Hinman Dental Meeting: What You Need To Know This Year

The 2017 Hinman Dental Meeting is expected to draw about 22,000 dental professionals, 7,000 of which will be dentists, organizers say. This year's theme is "The Changing Face of Dentistry." Image source: Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society

The modern dental convention is an ideal way for busy dentists to do some real learning and living. A choice opportunity comes this spring when the annual Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting is held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from March 23 to 25, 2017.

“The meeting attracts about 22,000 dental professional from around the country,” said Kim Ryan, an Atlanta native and Hinman meeting PR consultant for the past 16 years. “This includes up to 7,000 dentists. Outside of the education, there are a great many social and networking events that are available every night. We’re seeking to create a true collaborative environment for dental professionals.”

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Southern hospitality is a hallmark of the annual Hinman get-together, dating to the first convention in 1912. Now one of the nation’s leading dental meetings, Hinman offers a wide-ranging selection of continuing education courses in dentistry. For event founder, Atlanta dentist Dr. Thomas Hinman, the gathering was always “about sharing dental knowledge and processes.”

Over three days, Hinman will feature more than 245 courses that range from occlusion/restorative dentistry and implant surgery to sleep appliances, Botox, radiology/CBCT, periodontology and others. More than 80 speakers will present the latest developments in the dental profession. In addition to 26 new speakers are many of dentistry’s favorite speakers, such as Gordon Christensen, D.D.S., Robert Edwab, D.D.S., John Svirsky, D.D.S., and Harold Crossley, D.D.S.

This year’s theme, “The Changing Face of Dentistry,” will address technological advances in dentistry and focus on women in the profession. Jane Puskas, D.M.D., the General Chairman of this year’s meeting, calls Hinman “the perfect learning opportunity” for dental professionals.

“Dr. Puskas is the first woman to be general chairman,” Ryan explained. “She wants to open up the meeting to the growth of women in the dental profession.”

Currently, fewer than 20 percent of dentists are women, according to the American Dental Association. Many of the nation’s most prominent women dentists will speak, including Rella Christensen (R.D.H., PhD), Mollie Winston (D.D.S.), Barbara Steinberg (D.D.S.), Linda Niessen (D.M.D.), and Lee Ann Brady (D.M.D.).

Organizers will offer courses for the “entire dental team” and are bringing back the popular all-day educational tracks designed for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental office staff. Also returning in 2017 is the G.O.L.D. (Graduates of the Last Decade) Program, designed specifically to help younger dentists. These are dentists who are clinically capable but need assistance on business challenges.

The convention’s epicenter is the 3.9 million square foot exhibit hall. Exhibits were first introduced in 1942 with 14 booths. This year, more than 400 companies will fill the hall — with representatives from a wide variety of dental equipment, product, and service firms.

To combat metro-Atlanta traffic worries, organizers will provide free shuttle bus services to locations throughout the city. Among the more worthwhile attractions in the area include: The College Football Hall of Fame, CNN Studio Tours, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Cocoa-Cola tours, the Martin Luther Kings, Jr. National Historic Site, and exclusive shopping at AmericasMart. New this year is a Porsche Driving experience.

As to culinary experiences, Ryan said many “fine restaurants are within walking distance or a short ride” from the convention center. Zagat’s top-rated Atlanta restaurants include: Bone's, Aria, Umi, Chops Lobster Bar, Tomo Japanese Restaurant, Osteria Mattone, and Kevin Rathbun Steak.

And a final altruistic reason for dentists to go south this spring — the meeting’s excess revenue goes to dental education scholarships and grants. An impressive $8 million has been raised since 2000.

For more information, visit the Hinman Dental Meeting website.

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