“Treat the Cause, Not the Casualty”
A three-day Functional Dentistry symposium — Murrells Inlet, SC
Only 50 spots available — Early Bird pricing ends soon
Dentistry is evolving beyond the treatment of teeth alone. Today’s clinicians need to understand how airway health, occlusion, TMJ function, orthodontic development, and systemic health interact as a complex biologic system. This three-day symposium introduces dentists to the core principles of Functional Dentistry — and serves as the foundation of the DINKs Functional Dentistry Academy.
Explore the inflammatory and microbiologic pathways linking periodontal disease, oral inflammation, and systemic conditions.
Learn to identify and manage airway-related concerns and understand the critical relationship between airway health and systemic wellness.
Practical diagnostic strategies for temporomandibular dysfunction that every general dentist can implement in everyday practice.
How CBCT imaging, digital scanning, and aligner therapies support functional diagnosis and long-term restorative success.
All sessions are designed to count toward your continuing education requirements. Certificates of completion will be issued following the event. Your dental license number is required at registration for certificate issuance.
This is not just a CE course. It is three days of world-class functional dentistry education paired with a sunset welcome at the marina, live music, a fishing charter, and the beauty of Murrells Inlet right outside the door.
Four expert clinicians covering the full spectrum of Functional Dentistry — from airway and sleep to digital technology, restorative planning, and oral-systemic health.
Founder of the Carolina Center for Advanced Dentistry and Advanced Sleep & TMJ Centers in Conway/Myrtle Beach, SC. Board diplomate in dental sleep medicine (D-ABDSM, D-ASBA), Kois Center mentor, and past president of the SC Academy of General Dentistry. Presenting on airway dentistry, TMJ/TMD, and the role of the dental healthcare advocate.
Co-founder of Signature Family Dentistry in Holly Springs and Angier, NC. UNC Chapel Hill graduate, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, FICD, Kois Continuum graduate, and Immediate Past President of the NC Academy of General Dentistry. Specializes in rehabilitation, complex prosthodontics, laser dentistry, and sleep disorder treatment.
Founder of Fossil Creek Dental Partners in North Fort Worth, TX, with over two decades in restorative and aesthetic dentistry. Pioneer in CAD/CAM technology adoption and key opinion leader for dental manufacturers. National lecturer presenting on CBCT as a diagnostic key in functional care and long-term restorative strategies.
Founder of the Wellness Dentistry Network and owner of Integrative Oral Medicine in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Former Kois Center Advisory Board Chair and Clinical Instructor. Published in Dentistry Today and Inside Dentistry, Dr. Thompson is a leading voice on oral-systemic health and the pathways linking periodontal disease and systemic wellness.
A full agenda of clinical education, hands-on sessions, and destination experiences. The final schedule is subject to minor updates.
Start the week on the water. An optional fishing charter on the inlet is available for early arrivals. Details provided upon registration.
A welcome reception on the water to kick off the symposium. Sunset is approximately 5:20 PM — the perfect backdrop to start the weekend.
Dr. Mark Lawhon
Local dentist, owner of the marina, and longtime member of the DINKs community. Dr. Lawhon is graciously welcoming attendees to his venue for the opening reception on the water.
Dr. Doug Thompson — Understanding the relationship between oral inflammation, systemic disease, and dental practice protocols.
2 CE CreditsThe DINKs record a live episode with attendees in the room. An experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Dentists IN the Know — orientation, housekeeping, and an overview of the three-day program.
Dr. Jeff Horowitz — Exploring the expanding role of dentists in identifying systemic risk factors, airway dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders through a functional diagnostic perspective.
0.75 CE CreditsDr. Doug Thompson — The inflammatory and microbiologic pathways linking periodontal disease and systemic health.
1 CE CreditDr. Jeff Horowitz — The critical relationship between airway health and systemic wellness, and how dentists can identify and begin managing airway-related concerns in their patients.
1.5 CE CreditsLunch provided with an opportunity for networking with faculty, fellow attendees, and educational partners.
Dr. Chad Duplantis — How CBCT imaging helps evaluate airway structures, skeletal relationships, TMJ anatomy, and functional treatment planning.
1 CE CreditDr. Jennifer Bell — How digital scanning technologies support functional diagnosis, occlusal analysis, and restorative planning.
1 CE CreditDr. Jeff Horowitz — Understanding temporomandibular dysfunction and practical diagnostic strategies dentists can implement in everyday practice.
1 CE CreditDr. Horowitz, Dr. Bell, Dr. Duplantis, and Dr. Thompson take questions from attendees. Drinks and sponsor giveaways to close out Day 2’s formal programming.
The formal program concludes for the day. Dinner on your own from 5:00–8:00 PM. VIP Experience attendees: please make your way to the private faculty dinner from 5:30–7:30 PM (details provided upon registration).
Optional evening at the legendary Hot Fish Club in Murrells Inlet — live music, giveaways, and coastal dining. Open to all attendees.
Dr. Jennifer Bell — The latest in dental topic news, trends, events, and things that are relevant to the dental market.
Dr. Jennifer Bell & Dr. Jeff Horowitz — How aligner therapy supports restorative planning, occlusal stability, and functional outcomes.
1.5 CE CreditsDr. Jennifer Bell & Dr. Chad Duplantis — Treatment planning strategies that integrate restorative dentistry with functional principles for predictable, long-term outcomes.
1.5 CE CreditsParticipants rotate through three hands-on stations with faculty instruction: CBCT interpretation · Digital scanning · TMJ examination protocols.
1.5 CE CreditsCE certificate distribution, introduction to the DINKs Functional Dentistry Academy, and closing remarks from the DINKs team.
Golf outing, visit to Brookgreen Gardens, or local football event. Details and sign-up information provided at the event.
The Thursday evening welcome reception will be held at Marlin Quay Marina in Murrells Inlet — owned by DINKs community member Dr. Mark Lawhon. Educational sessions on Friday and Saturday will be held at a nearby venue. Full details and directions are provided to all registered attendees prior to the event.
All ticket types include full access to all three days, all sessions, meals as noted in the itinerary, and your CE certificate. Space is strictly limited to 50 total attendees. Includes Thursday evening welcome, full Friday and Saturday programs..
Select a ticket tier above, fill in your details below, and you will be directed securely to Stripe to complete your payment.
Up to 15 CE credits are available: 2 on Thursday evening, 8 on Friday, and 5 on Saturday. Official certificates of completion are distributed at the closing session on Saturday. Your dental license number is required at registration.
A full refund is available up to 30 days after the purchase of registration. If registration is canceled after 30 days, a credit will be applied to future courses. No refunds and no credits will be available if canceled within 30 days of the event.
Hotel is not included in the ticket price. We will provide a curated list of nearby hotels and available group rates in your confirmation email. Murrells Inlet and the Grand Strand area offer a wide range of options at every price point.
Your registration includes the Thursday sunset welcome reception at Marlin Quay Marina, breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday morning, the Friday happy hour, and all Saturday sessions including the hands-on rotations and closing lunch. The Friday evening Hot Fish Club event and Saturday optional activities are open to all attendees.
This symposium is the foundation of the DINKs Functional Dentistry Academy — a multi-level educational pathway for clinicians who want to go deeper. The Academy’s structure and next steps will be introduced during Saturday’s closing session.
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is approximately 20 minutes from Murrells Inlet. Complete venue addresses and driving directions will be sent to all registered attendees ahead of the event.
Everything you need to plan your trip to Murrells Inlet, SC.
The closest airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). From MYR, Murrells Inlet is approximately 20–25 minutes south via US-17. Rental cars, rideshare services, and taxis are readily available at the airport.
Hotel accommodations are not included in your registration. Additional information on recommended hotels and optimal group pricing will be provided at a future date. Check back here or watch your email for updates.
We are proud to partner with industry-leading organizations that share our commitment to advancing dental education.