Dentists get their ‘fill’ at RAFB conference

You know the age-old saying: “It was like pulling teeth.” That is typically in regard to trying to get people to show up, participate, etc, in an event, gathering, etc. It was “not” the case at the Museum of Aviation Feb. 28.

More than 300 dental professionals – both representing the Department of Defense and the Middle Georgia area – came out for the conference held there on that day. The event is held every year in February. It is sponsored by the local dental society but Robins has been the host for three straight years now.

That is a fact Lt. Col. (Dr.) Stephen Chartier, who is Commander of the 78th Dental Squadron and was one of the speakers, hopes will continue. Not only that but at the Feb. 28 conference there were additional sponsors: a local bank, car dealership and a dental supply company. (The 21st Century Partnership and Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce are also sponsors.) His other hope is that will continue as well: “Make it something (an event) where people can come and do business,” he said. “Maybe order new materials, new equipment, stuff like that.”

As far as the major benefit, Chartier pointed out that those in attendance were getting to hear from experts in the field, experts that typically drew $250-$350 an hour for their speaking time. All were at no cost to the attendees. And there were 10 speakers all.

“It works out well,” he said. “And it works out well for us (at Robins). It allows us to meet a lot of folks we may refer to or that our families go to because we don’t get to treat our own families. So I think it’s a neat concept and I’m just proud to be a part of it.”

Also, “A lot of these are closing their offices and bringing their whole staff. They don’t make money when their doors are closed, so we’re trying to make it worth their while.” And, “It’s nice to be able to stay within your own community, drive 10 miles instead of going to Atlanta or Jacksonsville or Charleston to get these same type of lectures.”

Topics covered during the day covered a host of topics including Top 30 medications, sleep apnea and oral medications. The presentations, Chartier said, were also being made available online through dental channels.

Dr. Jeffery Nordin, a Navy captain who formerly served as the Navy Surgeon General’s Leader for Operative Dentistry, and is currently the Director of Dental Services at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Chicago, was the keynote speaker.

He said it was a nice opportunity to show somewhat what the military knows about dentistry.

“I would say most of the time we kind of don’t keep track of each other,” he said. “But there’s always been the perception out there that the military is a little bit behind the times or not as advanced or as modern as what some of the guys are doing out there in private practice.”

“And I think they’ll really be surprised to see what we are using material-wise and procedures that are really cutting-edge. Especially in the area of dental materials.”

HHJ News