NINTH DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
SEPTEMBER 2025 MEETING
Date: September 9, 2025
Time: 6:30 P.M. – Social Hour
7:00 P.M. – Dinner
Location: Pappas’ Delta Blues Smokehouse
19901 Gulf Freeway
Webster, Texas 77598
Speaker: Nathan Pettit, DMD, MSD
Topic: Inside the Mind of Your TMD Patient
****Presentation of the 2025-2026 Budget****
Presentation Description and Objectives
The psychology of chronic pain will be discussed, especially as it relates to temporomandibular disorders.
- Recognize factors contributing to the chronification of pain
- Review anatomy and physiology of orofacial pain
- Discern between true dental pain versus psychogenic phenomena
- Train patients in techniques to self-regulate pain
Dr. Nathan Pettit is a graduate of UNLV School of Dental Medicine and earned his certificate in Prosthodontics from the Michael F. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston with research focusing on CBCT imaging of the hyoid bone. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He is the owner of MedCenter TMJ, a dental practice limited to the treatment of craniomandibular disorders located in the Houston Medical Center.
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 September 8, 2025, 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 JULY MEETING:
The Ninth District Dental Society Continuing Education Committee was proud to host Dr. Sam Dorn at the Annual Summer Clinic at South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center in League City on June 20, 2025. Dr. Dorn spoke about endodontic emergencies and trauma which general dentists might face at any time. There were 31 dentists, 38 staff members and 11 UTSOD students (sponsored by members) in attendance. In addition to the informative continuing education, there was a great seated lunch and good camaraderie. Wilson Imaging sponsored the meeting again this year. Our thanks to Wilson Imaging for their continued support.
NDDS NEWS:
The NDDS Executive Committee met on August 20, 2025 to discuss plans for the year and covered many topics of interest including the budget, a possible dues increase, meeting locations and the future of the NDDS scholarships for UTSOD students.
The NDDS calendar for the year has been set (speakers and sites to be determined) as follows:
Sept 9, 2025 Dr. Nathan Pettit TMD Patients Delta Blues Smokehouse
Nov 4, 2025
Jan 6, 2026
March 3, 2026
May 12, 2026
Summer Clinic
Mark your calendars and plan to attend.
ADA NEWS:
The American Dental Association Annual Session is changing. This year’s meeting will be held in Washington, D. C. from October 23-25, 2015. The future of the Annual Session has not been announced yet.
EDITOR’S NOTES:
As I updated my NDDS database recently, I was struck by several things.
- The number of NDDS members is decreasing due to relocation, retirement and unfortunately, death. All these things are just facts of life, but there is a ripple effect due to these changes. Meetings are less well-attended, making it harder to get a consensus and to pass needed changes for the Society.
- Without an influx of new members or help from existing NDDS members, it is difficult to fill committee and leadership positions.
- For professionals, it is odd that members fail to update their contact information with the Society and the TDA and that makes it difficult to get information to them.
- The NDDS is not attracting new members, especially younger dentists. This is very sad because I know how much of a benefit it is to have private-practice dentists mentor new dentists during the explosion of DSO growth.
Look to see how you can help the Society.
