November 2026 CCDS E-NEWS

 
 

Coastal Cascades November Update - Message from CCDS Executive Director

Nissa Newton


October was a busy month. We enjoyed a beautiful hike at Alsea Falls, had a hands-on Endo Class, and a fun social at Don Dexter Gallery. We have even more planned for November and December. We have two webinars coming up. On November 19th, we have AI in the Dental Practice, and on December 17th, Implant Complications. These webinars are free for our members, and Oregon Dental Association Members can attend for the discounted rate of $75. Nonmember dentists may attend for $100. Dental staff members can attend for $40. If you'd like to learn more about Solventum's Filtektm Restoratives, they are offering dentists in our area a dinner-and-learn opportunity at Northbank McMenamins this Thursday at 6 pm. In December, Florence Dental Clinic and CCDS are hosting a Hot Chocolate and Game Night on Saturday Evening, December 12th, at 5 pm. For all of these events, you can register on our Eventbrite page:

www.bit.ly/CCDSEVENTS


Now is the time to make nominations for our annual awards: the Dental Service Award and the Public Service Award. This is a great way to recognize a colleague or a staff member who exemplifies their profession. These awards will be given out at our annual business meeting. Nominate a dentist or dental professional before December 31st.


This e-newsletter focuses on insurance, cybersecurity, and AI. Dentists in our community suggested these topics. Please let me know any article ideas or topics you would like us to focus on. We would also love to have more articles written by our society members to share in our e-newsletter and our blog!

 
 
 

Insurance Checkup: Does Your Practice Have the Right Coverage?

Author: Julie Goldberg, DDS, Senior Dental Risk Specialist at PMIG



Many dentists assume they are adequately insured because they have professional liability insurance. However, as dental practices become more complex employers, business owners, technology users, and healthcare providers, the insurance needs of a modern dental practice often extend well beyond malpractice coverage.

 

A recent request from an Oregon dentist raised an important question: What insurance coverage is actually required, what coverage is recommended, and how can a dentist determine whether they are carrying too much or too little insurance?


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cybersecurity Insurance Is Only the Beginning: Is Your Dental Practice Prepared?

Kelli Ngariki - Healthcare Compliance Associates

Joe Hood - Black Talon Security


Imagine arriving at your dental office at 8:15 a.m. and discovering you cannot access patient records. A message demands payment to unlock your systems. Patients are arriving, the schedule is full, and no one knows whom to call.


Could your practice keep operating? Would your team know what to do?

Cyber insurance can help with certain financial losses, but it cannot restore a patient's confidence or replace a prepared team. Real readiness combines insurance, strong technical defenses, and practical compliance procedures that employees understand. The practice owner, office manager, HIPAA security officer, and technology team need to know their responsibilities—and how those responsibilities fit together.


 
 
 
 

AI Isn't Replacing Your Dental Team. It's Giving Them More Time to Care for Patients.

By Kayla Mauldin, Founder, Firelight Marketing

Former dental professional with over 23 years of experience in dentistry


A Familiar Morning in the Dental Office

It's 8:15 on a Monday morning.

The phone is ringing. Two patients are checking in. Someone needs an insurance estimate, a hygiene appointment just canceled, and a patient on hold wants to know if their prescription has been called in.

Meanwhile, your front office team is doing everything they can to keep the day moving.

Sound familiar?


Having spent more than two decades working in dental practices, I know how quickly a normal morning can turn into controlled chaos.


Now imagine if some of those repetitive tasks could be handled automatically, giving your team more time to focus on the patients standing right in front of them.



That's where artificial intelligence, or AI, has the potential to make a meaningful difference.


 
 
 
 
 

Eugene Dental Group, the office of Elizabeth Vivona, DDS and Harmeet Kaur, DDS, is looking for an associate dentist for 2-3 days per week. We are a close-knit team dedicated to high quality and excellent customer service. Our office is well-organized, efficient, and has a stellar reputation. We invite you to look at our website and read our Google reviews. Any associate who joins our team will share the same qualities. Job Details: 2 or 3 days per week with 2 assistants per doctor, Days of the week are negotiable, Compensation is based on production, not collections, Associates should expect to earn $150,000 - $250,000 per year depending on the number of days worked. At 3 days per week, health benefits would be included, as well as a 401k with profit sharing. The right candidate should have: At least one year of experience working in a private practice, Excellent communication skills, empathy, and the ability to work well within a team of doctors, Ability to do bread and butter dentistry: composites, crown & bridge, removable prostheses, implant restorations, simple extractions and excellent diagnostic and treatment planning abilities, A clean license with no board restrictions, Comfortable and knowledgeable with oral sedatives and nitrous oxide cases, Up-to-date on BLS and other requirements. Preferred but not necessary: A minimal sedation or moderate parenteral conscious sedation permit, ACLS certified, Advanced training, for example SPEAR institute etc..., Invisalign certified, Knowledge of Eaglesoft

Interested candidates should submit their CVs to:DrVivona@EugeneDentalGroup.com.


Remodeled 5-Op General Dental Practice in Eugene, OR for Sale

Thriving, fully paperless general practice in a desirable Eugene location, tastefully remodeled in 2021 with a new roof and AC. Vaulted ceilings and abundant natural light, 5 ops, spacious waiting area, 3 restrooms, large doctor's office, and staff area. Pano imaging and Dentrix PMS. Strong hygiene department, with all endo, implants, and ortho and most oral surgery referred out, so there's real room to grow. Collected $915K in 2025. Building also available for purchase. Contact Jessica Burbon at 503-332-6462 or Jessica.Burbon@henryschein.com for more information. Lic.#200603412 (Listing ID: OR4969)


Established 5-Op Restorative Dental Practice in SE Portland, OR for Sale **Pending**

Long-standing crown and bridge practice with a 30-year history in the same Southeast Portland location, collecting approximately $1.05M annually. Loyal patient base, strong community goodwill, fully staffed with an outstanding hygiene department. Well-maintained stand-alone building with ample free parking. 5 fully equipped ops, spacious sterilization center, private doctor's office, business office, 2 restrooms, and comfortable reception area. Dentrix PMS and DEXIS digital sensors. Contact Jessica Burbon at 503-332-6462 or Jessica.Burbon@henryschein.com for more information. (Listing ID: OR4965)


Turnkey 4-Op Dental Practice East of Salem, OR for Sale

Well-maintained, recently updated practice in the Santiam Valley, established in the same location for 50 years with strong small-town goodwill. Ideal as a satellite or starter practice. Appox. 1,100 sf with 4 ops, ample parking, and excellent curb appeal. CEREC, digital scanner, digital imaging and sensors, intraoral camera, soft-tissue laser, and PracticeWorks PMS. Open 30–32 hours per week, with implant surgery, perio, and complex ortho, pedo, endo, and oral surgery referred out, so there's real room to grow. Average annual collections of $450K. Offered at a great price, with the building also available for purchase. Contact Jessica Burbon at 503-332-6462 or Jessica.Burbon@henryschein.com for more information. Lic.#200603412 (Listing ID: OR4710)


Well-Established Woodburn, OR Dental Practice with Real Estate Don’t miss this rare opportunity to acquire a well-established 5-operatory dental practice with income-producing real estate in the growing community of Woodburn, Oregon. The practice has proudly served generations of families for over 20 years and has built a strong reputation within the community and dental industry alike. Conveniently located along the I-5 corridor, approximately 30 minutes south of Portland and 20 minutes north of Salem, the practice benefits from excellent commuter access and continued regional growth. Collections exceed $1.4 million. Asking Price – Practice: $1.1M. Asking Price – Real Estate: $1.7M. Contact Rod Johnston at 206-979-2660 or rod@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#2205339 (OMNI Practice ID: ORD192)


Established, Smaller Dental Practice in South Portland, OR Growing Suburb Amazing opportunity to step into a great practice established 27 years ago with tons of growth potential. Collections have been over $325,000 the last 2 years, working 140-150 days yearly. 5 ops, 3 equipped, in 2,671 sf. Lots of parking. All endo and oral surgery referred out. Eaglesoft. 60% FFS, 30% Delta Premier, 10% in-house dental savings plan. Contact Megan Urban at 503-830-5765 or megan@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#201221407 (OMNI Practice ID: ORD194)


Oregon Dental Practice for Sale in Desirable Lake Grove Community This solid, up-to-date practice in the Lake Oswego area has 4 ops and is plumbed for a 5th. Opportunity to lease or purchase the building. Currently successful doing bread-and butter dentistry, so tremendous opportunity to grow this practice as many procedures are referred out. Last three years collections are over $600,000. 2025 collections were $639,000. Contact Megan Urban at 503-830-5765 or megan@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#201221407 (OMNI Listing ID: ORD193)


Associate-to-Own! Prime Vancouver, WA Dental Practice and Potential Building for Sale. Make an Offer! Option to associate, associate-to-own, or 100% ownership. Collections nearly $1.0M last year and over $1.0M the previous two years. On-site parking available at this long-standing dental practice. Currently three operatories with space for more. Growth potential as surgical implants, molar endo, OS, and removable cases are referred out. Contact Megan Urban at 503-830-5765 or megan@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#201221407 (OMNI Listing ID: WAD675)


Deal of the Year in NE Portland, OR Immediate opportunity with seller willing to work back 1-2 days per week. Currently working 3 days per week and 2 Saturdays per month. Location near St. Vincent Providence Hospital, I-84 and I-205. Approximate average annual EBITDA is over $220,000, about 40% of collections. In-network with some PPOs and 65% is OHP. $562,000 average collections last 3 years. 6 ops, 5 equipped. $230,000 asking price. Contact Megan Urban at 503-830-5765 or megan@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#201221407 (OMNI Practice ID: ORD190)


Ideal South Salem, OR Practice and Building for Sale Desirable South Salem neighborhood. Updated space and equipment, 7 ops, 2 front-office areas, on-site parking. Strong hygiene department producing 29% of office total. Great personal/work experience as dentist works 28 hours per week and about 177 workdays per year. CBCT, CEREC, Dentrix. Excellent opportunity to step into a popular, quality practice treating families for decades. Contact Megan Urban at 503-830-5765 or megan@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#201221407 (OMNI Listing ID: ORD188)


Profitable Dental Practice and Building for Sale in The Gorge, Oregon Tremendous opportunity to step into a successful and profitable hygiene-driven practice. Growth potential as most OS, endo, removable and surgical implants are currently referred out. 4 ops and room for more. Collections over $1.0M. Live and work in the beautiful Columbia Gorge area. Practice includes updated office building with four ops and plenty of room to add more. Building includes plenty of parking. Contact Megan Urban at 503-830-5765 or megan@omni-pg.com for more information. Lic.#201221407 (OMNI Practice ID: ORD187)


Caring Hands Worldwide's 2026 Lane County Free Dental Clinic will be held November 7th and 8th at the Lane County Fairgrounds Auditorium. Up to six hours of Continuing Education Credits are available for the renewal of your Oregon Dental or Dental Hygiene License. For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Randy Meyer at randy@caringhandsworldwide.org or call/text 541-556-5902.

Join the Oral Cancer Foundation's Corvallis Oral Cancer Walk Run at Willamette Park in Corvallis on Saturday, September 12, 2026. See flyer below.


Walk with A Doc: Dr. Tim Welch's group meets at 9 AM on the first Saturday of each month at the Greenway Bridge at Valley River Mall, just down from the movie theaters and behind the DMV. Other local doctors in the area lead on the other Saturdays, so come join us on any Saturday!

 
 
 

AAAI-D White Paper

AI Agents in the Dental Practice:

A HIPAA Compliance Guide

Published by the American Academy of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry


Published by the American Academy of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry

Conceived January 2026. Builds on the authors' peer-reviewed work on agentic AI in dentistry (Farooqi et al., European Journal of General Dentistry, May 2026). Revised and published October 2026.



Any dentist can now build an AI agent in an afternoon. A scheduling assistant. A patient intake bot. An AI scribe that transcribes visits. An automated insurance verification tool. The platforms — Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and a growing ecosystem of no-code builders — have made it that easy.


That ease is the reason for this guide.





 

Coastal Cascades Dentist Society appreciates our Sponsors: Columbia Bank Healthcare (Platinum) and Digital Systems Integrators, LLC (Silver)


We are happy to have Business Associate Member partners: Assured Dental Lab, Unbreakable Bonds, Healthcare Compliance Associates, Benco, Firelight Marketing, and Omni Practice Group.

 

Coastal Cascades Dentist Society

Executive Council 2026-2027


President: Mercedes Del Valle, DDS

President Elect: Kent Burnett, DDS

Secretary: Ivan Paskalev, DMD

Treasurer: Travis Alcorn, DDS

Past President: Matthew Bahen, DMD

Directors at Large: 

Mariya Costa, DMD

Tyson Curtis, DDS



Executive Director: Nissa Newton

The Coastal Cascades Dentist Society is the professional organization for dentists in Lane, Benton, Linn, and Lincoln Counties in Oregon. CCDS invites interested dentists to become members of this dynamic organization. We are an active and welcoming chapter committed to the highest standards of practice; providing continuing education and networking opportunities and promoting community service.



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