Education, motivation, inspiration core focus of AACD's 28th Annual Scientific Session

The conference, held 2-5 May 2012, offered attendees live learning through workshops and lectures. This year's event, themed "Learn outside the lines", also gave attendees the chance to be professionally encouraged through general sessions, including a clinical PowerSession featuring Drs. David Garber, Christian Coachman, and Eric Van Dooren. Other general sessions featured Book of Awesome author Neil Pasricha, and composer Eric Whitacre, well known for his virtual choir, "Sleep 2.0."

New dental products, services, and innovations also debuted in this year's exhibit hall through "Product Premiere," a joint effort by the AACD and Dentalcompare.

At the Celebration of Excellence Gala on 5 May, the AACD showcased the achievements of its two newly accredited fellows, Drs. Susan Hollar and C. Lee Wyant, and 12 newly accredited members including:

• David K. Chan, DMD
  
• Todd L. Cochran
  
• C Kent Decker, CDT
  
• Chiann Fan Gibson, DMD
  
• Gesica T. Horn, DDS
  
• Phillip A. Kemp, DDS
  
• Lonnie Lee, CDT
  
• Rebecca K. Pitts, DMD (Accredited Laboratory Technician)
  
• Lauren J. Shanard, DDS
  
• Todd C. Snyder, DDS
  
• Aliasger Tunkiwala, BDS, MDS
  
• Ossie R. Vereen, CDT, MDT

Jason Olitsky, DMD, who became accredited last year, but was unable to attend the previous session, was honoured this year for his achievement.

Ron Goodlin, DDS, officially took the helm as president of the AACD. Jerry Woolf, DDS, is president-elect, and John Sullivan, DDS, is the immediate past president. During the Academy's Annual Membership Meeting on 4 May , the AACD elected Jack Ringer, DDS, as vice president of the academy.

Also during the session, several fundraisers for the AACD Charitable Foundation's Give Back a Smile program generated more than US$30,000 to help restore the smiles of survivors of intimate partner violence.

The AACD is currently ramping up for next year's event, the 29th Annual Scientific Session, 24-27 April 2013, to be held in Seattle. Those interested in attending Seattle next year are encouraged to watch the AACD website and member communications for updates.

For a complete list of newly elected officers and award winners from Washington, DC, go to the AACD website.