2025 ODA ANNUAL SESSION FEATURED SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
The 2025 ODA Annual Session featured 52 CE courses, including hands-on workshops.
The 2025 ODA Annual Session held in Columbus on Sept. 25-27 featured 52 CE courses presented by 39 local and national experts, 163 vendors in an expansive Exhibit Hall, special events and thousands of dental professionals.
“I think that this year’s ODA Annual Session was probably the best one yet! We had just about anything a dental professional could look for all in one setting,” said ODA Immediate Past President Dr. Hal Jeter. “Whether you are a new dentist, seasoned dentist, or dental team member there were courses and events designed specifically for you. The two-day Pankey course, for those looking for a more advanced tier of training, was a SELL OUT! Questions about Medicaid? We answered them. Social, educational, wellness, organizational … we had it this year!”
This year, 2,865 dental professionals attended the ODA Annual Session, including 756 dentists.
“This year’s Annual Session featured something for everyone, from dental team members to general dentists to specialists,” said 2025 ODA Annual Session General Chair Dr. Kyle Jackson. “We had amazing CE courses, an expansive Exhibit Hall where people could shop for their office, get free food and participate in fun social events. And don’t forget to take advantage of our 14 hours of online CE included in your registration.”
ODA Annual Session featured many hands-on workshops, team building courses, front office courses and more.
“Annual Session is always a great time to see your fellow colleagues and catch up,” said Dr. Samantha Lindsey, a general dentist in Bowling Green. “It’s such a great way to re-energize for a job that is tough most days! I really enjoyed the CE this year. The lecturers were exceptional. I got some of the most up-to-date information on pain management, local anesthetics and fluoride! Those are all topics I use daily and it was refreshing to learn what the newest recommendations are! I can’t wait until next year!”
Some of the most popular on-site courses this year included:
- “Emergency Response Plan: Managing Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office,” presented by Dr. Steve Shufflebarger.
- “R.I.S.E. to Success: Systems & Strategies that Build High-Performing Teams,” presented by Judy Kay Mausolf.
- “On the Topic of Fluoride: How to Talk to Your Patients About Today’s Controversies,” presented by Dr. Matthew Messina and Denise Messina, RDH.
- “Communication Solutions – Attitudes, Breakdowns & Conflict Resolutions!” presented by Judy Kay Mausolf.
- “From Xarelto to Ozempic and Diabetes to Heart Failure: How to Medically Assess and Treat the Modern Dental Patient,” presented by Dr. Steve Shufflebarger.
This year’s Annual Session was the last major speaking engagement for Judy Kay Mausolf, a speaker, author, and dental culture specialist, on her farewell tour before retirement. Mausolf has spoken at ODA Annual Session several times throughout her career and is an attendee favorite.
New this year, the ODA Annual Session featured a special two-day workshop presented by the Pankey Institute. The workshop explored the challenges of occlusion that dentists face every day in a restorative practice.
“The ODA does a fantastic job of putting together an outstanding continuing education program,” said Dr. Steven Parker, a general dentist in Massillon. “This year was no exception with great speakers and interesting topics. There is always an opportunity to improve your skills and bring a pearl or two back to the office.”
Annual Session also featured several social events, including the New Dentist Social, Morning Yoga, Faculty Bites & Banter, Jive After Five!, Callahan Celebration of Excellence and The Bash!
Annual Session also featured several activities in the Den, including a Mobility and Pain Relief Clinic and a meet and greet with speaker Dr. Grace Yum.
The Exhibit Hall is rated by ODA Annual Session attendees as one of the top reasons they attend the meeting each year. Attendees could comparison shop with the help of knowledgeable company representatives, and major dental suppliers on-site included Benco, Patterson, Henry Schein and Safco.
New this year, the Exhibit Hall featured a Non-Profit Showcase on Thursday, where organizations from throughout Ohio were featured in a special section in the Exhibit Hall.
The Exhibit Hall also featured a drawing, where attendees received entries based on how much they purchased in the Exhibit Hall. Winners were Dr. Tyler Scott, Dr. Tara Haid and Dr. Charles Mardis.
“The ODA Annual Session was fantastic again! I loved how after buying things I needed for my practice with on-site promotions in the Exhibit Hall, I could put my name in a raffle to win prizes,” Haid said. “I always look forward to seeing and buying new products, in person, in the Exhibit Hall.”
The Exhibit Hall featured several special events, including Passport to Flavor (hosted by the ODA Subcouncil on Diversity and Inclusion), Hops & Shops, Free Lunch! and Dark Roast and Donuts.
Annual Session also featured a Scavenger Hunt. Winners were Dr. Jarid Jones, Christy Flood, Dr. Laura Martin Miller, Katarzyna Lach and Deena Loepp.
“As a speaker and first-time attendee at the ODA conference, I was impressed by how friendly and welcoming everyone from Ohio was. The warmth and hospitality we experienced made the event truly memorable for me and my entire SuperMouth team,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, a speaker and exhibitor at ODA Annual Session. “My favorite part of the conference was the roundtable breakfast where a few companies, including SuperMouth, were invited to share with over 70 hygienists how we’re revolutionizing oral care. It was inspiring to see their excitement as dozens of hygienists applied to join us as SuperMouth Pros right after the event.”
Callahan Celebration of Excellence
In conjunction with the ODA Annual Session, the Callahan Celebration of Excellence took place on Sept. 26. The celebration recognized the 2025 Awards of Excellence winners.
The 2025 Awards of Excellence winners include:
- 2025 Joseph P. Crowley Distinguished Dentist Award recipient – Dr. Matthew Messina.
- 2025 Achievement Award recipient – Dr. Kari Cunningham.
- 2025 Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award recipient – Dr. Khurram Khan.
- 2025 N. Wayne Hiatt Rising Star Award recipient – Dr. Zachary Christoff.
- 2025 Access to Dental Care Program Award recipient – Remote Area Medical (RAM) Columbus event.
- 2025 Callahan Memorial Award – Dr. Serhiy Radlinsky.
For more information about the award winners, click here.
The ODA Leadership pin was awarded to Dr. Bruce Grbach.
Grbach has served on the Ad Interim Committee, ADA Leadership Nomination Committee, Ethics Subcommittee, Finance Committee, Strategic Plan Review Committee; and as chair of the Annual Session Committee, Council on Access to Care and Public Service, Council on Membership Services and the Ohio Dental Political Action Committee. He has been actively involved in the ODA’s Annual Session, from scouting other dental meetings to engaging with CE speakers and exhibitors for more than a decade. Grbach is also committed to political advocacy. He has been a leader in contributing to ODPAC and in encouraging others to do so. And he has also built strong relationships with legislators in his area – always delivering the ODA’s message with effectiveness and persuasion.
The ODA Leadership Pin recognizes members who demonstrate leadership in service to the ODA and their peers, a high level of volunteerism within the profession and a commitment to organized dentistry. The ODA Executive Committee selects a recipient who is a positive influence in growth and development of the ODA – and who is a true role model for future leaders in organized dentistry.
Table Clinics
On Sept. 26, ODA Annual Session attendees had the opportunity to earn up to two hours of free CE by attending Table Clinics. The presentations covered a wide variety of topics, and a panel of judges rated each of them.
This year’s winners are:
- Best of Show – Celene Garcia, Janeecia Lanier, Nancy Lin and Lized Yadaicela.
- Category 2 Dental Resident 1st Place – Dr. Zayan Khan.
- Category 2 Dental Resident 2nd Place – Dr. Ralph Pierre and Dr. Ivon Sariol Gell.
- Category 3 Auxiliary – 1st place – Juliana Jusoo Yoon.
- Category 3 Auxiliary – 2nd place – Ria Movalia.
Download CE slips
Obtain CE credit verification and download handouts for courses attended at the 2025 ODA Annual Session by visiting https://www.prereg.net/2025/oda/.
Online CE
Registration for the ODA Annual Session includes access to up to 14 hours of online CE, free with the cost of registration. Online CE will be available until Dec. 31, 2025. You can still register to access our online CE by clicking here.
Save the Date
We hope to see you again at the 2026 ODA Annual Session, which will be Sept. 17-19, 2026 in Columbus.
