Almost a month later, I am finally catching my breath from the adrenaline rush of the Chicago Midwinter Meeting.
Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH.
So much happened, and the energy of it all is still with me. This year's Chicago Midwinter Meeting felt different in the best possible way. For the first time, in my opinion, it truly felt like a meeting before the pandemic. The excitement was there. The exhibit floor was busy. The conversations were flowing. People were engaged, curious, laughing, learning, reconnecting, and genuinely excited to be there. There was movement everywhere, and not just physical movement. There was momentum. It felt like dentistry was alive in a way that many of us have been missing.
For me, the meeting kicked off with the CareCredit reception, which is always one of those events that sets the tone for everything that follows. It always feels like a who's who of dentistry filling the room, and this year was no exception. There is something so special about walking into a space buzzing with familiar faces, meaningful conversations, and the shared excitement of a big meeting ahead. It was the perfect way to begin the week. Thank you to CareCredit for continuing to host this year after year. It really does kick off the meeting right.
As I made my way through the exhibit hall, what stood out most was not that the floor was full, but there was real curiosity around innovation. People were not just walking the aisles. They were stopping, asking questions, leaning in, and looking for products that could make a meaningful difference in practice.
One of the companies I was excited to connect with was Kuraray, particularly around its desensitizing technology. Products that support comfort and patient experience continue to matter, and it was great to learn more about their offering. These conversations are important, because they remind us that innovation is not always about something flashy. Sometimes it is about solving a real problem in a practical, useful way.
I also had the chance to learn about Preventech’s Nada prophy paste. A pumice paste that will not dry out and clump like other versions have in my clinical past. The paste does not contain dyes, and it does not have a taste. That may sound like a small detail until you think about the patient experience. Those details matter for sensitive patients, for patients with aversions, and patients with sensory limitations, and for clinicians who are trying to find ways to deliver effective, thoughtful care.
Another product that stood out to me was Gingi-Pak's SDF Pro. What I found especially interesting was its delivery system. It is packaged in an easy-to-dispense cap and delivers silver diamine fluoride on a drop-by-drop basis, similar to many bonding agents. That design can make a real difference in efficiency and control. I also learned that it has a higher pH than other SDF products, which supports remineralization. When you think about prevention, patient management, and practical workflow, those details matter.
I also spent time with friends at Ivoclar and heard about their new initiatives in Europe and the U.S. It was also exciting to hear how clinicians in the booth are using Cervitec Plus not only as a way to reduce inflammation around implants, but also as an alternative fluoride varnish.
Again, this is what I love about meetings like this. You are not only seeing products. You are hearing the why behind them, the direction companies are moving, and how the profession continues to evolve to meet different patient needs.
One of the booths where I spent meaningful time was the HuFriedyGroup, where I had the chance to evaluate the PWR therapeutic air polishing device. I was especially interested in seeing the system up close and learning about the dual chamber options. There is a big difference between reading about a device online and actually standing there, asking questions, handling it, and imagining how it fits into patient care. It is one of the biggest reminders I had at this meeting: In-person learning still matters. Hands-on evaluation still matters. Connecting your clinical brain to what is in front of you, in real time, still matters.
One of my personal highlights was speaking during the new product presentation, which is always a packed house. There is a reason for that. People want to know what is new, what is relevant, and what has the potential to change care in meaningful ways. It was an honor to be part of that experience, and I want to sincerely thank Trisha Osuna, RDH, for moderating another successful session. It was such a special part of the meeting for me.
And as much as I love the technology, the innovation, and the new products, what stayed with me most was the human side of the meeting. There was dinner. There was laughter. There was networking. There were conversations in booths, in hallways, at receptions, and between sessions that reminded me why meetings like this matter so much. Yes, we come to learn. Yes, we come to see what is new. But we also come to reconnect with each other. We come to remember that our profession is built on relationships.
If you have not been to in-person learning in a while, consider going to an event. There is something powerful about stepping out of your routine and into an environment that challenges your thinking, expands your perspective, and reminds you that you are part of something bigger. Chicago Midwinter felt like a return to that. It felt like a return to the energy, the curiosity, and the connection that make this profession so special.
And honestly, it felt really good to be back.
Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH, is a contributing author to DrBicuspid, where she shares insights and strategies to empower dental hygienists in their careers. As a leader in clinical training, professional development, and team dynamics, Tanner provides resources to help hygienists elevate their practice and personal growth. For further support, join her free Facebook group, Next Level Dental Hygiene Career and Personal Development, and explore group training and on-demand courses at www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com.
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
