2025 THEA Fall Meeting

Daniel Crossen, DMD, MS, Diplomate American Borad of Endodontics

Fountain City Endodontics

Bio:  A Tar Heel Endo grad, Dan Crossen and two of his friends from residency currently own a five-doctor endodontic practice in Knoxville, Tennessee. Along his journey, he has been through different types of practice, including working for corporate, owning a corporate franchise, and working as an associate in private practice. Along with his experience in sales and Entrepreneuring prior to dentistry, all of these experiences have helped shape his perspective and vision. When he is not doing root canals and managing the business, Dan is managing his other small group: his five daughters ages 2-14. Somewhere between all of the dance, track, karate, theater, soccer, and softball, Dan finds peace in the mountains near his home and competes in local triathlons.

Starting and Operating an Endodontic Practice Post-COVID.

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the economics of starting and operating a practice. Construction costs remain more than double what they were prior to the pandemic, staff salaries have risen considerably, equipment prices are up 10-20%, and prices for endodontic treatment have risen at a much slower pace. With competition from corporations and general dentists, starting and operating an endodontic practice today can seem overwhelming. But just like any other daunting task that is worth it in the end, by breaking it down and taking it one step at a time, it can be done. This course will provide an overview of the pros and cons of practice ownership, details of starting a new practice and adding to an existing one, important legal, accounting, and human resource considerations, analyzing and reducing overhead, and a list of some resources available to help you on your journey.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, participants should be able to:

1: Identify if practice ownership is the right path to achieving their individual professional goals.

2: Understand the general costs involved with starting a new practice and buying an existing one.

3: Know what to look for in a lawyer and accountant.

4: Find additional help with the various aspects of practice ownership.

Daniela Peressoni Vieira Schuldt, DDS, MSc, PhD

Endodontic Predoctoral Program Director, Adams School of Dentistry – UNC.

Bio:  Dr. Daniela Schuldt has significant experience in academia, having worked as an Endodontic Assistant Professor in Brazil from 2015 until 2022. In 2022, she accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of the Endodontic Department at Nova Southeastern University where she stayed until April of 2025. Recently, she joined the UNC team as the Endodontic Predoctoral Program Director. Dr. Daniela Schuldt main research interest includes the properties, clinical applications and outcomes of endodontic materials and biomaterials. 

Bioceramics and Endodontics.

The lecture is designed to review the history of bioceramics in endodontics, starting with the first materials developed, its evolution, applications, its current scenarios, future concerns & expecations. 

Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, participants should be able to:

1) History of bioceramics (what are bioceramics, first bioceramic created, classification, indications).

2) History of bioceramics in Endodontics. 

3) Evolution (clinical application, advantages and disadvantages, improvements, development of new materials). 

4) Bioceramic Sealers (clinical application, advantages and disadvantages, improvements, development of new materials).

5) Current scenario, future concerns and expectations.