Editor's Note By: Carol Murphy, Executive Editor

You've probably already started making arrangements to attend a few of the major dental conventions as well as planning various continuing education classes. I hope you will make arrangements to join us at this year's DentalTown Gathering March 25-27, 2004 in Las Vegas at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino. Registration has already begun and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Continuing education courses in Endo, Ortho, Practice Management, Cosmetics and staff programs are available at a reasonable tuition price of $400 per doctor.

I've attended a lot of conventions and seminars but frankly there is really nothing comparable to a DentalTown Gathering–in fact it should probably be renamed the Townie Reunion because the level of excitement is incredible as Townie posters meet ‘in person’ colleagues they have 'talked to' on the message boards all year. There was more hugging and photo taking at last year's event than at most family reunions or holiday get-togethers. Complete information on reserving your spot can be found on the DentalTown.com website in the Continuing Education Forum.

Townies, Sameer Puri and Tarun Agarwal, the official Townie Gathering organizers, are coordinating another continuing education event with Burbank Dental Laboratory for a 2-day seminar, Sept. 19 & 20, on Simplfying Anterior Aesthetics. The program will be in Diamond Bar, CA (about 15 miles north of Anaheim) in a fantastic clinical setting with a lecture room right next to an operatory with a big viewing window. They will be covering the entire aesthetic process from diagnosis, photography, use of a Biolase laser, case presentation to final cementation of the case and post-op photography. Knowing how friendly, helpful and outgoing both Sameer and Tarun are, this will probably be a very helpful and memorable seminar. If you are interested in attending, please call David French at Burbank Dental Labratory (800-336-3053) or register via email at burbankdental@aol.com.

Speaking of aesthetics, the American Society for Dental Aesthetics will have their Conference on Aesthetics at the Sheraton Bell Harbour Resort (Bell Harbour, FL), Oct. 16-18. Covering the aesthetic practice including participation workshops will be Nick Azzara of Captek and Sally McKenzie, CMC will provide timely practice management tips.

I’m always very impressed with husband and wife teams who successfully build a business from scratch. This month, I’m sure you too will be impressed with the story of Continental Dental Laboratories, founded by Jerry and Tina Doviack. They moved to the US in 1968 with nothing but a dream and have managed to develop a full-service dental lab that focuses on service and dedication to their clients. Their feature starts on page 18.

Although Dr. Gordon Christensen is still on sabbatical, he is so concerned about some of the current trends in dentistry, he requested an opportunity to voice his concerns in this month’s issue. Whether you agree or disagree, I’m sure you will find his article enlightening. Please share your thoughts online within the forum, DentalTown Magazine This Month.