Jane: CE is so important, but we want to come together as a community and meet new people and network and have fun. have fun. Have fun, fun too. And as we were talking, we work hard, but you have to have fun while you're, working hard in our, wonderful professions.
Anne: Hello everyone. It's Anne Duffy and welcome to the Just DeW It podcast. I am so happy that you're with me today. I have such a dear person in my life. I've known her for well over, oh my gosh, 20 years. I look up to her. she's an actually an icon in dentistry and someone that has, set the bar high for all women in dentistry.
And before we get started, let me tell you a little bit about her. Dr. Jane Puskas is a A New England trained dentist who met her physician husband at Harvard before settling in Atlanta. She built a thriving, multi-generational private practice and became a leader in organized dentistry, serving as the first female president and general chairman of the Hinman Dental Society, advancing education and student scholarships.
Nationwide, please help me welcome the most wonderful Dr. Jane Puskas. Hello, Jane.
Jane: Hello, Anne. What a treat. We've been planning this for about 20 years,
Anne: so, I still remember my very first time that I went to the Hinman on my own as the publisher of Dental Entrepreneur.
This is 20 years ago, and sitting at the press table, at the luncheon, at the Hinman, and you were there and, you know, Jane, you, always welcomed me with such open arms and such a warm embrace. And that's really important for somebody that's new in a job and a little nervous about how things are gonna go and you don't really know the lay of the land.
And I just wanna thank you for being so gracious, generous, and honestly a true do from the moment I met you.
Jane: Thank you. And I feel mutually, it's been a wonderful journey we've had together. I'm so proud of what you've accomplished our relationship personally and with Dew and Hinman has grown.
So we have a lot to celebrate.
Anne: We do have a lot to celebrate and we say, I think it's principle number three, that good dues find good dues. So, good dental entrepreneur women seem to find good dental entrepreneur women, and you've certainly been a dental entrepreneur woman. bit, I wanna hear a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are today.
Jane: Absolutely. I started out in Boston really just loved dentistry, had wonderful mentors and grew in that regard. And a challenge in my life is you might have a, partner who has a very big career too. And you can't always control the parts of your journey.
So I practiced in Boston and was the heir apparent in this, practice. And my husband John who's a cardiac surgeon, wanted to do some research back in his hometown of, Toronto, Canada. So I had to take the Canadian boards. Which I did and practice with my father-in-law thus commuting to Boston at that time.
Anne: Wow. Did not know that. That's cool.
Jane: Yes. And then of course we're back in Boston. I knew we were gonna end up back in Boston and John wanted to do his fellowship in cardiac surgery in Atlanta, and I went where? And so I took a third set of boards at that time, and so I came to Atlanta kicking and screaming, but look at me now.
You know, you have to just embrace it. I think that's one of the lessons in life that I've learned is. You'll have challenges, you'll think, oh, it's the end of the world. And then you just say, alright, how do we make this work? for me, ending up in Atlanta was truly a blessing.
And I think what you described about your experience with the Hinman was my experience with the Hinman Dental Society. So basically the Hinman Dental Society. Is a private study club, and by invitation we choose very carefully our wonderful members because we know that these members are committed to dentistry and providing the best care for patients and advancing our continuing education.
However, we also expect these members to help serve in putting on the Hinman dental meeting. The Hinman dental meeting, which is. A hundred and I wanna say 13 years old. I'm sure I'm getting that number wrong because I'm losing track of how old it is. Yeah. But it's an adult and there are a lot of wonderful traditions and there are things that, as you can share with other speakers, make it special.
It's because all of these volunteer Hinman Dental members host and we put the attention to detail to the meeting, and I think that attendees similarly feel that same hospitality that you felt as you first attended Hinman. We pride ourselves in providing that experience for people, and that's why we are so committed to giving the best quality dental education that we can.
In my year when I was general chairman, which was 2017, we had over 20,000 people. And of course not only dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental lab, we had consultants. We are such a huge community coming together. And of course, COVID took a hit, but we're really hoping that we can keep in-person meetings alive.
CE is so important, but we want to come together as a community and meet new people and network and have fun. have fun. Have fun, fun too. And as we were talking, we work hard, but you have to have fun while you're, working hard in our, wonderful professions.
Anne: couple things you said, I just gotta back up just a bit.
First of all, you fall in love. Then you follow your husband around and you can do that with the dental profession, which makes it so special. I mean, I had to take six state boards for myself. Follow my husband. I know. Yes, Yes. Not like the hygiene board I was taking, but my goodness.
that says you really do have true love. 'cause you're falling around and then you can actually. Pivot and move and do those things, which is so lovely, and find your community within. The dental profession, which you did find, the Hinman, which is amazing, the southern hospitality that the Hinman provides.
I think every meeting has a little bit of like, we need to put a little bit of Hinman in our meeting too, because there's something magical about the Hinman and I know. From knowing and, having so many speakers in our organization of dental entrepreneur women, that's the pinnacle.
Get to the Hinman. If I could just speak of the Hinman. Yeah. So you created something really special with education at the forefront.
Jane: Mm-hmm. That's our focus. Absolutely. Getting the best quality education. And that's part of why we're pretty selective with speakers, it's not a chance for them to promote, specifically Hawk their goods.
Yeah, obviously we support quality materials quality things in industry, but we want the quality education there and we'll learn from it. And we have wonderful exhibitors who are there to support us too and do, and your types of organizations and great consultants and networks. And it's a warm fuzzy feel and we advance all different aspects of our professions, making it better.
Anne: Well, the other thing, Jane, you said and mentioned about community, as we say, in the operatory, belly to belly. nothing like being in person. And the pandemic kind of set us back a bit because we, oh, we can do a lot of this CE with, we could get our credits.
Yeah, yeah. Or you know, online. But there is nothing about having CE in a room when the excitement is there and you feel that. Love for the profession. Right? Because it is a fabulous profession.
Jane: Absolutely. And an opportunity to see how someone else is doing it and go, oh, really? What a great idea. it's organic
Anne: and it's priceless because that conversation person to person is pretty much the magical conversation that happens and you really can't put a price on that.
There's nothing like getting out of your, office, your operatory and meeting in person which I see at the Hinman, and it seems like there's so many different. People that come back every year because that's when they actually get to see their friends and their colleagues. Yeah. I
Jane: think how special it is, they return and that's what we're so grateful for.
And, you know, also try to change it up. We can't always have the same speakers and we have favorites. We return them and as you know, we're so grateful. We're a nonprofit and so all the proceeds from the success of the meeting goes back for dental education through. scholarships and, supporting our students, whether dental students themselves, dental assisting students, dental hygiene students.
we're trying to support them more and more to be able to attend the meetings.
Anne: I love that you always have something for the students. You always have something for each career path in dentistry as well, through leadership of what your team is that is picking these speakers and those topics and things like that, and the variety that you pick. I just think so incredible to come back every year and look at the, program that you put out. It's very enticing and I think that people and women that I know that have not been, are sitting there and saying, I wanna go this year.
'cause this year's gonna be special. Tell us a little bit about, some of the changes
Jane: that you made this year. Ab Absolutely. I've had the privilege of working on the program more, specifically, with David Anderson and SL Lale and, you know, it's the 250th anniversary of our country.
And so we're sort of incorporating that patriotic theme. Why not? You know, hinman's full of a lot of traditions too. And we're doing that. we've always tried to have a panel or a luncheon, and you and I have worked so hard on this well. I think we have a home run this year, a total home run with your help and input.
And I was so inspired when I attended the DeW retreat and I'll tell you, the energy got going and so Thursday morning we hope people will be able to join us. typical of women we're starting early, we're multitasking with a little bit of breakfast and networking and just, celebrating women in dentistry.
So we really hope that people will try to get there early and attend. And then you launch the rest of the meeting. We got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Some wonderful courses, lots of hands-on, new things, lots of the old favorites, and, opportunities to see all the different dental materials and products on the exhibit floor.
And a bit of social, you know, Friday night we have, we're taking on the entire. Georgia Aquarium.
Anne: Oh my gosh.
Jane: Yes. A cold queer. I love that. So then take it to that for sure. That's included. when you sign up for the meeting, you can sign up to go. It's really a rather nominal fee for a night at the aquarium with food, a band dancing.
you know, we try to make it fun as we talked about. Yeah. We want you
Anne: to
Jane: come and learn, but come and have fun with us also.
Anne: And that's such a great opportunity for everybody. 'cause the aquarium is so cool. The beluga whales. I've been there and I just can't wait to get back. It's
Jane: the largest aquarium in the country, I think.
We hope that spouses will come too. Men and women.
Come in and attend the meeting while, someone's attending. If, you wanna do something fun, there are lots of extra events and luncheons, think they're going to Chick-fil-A headquarters and Ooh, that sounds like fun. you know, we try to make it.
Just such a great experience On all fronts.
Anne: Yeah. I mean, kind of like we were talking about, if you love dentistry and we both love dentistry and, everybody, I think that's coming to the humanness has a love for dentistry and sometimes that line blurs between work and fun and.
There's just, again, the specialness of just really being with your colleagues sharing ideas, sharing new techniques, sharing products. Mm-hmm. speaker ideas, things like that. Absolutely. I mean, again, it's just gonna be so cool and I love the fact that, the graduating dentists.
Now finally we have overtaken this is about women. we love her men. I can't believe the first woman to chair the him and Dr. Jane SKAs. A little, a clap. I'll never forget that. and I remember your dress too. I remember your dress at the gala,
Jane: of course.
Anne: But I mean, that is something that just you earn that Jane, because I know how the Hinman works. You have to earn every position.
Jane: Mm-hmm.
Anne: And, and you find it's
Jane: decades leading to that point, decades leading. It's a lot of saying Yes. that's okay. You know, that's,
What about is the volunteerism?
Anne: that's the thing about the Hinman is that every. Member of the Hinman, to me takes on the hosting opportunities. They're not a guest at the Hinman. They are a host working Hinman.
Jane: Yes.
Anne: Whether they're the grand chairman or they're, letting somebody into a door checking the, tags and things like that.
That's what I love about the community that is there, and it just kind of spreads out All around the world. I mean, you have people from all around the world. And I think that when I met you just years ago and being so sweet to me, and I've seen it grow.
I've seen the, women grow and the young dentists that are coming in. it's just natural progression for us to do something together for the dental entrepreneur community to meet with the hinman.
Jane: Absolutely. there'll be so many attending on Thursday morning, so it's a great. opportunity to gather, share, fellowship and network like mad, so it'll be wonderful.
Anne: and how great if you're listening to this, that if you're going to the Hinman, it's your first time and you don't know anybody, come to the breakfast, you're gonna meet somebody sitting next to you or.
Someone at your table, or we'll make sure that you get connected so that when you're on the trade show floor or in a room, you've actually got a new friend, a new face, absolutely. That you've met. And then after the fact, after the Hinman and so often the gold is in the follow up. You know, remember to keep this.
Tight-knit community. What you learn at the hinman, spread that out to your, practice to actually your community. 'cause a lot of the speakers this year are speaking on things that are just really good for us, moms and daughters and absolute sisters and wives. I mean, you're gonna learn personal, professional, and, clinical development, if you will, right?
Yeah,
Jane: exactly. And I'm excited. My daughter, who's a dentist in training in New York, and she's coming in for course for the meeting too. So she already gave me her list, of course, that she wants to take and all
Anne: of that. Oh,
Jane: it's, we won't be able to make it Thursday morning. It won't let her off.
Anne: They won't let her off because I wanted her to be on the panel.
Yeah. But you know what? her time will come, And I think that's cool that she wants to come. That's another thing about that HIN and society, and even if you don't live in Atlanta, wherever you are, get involved in organized dentistry because your kids are gonna see it, they're gonna say, you know what how many, parents have kids that have gone into dental school and gone into their practice or like your daughter's practicing up in New York, right?
that they fall in their footsteps, which just says so much about the profession
Jane: it is amazing to me how many kids of my hinman friends went into dentistry. They say, gosh. My parents are working hard, but they're happy and the cutest thing is. Every year the Hinman has a, family meeting, which is a fun meeting, and the kids loved that. Oh, they go, when are we going back to Hinman?
They don't mean the March meeting. They mean the summer meeting,
Anne: That is an wonderful, so, Dan,
Jane: work hard, play hard,
Anne: work hard, and play hard, and then set the example. I mean, you know, say that you can talk all day long, but the example that you set and the energy that you give off is really what shines with your, children's lives.
So, kudos to you and, know, everyone that you know at the Hinman tell us the dates, please, of the Hinman this year.
Jane: So, yes, it's March 12th, 13th, and 14th, and of course, 12th. That Thursday is our DeW Hinman breakfast, and go on@hinman.org to go online and you can sort of get on the program, see, And also we pride ourselves. Registration compared to other meetings is probably one of the least expensive. We try to make it really fair you know, you have to sign up for the meeting, but there are a lot of free courses and of course there are paid courses, there are participation courses, there's everything.
We really put so much time and effort into getting the best speakers, quality ce. Mm-hmm. CE and great programs for hygienists, you know, we always have our hygiene track. We have our. Assisting Tracker front office track. We have a health. specialist. And I did talk to my husband John, and he's speaking on cardiovascular.
Oh, things too. So
Anne: important.
Jane: It's a family affair.
Anne: I love it.
Jane: But there's just so much there. just look at the program. There's a lot for everyone.
Anne: Really. So if you wanna come to Atlanta in March, it's a beautiful time to come in March.
Oh, it's because the trees are blooming.
Jane: That's the parts of the country right now. see a daffodils will probably be coming up. That's where we are in March.
Anne: Yes. and the Bradford Pears are blooming. Yes. And, and then the aquarium You have buses, it's so easy to get around there because the buses come and pick everybody up at all the hotels.
I mean, I think you have probably 15 hotels at
Jane: And of course in that downtown area nothing's too far away.
Anne: Yeah.
Jane: And the, And the Georgia World Congress Center, where mainly the meetings headquartered, most of the courses are there. Lots of hotels. spend a lot of time and money.
Making sure the transportation is, easy. Just jump it on, get to the meetings. Participate in everything.
Anne: And actually I've had some of the best conversations on the bus. I'm not gonna lie.
Jane: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
Anne: It's, It's just great. So I hope that you'll all come. I'm, so pleased.
And Jane, Thank you Dr. Puskas for the 113th Hinman Dental meeting in Atlanta. 113th. That's a lucky number, by the way. Yes, yes. That's thirteenth's my lucky number, so that's good.
Jane: And, and actually it's Friday the 13th during the meeting, so
Anne: Oh,
Jane: lucky it's going.
Anne: That's even better. I love that. And in March 12th through 14th, please use this promo code and it will be in the show notes. you get $25 off any educational course or equal or greater value with DEW 26, and we really hope to see you all there. I, we've got a booth, it's 1830. We are gonna be there with 10 of our, dues and we're all going to the breakfast and then dues are coming in from all over.
there's so many women. Jane that have said that they have heard about the Hinman for all these years and they finally have a really good excuse. They really wanna come. Love. I think if you're on the fence, get there. We wanna meet you, Oh,
Jane: I'll be all around. You'll get to meet me.
Anne: All around you won't be able to miss her. And then we're doing a video, we're doing a, a beautiful documentary that morning. And
Jane: yes,
Anne: I love how we are kicking off the meeting with some women power, some camaraderie, some beautiful community.
and ladies, I'm telling you, the most important thing we can do going forward. Is probably just to keep doing us, Jane, And individually. Keep doing you. Do you have any parting words, Jane, for our listeners today?
Jane: No, I just look forward. Thank you everyone for what, you all do for dentistry.
What a great profession we're in, in all the different aspects and. The relationships we have with each other, with our patients, with our staff we're really taking great care of people in ourselves and keep doing it. And come to Hinman please.
Anne: Come to Hinman. We can't wait to see you for the 113th Hinman Dental.
Yes. Meeting and y'all just be safe out there on the road. Absolutely. Again, continue to keep doing you. Thank you, Jane, for being with me today.
Jane: Thank you. We look forward to seeing everyone.
Anne: bet. All right, everybody. Take care. Everybody See you in Atlanta.
