Dental students inspired by large conference in Boston

Thirty-four students studying Dental Assisting got an inspiring look at their industry at the Yankee Dental Congress 2020 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center February 1st. 

Students networkded with some of the 26,000 dental professionals at the event and were immersed in the latest dental technology. They attended a Colgate and Crest Game Show and visited the booths of numerous dental colleges and vendors offering the newest industry products.

“A lot of us are starting to go out on coop and it was inspirational to see the type of people I could be working for, and it’s exciting to think about using the knowledge I learned here at Whittier,” said Vitoria Paiva, a sophomore from Merrimac. 

“It made me feel ready,” agreed Abby Szarek, a sophomore from Groveland. “I have always wanted to be an orthodontist and I’m sticking with it.”

“When I first thought of a dental conference, I thought of a lot of toothbrushes and dentists walking around,” she said. “I didn’t expect the number of brands and vendors selling the tools of the trade like shephards hooks, burnishers, and drilling burrs,” she said. She was also impressed by the items meant for dentists like massage chairs and mint gum.

“After I talked to a lot of people, I felt like I could contact them when I’m working to answer questions,” Abby said.

They also felt good about the contacts they made. “One company had an algorithm I could put on my phone and it would connect me with various dental practices where paid internships were available,” Vitoria said. 

The Yankee Dental Congress is the fifth largest dental meeting in the country, with more than 400 exhibitors. The Yankee Dental Congress is sponsored by the Massachusetts Dental Society, in cooperation with dental associations of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.