Comments on: Why dental presentations and dental presenters usually suck

By: Ayesha Zahurullah

Ayesha Zahurullah — Tue, 19 May 2015 19:33:11 +0000

I totally agree! The other thing that drives me crazy is a 3 hour long advertisement about how wonderful and talented the speaker is. The whole presentation is just before and after photos. I want to learn how to do that.

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:39:05 +0000

Great blog

By: Triumph by comparison | The Blogging Dentist

Triumph by comparison | The Blogging Dentist — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:47:06 +0000

[...] good news is that since most dental presentations suck really bad, mine went O.K. I need to get my presentations done earlier, weed out the stuff that doesn’t [...]

By: Mac Lee

Mac Lee — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:47:42 +0000

I have never considered myself a great speaker even though I have been doing it for a long time. The first time I ever spoke for a day was in 1982 or so. I had a full crowd wanting to learn about non surgical perio.

I was so terrified that I drank a half pint of Crown Royal at 7:30 in the morning. Barely even remember the morning but it did go well.

As a speaker, my personal rules were based on the old saying, “In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king” so I always picked subjects not many dentists knew anything about.

I still believe that but leave the alcohol for the evening. Great Blog.

By: Brett Kessler

Brett Kessler — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 12:48:36 +0000

Nice blog, as usual, Alan. You are an awesome presenter. Your passion always shows through in your talks.

Keep up the good work!

By: Tom Poirier

Tom Poirier — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:32:46 +0000

Alan, your blogs are as good as your presentations, or maybe even better, after all they are shorter…All kidding aside, I would again, and have traveled long distances to hear you speak…hope to hear you soon. tp

By: michael melkers

michael melkers — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 01:40:57 +0000

Great blog Alan! I hope to see you present soon!

By: The Dental Warrior

The Dental Warrior — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 01:32:11 +0000

TOTALLY agree! Been there. Done that.

Folks have no idea how much WORK goes into crafting a presentation. It’s a lot of work.

Like you, I also really enjoy getting up there and “preachin’ the gospel.” If it’s something you’re passionate about, you can’t NOT speak about it. The funny thing is I used to be mortified of public speaking (like most people). But, when I found my passion(s), I HAD to get up there!

And, like you said.. it’s FUN. And, it’s even more fun when you resonate with the audience and they give it right back. I love it when it becomes a two-way conversation rather than a one-way “lecture.” The more audience participation, the better it is for everyone in attendance.

One thing to add in terms of advice to dentist-speakers: GET RID OF POWERPOINT SPECIAL EFFECTS! You know… like every letter bouncing in with laser “pew-pew” sound effects?? Even having each bullet point sliding in, one at a time, is ANNOYING. STOP the special effects!

Great blog post, Alan!