*This course is a hands-on course and has limited enrollment. Register EARLY to reserve a spot!

Venue:
Second District Dental Society Headquarters
111 Fort Greene Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 522-3939

Clinician:
Michael L. Gelb, D.D.S., M.S.
Adjunct Professor and Former Director, TMJ and Orofacial Pain Program, New Yok University College of Dentistry

Synopsis:
AirwayCentric® Dentistry (ACD) represents a transformative integration of dentistry with overall health, emphasizing the vital connection between oral health and systemic well-being. By focusing on airway development from childhood through adulthood, this approach prioritizes both preventative care and therapeutic interventions. 

Early Intervention in Children – Brain Development
In young patients, the development of the prefrontal cortex is closely linked to airway expansion. Collaborative efforts involving occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, pediatric ENT specialists and airway-focused orthodontists are essential. Key interventions may include: 

• Breastfeeding
• Frenectomy: Addressing tongue and lip ties when indicated to improve oral function and breathing
• Airway expansion: Techniques aimed at ensuring optimal airway development, which can positively influence cognitive development and behavior 

Adolescent Airway Development
For adolescents, maintaining optimal airway health is crucial for promoting healthy growth and hormonal balance. General dentists and orthodontists play a significant role in: 

• Growth Hormone Release: Ensuring proper airway function can enhance the natural release of growth hormone, contributing to overall physical and mental development

 Adult Airway Health
In adults, ACD focuses on restoring quality sleep, increasing oxygenation and reducing inflammation which are critical for preventing serious health issues such as being refreshed, cardiovascular disease, dementia and less anxiety and depression. By improving oxygenation, deep sleep and overall airway function, this approach not only enhances seep quality but also addresses aesthetic concerns, leading to a more vibrant and healthier life. 

The Broader Impact
ACD extends beyond traditional dental care, linking oral health to brain development, mental health and public health. By addressing these interconnected areas, it supports an integrative view of health and wellness, positioning dentistry as a critical component of longevity and system health. 

Breakfast included

MCEU - 3 HOURS

Tuition:
Buy more, SAVE more*! Sign up for any TWO SDDS courses in 2025 and get ONE course of equal or lesser value for free (excluding CPR and hands-on courses)! To redeem this offer, complete a course registration form and mail or fax to SDDS Headquarters. SDDS staff will register you for the courses of your choosing and apply the discount!

*This offer is for SDDS members only

**This course is excluded from all discount offers.

SDDS Members: $275
Non-SDDS Members: $400

Register

*Due to a recent ADA systems upgrade, online registration for all meetings is unavailable until further notice. SDDS staff do not have system access during this outage and are unable to register you over the phone. To register for this course, complete a course registration form and fax/mail to SDDS Headquarters. 

Refund and Cancellation Policy:
All requests for refunds or credits must be made in writing or by phone and received at least two weeks prior to the course date. A full refund, less a ten dollar ($10.00) administrative charge, or if requested and available, credit for a similarly priced course will be issued. Refunds or credits requested after this date will not be granted, including requests made based on absence due to illness, late arrival for courses and/or weather conditions. In the event that a course is cancelled by Second District, paid tuition will be fully refunded.

MICHAEL L. GELB, D.D.S., M.S. received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and his Masters of Oral Science from SUNY Buffalo. He is a world-renowned TMJ and sleep specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains. He is the co-author of “Gasp!: Airway Health – The Hidden Path to Wellness” and the co-founder of both the Foundation for Airway Health and the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry. He is a former director of the TMJ and Orofacial Pain Program at New York University College of Dentistry, where he is also a clinical professor. Dr. Gelb is a consultant and mentor to fellow dentists.