TODS FEATURED SPEAKER
WISDOM BEYOND THE THIRD MOLAR: ESSENTIAL WISDOM FOR NAVIGATING SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS
Presenter: Dr. Chris Ward
Session Date: Friday October 23, 2026
Session Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Presenter Name: Dr. Chris Ward
Outline:
The goal of this lecture is to equip general practitioners with the clinical foresight to mitigate risks, the technical “tips and tricks” to manage surgical complications in real-time, and a clear framework for deciding when to confidently treat or expertly refer.
The Proactive Clinician: Pre-operative Risk Mitigation
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- The Crucial Role of Diagnosis: Moving beyond “just an extraction” to identify high-risk anatomy and potential mimics of simple pathology.
- Medical Complexity: Assessing the “Host Factor”—identifying patients at high risk for bleeding, infection, or MRONJ before the first incision.
- Imaging Essentials: Utilizing CBCT and traditional imaging to map the IAN, maxillary sinus, and root morphology to avoid intra-operative surprises.
Surgical Complications: Mastery of the “Hard Tissue”
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- Extraction Hurdles: Strategies for managing root fractures, tuberosity fractures, and oroantral communications (OAC).
- Implant Missteps: Navigating complications in implant dentistry.
- The “Pivot” Protocol: When to transition from a conservative approach to a surgical one (e.g., when to flap and trough bone).
Soft Tissue & Vascular Management: Bleeding and Infections
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- Hemostasis Strategies: Managing intra-operative and post-operative hemorrhage, from local measures (Gelfoam, sutures) to systemic considerations.
- Odontogenic Infections: Differentiating between localized “dry sockets” and spreading fascial space infections that require urgent intervention.
- Pharmacological Support: Rational antibiotic use and pain management protocols to optimize healing.
The Crisis Response: Medical Emergencies in the Dental Chair
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- The “Oh No” Moment: Recognizing and managing syncope, anaphylaxis, and cardiovascular events during surgical procedures.
The Gateway to Referral: Knowing Your Limits
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- When to Seek Surgical Intervention: Establishing clear criteria for when a case should be referred to a specialist to ensure patient safety and clinician peace of mind.
- Communication Mastery: How to discuss complications with patients to maintain trust and professional integrity.
About The Speaker
Dr. Christopher Ward is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has completed a fellowship in comprehensive temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery at the University of Michigan. During his fellowship, he focused on learning total TMJ joint replacement surgery, TMJ arthroscopy, and other minimally-invasive procedures. Dr. Ward received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Victoria, and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Manitoba College of Dentistry. He then completed an internship in oral and maxillofacial surgery and hospital dentistry at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Ward went on to complete his Oral and Maxillofacial residency at the University of Toronto, where he focused on orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, TMJ surgery, dental implants & bone grafting, as well as pathology & reconstruction.
Dr. Ward’s research interests are focused on biomaterials, stem cell therapies, and the combination of these two fields of study for tissue engineering and development of novel therapeutic modalities. He is particularly interested in the use of stem cells to treat TMJ disorders. In 2021, Dr. Ward’s research on the anti-inflammatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the peri-umbilical region of human placentas on TMJ inflammation won the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons resident research of the year award. Dr. Ward is a member of the Canadian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS) and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).
Co-Sponsor
Nobel Biocare | Dental implant solutions
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