Santa Clara County Dental Society

Mandatory Annual HIPAA Training
2026-03-24 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online Via Zoom
THIS COURSE WILL BE HELD ONLINE VIA ZOOM – THE LINK WILL BE SENT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
You will learn:
• Privacy Rule • Security Rule • Omnibus Rule • Penalties• Investigation triggers • Breaches • Business Associates • Technology risks & rewards • How to protect your practice
Find out what info is real and what rumors are fake in the HIPAA world and hear some real-world cases and fines that come with them. This is a must-hear lecture for any practice owner who is concerned with being compliant and wants to be “in the know”.
Registration Options*
SCCDS Member Dentist (FREE!)
Dental Staff/Auxiliary ($75.00)
Non CDA Member Dentist ($225.00)

CPR Certification Course
2026-04-03 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-13 18:00 - 22:00, 2026-04-20 18:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-01 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-11 18:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-18 18:00 - 22:00 UTC and 4 more dates | SCCDS Office
CPR certification is REQUIRED for ALL dental professionals and is highly recommended for front office staff. Completion of this course provides an American Heart Association CPR certification which is valid for two years.
COURSE INCLUDES
• Registration
• Lecture
• Audio/visual presentation
• Demonstrations
• Written and practical exam
Registration Options*
CDA Member Dentist ($78.00)
Dental Staff/Auxiliary ($78.00)
Non CDA Member Dentist ($170.00)

General Membership Meeting: My Digital Journey
2026-04-09 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hybrid, 1485 Park Ave., San Jose, CA, 95126, United States
Dental technology investments—from intraoral scanners and mills to 3D printers and CBCT—can transform patient care, team efficiency, and practice profitability. Yet many practices underutilize these tools, missing opportunities to streamline workflows, delegate effectively, and deliver comprehensive care. This session teaches dental professionals how to maximize their technology ROI by fully leveraging existing tools, implementing consistent workflows, and empowering team members to take ownership. Learn practical strategies to expand the use of your devices beyond the basics, boost patient outcomes, enhance team morale, and drive measurable growth for your practice.
Biography:
Dr. Apekian graduated from University of California, Davis with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco in 2007, where she graduated top of her class. She is active in the Sacramento District Dental Society, serving as previous Legislative Committee Chair, as well as serving on the Continuing Education, Ethics, and Leadership Committees. She has also represented Sacramento at the CDA House of Delegates. Dr. Apekian is an active member of the California Dental Association, American Dental Association, and UCSF Alumni Association. Dr. Apekian recently accepted the smart integration award honoring female clinicians in the area of digital dentistry.

PALS Renewal ONLY
2026-04-11 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-09-19 10:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | SCCDS Office
**THIS COURSE IS ONLY FOR RENEWAL OF CURRENT PALS PROVIDERS**
If it’s been two years since you last certified in PALS, this one-day class is for you. Update your skills and learn the latest in life-saving treatments.
We fully review everything on what’s new and what you need to know. Your PALS recertification is valid for two years. The current format for the review lecture is in person with our teachers in the morning and the skills portion of the course will be held in-person for practice and testing in the afternoon. You will have a 30 minute period to get lunch.
Prerequisites
You must have a current AHA PALS provider card. There is no grace period awarded for expired provider cards.
On successfully completing the course you will qualify for 6 hours of Category 1 CE.

8 Hour Infection Control and Dental Practice Act Law for DAs
2026-04-18 08:00 - 15:30, 2026-05-09 08:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-13 08:00 - 15:30 UTC | SCCDS Office
THIS COURSE IS FOR UNREGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS OR NEW RDA APPLICANTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE A LICENSED DENTAL PROFESSIONAL, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR OUR “LICENSE RENEWAL” COURSE INSTEAD.
Non-RDA dental assistants are required by the Dental Board of California to take an 8-hour training course in Infection Control and a certified 2-hour Dental Practice Act course. This program satisfies these requirements. This course includes 4 hours of online study that MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE the 4 hours of in-class study. Check-in begins at 8 am. Boxed lunch included!
Registration Options*
Dental Staff/Auxiliary ($395.00)

Mandatory Annual CalOSHA Training
2026-04-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-13 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online Via Zoom
THIS COURSE WILL BE HELD ONLINE VIA ZOOM – LINK WILL BE SENT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
CalOSHA is complex and extensive. Compliance, especially in the healthcare industry, is important, and non-compliance can have far-reaching effects on an office. Make sure you and your staff have proof of annual training with our focused training
This Course will include:
Safety compliance with the latest Cal/OSHA updates.
Bloodborne Pathogen & Aerosol Transmissible Disease standard and hazard communication
An emergency action plan
The latest revision to the Hazard Communication Standard based on the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
Required training review and labeling standards
Registration Options*
SCCDS Member Dentist (FREE!)
Dental Staff/Auxiliary ($75.00)
Non CDA Member Dentist ($225.00)

General Membership Meeting: Special Care Dentistry for General Dentists and Specialists
2026-05-14 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hybrid, 1485 Park Ave., San Jose, CA, 95126, United States
Serving patients with special health care needs is a powerful way to differentiate your practice and build lasting relationships. This course gives general dentists and specialists the clinical, behavioral, and systems-based tools to confidently care for patients with developmental disabilities, complex medical histories, behavioral challenges, and aging-related conditions. Gain practical workflows, treatment planning pearls, and understand medical-dental considerations that reduce chair time and improve predictability. Expand your impact and grow a highly loyal, referral-driven segment of your practice!
During this course you will learn:
1. Foundation of Special Care Dentistry and what it includes
2. Most common Clinical Presentations & Medical Considerations
3. Management of Behaviors and Modification of Environments
4. Admin, Team and Medical Collaboration
5. Sedation, OR and High-Risk Care 6. Emergency Preparedness and Portable Care Key Takeaways
Biography:
Sampada Deshpande DDS, FACD practices in San Mateo County, CA. Due to her specialized training, she is consistently approached for care by patients with Special Health Care Needs (SHCNs) and/or medical complexities. Author of the book, Persevering, Sampada earned a DDS from the University of Washington in 2018 and completed a GPR at Alameda Health System in 2023. Sampada lectures nationally on treating patients with SHCN’s in a private practice setting and using portable dentistry. Her writing on this topic and others has been featured in the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry and Dental Economics. She manages a family-first practice in San Carlos, CA, where she also offer sedation services to those that require it. She lives with her husband and children in the East Bay.

Mandatory Harassment Prevention Training for EMPLOYEES ONLY - 11/6/25
2026-05-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Online Via Zoom
Since January 1, 2021, California businesses with five (5) or more employees MUST provide harassment prevention training every two (2) years. Employees are required to have 1 hour of training within six (6) months of hire. In this instructor-led session, attendees will engage in discussions on all forms of sexual harassment (verbal, visual, and physical). Other types of prohibited harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct will also be covered in an interactive format.
Attendees will learn how to recognize problems and their responsibility in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct. Topics include reporting, bystander intervention as well as practical tips on how to stay out of trouble and keep the workplace harassment-free.
This course will be held online via Zoom. The link will be sent out 24 hours before the event.

Infection Control & Dental Practice Act Law for License Renewal
2026-05-29 08:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-28 08:00 - 12:30 UTC | Online Via Zoom
THIS COURSE IS FOR LICENSED DENTAL PROFESSIONALS ONLY. IF YOU ARE AN UNLICENSED DENTAL ASSISTANT OR NEW RDA APPLICANT, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR OUR “8 HOUR INFECTION CONTROL” COURSE INSTEAD.
THIS COURSE WILL BE HELD ONLINE VIA ZOOM – LINK WILL BE SENT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO EVENT
4 CE Units
All LICENSED dental professionals are required to take Infection Control and Dental Practice Act (DPA) courses in order to renew their licenses every two years. This course meets all of the Dental Board requirements.
Registration Options*
CDA Member Dentist ($89.00)
Dental Staff/Auxiliary ($89.00)
Non CDA Member Dentist ($239.00)

ACLS Renewal ONLY
2026-05-30 10:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | SCCDS Office
**THIS COURSE IS ONLY FOR RENEWAL OF CURRENT ACLS PROVIDERS**
If it’s been two years since you last certified in ACLS, this one-day class is for you. Update your skills and learn the latest in life-saving treatments.
We fully review everything on what’s new and what you need to know. Your ACLS recertification is valid for two years. The current format for the review lecture is in person with our teachers in the morning, and the skills portion of the course will be held in person for practice and testing in the afternoon. You will have 30 minutes to get lunch.
Prerequisites:
You must have a current AHA ACLS provider card. There is no grace period awarded for expired provider cards.
On completing the course, you will qualify for 6 hours of Category 1 CE.
We highly suggest that students take this one hour self-assessment before the class:
Take the Pre-Class Self-Assessment

General Membership Meeting: Minimally Invasive Rehabilitation - A Healthier, Less Costly and More Predictable Approach
2026-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hybrid, 1485 Park Ave., San Jose, CA, 95126, United States
Every practice has 5% to 15% of patients who have severely damaged their dentition and would benefit from a mouth rehabilitation but cannot afford it, and we see them suffer and deteriorate feeling helpless. Additionally, a larger number of our patients would greatly benefit by opening their Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) to restore their worn-out dentition. They need help! The old approach of a mouth full of crowns is destructive, with many negative side effects and unpredictable. In this practical lecture Dr. Ruiz will offer a more real world approach to treating these patients using direct composite, partial coverage adhesive restorations and limited implants. Even partial mouth rehabilitation cases are like remodeling a beautiful building, meticulous designed and diagnosis must be done before the first scoop of dirt is ever removed, (or before a hand piece touches the tooth). This fast paced course will cover proper diagnosis to avoid problems, step by step techniques for partial and full mouth rehabilitation, as well as research and many clinical cases.
Objectives:
• Learn a practical technique to treat larges cases in multiple stages, making it affordable to almost every patient.
• Proper methodic diagnosis for this type cases, which will maximize success, satisfaction and minimize complications.
• Learning techniques for proper adhesion of bonded rehabilitations.
• Understand how to record patients’ unique esthetic perspective and goals and how to blend it with our own.
• How to implement occlusal treatment into an overall oral treatment.
• When to use a semi-adjustable articulator and why it has great importance.
• When to use a CR bite.
• Step by step techniques, and much, much more…
Biography:
Dr. Ruiz is Founder of the “Supra-gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry” movement, as well as founder and director of the Los Angeles Institute of Clinical Dentistry. Former Course Director of numerous CE Courses at the University of Southern California (USC). He is an Honorary Clinical Professor at Warwick University in England and a member of the editorial board for Dentistry Today. He is also an Associate Instructor at Dr. Gordon Christensen PCC in Utah & an independent evaluator of dental products for CR (CRA). Dr Ruiz has been named as one of the “Leaders in CE 2006-Present” by Dentistry Today. Dr. Ruiz is the author of the textbook “Supra-gingival Minimally Invasive Dentistry; A Healthier Approach” published by Wiley-Blackwell and edited by Dr. Ray Bertolotti and has also published several research papers as well as many clinical articles on adhesive dentistry, occlusion and esthetic dentistry. He regularly lectures at all major dental meetings, nationally and internationally. Dr. Ruiz has been practicing in the studio district of Los Angeles for over 25 years and enjoys a clientele of many stars and entertainers. His focus is on treating complex Cosmetic, Rehabilitation, and Implant cases. Dr. Ruiz has made numerous television appearances highlighting his Esthetic Dental makeovers, including NBC Channel 4 News, ABC’s News, Good Morning America & Vista La, VH1 and Channel 52’s Telemundo and 34 Univision.

Mandatory Annual Workplace Violence Prevention Training
2026-10-06 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Online Via Zoom
NEW BENEFIT! FREE FOR MEMBER DENTISTS!
Each year, an average of nearly 2 million American workers report having been a victim of violence at work, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the number of annual workplace homicides at about 400. California now requires employers to have an “effective” program to prevent workplace violence in place by July 1, 2024; to include “Active Shooter Training” and to renew this training annually for all staff.
Join SCCDS and speaker Dr. Kriss Ghafourpour, who will share his expertise on this topic reviewing the most common nationally recognized calls for action in such situations. Dr. Ghafourpour comes to us with over 30 years of experience in the Emergency Medical Services, currently Training Sergeant for Virginia Beach EMS, member of the FBI InfraGard civilian task force, and a certified firearms instructor for the DOJ. This course will focus on your safety and how to be prepared and gain the skills needed to prevent, recognize, and increase your ability to survive during an active shooter incident. This course will provide details on what behaviors to look for and who to contact to prevent an active shooter incident. You will learn how to make educated life-saving decisions regarding which actions to take during an active shooter incident. You will also receive documents for setting up a response plan for your employee handbook, conducting drills, and appropriate first aid equipment to add to your office.
This course will cover:
Current Statistics and CA Senate Bill 533
Common active shooter behavior
When to report suspicious behavior
Active shooter trends
Recognize a threat and transition quickly to take action
Determine how to prepare yourself to escape, hide, and fight during an active shooter incident
What to do when law enforcement arrives
This course will be held online via Zoom. The link will be sent out 24 hours before the event.
Registration Options*
CDA Member Dentist (Free!)
Dental Staff/Auxiliary ($45.00)
Non CDA Member Dentist ($150.00)

General Membership Meeting: The Influence of Prosthetic Designs on Peri-implant Tissue Health
2026-10-08 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hybrid, 1485 Park Ave., San Jose, CA, 95126, United States
There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of dental implants. Despite the effectiveness of dental implants, there have been an increasing number of patients presenting with peri-implant bone loss. While the etiologies of peri-implant bone loss are multifactorial, a growing body of evidence suggests substantial connections between the state of peri-implant health and the design characteristics of the implant suprastructures in the persistent presence of oral biofilm. Implant positioning and prosthetic designs have been suggested to play a significant role in influencing the peri-implant marginal bone level. Without an optimal strategy to manage these prosthetic designs and implant suprastructures, the risk of peri-implant bone loss may escalate, potentially leading to unfavorable outcomes like peri-implantitis.
By the completion of this course each participant should be able to:
1. Understand the principles of ideal implant positioning.
2. Recognize the influence of prosthetic designs on peri-implant health.
3. Analyze the relationship between implant positioning and compensatory prosthetic designs, highlighting the biological implications of non-ideal prosthetic designs on peri-implant soft and hard tissue stability.
Biography:
Dr. Guo-Hao (Alex) Lin, DDS, MS, is a Diplomate and examiner of the American Board of Periodontology (board certified periodontist) and an ITI Fellow. Currently he is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Postgraduate Periodontics Program at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Lin is a recipient of several awards from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). He has published more than 90 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to several book chapters. His research focuses on evidence-based dentistry and implant-related clinical trials.
