6 | May 2024 It’s that time of year again when we have to spring forward, and I must admit, I’m not a fan of the back-andforth time changes every spring and fall. However, despite my dislike for the clock adjustments, I can’t help but be amazed by the internal sense of joy and comfort that comes with the arrival of spring. There’s something truly special about this season, as nature comes back to life, filling the air with the sweet scent of flowers and the sound of birds chirping. Despite the inconvenience of resetting our clocks, the anticipation of longer days and warmer weather fills me with excitement and hope. It’s almost as if someone flips a switch as soon as spring arrives. Suddenly, my attitude at work improves, I find myself more productive, and I start eagerly planning family activities for the upcoming summer. There’s a tangible energy in the air that motivates me to tackle tasks with renewed enthusiasm. With the promise of longer days and sunshine ahead, I can’t help but feel inspired to make the most of this vibrant season, both personally and professionally. Since COVID, this feeling has become much more intense. For nearly twenty-five years, much of that planning has centered around the annual GDA convention. We own a pediatric office, so summer is our busy season. Despite that, we have always made the GDA Convention the centerpiece of our limited vacation time. This year, we’re thrilled that the convention will take place at Jekyll Island in Georgia! It’s one of our favorite vacation spots, making this event even more exciting for us. With its stunning beaches, rich history, and abundance of outdoor activities, Jekyll Island holds a special place in our hearts. The GDA Staff and the Convention Planning Committee have gone to great lengths to make this an event to remember. First, as most of you know by now, the keynote speaker for our kickoff celebration will be Mark Richt, the former head coach of the University of Georgia football team. He has a reputation of being an inspirational speaker, and having heard him speak on several occasions, I’m sure this will be an event you won’t want to miss. This year, due to scheduling issues, we are having our Convention during the Fourth of July week. When I first heard that, I thought it was going to be a limitation, but after considering it for a while, I’ve come around and think it will be so awesome to experience July 4th fireworks while enjoying the beach and friends. The venue for our July 4th celebration party is literally right under the fireworks display. It’s going to be spectacular! There will be an outstanding DJ providing our entertainment, and we’ll enjoy a low country feast and fellowship in anticipation of the spectacular fireworks display. As you all know, the Board of Dentistry has rescinded the waiver that limited the amount of live CE that is required for licensure. You’ll be happy to know that there will be sixteen hours of live Spring Forward DR. ERIK WELLS GDA Editor From the GDA Editor
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