The Northwest Dental Society (NWDS) includes the counties of Andrews, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway and Worth. NWDS is a local component of the tripartite association of the MDA and ADA, and meets at least annually for a business and CE meeting. Click for a component map.

September 11, 2026

CE, Lunch & Business Meeting

Registration Form 

8:30am Registration
9am–12pm and 1–4pm CE Program

12–1pm Lunch & Business Meeting 

Stoney Creek Hotel
1201 N Woodbine Rd
St. Joseph MO 64506

Need-to-Know Oral Pathology: A Practical Review for the Jack-Of-All-Teeth Practice (6 CEU)

Presented by Julia Price, DDS

Every clinician encounters oral lesions, but knowing which findings are routine, which require monitoring, and which demand urgent action can be challenging in a busy practice. This course provides a practical, case-based review of oral pathology designed to sharpen diagnostic skills and build confidence in everyday decision-making.

  • Some oral lesions look reassuring, until they aren’t. Others appear alarming but turn out to be completely benign. This course highlights the oral lesions that most commonly mimic one another and the diagnostic pitfalls that even experienced clinicians encounter.
  • Not every red, inflamed, or tender gingiva is “just gingivitis.” This course takes clinicians beyond the basics to explore the wide range of mucosal and systemic conditions that can present as gingival inflammation.
  • Through clear clinical photos, real biopsy cases, and step-by-step reasoning, attendees will learn pattern recognition strategies, biopsy indications, and when additional evaluation or referral is warranted. The goal: empower dental teams to spot early disease, avoid common pitfalls, and elevate the quality of routine oral examinations.
  • This course sheds light on the most common, most challenging, and most easily misdiagnosed radiolucencies encountered in general practice. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your radiographic interpretation skills or avoid common pitfalls, this session brings clarity to the shadows.
Dr. Julia Price is a board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist. She earned her DDS from UMKC in 2017, completed a GPR in Portland, Ore., and spent four years practicing general dentistry in Kansas City before pursuing oral pathology specialty training at Northwell Health in New York. Now living closer to family in Atlanta, she still proudly claims her Midwestern roots by cheering on the Chiefs, baking gooey butter cake cookies, and returning to the mountains to ski in the winter.
Image of Doctor Julia Price

Local Leadership

Trustee – Dr. Fallon Stiens 
President – Dr. Rachel Parker 

Have a question for your component leaders? Send an email!