WHEN, WHERE & WHY? The Dental Hygienists Guide to Combining Hand Scaling, Air, Polishing and Ultrasonic Procedures

Ms. Dani Botbyl
Wednesday January 14, 8:00am - 11:30am

AGD Subject Code: 490
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Dental hygienists spend much of their clinical time managing biofilm, calculus, and stain. This session examines the science behind ultrasonic technology, subgingival air polishing, and hand instrumentation, exploring when, where, and why each approach is most effective. Participants will strengthen their clinical decision-making with a focus on patient-centered periodontal care. This session will feature live audience polling.

Learning Objectives -
1. Examine current research on ultrasonics, supra/subgingival air polishing, and hand instrumentation to determine their respective roles in preventing and treating periodontal disease.
2. Apply evidence-based decision-making to select debridement instruments, magnetostrictive and piezoelectric technologies, and powder formulations to optimize patient-specific outcomes and enhance comfort.
3. Design or enhance biofilm therapy protocols that strengthen overall treatment efficiency, streamline appointment flow and promote professional growth and satisfaction within the dental hygiene team.

Ergonomics in Dentistry - Protect Your Money Maker!

Ms. Katrina Klein
Wednesday January 14, 8:30am - 12:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 142
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Working in dentistry doesn't have to hurt! Stop the aches and pains commonly associated with the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Protect your physical health with the use of ergonomic equipment, practical ergonomic strategies, and posture enhancing exercises with dental specific stretches to reduce workplace pain. Experience this highly interactive program practicing chairside stretches to establish a mind muscle connection for use in a daily release of chronically tight muscles.

Learning Objectives -
1. Explore risk factors for work related pain for the dental clinician.
2. Identify practical solutions for a correct workspace.
Identify how to practice comfortably to reduce fatigue and promote safety.
3. Discover posture enhancing strengthening exercises for injury prevention.
4. Practice workday stretches of chronically tight muscles that can be done chairside.
5. Understand ergonomic equipment, and how it works to prevent injury.

The Practice Success Formula: Leadership + Culture + Accountability + KPI’s

Ms. Laura Boone
Wednesday January 14, 8:30am - 12:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 550
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Discover the essential leadership principles that create high-performing dental teams. Learn practical strategies to strengthen culture, improve communication, increase accountability, and leverage key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive sustainable growth. Leave with actionable tools to enhance team engagement, elevate the patient experience, and build a more profitable, purpose-driven practice.

Ethics

Mr. Art Curley
Wednesday January 13, 12:30pm - 4:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 555
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

This course will fulfill three of the six hours of ethics continuing education credits required by the Hawaii Board of Dentistry for biennial license renewal.

Course title and description forthcoming.

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn:

Eyes, Ears, and Explanations: Hygiene Assessments for Case Acceptance

Ms. Katrina Klein
Wednesday January 13, 1:00pm - 4:30pm


AGD Subject Code: 730
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to influence comprehensive patient care. This course explores how thorough assessments, active listening, and thoughtful communication can transform routine appointments into powerful moments of advocacy and education. Learn to leverage your clinical observations and patient interactions to support whole-person care, enhance treatment acceptance, and elevate your role within the practice—simply by saying what you see, hear, and know. No pressure. No pitch. Just purposeful prevention.

Learning Objectives -
1. Identify key components of a comprehensive hygiene assessment to detect early signs of disease and systemic connections.
2. Demonstrate effective communication strategies that translate clinical observations into explanations that support treatment acceptance.
3. Explore how early hygiene findings can guide diagnostic conversations, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term treatment outcomes.
4. Practice reframing routine conversations to highlight clinical expertise, educate patients, and reinforce the importance of prevention and whole-person care.

Unleash the Power! Using Ultrasonic Technology to its Full Potential

Ms. Dani Botbyl
Wednesday January 13, 12:30pm - 4:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 490
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This session combines science and clinical demonstrations to explore the expanding world of ultrasonic technology for the removal of varying quantities and tenacities of biofilm, calculus, and stain. Emphasis is placed on providing a positive patient experience while increasing the effectiveness and speed of treatment. This session will feature live audience polling.

Learning Objectives -
1. Compare ultrasonic tips differences and understand how to select the best tip designs for various scaling situations within your dental hygiene appointment.
2. Explain how the 3 A’s of ultrasonic technique can create an effective or ineffective ultrasonic procedure. Learn why the calculus doesn’t always come off!
3. Analyze real-world debridement scenarios and examine protocols relevant to treatment evaluation and 6-month, 4-month and 3-month re-care intervals.

Culture by Design, Not by Default

Ms. Laura Boone
Wednesday January 13, 1:00pm - 4:30pm


AGD Subject Code: 550
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Learn how intentional leadership shapes a culture where people feel valued, accountable, and engaged. Discover practical tools to strengthen communication, build trust, establish clear expectations, and create lasting team alignment. Leave with actionable strategies to intentionally design a workplace culture that improves retention, performance, client experiences and practice success.

Overcoming Clinical Challenges in A Restorative Dental Practice Using Techniques to Master the Adhesive Interface

Dr. Jeff Brucia
Thursday, January 14, 8:00am - 11:30am


AGD Subject Code: 250
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Balancing a busy day in private practice with the many different materials and techniques we are all exposed to can be confusing, frustrating and overwhelming. Accurate diagnosis, proper material selection and great clinical skills are critical for managing teeth with failing restorations, deep caries and tooth cracks. Minimally invasive procedures have proven to provide predictable and long-lasting results when the very best techniques are applied. This fast-paced lecture will use science to support the step by step clinical presentations of several cases.

Learning Objectives -
1. Understand the different adhesive systems and the indications/limitations.
2. Light curing – what do I need to know.
3. Clinical considerations for direct composite restorations.
4. Considerations for complete vs. partial caries removal.
5. Diagnosis and treatment for the partial and full coverage porcelain restoration.

Introduction to Injection Molding: An Overview of Concepts, Techniques, and Applications

Dr. Marc Geissberger
Thursday, January 14, 8:30am - 12:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 250
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Injection molding is a process that has been used in manufacturing in industry and, more recently, in dentistry. Injection molding takes a plastic or resin, heats that material to a liquid or near liquid state, and injects it into a prefabricated mold under pressure. This fast-paced program will introduce clinicians to multiple injection molding concepts, techniques, and applications. Treatment planning and case selection from simple to complex cases will be reviewed. A variety of techniques will be introduced and reviewed, giving the participant a better understanding of what is required to optimize results. Materials and armamentariums that lend themselves to injection molding will be explored. Proper bonding, placement, and finishing techniques will be discussed.

At the completion of this program, clinicians will:
1. Understand how injection molding may fit into your clinical practice with step-by-step techniques.
2. Gain a working understanding of various techniques and when to consider their use.
3. Learn the proper armamentarium for various injection molding techniques.
4. Learn protocols for finishing and polishing to yield the most esthetic results.

Contemporary Periodontal Care:  Practical Strategies for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Maintenance

Dr. Kevin Suzuki
Thursday, January 14, 8:00am – 11:30am


AGD Subject Code: 490
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In 2018, the American Academy of Periodontology published the updated Classification for Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions. This lecture will explore the updated definition of periodontal disease diagnosis and classification. Current use of relevant clinical parameters and patient assessment will be reviewed. Treatment options, including traditional resective, regenerative, and innovative laser-based methods will be presented. Clinical cases and short video clips will be used to illustrate these principles. Maintenance strategies to prevent and manage the periodontal and implant patient will also be discussed.

Upon completion, the participant will:
1. Be familiar with current concepts of Periodontal and Peri-implant disease conditions, including diagnoses, etiologies, and clinical implications.
2. Learn important components of the range of conservative to advanced surgical treatment options for the most common periodontal diseases encountered in clinical practice.
3. Learn and be familiar with strategies for maintenance of the periodontal patient.

From Dentist to DSO: Lessons From Building, Selling, and Partnering

Dr. Samson Liu
Thursday, January 14, 8:30am – 12:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 550
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The dental industry has undergone significant consolidation, creating more options—and more complexity—for dentists considering the future of their practices. Drawing on firsthand experience working with Heartland Dental, one of the largest dental support organizations in the country, and subsequently building SOHDental, this presentation provides an inside perspective on the evolution of the DSO model and the opportunities available to practice owners. Attendees will explore the different ways dentists can transition from independent practice ownership to a DSO relationship, including traditional all-cash acquisitions, rollover equity, HoldCo equity, and joint-venture structures. The presentation will examine the financial, operational, and strategic trade-offs associated with each model, including liquidity, control, risk, future growth, and participation in future value creation. The goal is to provide dentists with a practical framework for evaluating their options and understanding what they are truly giving up—and retaining—when entering into a DSO transaction.

Learning Objectives -
1. Identify the fundamental components of the DSO model and distinguish between the roles and responsibilities of the dentist and the DSO.
2. Compare common DSO transaction structures, including all-cash acquisitions, rollover equity, HoldCo equity, and joint ventures.
3. Evaluate the potential advantages and disadvantages of each structure with respect to liquidity, control, risk, future growth, and long-term economic participation.
4. Analyze a DSO proposal beyond its headline purchase price by considering cash at closing, equity consideration, earnouts, employment agreements, and other material transaction terms.
5. Identify key financial and operational questions dentists should consider before entering into a DSO partnership or selling their practice.

Occupational Safety & Health: Oral Hygiene For The Workplace

Mr. Alan Yamamoto
Thursday, January 14, 12:30pm - 4:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 568
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Occupational Safety & Health is a lot like oral hygiene…prevention goes a long way. A safe and healthful workplace will minimize employee injuries and illnesses and the pains of any HIOSH inspections that may occur. During this presentation, we’ll prepare you for an enforcement inspection, guide you through HIOSH safety and health standards as they pertain to dental practices, and provide resources to help you maintain a safe and healthful workplace.

Attendees will learn about:
1. The HIOSH inspection process;
2. The requirements of HIOSH’s bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication, respiratory protection, written safety and health program, citation policies; and
3. The free and confidential services available to Hawaii’s employers from the HIOSH Consultation & Training Branch.

What’s New in Esthetic Dentistry

Dr. Marc Geissberger
Thursday, January 14, 1:00pm - 4:30pm


AGD Subject Code: 250
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
New materials, technology, and techniques are developing at such a rapid pace that practitioners can become overwhelmed. Add to this the increased expectations of esthetic patients, and the clinical performance of materials and the entire experience can be challenging.

This program will describe changes that have occurred over the last several years in the esthetic area and discuss patient factors that can significantly impact clinical success. New developments in technology and techniques will be outlined and demonstrated. Strategies and future trends that can keep you on the “cutting edge” will be presented. Additionally, my top ten list of things to have or do in order to be competitive in the esthetic arena will be shared.

During this program, practitioners will:
1. Gain a working knowledge of the new advances in materials in the esthetic area.
2. Understand the trends and developments that lie ahead and develop strategies to adapt to these changes.
3. Gain better insight into what motivates the esthetic patient and how to deal with difficult clinical situations.

A Pathway for Predictable Advanced Restorative Dentistry. A deep dive into why occlusion matters

Dr. Jeff Brucia
Thursday, January 14, 12:30pm – 4:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 180
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Frustrated with unpredictable results, unexpected failure, even when you thought you did everything correctly? Have you taken classes and not been able to apply concepts successfully in your practice? Ever question why a learned treatment approach worked on one patient and that same treatment failed on the next? Do you have a set of models sitting on your desk that you have no idea where to start and avoid looking at them? There is no cookie cutter recipe that can be viewed in a slide presentation that will work for your patients, recognizing the red flags. Prior to the start of any irreversible procedures will not only reduce stress and failures, but allow for prerecertive treatment management and treatment plan specific to the patient's needs.

Predictable advance restorative dentistry requires shifting from a "drill-and-fill" mentality to a complete dentistry. Philosophy, where occlusion is the foundational blueprint for every restoration, a stable functional occlusion - how the teeth, muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJs)- work in harmony is essential to prevent fractured restorations. Participants will learn how to address tooth sensitivity, accelerated wear, and patient discomfort to achieve successful treatment outcomes.

Learning Objectives -
1. Analyze and interpret advanced diagnostic findings using mounted cast and joint/muscle image evaluations.
Implement strategies for handling complex occlusion issues like severe toothwear, anterior open bite and changes in vertical dimension.
2. Review principles of interior guidance and its relationship to posterior diclusion in long term restorative success.
3. Use a seated condylar position as the foundation for restoring compromised teeth, distinguishing it from unstable acquired occlusion and demonstrate techniques for capturing the properly positioned condyle.
4. Participants will learn to identify and treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD), including how to incorporate splints and orthotics to manage force distribution.

Demystifying Peri-Implant Disease: Evidence-Based Strategies for Diagnosis and Care

Dr. Kevin Suzuki
Thursday, January 14, 1:00pm – 4:30pm


AGD Subject Code: 490
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This lecture will address Peri-implant diseases, diagnoses, etiology and risk factors, treatment modalities, and maintenance strategies.  The format will be lecture and case presentations, with video segments for illustrative purposes.

After this course -
1. Participants will be able to diagnose the various levels of peri-implant health and diseases.
2. Participants will be able to discuss etiologies and risk factors associated with peri-implant disease.
3. Participants will gain an intimate understanding of the most current modalities of implant disease treatment.
4. Participants will learn and be able to implement conservative in-office maintenance strategies as well as counsel patients on best home care practices for dental implants.

The Art and Science of Adhesive Dentistry: Materials, Methods and Modern Innovations

Dr. Marc Hayashi
Friday, January 15, 8:30am - 12:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 250
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed for dental professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of contemporary adhesive dentistry. Participants will be guided through the classification of dental bonding agents, including an in-depth look at universal adhesives and their versatility across clinical scenarios. The course will also evaluate a range of composite materials on the market, with a focus on indications and placement techniques for optimal esthetics and function. A review of light-curing technologies and protocols will highlight the critical role of proper polymerization in long-term restoration success. Through evidence-based recommendations and clinically applicable strategies, this session will equip attendees with the knowledge and confidence to improve outcomes with direct restorations.

Learning Objectives -
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.

Connect and Convert: A Collaborative Care and Case Acceptance Journey

Dr. Jenn Derse
Friday, January 15, 8:00am - 11:30am


AGD Subject Code: 550
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Calling the whole team! Hygienists, assistants, doctors, business team, and everyone in between: this day is for all of you.
Case acceptance is a team journey and so is treatment planning. Every patient experiences your practice as one continuous conversation, from the first phone call to the completion. When the hygienist says "we're watching it," the doctor says "we should treat it," the assistant says the doc is behind, and the treatment coordinator says "that will be nine hundred dollars," the patient hears four different messages. What comes through is uncertainty, and uncertainty is always declined.
Connect and Convert is a high-energy, whole-team experience where you'll learn to speak with one voice and walk every patient through care together.

Here's what we'll dig into:
1. Periodontal treatment planning. Get everyone aligned on what we see, what it means, and how we talk about it.
2. Diagnostics. Build shared confidence in the findings so every teammate can explain them clearly.
3. Case acceptance. Learn how each role moves the patient forward, and how the handoffs make or break the yes.
4. Collaboration. Practice the conversations as a team so the patient hears one clear, confident plan.
5. Hospitality. See how photography and intentional patient touchpoints help patients see their own care and feel taken care of.

Difficult Cases, Difficult Decisions A Patient-Centered Approach to Predictable Outcomes

Dr. Adham Azim
Friday, January 14, 8:30am - 12:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 610
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
During the daily clinical work, we encounter a variety of clinical cases where diagnosis, decision making, and treatment planning can be very challenging. Addressing cases with multiple levels of difficulty, where compelling level of evidence regarding the treatment outcome is lacking, may often result in considering extraction rather than preserving the natural dentition. In this presentation, we will explore the how our clinical strategies and approach in today's practice have shifted to words a patient-centered outcome that aim to preserve the natural dention for the longest time. We will also review the various factors that should be considered prior to initiating treatment, the prognosis expected, and how to balance the risks and benefits for optimal outcomes.

Learning Objectives -
1. Recognize the parameters that can influence the decision-making process.
2. Develop personalized treatment plans for each patient.
3. Describe the treatment options to save the natural dentition.

Hospitaliteeth: A Journey in Patient Experience

Dr. Jenn Derse
Friday, January 15, 12:30pm - 4:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 550
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Patients say yes to teams they connect with and trust. They say yes when they feel safe, seen, and confident in the team caring for them. Hospitaliteeth brings proven principles from the hospitality world into the dental practice and connects them directly to case acceptance. Dr. Jen Derse shares the systems, language, and team habits that shape how patients feel from the first phone call to the follow-up after treatment. Attendees will learn how to reduce patient anxiety, recover gracefully when something goes wrong, and create the kind of trust that makes treatment conversations easier for everyone. This course is designed for doctors and their teams who want a patient experience that feels personal and produces predictable results.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the moments in a patient visit that most influence trust and treatment decisions.
2. Apply hospitality principles to reduce patient anxiety and build rapport from the first contact.
3. Use a service recovery approach to respond when a patient’s experience falls short.
4. Implement a morning huddle structure that prepares the team to anticipate patient needs.
5. Describe how a consistent, hospitality-driven experience supports higher case acceptance.

Cementation Essentials: Achieving Clinical Success with Indirect Restorations

Dr. Marc Hayashi
Friday, January 15, 1:00pm - 4:30pm


AGD Subject Code: 250
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an in-depth review of modern indirect restoration delivery, with a focus on optimizing bonding protocols for long-term clinical success. The session begins with a brief yet focused overview of ceramic restorative materials, helping clinicians match material properties with appropriate bonding strategies. Participants will learn to navigate the evolving world of dental cements, including the differences between conventional, self-adhesive, and universal resin cements, along with their indications and limitations. Detailed protocols for bonding to zirconia and lithium disilicate will be discussed, incorporating surface preparation, priming, and curing strategies. This seminar is ideal for clinicians seeking to simplify and refine their approach to delivering esthetic and durable indirect restorations using the best available.

Learning Objectives -
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.

Foundation Before Finish: From Alignment to Artistry

Dr. Tiffani Dunn
Friday, January 16, 12:30pm - 4:00pm


AGD Subject Code: 780
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Successful conservative esthetic dentistry begins with thoughtful planning. This course explores how diagnostic wax-ups, mock-ups, and Invisalign treatment planning can optimize tooth position and preserve enamel. Participants will examine conservative preparation techniques for porcelain and composite veneers, followed by photographic shade selection, composite layering, and finishing techniques to achieve natural-looking restorations.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Use diagnostic wax-ups and mock-ups to guide esthetic treatment planning.
2. Identify orthodontic considerations that support conservative restorative treatment.
3. Apply conservative preparation techniques for porcelain and composite veneers while prioritizing enamel preservation.
4. Apply photographic and optical principles to anterior shade selection.
5. Apply composite layering, finishing, and polishing techniques for natural-looking restorations.

Minimally Invasive and Predictable Endodontic Strategies

Dr. Adham Azim
Friday, January 15, 1:00pm - 4:30pm


AGD Subject Code: 070
Delivery Method: Lecture
CE Credits: 3.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Recent advancements in diagnostic imaging, rotary instrumentation, and obturation techniques have significantly enhanced the predictability and success of non-surgical endodontic treatments and retreatments. Navigating narrow root canals and managing complex three-dimensional anatomy is now more precise and efficient, with fewer procedural errors. However, important questions remain: How many instruments are truly necessary to achieve effective canal shaping? What are the most efficient obturation techniques that preserve natural tooth structure while enhancing clinical outcomes? How to efficiently and effectively remove gutta percha in retreatment cases? This presentation will examine how modern endodontics has evolved to prioritize adaptive, minimally invasive strategies for, instrumentation, irrigation, and obturation in primary treatment and retreatments. Participants will learn how these innovations contribute to more predictable, efficient, and biologically respectful treatment.

Learning Objectives -
1. Review current best practices in endodontic instrumentation, disinfection, and obturation.
2. Explore how minimally invasive, efficient instrumentation in initial treatments and retreatment that can be implemented in daily clinical practice.
3. Understand the clinical impact of integrating adaptive techniques for improved patient outcomes.