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DESPITE ECONOMY, 2009 THOMAS P. HINMAN DENTAL MEETING DRAWS 21,426 DENTISTS AND DENTAL PROFESSIONALS TO ATLANTA

Despite tough economic times, the 97th Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting was a resounding success, attracting 21,426 dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental students and other dental professionals and industry personnel to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The meeting, which emphasized “a journey of lifelong learning,” featured more than 60 leading dental experts, 230+ courses and workshops, and at least 440 industry leading companies.

“This year, Hinman did experience a slight drop in attendance – approximately 5 percent down from last year. But, in contrast to other meetings and tradeshows held in the past six months that have experienced a 10 percent drop or more, we believe that Hinman fared extremely well,” said Dr. Wayne Tadsen, Hinman’s 2009 General Chairman. “We actually saw an increase in dentists and dental students this year, many of the courses were filled to capacity, and the exhibit hall and new Hinman Eatery were busy from open to close.”

This year’s continuing education program offered more than 230 courses, including 40 participation courses, from some of dentistry’s most notable experts, including Dr. Gordon Christensen, Dr. Samuel Low, Dr. Harold Crossley, Dr. John Flucke, Dr. Henry Gremillion , Dr. John Svirsky, Dr. Charles Wakefield, Dr. Nader Sharifi and more.

As one of the largest dental meetings in the country, Hinman also featured more than 440 exhibiting companies, demonstrating the latest in dental technology, products, equipment and services. This year, Hinman unveiled a new exhibit floor plan, featuring in the center of the hall, the Hinman Eatery, a food court where attendees could take a break and grab a bite to eat. Each day, the food choices changed to reflect the theme that day and many took advantage of the convenient and affordable lunch and snack options.

With even more emphasis this year on attracting dental students – especially those who attend southeastern dental schools – Hinman offered a student orientation on Friday during the meeting. Hinman’s Past General Chairman Dr. Dan Dunwody outlined courses the students may find of interest, offered suggestions on maximizing time spent at the meeting, and gave pointers on maneuvering the exhibit hall and surrounding areas. More than 750 dental students attended the meeting this year.

HINMAN’S BEST-OF-CLASS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Hinman’s educational programming offered everything from hands-on oral surgery and crown lengthening workshops to treating medical emergencies and evaluating controversies in clinical dentistry. Dr. Samuel Low filled a ballroom with more than 1,116 dental professionals who came to hear about “The ‘New’ Periodontal Disease: Inflammatory & Risky.” Many came to hear the latest on medication interactions. Dr. Harold Crossley’s course “Your Patient’s Medications and Their Dental Implications” attracted 830 dentists, hygienists, assistants and students. And, his course titled, “Street Drug Abuse and its Impact on the Dental Office” drew more than 700 dental professionals. Approximately 690 professionals turned out to hear Dr. John Svirsky’s course, “Name that Disease and Other Oral Pathology Party Games.”

With more than 8,500 dental assistants, hygienists and office staff attending Hinman, many courses were designed with this audience in mind. Some of the more popular courses focused on patient communication and practice management. Char Sweeney’s “Saying it Right the First Time!” attracted nearly 550 attendees and Rebecca Wilder’s “Products & Promises: Making Informed Recommendations to Your Patients” drew almost 570 participants.

HINMAN KEYNOTE & PRIZES

Hinman’s Keynote Session this year featured Neal Boortz – the popular talk radio host and best-selling author. He shared his unique perspective and numerous funny stories with everyone in attendance. Many participants commented that the Keynote was just like a being in their cars listening to him during drive-times.

At the end of the Keynote Session, Hinman held a drawing for two pairs of Delta Air Lines tickets to anywhere in the continental United States. Jeannie Mullins of Lilburn, Ga. and Dr. William Carroll of Austell, Ga. were the lucky winners.

This year’s Auxiliary Reception and Dentist Reception also were popular with Hinman attendees. Both held in the Omni Hotel North Tower, the events attracted several thousand dental professionals. During the dentist reception, two all-expense paid trips were awarded to two lucky dentists. Dr. Michael Lyle, of Florence, Ala., won the vacation to the Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall, Jamaica. Dr. James Hill, of Irvine, Kentucky, won the vacation on a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

$250,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS & GIFTS AWARDED

The proceeds from the Hinman meeting not only support the operations of its annual meeting, but make is possible to support student education throughout the Southeast. This year, the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society awarded scholarships and gifts totaling more than $250,000 to 89 dental, dental hygiene, laboratory technician and dental assisting students at 36 colleges and universities located throughout the Southeast, as well as dental education groups and clinics. The students selected for scholarships were named “Hinman Scholars” and recognized during a luncheon at the Hinman Dental Meeting on March 21, 2009.

The Hinman Dental Society has granted scholarships to dental students since 1986, adding dental hygiene students in 1989, laboratory technician students in 2003 and dental assisting students in 2005. Recipients are selected by the dean of each school’s Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Laboratory Technician and Dental Assisting departments and must be junior student members of the American Dental Association as well as in the top 10 percent of their class.

In addition to the scholarships it awards annually, Hinman continues to fund three endowed chairs. Last year, Hinman committed $500,000 each to fund chairs at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. In 2005, Hinman began funding $500,000 an endowed chair in general dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) School of Dentistry.

THE BEST HINMAN EVER

“There’s no question that Hinman offers the best in continuing education with a real commitment to quality and professionalism and this prevails even during tough economic times. Every year, we set the bar even higher and challenge ourselves to deliver the best Hinman ever. I believe we achieved that once again,” added Dr. Tadsen.