http://dx.doi.org/10.15331/jdsm.7234

Jean-François Masse, DMD, MSc, FACD, Diplomate, ABDSM
 
Editor-in-Chief Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine
Universite Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

The COVID epidemic seemed to be finished, but as of late, the number of new cases is now increasing in both Europe and China. Inflation is at a 40-year high and will probably end up increasing interest rates, which could in turn, result in a lesser demand for our services. Economists are talking about stagflation in Europe. There is a shortage of qualified staff. There is a war in Ukraine ; and I am not even talking about domestic problems...
 
This is, frankly, depressing. Is there hope? I, for one, have never been looking more forward to our meeting in May, in Dallas. Meeting like-minded dentists will be my therapy. It is not going to change the world, but it will certainly make me feel better for a few days.
 
The first AADSM annual meeting I attended was in 2001. I was (and still am) part of a very good hospital team and thought I would learn little from the meeting. I was so wrong.
 
In fact, I learned so much that I have only missed one meeting since then. After all these years, I always come home with interesting ideas, and strategies I can implement that will make a difference for my patients…nd for myself!
 
The meeting is not only about learning, it is also about sharing. Professionally speaking, there is nothing quite like the exchange you get to have with colleagues at the annual meeting, especially when so very few dentists do the kind of work we do. For a few days, I am not alone. Of course webinars, Zooms and emails are fine, but there is just nothing like talking to a person eye-to-eye. Then, we really connect. I realize that despite coming from different parts of the world, we all have similar problems. The perspective is always a bit different from place to place, but still, discussions often bring creative solutions. And let’s admit it, one tends to share more readily when talking to a dentist practicing in another city as opposed to with your direct competitor in your town!
A special thanks to the Annual Meeting committee who worked hard in 2020 to plan a meeting that had to be cancelled, planned the best possible virtual meeting in 2021, and has put together a stellar line-up of speakers and topics for 2022. Also, thank you to our manufacturers making plans to exhibit at the meeting. I have never been more eager to visit your booths! I am also thankful to the staff of the AADSM. I know you are working hard as I write these lines to make the meeting memorable.
 
So after two years of restrictions, we are back!
 
Do yourself a favor - come to Dallas.
 
I hope to meet you there.

CITATION

Masse, JF. What about us?. J Dent Sleep Med. 2022;9(2)

SUBMISSION AND CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

 
Submitted in final revised form March 22, 2022.
 
Address correspondence to: Jean-François Masse, DDS, MSc, FACD, D.ABDSM, Professor, Universite Laval, 2780 Masson #200, Quebec City, QC, G1P 1J6, Canada; Tel: 418871-1447; Fax: 418-871-4983; Email: jean-francois.masse@fmd.ulaval.ca