Dr. Mark Schlesinger, of the Diamond Schlesinger Group, Attends and Lectures at the ALD 2011 Lasers in Dentistry, ALD’s 18th Annual Laser Dentistry Conference, Notes Advances in Dental Care
San Diego, California, USA – March 15, 2011 – The 18th Annual Academy of Laser Dentistry Conference was held March 3-5, 2011 in San Diego, California at The Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Dr. Mark Schlesinger joined over 250 dentists, physicians, research scientists, and dental hygienists in a collective effort of world talent to learn new techniques and applications. Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States were well represented in this summit gathering. Both lectures and hands-on courses were offered. As lasers have become a well accepted part of routine dental care, new procedure protocols are being established. Various clinical protocols are presented for discussion and refinement at this prestigious meeting. Only a small number of dentists currently use lasers to improve their patients’ health.
Thursday’s Keynote Address: Utilizing Laser Technology in a Periodontal Environment by Samuel B. Low, DDS, MS, Med, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida, College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida, set the stage for the entire meeting. Friday’s topics centered on 3 different tracks; A Pediatric and Ortho Track, a soft tissue laser track, and a hard tissue laser track.
Dr. Mark Schlesinger lecturing at ALD 2011
Dr. Mark Schlesinger lectured at the “hard tissue track”, where he demonstrated the capabilities of the Erbium YSGG laser as a tool for periodontal and implant surgery. The topical areas included in this track were:
- Basic Science of Erbium Family “All-Tissue” Lasers
- Tooth Applications
- Periodontal Applications
- Implant Applications
- Endodontic Applications
The ALD introduced a series of presentations that compared side-by-side applications of each individual laser offered to clinicians by ALD’s corporate members. The day began with an introduction of the basic science of each of the specific lasers, followed by a series of topics that addressed and demonstrated each of the participating wavelengths offered. Saturday was devoted to Hygiene and Practice Management. During the Orientation for New Attendees, an overview of the FDA cleared applications were represented showing all the breakthroughs in treatment.
General and scientific sessions, hands-on workshops, participation courses, panel discussions, and daily question and answer sessions were the format for this 18th annual gathering of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Social events included daily meet and greets to enhance the experience.
It is important to know that each contract will specify what types of procedures are considered for benefits. Even if a procedure is medically and dentally necessary, it may be excluded from your contract. This does not mean that you do not need the procedure. It simply means that your plan will not consider the procedure for payment. For example, cosmetic procedures and implants are often excluded from a dental plan.
The introduction of dental insurance to the practice of dentistry has allowed the improvement of the dental health of millions to be accomplished over the last 30 years. Many on both sides of the insurance card have benefited and been frustrated at the same time. Much of the controversy has occurred when consumers and dentist alike expected this form of insurance to behave the same as medical insurance had in the past. As we all know even the medical insurers have had to change their programs due to problems with rising costs of the practice of medicine.
Dr. Diamond and Dr. Schlesinger are not just dentists, they are 
This article, published in the NY Times on November 23, 2010, raises important concerns about radiation exposure in dental offices. It focuses on the dangers of 3-D Conebeam imaging.