Learn strategies for reducing reliance on dental insurance and enhancing patient care and practice profitability.
Breathing and Airway Support in Primary Care Dental Practice
LIVE CE WEBINARS: March 14, 2025 12:00 pm
CE Credit Hours: 2
This course, Breathing and Airway Support in the Primary Care Dental Office, educates dentists on identifying, screening, and treating sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea. Led by Dr. Steve Carstensen, the course covers effective screening tools, treatment options, and how airway support can become a valuable aspect of a dental practice.
Overview
Patients and dentists are asking for help with snoring, sleep apnea, and what to do for their young children. The primary care dentist is in the perfect position to offer screening, education, referrals, and, in many cases, direct treatment of sleep breathing problems. Most patients have some level of disrupted breathing – the professional wants to know which need to be addressed. The ADA says dentists should be screening for problems – the dentist needs to know how, and what, to do. Can breathing and airway support be a profit center?
Learning Objectives
This talk will help the learner:
1. Understand why breathing disorders affect nearly every aspect of primary care dentistry.
2. Know which screeners can be used with minimal disruption to their workflow and maximum effectiveness.
3. Outline next steps for positive screener findings.
4. Have a basic understanding of treatment options for people of all ages.
Presenter
Steve Carstensen DDS
Steve Carstensen DDS has treated sleep apnea and snoring in Bellevue, WA since 1998. He’s the Consultant to the ADA for sleep related breathing disorders and heads the ADA’s Children’s Airway Initiative. He trained at UCLA’s Mini-Residency in Dental Sleep Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. He lectures internationally, directs sleep education at Airway Technologies and the Pankey Institute and is a guest lecturer at Spear Education, Louisiana State Dental School, and University of the Pacific, in addition to advising several other sleep-related manufacturers. In 2014 he helped found Dental Sleep Practice Magazine and currently serves as Chief Dental Editor. In 2019, Quintessence published A Clinician’s Handbook for Dental Sleep Medicine, written with a co-author. The AADSM awarded him the 2023 Distinguished Service Award.
Occlusion in 2025 / Making Teeth Work
LIVE CE WEBINARS: April 18, 2025 12:00 pm
CE Credit Hours: 2
Overview
Presenter
Dr. Gary M. DeWood, DDS, MS
Dr. DeWood has been practicing restorative dentistry since 1980 when he earned his DDS from Case Western Reserve University. He earned an MS in Biomedical Sciences from The University of Toledo College of Medicine in 2004. He has been actively involved in teaching since 1992, and in 2003 teaching became his primary activity when he accepted a position as Clinical Director at The Pankey Institute. In 2008 he relocated to Seattle to serve as president of The Seattle Institute, Dr. Frank Spear’s education company. As one of the two founding clinicians of Spear Education, the other being Dr. Spear, he relocated to Phoenix to serve as executive vice president of the newly formed Spear Education continuing education center in Scottsdale. A position he held for more than 15 years. Spear Education became an internationally recognized dental continuing education company and a leader in exceptional dental continuing education. It was sold to a venture capital firm and his position was eliminated in 2023. Gary has also held positions as assistant professor at the Arizona School of Oral and Dental Health; associate professor at the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry; and assistant professor at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. Today he is active in several educational groups, the most noteworthy being this one, Global Diagnosis Education. He is active with speaking engagements and works with individual and group practices in consulting and coaching. He continues to see patients in private practice with his practice partner Dr. Lee Ann Brady at Desert Sun Smiles in Glendale, Arizona. Gary and Cheryl, who retired from orthodontic practice in 2023, have been married since 1978 and reside in Cave Creek, Arizona.
Restorative Material Assessment
LIVE CE WEBINARS: May 16, 2025 12:00 pm
CE Credit Hours: 2
Overview
Dr. Swamy will provide attendees with a comprehensive description of zirconia trends, specific materials use and the science of nano ceramics and hybrid compositions. With so many options, the course will provide an explanation of material choices for crowns and full arch implant supported restorations.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this program attendees will:
- Understand the choices they and their lab technicians can make in materials.
- Embrace the potential and the limitations for these innovative technologies.
- Improve patient outcomes in partnership with their dental technician.
Presenter
Dr. Daniel Swamy, PhD, CDT
Daniel Swamy is a lecturer with a background in dental materials research and development, dental prosthetics, dental technology, implantology, quality management, CAD/CAM, and dental zirconia. He has held positions as director of technology with Aidite and Digital Dental, and served as director of education for Imagine Milling Technologies. Prior to those positions, Dr. Swamy was VP, Dental Zirconia and related products for Sagemax Bioceramics. His current focus is the development of innovative materials and bringing cutting edge technology to the dental profession.
Big Sky Seminars is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA CERP through joint sponsorship between Big Sky Seminars and AmericaSmiles Network. Big Sky Seminars designates this course for 2 hours continuing education credit.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by Boards of Dentistry.