Defy Gravity: Don’t Let the Demons of Dental Assisting Get You Down! 

Defy Gravity: Don’t Let the Demons of Dental Assisting Get You Down! Speaker: Kevin Henry, IgniteDA (AM Session) and Creating a great impression (PM Session) Speaker: Tija Hunter

Date: March 16, 2018
Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Subject Code: 550 Credit Hours: 6 (Lecture & Participation) 

Audience: Open to Dentists, Dental Assistants, CDA & EFDA

Dental assistants want to be compensated fairly, feel respected and look forward to the work they love to do.

Every day, dental assistants face a variety of challenges in their job. How those challenges are met can affect the professional and personal lives of these valuable team members. In this fast-moving and interactive course, dental assistants will learn how to identify the issues that can "get under their skin" and how to deal with them.

We’ll explore the typical dental assistant’s four main job-related concerns (money, respect, teamwork and attitude) and identify steps to embracing one’s own potential and leadership mindset. Additionally, dental assistants will learn why they are a key part of the dental practice’s business success and what they can do to not only enhance their own careers, but also the bottom line of the business.

AM Session, Course Objectives:

· Identify on-the-job challenges that could affect performance and happiness

· Understand the steps that can be taken to minimize the effects of those challenges

· Explore how to have a more productive and fulfilling career as a dental assistant

An advocate of today’s dental assistant, Kevin Henry speaks to dental audiences across the nation on topics that empower dental assistants, helping them recognize the leadership role they hold in the practice.

With 16 years in the dental publishing industry, Kevin is the former managing editor of Dental Economics and group editorial director for Dental Products Report. He was recently named as one of the top five influential voices in the industry on Twitter (@kgh23).

Course Title; Creating a great impression, Speaker: Tija Hunter
PM Course Description;

In this course we will discuss dental impressions, both traditional and digital. We will evaluate techniques and materials used. We will also discuss the impact of digital dentistry and how we can streamline our workflow.

Course Outline;

1. Impression Taking 101

A. Tray Selection manipulation

B. Materials, and how they differ

C. Tips and tricks to get a great impression

2. Pour Models

A. Different stones and how they are used

B. How to achieve a great looking model

C. Trimming and record keeping

3. The digital workflow

A. Scanning

B. Design

C. Milling

D. Scheduling and workflow

Tija Hunter has more than 37 years of dental chairside experience. She is the office manager and chairside assistant to Dr. Eric Hurtte of O’Fallon Missouri. Named one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry/2015 by Dental Products Report Magazine, she is a former Vice President of the American Dental Assistants Association (2016/2017) where she holds the honor of Master. Editorial board member for Dental Products Report Magazine, contributor to Dental Products Report, Dental Assisting Digest, and Dental Economics Magazines, and IgniteDA. Director of the Dental Careers Institute with five locations in the United States and author of six CE study courses.