It is vital that we update and refresh our knowledge and there are many ways to accomplish this goal.
Dental conferences are an excellent way to meet and be part of the dental community, update your education, bring concerns and clarify your thoughts with other like-minded professionals and see what’s new and interesting that may vitalize your practice and outlook.
When I attend a meeting, one of the first things I consider (beside the subject matter) is who is the CE course provider? CE is expensive and I try to support professional organizations whom I believe have my best interests and the community at heart of the program, before I support a private, for profit only venue. I also want to know that the provider has met some accepted standards, such as the CERP recognition of the American Dental Association. National, provincial, regional organizations, dental schools and recognized not-for-profit study clubs are high on the list of venues I like to support.
Winter Clinic on November 13th, is one such meeting to consider. In my 33 years of practice I have missed just one Winter Clinic and have enjoyed hem so much that I have become involved in the organizational committee structure where I have met many wonderful people.
Winter Clinic is a product of the Toronto Academy of Dentistry, an organization that has been functioning continuously for more than 100 years, serving the profession and the community. Profits from Winter Clinic fund the Toronto Academy of Dentistry and the many community and professional programs it supports.
Winter Clinic is the largest one day meeting in North America and probably the most comprehensive meeting you can find held anywhere in just a single day. The clinical program rivals every major meeting in the world, and the exhibit floor has representation from many in the dental industry, most of them also DIAC members.
How does one take full advantage of Winter Clinic? It can be overwhelming to the uninitiated.
It is important to have a plan. The Winter Clinic Program guide outlines in considerable detail the clinical program. There’s an excellent mix of full-day, half-day, power hour and capsule programs in lecture and hands-on format, all given by experts in their field. The range of topics is developed so that the entire dental team will have something they can sink their teeth into. Every program is carefully chosen and many are specifically developed for just Winter Clinic. This year, at our 72nd Annual Winter Clinic, we are proud to include a special program sponsored by our Canadian Forces Dental Unit, the University of Toronto Update in Dentistry Series, the American College of Dentistry Ethics in Research and Dental Literature Symposium, and the Oral Health Journal Editorial Board panel. As well, CDSPI and CDPA continue to provide valuable programs to clarify means to practice safely and smartly. The Canadian Associ ation of Esthetic Dentistry also have become a regular contributor to Winter Clinic, as has In visalign Technology and of course we thank the industry for their continued enthusiastic sponsorship which allows us to bring to Toronto many of the finest educators in the world. To get the most out of the day, bring your whole team but plan to attend different sessions that you can later discuss them in team meetings.
If there is one session in particular that brings you to Winter Clinic come early because some lecture theatres reach capacity and admittance is on a first-come basis. It is a good idea to have several pre planned alternatives… or you can just wander and pop into a few meetings going on and get a bit of everything until your attention is more focused.
Don’t be afraid to go up to a speaker at breaks to ask questions. They are happy to talk to you and what better time is there to make contact with an expert.
It is easy to get caught up in just the clinical program but a big part of Winter Clinic is the Ex hibit Floor. To maximize your time, Winter Clinic offers lunch included with your registration and it is served on the exhibit floor so you will be able to make better use of your time. A word of note, lunch is the busiest time on the floor and you will be able to have a more relaxed conversation with the sales representatives earlier or later in the day. Take advantage of Winter Clinic specials and always try to make a deal if you can. Exhibitors want you to buy. They have made a large expediture and effort to be there. You can often do better at meetings such as this so come down with a shopping list and make your end of year purchases. Many specials are not advertised and you have to be at the show to take advanatge of them. Take advantage of the opportunity to comparison shop, make contact with a new supplier, learn about a new product, or troubleshoot with one of the industry representatives.
At the end of the day you can relax and mix with your friends at the cocktail hour (also included with registration) and don’t forget to stick around for the lucky prize draw. If you registered to attend, you are eligable to win, but you must be present and you must enter.
To make your day more fun, take advantage of this year’s new Silent Auction using Winter Clinic Bucks which everyone receives with registration and has opportunities to get more. This has been organized by the Winter Clinic Committee, DIAC and attending exhibitors to give you an incentive to visit the exhibit floor, and thank you for your support of the meeting. The items are all valued at $200-$700 and all attendees are eligible to participate without any added cost.
And don’t forget. When you support Winter Clinic, you are also supporting the profession and the community we serve. Can there be a better choice?
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What better time is there to make contact with an expert