ODA holds 145th Annual Session in Columbus

On September 15-18, close to 5,000 dental professionals convened at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus for the 2011 Ohio Dental Association’s Annual Session. This year’s Annual Session attracted nearly 1,300 dentists, and over 2,100 hygienists, assistants, and other staff.

In addition to the wide variety of high quality courses usually offered at Annual Session, attendees were also offered 13 hands-on workshops, ranging from model pouring techniques for staff to CPR accreditation and the ever-popular Disney’s Approach to Quality Service course. Other highlights of this year’s Annual Session included an expansive Exhibit Hall, unique special events and the yearly meeting of the ODA’s governing body, the House of Delegates.

The House of Delegates convenes every year at Annual Session. Thursday’s opening session of the House of Delegates featured speeches by outgoing ODA President Dr. Thomas Matanzo and incoming ODA President Dr. Mark Bronson. Dr. Matanzo spoke of the ODA’s accomplishments in the past year and of his hopes for the future. “All of the success we have achieved is the result of our great profession working to protect dentistry and the interests of our patients,” he said. “We have all been blessed with a great profession that continues to serve us well. Due to our efforts – especially the efforts of the House of Delegates throughout the years – I am confident that new dentists will inherit a wonderful profession that will provide them with the same opportunities we have had. I am more optimistic about dentistry’s future than ever before.”

Incoming ODA President Dr. Mark Bronson spoke of the importance of organized dentistry and how the ODA impacts the practice of dentistry in Ohio. “Without the ODA, we would not be the only remaining healthcare profession that is independent, with a majority of professionals in private practice,” he said. “We continue to experience great success. I am so proud of how we have generations of grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, who have taken on the charge of the dental profession. We must continue to support the profession and these individuals, for they are our future.”

Additionally, the House of Delegates had the responsibility of electing the 2012 ADA Seventh District Trustee. The ADA Seventh District Trustee represents both the Ohio Dental Association and the Indiana Dental Association for a term of four years. Trustee candidates, Dr. Joseph Crowley and Dr. Stephen Simpson each addressed delegates during the meeting. The House of Delegates ultimately elected Dr. Crowley to the position, for a term effective October 2012 through October 2016.

The House of Delegates addressed other important issues during their deliberations, including unanimously adopting a resolution to support the nomination of Dr. Ronald Lemmo for ADA Treasurer at the 2012 ADA House of Delegates and adopting a resolution to increase ODA membership dues from $250 to $275. The change represents the first dues increase in six years. The House also passed resolutions granting honorary ODA membership for Dr. Jerold S. Goldberg, Dean of Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine; reappointing the Task Force on Auxiliary Utilization and Access to Care; recommending that the ODPAC Board of Directors expand the successful Capital Club program throughout the state.

Annual Session attendees also had a wide variety of social activities and opportunities for interaction with colleagues, such as The Bash at Bar23, a walking culinary tour of the Short North, a dental student/new dentist reception and receptions for both Ohio State and Case Western Reserve University alumni. One new event, the Women DDS Luncheon – “Women Leading: We Do It Differently,” brought together 116 female dentists to discuss the dental profession and leadership.

Also new this year was the daily Dental Hygiene Track, which allowed attendees to hear multiple speakers and earn valuable CE credits. On Thursday and Friday, hygienists also had the opportunity to attend the Preventative Products Roundtable Luncheon, designed specifically for dental hygienists.

Friday evening, dentists in practice 10 years or less were invited to attend the New Dentists Reception, held at Bar 23 in the Short North. That same night, the 2011 Callahan Celebration of Excellence was held in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

The Callahan Celebration of Excellence, honored outgoing ODA President Dr. Thomas Matanzo for his service to the ODA. The Callahan Celebration of Excellence also recognized the recipients of several esteemed awards, including the Callahan Memorial Award and the ODA Awards of Excellence.

The Callahan Memorial Award is one one of the profession’s most prestigious annual awards. Established in 1920 by the ODA, the award honors the work of John Ross Callahan, a noted Ohio dental researcher and leader in organized dentistry.

The 2011 Callahan Memorial Award was presented to Dr. Dushanka Kleinman for her contributions to dentistry over the past 38 years. “I am humbled to be recognized in the company of awardees who came before me,” she said. “Dr. Callahan was a pioneer in research and education and it is an honor to become part of his legacy.”

The Distinguished Dentist Award, the highest honor bestowed by the ODA, was presented to Dr. Billie Sue Kyger for her years of service and commitment to the dental profession.

The ODA Awards of Excellence also include the Access to Dental Care Award, presented to the Stowe Mission of Central Ohio Dental Clinic; the Achievement Award, presented to Dr. Edward Sterling; the Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award, presented to Dr. Byron Henry; and the N. Wayne Hiatt Rising Star Award, which was awarded to Dr. Benjamin Lamielle.

Also presented that night were the 2011 Ohio Dental Political Action Committee (ODPAC) Awards, honoring the Akron Dental Society (“Deepest Pockets for Dentistry” – Highest Average Contribution), the Stark County Dental Society (Highest Percentage Membership for a Large Component Society) and the Northwestern Dental Society (Highest Percentage Membership for a Small Component Society).

On Saturday, September 17, Annual Session attendees participated in Table Clinics, held in the Exhibit Hall. These brief presentations covered a wide range of topics and allowed attendees to earn up to two free continuing education credits. The panel of judges rated the table clinics by using criteria such as uniqueness, mastery of subject, relevance to dentistry, delivery, use of visual aids and the presenter’s ability to field questions.

The winners include:

Best of Show: Dr. Mark Galsterer – Locating and Negotiating Calcified Canals in Endodontics
Graduate Dental Student, First Place: Dr. Brandon Webb – Problem-Solving Issues That Determine Tooth Retention versus Replacement in Endodontics
Graduate Dental Student, Second Place: Dr. Samer Safadi – Management of Painful Tooth Emergencies in Endodontics
Dental Auxiliary Category: Ms. Jennifer Rea, Ms. Tarun Huffman, Ms. Zanda Zuaote – Eat Candy, Reduce Caries

Annual Session attendees also took advantage of the numerous exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall. With over 250 vendors, the Exhibit Hall provided attendees the opportunity to check out the latest dental trends and technology, talk with company representatives onsite and try products for themselves. Additionally, visitors to the ODA Exhibit Hall were treated to a welcome reception Thursday night featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres, great deals from vendors and a cash bar. Friday, attendees had the opportunity to “Take a Break” and enjoy warm cookies and ice cream. Saturday brought “A Magical Celebration” to the Exhibit Hall, featuring hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn.

The ODA Annual Session Committee is already planning next year’s exciting Annual Session. The 2012 ODA Annual Session will allow you to “Capture Your Potential” at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, September 13-16, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Courses will be presented by nationally known speakers, including Dr. Gary DeWood, Dr. Corky Willhite, Dr. Lee Ann Brady, Dr. Robert Edwab, Dr. Douglas Lambert, Dr. John Flucke, Dr. Sebastian Ciancio, Dr. John Gobetti, Ms. Kelly Vrla, Mr. Kirk Berhendt, Ms. Lacy Phillips and more.

Save the date now for the 2012 ODA Annual Session. Course information will be available next spring.