Greater Houston Dental Society

Empowering The Next Generation
2026-02-12 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | UT Houston Health Houston School of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge Street, Houston, TX, 77054, United States
Empowering the Next Generation brings UTHealth School of Dentistry students face-to-face with practicing GHDS dentists for real-world insight, mentorship, and candid career conversations. This free, students-only experience is designed to bridge the gap between dental education and professional practice—at no cost, just opportunity.
Submit questions for panelists to klewis@ghds.org

GHDS Member Meeting and CE
2026-02-19 18:00 UTC | Seasons 52, 842 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
Join us as we welcome TDA President, Glenn D. Hall, DDS, CPP-T
CE Program – Digital Dentistry for Predictable Anterior Esthetics – Lecture

Presented by Sompop Bencharit, DDS, MS, PhD, FACP
Digital Dentistry and Anterior Aesthetics is a focused, clinically driven program centered on achieving predictable esthetic outcomes for anterior single-tooth implants. Participants will learn how to digitally plan ideal 3D implant positioning in the esthetic zone, harmonizing midline, incisal edge, and gingival architecture with bone and soft-tissue constraints. The course details immediate single implant placement and provisionalization workflows, from case selection and atraumatic extraction to primary stability targets, gap management, and guided surgery. Emphasis is placed on implant selection, development of emergence profiles with custom healing abutments and provisionals to optimize gingival zeniths, papillae, and cervical contours. Through step-by-step demonstrations, delegates will integrate calibrated photography, IOS/CBCT merging, and CAD/CAM/3D printing to translate virtual plans into chairside provisionals and lab-ready prescriptions that minimize remakes and maximize esthetic predictability. AGD Subject Code: 690 Implants
Program Objectives:
At the completion of the program, participants should be able to:
• Plan ideal 3D implant positioning in the esthetic zone using merged 2D/3D datasets (photos, IOS, CBCT) to control midline, incisal edge position, prosthetic space, and tissue support.
• Design and execute custom emergence profile conditioning with immediate or early provisionals/custom healing abutments to guide soft tissue, refine zeniths, and preserve papillae.
• Comprehend immediate single-tooth implant placement and provisionalization predictably, including case selection, atraumatic extraction, primary stability thresholds, gap/abutment design, occlusion, and follow-up.
Sompop Bencharit, DDS, MS, PhD, FACP
Dr. Bencharit earned his DDS and Prosthodontics diploma from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, and completed advanced training, including a Master’s, PhD in Oral Biology, and Clinical Research Certificate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, he has served as Professor, Associate Dean for Innovation, and Chief Innovation Officer at High Point University’s Workman School of Dental Medicine. He has held leadership roles at the Medical University of South Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth University, focusing on innovation, digital dentistry, and clinical research.
COI Disclosure:
The Greater Houston Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professional in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructions, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
The Greater Houston Dental Society designates this activity for 1.5 hours of continuing education credits.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received up to (5) business days prior to the event date will receive a refund – minus a 25% percent handling fee. If the cancellation is received less than (5) business days prior to the event date, the entire fee is non-refundable.
Location: Seasons 52, City Centre, 842 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, TX 77024

OSHA ANNUAL TRAINING
2026-02-27 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-24 09:00 - 11:00 UTC
Ensure your office is up to date with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements as required by law.
This online course is designed to help you understand and fulfill these annual requirements as well as help to significantly reduce the risk of accidents, illnesses or injuries in the workplace. Bloodborne pathogens, dental office responsibility, medical waste disposal, hazardous communication standard and the requirements for practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the topics that will be covered. This course is intended for all dentists and auxiliary staff.
Learning Objectives:
• How to meet the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard’s annual training requirements
• Knowledge of Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) infection control standards for dentistry
• Knowledge of the requirements for practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic
All courses are live online via Zoom (A link will be emailed). Participants will receive a letter certifying their attendance upon the conclusion of the course and verification of attendance.
Greater Houston Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

HIPAA - Privacy and Security in the Dental Office | Can You Keep a Secret?
2026-04-24 09:00 - 12:00 UTC
This course is meant to satisfy the HIPAA training requirement under the HIPAA Privacy and Texas HB 300 Laws, as well as provide individuals with an overview of the HIPAA and HB 300 regulations in general. This course is recommended for everyone who must comply with HIPAA and Texas HB 300. AGD Code: 566
You will leave the course with:
• A step-by-step plan to help you understand, prepare and implement a compliance program for your office
• Sample forms & policies
• Checklists
• Risk assessment evaluations
• Training guidance
Ms. Jill Yeager has been working in dentistry for over 30 years. She has presented programs for the Texas Dental Association, Greater Houston Dental Society and UTHSC Dental Branch Houston and works with offices on compliance issues (OSHA, HIPAA, Radiation Safety & CPR). She understands the realities of compliance because she faces those challenges daily.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: none
The course will be live online via Zoom (a link will be emailed). Upon verification of attendance, all participants will receive a letter of verification.
The Greater Houston Dental Society is an ADA CERP recognized provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
All cancellations / refund requests will be charged processing fees.

SOLD OUT - 2026 Installation of Officers & Directors
2026-05-14 18:00 - 22:00 UTC
2026 Greater Houston Dental Society Installation of Officers & Directors Dinner
Join us for an elegant and memorable evening as we welcome the 2026–2027 GHDS Board of Directors and honor the outstanding achievements of our members.
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 6 pm to 10 pm | Brennan’s of Houston
The celebration will feature:
Music by Amp’d String Quartet
Cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception
A beautifully curated 4‑course dinner
Special recognition of Dr. John Valenza, DDS
Dean and the William N. Finnegan III Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Dental Sciences at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
Master of Ceremonies – Dr. Duc “Duke” Ho
Keynote Speaker – Mr. Sean Pendergast
Morning Host on SportsRadio 610
Host of the Houston Texans Post Game Show
Award-Winning Contributor to the Houston Press
Dental Scholarship Presentation
GHDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2026-2027
Officers
President – Dr. Katie Stuchlik
President Elect – Dr. Eva Boldridge
1st Vice President – Dr. Michael Chan
2nd Vice President – Dr. Cindy Flanagan
Secretary-Treasurer – Dr. Adam Shisler
Immediate Past President – Dr. Joel Vela
Directors
Dr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. Michael Chan
Dr. Dr. David Montz
Dr. Dr. Adrien Theriot
Dr. Adriana Salinas
Dr. Becky Wang
Dress Code: Evening attire
We look forward to celebrating with you at this signature GHDS event—an evening of connection, recognition and inspiration.
We welcome GHDS members, their guests, and sponsoring partners.
Tickets: $155 / Per Person
Meet the Event Partners
Presenting Sponsor
Winstar Insurance
Featured Sponsors
BioHorizons
Patterson Dental
Event Sponsors
Bank of America
First Citizens Bank
McLerran & Associates
Watson Brown
Cancellation Policy: No refunds after Friday, May 8, 2026. All cancellations prior to May 8, 2026 will be assessed a 25% administrative fee.

PVS to Pixels to Prints | A Digital Dentistry CE Dinner Program
2026-06-11 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Norris Conference Center, 816 Town & Country Blvd., S-210, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
The Printer That Never Takes a Break — 3D Dentistry in the BackgroundA Digital Dentistry CE Dinner Program
June 11, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 PMNorris Conference | Center City Centre816 Town & Country Blvd., S-210, Houston, TX 77024FREE PARKING
Dinner Included | 1.5 CE Hours | $55
Partners:Align TechnologyHenry ScheinHuntington BankMcLerran & AssociatesPhelps & Frias Commercial RealtySprintRay
Featuring: Chance Hunsaker, D.D.S. UT Houston | Master’s in Digital Dentistry, MUSC | Third-generation Texas dentist. First-generation digital.
This course introduces practical 3D printing workflows for modern dental practices, including scanning, AI-assisted design, print preparation, materials, post-processing, and delivery. Participants will learn how in-office printing can improve efficiency, patient experience, case acceptance, and clinical control when implemented with proper systems and team protocols.
Objectives:

Understand the complete digital workflow from intraoral scan to printed dental appliance or device.
Identify practical 3D printing applications for the general dental practice, including night guards, models, surgical guides, and same-day workflows.
Recognize key factors that influence clinical success, including material selection, print preparation, post-processing, team delegation, and workflow implementation.

COI Disclosure: none
The Greater Houston Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professional in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructions, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
The Greater Houston Dental Society designates this activity for 1.5 hours of continuing education credits.
Attendance is strictly limited to dentists licensed in TX.
Cancellation PolicyCancellations received up to (5) business days prior to the event date will receive a refund – minus a 25% percent handling fee. If the cancellation is received less than (5) business days prior to the event date, the entire fee is non-refundable.

Yoga for Longevity: Mobility + Recovery for Dentists
2026-07-11 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Loveland Yoga, 1717 W 34th St #1100, Houston, 77018, United States
Loveland Yoga
Saturday July 11 @ 12:30pm1717 W 34th St #1100, Houston, TX 77018
Dentists spend their days caring for others—but taking care of ourselves matters too.
Join your colleagues for an afternoon of movement, recovery, and connection at the next event in the GHDS Dentist Longevity Project:
🧘 Yoga for Longevity: Mobility + Recovery for Dentists
Designed specifically with dental professionals in mind, this restorative class will help improve mobility, support recovery, reduce stress, and provide an opportunity to connect with fellow dentists outside the office.
📅 Saturday, July 11, 2026🕧 12:30 PM📍 Loveland Yoga1717 W 34th St #1100, Houston, TX 77018
💲 Just $5 for members and non-members
Bring a friend, reconnect with colleagues, and invest in your long-term well-being.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Healthy Dentists Build Healthy Practices. 💙💚

2026 STAR OF THE SOUTH DENTAL CONFERENCE
2026-09-25 07:00 - 2026-09-26 19:00 UTC
Visit starofthesouth.org for more details and information.

Advocacy, Legislative & Regulatory Forum - Nov. 19, 2026
2026-11-19 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Cooley University Life Center at UTHealth Houston, 7440 Cambridge St, Houston, TX, 77054, United States
GHDS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MEMBER MEETING
Cooley University Life Center UT Health Houston
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Join us for an evening of networking and insights into the 2027 congressional and legislative sessions.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Elizabeth Goldman – President, Texas Dental Association
Dr. Matt Roberts – Chair, TDA Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
Mr. Jess Calvert – TDA Director of Public Affairs
Dr. Rita Cammarata – ADA 15th District Trustee
REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON.
