It’s almost time to pack your bags if you’re heading to the Yankee Dental Congress, scheduled for January 25 through January 29 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Nearly 28,000 dental professionals are expected to take part in more than 300 continuing education courses and interact with the more than 450 exhibitors that will be on hand. And since all work and no play makes for a dull show, the Massachusetts Dental Society has entertainment lined up too.
Across the nation, dentists are struggling with the tragic consequences of the opioid epidemic. Fortunately, the Yankee Dental Congress is offering guidance via the “Interprofessional Symposium: CLT-ALT-DELETE: Rebooting the Approach to Pain Management.” Plus, the show’s Fast Track program will include a series of 6 hour-long lectures covering pain management and prescription monitoring, according to current best practices and regulations.
Clinicians also are growing more aware of the dangers of sleep apnea and the role they can play in treating it. Professionals who want to learn more can visit the Sleep Apnea Pavilion, which will showcase the latest technologies that can help patients regain peaceful and restful nights. For example, attendees can learn about oral appliance therapy and laser procedures, as well as pediatric dental sleep medicine, all for complementary continuing education credits.
The focus on technology will continue with 3-D Printing in Dentistry: The Present and the (Very Near) Future. Sponsored by Formlabs, the exhibit will showcase 3-D printers and biocompatible materials, which combine for streamlined workflows, improved outcomes, and lower costs. Meanwhile, Pete Gardell, DDS, and Rich Rosenblatt, DDS, will bring tech to the floor with “CAD/CAM for All,” which will include both lectures and hands-on programs.
Other coursework will cover a range of clinical topics, including aesthetics, anesthesia, composites, endodontics, implants, infection control, restorations, and more. Speakers also will discuss practice management issues, such as coding and reimbursement, the front desk, social media, and the work/life balance. Plus, Dentistry Today’s editor in chief Damon Adams will have a pair of lectures on innovations, controversies, and clinical tips on Thursday, January 26.
On Thursday, January 26, the show will host “A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Genova.” Genova is a neuroscientist and the author of the bestseller Still Alice, a novel about a woman struggling with Alzheimer’s disease that also was turned into a movie, featuring Julianne Moore in an Oscar-winning performance. And on Friday, January 27, Nancy Frates of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will speak. Her son Peter was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and inspired the viral sensation that raised $115 million for research into the disease and other support.
The Yankee Dental Congress also is an opportunity to recognize leading clinicians for their service to the profession and to the community. Among the accolades that will be bestowed on Wednesday, January 25, Steven J. Tonelli, DMD, will receive the 2017 Etherington Award for his extensive work on behalf of organized dentistry. James Cinamon, DMD, will be named the 2017 Clinician of the Year. And, Jacklyn Ventura will be named the 2017 Hygienist of the Year.
Finally, attendees get head to the Wild West with the Yankee Roundup on Thursday, January 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Cowboys and cowgirls alike can enjoy grub, music, and prizes, along with a best costume contest. And for a few chuckles, attendees can head to Laugh Boston for premier standup comedy on Friday, January 27. Doors will open at 7:00 pm.
With all that and more to navigate, attendees will have their hands full. That’s why the show’s organizers are offering the Yankee 2017 Mobile App. Compatible with iPhones, Androids, and even Blackberries, the free software maps out courses and exhibitors, manages continuing education credits, provides real-time updates and show specials, and offers access to all information about the show via a single icon.
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