ACDE Webinar Series

Kandyce M. A’see, EdD, RDH; Kathleen Cantey, RDH, MEd
Attendees will examine how AI technologies can support individualized patient recommendations by analyzing patient-specific risk factors and oral health needs while maintaining a strong foundation in clinical judgment. During the course, attendees will develop, evaluate, and refine AI-generated recommendations for accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current evidence-based dental hygiene practices. Participants will also ensure that recommendations meet professional standards and promote optimal patient outcomes. By the end of the course, attendees will be prepared to responsibly and effectively incorporate AI tools into the development of individualized oral hygiene plans.

Laurence Gaalaas, DDS, MS
In 2024, the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry established the Orofacial MRI Center (OMRIC) and installed the first-ever dental-dedicated MRI unit in the Americas. Multi-year research funding from Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers includes studies on MRI indications in TMJ imaging, endodontics and orthodontics. Other OMRIC research initiatives include studies on orofacial pain, periodontitis, and oral surgery.

You’ll receive an update on the current state of technology and the research and look at the future of MRI imaging in dentistry.

Celine Joyce Cornelius Timothius, BDS, MS, MSD
This webinar is designed to provide participants with an evidence-based overview of biologic agents utilized in periodontal and peri-implant regeneration. The course will review the biologic principles of wound healing and tissue regeneration and examine currently available biologic materials, including platelet concentrates, enamel matrix derivatives, growth factors, and soft tissue biologics. Emphasis will be placed on the clinical application of these materials in the management of periodontal defects, gingival recession, ridge preservation, implant site development, and peri-implant tissue regeneration. Clinical case presentations and a review of current literature will be incorporated to enhance participants’ understanding of appropriate case selection, surgical considerations, and techniques associated with achieving predictable clinical outcomes.

Flavio Copello, DDS, MSc, PhD
This comprehensive course is designed to address common questions and concerns that general practitioner (GPs) encounter regarding interceptive orthodontics, using scientific evidence and practical treatment protocols. Through detailed discussions and case studies, participants will gain a deeper understanding of various orthodontic scenarios such as habits, management of habits, open bites, deep bites and management of crowding in the mixed dentition. 

Zeeshan Sheikh, Dip.Dh, BDS, MSc, M.Perio, PhD, FIADFE, FRCDC, Dip-ABP; Anjali Bhagirath, BDS, MSc, PhD, FRCDC, Dip-ABP
Stay up to date on current evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic use in dental practice. This webinar will explore the appropriate indications, selection, and responsible use of antibiotics in a variety of clinical situations, with an emphasis on patient safety and antimicrobial stewardship. Participants will gain insight into current guidelines, emerging evidence, and best practices for making informed prescribing decisions in everyday dental care.

Aman Gupta, MD
Gain knowledge to recognize the physical signs of Cannabis use and treat dental patients safely. Know the long-term implications of Cannabis use on oral and systemic health and apply evidence-based approaches to raise awareness among patients. Review Cannabis and mental illness epidemiology, medication interactions, legal considerations, withdrawal symptoms and effective patient communication skills.

Lara Christie Monteiro, DDS, MSc, PhD
This course provides an overview of the historical evolution of dental ceramics and how advances in composition, processing, and CAD/CAM technology have enhanced their reliability and expanded their clinical use. Participants will learn the key properties that differentiate major ceramic categories—such as feldspathic, leucite-reinforced, lithium-based glass ceramics, and high-strength polycrystalline materials like zirconia—and how these characteristics guide clinical decisions involving case selection, preparation design, bonding protocols, and cementation.

Tarianne Wachtel, DMD, FACD
If you’ve noticed newer team members needing more direction, struggling with feedback, or hesitating to take initiative—you’re not alone. Many dental teams are seeing the same patterns, and it can impact everything from patient flow to team morale.

This presentation breaks down what’s driving those shifts with insight from social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt.  In Dr. Haidt’s 2024 book, The Anxious Generation, he notes that this generation grew up on smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting leading to a new norm, different than someone from my generation, and maybe yours.

I’ll focus on ideas that may work in your busy practice. We’ll talk through simple ways to build confidence, improve communication, and help team members step into their roles more independently—without adding extra stress to your day.

You’ll gain practical tools that can be applied right away in the operatory.

Lara Christie Monteiro, DDS, MSc, PhD
This course aims to present the characteristics and benefits of fiberglass posts and their practical application in clinical dentistry. It will cover their function, indications, types, treatment planning, selection criteria, clinical strategies for use, and adhesive cementation.

Anastasios Karydis, DDS, MS, PhD
The course focuses on the role of chronic oral/periodontal infections on chronic systemic diseases, with focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the role of the oral health care team in patients’ education and interdisciplinary management of these patients, including review of recent findings on the association of chronic oral infections and auto-immune arthritis from animal and human studies, the impact of oral microbiota and oral/periodontal chronic infections as risk factors that can aggravate or trigger autoimmune arthritis, the impact of periodontal treatment on RA disease activity, and recommendations for the collaborative management of the patient with oral/systemic chronic diseases by a health care team that includes dentists, dental hygienists, and physicians.

Simmi Patel, DDS
Community Health Centers are often overlooked but have a variety of valuable resources for patients. This course will provide details on how community health centers help people with day-to-day needs and struggles. Dental providers will find that they can open access to care for their patients who have chronic conditions but lack funds or insurance for medical care, mental health needs or tax preparation. Community Health Centers are becoming more mainstream, but many providers are unaware of the different services housed under one roof or how interprofessional collaboration contributes to person-centered, holistic care. This course will provide information for the healthcare team to help their patients that may be struggling with unmet needs.

Ricardo Machado, DDS, MSc., PhD
This lecture explores the central philosophy of contemporary endodontics: preserving the natural dentition whenever possible. Through an evidence-based clinical approach, participants will learn how modern endodontic techniques and treatment concepts empower clinicians to successfully manage complex clinical situations and maintain the health, function, and esthetics of natural teeth. The presentation will address sound decision-making principles and practical, clinically applicable strategies for a variety of challenging endodontic scenarios, including anatomical complexities, endodontic-periodontal lesions, and both surgical and non-surgical approaches to resolving iatrogenic complications or persistent endodontic infections. Attendees will gain valuable insights into predictable, biologically driven protocols that improve outcomes even in demanding cases, reinforcing the understanding that endodontics is both a science and an art dedicated to keeping natural teeth.

Rafat S Amer, BDS, MS; Leonardo M Nassani, DMD, MBA, MSc
This lecture provides a practical, easy-to-follow overview of how modern dental restorations can be created using a combination of digital design, 3D printing, and molding techniques. Participants will be guided through the full workflow, from choosing appropriate cases and capturing accurate scans, to designing restorations digitally, fabricating guides with 3D printing, and completing restorations using injection molding. Real clinical cases will be used throughout to illustrate each step, helping attendees connect the process to everyday practice and patient car

Anmol Brar, DMD, MS
Oral cancer remains a significant public health concern, with early detection playing a critical role in improving patient outcomes. This course will provide a practical, clinically focused approach to oral cancer screening, emphasizing techniques that can be readily integrated into everyday dental practice. Participants will review risk assessment, head and neck examination, and intraoral evaluation, with a focus on recognizing subtle and early signs of disease. Through case-based discussion and clinical insights, this course aims to enhance diagnostic confidence and support timely identification and referral of suspicious lesions.

Cristina Perez Pacheco, DDS, MS
Beyond the Drill: Contemporary Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry is an evidence-based lecture designed for dental professionals seeking to incorporate modern, patient-centered approaches to pediatric caries management. This course will review emerging trends in minimally invasive dentistry and their role in shifting the focus from traditional surgical intervention toward prevention, remineralization, and preservation of tooth structure. Participants will explore current evidence and clinical protocols for fluoride therapies, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), sealants, Curodont, resin infiltration, and Cariesolv, as well as minimally invasive restorative techniques including ART, ITR, the Hall technique, and selective caries removal. The lecture will also emphasize practical clinical decision-making, case selection, and effective communication strategies to improve caregiver understanding, treatment acceptance, and adherence to preventive recommendations. Attendees will leave with practical tools to integrate minimally invasive principles into daily pediatric practice while improving patient comfort, clinical outcomes, and long-term oral health.

Stephen Sterlitz, DDS, MS
The world of restorative dental materials gets more complicated every year. The growth of CAD/CAM dentistry is promoting the development of new materials that promise to be faster, stronger, or more esthetic. This presentation will explore the history of dental ceramics for indirect restorations in the dental profession – highlighting both the failures and success in the literature. Building on the lessons learned from “classic” clinical studies, we can confidently recommend modern ways to use the full spectrum of dental ceramics to achieve esthetic and long-lasting results. Participants in this webinar should expect to learn about DICOR – a pioneering material in castable dental ceramics that made many dentists skeptical about ceramic restorations, the development of millable ceramics and hybrid ceramics, and the evolution of zirconia as a dental restorative material.

Chia-Yu (Jennifer) Chen, DDS, DMSc
Static guided implant surgery has expanded from single-tooth replacement to complex full-arch rehabilitation, but predictable outcomes depend on more than simply fabricating a surgical guide. This lecture will review key clinical principles that determine success when transferring a prosthetically driven digital plan to the surgical field. Through representative cases ranging from a single posterior implant to full-arch stackable guide workflows, participants will learn how guide support, guide seating, prosthetic planning, safety margins, anatomical limitations, and intraoperative verification affect surgical accuracy and clinical decision-making.

The lecture will emphasize that guided surgery is an adjunct to diagnosis and treatment planning, not a substitute for clinical judgment. Current consensus recommendations support prosthetically driven planning, CBCT-based assessment of vital structures, and an additional 2 mm safety margin when planning implant positions near critical anatomy or adjacent implants. The presentation will also highlight practical failure points such as guide misfit and inadequate support. By the end of the session, clinicians should be able to identify when static guided surgery is predictable, when additional verification or fixation is needed, and when the surgical plan should be modified or abandoned.

Daniel C. N. Chan, DMD, MS, DDS
This webinar examines the most recent developments in peroxide-based and non-peroxide bleaching agents,  with a focus on phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid (a peroxyl derivative), cysteine proteases and sodium  dithionites (non-peroxide agents). The rationale for seeking non-peroxide agents, elucidates their  mechanisms of action, and potential safety concerns are addressed.

Mohamed Sherif Omar, BDS, MS
This lecture explores the modern decision-making process for posterior partial coverage restorations, emphasizing conservative, evidence-based preparation designs. Through a progression from traditional gold restorations to contemporary adhesive techniques, participants will gain an understanding of the biological, mechanical, and esthetic principles that guide clinical choices. The session will highlight modern restorative philosophies such as Immediate Dentin Sealing (IDS), Deep Margin Elevation (DME), and Cavity Design Optimization (CDO), providing a comprehensive framework for selecting the appropriate restorative approach in daily practice.

Neetha Santosh, BDS, MS
Oral cancer remains a significant public health concern, with early detection and intervention playing a critical role in improving patient outcomes. As frontline providers, dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify early signs of disease and implement preventive strategies during routine clinical encounters. This lecture will equip the dental team with the knowledge and clinical insight necessary to recognize risk factors, detect early lesions, and intervene effectively.

Trina Hutto, EdD, MS, RDH
This engaging virtual lecture explores the integration of phase contrast microscopy into dental hygiene practice to enhance patient education, improve treatment planning, and support a shift from reactive to proactive care. Participants will learn how visualizing oral biofilm in real time can increase patient awareness, motivation, and compliance. Through clinical case studies, attendees will examine how microscopic findings can guide individualized treatment decisions, aid in early detection of periodontal disease, and strengthen the oral–systemic connection. Practical strategies for incorporating microscopy into patient communication and clinical workflows will be emphasized.