Dentist Health and Well-Being Conference helps dentists build resilience in times of turmoil

The past 18 months have tested everyone’s mettle.

The biennial ADA Dentist Health and Well-Being Conference will feature sessions and speakers focused on building such resilience as well as sharing knowledge and solutions about the challenges dental professionals face in their practices in 2021 and beyond.

The conference, a virtual event on Aug. 13 from 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. CDT, offers five continuing education credits.

The theme and title is Developing Strategies for Building Resilience Through Human Connection and Peer Support.

“Resilience — the ongoing process that allows us to manage change, adapt to adversity and recover from difficulties — is the focus of this year’s conference,” said Duc “Duke” M. Ho, D.D.S., chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice and president-elect of the Texas Dental Association. “This subject matter could not be any timelier given the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our personal and professional lives, as well as the lives of our team, our patients and our community.”

Cary Limberakis, D.M.D, chair of the council’s health, wellness and aging subcommittee, echoed Dr. Ho by saying that this biennial conference is sorely needed.

“During unprecedented times such as a global pandemic, I am proud that the conference will provide a forum for dentists and dental team members to learn from renowned clinical leaders who will share strategies to identify and discuss best practices,” Dr. Limberakis said.

The conference speakers include:

• AmitSood, M.D., executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing, former chair of the Mayo Mind Body Initiative and retired professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
• Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, where she is also the director of the social neuroscience lab.
• Sarah Benton, co-owner of Benton Behavioral Health Consulting, specializing in clinical and business support services.
• Diana L. Dill, Ed.D., organizational psychologist, coach and clinician with more than 25 years of experience helping clinicians in the Northeast and elsewhere.

“The American Dental Association is committed to every dentist’s health and well-being,” Dr. Ho said. “We encourage everyone to register for this online conference and learn from leading resilience and well-being experts on how to strengthen our own fortitude while empowering ourselves to withstand, learn, and heal from difficult experiences.”