A s a dentist who provides orthodontic care for your patients, you’ve embraced orthodontics with a passion and constantly seek continuing education through courses and through the annual meetings of the American Orthodontic Society and the Academy of Gp Orthodontics. You share with your peers and mentors about cases you have completed with success and about others you may need guidance with. You learn every day, through self-education and continuing education in order to become the best in your field. You provide mentorship to others. As case after case is finished, you find you have learned a new trick, used a shortcut, or learned that sometimes taking the long road is the better way to treat and finally finish a case with great success. You have made great friends through the camaraderie that spending time together at the AOS/AGpO Annual Meeting offers. There is so much information on available techniques and products. So, how do you make the most of it during your time spent at the annual meeting? Take a moment and ask yourself a few questions about how you’ve learned about the products that are available to you in your orthodontic practice: í Was it through journal articles you’ve read in the Journal of the American Orthodontic Society or other industry specific publications? í Did AOS and AGpO instructors in a continuing education lecture or workshop share with you their knowledge about specific techniques and products and how to incorporate them into your own prac-tice to provide outstanding orthodontic care? í Did you visit the exhibit hall during previous meetings and talk with the manufacturer and supplier representatives about how to use their products and to share with them how their prod-ucts and services have helped you to grow in your orthodontic practice? Did you look to the compa-nies to help you streamline your orthodontic practice or try a new technique? í Did you make a shopping list before visiting the exhibit hall last year, knowing there were items you planned to learn more about? Did you make any purchases? The AOS and AGpO are here to help you in every stage of your orthodontic practice. In addition to relevant articles and the best instructors, we also provide you, each year, with a very important oppor-tunity to have face-to-face time with the companies you so rarely get to visit with in person. Here are some tips for making the most of your visit to the exhibit hall: “As general and pediatric dentists, how many times each year do you have the opportunity to visit with knowledgeable orthodontic advisors? From relationship building to product & service education, this may be the only face time you have with these orthodontic supply companies during the year.” í In advance of the meeting, take an inventory of your supplies and make a list of items you need to order during the show. í If there are products and services you are inter-ested in learning about plan on visiting with the professional representatives at their booths during the meeting. í The exhibit hall is the main gathering place for networking with your industry colleagues, vendors and friends. Put your smart phone away and keep your eyes focused on what is around you. You just might be surprised at what you can learn and who you will see at the exhibit hall. These contacts can result in your saving a few extra dollars on your order and putting a smile on your face. Ask your colleagues about products and services you are researching. They may have some great advice to offer before you make that final purchase decision. í Exhibit halls are a great place to comparison shop! See who has the best offer on what you are looking to purchase. í Your staff members also have a need for prod-ucts in the operatory to assist them in doing their jobs most effectively. They will likely learn a lot about products & services during their attendance of the meeting lectures. Consider giving them an allowance and letting them shop the exhibit hall for items that will enhance their role in the practice and what they can offer your patients. í As general and pediatric dentists, how many times each year do you have the opportunity to visit with knowledgeable orthodontic advisors? From relationship building to product & service www.orthodontics.com May/June 2013 11
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society May-June 2013: Page 11
