The American College of Dentists, Carolinas Section

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Robert Rosenthal
Director, ACD Carolinas Section

2027 Annual Meeting

Two focused half-days of fellowship, leadership, and continuing education. Whether you are an active member, a longtime Fellow, or a life member, we hope you will join us in Chapel Hill.

Friday, March 5

7:30 AM	Continental breakfast and registration
8:30 – 11:30 AM	Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health and Burnout, and The Opioid Epidemic Bill Claytor, Jr., DDS, MAGD-LLSR, FACD
11:30 AM	ACD National report
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 PM	CPR recertification Ronald Perry, EMT-P, ASHI Certified Instructor
3:30 – 4:30 PM	ACD Carolinas business meeting
4:30 PM	Programming ends
6:30 PM	President's Welcome Reception

Saturday, March 6

7:30 AM	Continental breakfast and registration
8:30 – 11:30 AM	Failures in Diagnosis and Management in Facial Pain Solomon G. Brotman, DDS, MAGD
11:30 AM	ACD Carolinas business meeting
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 PM	The Sweet Spot: Lessons in Life and Leadership Sreenivas Koka, DDS, MS, MBA
3:30 – 4:30 PM	Roundtable discussions
4:30 PM	Programming ends
6:30 PM	Dinner reception at Maggiano's

Featured Speakers

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