We’ve Only Just Begun To Learn
I’ll never forget the last week of dental hygiene school at The Ohio State University. It was right before graduation, and we couldn’t wait to head out into the real world. The excitement was over-the-top as my classmates and I shared stories about where we would work, what our future might be, and how we were so glad to finally be finished with school. Alice Cooper’s song, “School’s Out” was a hit tune with the exclamation “School’s out forever!” In fact, someone wrote those words on the blackboard in our locker room. I happened to be there when the chair of our program, Nancy Reynolds Goorey, DDS, walked by. She stopped, looked at the words and said, “Poor babies, they have no idea the learning is just starting.” Truer words were never said.
I was recently reminded of Reynolds Goorey’s words as we wrapped up the inaugural Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Discovery EXPO. The 2-day event took place in Anaheim, California, and was outstanding. With incredible keynote and general session speakers, the learning was top-notch. JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA; Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH; Anna Pattison, RDH, MS; Amy Coplen, RDH, EPDH, MS; Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS, MPH, FACD, FICD; and Victoria Benvenuto, RDH, EdM; all presented cutting-edge information to attendees. And while I may be a little biased, I must say I was blown away.
After many years in the making, it was truly a proud moment to see such esteemed colleagues give their time to enhance our education — at our event. The learning continued at various breakout sessions with topics such as Botox and fillers, medical and dental integration, noninvasive caries management, product updates, post-antibiotic periodontal treatment, infection control, case acceptance in esthetic dentistry, and the future of whitening. At Dimensions, education has always been our mission. But not just any education — education that is peer-reviewed, practical, and useful. The Discovery EXPO brought our mission to life as we learned, interacted, and shared in person.
If you were unable to attend the 2024 Discovery EXPO, we hope you can join us next year. Also stay tuned for more MasterClass Webinars. Our initial MasterClass with Lisa Hardill, RDH, BHADM, who spoke about motivational interviewing, and Catherine Monchik, RDH, BS, MS, who presented on innovations in implant therapy, was a lively, interactive, and fun way to earn CE units from the comfort of your own home.
In the meantime, know that our commitment to you is unwavering. We will always provide content you can count on as you navigate the ever-changing landscape of dental hygiene practice. We will always remember that YOU are the reason we exist. And we will always remember the words of my dental hygiene program director when she said, “The learning is just starting.” Let’s continue to learn together!
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. October/November 2024; 22(6):6.
