Make Plans to Attend the 2027 Annual Meeting

March 5-6, 2027

UNC Friday Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Schedule of Events

 March 5-6, 2027

March 5, 2027 UNC Friday Center

730am - Continental breakfast and  Registration
830am –11:30 Opioid and Mental Health Course, Ron Claytor

1130am  ACD NATIONAL Report

12pm –1 pm  Lunch

130 PM- 3:30 PM CPR Recertification, Ronald Perry

3:30-4:30 ACD Carolinas Business meeting

430pm - Programming ends
 

6:30PM Presidents Welcome Reception

 

March 6, 2027 UNC Friday Center

730am - Continental breakfast and  Registration
830am –11:30 TMJ Lecture, Bronstein

11:30 ACD Carolinas Business meeting

12pm –1 pm  Lunch

1:30 PM- 3:30 PM Leadership Development Course

3:30-4:30 Roundtable Discussions

430pm - Programming ends
 

6:30 Maggiano’s Dinner Reception

John C. Comisi, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., D’A.S.B.A

Professor

Augusta University

Dental College of Georgia

Department of General Dentistry

Airway and Breathing Disorders: Hiding in Plain Sight and Affecting Everything Dental and Medical!

 

• 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: ACD National Report
• 11:30 AM-12:00 PM ACD Carolinas Section Annual Business Meeting (Old Business)
• 12:00 PM: ACD Golf Retreat
• 2:00 PM -4:00 PM  Pasta Cooking Class (Naked Pasta Kitchen) ; limited to 12 participants
• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: ACD Reception
• 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: ACD Annual Awards and Recognition Reception and Dinner
• Cultural Presentation:

 

Milt Lowder, Ph.D

PSYCHOLOGIST I AMPLOS FOUNDER & CEO

 

• 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM: CE Course
• 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM Business Meeting (New Business)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Annual Meeting consists of two half days of

• Dynamic networking
• Professional development
• Valuable continuing education credits
• President’s Welcome Reception
• Saturday Night Dinner
• Delicious buffet breakfasts 
• Unique learning opportunities
• Golf Outings
• Convention room rates at the Courtyard Chapel Hill, NC

SPEAKERS

John C. Comisi, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., D’A.S.B.A

Professor

Augusta University

Dental College of Georgia

Department of General Dentistry

Airway and breathing disorders are often missed in dental exams, despite signs like swollen tonsils, red uvula, and scalloped tongues. These issues can quietly affect both oral and overall health, especially by disrupting sleep and recovery. The passage urges practitioners to look beyond surface symptoms and consider airway health.

• Review airway and sleep-related breathing disorders.
• Understand their link to dental and medical diseases.
• Explore new methods to help patients and providers.
• Develop partnerships for better patient health.

 

Milt Lowder, Ph.D

PSYCHOLOGIST I AMPLOS FOUNDER & CEO

Dr. Milt Lowder is a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology specializing in Organizational Development from the University of Kentucky. He focuses on cultivating authentic connections and fostering environments that amplify strengths, serving both corporate and athletic communities. As the Sport Psychologist for Clemson University Athletics, he teaches mental skills designed to enhance both athletic and personal success, believing these techniques are equally valuable in business and everyday life. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Lowder is devoted to his family, enjoys outdoor pursuits, and leads Mill Pine, a 350-acre corporate retreat dedicated to personal and team growth in South Carolina.

     Hotel Registration

• AC Hotel Greenville for 199.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Thursday, January 29, 2026

AC Hotel Greenville 315 South Main Street Greenville, SC 29601

The American College of Dentists-Carolinas Section

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the American College of Dentists is to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in dentistry.

“The College must be a symbol of the ideals that have made our profession great; the College should be a catalyst…a stabilizer…a resource…to which the profession can turn for guidance in ethics, of philosophy, and of principle… The American College of Dentists has many functions, but its basic mission-its reason for being is leadership.” Philip Blackerby

Seal of the American College of Dentists

 

 

According to the history of Herodotus, among the Egyptians of the Fifth Century, B.C., “some physicians are for the eyes, others for the head, others for the teeth….” This statement indicates that a group of priest-physicians specialized in dental matters. Because of this heritage, early Fellows of the College incorporated a number of Egyptian elements in the design of the seal:

A scroll inscribed with a portion of Ebers Papyrus containing a dental prescription;
An outer border taken from the ornament of an ancient tomb, Hepi in Sawijet el Meitn;
Two Egyptian figures holding the scroll;
A sacred scarab (winged) supporting the moon, a common Egyptian symbol;
Two lotus flowers, typically Egyptian;
Two crocodiles (the fat of which was used for the relief of odontalgia) supporting the sun, another common Egyptian symbol;
Red, blue, and gold coloring, also typically Egyptian.
The seal is a Registered Trademark ® of the American College of Dentists.

 

Policy on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

As health professionals who live our ethical principles, particularly beneficence (to do good) and non-maleficence (to do no harm), we are compelled to embrace and uplift the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our work and profession.

ACD DEIB OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The American College of Dentists (ACD) acknowledges the strengths and weaknesses of our history and seeks to actively promote social justice, challenge discrimination, and address disparities and inequities. The ACD is committed to intentional actions aimed at being a fully inclusive, diverse, and equitable organization that respects and values our Fellows, our staff, and the communities we serve. The ACD provides a safe environment where all members of our community can question, learn, and interact with the utmost respect. The ACD is strengthened by the diversity of its Fellows and the communities we serve. The ACD embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to ensure a relevant and sustainable organization and to deliver purposeful value to Fellows, prospective Fellows, patients, and other stakeholders.

 

Information copied from the American College of Dentistry website.

A Message from our Section Director

Bob Dylan reminded us that “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and that message feels especially meaningful as we look to the future of the ACD Carolinas Section. Just as the song cautions us not to “stand in the doorway” or “block the hall” when change is needed, we must be willing to adapt our annual meeting to today’s realities. Our annual meeting has long been a valued time for fellowship, reflection, and shared purpose. At the same time, our members are balancing busy practices, family commitments, and professional responsibilities, and since COVID, the cost of hotels and meeting venues has risen dramatically. Continuing to meet these rising expenses by drawing from our cash reserves is no longer the best path forward. By moving to a more focused two-day meeting, we can preserve what matters most—meaningful connection, thoughtful discussion, and the spirit of collegiality—while being better stewards of both our members’ time and our Section’s resources.

This change also gives us a wonderful opportunity to make our annual session even more meaningful. Building on the legacy of the founders of the ACD, we would like to incorporate the ACD’s strategic plan into the Carolinas Section annual session in a way that speaks directly to our mission and our future. The ACD Board has emphasized that one of the College’s important goals is to teach leadership to the future leaders of organized dentistry. The ACD Carolinas Section has also been a long-standing proponent of diversity, recognizing that a stronger and more inclusive profession benefits from the voices, experiences, and perspectives of all Fellows. By including a dedicated leadership session, we can honor those who built this organization, strengthen the bonds among our members, and help prepare the next generation to lead with integrity, compassion, and vision. In doing so, the Carolinas Section can continue to be a place where fellowship and leadership come together in service to our profession and to one another.

The ACD has a renewed opportunity to become a true “third place” for dentists—a place beyond home and work where fellowship, warmth, belonging, and shared purpose thrive. As organized dentistry seeks to define its role and encourage greater participation, the legacy of the ACD can guide and inspire our Fellows. Our Section can be a welcoming community where colleagues gather not only for business, but also to support one another, renew friendships, mentor future leaders, and strengthen the spirit of service at the heart of the College.

If you have not attended an annual session recently, we warmly invite you to join us. Whether you are an active member, longtime Fellow, or life member, your presence, experience, and perspective remain essential to who we are as a Section. For life members, voluntary Section dues provide meaningful local support for our work to develop the next generation of leaders in organized dentistry. This renewed format is designed to make participation more accessible, meaningful, and rewarding for all members, and we hope it encourages many to reconnect with colleagues, share in our fellowship, and help shape the future of the ACD Carolinas Section.

 

2025-2026 Section Officers