2025 CDHA Leadership Development Symposium

Description

Proactively engaging with political decision-makers and the media will help set you and CDHA apart. There is no substitute for starting early! Advocate for yourself and others in a variety of settings, including within your practice, with your college, government officials, and with the media. Featuring relevant, real-life examples and interactive components, this advocacy and media training session will prepare, empower, and support you in meeting with a variety of audiences, bringing your goals and priorities to the forefront of decision-makers, government, the media, and the public.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Analyze the political environment by identifying key political decision-makers and recognizing advocacy opportunities
• Apply effective media engagement techniques to interact with journalists, prepare for interviews, and craft compelling messages
• Develop strategies for conducting effective media interviews and communicating key advocacy messages
• Leverage media tools for advocacy, including traditional and digital platforms, to amplify advocacy efforts and engage the public
• Develop a strategic approach to engaging with policymakers and the media to advance organizational goals.

Speakers

Huw Williams is the founder and President of Impact Public Affairs. Huw has extensive experience working in and with federal and provincial governments across the country, including in the Prime Minister’s Office. He has worked with the CDHA team for many years, providing key strategic insight to achieve advocacy goals and objectives.

Sara Clark is the Manager of Public Affairs at Impact. With a background in communications working for non-profits and political campaigns, she supports the CDHA team with government and public relations efforts, crafting messages and building compelling narratives suited to a wide variety of audiences.

Description

Discover how forward-thinking dental leaders are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic testing technologies to transform patient care and practice management. This presentation explores how these cutting-edge innovations are creating new paradigms for diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and practice differentiation. Examine how AI is revolutionizing dentistry through enhanced diagnostic capabilities, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision making, and learn how genetic testing, powered by AI analysis, offers a strategic opportunity to deliver personalized dental hygiene care. These advanced risk assessment tools position dental hygienists as clinical leaders and patient advocates, enabling the creation of care plans that are personalized, evidence-based, and preventatively focused.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Analyze how AI is transforming dental practice leadership and creating strategic opportunities for organizational growth and differentiation
• Evaluate the potential benefits and practical limitations of AI applications in modern dental practice
• Examine the intersection of AI and genetic testing in dentistry and its implications for personalized risk assessment
• Implement advanced treatment planning approaches that integrate AI analysis, genetic insights, and clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes and enhance the patient experience

Speaker

Beth Parkes RDH, BSc is an engaging international speaker who has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for 20 years. She has gained her clinical knowledge and skills through general and independent dental hygiene practice, mobile dental hygiene, orthodontics, and periodontics. Beyond her clinical experience, Beth is the Manager of Clinical Affairs for Curion, a writer, a speaker, and cast member of the dental hygiene talk show, The RDH View, and a board member for Dental Hygiene Quarterly. Her overarching goal is to cultivate future leaders within the dental hygiene profession, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their careers while helping their patients obtain and maintain optimal oral health.

Description

This comprehensive session introduces dental hygienists to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) in dental practice, focusing on data governance and privacy considerations. Attendees will explore how AI technologies like machine learning and computer vision enhance diagnostic capabilities and practice management, while learning essential frameworks for responsible AI implementation. Through practical examples and case studies, this presentation addresses critical aspects of data protection, patient consent, and regulatory compliance, ensuring that dental hygienists can confidently integrate AI into their practice while maintaining professional standards and patient trust.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand AI fundamentals and practical applications of AI in dentistry
• Evaluate AI tools for practice management and patient communication
• Implement robust data management protocols for AI integration
• Design compliant patient consent processes for AI-assisted services
• Develop strategies for protecting patient data in AI applications
• Navigate ethical and regulatory considerations in AI implementation

Speaker

Dr. Peter Fritz transforms health care at the intersection of clinical excellence, technology, and law. As chair of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada's Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Digital Technology, he is pioneering frameworks for AI integration that are reshaping patient care across North America. With a Master of Laws in innovation, law, and technology, a Master of Business Administration from Kellogg/Northwestern, and a doctorate in molecular biology, Dr. Fritz's multidisciplinary expertise positions him as a trailblazer in the field.