LCDS Members: $0
non-LCDS Members: $80
Dental Office Staff $40

AM SESSION 9 am - 12 pm

Depending on How You Sit, Dentistry Can Be a Pain in the Assets (3 CEs)

Dr. Noëlle Santucci, DDS and Dr. Justin Jellin, DPT

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the major reasons dental professionals retire prematurely. With over 50% of dentist suffering from MSDs while practicing, it is an important topic to keep in the forefront of the dental practitioner’s minds daily. This unique, interactive and inter-professional educational course will be presented by both a Dentist and a Doctor of Physical Therapy and will be of interest not only to the doctors, but to their entire dental team as well. Attendees will learn about the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting dental professionals and the ergonomic risk factors associated with practicing dentistry. Participants will understand how to address current injuries and how to mitigate future injuries through practice modifications. Musculoskeletal injuries should not prevent you from a fulfilling career and a lifetime of practice! 

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course the participants will be able to:

Identify the most common musculoskeletal disorders that affect dental professionals

Understand the causes of MSDs

Learn management guidelines

Understand effective corrective exercises to address and prevent MSDs

Learn management guidelines

Learn ergonomic practice guidelines while using office equipment

Understand some of the fiscal impacts of MSDs



Noëlle M Santucci, DDS, MA, BS, RDH

Dr. Noëlle Santucci, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, California. Dr. Santucci received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from Marquette University and her dental degree from University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 1991. After completing her Advanced Education in Dentistry residency program, she received a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of the Pacific Benerd School of Education. Along with private practice, she taught 1 day a week in the preclinical restorative course at University of the Pacific. Over the past 10 years, she has integrated and course directed the International Dental Students restorative curriculum and the DDS preclinical restorative curriculum at UOP. She also lectures to students, faculty and staff on musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics.

Dr. Santucci has authored two chapters in Esthetic Dentistry in Clinical Practice and has published articles on nutrition, omega-3 in oral and systemic health and impression taking with the Isolite. She co-authored the research article "Dental and Physical Therapy Faculty Collaborate in Assessing and Educating Dental Students on Musculoskeletal Disorders”, which was published in the Journal of Dental Education.

Dr. Santucci has presented CE courses on nutrition, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, clinical photography, impressions and occlusion. She recently retired from private practice that she shares with her husband in Atherton, California.

She is a Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy and in the American College of Dentists.



Justin Jellin, DPT

Dr. Justin Jellin earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of the Pacific, and has an undergraduate degree in Sports Sciences. In addition to clinical practice he is the Program Director of RUNATOMY, a Running Gait Analysis Clinic at GSPORTS Physical Therapy in San Francisco. He has a special interest in sports medicine, especially cases that are interdisciplinarily complex.

Dr. Jellin is Clinical Instructor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the University of the Pacific, Dugoni School of Dentistry. He lectures to students, faculty and staff on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomics. Additionally, Dr. Jellin has presented numerous lectures to dentists and dental personnel on ergonomics, MSDs and exercise to counteract the effects of incorrect postures. He co-authored the article "Dental and Physical Therapy Faculty Collaborate in Assessing and Educating Dental Students on Musculoskeletal Disorders” which was published in the Journal of Dental Education.

He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and contributes journal reviews for the Running Special Interest section of the APTA.

SOCIAL HOUR 12 pm - 1 pm (lunch provided)

PM SESSION ONE 1 pm - 2:30 PM

Benchmarking Your Key Performance Indicators for Dental Practice Success (1.5 CEs)

Elliot Tracy, CPA

Benchmarking is the process of comparing your dental practice data to data from other, similar practices, and using the outcome to determine how your practice is performing. With minimal improvements, a practice can see a significant increase in cash flow and a better bottom line. Many practice managers do not perform any kind of benchmarking and therefore never realize the true potential of their practice. When you have benchmarking data, especially on a continuing basis, you are able to identify problems that need to be addressed, find appropriate solutions, and then monitor the success of the changes. In this interactive presentation, attendees will learn the 12 most important figures that every dental practice should be benchmarking on a regular basis.

Course Objectives:

• Understand why benchmarking is crucial to practice management success
• Learn the key ratios, metrics and KPI’s to watching to evaluate practice success
• See how you are performing relative to other practices in the area
• Identify opportunities to celebrate success and opportunities for improvement

Elliott Tracy, CPA 

Elliot is a Jones & Roth Partner and a key leader of the firm’s dental group Practice Peak Advisors, which specializes in helping dental practices and their owners reach financial management success. Elliott is an active coach for his clients on strategies such as practice benchmarking, cash flow planning, and business strategy. His tax expertise includes all areas of tax planning and strategies for high earning individuals and he is regularly called upon to present dental practice financial management topics at industry conferences.

Elliott Tracy is a Financial Advisor offering Securities through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC, Investment Advisory services through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, and Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. Jones & Roth and Avantax are unaffiliated.

PM SESSION 2 2:30 pm - 4 pm

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You! (1.5 CEs)

Janette Douglas, owner of JD Dental Consulting

Having systems in place leads to improved efficiency and productivity. It pulls the team together, reduces stress and creates a practice that meets and exceeds patient expectations.  Most practice owners leave the management of the practice to team members without really knowing where the strengths and/or weaknesses are. 

Course Objectives:

• Identify opportunities for improvement in the health of your practice
• Learn what daily/weekly/monthly/yearly reports are crucial for you to keep on top of
• Attitude/Skills/Knowledge – Know the differences and how they affect your system

Janette Douglas 

Janette is the Owner of JD Dental Consulting.  Jan’s goal with every client is to create a smooth-running, efficient practice which leads to “Happy doctor, Happy staff, Happy patients”.

She understands the desperate need for training and education for dental administrative staff. Her 30-year career in dental practice management led to her passion to pass along her knowledge and expertise to implement systems that increase revenue and reduce stress.

As President of Oregon Dental Executives Association (ODEA), Jan helped many Practice Managers by providing cutting edge resources and solutions to the unique challenges and changes taking place in today’s dental practice management sector.

Jan is a member of The Speaking Consulting Network (SCN) and a lifetime member of the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM).

Thank you to our Continuing Education Sponsors: