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Island Dental Colloquium
The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort • Kaua‘i, Hawaii
Featuring
- Edmond Bedrossian, DDS
- Erin E. Elliott, DDS
- Marcos Vargas, DDS, MS
Dentists, specialists and allied dental professionals: take advantage of this unbeatable travel CE program combined with the beauty and excitement of Hawaii!
The Island Dental Colloquium is co-hosted by University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry. Held each February at a resort on one of the islands of Hawaii—Maui, the Big Island, Kaua‘i or O‘ahu—this exceptional program brings together three expert speakers for an engaging educational experience. Register today
Expert speakers lead engaging sessions that span a wide range of disciplines — restorative dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, pediatric dentistry and more.
Course sessions run Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 11:30 am each day and participants can earn 20 continuing education credits.
2027 Courses
Elevate Your Daily Direct Resin Composites Restorations
As patient expectations for aesthetic and conservative dentistry continue to rise, general dentists are increasingly seeking restorative solutions that are predictable, efficient and practical for daily practice. Modern composite resin materials—with expanded shade systems, varied opacities and improved handling characteristics—provide clinicians with the opportunity to consistently deliver functional, highly aesthetic restorations in a productive and cost‑effective manner for both anterior and posterior teeth. When properly selected and applied, today’s composite systems can produce restorations that blend seamlessly with natural dentition and aesthetically defy detection.
This clinically focused lecture is designed for the busy general dentist and emphasizes materials and techniques that work reliably in real‑world practice. Core principles of adhesion, composite selection and simplified clinical workflows will be reviewed through clinical cases to help clinicians achieve consistent, dependable outcomes with confidence. Multiple placement techniques will be presented to allow practitioners to select the approach that best fits their clinical style and restorative challenges.
You Will Learn
- To review contemporary composite resin materials and adhesion principles for predictable outcomes
- To understand how shade selection and cavity preparation influence optical blending
- To choose single shade vs. multilayer techniques for efficient aesthetic restorations
- To administer step-by-step composite manipulation, placement, contouring, surface characterization and polishing techniques
- To implement practical clinical tips to improve efficiency, aesthetic and long-term success in daily practice
Sleep Apnea: Wake Up to the Problem
Did you know that dentists play a key role in treating sleep apnea? Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart conditions and diabetes. Did you know there could be hundreds of undiagnosed patients in your practice suffering from sleep apnea? Dentists have a unique opportunity to detect and treat this debilitating condition in patients who may never have sought help. This interactive lecture is designed to educate you on dental sleep medicine and how you can improve your patients’ overall health and quality of life while building your practice. Attention is given to the four steps to successful implementation: awareness, diagnosis, financials and treatment.
You Will Learn
- To recognize the health consequences of untreated sleep apnea
- To describe the fundamentals of analyzing a sleep study
- How to obtain a diagnosis from a sleep physician
- To examine sleep apnea treatment options
- To understand how an oral appliance functions and factors that influence oral appliance selection
Immediate Implant and Full-Arch Reconstruction: A Graftless Approach to Predictable Care
A paradigm shift in implant dentistry has positioned graftless surgical approaches as a predictable and efficient solution for tooth replacement. By reducing treatment time and enabling single-stage surgery with immediate loading, clinicians can deliver streamlined care that improves both clinical outcomes and patient acceptance. Dr. Bedrossian will provide a practical framework for immediate implant placement and provisionalization following extraction, with a focus on preserving hard and soft tissue architecture for more predictable results.
For full-arch rehabilitation cases, whether terminal dentition or fully edentulous, participants will review key anatomical considerations in both the maxilla and mandible that influence treatment planning. The lecture also covers optimal implant number and distribution for fixed prostheses, including the use of axial, tilted and zygomatic implants, all presented through a DIGILOG workflow that integrates digital planning with proven analog techniques to enhance precision and predictability.
You Will Learn
- To describe the principles of graftless implant dentistry, including indications for immediate implant placement and loading
- To assess anatomical limitations in the maxilla and mandible that influence treatment planning for full-arch implant reconstruction
- To evaluate implant distribution strategies, including the use of axial, tilted and zygomatic implants for fixed prosthetic outcomes
- To apply the DIGILOG workflow to develop treatment plans that integrate digital and analog processes for predictable implant therapy
Marcos Vargas, DDS, MS, received a DDS degree from Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru in 1985. He attended a two-year AEGD program with emphasis on restorative dentistry at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York. He received a certificate in operative dentistry and master of science degree from University of Iowa in 1994. Dr. Vargas is currently a professor in the Department of Family Dentistry at University of Iowa where he teaches undergraduate and graduate students. He has published extensively on restorative dentistry for the past 30 years and lectures nationally and internationally. He maintains a private practice limited to restorative dentistry with an emphasis on aesthetic dentistry.
Erin E. Elliott, DDS, attended a small NAIA school in Western New York where she played collegiate soccer and graduated summa cum laude from Houghton University. She received a DDS degree from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 2003 and began her general dentistry career in North Idaho. She has a special interest in dental sleep medicine and technology. She has lectured extensively on sleep medicine and enjoys helping general dentists extend this life-saving service to their patients. She is an active member of her local and state dental associations, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. She is a diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and served as president of the organization.
Edmond Bedrossian, DDS, received his dental degree from the Dugoni School of Dentistry and completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Alameda Medical Center. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, honorary member of the American College of Prosthodontists and fellow of the International Team for Implantology and the Academy of Osseointegration. Dr. Bedrossian is a professor, the director of advanced implant reconstruction and chairman of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) Scholarship Center at the Dugoni School. He has authored numerous articles, textbook chapters and three textbooks focused on treatment planning, the immediacy concept and the zygomatic implant. He also maintains a private practice in San Francisco.
The 2027 program fees are $1,200 for dentists and $845 for allied dental professionals, and includes continental breakfast each morning.
The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort on the island of Kaua‘i
Nestled along the scenic, crescent-shaped shore of Kalapaki Beach, this AAA Four-Diamond retreat captures the true essence of island luxury following a multi-million-dollar modernization. Guests enjoy direct access to a pristine stretch of golden sand, where calm, cove-sheltered waters offer the perfect conditions for swimming, paddleboarding and ocean adventures.
At the heart of the resort is Hawaii's largest single-level swimming pool, a 26,000-square-foot lagoon featuring waterfalls, five hot tubs, a children's pool with a waterslide and private cabanas. Enjoy four on-site restaurants, beachfront massages, golf at the Ocean Course at Hokuala designed by Jack Nicklaus and more. Just a short walk away is a unique collection of shops and restaurants.
Our nightly discounted group room rates:
- Garden View King or Two Queens: $399
- Pool View King or Two Queens: $440
- Ocean View King or Two Queens: $479
- Ocen Front Suite: $729
*All rates shown are subject to the appropriate state, local and any occupancy taxes in effect at the time of the colloquium. Taxes and a discounted resort fee are not included and will be added to your room charges.
Main travel dates:
Arrive in Kaua‘i Saturday, February 20; Depart Kaua’i Saturday, February 27.
Extra room nights subject to availability.
Resort Reservation Deadline: January 27, 2027 or until room block is full.
Early reservations are recommended as we expect to once again sell out prior to the deadline.
Room Reservations
Book your hotel room online at islanddentalhawaii.com. Should you need assistance with rooms not available on the link, please email your request to rskreservations@sonesta.com
Deposits and Cancellations
A two-night deposit of room and tax will be collected at the time of booking. All reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card. Cancellations from 60 days to 8 days before arrival will be assessed a one-night room and tax charge. Cancellations within 7 days of arrival will be charged two nights room and tax.
Resort Fee
Island Dental guests booking on our official group rates will receive a discounted resort fee of $25 daily (regularly $45) plus tax which includes complimentary airport shuttle, fitness center and yoga classes, Hawaiian cultural activities and more. This fee is not included in the group rates shown and will be added to your final room account. Self parking is offered at the reduced rate of $20 (usually $30).
Family Travel/Bedding
Rates are valid for one or two adults per room. Additional adults 18 years or older are charged at $50 per night plus tax. Maximum occupancy is four people per room. Children 17 and under are free.
Airport Shuttle
The main airport on Kaua‘i is Lihue (code LIH) and is only five minutes by car from The Royal Sonesta. Complimentary shuttle service to/from the Lihue airport and the Hokuala golf course is available for hotel guests.
Book your hotel online at islanddentalhawaii.com
Course Cancellation
All cancellations will be assessed a $50 processing fee. Tuition refunds will be granted for cancellations made 30 days prior to the program. No refunds will be granted for cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the first day of the program. If the schools find it necessary to cancel the course, a full tuition refund will be granted and all registrants will be contacted. Other than tuition, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and UCSF School of Dentistry are under no financial obligation to reimburse participants for airline tickets, hotel reservations or any other costs incurred should the need to cancel or reschedule the program arise.
Course Credit
The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and UCSF School of Dentistry are authorized to award continuing education credits by the Dental Board of California. One unit of credit is awarded for each hour of instruction. All courses are accepted by the Academy of General Dentistry for fellowship/mastership credit. The schools are also members of the Association for Continuing Dental Education.
ADA CERP
The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and UCSF School of Dentistry are ADA CERP recognized providers. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. The Dugoni School of Dentistry and UCSF designate this activity for 20 continuing education credits.
