential, build stronger relationships and identify their successes and issues that inhibit success. (Oct. 9, noon-5 p.m., course 5122; cost is $145 per person when registering in advance; transportation is provided to and from Walt Disney World Resort.)

For more information on these innovative education opportunities, or to register for an Open Clinical and Science Forum or Disney Institute course, log on to www.ada.org/goto/session.