Courses Available through Perspectives

TO B OR NOT TO B (formerly called If You Can't Beat 'em, Enjoy Them)
(Behavior Management from a new perspective)
Six-hour format: This fun program covers all aspects of Behavior Management, which is
far more than simply "controlling the child" in a dental setting. Emphasis is on the
behavior of the provider, which ultimately enables the child to succeed in a dental
setting. Techniques for handling the child are covered (some with video footage), as well
as specific techniqes for altering negative behaviors, such as needle-phobia, gagging, etc.
This participation program helps the audience understand the child's view-point in the
dental setting. There is material on how to effectively deal with parents and help make
them a part of the success of the child's experience rather than a detriment.
Three-hour format: This shorter version covers the main points in the longer program, but
without as much time spent on the specific negative behaviors or video footage.

PROBLEM PATIENTS? NO PROBLEM! (Presented by Mary Ellen and Greg Psaltis)
Most of us love our work, but don’t always like the people who receive it. Dealing with
patients (and staff) can sometimes be the most difficult part of our day. As professionals,
we learn much about technical skills, but very little about what will keep patients coming
to your office—excellent communications. Learn to identify hidden agendas, why patients
behave in different ways and the shortcut clues to dealing effectively with them. These skills
will enhance your communication when presenting treatment plans, scheduling and teaching
oral hygiene techniques. Audience participation exercises and role plays by the speakers
demonstrate the techniques during the program so that application of the information can be
immediate. Are patients really the problem or is it our understanding of them?

BABY STEPS
(Infant and Preschool Dental Care for General Dentists)
Emphasis is now being placed on establishing a dental home for all children upon eruption of
the first tooth or at 12 months of age. It is essential that all dental care providers become skilled
at the steps necessary to make these visits successful for both the child and parents. This course
discusses developmental ages, appropriate guidelines and clinical tips.

PARENTS ARE PEOPLE, TOO (Presented by Mary Ellen and Greg Psaltis)
This is the same information as the above program, but the emphasis here is on the
parents of pediatric patients. The concepts presented in "Problem Patients? No Problem!"
are discussed, but examples and specific scenarios are set up to reflect how to
effectively handle parents of young patients.

STAINLESS STEEL CROWNS ARE A SNAP (A Hands-on Workshop)
(Presented by Greg Psaltis and Dr. Lynn Parker)
Have you ever wished you could place stainless steel crowns as effortlessly as a pediatric
dentist? Now you can in this hands-on workshop. Live demonstrations (on a dentoform)
will show you how to prep both a posterior primary molar and a primary anterior incisor.
The demonstrations will also show how to fit, contour and cement a stainless steel crown
on the molar and a composite strip crown on the incisor. All participants will complete all
the procedures with supervision from Dr. Psaltis and Dr. Parker.

BUT AREN'T THEY JUST BABY TEETH?
You’ve heard these words before and can’t help thinking to yourself, “Oh no, another
ignorant parent.” Parents who pose this question (and others) are not really ignorant—
they are often working from old beliefs or their own experiences. The ability to answer
these common questions insures a greater understanding of the pediatric dental issues at
hand and creates a positive relationship through effective communications. This program
is based on questions routinely heard from parents of pediatric dental patients and covers
a broad spectrum of topics. Included are primary anterior trauma, treatment planning,
“rotten teeth,” timing of initial examinations and more. The scientific basis and the rationales
for treatment is a significant part of the lecture. Practitioners who treat children will benefit
from this engaging course.

Emphasis is now being placed on establishing a dental home for all children upon eruption of the
first tooth or at 12 months of age. It is essential that all dental care providers become skilled at
the steps necessary to make these visits successful for both the child and parents. This course
discusses developmental ages, appropriate guidelines and clinical tips.

HEART WORK ISN'T HARD
Perhaps you've read or heard about health care professionals who have traveled to
foreign countries to provide humanitarian treatment to the disadvantaged. How in the
world can they do that, you wonder. In this program, learn about several existing programs
that would allow you to participate immediately and also about how Dr. Psaltis and his hygienist
have created two programs in Mexico on their own. Legalities, logistics and the rich
rewards will be discussed with visual support of photographs and videos of the programs in
action. This is a program that will touch your heart and possibly have you taking your dreams
of helping others to the next step.

SO LITTLE ROOM, SO MUCH TO SEE
(The complete pediatric dental examination)
Every pediatric dental examination is like a new patient examination simply because of the
dynamics of growth and development. Furthermore, there is much to see in the mouths of
children other than caries and loose teeth. This program thoroughly covers all aspects of
the pediatric dental examination including recognition of anomolies, growth and development,
symmetry and balance of the dentition and other components that make examinations on
children far from routine. Both clinical and radiographic photographs illustrate the areas of
discussion.

DESPERATE DENTAL DIVAS - DIABOLICAL OR DIVINE? (Presented by Mary Ellen Psaltis)
(Women Working With Women)
If all the women in your office were cats, would fur be flying nearly every day? Why is it
that women, who are wonderful nurturers, can be manipulating, conniving and downright
mean? Who needs to turn on the TV to see drama? Just show up at work.Wouldn’t you
like to have more harmony and cooperation in an environment dominated by women? This
lively presentation will help you have a better understanding of the underlying dynamics at
your workplace and offer thoughtful ideas for transforming your office environment. Laugh
and learn and leave the cat fights behind.

EAT WELL- BE WELL: THE SCIENCE AND THE SENSE (Presented by Mary Ellen Psaltis)
The murky waters of nutrition are difficult to navigate. Depending on which book you read
or which article you pick up, what is 'right' or 'best' is a challenge to discern. This
presentation will help you expand your point of view on choosing the food you eat.
Decide for yourself if science behind healthy eating is our savior or our saboteur.
Ojectives:
Understand nutritional reductionism and how it guides food choices
Realize there is much more to food than meets the eye
Increase awareness that your daily decisions add up to a lifetime of health
Plus
Learn 10 Top Tips to incorporate into your healthy living right now.

RESTORE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN PEDIATRIC RESTORATIVE CARE
Six-hour format: An extensive review of all procedures in pediatric restorative dentistry,
including Diagnosis (Clinical and Radiographic), Treatment Planning (including cases
that participants diagnose and treatment plan from bitewing x-rays), primary anterior and
permanent posterior restorations, primary pulp therapy, stainless steel crowns, anterior
strip crowns and preventive restorations with air abrasion technology.
Three-hour format: The more abbreviated review of pediatric restorative procedures with
less emphasis on diagnosis, treatment planning and air abrasion.

LIVE YOUR DREAMS
(Cures for common practice headaches)
You love your work, but do not share the same feelings about some of those bothersome
aspects of “running a business.” This lecture explores the most common non-clinical areas
that prevent many dentists from obtaining complete joy and satisfaction in their workplace.
Specific handouts will aid the attendees in working toward solutions to these compelling
areas of frustration. Included are conversations about Conditions of Employment, vision,
Team building, effective communication with patients, controlling personal financial stresses
and other administrative aspects of private practice.

ARE YOU A MAN OR ARE YOU A MESS? (Presented by Mary Ellen and Greg Psaltis)
(Caring for Yourself or the Male in Your Life)
Men want to be healthy, they but often take limited time and energy to incorporate
healthy choices into their daily life. Find out more about being active in your staying
well as you age process, rather than becoming a victim of your own inattention. This
program is designed with the balanced wellness of men in mind, and also speaks directly
to the women who are often the primary support and guidance for the males in their lives.
Practical, humorous and insightful, this program will direct men and their loved ones on a
path to long-term wellness.

PREVENTIVE AND INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS
This three hour presentation deals with all aspects of early orthodontic considerations for
the child patient. It is not a comprehensive orthodontic course. This lecture enables the
audience to be familiar with all forms of space maintainers and many simple active
appliances. There is also a segment on the diagnosis of early orthodontic referrals,
emphasizing which components of the patient's growth pattern is most likely to be helped
by early treatment and which ones can wait.

ARE YOU HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE?
This three hour presentation deals with some aspects of the health of the provider. In
particular, it covers some of the most common areas of dissatisfaction with dentistry and
how these areas block the practitioner's ability to enjoy dentistry and provide optimum
care. Areas covered include finances, personal health, communications with patients and
development of a Team concept.

THIN, RICH AND SATISFIED - LIVING WELL EVERY DAY (Presented by Mary Ellen Psaltis)
(Bringing your Best Self to Work and Life)

Most of us can get enthused with the idea of being a little thinner, richer and more satisfied.
What continues to hold us back? We already know we should be eating more
vegetables and exercising, but is there something else? Is it possible to have
more of what you want in your life and less of what you don't want?
The answer is YES to both questions.

This program supports people to activate their own lives. We will be working from the
inside out noticing and practicing skills to tune into our flow of good. Topics include
stimulating financial abundance, exercising gratitude, examining women's body images,
adjusting attitudes, and planning our individual futures. We will share chocolate and
notice that some hungers have nothing to do with good.

GETTING CLOSER AND STAYING TOGETHER-- A COUPLES RETREAT
This program is a unique retreat for couples for an entire weekend. The material is not of
a dental nature, but rather in reaffirming a healthy relationship between two people and
learning practical tools for recalling intimacy, values clarifications and future planning.
All meals are provided, as is room. The program is typically scheduled at a Retreat
Center, so that all attendees can leave behind the day-to-day world of bills, children,
work, telephones, TV and all the other usual distractions that prevent them from paying
closer attention to their most important relationship.