2025 WIND Scientific Program

The WIND Scientific Program is composed of experienced female dental professionals who will discuss a number of relevant dental topics and provide a total of 7 CE credits. Click on each title below for session details.

Design Your Best Year: A Practical Planning Course

Speaker: Megan Kane, CDA, EFDA 

Title: Design Your Best Year: A Practical Planning Course  

Description: Unlock the full potential of your dental practice by strategically planning your year. This session will help you create a clear, actionable roadmap for the year ahead. Whether you're looking to improve patient communication, streamline office operations, or boost team morale to prevent burnout, this session offers practical tools and proven strategies to help you set and achieve your practice’s goals.  

Through time management techniques, financial planning, marketing strategies, and team development tips, you'll learn how to build a productive and harmonious work environment while ensuring long-term success. You'll also prepare for seasonal fluctuations, optimize patient flow, and create a plan for continuing education, all while ensuring your practice runs smoothly and efficiently.  

By the end of this session, you'll have the confidence to approach the year with a well-structured plan that drives growth, enhances patient satisfaction, and supports a thriving dental practice.  

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:  

  • Create a plan to stay connected to your team and improve patient communication.  

  • Organize your thoughts and turn them into actionable items to prevent burnout.  

  • Build a management plan to reach your goals next year.  

Speaker Bio: Bachelor’s degree, University of Central Florida; certified dental assistant; expanded functions dental assistant; adjunct faculty, dental assisting program, Daytona State College.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None Reported

 

Mindset on Fire: Break Barriers & Step Into Your Power (Keynote)

Speaker: Julieanne O’Connor  

Title: Mindset on Fire: Break Barriers & Step Into Your Power (Keynote) 

Description: Are you ready to unlock the unstoppable version of yourself? This keynote is an electrifying, high-impact session designed to help you break through limitations, rewire your thinking, and step boldly into your full potential, without delay. This isn’t just a motivational course; it’s a transformational experience designed to ignite your drive, fast-track your growth, and empower you to go further than you ever thought possible. Along the way, you’ll also learn strategies to prevent burnout and maintain balance while pursuing your goals. The time is now. Your potential is limitless. Let’s set your mindset on fire! 🔥 

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to

  • Reprogram self-doubt into unshakable confidence. 

  • Master the mindset shifts that accelerate success. 

  • Crush limiting beliefs that lead to burnout and break past mental roadblocks.  

  • Align ambition and maintain balance to thrive, not just survive. 

  • Step into your power and take bold action toward your biggest goals.  

Speaker Bio:  Bachelor's degree in marketing and advertising, University of Nevada; host, "Influential Dental" podcast; co-founder, Influential Dentists.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Ms. O’Connor has financial or other interests of some nature in Influential Dentists.

 

Perio-Restorative Complications and Interactions

Speaker: Dr. Hana Hobbs  

Title: Perio-Restorative Complications and Interactions  

Description: This session explores the critical relationship between restorative dentistry and periodontal health. Attendees will learn how restoration and pontic designs influence tissue response, understand the implications of biological width violations, and identify potential iatrogenic damage from materials and techniques. This session will also highlight the role of periodontal plastic surgery in enhancing esthetic outcomes. Detailed case presentations will examine topics such as restoration contours, margin placement, provisional restorations, prosthesis design, and occlusal function to promote optimal clinical results.  

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to: 

  • Understand how restoration and pontic designs promote favorable tissue response.  

  • Review biological width, consequences of Biological Width Violation, and how to diagnose and review treatment options.  

  • Shed light on iatrogenic damage to the periodontium from certain materials and procedures.  

  • Review how periodontal plastic surgery techniques like augmenting attached gingiva and esthetic crown lengthening before restorative procedures can help improve esthetic results.  

Speaker Bio: Dental degree, University of Maryland School of Dentistry; certificate in periodontology and master’s degree in oral biology, University of California San Francisco; general practice residency, WellSpan York Hospital; chief resident, Carolina Medical Center; diplomate, American Board of Periodontology; assistant professor of periodontology, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry; private practice, Hillsborough, NC.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None Reported

Personalized Periodontics - The Future of Precision Care in Dentistry

Speaker: Dr. Sara Shah 

Title: Personalized Periodontics - The Future of Precision Care in Dentistry  

Description: The era of one-size-fits-all periodontal treatment is evolving. Advances in genetic research and precision medicine are transforming the way you diagnose, prevent, and treat periodontal disease. This session will explore the role of genetics, salivary biomarkers, and personalized treatment strategies to optimize patient outcomes. Attendees will learn how individualized periodontal care can enhance patient satisfaction and clinical success.  

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

  • Explain the genetic and microbiological factors that contribute to periodontal disease susceptibility and progression.   

  • Evaluate the role of salivary and genetic testing in early diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.   

  • Integrate precision-based treatment strategies into clinical practice, including tailored maintenance protocols and targeted therapies.   

  • Analyze current and emerging research on the relationship between genetics, inflammation, and periodontal disease outcomes.

 

Speaker Bio: Dental degree, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine; advanced training in general anesthesia, oral medicine and surgery, Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center; periodontics and implant residency, Harvard University; board certified, American Board of Periodontology (ABP); diplomate, ABP; private practice, Altamonte Springs, FL.   

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None Reported

 

Planning for Success in Comprehensive Esthetic Dentistry

Speaker: Dr. Maria Magurno  

Title: Planning for Success in Comprehensive Esthetic Dentistry  

Description: This comprehensive session is designed for dental professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and application of esthetic dentistry principles as well as familiarize themselves with new methods and procedures that may be applied in different cases. From smile design, facial harmony to material selection and clinical execution, attendees will gain essential knowledge and practical techniques to achieve predictable and successful esthetic outcomes.  

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:  

  • Understand the fundamental principles of esthetic dentistry, including smile design and facial harmony.  

  • Learn how to assess and plan esthetic cases effectively.  

  • Explore material selection for direct and indirect restorations, including composite resins, ceramics, and veneers.  

  • Master key techniques preparation, shade selection, bonding, and finishing for natural-looking results.  

  • Gain insights into common esthetic challenges and solutions for long-term success.  

  • Discover tips and strategies to improve communication with patients and dental technicians. 

Speaker Bio:  Dental degree, Central University of Venezuela; master's degree in prosthodontics, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None Reported

Smart Extractions: Mastering Anatomy, Technique, and Patient Safety

Speaker: Melissa Amundson, DDS, MPH

Title: Smart Extractions: Mastering Anatomy, Technique, and Patient Safety

Description: This comprehensive session is designed to elevate your skills in both surgical and non-surgical dental extractions. Learn the key anatomical landmarks of dental and maxillofacial structures that directly impact exodontia success. Gain confidence in when and how to remove bone, perform serial and full-mouth extractions, and effectively manage blood loss, especially in anticoagulated patients. Whether you’re refining your technique or expanding your clinical scope, this session will equip you with practical tools and critical insights to optimize patient outcomes and procedural efficiency. 

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:  

  • Review dental anatomy and maxillofacial anatomy relevant to optimizing exodontia. 

  • Learn Techniques critical to both surgical and non-surgical extractions

  • Understand when, where and how to remove bone.

  • Understand serial extractions and full mouth extractions to minimize blood loss

  • Manage the anticoagulated patient in dental extractions. 

Speaker Bio: Dental degree, University of Illinois-Chicago College of Dentistry; master’s degree in public health, University of Florida; residency, University of Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital; diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; advanced trauma and craniomaxillofacial fellowship, Head and Neck Institute and Legacy Emanuel Hospital; diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; fellow, American College of Surgeons; board regent, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; maxillofacial trauma surgeon, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None Reported

The Artificial & Augmented Intelligence Era in Diagnostic Dentistry: The Pros and Cons

Speaker: Anita Gohel, BDS, PhD

Title: The Artificial & Augmented Intelligence Era in Diagnostic Dentistry: The Pros and Cons  

Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing dental radiographic diagnosis by augmenting dentists’ abilities to analyze 2D and 3D radiographs, detect abnormalities, improve workflow efficiency, enhance clinical productivity, and provide accurate and timely diagnoses. Artificial and augmented intelligence (AuI) could be powerful tools, but over-reliance on these systems may lead to health provider errors such as incorrect diagnosis. This session will introduce AI tools and processes, and their complementary role in dentistry.  

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:  

  • Understand the role of AI/AuI in dental diagnosis.  

  • Understand the advantages of AI in dental practice.  

  • Discuss the implementation and evaluation of AI-based modules for radiographic diagnosis.    

  • Get a deep understanding of the biases associated with AI-based diagnosis.  

  • Recognize the ethical considerations on the use of AI in healthcare.  

Speaker Bio: 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.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None Reported

 

The Superpower of Women in Dentistry

Speaker: Elizabeth Martinez, Bank of America

Title: The Superpower of Women in Dentistry  

Description: Ms. Elizabeth Martinez from Bank of America will give a short presentation on the superpowers the women in dentistry have. She will also review finding the right partners to help your practice succeed and give financial guidance for practice owners.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

  • Review financial guidance for first-time and existing practice owners. 
  • Learn how to find the right partners to help your business succeed. 

Speaker Bio: Bachelor's degree, Florida International University; VP, regional business developer officer, Bank of America Practice Solutions.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Ms. Martinez has financial or other interests of some nature in Bank of America.


The Florida Dental Association is approved as a continuing education sponsor by the Florida Board of Dentistry. The Florida Dental Association is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. 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.

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at www.ADA.org/CERP.

Questions? Contact us at  ce@floridadental.org or 800.877.9922.