February 1, 2026 C.O.D.N.

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.

February 5, 2026 (Thurs.) ODA Lobby Day

This is ODA’s first in-person lobby day since before the pandemic and we are excited for this opportunity to sit down with legislators and share the challenges our industry is facing and the need for expanded access to oral health care throughout the state.

While ODA’s advocacy team is regularly in contact with legislators and decisionmakers throughout the year, legislators have made it clear that there is no substitute for hearing directly from dentists about our issues.

• 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Oregon State Capital, Salem

Ready to sign up? Questions? Please email ODA’s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Brett Hamilton to sign up to participate in the 2026 ODA Lobby Day. Brett can also answer any questions you may have: bhamilton@oregondental.org, 503-740-0820. 

February 10, 2026 (Tues.) ODA Winter Webinar Series for Team Members (Infection Control)

• Beyond the Surface: Infection Control That Actually Works 
• Kelli Ngariki, MAOM, MaEd
• 6 pm – 8 pm
• Description: Up-to-date protocols on bloodborne pathogens, PPE, sterilization, DUWL, and CDC infection control guidelines to protect patients, staff, and your license.
• More Info. / Register: https://www.bcpay.online/EventRegistrations/register.php?Event=WinterWebinarFeb

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March 2, 2026 (Mon.) Stairway to Perio Study Club: Real Clinical Case Highlights & Deeper Discussion

You’re Invited: Inside Central Oregon Perio – Part 2

Following the incredible discussion and engagement at our last study club meeting on January 26, we’re excited to continue the conversation with Part 2 of Inside Central Oregon Perio.

This session will build on what we started, with more conversations that dive deep into clinical decision-making, treatment outcomes, and long-term management of periodontal disease.

Topics will include:

• Continued review of real periodontal cases from Central Oregon
• Key takeaways from discussion last time on soft tissue surgeries, root fractures, implants, and LANAP
• A deeper dive into endoscopic debridement (visualized SRP)
• Case discussions featuring cemental tears and hypercementosis
• Periodontal maintenance and implant maintenance

As before, this will be a casual, interactive, discussion-based course. Questions, clinical perspectives, and shared experiences are encouraged.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 2nd, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: Worthy Brewing
Cost: $15 ($10 early bird RSVP by February 15th)
CE Credits: 2 CEUs

Speakers:
Cassandra Beck, RDH
Janell Hall, RDH
Nick Misischia, DMD

We look forward to continuing the conversation and learning together.

RSVP to info@stairwaytoperio.com with “March 2nd Study Club” in the subject line.

Warmly,
The Stairway to Perio Study Club Team

March 14, 2026 (Sat.) ODA Winter Webinar Series for Team Members (Medical Emergencies)

• Preparation & Management of Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
• Andrea Fonner, DDS
• Saturday, March 14th, 2026
• 8 am – 12 pm
• More Info. / Register: https://www.bcpay.online/EventRegistrations/register.php?Event=WinterWebinarMarch

April 9-11, 2026 (Thurs. – Sat.) Oregon Dental Convention

Join thousands of dental professionals at Oregon’s premier dental conference, April 9-11, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. At ODC you can earn high-quality dental CE, shop for all things dentistry in the exhibit hall, and enjoy special events, all while building relationships with your Oregon dental community! Find out more information, including the preview program, which outlines all available courses and events, at www.oregondentalconference.com.

May 21, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting

6:00 pm – Social Hour

7:00 pm – Dinner and Meeting / CE

CE: TBD

Speaker: TBD

Location: Currents Restaurant at the Riverhouse

September 24, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting

6:00 pm – Social Hour

7:00 pm – Dinner and Meeting / CE

CE: TBD

Speaker: TBD

Location: Currents Restaurant at the Riverhouse

December 3, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting

6:00 pm – Social Hour

7:00 pm – Dinner and Meeting / CE

CE: TBD

Speaker: TBD

Location: Currents Restaurant at the Riverhouse

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CENTRAL  OREGON DENTAL NEWS

Dr. Mark Keener Obituary

Mark Steven Keener, our husband, father, friend and brother, died January 5, 2026, aged 66 years, when his heart stopped beating for us. It was too soon, but it would always have been too soon.

Mark lived his life with joy and purpose. He made friends and kept them. He married for love and lived that love for 44 years with sincerity, devotion, and dependability, day after day and adventure after adventure. Together, he and Ann had two children, Jed and Rae. They were raised in a home where love was freely given and openly expressed, and friends were always welcome. Pride for his children was central to his being, and nothing brought him more joy than loving and supporting them, until his grandchildren, Jack and Maeve, were born, adding more layers of happiness and more reasons to laugh and love.

Mark was the center of many circles of love. He was a friend to many, and those friendships were grown over time and with intention, through shared adventures and shared good work. And always with laughter. Challenging himself, offering himself to others, living with integrity, and holding himself to high standards in all things were guiding principles in his work, in his play, in his relationships and in his life choices.

Born to Jack and Betty in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1962 where he and his brother, Jim, were raised. He grew up traveling with parents and grandparents, skiing at Mt. Hood, salmon fishing in the Pacific, waterskiing the Willamette, playing football and baseball, and making life-long friends. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1977, then attended Lewis and Clark college in Portland where he studied Biology and Sociology, met his future wife, Ann, studied overseas in Portugal, and made more forever friends. After graduation, he and Ann worked in Alaska for the Forestry Sciences Lab out of Juneau on Chichagof Island and Kuiu Island doing field work for two research seasons in very remote cabins while (mostly) avoiding bears and mosquitos.

Ann and Mark were married in 1982. The following year, they entered service with the Peace Corps in Nepal. Mark became a community forester in Khalanga, Pyuthan, a two-day walk from the nearest road. He and his Nepali co-workers established nurseries and planted trees to combat deforestation and erosion in Nepal’s middle hills. Following travel in Tibet, Myanmar, and Thailand, they returned to Portland where Mark worked as a TriMet city bus driver and started Dental School at OHSU in 1986. Jed Daniel was born in 1989 during Mark’s final year.

He practiced in Canby as a dentist for one year, and welcomed his daughter Rae Elise. During the summer of 1992, the whole family moved to Kathmandu, Nepal where Mark worked for Brian Hollander at the American Embassy Dental Clinic. Two years followed filled with a vibrant community of friends, immersion in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, trekking adventures, and family-living, enthralled by the rich, wild culture that is Nepal.

After returning to the states in 1995, Mark purchased the dental practice of Wally Zimmerman in Redmond, Oregon, and the family found a new home. The circles continued to grow. Many knew Mark as their dentist, one who cared for their health as he cared about their lives and families. He practiced dentistry for 30 years, and patients and staff became family to him.

When he retired in 2025, it was with incredible pride and unshakable confidence that he passed the clinic, the practice and the patients he loved to his son, Jed, who now operates Keener Family Dentistry.

As the kids grew up, he devoted himself to their activities and their friends. His business hours flexed to allow him to be present for them no matter what they were doing. He attended every parent-teacher conference and school event, coached baseball, put in hours on bleachers and in camp chairs watching games, drove endlessly, fed innumerable kids, raised his voice at a few refs, cheered relentlessly, commiserated and encouraged. This absolute devotion did not end when our kids grew up and left our home. It followed them into the lives they built for themselves. There were trips to Gonzaga to witness their college years and graduation ceremonies, then to Omaha for Jed’s dental school years. We enjoyed time in Seattle and eventually Nashville to be with Rae. Mark was immensely proud when she opened her own business there, Frae Clothing Company. Mark’s light will reflect brightly through his beloved children and their circles, and will never fade. Their friends throughout all these transitions know how much Mark loved them and how he treasured the adult relationships that grew out of their childhood presence in his life.

Some knew Mark because of his community involvement. Mark practiced dentistry to support his family, but also to serve others. He donated dental services to the underserved through many different programs. He mentored students and provided internships and training. He visited classrooms and hosted classrooms in the clinic. As a small business owner, he supported innumerable FFA, 4-H, school and sport fundraising efforts. He was a Sparrow Club supporter, was a member of Rotary for years, and was on the board of Boys and Girls Club of Redmond. He began serving with Jericho Road of Redmond around 2013. He loved this community of people, the folks he worked with and the folks he befriended doing the work. He was unconditional love in action. Every meal served, every shower offered, every tent or battery handed over, every hug delivered, every story or bad joke shared was his effort to lighten someone else’s load. He was really good at that.

Mark was a fly fisherman who considered the river to be his church. Camping, fishing and bike trips were pilgrimages and worship. As rich as his life was with family and community, he also valued time in nature to reflect and turn inward, testing himself mentally and physically. He relished the simplicity and the liberation of being responsible for only what he carried on his bike day after day during those long rides. He was a runner, a passion shared with his dad. He loved playing golf. His golfing friends will testify that he didn’t mind having fun doing it, but he also appreciated the challenge inherent in the game. His regular Thursday games left him in a variety of interesting moods. Also challenging was the decision to buy a hay ranch just outside town in 2004. Mark’s accelerated skill acquisition was enviable: cows, tractors, irrigation, baling, all of it. For ten years he did fine-motor work all day, then gross-motor work into the evening. And loved it. And hated it. Mostly loved it. After moving back to town, Mark joyfully went to push the button on the side of the house to “change the irrigation”.

Great joy and great purpose. He loved his family, devoted himself to loving and caring for us, and had plenty left to give to others. Mark chose us every day. He was dependable to his core.

He had the ability to focus his attention like a beam of light on a person. That light reflected onto many lives. The ripples of his kindness, his compassion, his humor, his sense of duty and responsibility to others was like a light reflected through a prism. That light is love’s echo, still bouncing around among us. It is now up to us, those who received so much as a result of his love, to be a prism sending light out onto others in his honor. Thank you, Mark, for living so well and loving us so well. Ride in peace.

Wife, Ann Hendrick

Son, Jed Keener and wife Mary Kate

Daughter, Rae Keener.

Grandchildren Jack Grady Keener and Maeve Ann Keener.

Brother, Jim Keener and wife Christa.

Memorial gathering to be held February 21, 2026

2pm-5pm

Juniper Golf Club in Redmond, Oregon

Memorial donations would be welcomed in Mark’s name for Jericho Road of Redmond.

http://www.jerichoroadofredmond.org. 541-699-2099

Arrangements handled by Autumn Funerals-Bend

Please visit http://www.autumnfunerals.com to sign the online guestbook.

January Dental Society Meeting, Elections & Dinner

We had a great turnout, dinner, conversation and continuing education at our January 15th CODS Meeting. Our speaker was Dr. James Burneson (from Ashland) who presented material and a discussion on Digital Dentistry.

CODS Officers — From L to R: Dr. Joselene ‘Josie’ Piedra (new CODS Ambassador), Dr. Amber Fairlee (current ODA President), Dr. Jessica Henderson (past President and new Vice President), Dr. Emily Bradshaw (new CODS President), Dr. Shannon Woods (ODA Trustee) and Dr. Michael Reynolds (CODS CE Coordinator). Missing from Photo: Dr. Madeline Peterson (CODS Secretary/Treasurer).

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COCC Dental Hygiene Program Update

Unfortunately, the COCC Dental Hygiene Program is currently on hold, due to the continued search for a Program Director. The anticipated date for the program to open has been pushed back, until an appropriate Program Director can be found and hired that can oversee the curriculum and accreditation process.

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

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News From the ODA, ADA & OBD

• It’s Time to Renew for 2026 : From advancing legislation to new innovations and member perks designed with you, for you, the ODA, ADA, and your local dental society are here to provide the support you need to propel your success. Renew your membership today to continue accessing the tools you need to thrive personally and professionally. Did you know you can set your membership to auto-renew and choose your payment plan? Renew today to select your preferred payment option.
• 2026 ODA Lobby Day: Your Voice Matters : We’re excited to announce ODA Lobby Day—a chance for dental professionals to come together and advocate for the future of oral health.
  • Date: February 5th
  • Location: Oregon State Capitol, Salem
  • Why attend?
    • Meet with lawmakers and share your expertise
    • Influence legislation that impacts patient care and dental practices
    • Strengthen the voice of organized dentistry
    • Be at the table or be on the menu
  • For more information, please contact Brett Hamilton at bhamilton@oregondental.org. 

• Contract Renewals — Review Your Agreements Carefully! Starting Jan 1, 2024, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to require dental insurers to:
  • Get opt-in consent before reimbursing providers via credit card
  • Disclose any processing fees upfront
  • Offer a fee-free payment alternative
    • This landmark law, championed by the Oregon Dental Association, protects dental providers from hidden costs and ensures fair, transparent payment practices. As a reminder, this applies to new contracts and renewals only (not existing contracts). Make sure you review your agreements carefully!

• Let Your Voice Be Heard: The Board of Dentistry is developing its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan and is seeking input from the dental community. Their strategic planning survey is now live, offering you an important opportunity to share what you believe should be prioritized over the next three years—whether it’s workforce shortages and access to care, professional development and burnout, and/or emerging technologies like AI in dental practice.
  • Your feedback will help shape the future of dentistry in Oregon. The survey is open through the end of February—we encourage all members to take a moment to participate.

• Join ODA’s Legislative Advocacy Team! While the ODA team is busy in Salem and Washington, D.C., there is no substitute for the voices of those working with patients and running dental offices every day and who can advocate for patients’ rights. The ODA is building its team of dental advocates, and we need YOU to get involved in the legislative process! Advocacy can take many forms, depending on your comfort level, experience, and expertise. As a member of the ODA Legislative Action Team, you may be invited to write a letter to legislators, attend Dental Day at the Capitol, or write an op-ed for a local publication, among other opportunities.
  • Sign up HERE or email ODA’s Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Brett Hamilton, at bhamilton@oregondental.org and express your interest directly.

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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.

• CODS President: Dr. Emily Bradshaw
• CODS Vice President: Dr. Jessica Henderson
• CODS Secretary/Treasurer: Dr. Madeline Peterson
• CODS Continuing Education Chair: Dr. Michael Reynolds
• CODS Ambassador: Dr. Joselene Piedra
• ODA Trustee: Dr. Shannon Woods
• ODA President: Dr. Amberena Fairlee

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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

Ashland Hygienist Moving to Bend in June 26

With heavy heart! I have to let you know first that our standout awesome Hygienist is moving to Bend for her partner’s residency.  She worked with us from March of last year till November when she went back to playing college sports for OIT for the winter and spring.  She plays basketball and softball for OIT and will be available in June of 2026.   Without further ado, I introduce:

Olivia “Liv” Sprague, RDH, EPDH

503-919-0655

oliviarsprague@gmail.com

Please reach out and contact her if you will be needing the services of a Hygienist starting in June 2026.

James Burneson, DDS, FICOI

Today’s Dentistry

1530 Siskiyou Blvd.

Ashland, OR 97520

www.AshlandDentist.com

541-482-7771 – office

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CLASSIFIED ADS

FOR SALE- Two Schick Intraoral Sensor Starter Kits (size 1 and size 2):

Brand new and unopened (purchased in 2024) Dentsply Sirona Schick 33 Intraoral Sensors with updated 3.0 USB interface. Schick has had a recent price increase for these same sensors, but selling for the original purchase price: 

Schick 33 Size 2 Sensor Starter Kit 3.0 USB with 6ft cable : $6919

Schick Size 1 Sensor Starter Kit 3.0 USB with 6ft cable: $6679

If you are interested, please contact Brad Field at dr.field@littlebendsmiles.com.

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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.

https://hsioutlet.com/op-3d-9×11-panoramic-x-ray-mr/?srsltid=AfmBOoq_uwXZw2YF_d7kqzihFLTRI6M0p06KuYa0oWb7K8l9gTUE3ErUZis

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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