2023 WIND Scientific Program

Speaker: Dr. Andrea Tsatalis

Length: 1 Hour

Description: Whether it’s a daily part of your practice or an infrequent occurrence, nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news!  Dr. Tsatalis will discuss six concrete and memorable steps to improve how you present difficult information and practice responding to simulated patient interactions. Using this protocol will help you deliver the news, aid the patient receiving it and implement tools to look after yourself, too!

Participants will be able to:

• Discuss the six steps of the SPIKES Protocol.
• Identify key phrases and specific strategies to improve patient interactions.
• Engage in simulated patient encounters.

Speaker Bio: Andea Tsatalis, DDS – Dental degree, The Ohio State University; master’s degree in endodontics, Marquette University; private practice, Tampa, FL.

Speaker: Dr, Anita Gohel

Length: 1 Hour

Description: CBCT has transformed the practice of dentistry. This session will address recent advances in CBCT imaging and how to incorporate these into your dental practice for optimal patient care. Dr. Gohel will discuss the technology and the practical uses of CBCT for improving diagnosis and treatment planning in various fields of dentistry. The presentation will include 3-D illustrated case presentations, discussions, and interactive CBCT interpretations.

Participants will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles, indications and dosimetry of CBCT imaging.
• Identify common and incidental findings.
• Be familiar with current recommendations regarding CBCT selection criteria.
• Recognize applications of CBCT for implants, impacted teeth, TMD and lesions in the jaws, orthodontics and endodontics.

Speaker Bio: Anita Gohel, BDS, PhD – Dental degree, Calcutta University in India; certificate in oral and maxillofacial radiology, University of Connecticut; department chair, Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences; University of Florida College of Dentistry.

Speaker: Ms. Monica Wofford 

Length: 1 Hour

Description: Difficult people – sometimes it feels like they’re EVERYWHERE. Whether they’re in the chair, behind the desk or even the very dentist that … nope, dentists are never difficult. Yet, difficult folks can exist at all levels of your practice and cause tons of stress. The truth is they’re usually just people doing things differently, even sometimes VERY differently than you or I might do them, but what gets tricky is how you deal with them. What if we make ‘em disappear instead?

Participants will be able to:

• Employ three quick, simple methods for not getting "sucked in" to difficulty.
• Identify four sets of behavior that could appear difficult when stressed.
• Determine the most difficult behavior to deal with and how to coach it.

Speaker Bio: Monica Wofford – Certified speaking professional; training firm awarded Top Ten Leadership Consultancy in Florida.

Speaker: Dr. Tracy Eckles

Length: 1 Hour

Description: Sleep apnea affects up to 1 in 5 people, and 80% of sufferers have no idea. Many know they snore or often wake to use the restroom or are fatigued throughout the day but have not been made aware of what may be the root cause. They probably also aren't aware that sleep apnea is a direct cause of high blood pressure and significantly increases risks of stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure and diabetes, to name a few. Dementia, anxiety, depression, attention disorders, low testosterone, digestive disease and even premature death have also been linked.

The 2024 ADA CDT will include four new apnea-related codes. Dentists are in a prime position to identify at-risk patients using a combination of medical history, clinical signs and a simple conversation with the patient. Screening of all patients for obstructive sleep apnea has been recommended in ADA Policy since 2017. It's time to spread the word far and wide to make an even bigger impact on patients' comprehensive well-being. This session will empower attendees to talk to their patients about sleep apnea by providing the tools to identify those at risk for this deadly disease quickly.

Sleep apnea is often considered a men's disease. However, after menopause, a woman's apnea risk rises to that of a male. As busy women who often attribute fatigue, stress, anxiety and on workload and family obligations, ladies attending this event may themselves be unaware sufferers. Sleep apnea doesn't discriminate!

Participants will be able to:

• Define and incidence of obstructive sleep apnea.
• Scan the medical history for clues that a patient may be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• Review a clinical exam (Hint: You are already noting most findings - you just need to understand what the results are telling you!).
• Know what to ask your patient and how to talk to them about why further evaluation is strongly recommended.
• Review the process of testing, treatment (CPAP, oral appliance therapy, Inspire implant), titration of selected treatment, and follow-up.

Speaker Bio: Tracy Eckles, DDS – Dental degree, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School; general practice residency, Medical College of Georgia; private practice, Tallahassee, FL.

Speaker: Dr. Dimple Desai

Length: 1 Hour

Description: With the latest digital tools, materials and techniques, dentists can help many patients achieve their goals of improving their smiles using minimally invasive treatments with ceramic veneers. Cosmetic treatment in the anterior region often involves the placement of porcelain veneers using conventional approaches that remove healthy tooth structures to achieve highly aesthetic outcomes. Although conventional approaches to porcelain veneer treatment are still prescribed for most patients who receive cosmetic care, improvements in restorative materials and the development of conservative techniques allow clinicians to deliver highly aesthetic outcomes using minimally invasive or no-preparation veneers in cases in where clear aligner therapy is used to correct a deep bite and straighten misaligned teeth. Aesthetics can be successfully achieved with conservative techniques in cases involving underlying factors such as Class I deep bite malocclusion with proper case selection and occlusal management.

Participants will be able to:

• Learn how to efficiently align teeth for long lasting aesthetic restorative treatment.
• Learn how to document and communicate with their lab on the desired outcome for patients.
• Review meticulous bonding protocols for cementation.
• Understand minimal preparation for ceramic veneers.
• Review indications and selection for various cement shades.

Speaker Bio: Dimple Desai, DDS – Dental degree, University of Southern California School of Dentistry; private practice, Newport Beach, CA.

Speaker: Dr. Jennie Caldwell

Length: 1 Hour

Description: In this session, attendees will learn how a dental professional can use artificial intelligence (AI) in radiographic interpretation in general practice. Dr. Caldwell will discuss the different models and programs. An in-depth discussion of sensitivity and specificity statistics for interproximal caries detection in the Overjet program with be given.

Participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of AI in radiographic interpretation. 
• Recognize how to use AI in general practice. 
• Understand the current interproximal caries sensitivity and specificity statistics of Overjet interproximal caries detection.

Speaker Bio: Jennie Caldwell, DDS – Dental degree, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry; oral maxillofacial radiology residency, University of Florida.

Speaker: Dr. Sara Shah

Length: 1 Hour

Description: This session will provide an in-depth look at the unique oral health considerations that women face throughout their lives and the treatment options available to address these concerns. Attendees will learn about the hormonal changes women experience and their effects on oral health, including pregnancy and menopause. Dr. Shah also cover the impact of osteoporosis on oral health. Additionally, the lecture will explore preventive measures to maintain good oral health and periodontal and restorative dentistry options for common conditions in women. The session will conclude with a Q&A session, where attendees can ask questions and share experiences related to women's oral health. By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of the unique oral health considerations that women experience throughout their lives and the available treatment options for each phase.

Participants will be able to:

• Understand the hormonal changes that women experience and their effects on oral health.
• Identify the impact of pregnancy and menopause on oral health.
• Recognize the effect of osteoporosis on oral health.
• Learn about preventive measures to maintain good oral health.
• Explore restorative dentistry options for common conditions in women.
• Understand cosmetic dentistry considerations for women.
• Discover the role of technology in women's oral health.
• Engage in a Q&A session to ask questions and share experiences related to women's oral health.

Speaker Bio: Sara Shaha, DMD – Dental degree, University of Pennsylvania Dental School; advanced training in General Anesthesia, Oral Medicine and Surgery; Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center; periodontic and implant residency, Harvard University; private practice, Altamonte Springs, FL.

Speaker: Ms. Sonya Dunbar

Length: 1 Hour

Description: As women, we are accustomed to wearing many hats – self-care, family, business owners, staff and friendships, to name a few. Often the pile of hats gets heavy, and some even fall, which can lead to stress and burnout.

Being overwhelmed, exhausted and tired are common themes in workplaces nationwide. High-achieving women dentists are especially maxed out, overwhelmed and pushing themselves to the brink as they try their hardest to balance work demands, pay attention to family responsibilities, honor financial obligations, stay healthy and juggle the cultural status quo. Overwhelming stress seriously threatens women in this highly specialized and demanding profession such as dentistry.

Stress and burnout leave clues such as emotional and physical exhaustion, cynicism, negativity, frustration, anger, anxiety, detachment, reduced work performance, insomnia, muscle aches and gastrointestinal upset. Therefore, dental professionals must learn how to handle stress and burnout. It starts with a mindset; the reality is you can change your work schedule, project list and team, but if you don't change your perspective, you are working in circles and will remain burnout out! Dental professionals often pour from an empty cup; you give what you don't have mentally or physically. It is essential to remember you and your dental career are only as good as your health and ability to deliver quality care.

This session gives easy-to-follow tips for coping with stress, avoiding burnout and dealing with negative self-talk, identifying negative patterns that lead to burnout and learning how to avoid them.

Participants will be able to:

• List ways to identify if they have burnout in their life.
• Discuss ways to handle unreasonable and unclear expectations.
• Identify negative self-talk and how to avoid it.
• Develop obtainable coping tools for burnout and stress.

Speaker Bio: Sonya Dunbar, RDH, MPH – the Mobile Dental Xpress, National Mobile Dental Conference and The Geriatric Toothfairy.

Sponsored by:   

Speaker: Dr. Samira Meymand

Date: Saturday, September 9 | 9 AM-12 PM 

Length: 3 hours

Descriptions: Join us and learn from a fellow female Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Florida who has practiced for over 20 years. Dr. Samira “Sam” Meymand will show you how to bone graft, have successful outcomes and better patient acceptance. 

Understand how to create routine success in bone augmentation. Learn the “why” behind many steps that promote the best outcomes, minimize complications and how to anticipate the integration of bone and future implant placement. With this vital and practical instruction in this course, you can expand your skills and proficiency and build your confidence to perform more grafting and implants in your practice expertly. This course will include a hands-on hard tissue grafting workshop demonstration case.

Speaker Bio: Samira Meymand, DDS, MPH - Dental degree, Baylor College of Dentistry; general practice residency, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton; oral and maxillofacial surgery residency; National Captain Consortium, Uniformed Services University; Captain, United States Navy; private practice, Jacksonville, FL.