2015 ODA Annual Session featured education, entertainment, shopping

2015 ODA Annual Session featured education, entertainment, shopping

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The 2015 ODA Annual Session featured a wide variety of CE courses, including hands-on courses where dentists could learn new skills.

The 2015 Ohio Dental Association Annual Session – Excellence in Collaboration – featured CE for the entire dental team, one of the largest Exhibit Halls in the area and special events where attendees could meet up with old friends and have a good time.

More than 4,600 dental professionals attended the 149th ODA Annual Session, including 1,248 dentists and 281 dental students from The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University and other dental schools in the region.

“As chairman of the Annual Session I do not think that I can select a single favorite part of the event,” said Dr. Mike Winick, 2015 ODA Annual Session chair. “However, every year I look forward to spending time with friends and colleagues. I also enjoy my Annual Session Committee duties like introducing speakers. This year, however, a highlight for me was presenting a vote of appreciation to ODA President Dr. Tom Paumier during the second session of the ODA House of Delegates.”

This year’s Annual Session, held Sept. 17-20 in Columbus, featured many nationally known speakers who presented on a wide variety of topics for the entire dental team.

“I really enjoyed listening to Dave Caperton entertain the audiences while teaching people how to be more joyful at work,” Winick said.

This year’s Exhibit Hall featured more than 200 vendors, and attendees had the opportunity to test different products, ask questions and comparison shop.

“I always enjoy walking the exhibit floor, looking for some new item that I can incorporate into my office or visiting with certain exhibitors that I have become friends with over the years,” Winick said.

Champions of Oral Health

In Conjunction with the ODA Annual Session, the ODA awarded three Ohio legislators “Champion of Oral Health” citations.

Rep. Anthony DeVitis (R-Green) received the award for introducing House Bill 95, which would prohibit dental insurance companies from setting fees for services they do not cover.

Rep. Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville) received the award for her efforts as chair of the House Health and Aging Committee to pass House Bill 95 out of committee.

Sen. Shannon Jones (R-Springboro) received the award for her efforts in helping to pass House Bill 463, which expanded access to dental care in a comprehensive, safe, high-quality way and maximized the current dental care infrastructure and delivery system.

Table Clinics

On Sept. 18, Annual Session attendees had the opportunity to earn up to two hours of free CE by attending Table Clinics. The presentations covered a wide variety of topics, and a panel of judges rated each of them.

This year’s winners are:

  • Best of show: Dr. Navid Khalighinejad, “Pathobiology of the per apex and post treatment apical periodontitis”
  • Auxiliary: Elizabeth McClure, “Silver Diamine, A ‘Silver Bullet’ for caries control”
  • First Place Graduate Dental Student: Drs. Zachary Rodriguez and Dhanshri Kakade, “Indications and effects of immediate implant loading”
  • Second Place Graduate Dental Student: Dr. Galen Geraets, “Microscopic Endodontic Surgery”
  • Dental Pre-Grad: Cleo Sin, “Web-Based Interactive Radiology Mosule for Dental Professional Students”

Callahan Celebration of Excellence

In conjunction with Annual Session, the Callahan Celebration of Excellence honoring outgoing ODA President Dr. Tom Paumier took place on Sept. 18. The celebration also recognized the 2015 Awards of Excellence winners.

The 2015 Awards of Excellence winners include:

  • Callahan Memorial Award: Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein, Inc.
  • Distinguished Dentist Award: Dr. Steve Simpson
  • Achievement Award: Dr. Alfred “Duke” Heller and Dr. Ralph “Jim” Snelson
  • N. Wayne Hiatt Rising Star Award: Dr. Ruchika Khetarpal
  • Access to Dental Care Program Award: HealthPath Foundation of Ohio

For more information about the award winners, visit www.oda.org or check the July and September issues of the “ODA Today.”

The ODA Leadership Pin was awarded to Dr. Matt Messina, executive editor of the “ODA Today” and ADA spokesperson.

Ohio Dental Political Action Committee (ODPAC) awards were also presented at the celebration, honoring the Northwestern Ohio Dental Society for the highest percentage of membership for a small society, the Akron Dental Society for the highest percentage of membership for a large society and the Eastern Ohio Dental Society for “Deepest Pockets for Dentistry” (highest average contribution).

Save the Date

The 150th ODA Annual Session – Celebrating our past, building our future – will be Sept. 15-18, 2016, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Visit www.oda.org/events and like the ODA Annual Session Facebook page for more information.

“I would like to say thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Session this year,” Winick said. “Their presence was greatly appreciated. The future of the ODA will remain bright as long as our members continue to support events like the Annual Session.”