See you in Denver

By | May 9, 2016

One of the things that I miss most about dental school is the camaraderie. Love it or hate it, being surrounded by people going through the exact same situation is therapeutic in its own way. We all knew what everyone was going through, we all struggled through the same projects, and we all dealt with the same faculty! We griped and we complained but we made it through, together.

Dr. Lu

Dr. Lu

Real world dentistry can be a wake-up call. To some, it may be a blessing that you’ll never have to talk to some people ever again. To others, it can be isolating. Break that cycle, step out of your dental comfort zone, and attend the New Dentist Conference.

Conferences and meetings are a breath of fresh air. They offer a perspective that cannot be matched. I had the privilege of attending several dental meetings throughout dental school through my involvement with the American Student Dental Association. Today, as a new dentist, I continue to look forward to each new meeting I attend.

My first time attending the New Dentist Conference in Kansas City was as a dental student where l met dentists who I still keep in touch to this very day! (Hi Dr. Blalock of Cardinal Dental!) Last year, I attended the conference in Washington, D.C., which was held at the same time as the ADA annual meeting – a great opportunity to connect with many hardworking, passionate volunteer leaders. I loved seeing members of the ADA Board of Trustees have earnest, heart-to-heart conversations with students and new dentists to better understand how we can all positively impact our profession.

Screen Shot 2016-05-05 at 3.34.08 PMThis year, I’m on my way to Denver! I’m looking most forward to seeing old friends and making new ones! I’m also excited about this year’s Distinguished Speaker Series keynote Malala Yousafzai and hearing her story firsthand.

I love being surrounding myself with positivity and inspiration because we all can benefit from a recharge!

Dental CE is one of my favorite things ever. While I have friends who begrudgingly ask at what point do they have to submit CE, I crave it! And traveling to Denver for dental CE? Even better! Visit a new city, explore and take in the sights (and food), and learn something on the side. It’s one of my ultimate dental guilty pleasures.

Go to a conference. Meet someone new. Learn something different. Get excited about our profession. I hope to see you in Denver!

To register or for more information on this year’s New Dentist Conference, to be held Oct. 20-22 in Denver, visit ADA.org/NDC.

Dr. Daryn Lu is a New Dentist Now guest blogger and a general dentist in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He is a member of the ADA, Oklahoma Dental Association and Oklahoma County Dental Society. A 2015 graduate from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Daryn’s passion for his profession shows through his extensive history within organized dentistry. From an eager predental member of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) to a passionate local, district, and national volunteer leader — the depth of his experiences has helped shape him as a dental professional and lifelong learner. In his spare time, Daryn is an avid traveler, self-proclaimed foodie, and social media junkie. He lives to travel, travels to eat and shares foodie pictures on your newsfeed.

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