1. Comprehend the Endocannabinoid System, what cannabinoids are, and how marijuana is connected.
2. Understand how marijuana affects oral health – specifically detailing oral pathology, dental caries, and periodontal disease
3. Understand how marijuana affects our patient’s general health and provide information of possible interactions of marijuana with commonly prescribed medications
4. Learn how to communicate with patients regularly using marijuana
5. Explore future areas of research with cannabinoids in regards to anxiolysis, bone metabolism, wound healing, and inflammation.

Barry Taylor DMD, FAGD, FACD, CDE

Dr. Barry Taylor is the Executive Director of the Oregon Dental Association. Prior to this role, he was an Assistant Professor in Restorative Dentistry at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry. Prior to attending the OHSU School of Dentistry, he worked as a research assistant for two year in the field of Neuropsychopharmacology at the U.S. Veteran’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. He also has had leadership positions with the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Dentists, Academy of General Dentistry, Delta Sigma Delta and the American Dental Association. Dr. Taylor has been awarded the “Dentist of the Year” from both the Oregon AGD and the Washington County Dental Society, and awarded the OHSU School of Dentistry Alumnus of the Year.

Learn practical solutions to practice comfortably to reduce fatigue and promote safety.  Learn posture enhancing strengthening exercises for injury prevention. Learn and practice workday stretches that can be done chairside.

Katrina Klein RDH, CEAS, CPT has been a practicing registered dental hygienist since 2007. She is recognized as an international speaker, author, competitive bodybuilder, certified personal trainer, certified ergonomic assessment specialist and biomechanics nerd. She is the founder of ErgoFitLife, where ergonomics and fitness are a lifestyle. She takes pride in teaching dental professionals how to prevent, reduce and/or eliminate pain. She can be reached at www.ergofitlife.com. 

1. Review anesthesia techniques essential in dentistry
2. Update on armamentarium in local anesthesia
3. Discuss self-care and wellness techniques to apply in dentistry

Bernadette Alvear Fa, DDS graduated from Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2006 and is a Professor in the Dept of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Alvear Fa worked in private practice in East Bay before teaching at Univ of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry as a clinical instructor from 2008 – 2010 and associated in the Faculty Practice at UIC. Additionally, she worked with Heartland Community Clinic while in Chicago. Upon returning to Dugoni in 2010, she became Director of Local Anesthesia Curriculum, teaches the preclinical anesthesia course, has helped in preclinical and clinical courses with students in the dental and international dental programs, and worked with the Faculty Dental Service Group. She became a certified personal trainer (CPT) in 2012 and then a woman’s fitness specialist in 2014 from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In 2016 she became the chair of Health and Wellness committee at Dugoni and has helped to organize events for Dugoni and SF campus communities. Since 2018 she has worked with the Physician Assistant (PA) cohorts in SAC to provide an intraoral anesthesia rotation/experience and has received her Team Stepps certification from the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 2024.

1. Understand more about how stem cells and associated products are derived for patient use.
2. Realize potential to accelerate healing processes in the body, including the oral and maxillofacial region.
3. Learn from research data and case reports how dental patients are benefitting from this therapy

Dr. Xerxez Calilung is a graduate of USC School of Dentistry and has a private practice in Irvine, CA. He has been an Adjunct Professor at USC since 1993 and also served in organized dentistry at various levels and in several leadership positions. Dr. Calilung has been using stem cells and exosomes clinically in his dental practice treating nearly 1000 patients since 2017. He performs stem cell research, teaches other dentists, and provides support to patients with health problems refractory to traditional treatment. In dentistry, he is a recognized leader in this medical discipline. He is a devoted general dentist committed to advancing education and enhancing the overall wellness of patients within the realm of dentistry and oral health.

1. Master the ten key questions you must ask each patient
2. Teach your team how to systematically and predictably take quality photographs
3. Demonstrate a treatment planning sequence that leads to case acceptance

Dr. Mark E. Hyman is a renowned dentist from Greensboro, NC, and a public speaker whose work is characterized by his warmth, enthusiasm, sense of humor, and passion for dentistry. As an accomplished seminar speaker, he has lectured throughout North America and Europe at every major dental meeting. Dr. Hyman has earned national and international recognition for his seminars. Since 2001, Dentistry Today magazine has selected Dr. Hyman as one of the top speakers in dentistry. He loved his thirty two years in private practice, taught at the Pankey Institute, and currently serves as an Adjunct Full Professor and Special Assistant to the Office of the Dean at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC.

1. Identify and compare current generations of dental adhesives, including universal bonding agents, and describe their appropriate clinical applications.
2. Evaluate various composite materials and placement techniques and understand how material selection influences clinical outcomes.
3. Apply evidence-based protocols for effective light curing, optimizing bond strength and restoration longevity.

Dr. Marc Hayashi is an associate clinical professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry in the Section of Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Hayashi received his DMD in 2009 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He then completed two years of hospital dentistry training at the LAC USC Medical Center and Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center, and later earned his MBA from the Graziadio Business School of Pepperdine University. He currently serves as the Chair of the Section of Restorative Dentistry and is the Friends and Family Endowed Chair. Dr. Hayashi is a past president and UCLA Liaison of the Western Los Angeles Dental Society, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists and received the Dr. Arthur A Dugoni Faculty Award by the CDA Foundation. He has lectured both nationally and internationally and has published multiple papers in peer reviewed journals, focusing on dental materials. When not teaching, he is practicing in the UCLA Faculty Group Dental Practice and conducting materials research

1. Consider effective strategies for clear, empathetic communication with patients and staff in dental settings.
2. Discuss techniques to build trust and enhance patient satisfaction through improved interactions.
3. Examine ethical, transparent integration of AI tools in patient conversations.

Dr. Amrita Patel is a general dentist and award-winning author and national educator. She is a multi-practice owner based in Westchester County, New York and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dr. Patel also contributes to the profession through her writing as the Leadership columnist for AGD Impact, and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board to Dental Economics.

1. Understand the billing tools that will make your job easier​.
2. Strengthen your current coding knowledge.
3. Understand the consequences for not billing correctly

With over 25 years working in the dental profession, Lisa specializes in dental benefit plans including billing, accounts receivable, claim denials and plan audits. She also brings valuable experience in practice management, regulatory compliance and human resources, providing comprehensive support to optimize revenue cycle management and operations. Lisa is the dental benefits analyst with CDA and supports our members with guidance and education

1. Identify key factors contributing to disparities in oral health and access to dental care
2. Evaluate current challenges in the dental workforce and their impact on underserved communities.
3. Explore strategies and policy solutions to improve equity and access in oral health care delivery.

Dr. Amy Martin

Dr. Fadre Whyte,DMD, MPH is the Chief Dental Officer for County of San Diego Health and Human Services. Having a full-time Chief Dental Officer demonstrates the County’s commitment to improving oral health throughout the lifespan for all San Diegans. Dr. Whyte is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also on faculty with the NYU Langone Health Pediatric Dental Residency Program affiliated with San Ysidro Health and on medical staff with Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Her work interests include medical-dental integration, research, and increasing access to care to our most vulnerable populations.

Dr. Max Chambers

1. Learn the power of high impact new patient experience.
2. Review ten questions you must ask of each new patient.
3. Commit to obtaining the necessary evidence for predictable case presentations.
4. Roleplay with your team the most common questions you absolutely HATE to hear, and learn the most predictable answers you’ll LOVE to give them.

Dr. Mark E. Hyman is a renowned dentist from Greensboro, NC, and a public speaker whose work is characterized by his warmth, enthusiasm, sense of humor, and passion for dentistry. As an accomplished seminar speaker, he has lectured throughout North America and Europe at every major dental meeting. Dr. Hyman has earned national and international recognition for his seminars. Since 2001, Dentistry Today magazine has selected Dr. Hyman as one of the top speakers in dentistry. He loved his thirty two years in private practice, taught at the Pankey Institute, and currently serves as an Adjunct Full Professor and Special Assistant to the Office of the Dean at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC.

1. Determine appropriate bonding protocols based on material properties.
2. Classify and differentiate between the various classes of cements, including their indications and limitations.
3. Apply evidence-based techniques for bonding zirconia and lithium disilicate restorations.

Dr. Marc Hayashi is an associate clinical professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry in the Section of Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Hayashi received his DMD in 2009 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He then completed two years of hospital dentistry training at the LAC USC Medical Center and Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center, and later earned his MBA from the Graziadio Business School of Pepperdine University. He currently serves as the Chair of the Section of Restorative Dentistry and is the Friends and Family Endowed Chair. Dr. Hayashi is a past president and UCLA Liaison of the Western Los Angeles Dental Society, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists and received the Dr. Arthur A Dugoni Faculty Award by the CDA Foundation. He has lectured both nationally and internationally and has published multiple papers in peer reviewed journals, focusing on dental materials. When not teaching, he is practicing in the UCLA Faculty Group Dental Practice and conducting materials research.