Letter from the Editor
Dr. Kirt E. Simmons
I know everyone is still making their plans for our great upcoming SWSO meeting in San Antonio in September, but I want everyone to please put the upcoming 2008 AAO TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE “RAISING THE BAR” on your calendars now. As we all know, it gets hectic at the end of the year, but with this great conference coming up on February 8th–10th, 2008, I encourage you to start making your plans NOW!
Besides being your SWSO Newsletter Editor, I am also your Council on Information Technology (COIT) representative and we have been working on this amazing conference for several years now. The last time the AAO presented a technology conference was TEN years ago in 1998!! It was interesting to review the program notes and look at what was predicted back then to be “future technologies”: digital photography (then in its infancy), digital radiography (still on the horizon then), and computer management programs which were just starting to take advantage of Windows’98! The “digital office” was only a dream, fears of “Y2K” were real, and in-office 3-D CT’s were “science fiction.” Now, we take so many of these technologies for granted. Yet, are we making the most of our “Digital Systems”? Could we have predicted the incredible Internet boom that has become such an important part of how we market and maintain our practices?
For this conference we have made every effort to design a program that focuses on efficiency, “getting the most out of our current technologies,” as well as predicting what the next 10 years will bring. My good friend David Sarver will be our able host and moderator throughout the event. John Dvorak (PC Magazine contributing Editor – see www.dvorak.org) will start off the conference with a fun commentary on technology trends and the future. Featured speakers include Ron Redmond, Steve McEvoy, James Mah, Richard Walker, and Doug Depew. There will be a panel discussion comparing and contrasting the various “computer-aided” diagnostic and treatment tools like Sure Smile, Insignia, OrthoCad, and others. We will have “Practice Pearls” technology tips throughout the program. The exhibits will be set up with designated time available for the major companies to present mini-lectures on future directions of their products and hands-on demonstrations of their more advanced features. This will be a great opportunity to bring your technology-minded staff to get some “face time” with product specialists in a smaller venue than the annual session. However, attendance is limited, so please register early.
You may want to book out a few extra days and get away from the cold and snow …this is not just a “hotel,” but a magnificent Marriott Resort, with over 50 acres of lushly landscaped grounds, a huge outdoor pool complete with waterfalls and whirlpool, a world class 40,000 ft2 spa, nine themed restaurants and lounges, and an onsite casino. There are a number of golf courses to choose from, ranging from the canyons to the badlands. Check out the hotel at www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lasjw-jw-marriott-las-vegas-resort-spa-and-golf.
I would also like to encourage you to try the new AAOEXPRESS homepage interface. If you’re not already using this as your portal to the web, please give it a try! You can customize the page to include all of your favorite links and news bulletins, PLUS it will update you on the latest AAO news and alert you to new and “hot topics” discussion groups.
I would like to thank my fellow COIT member, Dr. Ron Jaworski, for assistance with this letter. I hope to see you in San Antonio and Las Vegas!