F24: Lunch Chats: 1 Hour Presentation

A. Forensic Dentistry Highlight Cases  – Anthony “Rick” Cardoza 

This brief lecture presentation features highlight casework from Dr. Cardoza’s 32 + years as a forensic dentist in Southern California. Please be advised that some of the photos will be extremely graphic due to the nature of the cases. AGD Code: 145

Educational Objectives:

• Learn the importance of proper payment categories 
• Understand bank statements and revenue reconciliation 
• Discover which adjustment codes are the most dangerous for a practice

B. Oral Health Management: Intersections with Medicine – Dr. David Klingman

In this lecture session, attendees will learn:

• Define complex health needs and patient oriented practice and their effects on oral healthcare delivery
• Develop diagnostic and management algorithms in delivery of oral healthcare
• Engage other healthcare providers in professional practice

C. Bonding (remove and Beer) – Dr. Rolando Nunez

Bonding techniques in dentistry have revolutionized restorative and cosmetic treatments, enhancing adhesion, longevity, and aesthetics of dental materials. This lecture presentation will explore fundamental bonding principles, modern adhesive systems, and clinical applications to optimize outcomes.  Attendees will gain insights into selecting appropriate bonding protocols for different restorative procedures, ensuring durability and patient satisfaction.

Educational Objectives:

• Compare Different Bonding Systems – Evaluate various adhesive techniques, including total-etch, self-etch, and universal adhesives, to determine their clinical indications.
• Apply Bonding Techniques in Clinical Practice – Develop proficiency in selecting and implementing appropriate bonding protocols for restorative, prosthodontic, and cosmetic procedures.

D. Biomarkers: Reference Ranges, Interpretation and some Dentally Relevant Tests Dr. Steve Shufflebarger

This course is one of several topical presentations collectively designed to aid practitioners in caring for medically compromised patients. Modern medicine is allowing patients to live longer but often not better than previous generations. Contemporary dental practitioners are tasked to provide care under increasingly complex medical conditions. Providers with a basic understanding of biomarkers can gain insights on patient health when they review consult notes and lab tests. This course explores the basis for laboratory testing including reference range establishment that can help dental professionals sharpen the lenses we use to view our patients’ fitness for treatment.

Educational Objectives:

• Review how normative lab values are obtained today
• Relate reference ranges to judgements of “healthy or unhealthy”
• Review some relevant biomarkers important for treating dental patients
• Apply the above principles to identify and elevate care of compromised patients in dental practices

E. Is a Private Sale or DSO Affiliation Right for You?  – Arie Muniz

During this lecture we will focus on whether a Private Sale or a DSO Affiliation is right for you.

Educational Objectives:

• Preparing your practice for a sale
• Choosing the right transition strategy
• DSO Transactions: EBITDA, Deal Structures & Options
• Step by Step Guide for Selling Your Practice

F. The Complicated Sleep Apnea Case: A Clinical Guide for Dentists – Dr. Martin Denbar

This concise presentation will equip dentists with the knowledge to identify and assess complex sleep apnea cases. To be discussed:

• What differentiates a complicated case from a standard case
• Key indicators to identify in a patient’s medical history.
• Critical examination findings that may indicate a complicated case.
• Evaluating the reliability of subjective symptom reporting.
• Understanding the accuracy and limitations of home sleep tests.

Educational Objectives:

• Provide an insight into the depth of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).
• Offer practical steps for integrating Oral Appliance Therapy into dental practice.
• Demonstrate how incorporating Oral Appliance Therapy can enhance patient care and practice growth.
• Facilitate an interactive Q&A session to explore insights from a clinician with 30 years of experience in the field.

G. Vital Pulp Therapy – Dr. Ron Hill

Pulpal inflammation due to caries in teeth with incomplete root development still exists as a common problem despite improvements in dental hygiene, fluoridated water and diet.  Tooth pain is the most common reason that children miss school.  Vital pulp therapy (VPT)  has been used more than 50 years on teeth with incomplete root development to allow for continued apex formation.  Traditionally, the materials used In the process were difficult to place and had to be replaced multiple times over several appointments in the hopes that dentin bridge formation would occur.  The development of bioceramic materials in the late 1990’s transformed the process, making it much easier to perform in a single visit, with predictable data-driven results that every clinician can achieve in their practice.

Educational Objectives:

• Provide a brief overview of pulp biology, particularly inflamed dental pulp caused by caries progression
• Review historical pulp capping/VPT techniques and materials and their shortcomings
• Review modern bioceramic materials and their mechanism for stimulating dentin growth
• Overview of VPT including diagnostic criteria for VPT versus RCT, and when the need for apexification / apexogenesis may be needed instead of VPT

H. The Appropriate Use for Mini & Conventional Dental Implant – Dr. Josh Brower

The purpose of this lecture will be to increase the knowledge of the dental provider when choosing, placing, and restoring both mini and conventional dental implants. Mini dental implant use and conventional dental implant use will be the focus, with time spent on understanding the differences, and how they affect your choices for use.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn the difference between single stage and two stage implants
• Learn the difference between one piece and two-piece implants with a focus on various
  prosthetics
• Learn the protocols for immediate implant placement/loading and the type of implants
  approved for immediate placement and immediate loading
• Learn what is possible and not possible with mini dental implants
• Learn the optimal way to place and use each type of dental implant
• Learn which type of sinus lift is needed and the different methods to accomplish each type
• Learn the different bone graft material types and how to place them
• Learn patient management during live surgical procedures
• Learn the anatomic knowledge needed to safely place mini dental implants
• Learn the diagnostic criteria and protocols for mini dental implant success