Florida Dental Convention 2017: 'Come for the CE and Stay for the Fun'

The 2017 Florida Dental Convention takes place from June 22-24 in Kissimmee.

The 2017 Florida Dental Convention (FDC), the official meeting of the Florida Dental Association, will be held from June 22-24, 2017 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

A dynamic and engaging scientific program for all dental professionals has been created by a 13-member committee of FDA member dentists. The theme of this year’s convention is “Get Connected: Team to Technology.”

This nationally recognized dental meeting is expected attract about 7,500 dental professionals. This year’s FDC General Chairman is Bert Hughes, D.M.D., a Brooklyn-born doctor practicing in Gainesville. Hughes, who has dedicated his life to treating families with a limited access to quality health care, says attendees “should come for the CE and stay for the fun.”

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The FDC offers three full days of continuing education, including more than 100 courses consisting of lectures, hands-on workshops, clinical lectures, certifications and state-mandated courses. A wide variety of topics taught by world-renowned speakers will be available for the entire dental team. Dentist-attendees can search for FDC2017 courses by date, time, speaker or topic here.

Brooke Martin, the FDC Meeting Coordinator, says the hot topics on this year’s program include: Botulinum Toxin & Dermal Fillers, Forensic Dentistry, Mini-Implants, Lasers in Dentistry, Local Anesthesia and Dental Marketing.

Nearly 350 exhibitors offering a wide variety of dental products and services will fill the Exhibit Hall, which will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees are welcome to bring their families and join their dental colleagues on Thursday and Friday night for several nightly social events, including:

• Thursday: Sweet Success, 8-11 p.m. in Osceola C Ballroom.

• Friday: FDC Goes Country, 7-10 p.m. in the Hotel Atrium featuring live music from Tobacco Rd Band.

• Friday: The After Party, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. in Wreckers Sports Bar.

“What separates our meeting from others is that we focus on high-quality continuing education but we also have exciting keynote speakers that energize our attendees,” says Hughes. One of the most fun-filled and comradery-boosting events at the FDC is the annual karaoke session, “where dental professional get to sing with a live band,” says Hughes.

Elizabeth Gesenhues, D.D.S, a St. Augustine-based orthodontist, will be honored as the FDA Dentist of the Year.

THINGS TO DO

Walt Disney World is not that far away for Florida Dental Convention attendees.

With the exceptional resort city of Orlando a little over 20 miles away, dental professionals will have a wealth of entertainment and dining choices from which to choose. Orlando, of course, is home to the famous Walt Disney World. Opened in 1971, the massive entertainment complex is the world’s most visited vacation resort. Dentists, with or without kids, should make it a point to stop by.

Other interesting things to do in the area include: Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” which offers close encounters with hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Only minutes away from Kissimmee is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, “where rockets launch and inspiration begins at Florida’s gateway to space.”

With the headwaters of the Florida Everglades nearby, dentists might consider an airboat tour for a real nature rush. For some nature of the extinct variety, try a visit to close by Dinosaur World, the world’s largest dinosaur attraction.

Dental pros can also take time to visit Old Town Kissimmee, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination “that breaks from the typical theme park experiences.” Dentists can rise about things with a hot air balloon ride over beautiful Central Florida. For those patriotic dentists, a trip to the Museum of Military History “provides a historical glimpse into our military heritage.”

Some of the top-rated dining spots around the Kissimmee-Orlando area include: Victoria & Albert's, El Tapito, Café D' Antonio, The Catfish Place, Bull & Bear Steakhouse, Eleven, Savion’s Place, Woodsby’s Café, and Bruno’s Italian Restaurant. And Zagat offer a list of Orlando's Best Restaurants.

Weather for this time of the year in Central Florida calls for daytime highs in the low 90s with plenty of sun.

FDC organizers say numerous quality guest accommodations are available for dentists and a complimentary shuttle service between most hotels will be provided.

For more information on the 2017 Florida Dental Convention, go here.

Discover more Dentist’s Money Digest conference coverage here.