This Newsletter is an independent publication, and is not a product of the Central Oregon Dental Society, Oregon Dental Association or the American Dental Association. This Newsletter relies on the dental community, its readers and Editor for its content and aims to relay announcements, information and dialogue relevant to the Central Oregon Dental Community.
- This issue of the Central Oregon Dental News is brought to you through the generous support of:
- Assured Dental Lab
- BnK Construction Inc.
- O’Brien Dental Lab
- Unbreakable Bonds
CONTENTS OF NEWSLETTER:
- Upcoming Central Oregon Meetings & Events
- Central Oregon Dental News
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Seeking Employment
- Classified Ads
- Regional CE Calendar
- More Info.
- Editorials / Commentary
- Dear Dr. Rupert
UPCOMING MEETINGS, EVENTS or C.E.
November 7-8, 2025 (Fri. & Sat.) ODA Regional Event
Join the ODA in beautiful Oregon Coast for ODA’s Regional Event! Salishan Coastal Lodge
- Earn up to 8 hours of CE
- Family-friendly social events
- Build connections with local industry suppliers
- Relax, learn and recharge at the coast
- Registration includes all meals!
- More information and registration: https://bestcardteam.com/EventRegistrations/register.php?Event=campoda2025
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December 4, 2025 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting
- 6:00 pm – Social Hour
- 7:00 pm – Dinner and Meeting / CE
- Topic / CE: Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstruction
- Speaker: John Pang, MD
- Location: Currents Restaurant at the Riverhouse
- An Evite / RSVP email typically goes out one month before the meeting. Please email/contact Dr. Jessica Henderson (drjessicahenderson@gmail.com) if you have not received prior Evite or RSVP invitation emails and would like to attend this or future meetings.
- Meetings are free for Dental Society/ODA members. Non-members can attend the meeting for $300 ($75 Meal and Facility Fees + $225 for 2 hours CE). Please bring a check made out to the Central Oregon Dental Society.
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January 15, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting
Save the Date –
Aside from the usual Continuing Education portion, we’ll also hold Elections for Dental Society Officers:
CODS Board Member Election Announcement
Elections for the CODS Board are to be held at the January 2026 meeting. All positions require a two-year commitment. There are 5 board member positions. Our Secretary/Treasurer (Dr. Jacqueline Gambee) and Continuing Education Chair (Dr. Michael Reynolds) have agreed to stay on and serve another term. One of the positions is new, the Ambassador position. All positions can be filled by new members, no previous experience required. Mentorship will be provided by the current board members to ensure an easy transition. The following positions are available:
President – coordinates with CODS board members to make sure that the quarterly meetings are successful, communicates with the ODA, requires approximately 5 hours of work per month
Vice President – communicates with the website manager to make sure that the website is up to date, requires approximately 2 hours of work per month
Ambassador – reaches out to dentists that have recently moved to Central Oregon, requires approximately 5 hours of work per month
Please send nominations to Jessica Henderson: drjessicahenderson@gmail.com
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May 21, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting
Save the date
September 24, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting
Save the date
December 3, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting
Save the date
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CENTRAL OREGON DENTAL NEWS
Nominations Open for CODS Board Member Positions
CODS Board Member Election Announcement
Elections for the CODS Board are to be held at the January 2026 meeting. All positions require a two-year commitment. There are 5 board member positions. Our Secretary/Treasurer (Dr. Jacqueline Gambee) and Continuing Education Chair (Dr. Michael Reynolds) have agreed to stay on and serve another term. One of the positions is new, the Ambassador position. All positions can be filled by new members, no previous experience required. Mentorship will be provided by the current board members to ensure an easy transition. The following positions are available:
President – coordinates with CODS board members to make sure that the quarterly meetings are successful, communicates with the ODA, requires approximately 5 hours of work per month
Vice President – communicates with the website manager to make sure that the website is up to date, requires approximately 2 hours of work per month
Ambassador – reaches out to dentists that have recently moved to Central Oregon, requires approximately 5 hours of work per month
Please send nominations to Jessica Henderson: drjessicahenderson@gmail.com
Please welcome Dr. John Pang (Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction) to Central Oregon
John was drawn to Bend for the opportunity to provide state-of-the-art head and neck cancer care to those in need. Originally from Clearwater, FL, he attended medical school at Johns Hopkins followed by otolaryngology residency at UC San Diego. He then completed fellowship in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstruction at the University of Washington under renowned oral surgeon Dr. Neal Futran. After fellowship, he began his career at Louisiana State University and often collaborated with oral surgeons as their surgical outcomes surpassed national benchmarks at many top cancer centers. During his time in Louisiana, he became comfortable treating patients with multiple comorbidities.
Clinical areas of expertise include:
– Cancerous and noncancerous tumors of the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, voice box, nose, sinuses, neck, salivary glands (parotid and submandibular glands), facial and scalp skin, thyroid and parathyroid glands.
– Reconstructive surgery including a varied repertoire of free tissue transfer techniques and their anatomic variants (radial forearm, ulnar free flap, anterolateral thigh, fibula, scapula, and iliac crest)
He sees clinic patients at Summit Health in the Old Mill District and is jointly employed by Summit and St. Charles Medical Center. He operates at both Bend Surgery Center and St. Charles, and his goal is to help patients overcome their illness (with the best occlusion possible).
He welcomes personal phone calls or texts on his phone at 727-698-5242 or his direct office line at 541-706-2339 for any clinical matters (no matter how pressing).
COCC Dental Assisting Clinic Dates and Volunteer Opportunities
Central Oregon Community College’s Dental Assisting Program is looking for licensed dentists to volunteer for our dental clinic. Your participation helps our students gain hands-on experience while providing essential dental care to our local community.
Volunteer dentists receive 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits for their time.
If you’re interested in supporting the next generation of dental assistants, please contact Jenna Johnson at jjohnson47@cocc.edu or 541.383.7574.
Thank you for your commitment to education and community health!”
Let me know if you need any other information!
Thanks,
Jenna
Jenna Johnson, B.S., CDA, EFDA, EFODA
Central Oregon Community College
Dental Assisting Professor
jjohnson47@cocc.edu
DENTAL CLINIC DATES
Dental Practice Ownership Opportunity in Bend
Well established single Doctor private practice for sale in Bend, OR. This is a comprehensive, family oriented, General Family Dentistry practice with a wonderful team and great reputation. Excellent opportunity for a solo practitioner or couple to buy and grow. The current Dentist and practice owner will be permanently relocating to the East Coast. For serious buyers/inquiries only, if you would like more information and a comprehensive appraisal, please contact Gary Schaub, MBA @ HELP Appraisals & Sales, Inc. – Practice Transitions Made Perfect!
- (c) 503-327-5970
- (o) 503.223 4357
- (e) GarySchaub@comcast.net
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News From the ODA, ADA & OBD
- ODA President-Elect Dr. Fairlee becomes ADA Workforce Shortage Ambassador: Dr. Amberena Fairlee will join other devoted ADA members and state and local society staff leaders committed to supporting the dental workforce and working collaboratively to address challenges. You can read more about this exciting new ADA program at ADA seeks ambassadors to help address workforce shortages | American Dental Association. Thank you, Dr. Fairlee, for representing Oregon!
- Your Voice Matters! 2025 ODA House of Delegates Registration Is Now Open: The 2025 ODA House of Delegates will be held on October 11th and will be 100% virtual. We encourage all members to be engaged and represent their local component society as a delegate! Currently 30 members are registered to serve as delegates; we need 40 more members for quorum. Please register here and support your association. This year we will be discussing the following resolutions:
- BOT 1-25: Dues Discounts—New Graduates
- BOT 2-25: HOD Conversion to Annual Meeting
- BOT 3-25: Cost of Living—Dues Increase
- New Workforce Website Resources: New workforce resources have been added as a webpage to the ODA website. The intention is to create a place for members to access workforce resources and information. This is just the start; please provide feedback to ODA’s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs Brett Hamilton at bhamilton@oregondental.org.
- Nominations Open for the 2026 ODA Leadership Academy: Are you ready to continue your journey in continued excellence and leadership growth? This program provides a unique backstage pass to ODA offerings and experiences while developing and enhancing leadership and interpersonal skills. Customized to each participant, depending upon area(s) of interest, the Academy guarantees a deeper understanding and growth where it matters most! Nominate yourself or a colleague to join our 2026 class by December 1, 2025! Find out more information here.
- Oregon Board of Dentistry Public Rulemaking Hearing: The OBD is seeking your feedback or comment on proposed rule changes. A rulemaking hearing will be held on September 30th via zoom. The attached document has the Zoom connect information, the proposed rule changes and the Secretary of State filing. Any comment on proposed rule changes can be sent to information@obd.oregon.gov. The comment period will close on October 10th at 4 pm. The Board will review all comments and make a decision on the proposed rule changes at its October 24, 2025 Board Meeting. You can view the Agenda and proposed changes at: https://www.oregon.gov/dentistry/Documents/OBD%20Rulemaking%20Hearing%209.30.2025.pdf
- Become a Wellness Ambassador – Make a Difference in Your Community! Are you passionate about mental health and supporting others? Wellness Ambassadors are vital in offering a compassionate ear and guiding colleagues through life’s challenges—whether it’s stress, mental health, financial struggles, or more. If you’re ready to be a source of support and hope, complete the Wellness Ambassador interest form today and be part of a movement that truly matters. Email Heather at hlangdon@oregondental.org and complete the Wellness Ambassador interest form.
- Save the Date for the 2026 Oregon Dental Conference: Mark your calendars for next year’s conference, April 9-11, 2026! Meanwhile, be sure to enter your course completion codes online at https://www.prereg.net/2025/odc or the ODC mobile app to claim your 2025 ODC CE certificate. See you next year!
- Younger Dentists More Likely to be Distressed, Struggling: Younger age groups of dentists have higher percentages of members who are distressed or struggling when compared with older groups, according to the 2024-2025 State of Well-Being Report. The report is compiled each year based on results from the Well-Being Index, an anonymous, validated self-assessment tool developed by Mayo Clinic that measures multiple dimensions of clinician distress and well-being, including burnout, fatigue, and quality of life.
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CENTRAL OREGON DENTAL SOCIETY OFFICERS
Please feel free to reach out to any of the Central Oregon Dental Society Officers, if you want to get more involved with organized dentistry, if you have ideas or suggestions for upcoming speakers or courses, or any other dental related issues on your mind.
- President: Dr. Jessica Henderson
- Vice President: Dr. Eric Cadwell
- Secretary/Treasurer: Dr. Madeline Peterson
- Continuing Education Chair: Dr. Michael Reynolds
- ODA Trustees: Dr. Jared Adams & Dr. Shannon Woods
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Please go to the ‘VOLUNTEER’ page on the menu bar for contact and additional information about the following Central Oregon organizations seeking dental volunteers:
- Central Oregon Community College Friday Clinic
- Central Oregon Community College Dental Assisting Program
- Volunteers in Medicine
- Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Van
- Donated Dental Services (DDS) Program
- Healthy Beginnings
- Smile Central Oregon
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT
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CLASSIFIED ADS
Dental Practice Ownership Opportunity in Bend
Well established single Doctor private practice for sale in Bend, OR. This is a comprehensive, family oriented, General Family Dentistry practice with a wonderful team and great reputation. Excellent opportunity for a solo practitioner or couple to buy and grow. The current Dentist and practice owner will be permanently relocating to the East Coast. For serious buyers/inquiries only, if you would like more information and a comprehensive appraisal, please contact Gary Schaub, MBA @ HELP Appraisals & Sales, Inc. – Practice Transitions Made Perfect!
(c) 503-327-5970
(o) 503.223 4357
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FOR SALE DEXIS CBCT OP 3D 9×14.
Purchased at the end of 2020, this cbct/pano works great, I’m just looking to upgrade for a larger field of view. Great for a general practice for implants, endo, pano, bitewings pano etc. Henry Schein is currently selling a smaller field of view (9×11) refurbished model model for $47K, asking $28K for the larger field of view. You must set up the move. Feel free to come take a look at it, you can contact me at drmiller@stillwaterdentalbend.com.
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Dental Equipment for Sale
I have some dental equipment that I would like to sell:
- Planmeca ProMax digital pano with ceph arm – upgradable to 3D
- Ramvac DentalEZ air compressor
- Ramvac Bulldog QT vacuum pump
- Ramvac OWL controller
- The steel rack to stack the compressor and vacuum pump in the mechanical room
- Porter nitrous equipment – all the equipment from the nitrous closet for the central nitrous setup, and the controls from the hallway, valves for the chairs, etc.
All of this equipment was purchased new by me in 2010, and it all still works fine – it was just too small for my new office, and I went with a new CBCT for the new office rather than upgrading the ProMax. Please contact Eric Cadwell at eric@purecaredental.com and make me an offer on anything you are interested in.
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REGIONAL CE CALENDAR
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MORE INFO
Searching for a Dental Hygienist?
You might want to email the High Desert Dental Hygienists’ Association (CODHAinfo@gmail.com) and tell them about your need. They are very helpful and have a great database of Central Oregon Dental Hygienists and will email information about your opening to their members.
Announcements, Articles or Classifieds for the Newsletter
Article submissions for the Central Oregon Dental Community are encouraged and welcomed. You can email your content to Dr. Mehdi Salari (bendsalari@gmail.com). The deadline to contribute articles or request the posting of information in the Newsletter is 5:00 pm PST on the second to last day of each month. The Newsletter is typically sent out on the first or second day of each month.
Advertising or Content for Future Newsletters
Please contact Dr. Mehdi Salari (bendsalari@gmail.com) if you would like to post a classified or advertisement in future issues of the Central Oregon Dental Newsletter. The Central Oregon Dental Newsletter is available & sent to all practicing and retired Dentists, Specialists in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, Sisters, La Pine, Sunriver, Warm Springs & Powell Butte & Mitchell. The deadline to update or post an advertisement in the Newsletter is 5:00 pm PST on the second to last day of the each month.
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Everything above the Red Line is put together as a service to the Central Oregon Dental Community and is the nonpartisan news and events of this Newsletter.
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The Red Line
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The Red Line
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Everything below the Red Line is either for entertainment purposes or to stimulate conversation or debate. It’s personal, opinion based, has a conservative slant and is not meant to offend or upset … only to stimulate discussion or entertainment. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
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COMMENTARY
DISCLAIMER / WARNING: The opinions or comments expressed are NOT those of the Central Oregon Dental Society, Oregon Dental Association, American Dental Association or any of the Advertisers or Business Partners. Editorials or commentaries are OPINIONS ONLY and are simply meant to encourage discussion or dialogue. Readers are welcome and encouraged to contribute editorials or comments for possible inclusion in future issues.
Please Consider Contributing an Editorial or Column For Future Newsletters
This Newsletter is a forum for the Central Oregon Dental Community to stay in touch and connected and a place to have your voice heard. Your opinion columns, thoughts and feedback are encouraged and welcome.
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COMMENTARY has its own page.
Commentary content can be found at:
https://codentalnews.com/commentary/
or by clicking the COMMENTARY tab on the Home Page Menu bar
Dear Dr. Rupert
Dear Dr. Rupert’s monthly practice management advice column has its own page .
Dear Dr. Rupert can be found at:
https://codentalnews.com/dear-dr-rupert/
or by clicking the DEAR DR. RUPERT tab on the Home Page Menu bar
Central Oregon Dental News 