Wisconsin Dental Association Symposium (formerly the Annual CE & Networking Event)

Every office is made up of individuals who possess a multitude of flaws. In even the most dynamic, successful, consistently happy organizations, there still exist flawed individuals who are far from perfect. So how does a group of ordinary people create something extraordinary? They use vision, systems, personal reflection and honesty about their own unique drawbacks, along with many more pragmatic and attainable frameworks that all dental offices can create.  Dr. Gupta will introduce steps to take to optimize the practice structure. He will challenge each participant to reflect upon their own personal daily habits and routines, and how small changes can lead to a much improved practice and personal life.

Objectives:

• Gain strategies and tools for inspiring a culture of self-directed leaders Explore a culture of autonomy in which team members feel ownership with practice improvement and implementation
• Identify internally designed accountability systems
• Completely re-think the norms of the patient experience
• Discover the #1 happiness and relationship killer that also affects your ability to perform more comprehensive dentistry
• Examine the culture, habits and health of those living in “Blue Zones,” and learn why they live disproportionately longer, more robust lives
• Introduce dynamic and underutilized clinical changes that are valuable, needed by patients, but also easy on our back and hands
• Identify steps to prevent and treat burnout
• Create a “second-look” at the clinical repertoire at the office, and gain knowledge about the incredible potential dentists have at providing truly life-changing clinical knowledge

Why are all football coaches big and loud?  Several scientific journals indicate that, while certain individuals (e.g. the shy, the quiet, the people pleasers, the confrontation avoiders) show the tremendous intelligence and work ethic needed for high-level professional positions, the same population is poorly represented in leadership positions.  Such a phenomenon is doubly unfortunate in the dental field, as, in most cases, the dentist alone also serves as the CEO of the small business. Leadership education, not provided in dental school, is essential for dental practice owners.

In this lecture, Dr. Gupta distills the most effective and actionable steps in becoming a better leader.  In his first years of running a small dental practice in Northeast Ohio, it became clear that his poor innate leadership abilities were putting is small business in a dire trajectory. Without changing his personality, becoming louder, getting meaner, or embodying many of the other leadership stereotypes, he was able to advance and inspire his team through vision and clear expectations. This lecture shares some of the most effective steps to getting there. 

Objectives:

• Learn the seven traits that all successful business leaders posses
• Learn the three fundamental ways to create loyalty among your team (none of which have to do with compensation)
• Create an organized, structured program to take the emotion out of “firing fast and hiring slow”
  

We know that children should visit the dentist when their first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday – and it’s important for all dental teams who choose to treat children to know the basics of a proper pediatric dental exam. Directed at dentists, dental hygienists and all members of the clinical team, this course will cover the nuts and bolts of treating children, with an emphasis on those younger than age 3.

Discussion topics include conducting an exam that not only checks for decay, but also evaluates for oral pathology and growth disturbances unique to children, the developing dentition and more. Treatments and interventions for children with early childhood caries will also be covered, including the latest science-backed information on fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride and restorations. The course will also provide the basis to educate parents about maintaining their child’s oral health between appointments, including discussion of fluoride, oral hygiene, the influence of diet on the decay process, caries as a disease, injury counseling and non-nutritive oral habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier use.

Objectives:

• Understand the basics of a thorough one-year dental examination
• Understand dental caries as an infectious disease and develop proficiency in caries risk assessment and treatments/interventions for children with early childhood caries
• Understand the importance of providing anticipatory guidance to parents, including discussion items to help ensure a solid foundation for lifelong oral health

Panelists will represent multiple industry points of view, including representatives -  Doctors, Dental Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Dental Lab Technician, & Scanner Expert. BRING your questions & thoughts, and share with others!  Don't miss out on this fun and educational experience!!

Objectives:

• Discover More about Digital Workflow Collaboration and Success with the patient, the practice, the lab and the specialist.
• Learn about Customized Implant Treatment Planning & Guides.
• Observe panelists’ opinions about the ease of scanning and 3D printing.
• Examine Modeless Dentistry & Repeatability.
• Discuss AI and the Industry - What’s possibly next?  Let’s talk!
• Consider “My Dentist” recommended it.  Potential new revenue streams!

 

In this transformative course, we delve into the art of crafting exceptional patient experiences right from the initial contact. Our compass points toward patient well-being, transcending financial concerns while seamlessly blending empathetic communication and unwavering professionalism. We equip your team to convey treatment value, fostering trust and ethical decision-making. Discover the liberating path of independence from insurance contracts while retaining loyal patients. Together, we create a dental practice where care reigns supreme, leaving paperwork in the shadows.

Objectives:

• Design the patient experience focused on your practice mission and core values
• Educate the team to prioritize patient well-being over financial concerns
• Equip the team with effective communication skills for patient conversations 
• Discover the value of being unrestricted by insurance contracts
• Retaining patients while maintaining insurance independence

The patients we all manage are becoming more medically complex, often with long lists of medications, medication sensitivities and allergies. This short clinically relevant review will cover common medications these patients take and practical implications to the delivery of dental treatment.  Potential drug interactions, medication related osteonecrosis, potential for perioperative bleeding and direct impacts on delivery of anesthesia will all be covered. The impact of drugs of abuse including opiates and THC will also be covered.

Objectives:

• Understand the common medications that can impact dental anesthesia
• Recognize the medications used for anticoagulation and how they should be managed
• Identify medications and medication classes that cause MRONJ and how to manage them
• Understand drugs of abuse and how they impact the delivery of dental care

Modern dentistry places periodontal care as a key and necessary component of the comprehensive care continuum necessary to help patients achieve true health.

This course will discuss how we as providers can move beyond putting out fires for our patients and move toward helping our patients achieve true health with a beautiful and functional smile. There is emerging evidence to support the existence of a two-way relationship between systemic diseases and periodontitis, with systemic inflammation increasing the risk for periodontitis, and periodontal inflammation negatively affecting systemic health. Understanding of this relationship and incorporating strategies for chair side screening, therapy in the general office and making appropriate interdisciplinary care team referrals and management of these patients will help dental care providers to better address patients’ oral and overall health and will also strengthen the role of dental hygienist as an integral component.

Objectives

• Uncover emerging evidence highlighting the interconnectedness of systemic health and periodontal disease and discover strategies to mitigate risk factors and improve overall health outcomes for long-term stability
• Master practical screening methods to detect early signs of periodontal issues, enabling timely intervention and personalized treatment plans within your practice
•  Discover evidence-based modalities for disease control that are both minimally invasive and comfortable for patients, revolutionizing the approach to oral and periodontal health
• Explore cutting-edge techniques in periodontal "plastic surgery" that restore lost support and structure, offering patients renewed confidence and oral health
• Delve into innovative approaches that address the underlying causes of oral disease, paving the way for comprehensive and lasting solutions beyond mere symptom management