Future presentations by Mary Ellen and/or Greg
Psaltis, dates and contacts for currently scheduled events.
For more complete information regarding program contents, go
to Courses
or Program
Directors. Friday, April 4,
2025
Can't We Just Say 'No" to Drugs?
Behavior management of the pediatric patient is the art
form that defines the specialty. Simple techniques that
have proven to be effective are, to an extent, now being
abandoned. This is probably in part because of parents'
overprotection of their children and their desire to "not
traumatize them" with dental care. COVID has played a
part as well. However, one of the most important aspects of
caring for children is to give them a chance to be
successful in a potentially challenging setting. This course
will discuss how to get back to the basics of caring
for children without resorting to drugs and/or general
anesthetic.
Dealing
with Dr. Google
We
all
have had the experience of patients (or parents of patients)
coming in to our practices and questioning
our treatment recommendations because of their new-found
knowledge they obtained from the internet. In this
course, we will explore why this is happening so frequently,
what ramifications it can have on your practice
and how to deal with it. Specific issues, such as primary pulp
medicaments, fluoride and sealant materials will
be discussed with the controversies surrounding them. Tools for
dealing with this increasing phenomenon
will help practitioners to communicate more effectively when
faced with demands from patients.
Iowa Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Des Moines, IA
Matthew Pyfferoen, IAPD Presdent
The
indications for pulpotomies have changed, the need for full
coverage crowns (versus large restorations)
cannot be overstated, painless and faster anesthesia is now a
real possibility, and the necessity of radiographs
during a child’s facial and dental development provides a
clear rationale for parents who “don’t want any x-rays
taken.” New restorative approaches, including a variety of
primary tooth crowns have now entered into private
practice more commonly. Some tips for handling parents who
were “on the internet last night” are shared in
this 3-hour course. Know
today’s techniques, concepts, and materials to treat your
youngest patients with
confidence. **(This course will be presented in Corvallis
on May 1 and Eugene on May 2)
Aren't They Just Baby Teeth? (Answers to Common Questions from
Parents)
You’ve
heard these words before and can’t help thinking to yourself,
“Oh no, another ignorant parent.” Parents who pose
this question (and others) are not ignorant—they are often
working from old beliefs or their own experiences. The ability
to
answer these common questions insures a greater understanding of
the pediatric dental issues at hand and creates a positive
relationship through effective communications. This program is
based on questions routinely heard from parents of pediatric
dental patients and covers a broad spectrum of topics. Included
are primary anterior trauma, stainless steel crowns,
timing of
initial examinations, proper placement of sealants and more. The
scientific basis and the rationales for treatment is a
significant
part of the lecture. Practitioners who treat children will
benefit from this engaging course. (This course will be
presented in
Eugene only on May 2)
Lane County Dental Society, Eugene, OR
Contact: Nissa Newton, Executive Director
Sunday to
Sunday, May 25 to June 1, 2025 Mediterranean cruise
starting in Barcelona, then proceeding to Mallorca, Marseilles,
La Spezia, Italy, Citavecchia (Rome),
Naples and back to Rome.
10 CE credits will be available on topics of pediatric
dentistry and nutrition.
Current Updates in
Pediatric Dentistry and Optimal Nutritional Health
The Latest and Greatest in Pediatric Dentistry
What’s new in the world of pediatric
dentistry? Indications for and treatment of pulpotomies have
changed, the variety of
full coverage crowns has exploded, faster and painless
anesthesia is now a real possibility. Minimally invasive
treatment is
more popular and the necessity of radiographs during a
child’s facial and dental development provides a clear
rationale for
parents who “don’t want any x-rays taken.” This course will
bring you up to date with what’s changed and how to most
effectively move ahead. (3 hours)
A Taste of Utilizing Culinary Medicine for Optimal
Health
Culinary Medicine empowers individuals to guide
nutritional choices that prevent and/or manage disease. It
combines the
science and art of healthful eating with mindful tools for
being in your kitchen with interesting recipes and valuable
cooking
techniques. You get to celebrate the joys of food. Your food
choices are the foundation for a healthy body, biome and
brain.
Get a taste of strategies to use in your everyday life at
home and work. (3 hours).
In
Stressful Times is the 5G World Working for You?
(one-hour)
The
pandemic, staff shortages, fast pace of life and other factors
all add to the accumulated stress dentists are now
experiencing. With a wonderful career choice like ours, can't
we enjoy ourselves more and stress less? Are there solutions
to improve our quality of life? We will talk about 5 "G's"
that add stress and 5 "G's" that can reduce them. These simple
ideas
are easily attainable by anyone motivated to de-stress.
University at Sea
Contact: Marvin Schreiber, Program Director
Marvin@continuingeducation.net
Friday-Saturday, August 29-30, 2025
Getting Past “Uh-oh,”
“No” and Helicopters
Pediatric dentistry is
unique since it requires dentists to successfully communicate
with both children and
parents and manage their behaviors as well as one’s own.
Principles of behavior management are discussed
and shown in videos with patients in treatment and how to handle
them. Dentistry focuses on technical
aspects of work, but in pediatrics it is only possible by proper
handling of patients. The parents? They are
the entertainment and promotional program, not the “problem”
that most believe. (Friday a.m.)
So Little Room, So Much
to See (The Complete Pediatric Dental Examination) Every pediatric
dental examination is like a new patient examination simply
because of the dynamics of growth and development.
Furthermore, there is much to see in the mouths of children
other than caries and loose teeth. This program thoroughly
covers all
aspects of the pediatric dental examination including
recognition of anomalies, growth and development, symmetry and
balance
of the dentition and other components that make examinations
on children far from routine. Both clinical and radiographic
photographs illustrate the areas of discussion. (Saturday
a.m.)
Newfoundland-Labrador National Oral Health Convention, St.
John, Newfoundland
Anthony Patey, Executive Director
Phone (709) 579-2362
Friday, September 19, 2025 Getting Past “Uh-oh,”
“No” and Helicopters
Pediatric dentistry is
unique since it requires dentists to successfully communicate
with both children and
parents and manage their behaviors as well as one’s own.
Principles of behavior management are discussed
and shown in videos with patients in treatment and how to
handle them. Dentistry focuses on technical
aspects of work, but in pediatrics it is only possible by
proper handling of patients. The parents? They are
the entertainment and promotional program, not the “problem”
that most believe. (Friday a.m.)
The Latest and Greatest in Pediatric Dentistry
What’s
new in the world of pediatric dentistry? Indications for and
treatment of pulpotomies have changed, the variety of
full coverage crowns has exploded, faster and painless
anesthesia is now a real possibility. Minimally invasive
treatment is
more popular and the necessity of radiographs during a child’s
facial and dental development provides a clear rationale for
parents who “don’t want any x-rays taken.” This course will
bring you up to date with what’s changed and how to most
effectively move ahead.
Eastern Oregon Dental Society
Contact: Graham McEntire
graham.mcentire@gmail.com
Thursday,
November 20, 2025
The Latest and Greatest in Pediatric Dentistry
What’s
new in the world of pediatric dentistry? Indications for and
treatment of pulpotomies have changed, the variety of
full coverage crowns has exploded, faster and painless
anesthesia is now a real possibility. Minimally invasive
treatment is
more popular and the necessity of radiographs during a child’s
facial and dental development provides a clear rationale for
parents who “don’t want any x-rays taken.” This course will
bring you up to date with what’s changed and how to most
effectively move ahead.
Three Rivers Study Club, Tualatin, OR
Contact: Payton Evers, Study Club secretary
Phone (503) 692-5654 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bites, Bytes and Bites" The program will span a
variety of topics, ranging from pediatric dental exam (Bite
#1) to issues with parent demands (Byte #2) to
nutritional guidance for a healther life (Bite #3). The final
section will include a session about no bites, namely
managing behavior
in the pediatric dental setting. Specific courses are:
Eating as if Your Life Depends on it (taught by
Mary Ellen Psaltis)
Daily
food choices create the foundation for your overall healthy and
ultimately the health of your practice. We will cover hidden
influences, sugar awareness, and explore the fascinating
connections between brain, gut and the path along the way. Let's
look at the
food we eat (or not) and identify action steps, both large and
small, that add up to a lifetime of well-being.
Health by the Numbers (one-hour, taught by
Mary Ellen Psaltis)
Come
with your writing device/pen and be willing to examine a
numerical picture of your health. We will talk numbers
beyond height and weight.. Is there a way to quantify well-being
with numbers? How many vegetables do you really need
each day? How do you get eough fiber into your eating? Are you
aware of the added sugars you eat? Does it all matter? We
will have fun looking at our numbers.
"Nutrition Ignition: The Science and the Sense" presented
by Mary Ellen Psaltis
The vast sea of nutrition information is difficult to navigate.
With ads, fads and crazy science it is
challenging to discern what is actually beneficial. Increase your
food awareness with the best of
science and sense in order to make sound, appropriate choices. The
actions you take on a daily
basis make a difference in the overall health of you, your
practice and your patients.
Plus learn top tips in incorporate into your healthy living right
now.
"Food as your Farm-acy" presented by Mary Ellen Psaltis
The food choices you make are the foundation for your optimal
health - and the health of your
practice. The results even touch your patients. You will learn how
to take powerful steps daily
that can add up to a lifetime of optimal well-being and also take
home helpful tips.
"Heart Work is Not Hard"(Volunteering to your highest good)
Perhaps you've read or
heard about health care professionals who have traveled to foreign
countries to provide
humanitarian treatment to the disadvantaged. How can they do that,
you wonder. In this program, learn about several
existing programs that would allow you to participate immediately
and also about how Dr. Psaltis created two programs
in Mexico. Legalities, logistics and the rich rewards will be
discussed with visual support of photographs and videos of the
programs in action. This program will touch your heart and
possibly have you taking your dreams of helping others to the
next step.
"Do These Genes Make Me Look Fat?" presented by Mary Ellen
Psaltis
Can we blame our genes for our health woes? Are we victims or
agents of change? We know
nutrition is integral to our health, but we need to get our brains
and thoughts working with us.
Learn top strategies that support your body and your life. (Friday
11:00 a.m. - noon)
"Problem Parents? No Problem!" presented by Greg
and Mary Ellen Psaltis Are you among those who think that parents are the
problem in children’s treatment in a dental office? In this
informative program you will learn to identify parents’ hidden
agendas, why parents behave in different ways
and some shortcut clues to dealing effectively with parents. These
simple, but remarkably effective skills will
enhance your communications when presenting treatment plans,
scheduling appointments or teaching oral
hygiene techniques. Are parents really the problem or is
it our understanding of them?
"Pediatric Preventive and
Interceptive Orthodontics"
In this program there will be a thorough review of all space
maintainers used in pediatric dentistry as well as
some active appliances for space-regaining and cross-bite
correction. Diagnosis of early orthodontic referrals
will also be discussed to clarify which cases can and should be
referred early and which ones can wait. Habits
and their management will be covered as well. Finally, the
techniques for banding and impression-taking for all
appliances are illustrated during the program.
"Baby Steps"
(Infant and Preschool
Dental Care for General Dentists)
Emphasis is now being
placed on establishing a dental home for all children upon
eruption of the
first tooth or at 12 months of age. It is essential that all
dental care providers become skilled at the
steps necessary to make these visits successful for both the child
and parents. This course discusses
developmental ages, appropriate guidelines and clinical tips.