Editor’s Letter

May 10, 2019

Registration is now open for the third annual Glidewell Dental Symposium, which will take place in Orlando, Florida, on Nov. 8–9, 2019. We are gratified by the tremendous response to the symposium, and delighted with the interest and commitment shown from the sold-out audiences at the first two events. Again in 2019, attendees can expect a wide array of fast-paced main podium presentations on day one and a second day of in-depth lectures and hands-on programs. We have received great feedback on the quick-hitting format that we have pioneered for dental meetings, where our guest speakers carefully hone their message to provide clinical pearls and best practices, offering practical knowledge you can immediately implement. The Glidewell Dental Symposium is one of the best values in the world of dental continuing education, and I recommend that you register early, as slots are limited and have sold out each year.

Dental sleep medicine is one of the most timely and important topics in general dentistry. To learn more about this field, I encourage you to read my one-on-one interview with Dr. W. Keith Thornton, the creator of the TAP® line of oral appliances for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Thornton has very strong views on the role dentists should play in the treatment of patients with sleep-disordered breathing issues. I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this provocative piece.

Also featured in this issue is our interview with Dr. Philip Gordon, a social media leader and host of one of the most popular podcasts in dentistry. Dr. Gordon explores the benefits of offering the full circle of implant care in the general practice, and shares tips for developing the skills needed to thrive in the field of implantology. It’s a great read and I know you’ll enjoy hearing from this dynamic young dentist who is leading the way in the use of digital media in dentistry.

As implant dentistry becomes an integral part of our practices, it’s vital to use the latest tools and techniques to improve surgical efficiency and predictability. To that end, you won’t want to miss this issue’s Product Spotlight, where the digital treatment planning (DTP) team at Glidewell Laboratories provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain your surgical plan and guide. We’ve also included a comprehensive case report on the topic by Dr. Paresh Patel.

This issue offers your first in-depth look into the premier group of Guiding Leaders, a leadership development program for female dentists sponsored by Glidewell Dental, as well as articles covering a spectrum of topics, from practice management, to esthetic dentistry, to dental photography. We welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from our readers.

Neil Park

With kind regards,

Neil Park Signature

Neil I. Park, DMD
Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Glidewell Dental

chairside@glidewelldental.com