Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Attending a dental conference is an incredibly valuable experience for dental professionals and a way to get the credits you need to keep up. Whether you run your own practice or work with colleagues at a dental practice, it’s nice to tap into your network of dental professionals and grow your skills personally and professionally.
A dental conference is a great way to meet new people and to learn about the latest products and techniques. We work in our operatories and let’s face it—it’s fun and exciting to step out of the box and learn. If you want to get the most out the conferences you attend, plan ahead. Here are four tips to help you rock your upcoming dental conference:
- Network, network, network: A dental conference is a gathering of your “tribe” of dental professionals, so make sure you schedule time to mix and mingle. Networking is an excellent way to learn about what is happening in dentistry beyond your practice and region, as well as to learn about best practices you can bring home and share with your own dental tribe. While sitting in the classroom before a course starts, introduce yourself to those around you and make sure you always have business cards with you. Likewise, at the social events and meals, make conversation with those at the same table as you. A good rule of thumb: Never sit at an empty table. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make waves!
- Find the conference’s audience and focus: Before you head out to your dental conference, determine what the focus is: Preventive dentistry? Cosmetic? Dental technology? Then develop a plan to make sure you connect with the people you want to hear speak at the event. Once the conference agenda is available, I go through and mark the events I don’t want to miss. Then I schedule the rest of my time to walk around the exhibit hall and set up meetings with fellow dental professionals. Continuing education courses aren’t the only places we learn at conferences.
- Soak up all the knowledge: There’s a lot going on at a dental conference, so make time to walk around the exhibition hall, watch demonstrations and learn about the latest trends. Look at available courses and consider going outside your comfort zone to learn something in a new area — even if you have to pay for it yourself. Remember, it’s never a mistake to invest in your own career. Conferences can be information overload, which is why I always bring a notebook with me. That way, if I’m walking through the exhibit hall, I can write down any companies or new pieces of technology I want to look into. I know I can’t remember it all, and this enables me to really take something away from the conference.
- Follow up with your contacts: Networking can be one of the most valuable activities you engage in when you attend a conference, but you can’t take full advantage of the opportunity unless you stay in touch with new contacts after the conference is over. Add people you meet to your professional social media accounts so you can stay in touch. Consider sending a personalized email or handwritten note. I always like to debrief with my team after the conference. We start by talking through the events of the conference and organizing our notes and the business cards we’ve collected. Then everyone can reach out to those new contacts and continue the conversations they started at the conference. Keep growing these new relationships over time to build your professional network.
When conference time rolls around, you’ll probably have specific goals, such as attending a certain class or checking out a new product that your practice is considering. That’s great, but be sure to take advantage of all the other opportunities the conference offers, including the chance to socialize and have some fun with the members of your tribe of dental professionals.
I was originally inspired to become a dental hygienist after losing teeth in a childhood bicycle accident and being impressed with the compassionate, competent professionals who gave me back my smile. Attending dental conferences and mingling with fellow attendees always reminds me of why I entered the profession in the first place — it reconnects me with that caring tribe. So have fun, get inspired all over again and keep these four tips in mind to make the most of your upcoming conference.