By: Brian Gurinsky, DDS, MS 2025 RMDC Chair Greetings, colleagues! I am your 2025 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) Chair, and I’m excited to invite you  and your team to attend the 117th RMDC. (It has only taken me about 20 years to stop calling it the “Midwinter” meeting!) Each year, our team of dedicated volunteers strives to evolve the convention and ensure it remains relevant and innovative. Truthfully, it

By: Alexandra Thurston n Part I and II of this article, we discussed the location, physical appearance, age, amenities, etc., of a building that impact a patient’s perception of a healthcare practice. These factors are otherwise known collectively as the “Class” of a building. Generally speaking, commercial buildings are categorized as a Class A, B, or C property. We also reviewed that on a conscious and sub-conscious level, every patient

Trevor Coeling, DDSNorthstar DentalGeneral Dentist What inspired you to pursue a career in dentistry?My early childhood was marked by a notable susceptibility to caries. Whether attributable to the learning curve of first-time parenting regarding oral hygiene and dietary habits, or an undiagnosed enamel anomaly, frequent visits to the dental office were a recurring experience for me, often accompanied by the discovery of multiple lesions. Understandably, my initial perspective on dentistry

By: Manny Chopra, DMD, Prosthodontist, 7th District Trustee You may have noticed recent references to the ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) in ADA communications. I’d like to take a moment to share more about AFI, and our future goals for this partnership. AFI—a century-old leader in dental research—now partners with the ADA to advance oral health through science and innovation. The Forsyth Institute began in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary

By: Kaila Werner Butterfield Hello! I’m Kaila Werner Butterfield. I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Managing Director of the Colorado Orthodontic Foundation. I am a native Texan, born and raised just north of Dallas and in the summer of 2023, my husband and I made the decision to move to Denver to be closer to his family and to enjoy the natural beauty Colorado has to offer. Once

By: Ms. Laura Ramsey Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept, it’s already making waves in the world of dentistry. From diagnostics to patient education and treatment planning, AI is transforming how dental professionals deliver care, working not as a replacement, but as a helpful tool to assist in many ways. BUILDING TRUST THROUGH TRANSPARENCYOne of the most powerful ways AI is enhancing patient care is by

Susan Somerset, DMD, Pharm D, MSUniversity of Colorado School of Dental Medicine You are a first-generation college graduate—what influenced your decision to pursue multiple advanced degrees? My parents. I always had a desire to pursue a professional degree in healthcare. My mother suggested an undergraduate degree in pharmacy because it is usually one of the most challenging classes in healthcare education. She also figured I would be able to work

By: Dr. Jack Nguyen The dental industry is evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead of the curve requires more than just traditional training. That’s why Innovation360, a groundbreaking dental continuing education (CE) course, brought together over 200 forward-thinking dental professionals eager to explore the latest industry innovations. The event, held at the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC), was an interactive experience designed to energize, educate and engage. With several

By: Ms. Liz Pearson Should an anti-inflammatory diet be part of your treatment plan, especially for patients at high risk for periodontal disease or those already suffering from poor periodontal health? While pathogenic bacteria are responsible for the initiation of periodontal disease, inflammation is the key player when it comes to the severity of tissue destruction. Placing more emphasis on a patient’s dysregulated inflammatory response makes sense. Prescribing an anti-inflammatory

Sanaz Merchi, DMDPediatric Dentist What inspired you to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry?When my mother was pregnant with me, she was prescribed tetracyclines, which had an unfortunate effect on my developing teeth. As my primary teeth began to emerge, they were brittle and weak, eventually leading to their premature loss. As you can imagine, this significantly impacted my confidence and social interactions. Fortunately, my pediatric dentist was extraordinary. He

By: Amisha Singh, DDS, EdD I am a voracious reader. I read everything I can get my hands on and have been devouring the written word for as long as I can remember. Words have been my nourishment and sustenance my entire life, ever since the days I was a child methodically reading through the shelves of my local library. All of the librarians knew me by name and would

By: Dr. Laura Brenner What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say, “You can have it all?” I get it. Right about now, you’re probably thinking I’m delusional. It’s impossible to balance work, kids, family, rest, and fun — right? What if we changed the cliche to, “You can have what you want!” Does that feel a little more realistic, as if I’m not trying to trick