The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) Annual Educational Conference will take place October 26–29, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans. Over 1000 implant dentistry professionals will gather, not only to expand their knowledge base in our fast-changing profession, but also to exchange ideas and experiences, and participate in supportive fellowship with colleagues from around the world.
This year's meeting guarantees 3 ½ days of numerous opportunities for clinicians to learn new techniques through multiple hands-on workshops, and to view live implant surgery with real-time commentary from the surgeon. Course participants will have the opportunity to have their questions answered by the surgical team as the procedure is performed. Main podium speakers will provide attendees with information that will help them prevent implant surgical and prosthetic complications, and just as importantly, how to identify and treat those complications when they occur.
The dental team will also have 2 full days of education designed precisely to meet their needs. Dental team members will have the opportunity to attend seminars that will help them grow their implant practice, become familiar with optimal wellness center protocols, convert that challenging initial phone call into active patients, and positively deal with the challenges of daily practice.
There will also be programs available to help those clinicians who desire to become credentialed in the discipline of implant dentistry. The step-by-step process of how to become an Affiliate Associate Fellow, Associate Fellow, and Fellow of the AAID will be outlined. These presentations will include the how-to of digital photography and radiography for optimal case presentations. For those who desire to attain Diplomate status, the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry will provide seminars explaining the written and oral testing requirements.
Vendors representing dental implant related products and professional services will be in attendance. These vendors not only meet the daily needs of the implant practice, but also help make this annual educational meeting possible.
An equally rewarding part of the program is the camaraderie that also takes place. The program has built-in opportunities for first-time attendees and returning members to interact on the clinical, business, and political issues that our profession faces. Knowing how we are doing as a group, and as individuals, is important to increasing our personal and professional satisfaction.
This year's program promises to be a wonderful and proficient educational and personally enriching experience for all implant dentistry clinicians. I encourage you to attend with your staff. Come, learn, visit, laugh, make new friends, and visit with old-friends. This meeting promises to be just as unique as all of the previous AAID Educational meetings. Remember: “Implant Dentistry is constantly changing” and “Continuing education is crucial to staying current with the changes our profession experiences.”
