Practice Management
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 0.75
Description: This presentation highlights the development and clinical integration of an AI-driven diagnostic and teleconsultation platform designed to optimize decision-making in endodontic care. The system enables pre- and post-treatment validation through deep learning algorithms trained on annotated radiographs to assess root canal indications, extraction needs, and case difficulty. Secure, real-time telecommunication tools allow general practitioners (GPs) and endodontists to engage in case discussions and streamlined treatment planning. The platform integrates an AI-based triage and scheduling module that prioritizes appointments based on diagnostic urgency. Clinical pilot studies demonstrate improved diagnostic concordance, more accurate case difficulty grading, and enhanced workflow efficiency. By combining AI-powered analysis with expert-driven validation and scheduling automation, the system promotes higher treatment confidence, reduced unnecessary referrals, and better patient outcomes. The platform is fully validated, regulatory-ready, and positioned for commercial launch, offering a scalable solution for modern endodontic practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the role of AI in pre- and post-treatment diagnostic validation for endodontic procedures.
- Evaluate the clinical benefits of secure teleconsultation for improving diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.
- Discuss how AI-integrated scheduling based on case complexity can streamline patient triage and optimize resource utilization.
Hamid Abedi, DDS, MS, MBA
Dr. Hamid Abedi, DDS, serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Endodontics at the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, located in Loma Linda, California, USA. Also, he is President of Cornerstone Dental Specialties in Irvine, CA. He has over 20 pubications and has authored 2 chapters in Endodontic text books. In addition he holds 4 patents in the field of of dentistry.
Disclosure(s): Cornerstone Specialty Products: Ownership Interest (stocks, stock options, patent or other intellectual property or other ownership interest excluding diversified mutual funds) (Ongoing)
Max Foroughi, PhD
Dr. Max Foroughi is an innovator, entrepreneur, and academic leader in biomedical engineering, dental science, and medical device development. He is the Founder & CEO of Biomedisca, Inc., advancing infection diagnostic devices, and serves as Assistant Professor at the University of the Pacific. With over 12 years of experience, Dr. Foroughi earned his Ph.D. in Dental Materials from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and completed postdoctoral training in Regenerative Dentistry at UCLA. His expertise covers biomaterials, manufacturing, FDA regulatory pathways, and full-cycle medical device development. He holds four U.S. patents, has authored 100+ peer-reviewed papers with nearly 9,500 citations (H-index 47), and written Mastering Medical Device Development along with textbook chapters on dental materials and AI in endodontics. His innovations have received international recognition, including three gold and two silver medals at global competitions.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Mohammad Moshirpour, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Informatics Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.5
Description: Dental professionals often examine the physical aspects of wellness, yet we rarely explore or discuss the mental aspects. It is time to remove the taboo and face the facts. Anxiety, pain, depression, burnout. Dentistry can be difficult and take a toll. Studies show us that dental professionals experience a high incidence of mental illness. Additionally, many dental professionals don't clearly understand the mental health conditions that our patients present with, which red flags to watch for or what to do/how to intervene. Presented in Dr. Joshua Austin's trademark comedic style, this course explores strategies for working together to improve mental health so we can be our best. Learn how to recognize triggers and warning signs. Identify essential tools and resources. Discover how and when to refer to a mental health professional. Explore and understand mental health terms, common treatments and therapy options. Gain coping mechanisms and learn how to manage expectations - both our own and those of our patients.
Learning Objectives:
- Define mental health terms and analyze mental health statistics
- Illuminate common DSM-5 diagnoses and characteristics
- Review neuropsychopharmacology and how these drugs affect the stomatognathic system.
Joshua Austin, DDS
Joshua Austin, DDS maintains a full-time restorative dentistry practice in San Antonio, Texas. He is an editorial director and monthly columnist for Dental Economics magazine focusing on dental products and technology. Dr. Austin lectures around the country and world to study clubs and dental meetings about these topics along with Ortho/Restorative Treatments and mental health. Dr. Austin is a graduate of the UT Health School of Dentistry and spent five years post-graduation in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. In 2024, Dr. Austin won the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and Seattle Study Club Case of the Year."
Disclosure(s): Align Technology: Consulting and lecturing (Ongoing); Care Credit: Honorarium (Ongoing); GC America: Consultant (Ongoing); Ivoclar: Consulting (Ongoing); Solventum: Consultant (Ongoing); Voco: Consultant (Ongoing)
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 0.75
Description: Apical periodontitis (AP) in a natural tooth may jeopardize the health of adjacent dental implants, potentially leading to retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI). Both conditions arise from bacterial infections, underscoring the importance of effectively managing AP to prevent implant-related complications. This presentation explores treatment strategies for teeth with AP near implants, emphasizing infection control and RPI prevention through clinical case examples. A key approach involves performing endodontic microsurgery on the affected tooth while simultaneously placing the adjacent implant. This combined technique minimizes surgical interventions, reduces overall treatment time, and lessens patient trauma while effectively preventing RPI. In cases where RPI does develop, timely intervention - whether surgical or non-surgical root canal treatment, with or without implant apical surgery - can restore periapical health in both the natural tooth and the implant.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the shared etiology and pathogenesis of apical periodontitis (AP) and retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI).
- Discuss the strategies to minimize the risk of RPI in implants adjacent to teeth affected by AP.
- Discuss treatment approaches for managing RPI in implants near AP-affected teeth.
Dingming Huang, D.D.S., PhD
Dingming Huang, D.D.S., Ph.D. Professor of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Associate Editor of Molecular Oral Microbiology, and editorial board member of International Endodontic Journal. He has been engaged in researches on the prevention and clinical treatment of endodontic disease. He has presided over 10 national and provincial-level scientific research projects and has published more than 140 papers as the first author or corresponding author. He was awarded the 2024 AAE "Honorable Mention Award".
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Xuelian Tan, D.D.S., PhD
Xuelian Tan, D.D.S., Ph.D. Associate professor of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. She has been engaged in researches on the prevention and clinical treatment of endodontic disease, and has published over 20 papers as the first author or corresponding author. She was awarded the 2024 AAE "Honorable Mention Award".
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 0.75
Description: Optimizing a microscope for endodontic treatment is a team effort. Once specific skills are mastered, it will make patient treatment smooth and efficient, and minimize the wear and tear on your back and neck for the rest of your career. Most endodontists have not had specific training in optimal use of the microscope and have to "figure it out" largely on their own, often with difficulty. Precise execution of microscopic procedural tasks allows you to perform microscopic endodontics in a relaxed team environment that prevents injury and prolongs the team's health and wellbeing. The process starts with a microscope centric office design. Next, high level teamwork skills are learned in the same way most expertise is developed - with a structured training program, using deliberate practice and immediate feedback.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate your own performance in efficient team microscope use, in order to improve outcomes to patients and team members
- Describe office design and equipment aspects that allow your team to efficiently perform all procedures using the microscope
- Perform team training exercises in your own practice, so that microscope specific expertise can be developed
Kehn E. Yapp, BDSc, DCD, PhD
Dr. Yapp obtained his Bachelor of Dental Science from The University of Melbourne in 2008. He completed a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Endodontics in 2013, also from The University of Melbourne. He completed a PhD in diagnostic imaging, evaluating the effect of clinical history on diagnostic performance in endodontic CBCT, from The University of Sydney in 2023. He is currently in specialist endodontic private practice in Melbourne, Australia. He has always had a special interest in optimizing the use of the surgical operating microscope for endodontic treatment and documentation, and is first author of the recently published “Team Microscope Endodontics,†published by Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-...
Disclosure(s): k1forceps.com: Founder and owner (Ongoing)
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: A discussion of the Codes used to describe what the endodontist did on a daily basis. From beginning to end, how the codes are made, then chosen at your office, then submitted to a benefits company, and the process of that occasional, sometimes frustrating back and forth. We'll describe how to get through It all and describe just what you did and how the patient's benefits could help them pay for the care they need.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the correct CDT codes for a variety of endodontic procedures, including complex clinical cases such as retreatments and surgical interventions.
- Demonstrate proficiency in submitting accurate code documentation and appeals for denied or rejected claims, ensuring proper reimbursement for endodontic treatments.
- Apply knowledge of endodontic coding to real clinical scenarios, enhancing collaboration between clinical and administrative team members for efficient practice management.
Kenneth B. Wiltbank, D.M.D.
Dr. Wiltbank attended Dental School at Oregon Health and Sciences University, graduating in the class of 1998. He returned to school at the University of Texas, Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, where he completed a residency in Endodontics, class of 2007. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. He is a member of and volunteers in leadership for the American Association of Endodontists in the capacity of a representative to the American Dental Association's Codes Maintenance Committee and to the American Association of Dental Consultants. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and the Oregon Dental Association. At the Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics he currently works as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Endodontology and serves as an occasional guest lecturer. Dr. Wiltbank grew up in Ohio, and New Jersey and is the oldest of 6 children. He lived in Guatemala, doing missionary work for two years, and is fluent in Spanish. He came to Oregon to attend OHSU and worked as a general dentist for seven years, then went to Texas for his endodontic schooling. Dr. Wiltbank, his wife Krista live in Tigard, Oregon.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Beth Damas, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Beth Ann Damas was born and raised in Lemont, Illinois. In 2005, she graduated as one of only five students with a dual DDS and MS degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. Upon graduation, Dr. Damas entered the private practice of general dentistry in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago from 2005 to 2008. Subsequently, Dr. Damas entered the endodontic residency program at the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan. She completed her residency training in 2010.
Dr. Damas is an active member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association and the current president of the South Suburban Branch of the Chicago Dental Society. Her expertise includes regenerative endodontics in adolescents, and she has presented this research to various study clubs nationally. Dr. Damas completed her American Board of Endodontics Diplomate certification in 2015. She serves as a consultant on the AAE's Code Maitnance Committee.
Disclosure(s): Dentsply Endodontics: File development consultant (Ongoing), Honorarium (Ongoing), Other Research Support (includes receipt of drugs, supplies, equipment or other in-kind support) (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing)
Kayla Tio, D.D.S., M.D.S.
Dr. Kayla Tavares received her D.D.S. degree in 2010 from the University Federal Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She then went on to further her studies in endodontics at the University of Florida where she completed an internship in endodontics. She received her master's degree in dental science and certificate of residency in endodontics from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Tavares is actively involved in the AAE and has served in the educational affairs committee, membership affairs committee and is currently serving in the practice affaris committee. She is also past-chair of the section on endodontics of the American Dental Education Association.. She is in full-time private practice at Cornerstone Endodontics in Fort Worth, Texas.Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.25
Description: Make the most of your legacy. This session will cover the essentials of estate planning and highlight how charitable giving can be a powerful tool-both for your financial goals and the causes you care about most. With recent changes in tax law, now is the perfect time to explore smart, tax-wise giving strategies that can make a lasting difference. Whether you're just starting to think about your estate plan or looking to refine it, this presentation will provide valuable guidance to help ensure your legacy endures for generations.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the key impacts of the new tax law
- Build or strengthen a solid estate plan
- Incorporate charitable giving into your planning
Lynn M. Gaumer, J.D., CAP®
Lynn M. Gaumer, J.D., CAP® is the senior gift planning consultant for The Stelter Company, a leading source for gift planning marketing solutions for the nonprofit community. The Stelter Company, founded in 1962, partners with more than 1,300 nonprofits nationally. Lynn serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP). She is a member of the NACGP 2025 Government Relations Committee and chaired the NACGP Leadership Institute from 2021-2023. She is a current board member and past president of the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council, the central Iowa affiliate of the NACGP.
In accordance with this policy, I declare that I have NO past or present proprietary or relevant, financial relationship or receive gifts in kind (including soft intangible remuneration), consulting position or affiliation, or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service, course and/or company, or in any firm beneficially associated therewith.
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.25
Description: As more women enter the field of endodontics, a critical but often unspoken topic remains underserved in professional forums: family planning and fertility. This session will offer an evidence-based, personal, and professional perspective on navigating reproductive health while building a successful career. The session will also cover elective fertility preservation options, including egg freezing and IVF, and how these can empower long-term planning for both personal and professional fulfillment.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the biological timelines affecting fertility and how they intersect with the typical career trajectories of dental specialists.
- Discuss fertility preservation options such as oocyte cryopreservation, embryo banking, and IVF. Discuss what they entail, how to access them, and financial considerations.
- Initiate proactive planning conversations about fertility with mentors, partners, employers, or patients.
Kari L. Brodsky, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Kari L. Brodsky is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and is the current President of the Michigan Association of Endodontists. Dr. Brodsky is pursuing an MBA at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business with a special interest in promoting financial literacy amongst endodontists. Dr. Brodsky earned both a specialty certificate in endodontics and a master's degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry. During her residency, she was awarded the Robert Ellison Award for her outstanding knowledge of endodontic literature by the Michigan Association of Endodontists. Dr. Brodsky completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Detroit Mercy. Dr. Brodsky began her academic career at Kalamazoo College, where she pursued a collegiate soccer career. Dr. Brodsky is passionate about continued education, health, fitness, and her family.Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: Most endodontic "wealth plans" stop at production and a 401(k). This session shows how to run your practice like an investment using a family-office lens-so you keep more, build outside the operatory, and create real exit options.We'll cover three levers:Tax - annual planning rhythms that legally minimize taxes (entity pay, deductions, retirement/cash-value funding, real-estate pairing).Valuation - systems that raise transferability and DSO/private-buyer demand (KPIs, leadership bench, contracts, payor mix, referral durability).Wealth - automated flows that move profit into diversified, creditor-aware investments and protective estate design.You'll leave with a valuation checklist, a tax-planning calendar, and a simple capital-allocation map tailored to owner-dentists. We'll use anonymized case studies to show how practices became buyer-ready without "selling out," and how owners built net worth beyond the practice while reducing risk.
Learning Objectives:
- Construct and run their own simple family office
- Design an annual, proactive tax-planning rhythm and identify at least three legal strategies to reduce taxable income within IRS rules saving tens of thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands in taxes
- Describe an end-state wealth architecture (practice, investments, trusts, insurance) and the near-term actions required to begin building it
Justin D. Maxwell, MS
Justin D Maxwell is a partner at Big Life Financial, a fractional family office for business owners. He helps 7- and 8-figure founders, especially in healthcare, keep more of what they earn and turn their practices into transferable assets. His team integrates proactive tax strategy, wealth management, protection, and exit readiness/M&A so owners build diversified wealth outside the business while increasing enterprise value. A former educator with a master's degree, Justin is a certified Vistage speaker who has presented across the country and on numerous podcasts. He is known for clear, principle-driven teaching that trades jargon for practical playbooks. Clients have saved tens of millions in avoidable taxes while building durable, multi-generational plans. At AAE26, Justin will share the Owner-Investor framework: how to run your practice like an investment, design a family-office approach that aligns taxes, investing, and risk management, and prepare optionality for sale, succession, or acquisition. He lives in Utah with his wife and four children.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: Avoid Lawsuits. Protect Your License. Practice with Confidence. In today's litigious environment, even the most skilled healthcare providers can find themselves facing legal action-not because of malpractice, but due to avoidable missteps in communication, documentation, or decision-making. The Bulletproof Practice is a practical, no-nonsense course to help clinicians minimize their legal exposure while providing exceptional patient care. Whether you're a physician, dentist, nurse, PA, or allied health professional, this course delivers the risk management strategies you weren't taught in school-but need to know. Course presented by Dr. Robert M. Fleisher, a seasoned practitioner with decades of firsthand experience, this book combines legal insight with clinical wisdom to help you:* Recognize and manage common liability traps* Improve documentation that protects you in court* Communicate effectively to prevent misunderstandings and complaints* Respond smartly when adverse outcomes occur* Build a culture of legal safety in your practice or institution. Designed for both professionals and students, this essential guide is ideal for healthcare curricula, continuing education, or independent learning. Protect your career, your reputation, and your peace of mind-starting now.
Learning Objectives:
- Communicate effectively to prevent misunderstandings and complaints.
- Improve documentation that protects them in court.
- Respond smartly when adverse outcomes occur.
Robert M. Fleisher, D.MD
Dr. Robert M. Fleisher has spent more than 30 years on the front lines of healthcare—as a practicing clinician, expert witness, and passionate educator. With firsthand experience in malpractice litigation, both as a defendant and an expert consultant, Dr. Fleisher offers a unique perspective on how medical professionals can reduce their legal exposure while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care. His books, including Bulletproof Healthcare Practice and Bedside Manner, provide practical strategies for documentation, communication, and risk mitigation that can be applied immediately in any clinical setting. Known for his candid, accessible, and sometimes humorous teaching style, Dr. Fleisher is committed to equipping clinicians with the tools they need to succeed—not just in medicine, but in today's complex legal climate.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: The purpose of this presentation is to give real life advice on how to handle the storms of life that we face without warning. So, no matter if it's an eye injury, health challenge, or an unexpected loss, this presentation will prepare the attendees to weather the storm with proper disability insurance.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe why disability insurance is important for dentists.
- Explain what to look for in a good disability insurance policy.
- Describe the difference between short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Rico Short, D.M.D
Dr. Rico D. Short is a world-renowned, board-certified endodontist with over 25 years of experience in dentistry and more than two decades specializing in endodontics. He is an accomplished author, lecturer, professor, and sought-after speaker. As an expert spokesperson on endodontics for the American Dental Association (ADA), he represents a professional network of approximately 161,000 U.S. dentists. Dr. Short has written numerous articles, appeared in many podcasts, and published in several journals including Dentistry Today (He made the exclusive cover April 2013), Inside Dentistry, UpScale Magazine, Rolling Out Magazine, and the Journal of Endodontics. Dr. Short has authored four books "Getting To The Root Of Your Problem", "In The Eye Of A Storm", "Endodontic Keys And Cases", and "Purpose Full". Dr. Short's dedication to advancing endodontics, mentoring future dentists, and giving back to his community continues to leave a lasting impact on the field of dentistry.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose