Opening session to pump up dentists for rest of SmileCon

After a year and a half of unprecedented challenges, the SmileCon opening session will celebrate the dental community's accomplishments and get dentists excited for the rest of their meeting experience.

SmileCon will take place Oct. 11-13 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, with the opening session kicking off festivities from 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 11 in the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center Ballroom.

Opening session host and ADA member dentist Daryn Lu, D.D.S., is ready to welcome dentists to SmileCon.

"The ADA's reimagined annual meeting is focused on the attendee experience, and we have plenty of surprises in store," Dr. Lu said. "We've all missed being together and building connections, and the opening session will fill dentists with pride and pump them up for the days to come."

The session will feature keynote speaker Michelle Poler, a social entrepreneur whose work has been highlighted by the "Today" show, CBS and CNN. Ms. Poler will empower dentists to tap into their full potential as she shows them how to deal with the unknown, step outside their comfort zone and embrace change.

The session will also recognize the winners of the ADA 10 Under 10 Awards, which honor 10 new dentistswho have demonstrated excellence early in their careers, and the ADA Distinguished Service Award. This year's winner of the Distinguished Service Award is Rear Adm. Timothy L. Ricks, D.M.D., chief dental officer of the U.S. Public Health Service.

The ADA will bid farewell to retiring Executive Director Kathleen T. O'Loughlin, D.M.D., during the opening session as well.

The session is included in the meeting's Smile Pass, Platinum Smile Pass and Virtual Pass.

To learn more about SmileCon or to register, visit SmileCon.org .