ADA Annual Session to feature latest products, technologies in dentistry

The ADA Annual Session offers attendees the choice of more than 245 relevant and topical continuing education courses, with more than 50 per cent of lecture courses offered free with registration. Online registration is available through 11 October.

The ADA Annual Session is an opportunity for continuing education, networking and up-to-the-minute learning for:

• Dentists
• 
International dentists
• 
Dental assistants
• 
Dental business assistants
• 
Dental dealers
• 
Dental hygienists
• 
Dental students
• 
Health professionals
• 
Lab technicians

World Marketplace Exhibition

The World Marketplace Exhibition, which opens Saturday and lasts through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, provides dental professionals a full three days to view and compare dentistry’s latest products and services at more than 500 exhibiting companies.

Attendees also can earn up to 24 hours of free continuing education credit in the ADA’s LOC. The ADA’s LOC — where registered attendees can “learn, optimize and connect” — will feature 51,000 square feet of high-tech dentistry demonstrations and continuing education.

Free continuing education offered on exhibit floor

Registrants can earn free CE on the exhibit floor while experiencing the latest technology on the market and learning how it can enhance your ability to effectively diagnose and treat patients. The 2010 LOC will feature the following attractiuons:

• Laser Pavilion: Gain hands-on experience with a variety of dental lasers.
• Competition Hub: Learn from your peers while viewing the results of four professional competitions held exclusively at the annual session.
• Technology Expo: Representatives from The Pride Institute will explain how to build a business model, implement effective marketing plans, effectively utilize social media and more, followed by the opportunity to try out the latest dental technology.
• 3-D Imaging Center: Compare the functionality of 3-D imaging equipment from leading manufacturers and learn how this technology can enhance your ability to treat your patients.

ADA new product launch program

Some two dozen companies will launch new products and services at the annual session. Look in the World Marketplace section of the official guide for a list of these companies and visit their booths on the exhibit floor. You can also review the products at the New Product Showcase in the 2200 aisle.

Participating companies include the following: Acteon North America, Bisco Dental Products, Care-Credit, ChaseHealthAdvance, Dental Sharing, DentalVibe, Dentatus USA, Dentrix-Henry Schein Practice Solutions, DENTSPLY Caulk, DENTSPLY Professional, Gendex, Glidewell Laboratories, Isolite Systems, Kerr, Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Instrumentarium/Sordex, Invisalign, Pentron Clinical Technologies, Schick Technologies, Septodont, Sirona Dental Systems, SS White and Voco America.

While in the ADA World Marketplace, registrants can also pick up a free tote bag; play the Super Sweepstakes for a chance to win daily prizes, a trip to Las Vegas or up to $5,000; save money with the ADA Coupon Book; have a souvenir photo taken; watch the creation of a sand sculpture; enjoy a fast and convenient lunch at one of the two exhibit hall restaurants and enjoy free ice cream at the exhibit hall closing party 11 October, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

2010 Distinguished Speaker: Malcolm Gladwell

The Opening General Session and Distinguished Speaker Series will be offered on Saturday at the Orange County Convention Center. Malcolm Gladwell, who has a gift for interpreting new ideas in the social science and making them understandable, practical and valuable to business and general audiences, will speak.

Author of three New York Times No. 1 best sellers, including “The Tipping Point,” “Blink” and “Outliers,” Gladwell has also been named by Time magazine as one of its “100 Most Influential People.” As we consider the future of oral health, Gladwell’s insights into society and success will prove relevant.

Don’t forget to bring your copies of his books for a book signing in the World Marketplace Exhibition following the program.

ADA Night at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

On Sunday, you can join your friends and colleagues for an experience that the ADA has never had before in Orlando. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a theme park of the new millennium, bringing together entertainment for every age group. ADA attendees will have exclusive access to the theme park and each of the unique islands.

There’s even more excitement with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, now open. From printed page to the silver screen, you’ve shared his every adventure. Now, prepare to journey through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Based on the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros., The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

ADA attendees will experience all the unique islands in the park as part of the exclusive event:

• Jurassic Park
• Lost Continent
• Marvel Super Hero Island (includes The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk Coaster and Dr. Doom’s Fearfall)
• Seuss Landing
• Toon Lagoon

In addition to all the attractions, ADA attendees will enjoy entertainment throughout the park, along with unlimited free play on all video games and pinball machines in the Kingpin Arcade at Marvel Super Hero Island. For guests’ shopping pleasure, select specialty shops will be open throughout the evening.

ADA attendees can purchase tickets for the exclusive event, ADA Night at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, at the same time they register for the meeting. Ticket price includes complimentary shuttle service from ADA official hotels, access to the park from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, and a $10 food coupon, per guest, to be used at any concession stand during the ADA event.

Presidential Gala

On Tuesday evening, join your friends and colleagues for an evening honoring Dr and Mrs. Ronald Tankersley. Enjoy a three-course dinner and dance the night away while enjoying your favorite hits. This celebration will be the perfect finale to your stay in Orlando!

SocialClix

When you register for the 2010 Annual Session, be sure to opt in to SocialClix! This free service allows you to search your own social network(s) and contact listing(s) to see if your colleagues are also attending the 2010 annual session.

Simply opt in to SocialClix when you register for the Annual Session. You’ll have the chance to select which networks (such as LinkedIn or Facebook) or e-mail accounts (such as Outlook or Gmail) you’d like to search. SocialClix will let you know who among your colleagues is attending, and invite those who have not registered yet.

Health Screening Program canceled for 2010

In response to a recent tax and financial report, the ADA Foundation Board of Directors voted at its July meeting to cancel the Health Screening Program for the 2010 annual session in Orlando. All health screening registrations have been automatically canceled, and refunds were issued to anyone who paid for additional screenings.

“On behalf of the staff and council members of the Council on ADA Sessions and the Council on Scientific Affairs, we apologize for any inconvenience caused due to this cancellation,” the ADA said. “There are still many educational opportunities available at the annual session, many of them with no additional fee.”

Organization meetings

More than 100 alumni and dental-related organizations will come together during this year’s annual session. Don’t miss this networking opportunity.

House of Delegates

As the legislative and governing body, the House of Delegates is the supreme authority in the American Dental Association. As such, it speaks for the 157,000 members of the association and for the dental profession in the United States.

Meetings of the House of Delegates will take place beginning on Saturday, Oct. 9, and ending on Wednesday, 13 October. Anyone may attend the meetings of the House of Delegates as a visitor, upon display of a 2010 Annual Session badge. Details of this important meeting are available in the 2010 Preliminary Program and at ADA.org.

American Dental Assistants Association

The 2010 meeting of the American Dental Assistants Association will take place in Orlando concurrent with the 2010 ADA Annual Session. The ADA extends a warm welcome to all dental assistants and encourages you to take part in this event.

Why you should attend

The ADA Annual Session provides practical advice and information by bringing together leaders in dental practice, research, academics and industry. According to ADA, there are a number of additional reasons you should attend the meeting:

• Unlock the secrets of running a highly successful practice: 
With more than 245 continuing education courses spanning four days, you’ll find plenty of ideas you can take home and use immediately. More than 60 percent of continuing education course seats are free with your registration.
• Learn from the finest minds in the dental community: 
The ADA Annual Session offers an opportunity to select from among hundreds of leading speakers, all in one location, and to learn in the most advanced settings in the dental community.
• Experience unique educational offerings: 
The ADA offers cutting-edge educational opportunities, such as the Open Science Forum, live patient Education in the Round courses, C.E. on the exhibit floor featuring the latest technologies at the LOC (“Learn, Optimize, Connect”) and more.
• Test drive the latest products: 
Shop at the ADA World Marketplace Exhibition. Discover cutting-edge products and new services from more than 600 exhibiting companies.
• Build staff camaraderie: 
With the ADA’s events such as the general session and an exclusive evening at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the ADA Annual Session offers almost endless opportunities for team-building.
• The place for networking: 
More than 300 alumni and professional associations will come together during the ADA Annual Session — the best opportunity to network with peers, make new professional acquaintances, and catch up with old friends.

About the ADA

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation’s largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public’s health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859.

The ADA’s state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive.

The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA’s flagship publication and one of the best-read scientific journal in dentistry.