NINTH DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2026 MEETING
Date: November 3, 2026
Time: 6:30 P.M. – Social Hour
7:00 P.M. – Dinner and CE
Location: Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex
1043 W Bay Area Blvd
Webster, TX 77598
Speaker: Dr. Gargi Mukherji
Topic: From Spark to Success: Turning Ideas into Dental Innovations
Cost for non-members: $50
This seminar is eligible for 1-hour TSBDE-approved credit. Reservations should be made by
Friday, October 30, 2026 by utilizing the survey link: https://forms.gle/VKVN96yQkwKuYSNw6
.
Alternatively, you can contact Dr. Ann Seelbach at (806) 632-7395 or amseelbach@gmail.com
.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
President – Dr. Allison Dillon (713) 299-3055 / allison.dillon@gmail.com
President-Elect – Dr. Ann Seelbach (806) 632-7395 / amseelbach@gmail.com
Secretary-Treasurer – Dr. Annie Scruggs (409) 789-3066 / Scruggs.anne@gmail.com
MEETING DETAILS
TOPIC: Dental professionals are natural innovators. At this meeting, you will learn how to turn
your ideas into valuable dental products, navigate patents and trademarks, and collaborate within
the private industry. Dr. Mukherji will share her personal journey on how she was able to
transform her innovative idea into a valuable dental product. She will also discuss practical steps
from concept to commercial success.
SPEAKER: Dr. Mukherji completed her DDS from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry in
2000 and her GPR from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry in 2001. Upon graduation from
her general practice residency, she worked in private practice for 10 years prior to joining
academia and pursuing her passion for teaching. Currently, Dr. Mukherji is a Professor and
Director of Clinical Simulation at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Dr. Mukherji has been
a past recipient of the Dean’s Excellence Award for Teaching and Innovation and the Dean’s
Excellence Award in Mentoring. She is a co-inventor of the “Airway Armor”. Dr. Mukherji is
actively involved in ADEA, serves as a reviewer for peer-reviewed journal articles, and has
presented at numerous dental conferences.
SUMMARY OF SEPTEMBER MEETING:
The regular meeting of the Ninth District Dental Society was called to order by Dr. Dillon at 7:03pm on
September 1, 2026. 18 members were in attendance as well as 1 guest and 1 speaker. Clint Barghi with
Dentsply was also in attendance as the sponsor of the dinner meeting.
Members were reminded that RSVP links will be sent approximately one and two weeks prior to each
meeting. Members should reach out to Ann to RSVP, and Annie will collect checks or payment for
guests. The guest rules were reviewed, and members were reminded that they are responsible for paying
for their own alcoholic beverages. Members were also informed that the previous email issues have been
resolved and were asked to contact Allison if they experience any continued problems. Members were
also reminded that registration for Summer CE will be completed online next summer.
The upcoming meeting dates were announced as November 3, January 5, March 2, and May 18. The
March 2 meeting will feature the TDA President. The date for the Summer CE program is still to be
determined.
The society recognized and thanked Kathy Gibson for her years of service as editor. Dr. Dillon will be
taking over the responsibilities of editor and website management going forward.
Ann presented the proposed budget to the members. The society discussed continuing to maintain current
dues. The possibility of switching banks in order to take advantage of a high-yield savings and checking
account was discussed. Our current bank PNC offers a Certificate of Deposit, which Ann took advantage
of, however it does not allow the funds to be accessed until mature. The high-yield savings account would
provide greater flexibility for accessing funds compared with a CD. Scholarships were also discussed.
The membership will vote on transferring banks to one which has a high-yield savings account at the next
meeting, at which time a quorum will be required.
Ann then introduced the evening’s speaker, Gary Burton, CDT. Gary is the owner of DigiPrint Denture
lab in Houston and he presented on digital dentures. The presentation discussed the potential benefits of
digital dentures, including saving time and improving practice profitability. Gary explained that if a
patient loses a digital denture, a replacement can be made using the existing digital information to closely
replicate the original denture. Digital dentures can potentially be produced in one day and offer excellent
strength. Both printed and milled/carded teeth options were discussed. The importance of obtaining an
excellent impression was emphasized throughout the presentation. The teeth can also be stained as
needed. Gary also discussed how digital denture materials do not shrink in the same manner as
conventional acrylic.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
