the
November/December 2026
Mistakes in Dentistry Lessons that Shape Us
A PUBLICATION OF THE SACRAMENTO DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
Get Ready For Our
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 6, 2026 CPR-AHA BLS Blended Learning – Online and Skills Testing, 3 Time Sessions
SDDS Instructors Friday • 8–8:45am; 9–9:45am; 10–10:45am • 3 CEU, Core Member Price: $98 total; $38 to AHA/$60 to SDDS (ends 10/16) $118 total; $38 to AHA/$80 to SDDS (begins 10/17) Non-Member Price: $198 total; $38 to AHA/$160 to SDDS Blended learning is a combination of eLearning (online portion), in which a student completes part of the course in a self-directed manner, followed by a hands-on session.
November 10, 2026 General Membership CE Meeting: Diabetes, Oral Health and GLP-1 Medications
Kim Lucas Benton, DDS, MPH, FICD Tuesday • 5:45–9:00pm • Social/Exhibits, Dinner and Program 3 CEU, Core • Hilton Sacramento Arden West Member Price: $89 early (ends 10/27) / $99 regular (ends 11/8) $109 late (begins 11/9) Non-Member Price: $218 In this presentation, we will explore the connection with GLP-1 medications and body chemistry. We will review the diabetes and oral health connection, discover the direct link between GLP-1s, blood sugar, and oral health, and examine how these drugs impact diabetes management.
November 20, 2026 California Dental Practice Act and Infection Control* Joy Brack, RDA Friday • 8:30am–12:30pm • 4 CEU, Core • Webinar Member Price: $175 (ends 10/30) / $195 (begins 10/31) Non-Member Price: $390
This course fulfills both the California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) requirement for license renewal, as mandated by the Dental Board of California and the California Dental Board’s requirements for licensure renewal and ensure dental professionals are well-equipped to maintain the highest standards of patient and staff safety.
November 21, 2026 Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics
Saturday • 7pm game time • $125 per person
December 3, 2026 Harassment Prevention Training*
- Required every two years! Presented by California Employers Association (CEA - SDDS Vendor Member) Join SDDS Members in this training. Training on how to prevent workplace harassment is now mandatory for almost all California employers (five [5] or more employees), and California Employers Association is here to help with Harassment Prevention Training that meets California’s legal requirement.
For Non-Supervisors
Thursday • 11am–12pm • Live Webinar • 1 CEU, Core Member Price: $49 (ends 11/12) / $69 (begins 11/13) This course is a 1-hour instructor-led session where employees will engage in discussions on all forms of sexual harassment (verbal, visual, and physical). Other types of prohibited harassment, discrimination, retaliation and abusive conduct will be covered in an interactive format. Attendees will learn how to recognize problems and their responsibility in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct. Topics include reporting, bystander intervention as well as practical tips on how to stay out of trouble and keep the workplace harassment-free.
For Supervisors
Thursday • 11am–1pm • Live Webinar • 2 CEU, Core Member Price: $69 (ends 11/12) / $89 (begins 11/13) This course is a 2-hour instructor-led session where employees will engage in discussions on all forms of sexual harassment (verbal, visual, and physical). Other types of prohibited harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct will also be covered in an interactive format. Supervisors will learn how to recognize problems and about their responsibility in the prevention of sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct. Topics include reporting, bystander intervention, investigating and resolving complaints, parameters of confidentiality, and practical tips on how to stay out of trouble and keep your workplace harassment-free.
December 11, 2026 SDDS Annual Holiday Party & Installation of Officers
Friday • 6:00-10:00pm • Sutter Club, downtown Sacramento Price: $150 per person
* Does not qualify for AGD credit
REGISTER NOW!
MARCH 18-19
View all CE Courses & Events online with this QR code. 2 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
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Contents Nov/Dec 2026 VOLUME 72, NUMBER 6
Happen. 10 Mistakes What We Do Next Defines Us
Leadership Lesson 18 The I Wish I’d Learned Sooner
FEATURES
COVER IMAGE CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK
Nikhil Malhan, DMD
Mark Olson, DDS
12 Q&A with Dr. Manton 14 A Mouth Full of Mistakes 15 YOU’RE FIRED! Built a Career Around 16 IDentistry. Then I Had to Jesse West Manton, DDS
Jeff McComb, DDS
Dina Wasileski-Scordakis, DMD
Build a Life.
Stress Patients = Healthier 20 Fewer Team + Happier Dentist Jessica Alt, DDS
21 The 10 Second Trial 22 Q&A with Dr. Michael Chu 24 More Than Meets the Apex Dexter Yee, DMD
Michael Chu, DDS
Samantha Gallia Ryan, DDS
Brian Baliwas, DDS
Nugget Editorial Board Bryan Judd, DDS; Editor-in-Chief Julie Jacobs, DDS • Nicholas Scordakis, DDS Peter Yanni, DMD, MS • James Zaiger, DDS, MS Mariah Sharp (Student Rep)
Editors Emeritus James Musser, DDS William Parker, DMD, MS, PhD Bevan Richardson, DDS
Awards
International College of Dentists (ICD) 2026 • Special Citation Award 2025 • Special Citation Award 2025 • Humanitarian Service, honorable mention 2024 • Special Citation Award 2023 • Special Citation Award 2022 • Humanitarian Service Award 2022 • Special Citation Award 2022 • Overall Newsletter, honorable mention 2021 • Platinum Pencil, honorable mention Outstanding use of graphics
2021 • Special Citation Award 2020 • Platinum Pencil 2020 • Golden Pen, honorable mention Article / series of articles of interest to the profession
2020 • Special Citation Award 2019 • Special Citation Award
Specials 4 27 28 34 40
Honoring SDDS Member Veterans 2026 SDDS Holiday Party, Auction & Installment of 2027 Officers 2027 Capital Region Dental Convention CDA Major Issues & Priorities Recent Event Highlights
Regulars
2 5 6 7 9 26 30 31 32 36
Upcoming Events President’s Message Caroll’s Corner From the Editor You Should Know SDDS Foundation Committee Corner Volunteer Opportunities Board Meeting Highlights YOU: The Dentist, The Employer
38 42 44 46 47 48 50 50 51 52
YOU: The Dentist, The Business Owner Student Corner Membership Update Blowing Your Horn Vendor Member Spotlight Vendor Member Listing Advertiser Index Job Bank Classified Ads SDDS Calendar of Events
The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society • www.sdds.org
We Love Our Veterans! Thank you, SDDS Members, for your service! U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
U.S. Air Force
William Black, DDS Miriam Behpour, DDS Carlos E. Bonilla, DMD Don Campbell, DDS Joseph Cullo, DDS Ryan Grandpre, DDS Mitchell A. Goodis, DDS Greg Heise, DDS Richard A. Mandelaris, DMD David Marth, DDS Erik Matson, DMD James Musser, DDS John C. Riach, DMD Wendie Richards (Vendor Member) Donald Rollofson, DMD Dennis C. Romary, DDS Stephen Saffold, DDS Dean Sands, DMD William Sloan, DMD Kevin Tanner, DDS Lien Truong, DDS Russ Webb, DDS
Charles Beach, DDS Lawrence Bisauta, DDS Bill Frey, DDS Kerry Hanson, DDS Nelson H. Johansen, DDS Jacob D. Kelly, DDS John Legakis, DDS Donald Liberty, DDS Blong Ly, DDS Alexander Malick, DMD, FAGD Michael Mikitka, DDS Victoria Mosur, DDS Khari Nelson, DDS Charles Newens, DDS Paul Raskin, DDS James Robison, DMD Ronald Rott, DDS Colby Smith, DDS Joel Whiteman, DDS Keith Wood, DDS
U.S. Marine Corps
Richard Gere, DDS Tim Mickiewicz, DDS Dennis Wong, DDS Peter Worth, DDS
Guy Acheson, DDS Kreston Anderson, DDS Robin Berrin, DDS Gary C. Borge, DDS John Carson, DDS, MS Monica Crooks, DDS Jason Dorminey, DMD James Elliot, DDS Kenneth Frostad, DDS Mitchell A. Goodis, DDS Harvey S. Greer, DDS Daniel Haberman, DDS Dennis Hiramatsu, DDS Richard Jackson, DDS Craig H. Johnson, DDS David Jolkovsky, DDS H. David Knepshield, DDS Jeffrey Light, DDS William L. Marble, DDS Larry Masuoka, DMD Daniel G. Mazza, DDS, MAGD James McNerney, DMD Michael Mikitka, DDS Feroz M. Nawabi, DDS Lawrence Nguyen, DDS Richard O' Day, DDS, MS Michael H. Payne, DDS Benton J. Runquist, DDS, MS Timothy D. Scott, DDS Walter Skinner, DDS R. Bruce Thomas, DDS Robert L. Tilly, DDS Cas Szymanowski, DDS Kim Wallace, DDS Michael Weideman, DDS Lee Wiggins, DDS
Calvin L. Garland, DDS Victor Hawkins, DDS Mervin Nelson, DDS
U.S. Public Health Service
Would you adopt a Veteran for dental care? Contact sdds@sdds.org to say "yes!"
Note: This list was compiled from responses to an email requesting the names of our veterans, and it is possible that some veterans’ names are not listed. We apologize in advance if this list is incomplete.
4 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
A Year of Connection and Service
By Jeffrey Sue, DDS
2026 SDDS President
As my year as SDDS president draws to a close, I find myself thinking less about meetings and calendars and more about the people I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. I’ve seen colleagues share their time, welcome new members, support one another, and bring care to people in our community. It has reminded me why I value being part of this amazing dental society. This year gave us many chances to come together: to learn, to reconnect with old friends, and to meet colleagues who will help shape the future of dentistry in our region. I am especially grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and talents. Whether you served on a committee, helped host at events and MidWinter classes, or cared for someone who might otherwise have gone without treatment in our Smiles for Kids and Smiles for Big Kids programs, you made SDDS stronger. I want to thank our board for the work they do throughout the year. Much of it happens out of sight, but all of us benefit from their
dedication. Serving alongside them has been a privilege, and I have learned a great deal from their experience and generosity. I also want to thank the entire SDDS staff, Della, Jen, Jessica, and Sofia, for the hard work they do behind the scenes. From planning events and supporting our members to keeping the day-to-day work of the society running smoothly, they do so much that many of us never see. Their dedication, care, and attention are what makes our society so successful. I want to especially thank our Executive Director, Caroll Badgley, for the wonderful job she has done leading SDDS. Stepping into the role after Cathy’s many years of service was no small task, and Caroll has brought her own warmth, energy, and steady leadership to it. We are fortunate to have her guiding our society, and I’m grateful for all she does for our members.
meetings productive and successful. Your insight and expertise are invaluable! A special thanks to Dr. Judd for filling two roles. Thank you for the friendship and laughter. As Dr. Craig Alpha prepares to take on the presidency, I wish him every success. Craig, you have my full support, and I know you will bring your own energy and perspective to this role. I hope our members will offer you the same encouragement and friendship they have given me. It has been an honor to serve as your president. I’m proud of what we have done together, and I’m even more encouraged by the commitment I see in our members. SDDS is at its best when we show up for each other and for the communities we serve. Thank you for making this year so meaningful. I look forward to staying involved and seeing what we accomplish together next.
Dr. Alpha, Dr. Vaid, and Dr. Judd, thank you for making our Executive Committee
Thank You Dr. Jeffrey Sue!
It's been a pleasure having you as our President this year!
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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CAROLL'S CORNER
LEADERSHIP
Reflections
By Caroll Badgley
SDDS Executive Director
When I look back on 2026, what stands out most is the people. I think of the colleagues who came together to learn, the leaders who encouraged others to get involved, and the volunteers who made time to care for our community. Our successful MidWinter Convention was a highlight, bringing dental professionals together for education, connection, and fun. At the Next Level Leadership Reception, current and past leaders shared their stories and helped newer dentists see the possibilities of getting involved. Our Foundation volunteers also continued their important work providing screenings and care for children, seniors, and veterans in need. Looking ahead to 2027, we’re building on MidWinter’s success with the Capital Region Dental Convention, MidWinter in Bloom, reaching more dental professionals throughout the region. We’re also excited to launch the SDDF Scholarship honoring Cathy Levering. Each year, three California Northstate University dental students who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, personal growth, professionalism, and integrity will receive scholarships. Recipients will be selected annually and may be different students from year to year. The award process begins in January 2027, and we’ll share more details in the coming months. I’ve enjoyed working with both Boards and the many members who dedicate their time to organized dentistry. Thank you to Dr. Jeff Sue and the SDDS Board, Dr. Carl Hillendahl and the SDDF Board, and our committees for your leadership and continued support. Your commitment helps keep SDDS among the strongest components in California and our Foundation strong in its service to the community. As our membership changes, newer generations bring fresh perspectives and ideas. Bringing that energy together with the experience and traditions of longtime members will help us continue to grow while staying true to who we are.
President: Jeffrey Sue, DDS President-Elect/Treasurer: Craig Alpha, DDS Secretary: Chirag Vaid, DDS SDDS BCR Rep: Bryan Judd, DDS Editor-in-Chief: Bryan Judd, DDS Executive Director: Caroll Badgley
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Andrea Cervantes, DDS Diana Fat, DDS Eric Grove, DDS Sarmad Paydar, DDS, MS Kart Raghuraman, DDS, MPH Cherag Sarkari, DDS Joel Whiteman, DDS Rosemary Wu, DMD, MS CNU Student Representative: Mariah Sharp UOP Student Representative: Shahrzad Khalaf
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CPR: Margaret Delmore, MD, DDS/ Brad Archibald, DDS Membership/Engagement: Shahrzad Paydar Hogan, FAADOM Nominating/Leadership Development: Nima Aflatooni, DDS
COMMITTEES STANDING
Budget & Finance Advisory: Craig Alpha, DDS Bylaws Advisory: Nima Aflatooni, DDS CE Advisory: Arryan V. Emamian, DDS CSUS Pre-Dental: Brian Orcutt, DDS/Shannon Chris, DDS Social Media Advisory: Jasraj Sandhu, DMD Strategic Planning Advisory: Craig Alpha, DDS/Chirag Vaid, DDS
TASK FORCES ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Foundation President: Carl Hillendahl, DDS
SDDF
Caroll Badgley | Executive Director Della Yee | Director of Operations Sofia Gutierrez | Foundation Projects/CPR Jessica Luther | Graphic Designer Jen Jackson | Member Liaison Ava Maier | Administrative Assistant
SDDS STAFF
We also have a heartfelt farewell to share. Sofia Gutierrez is retiring after more than 10 years at the heart of Smiles for Kids. She has built lasting relationships with our wonderful volunteer dentists, school nurses, and community members in need of care. Her kindness and dedication have meant so much to the program and the people it serves. We will miss her and wish her every happiness in retirement. Please join me in welcoming our incoming SDDS President, Dr. Craig Alpha, and our new Board members. I look forward to working with you in 2027! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year! Warm regards,
The Nugget is an opinion and discussion magazine for SDDS membership. Opinions expressed by authors are their own, and not necessarily those of SDDS or The Nugget Editorial Board. SDDS reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length, as well as reject any material submitted. The Nugget is published bimonthly by the SDDS, 2035 Hurley Way, Ste 200, Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 446-1211. Acceptance of advertising in The Nugget in no way constitutes approval or endorsement by Sacramento District Dental Society of products or services advertised. SDDS reserves the right to reject any advertisement. Postmaster: Send address changes to SDDS, 2035 Hurley Way, Ste 200, Sacramento, CA 95825.
6 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
FROM THE EDITOR
MITAKES in Dentistry
By Nico Scordakis, DDS Associate Editor
Yes, you read that right. Mitakes. How many CE’s do you attend where you see ideal work with beautiful outcomes? This issue is the exact opposite of that. We will showcase the mistakes that happen to each and every one of us. We all make mistakes. The unfortunate reality is that mistakes are the only way we TRULY learn. Think back to every time you failed – I bet you can remember those moments vividly. I will never forget my first year of dental school. We had a rubber dam practical, and we had one hour to place a rubber dam on a mannequin. Easy. I finished with 5 minutes left. “Let me just adjust the clamp a little bit to make it look perf-.” Fling! The rubber dam clamp flew across the room, disappearing into the abyss of the simulation lab.
My heart dropped. “Time’s Up!” The proctor said. FAIL! Guess who the ONLY student to fail that practical was? Me! Yes, it sucked. But I learned something more valuable than placing a rubber dam that day. I was forced to lean into the tough questions that most of us shy away from: • “Why did I fail?” • “What can I learn from this?” • “What can I do differently to NEVER let that happen again?”
ownership of our mistakes, learning from them, and building better systems to prevent them from recurring. This issue of the Nugget will highlight the mistakes in dentistry ranging from patient care to leading a team. This issue offers something for every reader, from long-form articles to quick reads to Q&A interviews. Lastly, the next time you make a mistake, don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes and, in a profession as demanding as dentistry, what matters most is how we learn from them. As my dad puts it, “We’re all practicing dentistry.”
This is where true growth happens. We do not grow when everything goes exactly according to plan. Mistakes are inevitable, but how we respond to them is fully within our control. True success is built on taking
UPCOMING HARASSMENT PREVENTION WEBINARS Harassment Prevention Training - Required every two years! Presented by California Employers Association (CEA - SDDS Vendor Member) Thursday, December 3, 2026 • Live Webinar Join SDDS Members in this training. Training on how to prevent workplace harassment is now mandatory for almost all California employers (five [5] or more employees), and California Employers Association is here to help with Harassment Prevention Training that meets California’s legal requirement.
For Non-Supervisors
Thursday • 11am–12pm • Live Webinar • 1 CEU, Core Member Price: $49 (ends 11/12) $69 (begins 11/13) This course is a 1-hour instructor-led session where employees will engage in discussions on all forms of sexual harassment (verbal, visual, and physical). Other types of prohibited harassment, discrimination, retaliation and abusive conduct will be covered in an interactive format.
For Supervisors
Thursday • 11am–1pm • Live Webinar • 2 CEU, Core Member Price: $69 (ends 11/12) $89 (begins 11/13) This course is a 2-hour instructor-led session where employees will engage in discussions on all forms of sexual harassment (verbal, visual, and physical). Other types of prohibited harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct will also be covered in an interactive format. www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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8 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
YOU SHOULD KNOW
SCAM ALERT: SCAMMERS REQUEST TO DOWNLOAD COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS
SMILES FOR KIDS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Dental Board of California (Board) has received new reports of scammers impersonating Board staff or investigators. In these cases, scammers contact licensees and instruct them to download a phone application—such as Signal—to communicate about alleged investigations or disciplinary actions. This tactic matches previous scam attempts involving fraudulent phone calls, letters, and emails.
We are seeking volunteer dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists to help at a Smiles for Kids (SFK) site on February 6, 2027. We are also looking for dentists willing to adopt a child by providing additional dental treatment needed after SFK Day to ensure the child’s care is completed. Please contact the SDDS office at (916) 446-1227 or email smilesforkids@sdds.org if you are interested in volunteering.
FLUORIDATION Thank you to the dentist members and community members who attended the Sacramento Suburban Water District’s October 7 Open House. We had a good turnout and productive conversations with district representatives about the importance of continuing community water fluoridation. As dentists serving patients throughout our community, you understand the value of fluoridation and what losing it could mean, particularly for patients who already face barriers to care. The Open House gave members an opportunity to bring that clinical perspective directly to the people who will help determine the program’s future. SSWD’s contractual requirement to fluoridate drinking water is scheduled to end in March 2027. The agreement, tied to First 5 Sacramento’s initial funding nearly 20 years ago, is coming to a close. Some board members have expressed skepticism about continuing the program, making member involvement especially important as the district considers its next steps. The estimated cost of maintaining fluoridation is less than $2 annually per ratepayer, approximately 15 cents a month, and is already included in current rates. Discontinuing the program would provide little savings on a monthly bill. Our message is straightforward: continuing this modest investment supports the oral health of the patients and families we serve. The conversations on October 7 were an important opportunity to share our concerns, answer questions, and encourage continued funding. We appreciate the district representatives and staff who took time to listen and discuss the issue with attendees. There is still work ahead. Members who live within SSWD’s service area are encouraged to contact their board representative and express support for continued ratepayer funding. Those who treat district residents can also share their perspective on the impact of losing this preventive resource.
SALARY SURVEY AVAILABLE Visit sdds.org or email sdds@sdds.org to order yours today.
IMPORTANT SECURITY REMINDER REGARDING CREDIT CARD INFORMATION You should never send your credit card number by email. Email is not a secure method of transmitting sensitive financial information; messages can be intercepted, forwarded, stored on multiple servers, or accessed if an account is compromised. Even when sent with good intentions, email exposes both you and the recipient to unnecessary risk of fraud and identity theft.
Thank you for lending your time, experience, and voice. SDDS will keep members informed as these discussions move forward.
Following PCI compliance requirements, we want to remind you to never submit your full credit card details via email. Please be sure to use only approved, secure payment methods when providing payment information.
PRE-ORDER YOUR 2027 CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW POSTER
MENTORING OPPORTUNITY!
2027 Labor Law posters are available for $25 each (postage included). These posters meet all current state and federal posting regulations and are a must-have for every dental practice. Email us today at sdds@sdds.org to reserve yours!
We would like to invite you to consider mentoring or sponsoring a UOP or CNU student at an upcoming General Meeting. Students receive a discounted rate to attend GMs, and sponsorship is a great way to welcome them into our community and support their professional growth. If you are interested in sponsoring a dental student at any future General Meeting, please call (916) 446-1227 or email sdds@sdds. org - we’d be glad to help make the connection.
DENTAL OFFICES TARGETED BY EMAIL SCAM SDDS has been alerted to a phishing scam targeting dental offices. The email appears to come from another “dental office” and requests a referral for an employee. Do not click on any links or open attachments in these emails. Clicking the link can compromise your computer and potentially give hackers access to your systems and information. If you receive a suspicious referral request, verify the sender directly before clicking any links.
THE SDDS ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY IS ONLINE VISIT WWW.SDDS.ORG/CURRENT-MEMBERS/ www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
Mistakes Happen. WHAT WE DO NEXT DEFINES US
By Nikhil Malhan, DMD After obtaining his DMD from Boston University in 2018, Dr. Malhan pursued specialty training at the University of the Pacific, earning a Master’s degree and Endodontics certification with a concentration in microsurgery. Now a board-certified endodontist, Dr. Malhan owns a private practice in Pasco, WA. Dr. Malhan also shares his insights with colleagues across the globe, having been invited to lecture at the American Association of Endodontists Annual Conference, where he contributes to ongoing innovation in his field.
Mesial decay into the pulp chamber, severe temperature sensitivity, tooth #15 (Image A)—a very typical case for any endodontic specialist. As usual, I completed caries excavation, built the mesial wall with bonded composite, and placed the rubber dam before performing my access cavity. All canals were located, and while performing coronal enlargement with my orifice opener, approximately 80% of the instrument separated into the distobuccal canal. This didn’t stress me at first; these files separate occasionally and are typically straightforward to retrieve. I switched to ultrasonics to trough around the DB orifice and expose a couple of millimeters around the separated file head. Instead, the file migrated further apically. My stress level rose from a 2 to a 5, but this was still familiar territory—we usually retrieve the file; it just takes more time. I then moved to a thinner ultrasonic tip, alternating between EDTA irrigation and further troughing. Eventually, I no longer saw the file in the canal. I also hadn’t seen it come out. With the amount of irrigation and suctioning, I assumed the fragment had been removed orthograde without my noticing. My apex locator showed patency, so I proceeded with cleaning and shaping, completed my final irrigation protocol, and took my cone-fit radiograph with guttapercha and sealer. Image acquiring… image loading… and suddenly my stress level jumped to an 8. The file fragment had been pushed through the apex during my removal attempts and was now sitting on the floor of the maxillary sinus (Image B). Calm on the outside but sweating internally, I replaced the rubber dam frame, completed the root canal—because at that point, orthograde retrieval was no longer an option—temporized the tooth with Teflon and Cavit, and asked my assistant to take
10 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
a PA (Image C) and a CBCT. The CBCT confirmed the file sitting on the sinus floor adjacent to the distobuccal root apex (Image D), most clearly visible in the sagittal and axial slices. You can imagine what was racing through my mind. What do I do? What do I say? Do I remove it? Do I monitor it? Am I going to get sued? I hadn’t discussed this as a possible complication during the consultation, nor was it included in the consent. Every scenario ran through my mind. But one thing was certain: I had to tell the patient. I stepped into my office and took a moment to plan how to present the situation. This wasn’t an extruded instrument in osseous tissue that would likely become encapsulated and remain asymptomatic. This was a separated instrument in a pneumatic space, subject to displacement by turbulent airflow with every breath. Similar cases have been documented where files migrated within the sinus, even lodging in the lacrimal duct near the eye and causing severe complications requiring intervention.
Situations like this test us as practitioners—not just our clinical skills, but our ethics, honesty, and ability to manage high-stress moments. I knew something had to be done—and quickly—before sending him home and risking further migration. I walked into the operatory and explained the situation plainly: “Sir, during instrumentation, a file separated, and during the attempt to remove it, it was pushed through the apex of the tooth. Because your root apices are very close to your sinus, the file is now sitting on the floor of your
maxillary sinus. I believe it is in your best interest for us to surgically create a window through the lateral sinus wall and remove the file before you leave today, to eliminate the risk of it moving.” We often feel the urge to soften the message, to cushion the severity. But in situations like this—where the complication is significant and potentially harmful—it is critical that the patient fully understands the seriousness. By God’s grace, he was understanding and agreed to the surgical removal. I anesthetized the patient as I would for an apicoectomy, cancelled my next patient, made my incision, and performed an osteotomy based on CBCT measurements. There it was—sitting on the sinus floor—a 12 mm fragment. I removed it carefully, and
my stress level dropped from an 8 back to a 2. Since I was already in the area, I removed the extruded sealer from the periapical tissues and performed apicoectomies on the MB and DB roots to seal the system and reduce the risk of future reinfection. The area was irrigated, the tissues reapproximated and sutured, and a post-op PA and CBCT were taken (Images E and F). File removal was confirmed, and my stress level finally returned to baseline. I reviewed everything with the patient again, including post-operative care and the need for follow-up. Situations like this test us as practitioners— not just our clinical skills, but our ethics,
honesty, and ability to manage high-stress moments. We won’t always have all the answers, nor should we always be the ones to fix the complication. Sometimes the right decision is to refer. But the courage to disclose the situation fully and take the appropriate next steps—that’s everything. I am grateful for the surgical training I received at the University of the Pacific. They may not have trained me for this exact scenario—I’m not sure any institution could—but the surgical foundation, critical thinking, and ethical emphasis they instilled allowed me to handle this situation with tact and care. Not every patient will respond as graciously as mine did, but that doesn’t change our duty to present these predicaments with complete honesty.
A: Pre-op PA B: Mid-op Cone Fit Radiograph showing separated file in the sinus
C: Post-op PA showing separated file in the sinus D: Post-op CBCT showing the separated file in the sinus
E: Post-op CBCT showing file removed from the sinus F: Final Post-op PA showing files removed from the sinus
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
Nugget:
Nugget:
Can you walk us through a moment when things didn’t go as expected?
As an instructor, what is a common habit you see younger dentists adopt that you once did too—and wish you’d stopped sooner?
Dr. Manton:
with Dr. Jesse West Manton
Last year, I had an obese patient with anatomic airway anomalies. Due to these anatomic conditions, I had to fall back on my training. After multiple attempts, utilizing different techniques and instruments, I decided to cancel the case. Looking back, with a more thorough preop examination, this situation could have been avoided.
By Jesse West Manton, DDS Dr. Jesse West Manton is a 2014 DDS graduate of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He completed a General Practice Residency at VA Palo Alto-Stanford in 2015, a VA San FranciscoUCSF Advanced Clinical Simulation Fellowship in 2016, and a Dental/ Maxillofacial Anesthesiology residency at The Ohio State University in 2019. He serves as the Director of the Medical Emergency Response Team (ERT) teaching students and residents. He is also the Program Director for the nation’s first non-categorical anesthesiology internship program for the dental anesthesiology specialty.
Takeaways: Know when to stop, listen to your body/mind, and check your hubris. I have a “one more attempt, then I am done” internal dialogue. There are rarely any true “emergency” procedures in dentistry in which you must proceed. Most dental “emergencies” are not truly emergencies; they are “time-sensitive,” which allows us to stop, ask for help, and plan ahead. Nugget:
What is a mistake that didn’t show up in dental school, but taught you one of your biggest lessons in practice?” Dr. Manton: I did NOT make many mistakes in dental school, but I wish I did while a faculty member was there to help step in. Do not be afraid to take on more challenging cases in dental school and/or CE. This is an opportunity to learn in a safer environment.
12 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Dr. Manton: Being too confident right out of school, mismatching their level of competence. There was a study by Kruger and Dunning in 1999, “Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead To Inf lated Self-Assessments,” in which they scored participants on their skills and had them selfassess. The study found there was an inverse relationship between their true competence and the score they gave themselves (See photo below). Incompetent people will overestimate their abilities. Even after being shown their results, many of these participants still believed the results were inaccurate and considered themselves more competent than they actually were. Nugget:
What is one piece of advice you received early in your career that turned out to be wrong for you? Dr. Manton: Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Phrases like this are too vague. We all have watched our children set the sand timer and brush their teeth on one side extremely hard and quick until the timer hits two minutes – leaving 70% of their teeth’s surfaces still untouched. Tailoring advice to each patient depending on their needs is most important to me. Try: “You have to brush all the surfaces of all your teeth. And only floss the ones you want to keep.”
Dunning-Kruger Effect Unskilled and unaware of it: how difficulties in recognizing one’s own incompetence lead to inflated self-assessments Kruger, J. & Dunning D. (1999)
100%
“Mount Stupid”
Nugget:
If you could write a sticky note to your younger self after your first major mistake, what would it say? Dr. Manton:
Confidence
“Stick to it; Jesus is always with you. He forgives you; don’t repeat this mistake. Patient care comes first.” Nugget:
Would you mind leaving us with one pearl of wisdom? Dr. Manton: Nothing great ever came from easy.
0%
None
Experience
Expert
Nugget:
What mistake taught you the most about communication— not dentistry?” Dr. Manton: I often reflect on my own body posture and nonverbal communication with each patient. Sit down at or below the level of people you are talking to. Tips: Establishing preliminary rapport with patients through conversation first helps tremendously with the fear and distrust of dentists that patients have. Ask them if they can reflect back on what you mentioned to confirm their understanding. Lastly, if the patient is scared, tell them, “Helping you and keeping you safe is my #1 priority.” Nugget:
What’s a small change you made after a mistake that ended up having a big impact on your confidence or outcomes? Dr. Manton: Small change: Asking for feedback from mentors and seeking out constructive criticism. Trusted mentors and study clubs are a must. Be open to feedback and stay humble. It is difficult to hear criticism, but that is where true growth occurs.
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
A Mouth Full of
MISTAKES
By Jeff McComb, DDS SDDS Member
Dr. Jeff McComb earned his DDS from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2007. He is a general dentist limited to pediatrics and practices in Roseville.
My heart sank as I heard these words come over the phone from a very concerned mom – “Why are all my daughter’s teeth silver? I thought they were going to be white!”
So how did it end, and what did I do? I humbled myself, apologized, and explained in a non-defensive manner. Thankfully, the mom was receptive and gracious in her response. Honesty is always the best policy! I thoroughly explain each step of the treatment plan, so patients are on the same page– including that the crowns are silver. Not actual patient image
My mistake was the result of not being clear enough in communicating that I only place stainless steel posterior crowns for my pediatric patients. And this five-year-old girl received eight crowns under general anesthesia. I was wrong in assuming her mom understood clearly, and I was wrong in not taking the time to confirm with her mom. With communication being one of our core values, you can imagine that this came as a blow to my ego. Good communication promotes trust, which is essential to any good relationship, especially with patients.
14 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Lastly, we have now implemented a system of showing a typodont with the stainless steel crowns as an exact visual representation (pictured below).
MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
YOU’RE FIRED!
MY BIGGEST MISTAKE IN DENTISTRY DIDN’T START WITH DENTISTRY – IT STARTED WITH HIRING. Years ago, my childhood dentist was a oneman show: answering phones, booking appointments, assisting himself, and billing insurance – all while treating patients.
Building the right team isn’t just about filling chairs. It’s about hiring people who share your values and work ethic. Skills can be taught – attitude and integrity cannot.
Today, dentistry is a team sport. Receptionists manage schedules, hygienists teach and support patient care, and assistants keep us on track and make patients comfortable. The right team makes dentistry sustainable – the wrong team makes it unbearable.
If someone disrupts workflow or demoralizes the team, letting them go is not just necessary, it’s liberating. The right staff energizes you and lets you focus on why you became a dentist in the first place.
Lessons in Team Management: DO’s
DONT’S
» Hire for attitude and
» D on’t “tough it out” with
integrity first.
toxic team members.
» Communicate expectations » Don’t ignore attitude or clearly from day one.
» I nvest in training and development.
By Dina Wasileski-Scordakis, DMD
SDDS Member
Before earning her dental degree from Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, she worked as a registered nurse. Dr. Dina continues to broaden her knowledge through ongoing education and training. Patients appreciate her caring demeanor, reassuring manner, and dedication to helping them achieve healthy and confident smiles. She works alongside her husband, Dr. Peter Scordakis, and son, Dr. Nico Scordakis; and is parttime faculty at UOP Dental School.
work ethic in favor of skills.
» D on’t delay difficult
conversations or decisions.
I hope this helps. Even us, SEASONED VETER ANS, can use this advice. Here’s to you enjoying this wonderful profession of dentistry for many years. I wish for you the most outstanding staff, great health, and peace of mind!
SDDS MEMBER RESOURCES SDDS has dozens of dental industry Vendor Members who are here to serve you, but two of them are especially valuable for our Employer members.
CA Employers Association
NW Staffing Resources
Kim Gusman, President/CEO 800.399.5331 employers.org
Wendie Richards 916.993.4182 nwstaffing.com
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
I Built a Career Around Dentistry. Then I Had to Build a Life.
For years I said yes to everything the profession offered. I started a Dr. Brian Baliwas main- study club that served dentists in my area, flew around lecturing at tains a private practice in conferences and other study clubs, joined multiple organizations, held downtown San Francisco, California. Dr. Baliwas advisory board seats, and took on leadership roles. I stacked CE on top received his DDS from the of CE. From the outside, it probably looked like things were going great. By Brian Baliwas, DDS
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2014. He was elected to join Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Tau Kappa Omega dental honor societies. He is an active member of the Seattle Study Club, the AACD, the AGD, and a graduate of the Kois Center.
But somewhere in the middle of all of it, I had quietly stopped paying attention to my own finances. My personal relationships were on autopilot. I was showing up to everything dentistry asked of me and slowly checking out of my own life. The hardest part was that none of it felt wrong in the moment. It all felt important. It all felt like it was moving me forward. It took real exhaustion and some honest selfreflection to recognize that I had built a very full career and a pretty neglected life. The shift did not come from a dramatic moment. It came from finally slowing down and asking myself some uncomfortable questions: What do I actually want? What matters to me outside of this profession? What am I willing to trade, and what am I not?
What I Actually Changed Here are some tips I learned. They are not dramatic overhauls. They are small shifts that added up. Get a financial advisor, not just an accountant. An accountant files your taxes. An advisor helps you build something. I waited too long to make that distinction. Audit your commitments once a year. I now go through every board seat, advisory role, and recurring obligation and ask: Is this still earning its place in my life? If the answer is not a clear yes, it goes.
16 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Protect at least one non-dentistry identity. For me, it is golf, music, and time with my partner. These are not rewards for finishing work. They are part of the structure that keeps work sustainable. Time-block your personal life the same way you block your schedule. If it is not on the calendar, it does not happen. That applies to vacations, workouts, and date nights as much as it applies to CE courses.
Takeaways Motion is not the same as progress. More CE, more involvement, and more commitments can feel productive while quietly pulling you away from what actually matters, clinically and personally. Protecting your focus is a skill. Saying no to good opportunities so you can go deeper on the right ones is harder than it sounds and more valuable than most people admit. Ask yourself the hard questions early. The sooner in your career you get honest about what you want your life to look like, not just your career, the less you have to undo later. Start there, then build outward.
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www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
The Leadership Lesson I Wish I’d Learned Sooner: From Chasing Perfection to Creating It. By Mark Olson, DDS Dr. Mark Olson graduated from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2003. After owning and scaling multiple successful practices, he now dedicates himself full-time to coaching dentists worldwide in high-level case acceptance and transformative communication. Creator of the digital course High Performance Communication: The New Guest Experience, he is a mentor at dentalpracticemastery.com, empowering practices to achieve exceptional results through leadership and influence.
When I graduated dental school, my vision was crystal clear: become an exceptional clinician and have a thriving practice. I poured thousands of dollars and countless hours into advanced continuing education—mastering implants, cosmetics, full-mouth rehab. I marketed aggressively to try to find the “ideal” patient: cashpaying, highly motivated, cosmetically driven “A+” patients who appreciated premium care without hesitation. I also believed that if I just found the right assistant, the perfect hygienist, or the magic marketing firm promising a flood of high-value new patients, my practice would explode. I returned from courses fired up... only to face the same frustrations back in the office. Production plateaued. Team turnover lingered. Patients said “maybe” or “let me think about it.” I blamed the assistants for not “getting it,” the hygienists for poor case acceptance, the marketers for overpromising. I felt perpetually stuck, convinced everyone around me lacked vision while I chased elusive ideals. I was burning out fast.
18 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Then came my turning point. I realized the hard truth: there is no such thing as a perfect patient or team member waiting to be discovered. The “Karate Kid” wisdom rings true here: “There is no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher.” If everyone around me seemed average or resistant, perhaps I was the one failing as a leader. I stopped searching for unicorns and started building them. This meant shifting from hoping to magically attract “A+” patients to taking every day “B-” patients— those with average insurance, modest motivation, and limited dental IQ— and guiding them toward extraordinary outcomes. I learned to paint a vivid picture of their future: one with confident smiles, better health, and renewed selfesteem... and the alternative without it. I mentored them through education, gentle influence, and leadership in conversations. No “perfect” case presentation or script can convert someone who undervalues dentistry. Success came from controlling the narrative—becoming their trusted source of information, pushing them
slightly beyond comfort zones, and helping them value comprehensive care in ways their previous dentists never had. I had to teach them what their future looked like WITHOUT comprehensive care. The same principle applied to my team. I wanted amazing assistants and hygienists who anticipated needs, educated patients, and drove production. Newsflash...they don’t arrive fully trained from other offices and certainly not from schools! I had to take capable, but average, team members and develop them into superstars: mentor them with clear vision, provide structured training, offer encouragement, and show them possibilities they didn’t even know existed. I became their coach—supporting growth, celebrating wins, and leading them to a version of themselves that elevated the entire practice.
My practices thrived not because I found perfection, but because I created it through intentional leadership. This shift required ME to level up first. I invested in my own leadership, communication, and influence skills. I stopped being “just the dentist” focused solely on my craft and embraced being a visionary leader in the business of dentistry. If you want an above-average practice— higher production, exceptional results, loyal teams, and fulfilled patients—you must be an outlier. Doing what most colleagues do guarantees average results. True growth demands leading everyone around you toward a shared, elevated vision.
My practices thrived not because I found perfection, but because I created it through intentional leadership. Patients who once hesitated started saying yes to lifechanging dentistry. Team members whom I thought were hopeless started to excel and stay long-term. My frustration was gone, replaced by fulfillment. I also had to learn how to love dentistry again. Fellow dentists: if your practice feels stuck, look inward. The solution isn’t more CE, better marketers, or hunting for perfect people. It’s becoming the leader who transforms the average into the extraordinary—for your patients, your team, and yourself. Paint the picture. Mentor the potential. Lead the way. That’s the lesson I wish I’d learned on day one. And it’s the one that’s made all the difference. www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
Fewer Stress Patients = Healthier Team + Happier Dentist Most of us entered the dental field in hopes of connecting with our patients and making some sort of positive impact on their health or Dr. Jessica Alt earned her possibly their lives. However, I found myself bending over backwards DDS from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. for patients that didn’t necessarily value my efforts. By Jessica Alt, DDS SDDS Member
Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2010. She completed a post-doctorate pediatric dental residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Providence, RI, and has since become a Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry. She owns a pediatric dental practice in Rocklin, CA, with her business partner. As a proud mom of two (ages 10 and 12), Dr. Jessi is active in her community and enjoys traveling.
It took me years to realize that I will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that a small number of patients are responsible for the vast majority of my stress. Dismissing or avoiding high-stress patients early is a lesson I have learned after experiencing burnout, staff turnover, and legal headaches.
1. Identify Red Flags Early
Before the first visit: • Aggressively shopping for the cheapest treatment • Demanding guarantees or expressing unrealistic expectations • Negative comments about previous dentists • Excessive emails or calls before even scheduling
During the appointment: • Refusing necessary diagnostics, but demanding treatment • Challenging every recommendation • Repeatedly interrupting explanations • Questioning every fee • Recording staff without permission • Disrespectful behavior toward staff or making staff uncomfortable • Threatens negative reviews, taking legal action or refers to being involved in prior lawsuits
20 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
2. Protect the Team First High-conflict patients often target front desk staff which can lead to a drop in team morale or increased turnover. Many offices adopt a policy that verbal abuse toward staff is grounds for immediate dismissal.
3. Set Clear Boundaries From Day One Enforce common policies such as: • Payment due at time of service • Insurance is a reimbursement benefit, not a guarantee of payment • Missed appointment fees • No treatment without proper diagnostics • Respectful communication policy When boundaries are documented and consistently enforced, problematic patients often remove themselves.
4. D ismiss Patients Before Beginning Restorative Treatment If a patient is demonstrating red flags prior to beginning treatment, declining the case may save major headaches, potential legal ramifications, or patient refunds.
MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
5. H igh-Stress Patients Rarely Become Profitable Patients
6. Use a Professional Dismissal Process
It has been said that the patients who cause the most stress are usually the least profitable. These high-stress patients take up a disproportionate amount of chair time and time spent by staff managing conflict, not to mention delayed or uncollected payments.
Once a dentist has examined a patient, they typically must terminate care properly to avoid allegations of abandonment. Many offices send a formal dismissal letter offering emergency care only for a limited time period. The CDA and SDDS have dismissal letter templates available.
As we navigate our dental careers and strive for a healthy work-life balance, we must take steps to avoid burnout. Recognizing that we cannot please everyone and reducing the patients that create the most stress allows our practices to thrive and to focus our energy on serving our ideal patients.
The 10 Second Trial I had a 6-year-old patient who needed an extraction of #J. He was By Dexter Yee, DMD anxious, nervous, and jumpy even at the idea of sitting in the dental chair. SDDS Member Dr. Dexter was born and He was the type that I knew was going to struggle with the extraction. To my and Mom’s surprise, he was amazing with the local anesthetic. I was able to deliver both a maxillary infiltration of Articaine into the buccal vestibule around #J as well as PDL infiltrations circumferentially from the buccal to the palatal. I felt optimistic. I confirmed soft tissue anesthesia with an explorer tip and a periosteal elevator. I was then able to luxate #J with a straight elevator without any complaints. I felt even more optimistic! However, when it came to finally putting a forcep onto #J, he didn’t just fuss; he erupted into a mess of tears, screaming, and flailing limbs. And in those 10 seconds it took me to remove #J, I lost his trust –and Mom’s trust as well. She was upset and emotional that her child was “not numb.” It didn’t matter that he was perfectly happy choosing a prize afterwards or that he left the office with a smile. In her mind, I extracted a tooth when he was not fully numb. In 10 seconds, he officially became a “No Dr. Dexter” patient.
Key takeaways:
Implement a pre-extraction "time out": If a child is struggling, I now pause and give the parent the choice to proceed. Securing a verbal "go-ahead" addresses hesitations early and ensures you have their informed consent and trust. Under-promise and over-deliver: Never assume a smooth procedure. I warn every parent that extractions are challenging for even the most perfect patients. Setting expectations appropriately will prevent parents from being blindsided. And when the procedure goes better than expected, you are able to transform a stressful moment into an opportunity to impress.
raised in Sacramento, California. He attended Tufts Dental School, and he graduated Cum Laude with distinction and honors. He completed his pediatric residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Dexter is proud to partner with Dr. Jeffrey Sue to launch Little Marvels Pediatric Dentistry. Together, they provide care to the Folsom community.
Have a short memory: Don't take it personally if parents prefer to see someone else. If the trust in a patientdoctor relationship is broken, the relationship will be tenuous at best. Sometimes, the best clinical outcome is simply helping the family find a better fit elsewhere.
Prioritize parental perception: Clinical success isn't enough without a parent's trust. I now proactively demonstrate to parents that their child is numb by clearly differentiating the sensation of pain vs. pressure. www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
Q+A with
Dr. Michael Chu By Michael Chu, DDS SDDS Member
Dr. Michael is a native of Sacramento. He attended John F. Kennedy High School. After graduation from UC San Francisco in 2008, Dr. Michael joined his now-retired father, Dr. Lawrence Chu, in private practice. Today, he leads his private practice, Patient Dental, directs the dental clinic at the Wellness Center of a large tech company’s Elk Grove campus, and is faculty at Spear Education in Scottsdale, AZ.
Nugget:
Can you walk us through a moment when things didn’t go as expected on a case? Dr. Chu: An occurrence that I think we can all relate to is when we are ready to deliver a case that’s back from the lab, and the try-in isn’t exactly what you want, whether the shade is off, the marginal fit isn’t what you want, or the contacts aren’t what you want. At that moment, we all have a decision to make as to how we want to proceed. I’ve been fortunate in my practice life that I entered a practice where doing the right thing and taking care of our patients like they are our family made decisions easy for me. I understand it’s not always an easy decision for all dentists, depending on the practice environment that they are in. Being honest and communicative with patients is difficult at times, but it is what has helped me. Nugget:
What is a mistake that didn’t show up in dental school, but taught you one of your biggest lessons in practice? Dr. Chu: Never assume what treatment option a patient will go for. In dental school, my classmates and I focused on treating the urgent singletooth problems of our patients. We had requirements that we had to complete, and most of our patients we assumed were at the dental school because of financial necessity. I learned early on in my career that a patient’s value for dentistry may be independent of any perceived financial ability. My job wasn’t to filter what treatment plan to present to them; my job is to make my patients aware
22 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
of their condition(s), make them aware of the consequences of inaction, and make them aware of the benefits of treatment, and to let them choose what treatment direction makes the most sense for them. I’ve been pleasantly surprised over the years by what happens when you follow that process. Nugget:
What is one piece of advice you received early in your career that turned out to be wrong for you? Dr. Chu: “Growth of the practice is always good.” While growth can be healthy for the finances of the practice, I have learned over the years that, for me, I don’t want to operate in a super busy or large practice. I enjoy having a smaller team that I can work with, as well as slowing down, taking my time, and not seeing too many patients in a day. Nugget:
What mistake taught you the most about communication—not dentistry? Dr. Chu: I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I didn’t realize that my communication with a patient had made her feel bad about herself. While I didn’t think, intend, nor remember saying anything that I thought would make that patient feel bad about their oral health, they left feeling that way, and that’s never a feeling that I would want any patient to have. Discussing the current periodontal condition with the patient triggered a feeling within her that made her not feel great about herself. So, what I learned is not to assume that how I think I am communicating is always received with the intent that I had.
Nugget:
Dr. Chu:
Looking back, what boundary (clinical, financial, or emotional) do you wish you had set earlier in your career?
Choosing to continually pursue high-level continuing education is the best thing for my confidence and competence. Nugget:
What’s a lesson you learned the While it is a huge decision for each practice hard way that you now actively to decide which benefit plans to contract teach or model? Dr. Chu:
with, deciding not to be in contract with any plans was a positive decision to allow our team to really be able to practice dentistry the way we strive to. Nugget:
What’s a small change you made after a mistake that ended up having a big impact on your confidence or outcomes?
criticize a fellow practitioner’s work, as you don’t know the conditions that they had to work in. Nugget:
If you could write a sticky note to your younger dentist self after your first major mistake, what would it say?
Dr. Chu:
Dr. Chu:
While I was in dental school on an externship, I remember seeing a restoration on an X-ray that I was set to replace. I remember thinking to myself that it didn’t look like it was done very well. We’ve all been there, but it was a lower molar that I was working on, and man, THAT tongue! I couldn’t instantly see why the previous provider might have struggled with that filling. I learned early on not to
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou
| 365 DENTAL STUDIO www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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MISTAKES IN DENTISTRY
More Than Meets the Apex: Lesions Masquerading as Periapical Inflammatory Disease
OKCs and SBCs and PCODs… oh my! By Samantha Gallia Ryan, DDS SDDS Member
Born and raised in Sacramento, Dr. Samantha Gallia Ryan earned her DDS degree from the UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry with high honors and was the commencement speaker for her graduating class. She received her certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology from the University of Washington School of Dentistry, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Ryan is the founder and principal radiologist of her own radiology reading service.
Periapical rarefying osteitis is one of the most common radiographic findings dentists encounter. Defined by a loss of bone density at the apex of a tooth secondary to pulpal devitalization and necrosis, this radiolucency is the hallmark of apical periodontitis, a diagnosis that encompasses periapical granulomas, cysts, and abscesses. But a radiolucent lesion at the apex of a tooth doesn’t automatically confirm a diagnosis of apical periodontitis. Several other pathologies can mimic periapical inf lammatory disease radiographically, complicating diagnosis and treatment planning — and in some cases leading to unnecessary endodontic therapy or biopsy. Odontogenic Keratocyst Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) develop in association with an unerupted tooth or as solitary entities within bone, most commonly in the posterior mandible. They typically present with a well-defined and corticated periphery, which can make them difficult to distinguish from a welldefined periapical cyst. OKCs have a tendency to tunnel through bone rather than expand it. Simple Bone Cavity A simple bone cavity (SBC), also known as a simple bone cyst, is not a true cyst as it lacks an epithelial lining. Most SBCs occur in the posterior mandible within the first two decades of life, and they feature a welldefined, delicately corticated border that may appear subtle on imaging. When an SBC encounters a tooth root, its periphery scallops smoothly around the root rather than resorbing it.
24 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Periapical Cementoosseous Dysplasia Periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia (PCOD) is a benign, fibro-osseous entity, often discovered incidentally. It most often affects teeth in the anterior mandible of middle-aged women and calcifies gradually with maturation, and early-stage lesions can appear radiographically identical to rarefying osteitis. Multiple similar radiolucencies at the apices of otherwise healthy teeth should raise suspicion for PCOD. Nasopalatine Duct Cyst Most nasopalatine duct cysts (NPDCs) are centered in the maxillary midline within the nasopalatine canal, though they can expand asymmetrically. NPDCs present with a well-defined, corticated periphery and a round-to-oval shape. Rarefying osteitis of a central incisor can mimic an asymmetric NPDC; an intact lamina dura around the apex favors an NPDC, while its loss favors an inflammatory origin. These four are far from the only impostors. Post-endodontic periapical scars, acute osteomyelitis, incompletely formed apices, a slyly positioned mental foramen, and even malignancy within the periodontal ligament space can all mimic periapical inflammatory disease radiographically. Advanced imaging such as CBCT can often help clarify a lesion’s origin, but imaging alone isn’t always enough; some of these entities are radiographically indistinguishable from true periapical disease. In those cases, diagnosis relies on the clinical exam, which should always include pulp vitality testing.
Getting the diagnosis right matters because the ideal treatment differs for each of these entities: not every lesion warrants biopsy, and none of them will resolve with endodontic therapy. So the next time a radiolucency doesn’t quite add up — or the clinical findings contradict what you’d expect — it never hurts to consult your friendly local oral radiologist for a second opinion. They could probably use the company Above: Cross-sectional CBCT images displaying multiple sites of PCOD in the same patient, originally referred for endodontic therapy on #25.
Above: Corrected sagittal CBCT image displaying an SBC scalloping between the roots of #29 and 30 of a 19-year-old.
To the Left: Reconstructed panoramic, sagittal, and axial CBCT images displaying an asymmetric NPDC within the anterior maxilla.
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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SDDS FOUNDATION
Saying Goodbye to Sofia After more than 10 years as a valued team member of SDDS and the Foundation, Sofie will be retiring at the end of December. It is difficult to imagine the Foundation without her. Sofie has brought incredible dedication, compassion, and heart to everything she has done, always putting the people and families we serve first. She has gone above and beyond countless times to help families in need. Her genuine kindness and caring have made a lasting difference, not only to those we serve, but also to the dentists and volunteers she has worked alongside with Smiles for Kids over the years. The relationships and rapport she built with our member dentists speak volumes about the person she is, and we know their words will help tell the story of just how special she has been to the Foundation. Sofie, thank you for more than a decade of dedication, kindness, and service. You have given so much of yourself to the Foundation and to the people we serve, and you will be deeply missed by all of us. We are incredibly grateful for everything you have done and wish you a very happy and welldeserved retirement.
Sofia has been especially helpful to Rachel and me over the years. She’s always detail-oriented and kind, and she made every request feel easy. Whenever we needed something, Sofia took care of it with warmth and a smile. That kind of care is rare, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’ll be greatly missed, but she’s more than earned this next chapter. We hope it’s filled with rest, adventure, and plenty of time for the people and things she loves most. Thank you, Sofia, for everything.
ART AND RACHEL PUPPET ART THEATER CO.
I have been fortunate to collaborate with Sofia on many SDDS events and programs, particularly Smiles for Kids Day and the SDDS CPR program. These are not always easy things to organize, but Sofia has an incredible ability to bring people together, keep countless details moving, communicate efficiently, and somehow make it all seem effortless. She does it all with a smile, a cheerful attitude, and a genuine willingness to help wherever she is needed. Her hard work and dedication don’t go unnoticed by all the volunteers and team members who work alongside her. Sofia, congratulations on your retirement! You have certainly earned it, and I hope this next chapter brings you plenty of time to enjoy the things you love… You will be missed!
PAUL A. JOHNSON, DDS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY OF SACRAMENTO & WEST SACRAMENTO
Sofia is a true gem! For over a decade, she has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our underserved community! It takes dedication, vision, and a lot of love to manage a rewarding program like Smiles for Kids.
ANDREA CERVANTES, DDS SHELDON GROVE FAMILY DENTAL 26 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Where Elegance Meets Holiday Cheer THE SDDS YEAR-END PREMIERE
Join us for SDDS’ 2026 Holiday Party & Silent Auction Friday, December 11, 2026 | 6:00pm-10:00pm Sutter Club, downtown Sacramento $150 per person | Visit www.sdds.org for full details and to register Celebrate with us as we honor Dr. Jeffrey Sue’s outstanding year as President and welcome Dr. Craig Alpha as our incoming President, along with the installation of the 2027 SDDS and SDDF Board of Directors. Your ticket includes a festive reception, delicious dinner, and an evening of fun!
HELP SUPPORT THE SDDS FOUNDATION Please consider donating an auction item to help us create the most fabulous Silent Auction ever! Your contributions make our silent auction unforgettable! Here are some items that went for high bids in the past: • Private chef dinner in your home • Local artwork or hand-crafted items • Your favorite wines or make a wine basket • Sports tickets (i.e. your King’s seats) • Unique experiences The best silent auctions are those where you’re given the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items and special experiences. If you have questions, email della@@sdds.org or call SDDS at (916) 446-1227. Silent Auction donation deadline is November 18. Sponsored by Bank of America Practice Solutions
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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March 18-19, 2O27
The 46th Annual MidWinter Convention & Expo SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento
Highlights for 2027 include: Sunrise Opening Session Hands-on Learning Student Research Poster Presentations Cutting-edge speakers 41 Course Offerings Available
This year - Hands-on Courses available! For Dentists
For Everyone
Additional $89 fee required
No additional fee required
Thursday, March 18 • 2:00pm–4:00pm • 2 CEU, Core
Thursday, March 18 • 2:30pm–3:30pm • 1 CEU, Core Friday, March 19 • 8:30am–9:30am • 1 CEU, Core
Implementation of Predictable Adhesive Dentistry for Modern Restorations Hands-On course Greg Campbell, DDS Sponsored by Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. Building on the principles presented during the morning lecture, participants will apply evidence-based adhesive protocols through guided hands-on exercises using typodont models. Attendees will perform Immediate Dentin Sealing (IDS), Resin Coating, and Deep Margin Elevation (DME) on a prepared posterior tooth, followed by adhesive cementation of a lithium disilicate onlay and a zirconia crown. Emphasis is placed on preparation design, contamination control, restoration surface treatment, and contemporary resin cement protocols that create predictable, repeatable clinical outcomes. Attendance at the morning lecture is strongly recommended. Learning objectives: • Perform IDS, Resin Coating, and Deep Margin Elevation on typodont models using evidence-based clinical protocols. • Complete adhesive bonding of lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations while applying proper surface treatment and contamination management. • Implement a standardized adhesive workflow that improves restorative predictability, efficiency, and long-term clinical success.
28 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
8 Minute Temp – It Can Be Done – Hands-On course Viren Patel, DDS and Alex Zamansky, Executive Territory Manager; Dentsply Sirona Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis - Limited seating. Did you know the average amount of time required to make a temp crown from impression to being fully cemented takes 15-18 minutes? In this course, learn to fabricate a temp crown in about EIGHT MINUTES! This course is very hands-on and is designed to provide an understanding of new technologies and techniques as it relates to the temp crown workflow. Attendees will practice making single crown fabrications and bridge temporizations. An overview of new materials and techniques will be examined. Learning objectives: • Discover the benefits, types, techniques and details of fabricating temporary crowns • Learn current materials and techniques • Learn how to make an eight-minute temp • RDAEF or Doctors–learn about a new, hydrophilic bond as well as current core build-up material that makes core-buildups super easy!
Confirmed Exhibitors - More to come!
(as of 10/13/2026)
Analgesic Services, Inc.
Finance
Shofu Dental Corporation
Arklign
Integrity Practice Sales
Star Refining, Inc.
Bank of America Practice Solutions
KB Dental Revenue Management
Straumann USA, LLC
Benco Dental
Kettenbach LP
Supply Doc, Inc.
BPE Law Group
Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics
SurgiTel
Brasseler USA
Kuraray America Inc.
California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine
Laguna Dental Arts
Tokuyama Dental America Inc.
CareCredit
LumaDent
Dandy
Ultradent Products, Inc.
Liberty Dental Plan
Ultralight Optics Inc.
MME Consulting Inc.
DDSmatch
TDIC
University of the Pacific, Arthur A Dugoni, School of Dentistry, PHCC
DentaQuest
Myohealth Technologies Inc. DBA Myoaligner
US Bank
Desco Dental
Nextsum Dental
Dentsply Sirona
Nimbus Dental
Western Practice Sales
Dr. Jen Oral Care
Nobel Biocare
Earned
NW Staffing
Eide Bailly LLP
Olson Construction, Inc.
Elevate Oral Care
OMNI Practice Group
GC America
Open Dental Consultant
Haleon
OsteoGen (Impladent LTD)
Health Net of California
Patterson Dental
Henry Schein Dental
Professional Practice Sales
Henry Schein Dental Practice Transitions
Q-Optics & Quality Aspirators Inc.
Huntington Bank Practice
SD Dental Solutions
Your Tax Line
Schooley Mitchell
Team Special
Sign up 6 Staff
Get the 7th Free
W&H Impex
Learn more & register online!
Bring your staff - registration cost includes courses, meals, happy hour, keynote speaker and a whole lot of fun! Save $50 - Early bird registration ends November 9, 2026
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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COMMITTEE CORNER
Making the Connection:
THE GROWING ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AT SDDS If you’ve been following SDDS on social media lately, you may have noticed that there’s a little more happening on our pages. We’re sharing events and CE opportunities, but we’re also sharing the people, stories, and experiences that make SDDS such a great organization to be part of. That’s really the goal of the Social Media Committee: to help keep our members connected throughout the year, not just when we’re together at a meeting or event. Over the past year, engagement on our social media platforms has increased by more than 150%. We’ve also had more opportunities to work with our vendor members to highlight their products, services, and expertise. Those numbers are encouraging, but what’s even more exciting is the opportunity to show what is happening within our dental community. We’ve been able to introduce members to one another, recognize professional accomplishments, highlight community involvement, and share some of the experiences that make each of our members unique. We also want newer dentists to see the many ways they can get involved with SDDS and build relationships with other dentists in the area. More Than Just Promotion Social media can easily become a place where organizations simply post reminders about
upcoming events. We want SDDS to be more than that. Our goal is to create a place where members can see what their colleagues are doing, learn something new, celebrate accomplishments, and stay up to date on issues affecting dentistry. Education has always been an important part of SDDS, and social media gives us another way to continue that. We can share clinical information, oral health topics, advocacy updates, and other timely information with our members and the community. With so much information available online, we believe there is value in having a trusted professional organization help provide accurate and useful information. Sharing Our Members’ Stories One of the most enjoyable parts of working on social media has been getting to know more about our members. Our members are doing some pretty amazing things like building practices, mentoring younger dentists, volunteering in their communities, pursuing new interests, traveling, raising families, and finding new ways to contribute to dentistry, and we want to share those stories. It doesn’t have to be a major professional accomplishment. Maybe your practice is celebrating an anniversary, you recently volunteered at a community event, you attended an SDDS course that made a
By Jasraj Sandhu, DMD Chair; Social Media Committee
difference in your practice, or you have an interesting story about your experience with SDDS. These are the things that help us get to know the people behind the organization. Help Us Keep It Going As SDDS continues to evolve, we want our social media presence to reflect our membership and the many different people who make up our society. We encourage you to follow SDDS, like and share our posts, send us photos and ideas, and let us know what you’d like to see. If you have a story or accomplishment you’d like us to share, please reach out to us. We’re also always looking for members who want to get involved with the Social Media Committee. You don’t need to be a social media expert. If you have an idea, enjoy taking photos at events, or simply want to help tell the story of SDDS, we’d love to have you. SDDS has always been about people and the connections we make with one another. Social media gives us one more way to keep those connections going between meetings and events and to celebrate the people who make our society what it is. So, keep following, keep sharing, and most importantly, keep being part of the SDDS community.
2026 SDDS Committees Schedule Leadership
Other
Board of Directors
CDA House of Delegates
Jan 6 • Mar 3 • May 5 • Sept 1 • Nov 3
Executive Committee
Feb 13 • Apr 10 • Aug 7 • Oct 16 • Dec 4
30 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Nov 13-14
2027 Committee Meeting dates will be sent via email and listed in the Jan/Feb Nugget
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Volunteer OPPORTUNITIES Ways to volunteer and support the SDDS Foundation: Become a member of the Foundation – it’s only $75 per year Donate to the programs of the Foundation – donations help provide screening supplies, toothbrushes and fund the puppet shows Smiles for Kids Day – February 6, 2027 To volunteer, Contact: SDDS office 916.446.1227 • smilesforkids@sdds.org SFK Volunteers Needed - We are seeking volunteer dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists to help at a Smiles for Kids (SFK) site on February 6, 2027. We are also looking for dentists willing to adopt a child by providing additional dental treatment needed after SFK Day to ensure the child’s care is completed.
Please contact the SDDS office at (916) 4461227 or email smilesforkids@sdds.org if you are interested in volunteering. Smiles for Big Kids is ongoing all year long – we need volunteers to adopt the BIG kids too (especially vets and the elderly) Volunteers Needed: Dentists willing to “adopt” patients for immediate/emergency needs in their office. To volunteer, Contact: SDDS office 916.446.1227 • sdds@sdds.org
CCMP (Coalition for Concerned Medical Professionals) Volunteers needed: General Dentists, Specialists, Dental Assistants and Hygienists. To volunteer, Contact: 916.925.9379 • ccmp.pa@juno.com Everyone for Veterans To volunteer, Contact: SDDS office 916.446.1227 • sdds@sdds.org everyoneforveterans.org/for-dentists.html
Willow Dental Clinic One Saturday every other month Contact dental@willowclinic.org for more information. You can check out their website here: www.willowclinic.org/services/dental
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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BOARD MEETING SUMMARY
Board Meeting Highlights
By Chirag Vaid, DDS
September 1, 2026, at the SDDS Office The Sacramento District Dental Society Board of Directors met on September 1, 2026, with President Dr. Jeff Sue presiding.
President’s Report The Board welcomed student representatives Mariah Sharp from California Northstate University and Shahrzad “Sherry” Khalaf from the University of the Pacific. Both were approved as non-voting Student Board representatives.
Secretary’s Report The Board reviewed current membership activity, including 158 new members since January and 69 new members in August. The Board discussed ways to strengthen the value of membership for new graduates.
Old Business The Board reviewed the July Ice Cream Social, which brought together approximately 60 attendees. An update was also provided on the CNU student scholarship honoring Cathy Levering, which is progressing toward a 2027 launch.
The Board also received an update on the transition to the Fonteva/CAMMS database system. The system is now live, with staff continuing to work with CDA IT on customization and improvements.
New Business The Board confirmed there will be no SDDS dues increase for 2027 and discussed upcoming participation in the CDA House of Delegates. The Board reviewed the CDA Foundation’s proposed Wellness Program and plans to meet with Orange County representatives at the House of Delegates to learn more about potentially piloting the program. Following discussion regarding a resolution related to optional ADA dues, the Board agreed to form a task force to better understand why local dentists choose not to maintain membership. The Board also plans to invite Dr. Viren Patel to a future meeting to discuss membership trends and CDA’s perspective.
2026 Secretary
The Board received an update on the Capital Region Dental Convention – MidWinter in Bloom, with registration now open. The rebranded convention is designed to welcome dental professionals from throughout the greater Sacramento region, with promotional efforts underway.
Board of Component Representatives Report Dr. Bryan Judd provided updates on efforts to address food insecurity among dental students. The CDA Foundation has provided initial funding for a food pantry at California Northstate University, with Dr. Wu following up locally on the initiative. The Board also discussed ongoing advocacy efforts related to Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and Proposition 56 funding, as well as discussions surrounding ambulatory surgical centers serving special needs populations.
Executive Director’s Report The Board reviewed upcoming SDDS programs and events, including the September 12 Hands-On CE course with Dr. Desai, the September 23 Next Level Leadership Reception, and the October 10 New Member Bus Tour focusing on practice startups and acquisitions. Additional upcoming events include the Past Presidents’ Dinner on November 18 and the SDDS Holiday Party on December 11. The meeting concluded with a group photograph.
Next Meeting The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for November 3 at 6:00p.m.
“It is the mission of the Sacramento District Dental Society to be the recognized source for serving Its members and for enhancing the oral health of the community.” CORE VALUES: Community, Integrity, Service, Engagement
32 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
4350 MARCONI AVE Sacramento, CA 95821 PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS
• Move-in ready dental surgery center • Suite features reception/intake, two (2) consultation rooms, three (3) operatories, lab space, and doctors’ offices • Perfect for endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, or oral/maxillofacial surgeons • Fenced and gated parking area
±2,592 SF DENTAL SUITE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Chad Cook, MCR, SIOR, CCIM Zach Mosle, CCIM Senior Director Director chad.cook@cushwake.com zach.mosle@cushwake.com +1 916 764 1181 +1 925 683 6822 CA Lic. #01711687 CA Lic. #01924595
• Situated at the high-traffic intersection of Marconi Avenue and Eastern Avenue
Stay Connected with SDDS - Follow Us On Social Media sddsandf @sddsandsddf Sacramento District Dental Society & Foundation
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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LEGISLATIVE
CDA Major Issues & Priorities 2026 1. AB 1629: Dental Insurance Access & Accountability (CDA-Sponsored) Dental patients across California face increasing challenges finding a dentist who is included in their dental plan’s network. CDA sponsored AB 1629 this year, authored by Asm. Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), to address the growing inadequacy of dental plan networks and the resulting barriers to care. The governor signed the bill into law and it will take effect January 1, 2027. AB 1629 will: • Require dental insurance companies to report provider network information to the state for all dental plans they sell. Nearly half of Californians with commercial dental coverage are in plans governed by federal ERISA law, which are not included in the current network adequacy assessments conducted by the Dept. of Managed Health Care and Dept. of Insurance. As a result, the state has a very incomplete picture when assessing dental provider network adequacy. • Require all dental plans to comply with a patient’s “assignment of benefits” (AOB) requests, so that patients can receive care from an out-of-network dentist and have the dental plan send payment directly to dental offices that choose this option. Many patients seeing an out-of-network dentist have had to pay 100% of the treatment costs upfront and wait to be reimbursed, putting an unnecessary cost burden on patients and further restricting use of their already limited dental benefits. Patients should not be penalized for seeing an out-of-network dentist when their dental plan is not ensuring an adequate provider network. AB 1629 helps fix a significant barrier to dental care and improves the value of dental coverage.
Reprinted with permission from California Dental Association
2. Saving the Medi-Cal Dental Program
• 34% increase in the number of MediCal dental providers across the state.
The governor and legislature approved a 202627 state budget that protects Medi-Cal Dental funding for another year, preserving the current Medi-Cal dental reimbursement rate levels as well as dental benefits for residents who lack permanent legal status.
• 40% of California dentists are now enrolled in Medi-Cal.
The proposed $1 billion cut originally set to take effect July 1, 2026 is now delayed until July 1, 2027. CDA and the Save Our Dental Care Coalition have been urging a rejection of these cuts, which would amount to one third of Medi-Cal Dental funding and bring the program to 1990s funding levels, with catastrophic impacts on the 15 million Californians relying on Medi-Cal for dental coverage. Preserving this funding in the 2026-27 budget provides significant, short-term relief to patients and Medi-Cal providers. We appreciate the work of the legislature and governor’s administration to maintain this funding. However, the uncertainty caused by short-term delays of these massive proposed cuts is already affecting access. California must have longer term stability in the Medi-Cal budget. The network of Medi-Cal dentists would collapse if these cuts take effect – 49% of more than 1,500 surveyed Medi-Cal dentists say these cuts will force them to leave the program. Another 30% will be forced to see fewer MediCal patients. These cuts also defy the will of the voters, who overwhelmingly approved this funding by passing Proposition 56 (2016) with 64% support. Prop. 56 has led to historic progress for the Medi-Cal Dental program: • 37% increase in new dental office visits by Medi-Cal patients since 2020, according to the most recent data.
34 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
The short-term savings of these cuts come with higher long-term costs. The state’s most vulnerable residents would go without basic dental care, leading to worse overall health complications and forcing patients to rely on emergency rooms. When adult Medi-Cal Dental coverage was eliminated in 2009, there was a 32% increase in emergency dental visits by Medi-Cal patients. The Medi-Cal program’s fundamental purpose is to provide comprehensive, essential health benefits for low-income residents. The proposed cuts abandon that purpose. We will continue urging the governor and legislature to prevent these cuts from taking effect. 3. SB 1311: Dental Assistant Infection Control Training (Support) Dental practices across California are struggling to hire and retain staff due to statutory barriers impacting unlicensed dental assistants. Newly hired unlicensed dental assistants have been required to complete an 8-hour infection control course in person before beginning work in a dental office. However, the limited availability of in-person courses – especially in rural and underserved areas – causes significant hiring delays, leading some candidates to seek jobs in other industries. This workforce challenge reduces access to care for patients and exacerbates existing staffing shortages in dental practices. CDA supported SB 1311 this year, authored by Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) and signed into law by the governor, to address these issues by:
• Allowing an unlicensed dental assistant to complete a DBC-approved infection control course or a virtual infection control course offered by the ADA, CDA, or the AGD. • Allowing an unlicensed dental assistant to satisfy infection control requirements by successfully completing the Dental Assisting National Board’s Infection Control examination. This bill will help dental offices hire new staff more efficiently while maintaining patient safety and important infection control standards. These reforms ensure that unlicensed dental assistants can receive timely training without unnecessary delays that impact both dental teams and the patients they serve. 4. AB 350: Fluoride Varnish Coverage (CDA Co-Sponsored) Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood health issues, yet it is largely preventable with early care. CDA cosponsored AB 350, authored by Asm. Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) and signed into law by the governor, to expand access to fluoride varnish treatments for children, ensuring they receive this critical preventive care in dental, primary care, community, and home-based settings. Fluoride treatments have been covered for children and adults through Medi-Cal, but only when applied in specified settings. Many children, especially those in low-income communities, might more easily access these treatments in school-based programs or home visits by community health workers. By allowing fluoride varnish to be applied under the direction of a Medi-Cal provider in a variety of additional settings and expanding coverage to all children under 21, AB 350 removes barriers to preventive dental care. The bill will: • Require health insurance plans and Medi-Cal to cover fluoride varnish application for children under 21. • Expand Medi-Cal coverage for fluoride varnish treatments in a variety of settings, such as school-based programs and home visits. • Direct the Medi-Cal Dental Program to establish clear billing and reimbursement policies so that providers can efficiently offer these treatments. By making fluoride treatments more accessible, AB 350 helps protect children from cavities, reduces the need for costly dental procedures, and improves overall health outcomes.
5. AB 2029: Dental Insurance Transparency Standards (CDA-Sponsored) CDA sponsored AB 2029 this year, authored by Asm. LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), to address the difficulty dental offices and patients have in accessing accurate, transparent benefit information from dental insurance companies. To estimate patient costs prior to treatment, dentists and their offices spend significant staff effort obtaining insurance benefit breakdowns outlining what services will be covered and how much a plan will pay. While some dental plans have online portals, many require dental staff to call and speak with plan representatives, which can be a time-consuming process. Call center representatives and dental portals do not provide the same information and often do not fully disclose all the necessary details for an accurate benefit breakdown, such as coverage exceptions, applicable limitations or whether annual maximums will apply. When the information provided by the insurance company differs from the final coverage and explanation of benefits after treatment, the patient can be left on the hook for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
California dental practices continue to experience persistent difficulty hiring dental hygienists. While the total number of RDHs has increased modestly in recent years, workforce growth has not kept pace with the expanding dentist population. Even with additional RDH educational programs expected to open, projected graduate numbers will add only incremental capacity over time. As a result, many practices report unfilled hygiene positions, reduced appointment availability, and delayed preventive care. Meanwhile, California has a substantial pool of ITDs whose clinical training, experience, and cultural and linguistic competencies remain underutilized. While six California dental schools have programs allowing ITDs to become licensed dentists, these programs receive thousands of applicants each year for a small fraction of seats available. Despite meeting or exceeding the educational level of hygiene curriculum, ITDs currently have no pathway into the dental hygiene profession. As a result, highly trained clinicians are forced to restart their careers or exit the dental field entirely, even as dental practices report ongoing difficulty hiring hygienists across the state.
AB 2029 will establish standardized requirements for all dental plans to have an online provider portal available, regardless of whether a dentist is in-network or out-ofnetwork. The portal would have to include crucial details such as coverage eligibility, what costs will be covered by the plan, a patient’s copayment amount, any applicable deductible or annual maximum, and an expiration date for the estimate.
This bill creates a rigorous pathway for ITDs to qualify for RDH licensure, overseen by the Dental Hygiene Board of California and modeled on pathways used successfully in several other states. Applicants would have to:
The work on this bill will continue into next year while we continue discussions with stakeholders about the level of detail required for pre-treatment estimates and allowing out of network providers to access the portals. This bill is an important part of providing better transparency during treatment planning, and holding dental insurance companies accountable for their estimate of coverage will provide more assurance about out-of-pocket costs for patients.
• Pass national board and clinical examinations.
6. AB 1952: Dental Hygienist Licensure Pathway for Internationally Trained Dentists (CDA-Sponsored)
• Submit Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) validation confirming academic equivalence of their international dental degree to a U.S. dental degree.
• Take 50+ hours of CA-specific coursework and the CA law and ethics examination that is required for all California RDHs and reflective of the state’s expansive RDH scope. AB 1952 would address a critical dental workforce need and integrate highly skilled, culturally competent individuals within the California dental team. The work on this bill will continue into next year while we continue discussions with stakeholders. Updated September 28, 2026
CDA sponsored AB 1952 this year, authored by Asm. Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto), to establish a pathway for internationally trained dentists (ITDs) to earn licensure as registered dental hygienists (RDH). www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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YOU
DO YOU USE THE HR HOTLINE? The SDDS HR Hotline is an exclusive benefit to SDDS Members. It's powered by the California Employers Association and they are ready for your call.
THE DENTIST, THE EMPLOYER
California time off laws: What you need to know to protect your practice
SDDS HR Hotline FREE TO SDDS MEMBERS!
BER MEM IT! F E N E B
888.784.4031
Printed with permission of the California Dental Association In California, it can be hard for employers to keep track of the various, and changing, time off requirements. To help members, CDA’s Endorsed Services partner HR for Health breaks down the most common types of time off and how dental practices can stay compliant with California employment laws. Paid Time Off (PTO) PTO is a bank of hours that employees can use for vacation time off, personal time off and sometimes sick leave. The state of California doesn’t mandate that employers offer vacation or PTO to workers, but if you do decide to offer it, be aware that “use-it-orlose-it” policies are not legal in California. All accrued, unused PTO must be: 1. Rolled over or paid out at the end of the benefit year and cannot be forfeited OR 2. Paid out at employment separation, regardless of the reason California law also states that once a time off policy has been established, employers must follow through. Staying compliant means having a written policy with a clear accrual rate and cap that is communicated at hire and kept current in your employee handbook. Holidays California also doesn’t require you to offer any designated holiday time off or premium pay. If your practice does have a policy that promises premium pay or certain days off, you are required to uphold those promises. Overtime still applies, and you may be required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees who observe religious holidays.
MANDATORY PAID LEAVE BENEFITS California laws are intended to ensure employers provide sufficient leave for employees to take care of themselves and their families. Some types of paid leave benefits are employer-funded, while others are supported by the state. Paid Sick Leave Under California’s Healthy Workplaces Healthy Families Act, virtually every employer with even a single employee in California must provide paid sick leave. Note that some cities mandate more sick leave hours per year than others. Some sick leave requirements to keep in mind: 1. Employees who work at least 30 days in a year are eligible for paid sick leave following a 90-day waiting period. 2. The state minimum is 40 hours of sick leave (equivalent to five days) per year, either accrued at one hour per 30 hours worked or front-loaded. 3. Paid sick leave can be used for the employee’s own illness or preventative care, or to care for a qualifying family member. 4. Sick leave can also now be used for jury duty leave and for “safe” leave, such as if someone is a victim of domestic violence seeking care or safety. Include a clear, compliant sick leave policy in your employee handbook with details about advance notice. Be careful not to penalize employees who take legitimate sick leave.
36 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Paid Family Leave (PFL) Many states, including California, have adopted paid family leave (PFL) benefits that provide short-term wage replacement for employees who need to take time off for family care. This is separate from sick leave. Some PFL requirements to keep in mind: PFL replaces a portion of wages for up to eight weeks but does not provide leave rights or job protection. Employees can use PFL benefits to care for a family member who is seriously ill, support a military family member who is deployed, bond with a new baby, welcome home a foster child or adopt. Employers do not need to contribute or pay salary during PFL. Employees apply for benefits through the state. MANDATORY UNPAID LEAVE BENEFITS Both federal and California time off compliance laws include unpaid leave requiring employers to protect employees’ jobs while they’re taking time off. These longer types of leave cost employers little to nothing, but compliance is strictly enforced. California’s Family and Medical Leave Law (CFRA) Employers with at least five employees must comply with the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Employees can use CFRA for chronic or serious health conditions, bonding with a child following birth, adoption or foster placement, or caring for a family member with a serious health condition. This type of leave doesn’t provide wage replacement.
Some CFRA requirements to keep in mind: 1. Eligible employees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave within a 12-month period. 2. The definition of a family member under this law is broad and can include parents, children, siblings, grandparents or chosen family (termed a “designated person”). 3. Employees can also apply for PFL benefits while on CFRA leave. This way, their job remains protected and their wage is partially replaced.
unpaid job-protected leave where employees can deal with serious health conditions, care for loved ones, welcome a child or handle certain military needs. Unlike CFR A, FMLA is only applicable to employers with 50 or more employees. Some FMLA leave requirements to keep in mind: 1. FMLA has a narrower definition of a family member than CFRA, only applying to children, parents, spouses or next of kin. 2. If an employee’s need for unpaid leave falls into a gray area, they may use FMLA and CFRA concurrently.
4. Employers are required to hold an employee’s job position while they’re on CFRA leave and continue to provide them with health insurance benefits.
FMLA is a federal law, not California-specific. Stay compliant with clear documentation from both the employee and the employer. Bereavement Leave
5. Employees who need to use CFRA may use all 12 weeks at once or periodically (common among employees who have chronic health conditions that may flare up.) Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Similar to CFRA, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of
California requires employers with five or more employees to provide eligible employees with unpaid bereavement leave following the death of certain family members. This leave is separate from CFRA and FMLA and is intended to give employees time to grieve, make arrangements and handle matters following the loss of a loved one.
Some bereavement leave requirements to keep in mind: 1.
Eligible employees may take up to five days of bereavement leave.
2.
The leave generally must be taken within three months of the family member’s death.
3.
Covered family members include a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner or parent-in-law.
4.
Employers may require reasonable documentation, such as a death certificate, obituary or written verification from a funeral home.
Include a clear bereavement leave policy in your employee handbook so employees understand when the leave is available, who qualifies and what documentation may be required. Copyright 2026, California Dental Association
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YOU ARE A DENTIST. You’ve been to school, taken your Boards and settled into practice. End of story?
YOU
Not quite. Are you up to speed on tax laws, potential deductions and other important business issues?
THE DENTIST, THE BUSINESS OWNER
Beyond Dentistry: Leadership Lessons That Changed the Way I Think About Practice Ownership
In this monthly column, we will offer information pertinent to you, the dentist as the business owner. MEMB E BENEF R IT!
By Dean N. Ahmad, DDS, FICOI, DABP (SDDS Member) Dentistry teaches us to become problem solvers We are trained to diagnose, treatment plan, manage risk, work precisely, and make decisions under pressure. For many of us, that training eventually leads to practice ownership. Then something happens: the skills that made us successful clinicians are no longer enough. Suddenly, we are responsible for people, culture, strategy, technology, finances, patient experience, and the future of an organization. Over the years, I have studied leadership and management through graduate business programs at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. I entered expecting to learn business concepts. What I gained instead was a way of thinking about leadership. Many of those lessons apply directly to dentistry. The doctor cannot be the answer to everything Dentists are conditioned to solve problems themselves. Clinically, that is often required. But in business, becoming the solution to every problem eventually makes you a bottleneck. If every employee question, scheduling issue, patient concern,
and operational challenge requires the owner’s involvement, the practice can grow only as large as that owner’s capacity.
But culture is not the statement hanging in the break room. Culture is what employees experience.
Leadership requires a different question: How do I build an organization that can think, solve problems, and perform well even when I am not in the room? That means developing people, defining expectations, creating systems, and sharing responsibility.
It is what leaders tolerate, what gets rewarded, how mistakes are handled, and whether expectations apply consistently. Strong cultures create an environment where people can speak up, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and acknowledge when something is wrong.
Strategy requires choices
High standards and psychological safety can coexist; the strongest organizations require both.
Most practices want growth, excellent care, happy patients, a strong team, better technology, and greater profitability. Those are aspirations. They are not yet strategy. Strategy requires choices. Who do we want to serve? What kind of practice are we trying to become? What do we want to be exceptional at? Where should we invest, and what should we deliberately leave alone? I have learned that focus builds strength. A practice becomes distinctive not by trying to serve everyone, but by choosing where it can excel. Culture is what people experience We often describe culture with words such as excellence, integrity, teamwork, and compassion.
38 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Technology should create more humanity, not less Artificial intelligence will affect dentistry. It will influence diagnostics, scheduling, c o m mu n i c a t i o n , d o c u m e nt a t i o n , workf low, treatment planning, and business decision-making. But technology itself is rarely the strategy. The better question is: What does technology allow us to do better? By reducing repetitive work, identifying inefficiencies, improving communication, and providing clinicians with better information, AI may free us to focus on what technology cannot replace: judgment, empathy, relationships, and trust.
Keep learning outside dentistry Some valuable lessons about running a dental practice have come from conversations outside dentistry. Industries such as healthcare, hospitality, technology, and manufacturing confront many of the same challenges as dentistry, including attracting talent, delivering consistent experiences, managing change, improving systems, and scaling without compromising organizational identity. Advancing dentistr y may therefore require drawing insights from beyond the profession. Perhaps the biggest shift in my thinking has been realizing that a dental practice is more than a collection of operatories where clinical care takes place. It’s an organization. Organizations require leadership, strategy, culture, systems,
innovation, and people who believe in where they are going. Clinical excellence will always be our foundation. But for those of us who lead practices, the level of growth may not come from learning another procedure; it may come from learning how to build something bigger than ourselves. Dr. Dean N. Ahmad is a board-certified periodontist, implant surgeon and founder of INNOVA Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in Roseville, California. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, past president of the Western Society of Periodontology and Dental APPNA. He has also completed leadership and graduate business management programs at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.
SDDS has dozens of dental industry Vendor Members who are here to serve you. Many vendor members have special offers exclusively for SDDS members. These vendors often attend General Meetings and would love to talk to you about ways they can help your practice. The SDDS Vendor Members are an invaluable source of knowledge, expertise and support. You can see all the current Vendor Members on page 47-49 of this Nugget or online using the QR code below.
NEED A DENTAL ASSOCIATE?
WWW.DDSMATCH.COM 916.314.3020 X. 102
LET US HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT FIT.
RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL DENTAL PRACTICE TAKES MORE THAN CLINICAL EXCELLIENCE - IT TAKES THE RIGHT TEAM. AT DDSMATCH, WE SPECIALIZE IN CONNECTING PRIVATE PRACTICE DENTISTS WITH QUALIFIED, MOTIVATED DENTAL ASSOCIATES WHO ARE THE RIGHT MATCH FOR YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY, CULTURE, AND GOALS.
WHETHER YOU’RE: LOOKING TO REDUCE YOUR CHAIR TIME PLANNING FOR FUTURE GROWTH EXPLORING A PATH TO EVENTUAL TRANSITION OR PARTNERSHIP
ROY FRUEHAUF
DDSMATCH OWNER, DENTAL PRACTICE SALES MAIN 855.546.0044 DIRECT 916.918.5 52 ROY DDSMATCH.COM DRE 02108152 :
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www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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CDT CODE UPDATE
Check Out Our
RECENT EVENTS SDDS Annual Shred Day was a Success!
October General Meeting
The 15th annual Shred event was held at the SDDS office on September 18. It continues to be one of our favorite member benefits. A huge thank you to Dr. Hillendahl, Ava Maier, and the CSUS Pre-Dental Club for volunteering! Thank you to our sponsor - TDIC. We had 347 boxes of shredding and 67 items of e-waste!
Dr. Katherine Shi presented on the decisionmaking process behind saving teeth from an endodontic perspective at October’s GM.
Next Level Leadership Reception The Next Level Leadership Reception brought together so many current and past SDDS leaders who shared their stories, experiences, and reasons for getting involved. It was inspiring to hear how SDDS has given so many dentists a place to connect, grow, and thrive, both personally and professionally. We hope their stories inspired some of our members to find their own place to get involved, build relationships, and take their careers to the next level.
September Restorative Hands-on Course SDDS had a full house for our Anterior Direct Restoration hands-on course with Dr. Dimple Desai! A huge thank you to Dr. Desai for sharing her clinical expertise with our members and THANK YOU to Ultradent Products Inc. and BISCO for sponsoring this outstanding CE event.
The 2026-27 Smiles For Kids program has officially begun. Nurses from participating schools attended the season’s kick-off meeting, where they heard from many of our program partners and now we’re preparing supply orders for pick-up. School screenings will be happening this fall, all in preparation for Smiles for Kids Day on February 6, 2027. We’re always looking for SDDS members who want to volunteer their time that day or by adopting a patient for treatment from the program. Please reach out to SDDS if you’re interested.
September General Meeting Dr. Alexander Malick shared his experience and knowledge at the September GM!
40 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Nurse Meeting to Kick-off SFK 2026-27
of The Great West
Your Trusted Advisor
PPS monetized dental practices when we pioneered this activity in 1966
Experience
PPS has faithfully served the members of the Sacramento District Dental Society since 1966 per their interest in entrusting their practices to the next caretaker. During this time, we have worked with over 100 of your SDDS colleagues in successful transactions. We know the process from that first phone call to the closed escrow.
Customer Service
PPS incorporates a very strong risk management application in every engagement. This is paramount when in essence you are selling blue sky referred to as “goodwill.” You require this assurance that everything was done to cover your “assets!”
PPS’ Intangibles
We are phenomenal coaches throughout the entire process. When necessary, we put on our therapist hat as these journeys can be emotional. We are expert at controlling the entire process which includes getting a practice (and its owner) properly prepped prior to being placed “For Sale.” Once the “For Sale” door is opened, we manage the journey! CA DRE License #01422122
Considering making a change? Let’s Talk! 415-899-8580
We have no interest in having an extensive inventory where many opportunities get little attention. It takes an enormous amount of time and focus to get this right and conclude an engagement. We are very selective regarding the practices we take on. We do not outsource valuations to third parties who will never set foot in your office. We are not a Fortune 500 company, a franchise, career changing bankers or previous dental reps. This is all we have ever done! We adhere to full disclosure on each listing. We know where to look, the questions to ask and the information to gather. When we take a practice to market, we have a complete toolbox! There are no surprises and we can immediately respond to inquiring parties and their advisors.
“
It was my time to step down. After talking to Ray and Edna, I knew they were best suited to handle this change. I received multiple offers. I am very pleased with how everything was handled. - Bill Iliff, DDS; Sacramento We graduated together, started practicing together and decided to retire together. We had two very busy practices. Ray got the job done including the sale of our large building! - Steven Holm, DDS and Stacey Holm, DDS; Roseville & Auburn Wanting to retire, I contacted PPS last year. Ray reviewed my data and made suggestions to best position my practice. Suggestions made and the practice was placed For Sale. I received multiple Offers. Practice and condo sold. - Terri Speed, DDS; Elk Grove
PPS has that unique skill set that is perfectly honed for Today’s Marketplace.
“
Professional Practice Sales of The Great West
Why Choose PPS
415-328-4235 Cell Ray@PPSsellsDDS.com www.PPSsellsDDS.com www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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STUDENT CORNER
Such a Meaningful Experience By Mariah Sharp
D4 Dental Student; CNU SDDS Student Board Representative
Mariah Sharp is a fourthyear dental student at California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine. She is passionate about advocacy, community service, and expanding access to oral health care. She currently serves as CDA Student Representative and ASDA Advocacy Director and plans to pursue a career in community dentistry after graduation.
There is something different about stepping outside the walls of your dental school clinic and realizing that the skills you have spent years developing are now being put to the test in a completely new environment. For fourth-year dental students at California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine, external rotations provide an opportunity to experience patient care beyond our familiar school setting. Our seven-week rotations allow us to immerse ourselves in different clinical environments, work with new dental teams, and gain a better understanding of what life as a practicing dentist can look like. For my rotation, I am working at Ampla Health in Olivehurst. From the beginning, I have been immersed in a fast-paced environment where I regularly care for medically complex patients. One of my favorite parts of the experience has been working with a dental assistant and experiencing true four-handed dentistry. At school, we are assigned student partners and alternate between being the provider and assisting. While this model has been invaluable in teaching us to understand both sides of patient care, working with a dental assistant in a real-world setting has been a completely different experience. I have gained a greater appreciation for the roles of each member of the dental team, including DAs, RDAs, and RDAEFs, and how communication and teamwork can make a significant difference in clinical efficiency. Perhaps the greatest lesson from this rotation has been learning to trust myself as a clinician. Working under Dr. Kheni has been an incredible experience. She has challenged me to become more independent, efficient, and proactive while still providing guidance when I need it. Having the opportunity to make clinical decisions, manage my time, and take ownership of my patients has helped me realize how much I have grown since beginning dental school. Clinically, the rotation has given me the repetition I need to build confidence. I
42 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
have become more comfortable identifying and removing caries, including in deeply decayed teeth where pulpal exposure is a possibility. These cases have also reinforced the importance of communicating the risks, benefits, and alternatives of treatment with patients, particularly when discussing deep restorations and potential complications. Throughout my rotation, I have increased my experience with fillings, buildups, root canal therapy, pediatric care, crown preparations, extractions, removable partial and complete dentures, and comprehensive examinations. In between my own patients, I have also had opportunities to shadow my preceptor. Watching another clinician approach treatment has allowed me to pick up small changes in technique, workflow, and communication that I can incorporate into my own practice. Every patient has taught me something different. Every procedure has given me another opportunity to improve my hand skills, efficiency, clinical judgment, and confidence. This experience has been particularly meaningful because I plan to work in an FQHC after graduation. My time at Ampla Health has given me a glimpse into the pace, teamwork, patient population, and responsibilities that will shape my future career. It has also reminded me why I chose dentistry: to provide care in communities where it can make a meaningful difference. As I return to the school clinic for the remainder of my fourth year, I know I will not be the same clinician who left seven weeks ago. I am bringing back more than just clinical experience. I am bringing back greater confidence, a stronger understanding of teamwork, and a new appreciation for the responsibility that comes with being a dentist. Sometimes, the best way to prepare for the real world is to step outside the classroom and simply start practicing in it.
Trusted expertise for today’s healthcare leaders. Helping organizations work smarter financially, operationally, and strategically.
eidebailly.com www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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TOTAL MEMBERSHIP (as of 10/6/2026)
2,059 RETENTION RATE: 94% ENGAGEMENT RATE: 80%
Member Update Nicole Bollinger, DMD
Asma Samara, DDS
General Practice • Graduated from Harvard Dental School in 2016.
Prosthodontics • Graduated from University of Colorado in 2022 and went on to earn the Prosthodontics Specialty from University of Texas in 2025.
Hyuk Sang (Al) Kwon, DDS General Practice • Graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 2015. • Currently practices at Capitol Periodontal Group in Sacramento. General Practice • Graduated from UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2024.
John Pak, DDS
TOTAL ACTIVE MEMBERS: 1,414
General Practice • Graduated from Loma Linda University in 1991. • Currently works at Ronald Lee, DDS in Sacramento.
TOTAL AFFILIATE MEMBERS: 1 TOTAL STUDENT MEMBERS: 198 TOTAL CURRENT APPLICANTS: 0 TOTAL DHP MEMBERS: 56 TOTAL NEW MEMBERS FOR 2026: 163
Athra Suliman, DDS General Practice • Graduated from Loma Linda University in 2023.
Dara Taghvaei Sourouei, DMD General Practice • Graduated from California Northstate University in 2025.
Loveleen Tokhi, DDS General Practice • Graduated from UCSF School of Dentistry in 2025.
Welcome Back! Michael Forde, DDS Tim Yen Ting Lee, DDS
TOTAL RETIRED MEMBERS: 379 TOTAL DUAL MEMBERS: 11
2026
Welcome to our newest members
Tam Le, DDS MARKET SHARE: 75.7%
Nov/Dec
Congratulations 2026 Graduates! Mohammad Abdel Jabbar, DMD Western University of Health Sciences
Adriana Canby, DMD California Northstate University
Gaurav Addagatla, DDS Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
Christian Chidester, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Rania Al-Jebori, DDS UCLA School of Dentistry
Subin Choi, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Jaspreet Baath, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Yattzareth Corona, DDS New York University for Periodontics
Janu Bhakta, DMD California Northstate University
Maria Cortez, DDS California Northstate University
Pooja Rajesh Bhinde, DDS UOP Sacramento
Gurpreet Dhillon, DDS UOP Sacramento
IMPORTANT NUMBERS SDDS (member line) . . . . . (916) 446-1227 ADA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 621-8099 CDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 736-8702
TDIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 733-0633 Central California Well Being Committee . . . . (916) 947-5676
Sehaj Dhillon, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Maryam Mahmoodi Deezaje, DDS UOP Sacramento
Sarina Sahmeddini, DDS UOP Sacramento
Sevinch Djalilova, DMD California Northstate University
Aamir Malik, DDS UOP Sacramento
Kyla Sandhu, DMD California Northstate University
Brittney Duong, DMD California Northstate University
Saranya Mallereddy, DDS UOP Sacramento
Jasleen Sethi, DDS UOP Sacramento
Jefferson Encarnacion Garcia, DDS UOP Sacramento
Ali Mandalawi, DMD California Northstate University
Ashwin Meyyappan Sevugan, DDS UOP Sacramento
Dena Fouda, DDS UOP Sacramento
Demetre Markopoulos, DMD California Northstate University
Meena Sholji, DMD California Northstate University
Supreet Gill, DDS UOP Sacramento
Logan Morrison, DMD California Northstate University
Ankit Sidana, DDS UOP Sacramento
Shuang Han, DDS UOP Sacramento
Kaleelah Muhammad, DMD California Northstate University
Jaspal Singh, DDS UOP Sacramento
McKenna Hunter, DDS UCLA School of Dentistry
Nivethitha Nagarajan, DDS UCSF School of Dentistry for Oral Medicine Specialty
Sukhdeep Singh, DDS University of Iowa
Ahmed Hussein, DDS UOP Sacramento Dah-hood Kang, DMD California Northstate University Rekha Krishna Pawar, DDS UOP Sacramento Adam Lampe, DMD California Northstate University Ana Larios, DDS UOP Sacramento Colin Lawler, DMD California Northstate University Julie Lawrence, DDS UOP Sacramento Kendall Luman, DDS UCLA School of Dentistry Daniel Luy, DMD Western University of Health Sciences Cameron Madsen, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Akanksha Mahant, DDS UOP Sacramento
Are you a member of our Foundation?
Andrew Nguyen, DMD California Northstate University Kayla Page, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Drashti Panchal, DDS UOP Sacramento Harkamal Pannu, DDS UOP Sacramento Tilak Patel, DMD California Northstate University Lindsay Pinckard, DMD Roseman University of Health Sciences Loredana Popa, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Anjali Raheja, DDS UOP Sacramento Idean Rezaei, DMD California Northstate University Swetha Sabbineni, DDS UOP Sacramento
Raghdah Taha, DDS UCSF School of Dentistry Lena Tang, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Gursimran Toor, DDS Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Jennifer Torres Diaz, DMD California Northstate University Christina Tran, DDS UOP Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Krishna Priya Upadrasta, DDS UOP Sacramento Amanda-Rae Williams, DMD California Northstate University Aban Yaqub, DMD California Northstate University Yasmin Zamel, DMD Roseman University of Health Sciences Roshan Zoha, DMD Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
It only costs $75 a year to be a member of our Foundation. The Foundation funds our Smiles for Kids and Smiles for Big Kids programs! Will you join? Email us at sdds@sdds.org to become a member and make a difference. Thank you for supporting the Foundation!
Join/Donate with this QR code www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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We’re Blowing your horn! 1
Congratulations to...
Dr. Moid Khan (Lush Dental Studio, Natomas) received his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in June 2026 — 500 CE hours and the Fellowship exam later, he joins a very small amount of general dentists holding both FAGD and FICOI. Dr. Khan is a Sacramento native and UOP graduate. (1)
2
Dr. Damon Szymanowski for completing his first Ironman in August 2026. (2)
3
Dana Ellyahky (student member) for being CNSU’s new CDA student delegate for their class of 2030. (3)
4
Stephanie Ribeiro Lopes Garnet (student member) for being UOP-Sacramento’s new CDA student delegate for their IDS class of 2028. (4) Dr. Dean Ahmad on recently graduating from the MIT Sloan School of Management’s prestigious Advanced Management Program. A remarkable achievement reflecting his continued commitment to leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning. (5)
5 7
Dr. Margaret Delmore for being installed as the new Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of California Northstate University. (6) Dr. Paul Raskin on his retirement! Dr. Raskin has been practicing dentistry in Sacramento for 61 years. His dental board license was issued in 1965. He’s been an SDDS member for 24 years and a CDA member for 34. (7)
6
Dr. Karen Irani for winning the race for President of ADA 2027. (8)
9
ADA Delegates from SDDS - These incredible dentists do so much for the dental profession, thank you Drs. Gaetan Tchamba, Kevin Keating, Stephanie Sandretti, Wallace Bellamy, Viren Patel and Gary Ackerman for all you do! (9) The following SDDS members for being inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists - 13th District on October 3, 2026: Dr. Aneet Bal Dr. Daniel Jue Dr. Ian Marion Dr. Cherag Sarkari Dr. Ryan Wilgus
Dr. Sukhwinder Singh Dhall Dr. Donald Liberty Dr. Alan Rabe Dr. Andrea Smith Dr. Rosemary Wu
46 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
8
Vendor Member
SPOTLIGHT NEW
The Pacific Health Care Collaborative is redefining health care. Capitalizing on the strength of University of the Pacific’s three health professional schools, the groundbreaking initiative will combine dental and medical services in a teaching and learning environment. ph: (916) 672-2774 | Phcc@pacific.edu pacific.edu/dental/dental-services/PHCC (628) 277-9406 | kbenton1@pacific.edu
Dr. Graham Hearn ghearn@pacific.edu
NEW
Your Tax Line™ | Tax & Business Architecture | Wealth Engineering helps dentists and dental practice owners proactively reduce unnecessary taxes and turn tax savings into long-term wealth. We work alongside your existing CPA and advisors to design an integrated tax, business, retirement and wealth strategy. Are You Paying More Tax Than You Legally Should… Without Even Knowing It?
ph: (209) 981-6558 | yourtaxline.com/
Norman Dotch ndotch@dotchcapital.com
KB Dental Revenue Management is a boutique dental insurance billing company providing personalized, hands-on revenue management support to dental practices. Benefits, Special Pricing and/or Discounts Extended to SDDS Members SDDS members receive a complimentary consultation ph: (916) 467-4277 email: dentalrevenuemanagement@gmail.com dentalrevenuemanagement.com
Julie Kornely Nicole Borrowdale
our Vendor Members!
NEW
Benefits, Special Pricing and/or Discounts Extended to SDDS Members Complimentary access to the Your Tax Line™ Weekly Tax & Wealth Training, where dentists learn proactive strategies to legally reduce taxes, protect income and build greater long-term wealth.
Dr. Kim Benton
we love
Omni Practice Group is the leading provider of Practice Transitions with over 500 practices successfully transitioned. Specializing in Dental Practice Sales, we are focused on your success before, during and after the practice sale. ph: (877) 866-6053 | info@omni-pg.com omni-pg.com/
Rod Johnston, MBA, CMA (206) 979-2660 | rod@omni-pg.com
NEW
MyoHealth Technologies Inc. develops Myoaligner®, a segmented functional dental orthotic, with clinician education and support for TMD, restorative, orthodontic, and interdisciplinary treatment planning. Benefits, Special Pricing and/or Discounts Extended to SDDS Members Complimentary discovery call and educational information for interested SDDS members. Contact Myoaligner Support for current programs and onboarding options. ph: (503) 333-9396 | www.myoaligner.com/
Myoaligner Support Team support@myoaligner.com
Dr. Maryam Motlagh drm@myoaligner.com
Health Net Dental Plans provide access to one of the largest dental networks in California and is the only Medi-Cal plan in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties to offer both medical and dental coverage. hndental.com
Meryl Sinopoli, Dental Operations Manager (530) 391-7867 meryl.m.sinopoli@healthnet.com
Chris Barbour (916) 792-5038 | chris@omni-pg.com Huntington Bank is a full service banking provider based in Columbus, OH. With a dental practice loan from Huntington, we can help turn your goals of starting a dental practice, acquiring a practice, or expanding your current space into reality. We offer competitive interest rates, flexible loan terms, and we’ll be there for you through every step of the loan process.
Eide Bailly is a top 20 accounting and advisory firm serving the middle market and high growth organizations across the United States and internationally. Benefits, Services, Special Pricing and/or Discounts Extended to SDDS Members: Complimentary three-year review of your business and personal returns. ph: (916) 570-1880 | eidebailly.com/
Clint Bedolido, CPA, Partner cbedolido@eidebailly.com
Debra Griffin dlgriffin@eidebailly.com
learn more
about these Vendor Members!
Benefits, Special Pricing and/or Discounts Extended to SDDS Members Practice Management Solutions and Financial Pulse Program: Support for First-Time Practice Owners ph: (707) 372-5331 | huntington.com/
Jamie Smith ph: (707) 372-5331 | jamie.smith@huntington.com www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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Grant Vigil, President 916.259.2838 descodentalequipment.com
Straumann USA, LLC
Cara Montoya 916.780.5129 pattersondental.com
Todd Allington 916.508.9218 straumanngroup.us
Since 2023
Laguna Dental Arts
Brandon Granada 800.361.1659 arklign.com/
Jeton Zajmi 916.688.1333 lagunadentalarts.com
48 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
Since 2026
Dental Labs
Since 2024
Rosemary Wu, DMD, MS, Dean 916.222.0922 ext. 1020 cnsu.edu
Since 2005 Since 2009 Since 2024
MyoHealth Technologies Inc. / Myoaligner
UOP, Arthur A Dugoni, School of Dentistry, PHCC
Dr. Maryam Motlagh 503.333.9396 myoaligner.com/ Since 2026
CA. Northstate University
Dental Technology
Since 2014
Rod Johnston, MBA, CMA 877.866.6053 omni-pg.com/
Arklign
Since 2016
Dr. Brigid Trent 916.678.3565 kidscaredental.com
Education
Phill Hoover, MBA 415.481.2933 westernpracticesales.com/
Since 2017
Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics
OMNI Practice Group
Brian Flanagan 805.714.2115 integritypracticesales.com
Dr. Kim Benton 628.277.9406 pacific.edu/dental/dental-services/PHCC Since 2026
Since 2024
Western Practice Sales
Ray Irving 415.899.8580 PPSsellsDDS.com
Elizabeth Reynoso 209.623.9332 starrefining.com
Integrity Practice Sales
Since 2024
Since 2020
Practice Sales
Jay Harter 916.812.0500 henryscheindpt.com
Professional Practice Sales
Dental Practices
our Vendor Members!
Henry Schein Dental Practice Transitions
Roy Fruehauf 916.918.5752 ddsmatch.com
of The Great West
we love
Star Dental Refining
Dental Services
Tim Yaeger 650.593.5100 yaeger.dentist
Refining - Gold/Metal
Since 2026
Yaeger Dental Supply Inc.
Amin Amirkhizi, Founder & CEO 877.311.7373 supplydoc.com
Since 2021
Patterson Dental
Jonathan Klein 866.646.2871 nimbusdental.com/
Supply Doc
DDSmatch
DENTAL
Nimbus Dental
Since 2025
Steven Weinreich 916.805.1805 impladentltd.com/
Tony Corsello 925.450.5634 henryschein.com
Since 2003
Impladent Ltd. – OsteoGen® Bone Grafting Materials
Henry Schein Dental
Since 2012
Since 2026
DESCO Dental Equipment
Peter Joy, Regional Manager 530.828.1723 benco.com
Since 2004
Benco Dental
Since 2022
Dental Supplies, Equipment, Repair
Lisa Black, President 916.928.1068 asimedical.com
Since 2025
Analgesic Services, Inc.
Eide Bailly
Huntington Bank
Clint Bedolido, CPA, Partner 916.570.1880 eidebailly.com
Jamie Smith 707.372.5331 huntington.com
Since 2010
LIBERTY Dental Plan Marc Couch, MBA 949.343.2225 libertydentalplan.com
Meryl Sinopoli 530.391.7867 hndental.com
Since 2018
Insurance Services
Since 2024
Matthew Mouille 707.796.3350 dentaquest.com
SDDS started the Vendor Member program in 2002 to provide resources for our members that would best serve their needs. We realize that you have a choice for vendors and services; we only hope that you give our Vendor Members first consideration since they directly support SDDS.
Since 2024
Kunal Idnani 925.999.8200 dmcounsel.com/sdds
Health Net of California
SDDS VENDOR MEMBER SUPPORT IS A WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIP!
Dental & Medical Counsel, PC
Since 2004
Since 2015
Since 2004
BER MEM FIT! E BEN
Kim Gusman, President/CEO 800.399.5331 employers.org
Since 20025
DentaQuest a Sun Life company
CA Employers Association
Keith B. Dunnagan, Senior Attorney 916.966.2260 bpelaw.com/dental-law
Since 2021
Dennis Krohn Jr., President/Partner 916.367.4252 sdreliance.com
Brandon Sessions 916.789.3339 osbornegroupcre.com/
Since 2016
HR & Legal
BPE Law Group, PC
Dental Plans
David Olson 209.366.2486 olsonconstructioninc.com
The Osborne Group, Gallelli Real Estate
Since 2026
Norman Dotch 209.981.6558 yourtaxline.com/
Since 2017
Your Tax Line
Dave Nelson 916.932.6360 usbank.com
Since 2022
US Bank
Jason Schneller 818.561.8106 Christine Carvalho 408.981.2524 getprovide.com
The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC)
KB Dental Revenue Management Julie Kornely 916.467.4277 dentalrevenuemanagement.com
Bryan Johnson 800.733.0633 tdicinsurance.com Since 2011
Since 2023
Brett LeMmon, CPA Amber Eckerfield 925.939.2500 earned.com/
Since 2025
Earned
Since 2026
Kevin Black 916.245.0020 schooleymitchell.com/
Since 2026
Since 2003
Schooley Mitchell
Alex Zhu, Founder 510.409.9740 opendentalinsight.com
Real Estate
IT & Dental Billing
SD Dental Solutions
Open Dental Consultant
Since 2026
Office Construction
Olson Construction, Inc.
Ashlee Adams 866.232.7640 adamsdentalconsulting.com
Since 2021
Financial Services
Provide, Inc.
CJ Williams 614.560.5417 Forrest Wiederman 949.910.3343 bofa.com/practicesolutions
Adams Dental Consulting
Since 2019
Financial Services
Bank of America Practice Solutions
Wendie Richards 916.993.4182 nwstaffing.com
Practice Management
Empl./Staffing/Assoc.
NW Staffing Resources
www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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Advertiser INDEX Dental Supplies, Equipment, Repair Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member
Analgesic Services Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Benco Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Desco Dental Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Henry Schein Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Impladent, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Nimbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Patterson Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Straumann US, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Supply Doc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Yaeger Dental Suppy Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Job Bank
The SDDS Job Bank is a service offered only to SDDS Members. It is for job seekers to reach other Society members who are looking for dentists to round out their practice, and vice versa. If you are a job seeker or associate seeker contact SDDS at (916) 446-1227 or by email at sdds@sdds.org, we can also provide contact information for the members listed below.
Dental Labs Vendor Member Vendor Member
365 Dental Lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Arklign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37, 48 Laguna Dental Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Dental Plans/Programs Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member
DentaQuest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Health Net of California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 49 LIBERTY Dental Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Dental Practices Vendor Member
Galleria Oral Surgery & Dental Implants . . . . . . . . 17 INNOVA Periodontics & Implant Dentistry . . . . . . . . 8 Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Dental Services Vendor Member
UOP Arthur A Dugoni, School of Dentistry, PHCC . 47, 48
Dental Technology Vendor Member
MyoHealth Technologies Inc. / Myoaligner . . . . 47, 48
Education & Professional Development Vendor Member
California Northstate University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Financial Services Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member
Bank of America Practice Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Earned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Eide Bailly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 47, 49 Huntington Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 49 Provide, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 US Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Your Tax Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 47, 49
Human Resources & Legal Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member
BPE Law Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 California Employers Association (CEA) . . . . . . . . . . 49 Dental & Medical Counsel, PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Insurance Services Vendor Member Vendor Member
KB Dental Revenue Management . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 49 TDIC Insurance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
IT & Dental Billing Vendor Member
SD Dental Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Office Design & Construction Vendor Member
Olson Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AVAILABLE Junie Baldonado, DDS • Loomis • FT • GP Navneet Arora, DDS • Roseville and Auburn • PT/FT • Perio Ron Ask, DDS • Jackson Creek/Jackson • FT • GP Alex Keith, DMD • Placerville • PT • GP Jay Henneberry, DDS • Folsom • PT • GP Albert Lee, DDS • Sacramento • PT • GP Ryan Plewe, DDS • Citrus Heights/Rocklin • PT • Pedo Jonathan Collins, DDS • Lincoln/Citrus Heights • FT • GP Guneeta Kalia, DDS • Carmichael • PT • GP Cindy Weideman, DDS • Citrus Heights/Rocklin • PT • Ortho Matthew Comfort, DDS • Roseville • PT • GP Sukhjeet Kaur, DDS • Jackson • FT/PT • GP Dan Gustavson, DDS • Auburn • PT • GP Gautam Dogra, DDS • Sacramento • PT/FT • GP Harkeet Sappal, DDS • Sacramento • PT • Endo Mugunth Nandagopal, DDS • Sacramento • FT/PT • GP Peter Kim, DDS • Sacramento • PT • GP Hossein Kazemi, DDS • Roseville • PT/FT • GP/Perio Arash Aghakhani, DDS • Sacramento • FT/PT • GP Darryl Azouz, DDS • Lake Tahoe • FT/PT • GP Oleg Oliferuk, DDS • Folsom • PT • GP Siamak Okhovat, DDS • Roseville • PT/FT • GP Monica Tavallaei, DDS • Sacramento • PT/FT • GP/PEDO Sabrina Jang, DDS • Sacramento • PT/FT • GP Amandeep Behniwal, DDS • Roseville • PT/FT • GP Elizabeth Johnson, DDS • Wellspace - various locations • FT/PT/Fill-In • GP Amy Woo, DDS • Sacramento • PT 1 Day • Endo David Park, DDS • several/multiple positions • FT/PT • GP
Practice Management Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member
Adams Dental Consulting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Open Dental Consultants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Schooley Mitchell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Practice Sales Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member Vendor Member
DDSmatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 48 Henry Schein Dental Practice Transitions . . . . . 31, 48 Integrity Practice Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 OMNI Practice Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 48 Professional Practice Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 48 Western Practice Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Real Estate Vendor Member
Cushman & Wakefield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 The Osborne Group, Gallelli Real Estate . . . . . . 25, 49
Refining - Gold/Metal Vendor Member
Star Dental Refining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Employment/Staffing/Associates Vendor Member
NW Staffing Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
50 | The Nugget • Sacramento District Dental Society
DOCS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT Matthew Comfort , DDS • Open • PT • GP Dan Mertz, DDS • Open • PT • GP Alexandra Barsotti, DDS • Open • FT/PT • GP Tam Le, DDS • Open • FT/PT • GP Azita Moghaddam, DDS • Open • FT • GP Shahram Khodai, DDS • Roseville • FT • GP Raghdah Taha, DDS • Sacramento • FT • GP William Bohan, DMD • open • FT • GP Ramsen Warda, DDS • open • PT/FT • GP/Perio Loredana Popa • Graduating June 2026 • UOP • PT/FT • GP Gassan Hawari, DDS • PT/ Tue-Thur • GP Navneet Sehgal, DDS • FT • GP Gaetan Tchamba, DDS • PT/locum tenans • GP
Classified Ads EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SALE/LEASE
Start your own practice in the Napa Valley. Private dental office in a beautiful medical/ dental setting is looking to share space/ sublease. Serious inquiries send your resume & detailing your situation to: positivity1776@ gmail.com 11-12/26
WELLSPACE HE ALTH ORGANIZ ATION (an FQHC) is taking applications for fill-in/part-time/ full-time dentists. Send your resume/CV to eljohnson@wellspacehealth.org. 1/15
Dental Suite for Lease – 3960 El Camino Ave. Modern 1,840 sq. ft. suite with 6 plumbed operatories. Ideal for Endodontist or Periodontist. Contact Dr. Patel: (415) 690-6683 | upen49@ gmail.com 9-10/26
ENDODONTIST: Seeking a Endodontist to join our professional dental team. We have been serving Sacramento for over 25 years and Voted Top Dentist by Sacramento Magazine. If you like to experience the many facets of dentistry, our practice consists of general, periodontist, endodontist, and orthodontist this practice is for you. For more information about us, please visit 1-2/24 DrAmyWoo.com. Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics seeks doctors to join our teams in the greater Sacramento and greater Stockton areas. We believe when kids grow up enjoying the dentist, healthy teeth and gums will follow. As the key drivers of our mission—to give every kid a healthy smile— our dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons exhibit a genuine love of children and teeth. A good fit for our culture means you are also honest, playful, lighthearted, approachable, hardworking, and compassionate. Patients love us... come find out why! Send your CV to drtalent@kidscaredental.com. 6-7/17
Kids Care Dental & Or thodontics seeks orthodontists to join our teams in the greater Sacramento and greater Stockton areas. We believe when kids grow up enjoying the dentist, healthy teeth and gums will follow. As the key drivers of our mission—to give every kid a healthy smile—our dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons exhibit a genuine love of children and teeth. A good fit for our culture means you are also honest, playful, lighthearted, approachable, hardworking, and compassionate. Patients love us... come find out why! Send your 6-7/17 CV to drtalent@kidscaredental.com.
Dental Office Condo for sale or lease. One story prime location corner opposite Kaiser Hospital. 2,743 square feet of NRA located at 1603 Eureka Rd., Roseville. Six operatories with equipment. Call (916) 797-7436 for details. 1-2/26 Sacramento dental offices with chairs available immediately/Roseville New Construction for Lease; Ranga Pathak, Broker Associate, RE/MAX Gold, DRE01364897; Tel: (916) 201-9247; Email: ranga. pathak@norcalgold.com. 8-9/21 SACRAMENTO DENTAL COMPLEX has one 3 unit suite which is equipped for immediate occupancy. Two other suites total 1630 sq. ft which can be remodeled to your personal office design with generous tenant improvements. 2525 K Street. Please call for details: (916) 539-1516. 10/11
Online “This Week” Classified Advertising for SDDS Members/Vendor Members only
A ssociate Dentist – Jackson, C A : New graduates welcome. One-on-one mentorship, comprehensive specialty training, excellent earning potential, genuine par tnership opportunity. Build an exceptional career with us. Contact: askmanor@gmail.com 9-10/26c
SDDS’ weekly “This Week at SDDS” eblast reaches our entire membership every Sunday at 8:00am, with a circulation of 2,200 and an impressive open rate of 67% – contract due by noon on the Wednesday prior to the Sunday e-blast.
Join Make a Smile Dental! We’re hiring Dental Assistants, Hygienists, and Dentists across specialties. Enjoy competitive pay and a supportive team. Apply today: makeasmile.com/ careers 11-12/24
• Non-Vendor Member companies and representatives cannot be listed in the ad
Guidelines for Online Classified Advertising: • Members must place and pay for the ad themselves • Contact info in the ad must be direct to member/member’s office, non-member emails and phone numbers are prohibited Visit www.sdds.org/publications-media/advertise/ to advertise
SDDS member dentists can place one Nugget classified ad
FOR FREE!
MEMB E BENEF R IT!
Selling your practice? Need an associate? Have office space to lease? SDDS member dentists get one complimentary, professionally related classified ad per year (30 word maximum). For more information on placing a classified ad, please call the SDDS office at 916.446.1227 or visit www.sdds.org/publications-media/advertise/ www.sdds.org • Nov/Dec 2026
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 557
2035 Hurley Way, Suite 200 • Sacramento, CA 95825 916.446.1211 • www.sdds.org
SACRAMENTO, CA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
SDDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS NOVEMBER 6
CPR-AHA BLS Blended Learning – Online and Skills Testing, 3 Time Sessions SDDS Instructors Friday • 8:00–8:45am; 9:00–9:45am; 10:00–10:45am 3 CEU, Core • SDDS Classroom
10 GM: Diabetes, Oral Health and GLP-1 Medications Kim Lucas Benton, DDS, MPH, FICD, FACD Tuesday • 5:45–9:00pm Social/Exhibits, Dinner and Program 3 CEU, Core • Hilton Sacramento Arden West
DECEMBER 20 California Dental Practice Act and Infection Control - Webinar Joy Brack, RDA Friday • 8:30am–12:30pm 4 CEU, Core • Webinar
3
Harassment Prevention Training California Employers Association (SDDS Vendor Member) Thursday • Webinar Non-Supervisors 11:00am–12:00pm • 1 CEU, Core Supervisors 11:00am–1:00pm • 2 CEU, Core
21 Sacramento Kings Game Golden 1 Center • 7:00-10:30pm 11
SDDS Annual Holiday Party & Installation of Officers Sutter Club • 6:00-10:00pm
For full details and to sign up for courses online, visit: www.sdds.org
Upcoming GENERAL MEETING NOV Diabetes, Oral Health and GLP-1 Medications
10
Tuesday • 3 CEU, Core • $89 early (ends 10/27) / $99 regular (ends 11/8) Kim Lucas Benton, DDS, MPH, FICD, FACD In this presentation we will explore the connection with GLP-1 medications and body chemistry. We will review the diabetes and oral health connection, discover the direct link between GLP-1s, blood sugar, and oral health, and examine how these drugs impact diabetes management. Course Objectives: • Review the connection between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease. What are the latest statistics? • Discuss the popular GLP-1 medications: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound • Recognize the side Effects of GLP-1 medications have with Oral Health
5:45–9:00pm: Hilton Sacramento Arden West (2200 Harvard Street, Sac)