ODA Annual Session to feature cadaver dissection course for first time

ODA Annual Session to feature cadaver dissection course for first time

The 2017 Ohio Dental Association Annual Session will feature several unique hands-on workshops, including a cadaver dissection course for the first time.

“Hands-on courses are increasingly difficult to find, but the ODA continues to make it easy to attend amazing workshops presented by nationally-known clinicians right in our home state,” said Dr. Nan Tertel, a general dentist from Toledo.

Dr. Henry Gremillion will present “Anatomy of the Masticatory System: Clinical Application and Dissection” on Friday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The morning session will feature a lecture, and the afternoon session will focus on dissection of cadaver specimen.

“To look at the three dimensional perspective cannot be accomplished by looking at a text book or pictures on a slide,” Gremillion said. “To really get an up close and personal view of the three dimensional perspectives of the relationships of these structures we work with on a daily basis gives one an enhanced perspective.”

The course will aim to help dentists better understand anatomical relationships and what they mean for various structures and for a complete assessment of patients. Discussion will range from local anesthetics to palpation to examination of the head, neck and temporal joint.

“It’s not just straight anatomy, but also clinical application,” Gremillion said.

Gremillion said dentists will have a better ability to clearly explain to patients the relationships between various structures on a case specific basis. They will also gain a clearer perspective on the nerves that dentists block with local anesthetic and why there may be a difficult time gaining profound anesthesia in certain areas because of anatomic relationships. Dentists will also gain an enhanced understanding of the relationships of structures peripheral to the masticatory system that might be associated with pain patients are experiencing.

“The course itself is very unique in that most people haven’t participated in a dissection workshop since they were in dental school,” Gremillion said. “The uniqueness is not just dissecting, but a new set of lenses. Now that people have been in practice, there’s more applicability to descriptions, day-to-day practice and relationships between various structures. Once they’ve been practicing, they have a much greater appreciation for the need to recognize these relationships.”

Gremillion is dean of the Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Dentistry. Before that, he served at the University Of Florida College Of Dentistry as the Parker E. Mahan endowed professor of orofacial pain in the Department of Orthodontics and before that as the director of the UFCD Parker Mahan Facial Pain Center and its fellowship program in craniomandibular dysfunction.

“From a personal perspective, every time I have the privilege and honor of participating in dissection, I either learn something new or gain an enhanced appreciation for the complexity with which the system functions.”

Register for this course online at www.oda.org/events using course code F31.

In addition to the dissection course, the ODA Annual Session will again feature an oral surgery workshop using pig mandibles. Dr. Robert Edwab will present “Hands-on Oral Surgery Workshop for the General Practitioner” on Friday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

In the course, Edwab will demonstrate procedures in front of the class and attendees will then perform the procedures on a pig mandible. Attendees will learn to perform a frenectomy, biopsy, flap techniques and an I & D and will learn about suturing techniques as they work. Attendees will also learn about the proper use of the cowhorn and Ash forceps as they extract anterior and posterior teeth and the use of a rongeur when doing alveoplasties and root removals.

“In my opinion, hands-on workshops for dentists are the best way to learn techniques,” Edwab said. “Each attendee in my ‘Hands-on Oral Surgery Workshop for the General Practitioner’ and in the ‘Treating Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office: Hands-on Workshop for the Entire Team’ will have the ability to learn skills by doing instead of watching. They have the advantage of an experienced instructor standing next to them to assist and critique their technique, have a better chance for interaction, and also learn from the actions of the small group of fellow attendees in the classroom. Most importantly attendees learn and develop skills in a relaxed, friendly and stress-free environment so they will retain the material better which affords them the ability to apply what they learn today into their practices tomorrow.”

Edwab is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon who has been in private practice for over 35 years. He is known for his humor, enthusiasm and ability to demystify office procedures so they can be performed by any competent general practitioner.

Register for this course online at www.oda.org/events using course code F38.

“Dentists, hygienists, EFDAs, and dental assistants have multiple opportunities to take workshops throughout the four days of Annual Session – whatever best meets their personal schedule,” Tertel said.

The 2017 ODA Annual Session has several hands-on workshops for attendees:

• “Today’s Top Clinical Tips” presented by Lee Ann Brady, DMD on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 2-5 p.m. Course Code T23.
• “R2C®: Root to Crown Solution – Workshop” presented by Reid Pullen, DDS, FAGD on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 2- 5 p.m. Course Code T24.
• “Anatomy of the Masticatory System: Clinical Application and Dissection” presented by Henry A. Gremillion, DDS, MAGD on Friday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Course Code F31.
• “Hands-on Oral Surgery Workshop for the General Practitioner” presented by Robert Edwab, DDS on Friday, Sept.15 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Course Code F38.
• “Predictable, Efficient, and Esthetic Composite Dentistry” presented by Parag Kachalia, DDS on Friday, Sept. 15 from 2-5 p.m. Course Code F48.
• “Simplified Endodontic Techniques for the General Dentist” presented by Garry Bey, DDS on Friday, Sept.15 from 2-5 p.m. Course Code F53.
• “Treating Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office: Hands-on Workshop” for the Entire Team presented by Robert Edwab, DDS on Friday, Sept. 15 from 2-5 p.m. Course Code F54.
• “Streamlined Techniques for Direct and Indirect Restorative Dentistry” presented by Ron Kaminer, DDS on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Course Code S61.
• “Stainless Steel Crowns are a Snap: A Hands-on Workshop” presented by Greg Psaltis, DDS on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Course Code S64.
• The Dawson Academy Presents: The Team Approach to Functional and Aesthetic Success Workshop presented by Michael C. Verber, DMD, FICOI and Melinda Whire, EFDA on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2-5 p.m. Course Code S70.

“But, remember, there are still countless lectures and other courses for the entire team – including our Office Excellence Track designed especially for the front desk employees,” Tertel said.

For full details on all of the courses and special events at the 2017 ODA Annual Session and to register, visit www.oda.org/events.