The East End
Posted: May 28, 2012 Filed under: life, travel | Tags: beach, burger, ditch plains, holiday weekend, memorial day weekend, montauk, navy beach, peaches, ruschmeyers, sole east, summer cocktail, sunflowers Leave a comment »Montauk is my favorite place for a quick weekend beach getaway near the NYC area. It is about a 3 hour drive or train ride from the city, and the casual atmosphere and scenic beaches always keep me coming back. A small warning: the crowds get very intense on the weekends, particularly the holiday ones, so skip the bars for happy hour and enjoy some libations on the beach with friends.
Poolside Myles Cocktail at Sole East
Organic Peaches and Sunflowers at Joni’s
Navy Burger at Navy Beach
Surfers at Ditch Plains Beach
Swinging at Ruschmeyer’s
Socializing While Learning
Posted: May 7, 2012 Filed under: Dentistry, life, travel | Tags: aacd, continuing education, Convention, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry, Dentists, Socializing Leave a comment »
Welcome Reception at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
As previously mentioned, I recently had a great time at the AACD meeting. In fact, I had a little too much fun. This was the first time I have traveled to a dental meeting alone. The thought of going myself was a bit scary at first, but I figured it was time to be a big girl and face my fears. Now that I have returned, I cannot believe how worried I was about this. Most people attend professional conferences alone, and for good reason. It forces you to come out of your shell if you are shy, and talk to people you otherwise may not have had the chance to meet because you were preoccupied chatting with the ones you already know. Here are some reasons it is better to travel solo to professional meetings:
1. Focus on learning: With any conference or continuing education program you may attend, chances are, you are spending a significant amount of time and money in order to do so. You want to make the most out of your trip, by attending as many programs as you can. If you have your significant other or kids tagging along, there is a good chance you might be distracted by the interface of your home life and your professional life.
2. Make new friends: Being a New Yorker, I am not exactly used to people being so incredibly friendly. This year, I met some great dentists from all over the country, from states such as Alaska, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Washington. In general, I find most dentists to be pretty outgoing. We are constantly meeting new people everyday at work and are used to striking up conversations with strangers. As great as it would have been to have a fellow NYC colleague in tow, I can honestly say I would not have been as eager to talk to new people.
3. Have fun: At this point in your life, you probably rarely make new friends. We tend to be consumed with work during the week and family life on weekends, with the occasional social interactions, but rarely is it with new people. Sometimes it can be great to spend a week having conversations with people you have never met. If you are already at a professional conference, you and these strangers may already have a lot in common. I found it incredibly interesting discussing the different ways people practice dentistry throughout the country and even the world.
Liquid Courage
Now I must confess, it is not entirely true that I did not know a single person there. I have attended this meeting in the past and met some people that attended again this year. The great part was I met even more people the second time around.
With Dr. Tesa Reeves
With Dr. Martin Prager
Whatever part of the world you are living in, it is easy to find a dentist that is a member of the AACD. Here are a few that I met this weekend, check them out if they are near where you live. Can’t wait to see everyone next year in Seattle!
Tennesse
Texas
North Carolina
Washington
The AACD 28th Annual Scientific Session
Posted: May 6, 2012 Filed under: Dentistry, life, travel | Tags: aacd, Convention, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry, gaylord national 1 Comment »
View from the Convention Center
I recently returned from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s annual meeting in Washington D.C., and I can honestly say this has been my favorite dental convention to date. The meeting was held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. This place is an enclosed compound filled with restaurants, bars, shops, conference rooms, and water fountains. As much as I would normally not be into such an overwhelmingly large place, it made the socializing aspects of the convention a lot of fun.
Inside Shot of the Lobby Area
One of the highlights that I really enjoyed was a talk by Neil Pasricha, who’s popular blog highlights some of the little things in life that make it awesome. At the end of his presentation, he invited the audience to write down what little things they appreciated and had them displayed on a “Wall of Awesome”.
The Wall of Awesome of AACD Members
What Dentists Consider Awesome
Diastema Workshop (Significantly changing the appearance and self-esteem of a patient in one visit is something I consider to be pretty awesome.
As far as dentistry is concerned, this is always I place that I consider you go to really learn from some of the best leaders in the world of cosmetic dentistry. It was great to hear some of the country’s most accomplished and knowledgable female dentists speak, including Dr. Elizabeth Bakeman and Dr. Lee Ann Brady. Dr. Bakeman included a great quote in her veneer workshop:
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort. intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” – William A. Foster.
Everyone I met this week seemed to be working towards the same goals; to achieve the highest level of excellence in their field. I highly recommend checking this organization out for anyone interested in taking their cosmetic skills to the next level, and if the opportunity is available, to attend the annual session.
