For the love of lasers

This meeting is not only about learning and advancing your skills, it’s also about creating a community.

The Academy of Laser Dentistry’s 18th Annual Conference is a place for dentists-whether you’re new to laser dentistry or incorporated it into your practice years ago-to come together to learn about the latest in the field and to talk with other practitioners who share their same passion for laser dentistry and what it can do for their practice and their patients.

This year’s meeting, “Promoting a Standard of Excellence," is March 3 to 5 at the LOEWS Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego.

“There aren’t any other meetings in 2011 dedicated to lasers in dentistry to the extent that this one is,” said Gail S. Siminovsky, Executive Director of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. “This is it. Everyone can choose what CE events they will attend and there are quite a few choices, but in terms of lasers in dentistry ALD’s annual meeting is the one place where we foster camaraderie and education around this technology based upon sound clinical and scientific knowledge.” 

What to expect
With 42 presenters, clinicians and team members will have the chance to hear from a variety of voices on a variety of topics involving laser dentistry, from laser basics for pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to a demonstration of the operating microscope and laser dentistry.

Dr. Samuel B. Low, President of the American Academy of Periodontology, will kick the meeting off Friday morning with the keynote address, “The Role of Lasers in Periodontics.” Other highlights include hands-on programs on Thursday that will enable attendees to try out different lasers, and on Friday ALD corporate members will sponsor presentations focused on how clinicians can use their lasers in daily practice. This gives attendees the opportunity to hear from a variety of different laser manufacturers about what they have to offer from an education and training perspective rather than a sales perspective, and why it might be something they want to incorporate into their practice.

“This is an opportunity for dentists who use a variety of different lasers to attend our meeting because all lasers will be discussed in detail,” Siminovsky said. “It doesn’t matter what laser you use, we’re working with all the different companies so this meeting will be educationally relevant.”

The meeting continues on Saturday with a presentation from dental consultant Sally McKenzie, who will speak about “Practice Management for Today’s Dentistry,” and courses geared for your team members to learn and get excited about laser dentistry.

Outside of the classroom, the exhibit floor will feature 30 vendors to make it easy for attendees to browse and compare the different laser devices and many other dental products and services. And even though the days are jam packed with presentations and hands-on learning opportunities, there is plenty of time for networking and socializing with colleagues, including the welcome reception, lunches and the President’s Reception and Awards Ceremony.

How to be part of it 
Pre-registration is available until Friday on the ALD’s website (link to site here), and onsite registration also is an option. Special packaging is available that includes the meeting and a one-year membership to the ALD. Interested in learning more about the education? Click here for the full schedule.