2025-26 Course Objectives

After completing The 2025-26 Dental Update you should have acquired the knowledge that will better enable you to:

  • Understand the essential principles of diagnosis, treatment planning, and foundational techniques in root canal therapy.
  • Identify, diagnose and treat ulcerative changes to oral mucosal soft tissues.
  • Understand and meet today’s practice challenges.
  • Better understand how to compare dental laser technologies to determine the most appropriate tool for specific soft- and hard-tissue procedures in clinical practice.
  • Identify and manage substance-abusing patients.
  • Identify financial controls to prevent fraud and increase revenue.
  • Identify and manage substance-abusing patients.
  • Understand the terms and implications of alternative associate agreements.
  • Understand recent innovations and core principles in endodontics to enhance the effectiveness and predictability of root canal therapy.
  • Enhance early detection of oral cancer through effective screening, risk assessment, and diagnostic examination techniques.
  • Identify the characteristics of a great dental practice culture and team.
  • Identify insurance gaps and litigation stress management techniques.
  • Identify dental considerations relating to cannabis.
  • Identify legal and practical issues associated with buying or selling a dental practice.
  • Understand the comparative outcomes of implants versus endodontic therapy, emerging regenerative endodontic techniques, and systematic diagnostic protocols to improve treatment planning.
  • Identify and evaluate the clinical signs of ankyloglossia and maxillary labial frenula in infants, understand their impact on breastfeeding, and determine when surgical intervention is appropriate.
  • Recognize, diagnose, and manage endodontic emergencies and traumatic dental injuries using evidence-based approaches.
  • Understand the oral impact of and treatment approaches for acid airway reflux and DM2.
  • Understand the legal and ethical pitfalls of salivary diagnostics and genomics.
  • Discuss the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of acute pain.

2026-27 Course Objectives

After completing The 2026-27 Dental Update you should have acquired the knowledge that will better enable you to:

  • Understand relationship-based diagnostic process to improve patient engagement, case acceptance, and long-term oral health outcomes.
  • Explain how artificial intelligence models are developed and applied to radiographic interpretation.
  • Develop effective strategies for implant site preservation and apply surgical techniques to optimize outcomes in implant dentistry.
  • Understand the principles and clinical implementation of the LANAP protocol for the treatment of moderate to severe periodontal disease.
  • Apply advanced principles of access cavity design to improve canal location, debridement, and long-term endodontic success. 
  • Assess how artificial intelligence can improve diagnostic accuracy, workflow efficiency, and patient communication.
  • Understand how orthodontic diagnosis and smile analysis can be integrated into general practice to enhance restorative treatment planning and esthetic outcomes.
  • Understand the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical benefits of photobiomodulation (PBM) in dental procedures, including tongue-tie release.
  • Apply evidence-based irrigation strategies to improve canal disinfection, safety, and endodontic treatment outcomes.
  • Integrate artificial intelligence tools into clinical workflows while addressing operational, financial, and ethical considerations.
  • Understand the legal and economic implications of emerging trends in practice opportunities and structures.
  • Understand orthodontic and restorative strategies for managing anterior tooth wear and optimizing implant outcomes in the esthetic zone.
  • Apply mission-centered leadership principles to guide teams, build trust, and navigate the evolving challenges facing the dental profession.
  • Implement protocols for immediate implant placement and provisionalization in the esthetic zone while applying clinical criteria for stability and esthetic outcomes.
  • Understand fundamental shaping principles and rotary instrumentation techniques to achieve safe, efficient, and predictable root canal preparation.
  • Apply advanced shaping concepts and modern instrumentation strategies to preserve dentin, improve efficiency, and reduce procedural risk during root canal preparation.
  • Understand the evolving role of oral health in primary care and apply strategies that strengthen medical–dental integration, improve access, and advance whole-health outcomes.
  • Apply immediate implant placement protocols in posterior sites while accounting for bone quality, socket morphology, and load considerations.
  • Understand techniques and strategies for effective claims denial management.

All learning objectives above address IOM/ACGME core competencies.

The Update, offered weekly in over 50 enviable destinations, is a unique, 20-hour survey of the intersection of practice management, risk management and selected clinical topics.

Program Description

The Update is produced in state-of-the-art studios utilizing 4K digital technology and presented via COVID-safe, Destination-based, Remote Classrooms. That means, as in the past, you will participate in the travel destination of your choice during scheduled lecture hours, however, you will view The Update on your laptop, tablet or smart phone from the comfort and safety of your hotel room or condominium. And you will do so in the virtual and interactive company of your colleagues in attendance at the same time.

We think this offers the best of all worlds: Comfort, safety, and the ability to interact in real time with a multi-discipline audience of professional peers. You will have over 1,000 oppor­tunities to attend, at your choice of over 40 premier sun and ski resorts, through the end of September – virtually any week you choose.

Program Accreditation