More than 30,000 Dental Professionals Return to McCormick Place for Annual Convention

CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 30,000 dentists and dental professionals will get a first look at the latest innovations in dentistry at the Chicago Dental Society's (CDS) 146th Midwinter Meeting. Held February 24-26, 2011, the Midwinter Meeting attracts dental professionals and more than 600 exhibiting companies from around the world.

The 2011 meeting will be held at McCormick Place's West Building.

"The Midwinter Meeting is the place for dental professionals to see the latest products and services that will help them provide the best care possible to their patients," said 2011 CDS President Ian Elliott, DDS.

Visitors to the Midwinter Meeting will not only have the first peek at an array of new dental products but will also have the opportunity to attend more than 200 scientific programs, including approximately 40 hands-on programs; programs include:

The Sports Dentistry Side of Your Practice – With athletic dental injuries on the rise, this program reviews the unique and timely techniques employed for diagnosing and treating dental trauma accidents.

What Does Going Green Mean For Dentistry – Explores the ways dental practices can lessen their impact on the environment by adopting environmentally friendly business strategies.

The Tsunami of Aging Patients – Examines the unique and sometimes complicated oral health needs of an aging population.

The Midwinter Meeting is one of the largest exhibits of dental products in North America and among the top four health care tradeshows, according to Expo magazine. The Midwinter Meeting is also one of Chicago's top conventions and generated more than $42 million for the local economy in 2010, according to the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau Online.

The Chicago Dental Society also conducted its eighth annual member poll to learn more about their opinions on currents trends, dental topics and more. From the more than 300 members who answered the fall 2010 survey, the society learned:

• Patients self-treat before they visit the dentist. Nearly 70 percent of dentists have taken care of a patient who tried to treat their own dental problem before visiting the dentist.
• Economic impact on dentistry remains steady. Nearly 70 percent of dentists say their patients are delaying needed dental treatment – a figure that remains relatively close to last year's 75 percent. More than 50 percent of dentists say their patients are delaying cosmetic treatments; and more than 40 percent say their patients are delaying preventative care.
• More than 60 percent of dentists say women professionally whiten their teeth more than men.

About the Chicago Dental Society

Organized in 1864, the Chicago Dental Society represents more than 4,000 dentists in the metropolitan Chicago area. Its mission is to represent the interests of dentists, promote the art and science of dentistry, and advocate for improving oral health for all. The society is the largest local affiliate of the Illinois State Dental Society and the American Dental Association.

Connect with the Chicago Dental Society on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Chicago Dental Society