NCDHP Conference · August 21, 2026 · Virtual
Working Together to Support Dental Professionals and Keep Patients Safe
11:00 am – 3:30 pm (ET) · 4 hours CE
ADA CERP CE provided by Athena Dental Solutions.
Who should attend?
Dental professionals and the boards, societies, and programs that support them.
Registration is handled through Eventbrite. After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the conference.
Learn from National Leaders
Bringing together leaders from organized dentistry, dental regulation, physician health, and clinician well-being, this faculty represents an unprecedented opportunity to learn from those shaping the future of support for dental professionals.
Alan Budd, DMD — President, National Council of Dentist Health Programs
Brett Kessler, DDS — Immediate Past President, American Dental Association
John McMahon — Director Client of Experience, Well‑Being Index
Mary Wolf, MS, LPC‑MH, BCC — Founder, Veritee Partners
Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FAPA, FASAM — Chief Medical Officer, FSPHP
William Kane, DDS, MBA — Vice President, Missouri Dental Board
Melodie A. Jones, DMD — Past President, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama
Jennifer Thompson, DDS, FACD, FICD, FPFA — Chair, ADA Council on Dental Practice
Robert White, MA, LCPC — Clinical Director, Maryland Dentist Well‑Being Committee
Bill Claytor, Jr., DDS, MAGD, FACD — Executive Director, NC Caring Dental Professionals
Our Silver Sponsors
Our Bronze Sponsors
Conference Agenda
11:00–11:10 AM
Welcome & Housekeeping
Alan Budd, DMD
11:10–11:55 AM
Why Dentists Don’t Seek Help: Closing the Gap Between Resources and Utilization
Brett Kessler, DDS
11:55 AM–12:05 PM
Break / Audience Poll
12:05–12:50 PM
What the Data Tell Us About Dental Professional Well‑Being
John McMahon & Mary Wolf, MS, LPC, MH, BCC
12:50–1:35 PM
Lessons from the Physician Health Model
Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FAPA, FASAM
1:35–1:45 PM
Break / Audience Poll Results
1:45–2:30 PM
Panel: Low Utilization and Shared Responsibility
Melodie Jones, DMD; Jennifer Thompson, DDS; Robert White, LCPC
Moderated by William Kane, DDS, MBA
2:30–3:15 PM
North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals: Program Model and Outcomes
J. William Claytor, Jr., DDS, MAGD
3:15–3:30 PM
Q&A and Closing Remarks
Alan Budd, DMD
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the primary barriers — including stigma, confidentiality concerns, and lack of awareness — that prevent dental professionals from seeking help for substance use disorders and other mental health conditions.
2. Describe the distinct and interdependent roles of dental licensing boards, professional associations, and dental professional health programs.
3. Explain how delayed help-seeking increases risk to patient safety.
4. Compare dentist health programs with physician health programs and identify implications for program development and improvement.
5. Identify at least one specific action their organization can take to strengthen dental professional well-being infrastructure in their state.
Ready to join us?
Virtual conference • 4 CE hours
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