Happy April Fools Days
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
- 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.
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.
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April 15, 2026 (Wed.) Stairway to Perio Study Club (Sponsored by Central Oregon Perio)
Live Endoscopic Debridement Demonstration (visualized SRP)
Date: April 15
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Central Oregon Perio
CE Credit: 2 CEUs
Join us for an interactive evening focused on minimally invasive periodontal therapy.
Our specialty hygienist, Janell Hall will perform endoscopic debridement on a live patient. This is an opportunity to observe advanced instrumentation techniques, visualize subgingival calculus being removed in real time, and participate in guided discussion throughout the procedure.
What to Expect
- Live endoscopic periodontal debridement
- Hands on opportunity to use our second endoscope on a typodont
- Light dinner provided
Registration
- Early Bird: $10 (RSVP by March 15)
- Regular Registration: $15
Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
To reserve your spot, RSVP to stairwaytoperio@gmail.com with April 15th CE in the subject line.
We look forward to learning together and advancing periodontal care in our community.
April 17, 2026 (Fri.) Open House Retirement Party for Dr. Mark Jensen
Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Dr. Mark Jensen. After decades of caring for our community (1988-2025), we invite you to stop by, pull up a chair and help us honor an incredible career.
Open House
- 3:00 – 6:00 PM
- Stillwater Dental Bend (199 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend, Oregon)
- More Info. / Hosts: Dr. Tran Miller & Jeannie Wheeler (541-330-5952)
- Enjoy food, refreshments and a slideshow of memories as we celebrate together. We hope you can join us to share stories, laughter and well wishes!
- Please RSVP by 4/15/26 by calling the office (541-330-5952) or an email to: info@stillwaterdentalbend.com
May 14, 2026 (Thurs.) Strategic Case Selection and Decision Algorithms for Anterior and Posterior Implant Rehabiliation
Speaker: Dr. Kimberly Schlam
5:30 pm – Registration
6:00 pm – Program
UPP Liquids Barrel Room (550 SW Industrial Drive #185, Bend, OR)
2 CE Hours
Cost: Complimentary
Registration: see flyer with QR Code below
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May 21, 2026 (Thurs.) Central Oregon Dental Society Meeting
6:00 pm – Social Hour
7:00 pm – Dinner and Meeting / CE
CE Topic: STRATEGIC ONLINE DIGITAL MARKETING
Speaker: Stewart Bartlett, MBA, Sr. Marketing Consultant, WEO Media
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
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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
CENTRAL OREGON DENTAL NEWS
Prineville Dentist Sued For Refusal to Treat Patient
Dr. Jacob Lanther from Lasting Smiles Dental Center in Prineville, Oregon is being sued for refusing to admit, diagnose and treat a patient who presented to his office with facial swelling, fever and pain. Per HIPAA regulations, the name of the patient is being withheld. The patient filed the lawsuit after being asked to leave the practice and being refused dental care for an obvious infection with accompanying pain, fever, swelling and discomfort.
According to the Attorney representing the patient, Lasting Smiles Dental Center refused to provide paperwork or a tablet for obtaining any of the usual Health History, Insurance or Identification information required for admitting the patient into the practice. The patient was simply refused admittance and care for his facial swelling, infection and pain and asked to leave the practice. Attorneys representing the victim are seeking $250,000 for patient abandonment, refusal to treat and discrimination.
Dr. Lanther and Lasting Smiles Dental Center have released a statement stating that the reason they refused to admit the patient into their practice, was that the patient had entered their clinic completely nude and was simply asked to leave and return with clothing before he could be admitted into the office for dental are. Lasting Smiles Dental Center are denying the claim that service or care was ever refused and are threatening a countersuit for defamation and character assassination.
The Attorneys for the patient are claiming that the patient has extremely sensitive skin and suffers from severe allergies to clothing fabrics and simply is not able to wear clothes without suffering from persistent rashes and irritations. The Attorneys are claiming that if Lasting Smiles Dental would have simply provided a Health History form to the patient before dismissing him from the practice, that this whole incident could have been avoided. They claim that refusing care for an infection which could potentially be fatal if left untreated is the very definition of patient abandonment, which the Hippocratic Oath and the Board of Dentistry strictly forbid.
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
- ODA Secures Major Legislative Win: HB 4040 Passes: After years of persistent advocacy by ODA members alongside the Association’s Government Relations team, the Oregon Legislature has passed HB 4040, advancing all three of ODA’s proposed dental insurance reforms. The bill now heads to the Governor for signature. This achievement is a direct result of member engagement. The three legislative concepts originated from ODA dentists and were brought forward to the Regulatory Advisory Council by Dr. Kim Wright, Dr. Scott Hansen, and Dr. Denise Gates demonstrating how member voices shape ODA’s advocacy priorities.
- Member advocacy was also front and center at ODA Lobby Day, where dentists and dental students met directly with legislators to share how these reforms would impact practices and patients across Oregon. Special thanks to Dr. Amberena Fairlee, Dr. Michael Naughton, Dr. Kent Burnett, Dr. Elizabeth Tomczyk, Dr. Ron Sakaguchi, Dr. Jeff Kobernik, Dr. Olesya Salathe, and Dr. Stacy Geisler for lending their voices at the Capitol, along with dental students Maryam Shuaib, Finn Peck, Gabrielle Hanna Choquette, and Diyar Dizray.
- Behind the scenes, the ODA Government Relations team—Brett Hamilton, George Okulitch, Sabrina Riggs, and Jennifer Sitton—worked tirelessly to move this legislation forward.
- Key provisions of HB 4040 include:
- Assignment of Benefits: Insurers must honor a patient’s request to pay their dentist directly.
- Prompt Pay: Insurers must pay or deny clean claims within 45 days.
- Retroactive Denial Reform: Limits insurers to 18 months to retroactively audit or deny claims.
- This legislation represents a meaningful step toward fairer insurance practices and improved access to care for Oregon patients. Most importantly, it is proof that when ODA members engage, advocacy works.
- Two Dentist Board Member Positions Open: There are two Dentist Board member positions open to join the Oregon Board of Dentistry. More information and the application can be found on the Board/Staff openings page on our website. Please email Haley.Robinson@obd.oregon.gov if you have questions about the Board member application or other details about serving on the Board.
- 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.
- Association Healthcare Plan Available for 2026: Providing healthcare as a small business can be tough. That’s why the Oregon Dental Association has partnered with Associated Industries Trust (AIT) to provide members with access to affordable, comprehensive coverage, leveraging the buying power of the association! With AIT + Moda, you get better rates and stability, so you can focus on running and growing your business. Open year-round enrollment for all ODA members. Visit the website to get started.
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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
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
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.
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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 