About DC Mastermind Forum
The DC Mastermind Forum is a unique, multi-disciplinary dental study club designed to bring dentists together for bi-monthly, in-depth collaborative case discussions and advanced treatment planning. The Forum is will be offered in two formats: in-person or online, each moderated to provide expert guidance.
Key benefits include the opportunity for members to present their own cases, gain insights from their peers, and refine treatment planning strategies. The small group format, limited to 10 participants, fosters intimate, focused discussions and peer learning. Each session runs for 3 hours (6-9 pm) and features two case presentations. The program spans 6 meetings per year, each offering 3 AGD-accredited continuing education credits. Gestalt communication principles are followed during discussions to ensure productive and respectful dialogue.
The DC MasterMind Forum is a valuable resource for dentists seeking to expand their clinical expertise and engage with a community of like-minded professionals.
- Six bi-monthly meetings
- In-person or online participation
- 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Three CE credits hours for each meeting
- Tuition: $250 per meeting (based on annual membership)
- Each forum group is limited to 10 participants
Interested clinicians must complete an application for membership
Meeting Formats & Dates
In-Person Forum
- The in-person forum meetings are held at The Forum: 4825 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 302, Bethesda, MD 20814
- Participants will be to assigned to one of the two available groups for in-person meeting
- Meetings are from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
- Group A Meetings:
- 10/10/24
- 12/5/24
- 2/6/25
- 4/10/25
- 6/12/25
- 8/28/25
- Group B Meetings: Will be scheduled after Group A has been filled
Online Forum
- Online meetings will take place on Zoom
- Participants will be to assigned to one of the two available groups for online meeting
- Meetings are from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
- Group A Meetings:
- 10/8/24
- 12/3/24
- 2/4/25
- 4/8/25
- 6/10/25
- 8/26/25
- Group B Meetings: Will be scheduled after Group A has been filled
Forum Rules
The purpose of the Forum is create deep conversations and sharing experiences between the member in a safe, confidential, and respectful environment. This can only happen when certain rules are observed by all members:
- Timeliness– Members are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes prior for in-person meetings. Online participants may login 5 minutes before start of the program. Late arrivals disrupt the momentum and engagement of others.
- Cell phones- No cell phones are permitted during meeting, except during the 15-minute break. Cell phones are distractive to you and others. Giving full attention and engagement respects others as well as the presenters.
- Gestalt communication- Members are prohibited from giving advice to others. You may speak only from experience or ask provoking questions that helps one to discover what they might already know.
- Speak from experience: “I treated a similar case where we…..”
- Ask provoking question: “What other options did you consider?”; “What were the key challenges in your treatment acceptance?”; “How did you decide on your material choice?”
- Avoid statements like: “I would recommend…..”; “What I would do, is…..”; “Did you consider doing…” as these are essentially giving advice!
- Confidentiality- We often learn most from our challenges and mistakes and sharing those with others can be difficult bearing the risk of reaching others outside. Hence, what is said in the room, stays in the room. This helps each person get deeper and share thoughts and ideas that are otherwise left unmasked.
Member Presentations: Preparation and Format
Each member will have the opportunity to present a case for group discussion. Members will be assigned to present at a specific meeting. The selected case may be a patient in treatment planning phase or completed treatment.
The following diagnostic information should be prepared:
- FMS
- Panorex
- Key CBCT images
- Clinical pre-treatment photos
- Treatment photos
- Final treatment photos if applicable
- Diagnostic models
Preparation of your presentation:
- You may create your presentation on powerpoint, keynote, or google slides.
- For in-person meetings, you may bring your laptop or send the presentation files in advance
- If you do not have experience in creating slides, send your photos / images arranged in folders with appropriate titles (Pre-treatment photos and X-rays, Treatment images, Final results, etc); we will create a presentation for you.
- For online meetings, the presenter will be allowed to share screen.
Presentation Format:
- Case Introduction (10 minutes):
- Chief complaint and history of present conditions
- Review of relevant medical history
- Pre-treatment clinical photos and findings
- Review of X-rays and findings
- Questions by group (10 minutes):
- Each member can ask a question on case followed by a 1-minute response from the presenter
- Treatment Planning (30 minutes):
- Presenter discusses his / her treatment plan (10 minutes)
- Members share planning ideas based on experiences or can ask provoking question to help the presenter uncover planning ideas (20 minutes- 2 minutes per member)
- Treatments and Final Results (25 minutes):
- Presenter shares sequence of treatments done and any challenges that may have been faced.
- Presenter shares the final results
- If the case presented is only in treatment planning stage, this time can be used to expand on treatment planning.