It’s not too late to sign up for the Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry’s Advanced Restorative Series. The first course — Veneers! Veneers! Veneers! (worth 14 continuing education hours) — takes place Sept. 10-11 in Dallas. Don’t miss your opportunity to become an exceptional dentist. Register now.

“It is rare in our profession to find a master technical dentist who also possesses exemplary skills in practice systems that lead to high profitability in a dental practice,” he says. “Steve Cutbirth symbiotically blends both areas to allow each attendee of this seminar to vastly improve her/his level of success. I strongly recommend that dentists at all stages of their practice attend this seminar.”

The next Advanced Restorative Series starts Sept. 10. Time is running out to reserve your spot, so register today!

Each summer, Teaching Faculty from the Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry gather at the Cutbirths’ country retreat in Crawford, Texas. Long-range planning for the dental institute constitutes the weekend’s official function. The net result of the planning weekend, however, also includes a lot of fun!

Scheduling a specific weekend for long-range planning creates an environment for C.A.R.D.’s Teaching Faculty to discuss the institute’s past, present and future. Much like scheduling a staff meeting for a dental office, the operative term becomes “scheduling.” If a long-range planning session isn’t scheduled on the calendar and made a priority, whether for an office or an institute, the planning session doesn’t happen. During the work week in a dental office, there’s rarely enough downtime to plan for the future and reflect upon the past when patients need care in the office. During the academic year, with lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, the focus of C.A.R.D. Teaching Faculty remains where it should be – on the participating dentists.

Here are some highlights (and photos) from this year’s retreat, which just wrapped up a few weeks ago:

The setting: The Cutbirths’ country retreat in Crawford,Texas, 20 miles outside of Waco, TX. A mile-and-a-half of Hog Creek, a crystal clear limestone bottom, flowing creek, crowns the land. “The atmosphere in the country promotes relaxed conversation and clear thinking,” remarks Sharron Cutbirth, C.A.R.D. Administrator.

The schedule: C.A.R.D. Teaching Faculty arrived in time for lunch on Friday – a Cowboy cookout of hamburgers on the fire pit – followed by discussion sessions until evening. All Advanced Restorative Series and Masters Series Classes were discussed, one by one. After Friday’s planning session, Dr. Cutbirth piled everyone into the back of his pickup for a first -hand look at the land. Hog Creek Happy Hour on the front porch, followed by Chuckwagon BBQ and star-gazing on the upper deck, closed the day.

Texas offers up spectacular summer mornings in the country. Saturday proved no exception – mist hovered over the wide meadows and a lonesome train whistle blew in the distance. The aroma of strong Cowboy coffee warmed over the campfire, available to anyone who arrived early enough. Somehow, in this environment, meetings don’t feel like “work.”

Saturday’s Cowboy Campfire Breakfast started off the day, followed by discussion sessions until noon. At noon, everyone drove into nearby Waco, toured Dr. Cutbirth’s office, discussed dental techniques and procedures,
then headed over to the Cutbirths’ house for lunch. The retreat officially ended after lunch. Saturday afternoon, however, created a fine golfing opportunity for numerous C.A.R.D. Teaching Faculty.

The payoff: Creative ideas emerge because enough time is scheduled. Having large hunks of relatively “unscheduled” time set in a relaxing setting brings out amazing ideas. Not only does the retreat give C.A.R.D. Teaching Faculty a chance to spend time with like-minded dentists, it also gives everyone time to contribute their thoughts and ideas for continually improving C.A.R.D. “The dentists really have a great working
rapport with each other, as well as a mutual respect,” notes Sharron. “It’s like they’re saying, ‘We’re all in this profession together – let’s make dentistry the best it can be.’”

Dr. Bosher explains why he thinks coming to C.A.R.D. is the best move he’s ever made for his dental practice:

He was skeptical at first, but finally came around after speaking to fellow Plano dentist (and C.A.R.D. alum) Ron Bosher. Below Dr. Haight describes how C.A.R.D. helped push him to be able to do bigger, more complicated cases.

Below he explains how C.A.R.D. gave him the confidence to do more.