Lasers in Dentistry, Tucson, AZ

Lasers in Dentistry in Tucson, Arizona was really an outstanding meeting, worth every mile I traveled from overseas. With the top of the crop presenters, the format of the meeting, the friendly, embracing atmosphere, really down to the trenches workshops and the chance to meet old and new friends it will be my first choice of laser meetings in 2007 again.

Look forward to seeing you in Nashville!

Hubert Stieve, Dr.med.dent
Rendsburg, GERMANY
General Practitioner

The ALD's Annual Meeting, Source 2006, was so beneficial for me and our group practice. We have 3 erbium and 1 diode laser and have been using them for 16 months. The meeting solidified many of the ways we have been using our lasers but more importantly, demonstrated ways we can use them more extensively. I was able to bring back new ideas and share them with my partners.  The meeting is evidence-based, not testimonials. I found the one hour and 15 minute research presentations to be professional, organized and very practical for clinicians. This is a serious group of multinational experts!!  Just being in their company was inspiring.

I attended the Standard Proficiency Certification Course.  Wow. It was intense, thorough and demanded attention to laser physics and laser use. I learned more than I could absorb and have found myself reading my notes multiple times since I returned to Denver. In fact, I am going to present the salient points of the program to our local Laser Study Club next week. 

The meeting location and hotel were equally impressive. Truly a wonderful experience!!  Thank you!!

Elizabeth S. Barr, DMD
Westiminister, CO USA
Pediatric Dentist

I can't think of anything you should have done differently at Source 2006. It seemed to go pretty smooth. I learned a lot, which is why I went. We're looking forward to next year. I plan on bringing my staff next year in Nashville.

Chris Davis, DDS
Nixa, MO USA
General Practitioner

Our state meeting last fall emphasized laser technology. I attended an all day class showing what lasers were capable of, and I was dragged into the world of laser dentistry, because I finally realized the wonderful capabilities that a laser gives us. I was going to go to a national company sponsored meeting to be “certified”, but decided to further research the Academy’s meeting.  ALD was comprehensive, taught about all lasers instead of just one, and was unbiased in the information taught and shared. I decided to try for certification and got the information and study guide to prepare myself to take the certification class. 

When I got to the meeting I found knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, sharing individuals who wanted me to learn more about the many wonderful things a laser can help us do. I didn’t find the egos I have encountered at other meetings, or the need to self aggrandizes one’s self just because someone has superior knowledge or experience. Instead, I found people who wanted to share their knowledge without gaining any benefit for them. I think the program had something for everyone. We beginners had the certification class and the advanced laser users had the research papers and the physics professors and mathematicians giving deeper knowledge. The lunches, breakfasts and cocktail parties gave us time to make new friends, and there was even a little time for golf. I enjoyed myself and plan to attend again, and study for the advanced proficiency in years to come. 

David Black, DDS
Vinton, VA USA
General Practitioner

Lasers in Dentistry, New Orleans, LA

What a great experience. I have had my laser for a few months, but have really been holding back on using it very much. I feel that I not only gained quite a bit more information, but also more confidence to move ahead with different procedures. The speakers and the hands on sessions were very helpful. Just as helpful was the opportunity to talk to other dentists attending and discussing their laser experiences. I'm looking forward to keeping in contact with new laser dentist friends! I'm looking forward to Tucson next year .......I'll have to say, you really know how to put on a party!!!! Thanks for a wonderful conference and for lots of fun in the process!!

Trudi Massaro, DDS
Seminole, FL USA

I had a great time, everyone was more then friendly and willing to share experiences, unlike some local associations, traveled with my wife and she enjoyed the excursions and met many really nice people too, look forward to next year.

Harvey Shiffman, DDS
Tamarac, FL USA

The ALD Source 2005 Meeting and my participation in it will have a tremendous and a by far “more-than-expected” long-term effect on my daily practice. Having used multiple laser wavelengths for almost a year, I now apply my wavelengths with a much deeper understanding of what is happening and why. The preparation for the Standard Proficiency Certification, the Introductory Course and the SPC course itself and even the Clinical Simulation Exam all have been a great and rewarding learning experiences all way round. It is wonderful to see all the experts in a formerly “marginal” field of dentistry make such an impact on dentistry. Last, but not least I no longer feel alone at the forefront but amidst a group of forward-thinking, cutting-edge dentists and friends. It has been a wonderful meeting in a fun to be venue and you certainly can count me in for next year.

Hubert Stieve, dr.med.dent
Rembesburg, GERMANY
General Practitioner

The Source 2005 proved a valuable source (pun intended) of information. Visiting the conference gave me opportunity to listen to the work done in the field of laser dentistry and, more importantly, to speak to the practicing fellows and exchange the ideas! Education, getting the ideas flowing and promoting sound research is what's at core of ALD. Thank you for a conference well organized and a good time altogether!

Grisa Mocnik, Phd
Ljubljana, SLOVANIA

I had a good experience at the source 2005. After source 2005 I know more about laser, I have new friends in the world; and I known a beautiful city in the United States.

Enrique Espinosa, DDS
Pachuca, Hidalgo, MEXICO

The conference provided excellent continuing education on lasers and laser therapy, including clinical technique information that I integrated immediately into my practice upon my return. The speakers were entertaining and shared current evidence-based research to substantiate laser therapy for patient care. The meeting was well organized and the location was excellent for lectures, exhibits and hands-on classes. I would encourage any dentist to attend this conference, especially those owning or considering the purchase of a laser for their practice. See you next year!

Coleman Burgess III, DDS
Wilmington, NC USA

I would love to share my thoughts about the recent meeting. I was a skeptic about the use of lasers in Dentistry prior to the ALD meeting in New Orleans. BUT, after learning all of the benefits the Dental laser has to offer to our patients, I am not only convinced that it belongs in the dental practice, but feel that is just as important as the dental high speed hand piece. My wife (Michelle Handel-Herman, DDS, Boca Raton, FL) bought a new Laser for her practice at the meeting and I will now take her previous laser. I cannot wait to get started using this new technology in my practice and I will take my Standard Proficiency exam at our next meeting in Arizona. By the way, I also enjoyed the camaraderie with my fellow Dentists and look forward to future meetings in exciting places.

Joseph L. Herman, DDS
Delray Beach, FL USA

Lasers in Dentistry, Palm Springs, CA

Let me first say that my experience was an excellent one and you should be proud of your organization.

From Bill to Stuart, the accreditation process was thoroughly informative and with those two, the time flew by! I could have spent another day learning more about lasers in general because there really is so much to learn in this field. They should be back every year, and when Stuart starts dressing like Bill, I want pictures.

My hands on practical allowed me to meet a truly wonderful colleague in Duane Beers. I could have spent another day just learning from him and his genuine desire to teach and share, came out in the first minute. I found the same experience with Stuart with the Hoya and the afternoon simply went too fast.

The remainder of the meeting presented new thoughts and concepts, opening my mind to new treatments and possibilities. Isn't that what CE is all about? I found the membership and organization to be incredibly warm and friendly, and an organization I will be a part of for years to come.

Sincerely,
Lou Graham, DDS
Chicago, IL USA

This was my first attendance of the ALD meeting and was impressed that the first person I saw introduced himself and me to others there. I felt like I belonged right away.

While I knew something about the laser physics of other wavelengths, it was an eye opener to hear what they were using their lasers for. The exhibitor section was very nice: a chance to handle and discuss the virtues of other lasers. In spite of the fabulous location, I was drawn to the presentations because they were so good. I found new friends here in laser dentistry. The keynote speakers were the greatest: challenging, informative, and current. Wow! I can't wait for the next one.

Thanks for the hard work and thoughtfulness in planning. What will you do next time to top this?
I liked the evidence based information, liked seeing what others can accomplish, and the case presentations. Hope to see more science next time. Wasn't Howard a kick with his story of London and the Queen's private secretary. Sounds like a bad joke but I found it a heart warming story of a case presentation with a human interest.

Dr. Lee Allen
Northwest Laser Dentistry
Everett, WA USA

I'm a new ALD member that attended the Source 2004 meeting in Palm Springs in February. I felt it was important to accomplish several things at the meeting: earn my Standard Proficiency Certificate; network with other dentists using lasers in their practices and benefit from their experiences; and hear papers on current topics in laser dentistry research. I was able to complete all three of those goals in a friendly, enthusiastic, and educational atmosphere -- and to get in a little golf!

Joe J. Simmons III, DDS
Farmington, NM USA

I must say that I was not prepared to experience the world of laser dentistry in the order of magnitude that I did. You were right when you said that I would be experiencing a total immersion into the conference. I think my longest day started at breakfast for learning at 7 am and I didn't stop until 10 pm in the exhibition hall. I have never been surrounded by so many individuals who were so excited about dentistry or who showed so much passion for lasers. My experiences each day led me to believe that laser dentistry would rejuvenate me and the patients that I serve. I literally stepped through the looking glass into a new and very exciting world of dentistry. I experienced first hand talking to as many dentists as I could, that lasers can change not only the way we think about dentistry but the manner in which our patients experience dentistry.

I am so glad that I have joined the ALD and I hope that I can give back to the academy some day that which has started me on a new and exciting journey.

Best Regards,
Nick Luizzi, DDS
Encino, CA USA

The highlights to the ALD Conferences:

1. The people. The members and the charted members welcomed me with open arms and friendly smiles. From the people who are extensively involved with the Academy such as Alan, Janet, David, Peter, Gail, Heather, Bill, Joel, John and many others to every other members who I came across, it was like an extended family gathering.
   
2. The education. The various speakers who generously shared their cases and wealth of experience.
   
3. The humor and congenial atmosphere. Although there was much seriousness and formality to the presentations, the mutual respect and timely jocularity were quite evident and enjoyable.
   
4. The choices in topics. The selection of hands-on, mini-clinics, learning at breakfast and exhibitors' sessions were too numerous to choose from but very worthwhile. It makes you want to be able to clone yourself to attend them all.
   
5. The organization. It was a very well oiled machine as the Conference was exquisitely handled.
   
6. The setting. What a delightful facility and locale to hold the event. Walking by that enticing pool and gazing at the fairway was a real test of will power when the sun was shining.

Dr. Andrew Shearon
British Colombia, CANADA

I really enjoyed this conference. It gave me an opportunity to interact with other people in the field and learn all sorts of applications for the lasers. Lasers are here to stay, because they allow us to perform procedures that were very difficult in the past. The persons in the forefront are setting this trend and these meeting allow us to access them directly. Had a wonderful time and learned a lot that I have already applied.

Dr. Lawrence Villarreal
Pasadena, CA USA

I have had a CO2 laser in my office for about fifteen years. Almost two years ago I bought an Erbium, and it has been a pretty expensive hat rack. I have attended several CE classes trying to learn how to use it well, with little success. At the ALD meeting I not only found quite a few very informative classes, but I was able to spend time talking to some very helpful people who were happy to share what they knew of this wavelength and their experience in using it. Since I returned I have fired up my laser every single day and used it with increasing success.

The venue was lovely, the meeting well organized (I loved the presentation format), and the atmosphere was relaxed and very informative. I brought my hygienist with me, and she enjoyed it as well. Her only suggestion was that you might consider running a concurrent afternoon for topics specific to laser use in hygiene.

Thanks,
Karen Cheek, DDS
Diamondville, WY USA

As a new member I was unsure what to expect from the Conference in Palm Springs. What impressed me was the international composition of registrants that I was unaware of. I was also impressed with the quality of the papers presented and the enthusiasm of those participating. Everyone was very cordial and friendly. It was a great experience. Everything about the site was first class as well. My primary goal in attending was to find the right laser for me for my perio patients. I feel I was able to do this with an Nd:YAG laser. I have already paid for next years Conference in New Orleans. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Robert F. Hawke, DDS
Tucson, AZ USA

It was a very good meeting and I enjoyed the learning atmosphere. There was as much as a person wanted at many different levels concerning laser technology.

More importantly than the educational aspect is the aspect displayed by virtually everyone I came in contact with. I felt at first the little red badge denoting me as a new member made me a "marked man" so to speak but I soon learned this was not a negative thing. Many fellow attendees went out of their way to introduce themselves and offer help if they perceived the confused look on my face as being lost, non informed or even just looking for a phone at the hotel. This truly was one of the only meetings I have ever attended where you could walk a hall and were greeted by a smile and a warm greeting. There was a large sense of fellowship displayed that I have not seen at many other meetings similar in size and scope. I truly felt "at home" and that made the meeting more enjoyable. There was not the usual professional "stuffiness" you often see. No one gave off the air that they were more important than you, all were interested and enthused with and by laser technology and what it could do for your patients.

At the new member reception I did visit with some members that told me this was not always the way the ALD was and one particular dentist said he complained about this. It is evident the ALD took that criticism to heart and effected change, a hard task to do with so many diverse personalities involved. So my hat is off to those responsible at the ALD for that.

The only suggestion I might offer now is after the meeting, whether for the day or for the conference, would it ever be considered to put up a sign-up sheet of some type for those interested in having a lunch or dinner partner to visit with? I noticed on Saturday afternoon that there were several single members or attendees dining by themselves. Maybe if offered a chance to share a table so to speak it would offer another chance to visit and learn about each other more and of course, lasers. This surely is not a complaint, just an observation.

All in all a very good meeting! One of the best I have ever personally attended and I look forward to the next one. And by the way I get my lasers this week so definitely will need to learn lots! Thanks again.

Sincerely yours,
David Brant, DDS
Fargo, ND USA

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