• Message from the CEO
• DTA Introduces 2 New Modules for Introduction to Dental Learning
• DTA Has a FDA Quality Training Series for Sale
• Regulatory Committee hosts "Designing Products for Global Acceptance" Workshop

Message from the CEO
It was good to see many of our members at the recent ADA meeting in Las Vegas. While you were busy conducting business, the DTA was busy as well. The Board of Directors met during the week. They continue to review the important information we garnered from the Survey of Dentists conducted last summer. (We hope you found the information helpful. Each member company was sent a copy of the survey results).

The Board approved a major improvement in the DTA's "Introduction to Dental Learning" series. This valuable tool will soon be available to you and your company on-line. The web version should be up and running by next spring. Meanwhile, the Educational Materials Committee has done an incredible job in updating the Intro series with two important new modules. (See the details below). And speaking of education, our Mini-Dental School for November is sold out. We're looking for spring dates to accommodate the demand for this great program.

Another highlight of the Las Vegas week was the DTA's Market Data Seminar. With over 30 attendees, it was a very successful program. Our "students" provided the speakers with a standing ovation and convinced the Skills Training Committee that this should be an annual event.

The Task Force on Trade Show held a summit meeting with representatives of top five dental shows in the U.S. The purpose of the meeting was to share information from our dentist survey and to discuss the existing shows and how to improve attendance on the exhibit floor. It was the beginning of a good dialogue with more meetings planned in the future. We're all interested in increasing the average time a dentist spends on the trade show floor. Currently at 2.6 hours, ideas are needed to increase this number significantly. We are hopeful that the group can begin a process to collect more data about trade show attendees. The Task Force will meet again in New York after Thanksgiving.

Speaking of trade shows, Tom Ries and the Skills Training Committee are planning a workshop in Anaheim next spring. The focus will be Trade Show Strategies for Companies.

Vickie Waitsman, our Board Chair, is planning a luncheon in New York with a large collection of women from industry and the profession. This is an important time for dialogue with the professionals and organizations representing them. The demographics of the profession are changing. The time to plan for those changes is now.

Education remains a high priority for DTA. Keith Drayer and his committee are planning a program for the World Dental Trade Conference in Chicago that will be fantastic. We'll be announcing the speakers for that program soon. Mark the date for the WDTC (February 22^nd at 8:00 a.m.) at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.

The DTA Preview Show (February 22^nd from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.) will move to the Ballroom at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Over 60 percent of our tables are sold. If you are interested in a table at the Preview Show, please use this registration form, or email us soon.

Our Annual Meeting Committee headed by Carolyn Van Eck met in Las Vegas and will meet again in New York. The Committee selected some potential speakers and we're awaiting word about availability. No secrets out of the bag - but wow - they chose some great speakers. The Committee just mailed a post card to remind you to save the date. July 24-27, 2007.

We are pleased that our U. S. Pavilion at the IDS in Cologne next spring is sold out. Over 150 U.S. dental businesses will be exhibiting in the U. S. Pavilion that DTA is co-sponsoring with the Koln Messe organization. This is a strong presence and good for our pavilion exhibitors who receive many added value benefits - in addition to being located in the hall immediately adjacent to the only full service restaurant that will be open at the show!

We have a very active Government Affairs group chaired by Grant Ramaley. They work tirelessly with the FDA and others on your behalf. See the two related stories below that reference their work.

Many of our committees will be meeting during the Greater New York Dental Meeting after Thanksgiving. They welcome your ideas and input on the needs for your business. We encourage participation in all their activities.

You have a very healthy trade association. That comes about because of the tremendous work provided by our volunteers. Thanks to all those who give of their time for the good of DTA and the trade.

Gary Price

DTA Introduces 2 New Modules for Introduction to Dental Learning
DTA has just added two brand new modules to its popular training series, "Introduction to Dental Learning" on CD-ROM. The new subjects are The Digital Office and Pharmaceuticals and Injectables.

The Digital Office demonstrates the changes to the dental office with the advent of digital technology. This CD highlights the rise of digital images, the decline of traditional film in the dental office and how the dental practice can communicate via a network in other advanced technologically industries. Viewers will watch how digital radiography is helping to transform dentistry and improve productivity.

The module, Pharmaceuticals and Injectables provides background on one of dentistry's fastest growing segments. This chapter provides a history of pharmaceuticals in dentistry, the tremendous advances in pain suppression and the future of dentistry for treating diseases and infections with pharmaceuticals and needle free injections.

Both of these new modules are a perfect addition to the existing series and are available only to DTA Members. Cost is $395 for both new modules. Substantial discounts are available for multiple purchases for satellite offices. Contact Fred Freedman at 703.379.7755 or email him for an order form. Delivery is available mid October.

DTA Has a FDA Quality Training Series for Sale
DTA is making available for the first time a complete FDA Training Series (on compact disk) for its members. This series focuses on the FDA's Quality System Regulation. Created by FDA for its inspectors, the ten hours of instruction (on 10 compact disks) provides an overview of medical device regulation. In step by step instruction, the FDA depicts their quality control practices, the evolution of ISO 9001 and ISO 13485, and what is needed for compliance with FDA design control for current acceptable manufacturing procedures.

This series is a must for all manufacturers with medical device issues and FDA audits. There is no other product like this available in the marketplace. The quality of these videos is extremely high. DTA is making this available to DTA members only for $455 for the complete 10 CD set. This includes free shipping. (This is a $2,000 value.) Please contact Fred Freedman at 703.379.7755 or email him for an order form.

"Designing Products for Global Acceptance" Workshop
The DTA Regulatory Committee, chaired by Grant Ramaley, is hosting a workshop "Designing Products for Global Acceptance" on February 1^st and 2^nd at the Hilton Newark Airport. This workshop will explain each phase of the latest regulated Design and Development process, integration of Risk Management (ISO 14871), software considerations and use of international standards to establish product conformity with "Essential Principles of Safety and Performance". This workshop is aimed at quality and regulatory personnel, engineers, new product development team members and senior management.

The speaker is Bob Boonstra, an experienced ISO 13485 and Notified Body Auditor. Mr. Boonstra has an extensive history designing medical devices. Bob's expertise in conformity assessment and design control continue to make him as one of the world's most sought after trainers on medical device compliance. Bob Boonstra operates a successful consulting business, Global Medical Solutions, LLC, out of Canby, Oregon.

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate that can be used to prove they have been trained by a highly qualified consultant on a wide range of regulatory topics. This certificate is particularly worthwhile for in-company trainers who are often expected to have had outside professional training by a recognized authority with solid credentials.