Dental News - Meeting review: 2018 Hinman meeting in Atlanta

Fred Michmershuizen / DTA

Wed. 28 March 2018

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ATLANTA, Ga., USA: The 106th Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting was held March 22 to 24 at the Georgia World Congress Center, which was abuzz with dental practitioners who gathered for a comprehensive educational program, an opportunity to connect with compatriots and plenty of opportunities for socializing.

A large part of the annual tradition at the Hinman meeting is a strong focus on education, and there were plenty of ways for meeting attendees to learn. Opportunities to expand horizons abounded for dentists, hygienists, assistants, lab technicians and dental office staff.

Offerings included lectures, workshops, table clinics, a learning lab and even a special booth in the exhibit hall where attendees could schedule a 20-minute, one-on-one session with an expert in their field of interest.

A lot of the meeting’s excitement could be found in the exhibit hall, where dental practitioners were invited to partake in a wide range of offerings. Many companies showcased new technology designed to advance the quality of care dental practitioners can offer their patients.

One such company was Anutra Medical, which offers innovative local anesthetic delivery with a focus on enhanced efficiency for the practitioner and an improved experience for the patient. To help spread the word on the “science of buffering,” Anutra brought in a number of key opinion leaders. One of them was Dr. John Olmsted, offered a live product demonstration. Other speakers for Anutra included Lois Banta, Shannon Pace and Dr. Damon Adams. In addition, Ryan Vet, vice president of marketing for Anutra, spoke at the New Product Showcase.

Brad Winter, left, and John Hinton have the solution for your buffering needs at the Anutra booth.

If it’s handpieces or instruments that you’re in the market for, you’ll want to head straight to the Brasseler booth.

David Okeson, left, and Steve Lyons want to make sure all your AED and defibrillator needs are met at the ZOLL Medical Corporation booth.

Henri Paszkiewicz speaks to an attendee about the benefits of VOCO’s new SolFlex 3-D printer at the company’s booth.

It’s not just fun and games at the TSG Safety booth. Angela Thompson and Matt Thompson also help dentists meet OSHA requirements. The company offers training, inspections and program development. Stop by to learn more — and to maybe play a little air guitar, too.

Phil Pasit of Tokuyama wants everyone to stop by for their free mini kit.

Lisa Hull, left, and Bill Turner have a lot to offer you at the Shofu booth, including the Beautifil II LS composite and the EyeSpecial C-3 digital camera that was designed specifically for dentists.

Ryan Vet, vice president of marketing for Anutra Medical, speaks in the New Product Showcase about the “science of buffering” and how that relates to local anesthetic delivery.

From left: Gabrielle Smith, Dan Norton and Chris Van Tine at the Sage Dental booth.

The perfect chair is waiting for you at the RGP booth.

Jason Clark, left, shows off the EyeZoom adjustable magnification loupe with a green laser insert, while Matt Oven wears the XVI in the Orascoptic booth.

Becky Heitmann at the Nanova Biomaterials booth is happy to tell you all about the flowable and universal composites the company offers, among other products.

Andy Culver, left, and Mark Hofman stand in front of the Vantage pan-ceph system at the Midmark booth.

Allison Stancil, left, and Simmone Ellis at the Microcopy booth.

Want to learn about Glidewell Dental’s new glidewell.io in-office solution? Everyone at the company’s booth is happy to fill you in.

David Williams with the Lightwalker laser at the Fotona booth.

Julie Harder and Brad Kilbane show off Designs for Vision’s 4.5x MicroEF HDi Wireless LED Scopes.

Alcee Metevier shows off Coltene’s BRILLIANT Everglow.

The folks at Bisco have a new bulk fill composite, REVEAL HD, for you to come test out.

At the Avid booth, President and CEO Chris Carron, left, and Ellis Bentley Jr. are happy to tell you all about the new Avid Premiere Hygiene Handpiece.

Tom Richardson, president of Atlanta Dental, left, and Gary Kirkus help celebrate the company’s 150 years of service.

Planmeca USA introduced a 3D ULD Certification Program to promote dialogue between patients and their dental practitioners on imaging radiation levels. “A Planmeca ProMax 3D system using ULD (Ultra Low Dose) can drastically reduce patient radiation by up to 77 percent, without a statistical reduction in image quality,” said Brett Hines, president of Planmeca USA, in a company press release announcing the certification program.

Due to attention in the lay press about this issue, the company said, it’s more likely that dental patients, too, may have questions and concerns. To help encourage these conversations about imaging safety, Planmeca is offering the complimentary certification program exclusively for its ProMax 3D ULD-capable systems.

The program includes office display materials, access downloadable digital materials for use on a practice’s website and social media outlets, a searchable database of certified dentists, and more.

Many other companies in Atlanta offered their popular, tried-and-true products and services. Case in point was Atlanta Dental Supply, whose booth was one of the first may saw as they entered the exhibit hall.

Some exhibitors featured promotions tied in with the NCAA basketball tournament, while many other companies offered exciting show specials or giveaways. One such company was Orascoptic, where attendees cud could have their badge scanned for a chance to win an Endeavor Headlight.

Also in the exhibit hall, many companies offered educational presentations right in their booths each day.