Impact 360 Summit - January 2011

Impact 360 is an consulting company that helps orthodontic practices with implementation of software and technology in a clinical practice. The managing partners are Mary Beth Kirkpatrick and Mike Graiger, both people I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. Other Impact 360 team members at the meeting included Sue Hanen, Kathy Wright, Karen Moore, Lynne Nickels, Jeanne Campbell, Louis LeRoy, John Mayhew and San Dunwody.

The attendee list included 50 orthodontists from all over North America. Only three of us from Canada are here so we have our work cut out for us to make sure we hold our own with our American colleagues!!!

The three Canadians - John Bozek, Susan Eslambolchi and Bob Hatheway

As usual, Mary Beth made sure I was sitting at the front of the class because she knows that I have a history of 'misbehaving' in these kind of meetings. The great thing was I was seated with my good friend from West Virginia, Donna Panucci and her new partner Lindsay Jackfert. Mary Beth will likely think twice about putting us together next time we have this meeting!!!

The course had a number of short lectures from industry representatives. Reps who talked about the advancement of technology within the orthodontic industry and how that makes the patient experience better. No better example of that is the OrthoCAD scanner technology, something I am proud to say we have that in our office and have had it for almost two years.



Many of the participants were asked to bring a 5 minute practice pearl that they could share with the group. This is by far the best part of the meeting. Fifty excellent minds in Orthodontics sharing one or two things that allow them to do great orthodontics. The topics ranged from office design to temporary anchorage devices to how to make the patient's experience fun while in braces or aligners. There was so much information to digest that it will take weeks to process it all!!!

Special thanks to Mary Beth and Mike for inviting me to participate in the group and in this meeting. This is the first of what will likely be an annual event. I believe there is nothing more important in orthodontics than continuing education. These type of meetings are so important to keep the mind sharp and ensure that the Coolsmiles team does the very best orthodontics possible.


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