I'm writing this just after returning from the 2009 Professional Dental Assisting (PDA) conference in Plano, Texas. It was so good to see some familiar faces, including one attendee who has been a part of every PDA to date (this year was our fourth PDA conference). The crowd was smaller than in years past (partly due to the economy, partly due to some nasty Texas weather that cancelled many flights into Dallas/Fort Worth, and partly due to later notice about the dates and location than we've had in years past), but those who attended seemed to enjoy the camaraderie and the conference. With topics ranging from image enhancement to technology updates to environmental issues, there was something at this year's PDA for everyone.

I want to thank Therese Long of OSAP for her tireless efforts to make PDA 2009 a reality. It was great to be able to team up with OSAP and offer dental assistants a wide array of infection control information and exhibitors. Therese, thank you for working so hard for dental assistants.

I also want to thank our partners at ADAA and DANB for their continued support of PDA. Having these two fine organizations as a part of the PDA team is incredible.

Lastly, thank you to all of my friends from the Texas Dental Assistants Association for your help and hospitality. It was great to reconnect with so many wonderful dental assisting leaders from the Lone Star State. Without your support, PDA would not have been what it was this year.

As soon as the doors closed on PDA 2009, I was already being asked about PDA 2010. I can tell you that you will be hearing something very soon ... and that's a promise. We want to find the best possible education opportunities for dental assistants, so we're working hard to make sure PDA 2010 will be the best conference it can be. Stay tuned for more information coming very soon in Dental Assisting Digest.

This month, we'll be wrapping up our in-office relationship survey, so please take a brief moment and fill out the survey (you'll find the link along the left side near the top of the e-newsletter). In next month's DAD, we'll be launching the always popular salary survey, so please keep an eye out for that. We need your help with every survey, so thanks in advance for filling them out.

Be sure to check out Amy Morgan's article ("The self-directed assistant ... creating value in everything you do") in the leadoff section of this month's DAD. All of us are always looking for ways to become more valuable in our profession, and Amy, the CEO of the renowned Pride Institute, does a great job going through many of the things you not only already do, but some of the things you could do in your profession to grow ... and hopefully earn additional respect and revenue.

Thanks for being a part of this month's issue of DAD. Read on, this is your e-newsletter ...