Dr. Colleen Greene and her husband, Jonathan Greene, visit a coffee shop in San Francisco during ADA 2012. The couple plans on exploring Denver when she attends ADA 2016 and the New Dentist Conference in October.
Denver — From student debt to the ever-changing job market, the start of a career can be an uphill climb for new dentists.
Dr. Pearson
“The pressures facing a new graduate in today’s economy can create an environment where work-life balance really is a struggle,” said Dr. Justin Pearson, a 2008 graduate of University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
The opportunities to address these struggles with peers who are out of dental school less than 10 years, he said, is a major reason to attend the New Dentist Conference.
“The opportunity to network with peers and attention paid to both clinical and business continuing education is paramount to a new clinician’s success as they enter the workforce,” said Dr. Pearson, chair of the New Dentist Committee in Colorado.
This year’s New Dentist Conference will be held Oct. 20-22 in Denver, in conjunction with ADA 2016 – America’s Dental Meeting. At the conference, new dentists can learn more about student loan debt management, maintaining a comfortable work-life balance and stay updated on the future of health care. It also offers continuing education courses tailored to address the pressing issues new dentists face today and how to solve them.
It also doesn’t hurt that the New Dentist Conference can be a lot of fun.
“Denver is a great city with so much fun to be had in and around town. This year should be a lot of fun,” Dr. Pearson said. “The guide we’re putting together for our visitors with places to eat, local watering holes, coffee shops and things to see for attendees we hope will help add a nice touch,” Dr. Pearson said. There will be a social event on Oct. 20 hosted by the Colorado New Dentist Committee to get the week started, he added. The New Dentist Reception is set for Oct. 21 at Wynkoop Brewing Company.
For Dr. Colleen Greene, a pediatric dentist in Milwaukee, enjoying the city and conference is exactly what she plans to do.
“My husband and I are making a vacation out of it,” she said, adding that a group of friends are also visiting the city during the event.
But in between relishing what Denver has to offer, Dr. Greene is also excited to explore both the New Dentist Conference and ADA 2016.
“The [ADA 2016] keynote speaker, Malala Yousafzai, was a huge draw for me,” she said. “In the past, we’ve had former presidents. But this was really an unexpected and exciting choice.”
At the NDC, Dr. Greene is looking forward to attending CE courses on working with patients with special needs and networking with other new dentists.
“As a specialist, I want to pick up more ideas and understand what’s on the leading edge of other specialties and fields,” she said. “Realizing how much we can help each other in this state of the game is a great benefit.”
To register or learn more about the New Dentist Conference, visit ADA.org/ndc.