Dental Goes Down South

Hinman Meeting remains committed to offering the best in continuing education and southern hospitality.

In its 99th year, the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting welcomes attendees to Atlanta, Georgia to enjoy a look at the latest dental products and techniques, a chance to network with a few new faces, and some good old-fashioned southern hospitality. This year, the Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel will host the meeting from March 24–26.

The first Hinman meeting in 1911 sought to increase industry knowledge by bringing together like-minded dental professionals. The current agenda reflects that mission—featuring more than 200 hours of hands-on learning with 60+ continuing education courses and workshops for the entire dental team. "Almost a century ago, Dr. Hinman set out to create a meeting that was head and shoulders above the rest," says P. Edward Pafford, DMD, general chairman of the 2011 annual meeting. "Ninety-nine years later, the Hinman Dental Meeting continues to deliver on Dr. Hinman’s vision."

Although only a small fraction of last year’s 23,000 attendees were dental technicians, the meeting has a lot to offer to laboratory professionals. The schedule features a number of technical courses, including Provisional Restorations for Today’s Restorative Practice, Implant-Prosthetic Treatment Planning Workshop, Contemporary Esthetic Techniques and Materials, and Implants vs. Fixed Prostheses.

Dental technicians can explore the social media explosion, discuss ways to drive traffic to their websites, and talk about the reasons for having a company website during "The High Tech Revolution." They can also receive an introduction to the classic cast gold technique in "A Cast Gold Workshop." A demonstration of a cementation and finishing of a real inlay on an extracted tooth will be performed, and participants will be able to take the gold inlay home with them.

Those who want to stay up to date with the latest market offerings can stop by the exhibition hall to peruse products and services from more than 400 industry-leading companies. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the city with discounted admission to the Georgia Aquarium, an Atlanta Hawks basketball game, and an Atlanta Trashers hockey game. "We want you to head home having learned, laughed, and experienced true southern hospitality at its best," Dr. Pafford says. To register or to get more information, visit www.hinman.org.