FORT DRUM, N.Y. - The Fort Drum Dental Activity hosted the first International Continuing Education Day on Feb. 5 at the Commons.

The goal of the daylong event was to bring together dental professionals from around the area to enjoy some camaraderie, as well as to sharpen dental skills and knowledge with some of the latest information in various fields of dentistry.

Nearly 100 dental professionals attended, including dentists from the Canadian army assigned to installations in Kingston and Ottawa, Ontario, and dentists from the Veterans Affairs in Syracuse. Local dentists, hygienists and dental assistants also were present to receive dental continuing education credits and to gain an opportunity to network with fellow dental professionals in this learning environment.

The day began with a greeting from Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander.

In his welcome address, Terry stressed the benefit of functions like this to strengthen ties between Fort Drum and local communities. Local area dentists provide care for Family Members of active-duty service members and retirees. Terry said service members are comforted and more focused when they know their Families receive good care, whether that Soldier is serving at Fort Drum or abroad.

Three presenters spoke during the milestone event.

Col. Mike Craddock, a board-certified prosthodontist, traveled from Fort Carson, Colo., to speak on three topics.

He first presented attendees with a lecture on CEREC, a chair-side dental restorative system, and computer-aided design / computer-aided machining (CAD/CAM), which are two of the latest technologies associated with the dental specialty of prosthodontics. This state-of-the-art technology incorporates digital imaging with the ability to mill dental crowns and bridges. It will soon come to Fort Drum's Dental Activity.

Craddock's second presentation addressed devices that help aid sleep apnea patients, and his final presentation focused on dental implants.

After a catered lunch, attendees heard from two dental specialists assigned to Fort Drum's Dental Activity.

The first afternoon speaker was Col. David L. Schneck, Fort Drum's only board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Schneck took time away from his busy schedule to present an oral surgery update and review.

The second afternoon speaker was Maj. Eric T. Ashley, an endodontist assigned to Fort Drum's Dental Activity. The dental specialty of endodontics focuses on root canal therapy. Ashley delivered a riveting lecture on nonsurgical, surgical and revision treatment.

Col. Roger S. Fiedler, Dental Activity commander, who planned and organized the daylong event, said he was very pleased with the outcome.

"The first ICE conference was a huge success and set the bar very high for future conferences," Fiedler said. "The participation by so many providers and the opening remarks by Major General Terry were a few reasons this event was exceptional. The speakers were professional and the topics were right on target for the audience. All in all, it was a great day."

The event ended with a tour of Stone Dental Clinic, the newest dental clinic in the U.S. Army inventory. Stone Dental Clinic was memorialized the day before the ICE conference in front of Fort Drum's Dental Activity Staff, Fort Drum Garrison Command and other dignitaries.