The IHS Division of Oral Health is pleased to announce that the 2023 IHS Dental Updates Conference will take place Monday, July 24, 2023 through Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown.  Our 17-member planning committee has been busy arranging quality speakers for this biennial conference to make this the best meeting yet!  The theme of this year’s conference is “Emerging from the Pandemic.”  Please see the draft schedule (to be used to attach to travel requests) and conference information as well as the important details below.

SUMMARY: This biennial conference is designed to provide IHS, tribal, and urban dental program staff [dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental therapists] with evidence-based clinical practice continuing dental education as well as allow them to network with other oral health providers.

AGENDA: The agenda for this meeting will be sent out via the IHS Dental Listserv, the IHS Dental Chiefs Listserv, the IHS Dental Hygienists Listserv, through Area Dental Officers, and through the Dental Support Centers. If you need instructions on how to join the listserv, please e-mail IHSCDECoordinator@ihs.gov. Any updates to the agenda will also be sent through the listservs.

REGISTRATION:  Pre-registration is required for this meeting so that we can accurately set up the conference plenary and breakout session rooms. Please register by July 1, 2023. Registration includes [1] selecting this course, [2] your supervisor approving your attendance in the CDE system, and [3] if working in a tribal program, submitting your tuition payment [read below].  The course number in the CDE Catalog is DE0225.

TUITION: Tuition is required for all dental staff attending from tribal programs that have taken their IHS Headquarters dental shares. If you are unsure if that applies to you or not, please check with your Area Dental Officer. Tuition must be paid in advance by July 1, 2023 using the IHS Tuition Payment Form that accompanies your check to the address on the form.  Tuition is $250 per person. Attendees owing tuition will be invoiced on or about May 1st and again on or about June 1st; it is your responsibility to forward those invoices to your finance departments if necessary. Tuition receipts will be e-mailed to participants within 2 weeks after the conference ends.

TRANSPORTATION: Attendees are encouraged to share transportation to and from the airport. Taxi/Uber/Lyft prices vary, but generally about $30 from the Nashville International Airport to downtown Nashville [about 10 miles].

HOTEL: The Sheraton Grand is located in the heart of downtown Nashville, within walking distance of more than 75 restaurants and entertainment options. The hotel features 482 guestrooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Book your room by June 9, 2023 by going to https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1675721619359&key=GRP&app=resvlink. The group room rate is $207 per night plus 15.25 and $2.50 per night tax [the government lodging rate is $230, so this is below the government rate]. Self-parking is available at $50 at the hotel, or you can find nearby public parking at a lower cost. Room service is available and there is an on-site restaurant. Other amenities include a fitness center, business center, and on-site bar/lounge. There is complimentary wireless internet in the guest room and meeting rooms, 15 mbps, up to 3 devices.

LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO? Nashville’s downtown is bustling each night with multiple honky tonks! During the week of Updates, the Maypop Music & Arts Festival will take place just a few miles north of Nashville [see https://www.facebook.com/maypopfest/about]. On July 28th, if you want to stay after Updates is over, Nissan Stadium [just across the river from downtown] is having the George Strait/Chris Stapleton concert. You can also visit the original Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Johnny Cash Museum, the Frist Art Museum, all within walking distance of the hotel. Or catch a taxi and visit The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, or The Parthenon, a replica of the real Parthenon. Just don’t forget to return to the Updates meeting after you enjoy Nashville!!!

We hope to see you in Music City in July!