NINTH DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
MAY 2026 MEETING
Date: May 12, 2026
Time: 6:30 P.M. – Social Hour
7:00 P.M. – Dinner
Location: Red River BBQ
1911 E Main St, Suite B
League City, TX 77573
Speaker: Dr. Rodrigo Neiva
Topic: Soft Tissue Phenotype Modification: Current Treatment Options without Palatal Tissue
TDA Delegate Report
Installation of Officers, Delegates and Committee Members
Cost for non-members: $40
Focus of presentation: Soft tissue defects are commonly treated with transplantation of palatal
tissue into areas of deficiency. Donor site morbidity and discomfort may prevent patients from
undergoing treatment. This lecturer will focus on currently available options of treatment that
do not depend on palatal tissue, indications, and expected outcomes.
Dr. Rodrigo Neiva has been recognized nationally and internationally in the fields of
Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. He has created surgical techniques, such as LASSO GBRm
and helped developed regenerative materials and dental implants that are used worldwide to
better treat patients. Dr. Neiva has authored and co-authored more than 100 scientific papers
and book chapters in the fields of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. Dr. Neiva earned a
Certificate and a Master’s degree at the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. He has
served in faculty positions at the University of Michigan, University of Florida, and University of
Pennsylvania before transitioning to the Temple University Kornberg school of Dentistry.
This seminar is eligible for 1-hour TSBDE-approved credit. Please bring an associate, friend or
staff member to join us. Reservations should be made before May 11, 2026, by contacting Dr.
Allison Dill at (713)299-3055 or allison.dillon@gmail.com
.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
President – Dr. Gilberto Garcia (409)765-5538/ gilbertogarciadds@gmail.com
President-Elect – Dr. Allison Dillon (713) 299-3055/ allison.dillon@gmail.com
Secretary-Treasurer – Dr. Ann Seelbach – (409)938-1700/ amseelbach@gmail.com
Editor – Dr. Kathy Gibson (713)644-9209/ ktgdds@aol.com
SUMMARY OF MARCH MEETING:
The regular meeting of the Ninth District Dental Society was held on March 3, 2026 at
Escalantes Restaurant in Webster.
Dr. Garcia called the meeting to order.
Announcements included congratulations to Dr. Annie Scruggs and her family on the birth of
her son. Everyone is doing well. The College of the Mainland dental hygiene program is holding
a fundraiser at Cane’s in Texas City on March 5. It will provide funding for hygiene treatment for
needy patients.
The Annual Summer Clinic will be held on June 5, 2026 at South Shore Harbour. Dr. Robert
Ritter will be presenting “Fact vs. Fiction”. Please contact Dr. Gibson regarding registration.
A request was made for donations from individual members to fund the UTSD Awards and
Scholarships which were cut from the NDDS budget this year. Checks written to the Ninth
District Dental Society can be given to Dr. Seelbach. Discussion ensued regarding the budgetary
adjustments previously made which cut the awards from the budget. No opposition was given
by attending members for use of printed and framed awards in lieu of plaques.
There was a call for nominations for Dentist of the Year and New Dentist of the Year. Dr. Garcia
nominated Dr. Seeba; Drs. Martinsen and Lovoi seconded the motion which passed.
Drs. Hessel and Hofstede from M. D. Anderson gave many cancer-related facts to the group.
90% of oral cancers are SCC, and they are most commonly on the tongue. Osteosarcomas are
relatively rare, but as they presented an OS case, they noted that survival rates have improved
and that there a number of cases of local recurrence. The speakers said they prefer pictures
when referring patients because it aids in tracking progression. Incisional biopsies are
preferred. There was discussion of obturators versus flap surgery to close the sites. There are 3
phases of obturators – surgical, interim and definitive. Interim is built after surgery in case
there are changes; placed 10-14 days post-surgery. Definitive might be placed 4-6 months post-
surgery, depending on healing. Referrals may be sent to Dr. Hessel directly.
NDDS NOTES:
Reminders to all members to learn about the new HIPAA guidelines and fingerprint
requirements.
Many thanks to Dr. Corby Gotcher for funding the UTSD awards this year. Dr. Gilberto Garcia
contributed the certificates and frames. Congratulations to Sara Roach for winning the Ninth
District Dental Society Ethics and Integrity Award. Noah Blackwell, Grayson Privett, Nicole
Harari, Sydney Creath and Lauren Youngblood for winning the Ninth District Dental Society
Award for Collegiality.
TDA NEWS:
The Texas Dental Association Annual Session will be held in San Antonio from May 7-9, 2026.
Early registration is in process now.
2026-27 NDDS SLATE OF OFFICERS, COMMITTEES AND DELELGATES
PresidentDr. Allison Dillon
President-ElectDr. Ann Seelbach
Secretary-TreasurerDr. Annie Scruggs
2027 DelegatesDr. Ramzi Saman
Dr. Wes Weibel
Dr. Hanna Lindskog
Dr. Charles Scruggs (if needed)
2027 Alternate DelegatesDr. Courtni Tello
Dr. Ann Seelbach
Dr. Brad Miller (if needed)
Judicial CommitteeDr. Brent Patterson (Chair)
Dr. Peter Norris (2 years)
Dr. Courtni Tello (3 years)
Dr. Mark Martinsen (4 years)
Dr. Gilberto Garcia (5 years)
Peer Review CommitteeDr. Garrett Seeba (Chair)
Dr. Ann Seelbach (2 years)
Dr. Kate Schaefer (3 years)
Dr. Charles Scruggs (4 years)
Dr. Ramzi Saman (5 years)
Constitution & BylawsDr. Dan Gaffney (Chair)
Dr. Chris Coleman (2 years)
Dr. Dr. Mark Martinsen (3 years)
Patient RelationsDr. Allison Dillon (Chair)
Dr. Brad Miller (2 years)
Dr. Hannah Lindskog (3 years)
