5 notable things from the Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Here are five items that repeatedly came up in conversation at the recent Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. What stood out for you? Let us know in our Forums.

1. A billboard promotes Dexis' expansion of its Imaging Suite to support Apple hardware and operating systems. Image courtesy of DEXIS.

   A billboard promotes Dexis' expansion of its Imaging Suite to support Apple hardware and operating systems. Image courtesy of DEXIS.

   New products
   From KaVo Kerr introducing upward of 20 new products to introductions by Oral-B, DEXIS, and Waterpik, smart companies are using conferences to introduce products for both dental professionals and consumers. While the focus is always on dentists and dental professionals, there seems to be an increased recognition that an effective way to reach consumers is through dental professionals.

2. The continuing importance of dental conferences
   According to the Chicago Dental Society (CDS), more than 30,000 dentists and dental professionals attended the Midwinter Meeting. As one DrBicuspid.com member expressed, speaking for many, Chicago is a place to learn about cutting-edge dentistry and find out about new products.

3. Digital media
   According to the CDS, more than 55% of its members now use Facebook professionally, up from more than 20% from last year. The Midwinter Meeting again had its own hashtag (#CDS14) and more than 2,000 photos on Flickr.

4. The exhibit floor isn't just for exhibits
   Companies are thinking creatively about their space and also recognizing that dentists and dental professionals would like to be engaged. One way to engage is education. Whether it's Convergent Dental giving hands-on demonstrations with its laser or companies directly relating their products to a practice, there was more education on the floor.

   Yes, we still saw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a person dressed as a container of floss, but more and more there was the opportunity for practitioners to learn and advance their practice and skill set.

5. Networking
   If you are a dental professional in the Midwest, you and your staff had to be in Chicago. Whether to advance your career, meet others in similar situations, or consider your practice options, the ability to meet and talk with your peers is crucial.