GBT SUMMIT SAN DIEGO
About this Event
Welcome to the Era of Oral Wellness: The GBT Summit Comes to San Diego
On Friday, September 25, dental professionals from across the globe will gather in San Diego for the GBT Summit 2026, a full day dedicated to the future of prevention, minimally invasive care, and Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). Since 2020, EMS's global GBT Summit series has welcomed more than 8,600 dental professionals worldwide, creating a community committed to advancing patient-centered care through education, innovation, and clinical excellence.
Hosted by Karen Davis, the day begins with a welcome that sets the stage for the sessions ahead and reminds attendees that something in dentistry is ready to change. The scientific program opens with Dr. Parag Kachilia, who explores how artificial intelligence is transforming diagnosis by uncovering disease earlier and supporting better clinical decision-making in his keynote, "From Hidden Disease to Clear Insight… How AI is Transforming Dental Diagnosis." After a networking break and live GBT demonstrations, Melissa Obrotka takes the stage with "No More Ignored Advice: How to Get Patients to Listen, Care, and Act," sharing evidence-based communication strategies that help clinicians improve patient understanding, increase treatment acceptance, and inspire lasting behavior change. Next, Kevin Lopez presents "Intentional Oral Hygiene Education: Homecare with a Purpose," offering practical approaches to making homecare recommendations more personalized, meaningful, and effective.
Prevention Meets Practice
After lunch and continued opportunities to experience live Guided Biofilm Therapy demonstrations, the afternoon shifts to implementing modern preventive care into everyday practice. Dr. Ankur Gupta presents "The Equipment Upgrade that has the Greatest Impact in a Dental Practice," demonstrating how technology can improve clinical efficiency, patient comfort, and treatment outcomes. Dr. Davis Do shares the journey of transforming clinical conviction into sustainable growth in practice. Then Dr. Pamela Maragliano presents "From Prophys to Profit: Building a High-Performing Hygiene Department," exploring how prevention-driven hygiene programs can strengthen both patient care and practice performance. Throughout the afternoon, attendees can continue exploring live demonstrations and connecting with industry partners in the GBT Exhibition Hall.
Hands-On Learning
Running concurrently with the main stage, two exclusive, limited-enrollment masterclasses give clinicians the chance to refine their skills through direct experience. The GBT® Technique Masterclass provides comprehensive hands-on training in the Guided Biofilm Therapy protocol, while the PIEZON® Masterclass offers immersive instruction in precision ultrasonic instrumentation and minimally invasive periodontal therapy. With enrollment intentionally limited, participants receive personalized coaching and significant hands-on practice with EMS technology.
Modern Periodontal Care
The clinical program concludes with an internationally recognized periodontist, Dr. Andrea Ravida, whose presentation, "Integration of AIRFLOW®, PERIOFLOW®, and PIEZON® Technologies in Modern Periodontal Care," demonstrates how contemporary technologies can be integrated to support predictable, minimally invasive, non-surgical periodontal therapy. Karen Davis closes the day by reflecting on the ideas, innovation, and clinical excellence shared throughout the summit, leaving attendees inspired to bring a new level of prevention-focused care back to their practices.
Continue the Conversation
When the educational program concludes, the experience continues on The Nat's rooftop, where attendees are invited to the official GBT Summit After Party. Against the backdrop of the San Diego skyline, clinicians, speakers, and industry leaders come together to exchange ideas, build new relationships, and celebrate a shared commitment to advancing oral wellness. More than a networking event, the GBT Summit has become a gathering place for dental professionals who believe the future of dentistry lies in prevention, minimally invasive care, and helping patients achieve lifelong oral health.
Continuing education credit is available for eligible sessions.
Please be advised that photographs and videography will be taken at the event for use on EMS website and marketing materials. By entering this event, you consent to EMS photographing and using your image and likeness.
EMS does not have a reserved room block or special event rate for this event. For your convenience, we’ve included a list of nearby hotels in the downtown San Diego/Gaslamp area that are within a reasonable distance of the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Westgate Hotel San Diego | Luxury Hotel & Wellness Downtown
Distance to The Nat: ~7 minutes
📞 (619) 238-1818
The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Distance to The Nat: ~8 minutes
📞 (619) 239-2200
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Distance to The Nat: ~12 minutes
📞 (619) 232-1234
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration + Breakfast
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Welcome: Something in Dentistry is Ready to Change
Host: Karen Davis, RDH
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
From Hidden Disease to Clear Insight…How AI is Transforming Dental Diagnosis
Host: Dr. Parag Kachilia
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Morning Break + Exhibition
🕑: 10:55 AM - 11:45 AM
No More Ignored Advice: How to Get Patients to Listen, Care, and Act
Host: Melissa Obrotka, BA, RDH
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Intentional Oral Hygiene Education: Homecare with a Purpose
Host: Kevin Lopez, MHA, BSDH
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch + Exhibition
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
The Equipment Upgrade that has the Greatest Impact in a Dental Practice
Host: Dr. Ankur Gupta
🕑: 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions Track A: GBT® Technique Masterclass
Host: Paula Chebat, BSDH, RDHAP
Info: GBT® Technique Masterclass
Designed for clinicians looking to strengthen their clinical application of Guided Biofilm Therapy, this immersive three-hour masterclass provides focused instruction on the practical implementation of the GBT protocol. Running simultaneously with the main theater sessions, participants will refine each step of the workflow, enhance clinical efficiency, and build confidence integrating minimally invasive, biofilm-focused care into everyday practice. Through expert coaching and hands-on learning, you'll gain practical techniques to deliver more predictable, comfortable, and patient-centered periodontal therapy.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions Track B: HANDS-ON COURSE PIEZON® Masterclass
Host: Jodi Deming, RDH, OMT
Info: PIEZON® Masterclass
Take your ultrasonic instrumentation to the next level in this immersive, three-hour hands-on masterclass for clinicians who want to refine and master their PIEZON® technique. Running simultaneously with the main theater sessions, this focused workshop provides individualized coaching on tip adaptation, energy transfer, stroke technique, power selection, and clinical efficiency. Whether you're new to PIEZON® or looking to elevate your clinical precision, you'll leave with greater confidence, improved ergonomics, and practical skills you can immediately apply in practice.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Turning Clinical Conviction into Practice Growth
Host: Dr. Davis Do
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
From Prophys to Profit: Building a High Performing Hygiene Department
Host: Dr. Pamela Maragliano
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Influence & Persuasion - Using Behavioral Psychology to Be a Better
Host: Janet Dunford
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Afternoon Break + Exhibition
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Modern Periodontal Care
Host: Dr. Andrea Ravida
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 28.52 to USD 193.92
