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July 22, 2008

by Kimberly G. Bland, CDA, EDDA
President, American Dental Assistants Association

It's time to hit the trail for Texas ... or at least to get organized. Take the first step toward San Antonio and the annual convention of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) as we meet with the American Dental Association (ADA) Oct. 15-19. Once again this year we're part of one of the world's largest dental meetings, and we offer enormous educational opportunities for dental assistants.

Seldom is there such an impressive assembly of leaders and guiding lights all gathered in one place for your educational edification. And the price tag is just as impressive. Many of our courses are available at the conference for as low as $10 or $15, and for this price you get to learn from the world leaders in the profession of dental assisting.

Registration for the conference itself is only $35, for both clinical and business assistants, if you register before Sept. 12. Course registration fees increase after Sept. 12. To view the entire program and registration documents, go to the ADAA Web site at www.dentalassistant.org and click on the San Antonio icon.

For a taste of what's being offered, read on:

CPR CERTIFICATION: AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HEALTH CARE PROVIDER COURSE
Rod Jensen, USAF (Ret.)

NO ONE CLINICAL IS IDENTICAL
Linda Miles, CSP, CMC

GLASS CEILING OR THE HIGHEST STAR
Linda Miles, CSP, CMC

IF I ONLY HAD TWO MORE HANDS: MAXIMIZING CHAIRSIDE EFFICIENCY
Mary Govoni, CDA, RDA, RDH, MBA

DENTAL ASSISTING: ROUNDTABLE LEARNING
Jen Blake, CDA, FADAA

TEMPORARY CROWNS AND BRIDGES MADE EASY!
Debra Stewart, DDS

METH MOUTH AND DENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Noel Brandon Kelsch, RDH, RD

FINANCIALLY SPEAKING AT THE CHAIR
Debra Engelhardt-Nash

OBTAINING ACCURATE ALGINATE IMPRESSIONS
Sarah Conroy, DDS, RDH

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES
Jackie Dorst, RDH

DON'T LET YOUR PROVISIONALS LOOK TEMPORARY
Niki Henson, RDA

HOW ADULTS LEARN WHILE SITTING IN THE DENTAL CHAIR
Cindy Sensabaugh, RDH

It isn't all work, work, work when dental assistants get together. There are tours, shopping, and entertainment all arranged for conference registrants. Assistants should particularly plan to attend the Thursday evening reception and fiesta for all dental assistants — clinical, administrative, educator, sales — at 6 p.m. in the Convention Center for only $10. Conveniently located and popularly priced, the reception is another bargain with freebies and prizes galore. The educational activities and enormous exhibit hall are also at the Convention Center.

Whether you join us in Texas or not, you should join us as a member of ADAA, where we help your professional dollar go further through discounts on education, and through liability insurance as part of your dues. We have a very impressive list of member benefits and discounts.

And take a look at the education we provide for home study through printed and online courses. You can view the catalog on our Web site at www.dentalassistant.org, and while you're reading this, you can note the new courses we're providing in 2008:

New in 2008:

• The Use of Pit and Fissure Sealants in Preventive Dentistry
• Understanding Meth Mouth and Oral Interventions
• Importance of Oral Hygiene During Orthodontic Treatment
• Dental Practice Management
• Addressing Language and Cultural Barriers of the Spanish-Speaking Patient
• Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation: An Update

Updated for 2008:

• Dental Implants: A Second Chance at Dental Health
• Oral Cancer Genetics: From Diagnosis to Treatment
• Sports-Related Dental Injuries and Sports Dentistry
• Introduction to Basic Concepts in Dental Radiography
• Radiation Biology, Safety and Protection for Today's Dental Assistant
• Dental Radiographic Pitfalls and Errors
• Maintaining Proper Dental Records
• Designing a Comprehensive Health History
• Mercury in Dentistry — The Facts

Our Web site will also acquaint you with many of our state and local components, which are listed under the "Links" tab. You can find out about education and activities being offered in your own backyard.

In addition to the courses you can order, our bimonthly magazine, the Dental Assistant Journal, is a teaching tool in itself. Each issue contains articles on clinical and administrative matters, and three times each year a free course is presented for members only, with an $8 administrative fee if you wish to have the course graded for credit.

We're bringing you education on the Web, disks, DVDs, in person, and on paper. We'll do our part to provide, and we'd love for you to do your part in participating. We'd like for you to enjoy our many benefits and discounts. There's a membership application on the Web site for both professionals and students. If you're not already a member, please make the choice to become one. Join us .. the people who make dental assisting a profession.

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