Winter Symposium

Attendees of the Winter Symposium 2021 who would like to receive a CERP CE Certificate are invited to fill out and return the Event Survey which can be found at the link:

New Jersey Association of Endodontists
Presents the
25th Marc Balson NJAE Winter Symposium
Saturday March 20th, 2021
ONLINE via the ZOOM Platform and BeiDE

Dr. Kehn E. Yapp
Dr. Scott Weed
Dr. Carlos Aznar Portoles
Dr. Robert E. Grover

This live learning activity provides ADA CERP® continuing education credits.

Symposium registration fees are paid directly to BeiDE.

“Becoming a better diagnostician by understanding decision and probability theory”

Dr. Kehn E. Yapp

Synopsis:

A sophisticated understanding of the testing process is imperative for any clinician involved in diagnostic decision making. Whilst these concepts are established and widely prevalent in the medical community, they are yet to achieve widespread acceptance in dentistry. Grasping and implementing concepts of probability and decision theory – such as Bayes’ theorem and receiver operating characteristic analysis – will only lead to improved decision making, a greater understanding of the type of information to be collected and the kinds of errors that can be made. At another level, this leads to an understanding of the types of questions and their usefulness that should be asked in the diagnostic domain.

Learning objectives:

– Understand the principles of diagnostic testing from a probabilistic perspective.
– Describe the performance characteristics and identify the limitations of a diagnostic test.
– Use concepts of probability to be aware of the types of errors in decision making.

“Cognitive biases in test interpretation – how to recognize them and avoid being fooled”

By: Dr. Kehn E. Yapp

Synopsis:

The human element of test interpretation can be subject to occult biases which may have significant effects on diagnostic decisions. These can range from simple language descriptors to test findings being associated with unknown disease progression or morbidity. Whilst the spectrum of available test modalities in endodontics may be limited, the components of many aspects of the interpretive process have not yet been thoroughly studied. Immediate recognition of the sources of error can be difficult when there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the biases in perception and interpretation. When a careful and methodical approach to test interpretation is used, along with an awareness of the likely biases that may affect decision making, clinicians can be more likely to overcome common errors in the diagnostic interpretive process.

Learning objectives:

– Be aware of cognitive biases in test interpretation.
– Understand how perception can influence diagnostic decision making.
– Limit diagnostic error by accounting for the effect of cognitive biases in the interpretive process.

“To Test or Not to Test—To Treat or Not to Treat”

Dr. Scott Weed

Synopsis:

As practicing clinicians, we utilize a variety of tools and methods to arrive at clinical decisions. Some of what we do we learned as a student or resident, or maybe from a mentor or continuing education experience. However, many of the things we do might be difficult to explain or articulate and constitute what we’re familiar with as “the gut.” Medical decision making has been studied for many decades, and modern theories of emerged in the past 30 years. This lecture will embark on a brief review of the development of current thinking on clinical decision making. We will highlight the principles of decision making and demystify things like “gut decisions.” The use and misuse of tests will be covered in detail as well as how basic elements of probability theory can increase our chances of positive outcomes.

Learning objectives:

– Become familiar with the origins and current state of decision theory in medicine and dentistry.
– Understand what a test is and when they are both helpful and not helpful.
– Understand the role time plays in test results and how time itself can be a test.
– Identify and put into practice elements of probability theory to improve patient education as well as treatment outcomes.

“Efficiency Based Endodontic Microsurgery”

Dr. Carlos Aznar Portoles

Synopsis:

Endodontic microsurgery has proven to be an effective alternative for the treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis. Outcome studies show high success rates when modern techniques are employed. But, is there room for improvement? During the last years, several microsurgical materials and techniques have been introduced. During this presentation I will discuss how these materials and techniques can help us to work more efficiently. We will also describe methods to improve team efficiency and how to apply those in the daily practice. Ergonomics is a significant consideration when providing endodontic microsurgery for your patients.

Learning objectives:

– Learn strategies to improve the efficiency of the microsurgical team
– Discuss new materials and techniques in endodontic microsurgery
– List the different applications of Dynamic Surgical Navigation in endodontic microsurgery

“Treatment of Compromised teeth: What is possible?”

Dr. Robert E. Grover

Synopsis:

In their book, “Evidenced-Based Decision Making in Dentistry”, Dr’s Rosen, Nemcovsky, and Tsesis state that “the ultimate goal of conservative dental treatment is to preserve the natural dentition”. They recognize however, that in compromised cases, where a more complex multidisciplinary approach may be necessary, the attempt to retain a tooth for the long-term may be less predictable creating a potentially difficult decision for the clinician and therefore the patient. Should a compromised tooth be retained or extracted in favor of replacement with an implant? In their position paper on implants, the AAE stated that implants have “enhanced oral function for many patients by profoundly affecting treatment planning for teeth with an unfavorable prognosis, and for the rehabilitation of edentulous spaces”. Though implants were initially designated as replacements for missing teeth, many clinicians have migrated to using implants as substitutes for existing teeth.

The AAE’s position is that the “early removal of a compromised tooth and replacement with an implant” paradigm should be reconsidered. In 2014, the AAE released a treatment guide for compromised teeth including root amputations, resorptions, procedural complications, and endodontic retreatment. This guide provided treatment considerations and prognosis for each of the categories of compromised teeth. However, little consideration was given to the long-term outcomes of the treatment described in the guide.

Over the past seven years, Dr. Grover has followed over 4,000 of cases that he has treated since opening a private endodontic practice in 1995. Using the AAE’s decision making guide as a template, Dr. Grover will attempt to illustrate what is possible with regards to treatment of compromised teeth.

Learning objectives:

– Describe and understand what is meant by the term compromised teeth.
– Be able to discuss the benefits of retaining compromised teeth.
– Understand the conditions that may enhance the retention of compromised teeth.

On-line registration only at www.bedentalexpert.com

• Registration fee for all attendees: $75.00

NJAE membership is not restricted to endodontists from New Jersey. If you are a practicing endodontist from the United States or an endodontist/dentist from another country you can be a member of NJAE with a dues payment of $25 for the 2020/2021 year. That entitles you to a discounted registration fee and free Fall Symposium registration.

** Course cancellation policy: NJAE reserves the right to cancel a course up to 3 weeks prior to the course date. If the course is cancelled, the full registration fee will be refunded. It is advisable to check and confirm course status before making your travel arrangements. Cancellations by registrants within 7 days of the program will be charged the full registration fee they paid. A 75% refund will be applicable for cancellations before March 3rd to cover administrative expenses.

For more information please contact Dr. John Archible at drarchible@gmail.com or Dr. Marc Balson at guttadoc@gmail.com.

The New Jersey Association of Endodontists 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.

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at www.ada.org/cerp.

The New Jersey Association of Endodontists designates this activity for continuing education credits.