Our Study Club | Chapel Hill Oral Surgery

Chapel Hill Study Club

At Chapel Hill Study Club, we embrace the ethos of being a “university without walls.” It is a dynamic community where learning transcends traditional boundaries.

Here, you will find a safe and nurturing environment designed for growth, free from judgment, where professionals like you come together to elevate their skills and knowledge.

Key Highlights

Community: Join a supportive community of like-minded dental professionals dedicated to excellence and continuous learning.
Learning Without Boundaries: Experience a unique educational journey where boundaries disappear, allowing you to explore new ideas and techniques freely.
World-Class Speakers: Gain insights from best-in-class speakers from around the globe, offering diverse perspectives and cutting-edge knowledge.
Safe Place to Learn: Feel confident in sharing and discussing challenges and successes in a confidential and supportive atmosphere.

The Chapel Hill Study Club offers more than just professional development; it fosters lasting connections and a sense of belonging within the dental community.

We believe that through collaboration and shared experiences, we can achieve greater heights in patient care and practice management.

Event Calendar

LOCATED AT THE BLUE HILL EVENT CENTER AT EXTRAORDINARY VENTURES
200 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 from 5:00-8:30PM

LESS DRAMA, MORE DENTISTRY: HOW TO REDUCE STRESS & INCREASE PRODUCTION
AGD SUBJECT CODE 550; 2.5 HOUR LECTURE

DR. DAVID SCHWAB
Designed for the entire team, this essential course is filled with the best management protocols and verbal skills to use in everyday situations. Attendees will learn how to respond politely and effectively to patients’ concerns regarding scheduling, and fees. The course will also address how to confidently explain the value of dental treatment, especially when patients have questions about dental insurance. Presented within a framework of outstanding customer service, this course is overflowing with real-life, practical examples of communication skills that help build trust with patients. Attendees will also learn active listening skills, the right questions to ask patients, and invaluable tips for diffusing difficult situations in the dental office, resulting in improved team communication to reduced stress and increased production.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. David Schwab, Ph.D., is a distinguished leader in dental practice management and marketing, renowned for his expertise as a speaker, author, and consultant. With a career dedicated to enhancing dental practices worldwide, he delivers dynamic seminars filled with practical insights and humor, covering crucial topics from brand development to team leadership. Dr. Schwab specializes in strengthening referral relationships for dental specialists, helping them optimize their outreach and operational efficiency. David Schwab & Associates, Inc. offers tailored services including seminars, online training, and empowers dental professionals to thrive in today’s competitive healthcare environment. A prolific author featured in prestigious dental publications, Dr. Schwab also shares his expertise through his website, www.davidschwab.com. His innovative approaches and impactful contributions continue to shape the future of dental practices worldwide, ensuring they excel in profitability, patient care, and operational efficiency.

LOCATED AT THE CHAPEL HILL COUNTRY CLUB
103 Lancaster Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 from 5:00-8:30PM

HIGH TECH NIGHT
AGD SUBJECT CODE 010; 2.5 HOUR LECTURE

DR. DAVID LEE HILL
Discover the Future of Oral and Dental Technology. Join us for an exclusive evening dedicated to exploring the latest advancements in the oral and dental industry. Whether you’re a practitioner, researcher, or simply curious about cutting-edge technology, this event promises to be enlightening and engaging. We hope to welcome you as one of our attendees/vendors to High Tech Night at the Chapel Hill Country Club and look forward to exploring the future of dental technology together.

LOCATED AT THE BLUE HILL EVENT CENTER AT EXTRAORDINARY VENTURES
200 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 from 5:00-8:30PM

AVANT-GARDE MARKETING STRATEGY
AGD SUBJECT CODE 149; 2.5 HOUR LECTURE

DR. BRIAN BALIWAS
When we think about “marketing” in our practices, we often limit ourselves to ideas of promotion and advertising. We focus on paid services (sponsored ads, websites, SEO, review sites, etc.) that may bring awareness to our practice, but may not necessarily bring about consideration or conversion from potential patients. When it comes to brand identity, positioning, and reputation, are your marketing strategies unique to you and your office, or are they similar to other practices in your area? Are you presenting yourself like everyone else, or are you highlighting specifics of what makes you and your team great?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Brian Baliwas has made a name for himself through the stories he tells through social media. He has utilized social media to not only market and grow a practice in one of the most saturated areas of the country, but also uses his platform to connect with other dental professionals as an active contributor to the social media dental community. Aside from his marketing and social media branding projects, Dr. Baliwas maintains a private practice in downtown San Francisco, California, near Union Square. His practice philosophy is centered on conservative, comprehensive, cosmetic dentistry that utilizes modern dental materials and techniques. Dr. Baliwas received his D.D.S. degree from the University of the Pacific Afthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 2014, where he graduated with high honors and was elected to join both Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Tau Kappa Omega dental honor societies.As an active member of the Seattle Study Club, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and a graduate from the Kois Center, Dr. Baliwas strives to surround himself with some of the best practitioners in his field.

LOCATED AT THE CHAPEL HILL COUNTRY CLUB
103 Lancaster Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 from 3:30-7:30PM

POWER OF PURPOSE
AGD SUBJECT CODE 550; 3 HOUR LECTURE

DR. JOSHUA AUSTIN
When people think about team building, they usually imagine a bunch of trust falls, blindfolded mazes, or activities that make everyone feel like they’re back in middle school gym class. While we can’t divulge what you will be doing, rest assured, this program is anything but ordinary— this will be an experience that’s equal parts fun and strategically meaningful. Trust us, you will be talking about this experience for years to come (in the best way possible).

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Joshua Austin, DDS, MAGD, is a graduate and former faculty member of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry. Author of Dental Economics’ Pearls for Your Practice column, he lectures nationally on products, dental technology, online reputation management, social media and and maintains a full-time restorative dentistry private practice in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Joshua Austin has been honored to serve his community with unparalleled expertise for the past 16 years. With a growing number of awards, certifications, and publications under his belt, he’s quickly becoming one of San Antonio’s leading dentists Awards are great, but the number one measure of Dr. Austin’s success is patient satisfaction. That’s why he invests in the latest tools and cultivates a practice environment that makes you feel comfortable and in control of your health.

LOCATED AT THE CHAPEL HILL COUNTRY CLUB
103 Lancaster Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 from 5:00-8:30PM

OPERATIVE (RESTORATIVE) DENTISTRY
AGD SUBJECT CODE 250; 2 HOUR LECTURE

DR. BOB MARGEAS
Dentists are faced with clinical challenges seeming difficult beyond resolve. By default, they resort to conventional thinking in solving everyday treatment dilemmas. In many cases, if clinicians can think beyond their comfort zone, they can find solutions to achieve predictable, esthetic and sustainable treatment outcomes. During this session, Dr. Margeas will present two treatment planning challenges for the audience to assess. In round table format, participants will be asked to creatively consider possible solutions that would be out of the ordinary. Following this, Dr. Margeas will present his ideas and show how each dilemma was addressed, followed by audience Q & A.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr Bob Margeas graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1986 and completed his AEGD residency the following year. He is currently an adjunct professor in the department of operative dentistry at the University of Iowa. He is board certified by the American Board of Operative Dentistry. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry and a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and International Team of Oral Implantologists (ITI). He has written numerous articles on esthetic and implant dentistry and lectures and presents hands-on courses nationally and internationally on those subjects. He serves on the editorial advisory board of Inside Dentistry, Compendium, and is a contributing editor to Dentistry Today and Oral Health in Canada. Dr Margeas maintains a full-time private practice focusing on comprehensive restorative and implant dentistry in Des Moines, Iowa

LOCATED AT THE CHAPEL HILL COUNTRY CLUB
103 Lancaster Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 from 5:00-8:30PM

AN UPDATE ON PEDIATRIC DENTAL TRAUMA
AGD SUBJECT CODE 430; 2 LECTURE HOUR

DR. THURSTON NASH
This course is designed to provide dental professionals with the latest recommendations and practices for managing dental trauma in pediatric patients. Focusing on both primary and permanent dentition, the course covers a wide range of topics essential for effective diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Participants will delve into the fundamental principles of dental trauma assessment, including classification systems and diagnostic tools specific to pediatric patients. Emphasis will be placed on immediate management strategies to preserve dental and periodontal health, mitigate complications, and promote optimal outcomes.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Thurston Nash is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and went to East Chapel Hill before attending the University of North Carolina where he majored in Biology and History. He attended dental school at the University of Southern California and went on to complete a residency in pediatric dentistry at Louisiana State University. Following graduation, he joined Dr. Clifton and Dr. Chuck at their practice Clifton & Mauney. Outside of work he enjoys playing basketball, spending time with his family and friends, and anything Tar Heel related.

Dr. Nash has been published in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s journal Pediatric Dentistry. He is in the process of becoming board-certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is a member of the American American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, NC Dental Society, and the Durham-Orange Dental Society.

LOCATED AT THE CHAPEL HILL COUNTRY CLUB
103 Lancaster Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 from 5:00-8:30PM

EXPOSURE: MASTERING DENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY
AGD SUBJECT CODE 138; 3 HOUR LECTURE/WORKSHOP

DR. HUSSEIN BASMA
This course is designed to provide dental professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to take high-quality surgical and dental photographs with proper exposure under any setting. Applying those skills in the clinical practice will help achieve creative and professional vision, whether by capturing images for documentation, communication, or marketing purposes, this course will provide it all in both intraoral and extraoral fashion.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Hussein Basma graduated from Damascus University in 2009 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery, after receiving a full scholarship. Following dental school, Dr Basma completed a graduate degree in Prosthodontics at Lebanese University in his home country Lebanon. Then, he completed his certificate in Periodontology and his Master of Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His research interests focus on bone grafting and implant dentistry. Dr. Basma is currently a full time Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontology at the UAB School of Dentistry. His clinical and teaching efforts focus on interdisciplinary care in dentistry and the integration of technology to deliver optimal patient care. Dr. Basma also, has an international reputation for his case documentation and has a large national and international followers on Instagram on a page dedicated to periodontal and implant therapy.

LOCATED AT THE CHAPEL HILL COUNTRY CLUB
103 Lancaster Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 from 4:30-8:30PM

UNLOCK THE ROI: BRINGING DIGITAL DENTISTRY TO LIFE
AGD SUBJECT CODE 250; 4 HOUR LECTURE/WORKSHOP

DR. PARAG KACHALIA
There is no doubt scanning has improved workflow and patient experience, but scanning is simply the entry point to digital dentistry—amazing workflows using design software allow you to create smile design mockups, nightguards, surgical guides and removable prostheses in a relatively short amount of time with high predictability. The primary objective of this workshop is to demonstrate how locally designing select cases can drastically increase treatment predictability and case con- version. Attendees will learn how understanding digital design workflows can lead to significant ROI within the first year, as well as have an opportunity to explore designing with exocad and printing with SprintRay.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Parag R. Kachalia is an Associate Professor and the Vice Chair of Simulation, Technology and Research and is a team leader within the University of the Pacific’s prestigious complex and esthetic rehabilitation program. He is a fellow of the American Dental Education Association’s leadership institute, researcher, as well as a published author in the areas of dental technology, digital diagnostics, contemporary fixed prosthodontics, and financial management. He has lectured internationally in the areas of adhesive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, photography, CAD/CAM technology, fixed prosthodontics, treatment planning, erosion, and diagnostic technologies. Dr. Kachalia acts a consultant for many dental materials/dental technology companies and helps guide product development. Dr. Kachalia is a member of the Pride Technology Leadership Council and is frequently interviewed in regards to his vision of dentistry’s future. He believes that his dual role as a practitioner and as an educator has given him a solid foundation to provide the best that entistry has to offer. While he is a general dentist he has a particular passion for cosmetic as well as children’s dentistry and has received awards in both arenas.

2024-2025 CALENDAR YEAR

Dear Study Club Members,

As we gear up for another year of enriching members at the Chapel Hill Study Club, I wanted to take a moment to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you.

We are truly excited to have you join us for the 2024-2025 calendar year. This year promises to be filled with stimulating discussions, engaging speakers, and opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, your presence enriches our club and contributes to the vibrant community of learners we have cultivated.

Our club has always been a place where members come together to explore new ideas, share insights, and foster a deeper understanding of various subjects. We look forward to continuing this tradition and creating memorable experiences that will stay with us long after our meetings conclude.

The membership fee for the 2024-2025 calendar year is $3195 per member. To ensure smooth operations and to maintain the quality of our programs, we kindly request that all members submit their membership fee no later than August 12th, 2024.

Here are the payment details: