Founded in January 2011 by Dr. Daron Praetzel, the Hot Springs Study Club is dedicated to advancing education and collaboration within the dental community. Under Dr. Praetzel’s leadership as founder and director, the club provides high-quality continuing education for local dentists, specialists, hygienists, and their teams.
Knowledge Shared is Knowledge Gained
Join Hot Springs Study Club from September through April for a dynamic year of learning, connection, and professional growth. Our program blends clinical education for doctors and hygienists with leadership-focused programming and opportunities to learn from respected speakers—and from one another.
The season culminates with the Texas Regional Symposium, a two-day educational experience at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, bringing together exceptional dentistry, leadership, collaboration, and connection.
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Kick off the year with an interactive dinner designed around the real challenges facing today’s dental practices. Attendees will bring a clinical, team, staffing, associate, leadership, marketing, or practice-management challenge to the table and work through it with a small group of peers. Through guided discussion, differing perspectives, and collaborative problem-solving, each participant will have the opportunity to examine their challenge from multiple angles and leave with practical ideas and a clear action plan they can take back to the practice.
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At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
Evaluate clinical and practice challenges from multiple perspectives to identify contributing factors, possible solutions, and appropriate next steps.
Develop a practical action plan for addressing a current clinical, operational, team, or practice-management challenge.
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Dr. Daron Praetzel is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Gannon University. He attained his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Praetzel served for thirteen years as an active duty surgeon with the U.S. Air Force. He has received several military honors and deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Facial Trauma Surgeon. He currently holds the rank of Colonel while maintaining his active enrollment in the U.S. Air Force IMA Reserves. Dr. Praetzel holds double board certifications from both the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABOMS) and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgeons (ABFCS).
Dr. Praetzel is the founder of the Faces Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides facial surgery to correct cosmetic and functional deformities for patients who otherwise would not be able to have surgery. Dr. Praetzel is the founder and director of the Hot Springs Study Club, providing continuing education courses for local dentists, dental specialist, hygienists and their staff. Dr. Praetzel is on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgeons (ABFCS) and the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Dental Practice (AADP). He is also a proud Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Arkansas State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons(ASSOMS), Arkansas State Dental Association (ASDA), and the Garland County Dental Society.
Dr. Praetzel is the owner and developer of the Arkansas Center for Surgical Excellence (ACSE), a multi-specialty outpatient JCAHO accredited surgery center. ACSE is where Dr. Praetzel performs his facial cosmetic surgeries.
Dr. Praetzel is an international public speaker. He presents to large groups and organizations on facial surgery, team building, personal/life and military experiences. Dr. Praetzel has been asked to be a guest author on several publications. He serves as an expert surgical witness on medical legal/malpractice cases around the country.
Dr. Praetzel lives in Hot Springs, AR and is actively involved in the community and the development of Hot Springs’ future. He is an active athletic member of Spa City Crossfit, completed several marathons and triathlons, and the Music Director of Acapella Rising. Dr. Praetzel also enjoys maintaining his cow and horse farm, sport activities, and any event involving one of his three children.
Dr. Praetzel is honored to be able to share and provide his surgical experience with the Hot Springs and surrounding communities.
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Lecture, up to 3 hours
149 MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TOPICS
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Dentists play a pivotal role in shaping the response to the opioid crisis. This essential program equips dental professionals with the knowledge, strategies, and communication tools to prescribe responsibly, educate patients, and implement effective practice policies that reduce risk and promote safer pain management. Through a blend of real-world data, evidence-based guidelines, and practical approaches, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the opioid epidemic and the unique responsibility of dental practices in addressing it. Walk away with the confidence to make informed prescribing decisions, educate your patients on risks and safe practices, and implement systems within your office to help prevent misuse.
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Upon completion of this session, attendees should be able to:
Identify the role dental professionals play in the opioid crisis by understanding current trends, risks, and evidence-based prescribing practices.
Apply practical strategies within the dental practice to promote safe prescribing, educate patients on opioid risks, and implement policies that help prevent misuse.
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Dr. Sharma and his family are proud to be a part of the South Charlotte community and call Ballantyne home since 2004. He is a graduate of the University of Florida for both his undergraduate degree as well as his dental school education. Dr. Sharma completed his surgical training at the Washington Hospital Center and Children’s Medical Center in Washington DC.
Dr. Sharma is a board certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and a diplomat of the Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is a member of the Charlotte Dental Society, the North Carolina Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery since 1997.
He is the director of the Outer Loop Education Study Club, an affiliate of the Seattle Study Club, which actively provides national, regional, and local continuing education to the dental community of Charlotte. He is on staff at Atrium and Novant hospital systems he has been selected by his peers as a top oral surgeon (Dentist) and has been awarded Charlotte’s Best Oral Surgeon by the Charlotte Observer.
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Lecture, Up to 3 hours
Opioids, controlled substances, and pain management Subject code: 346
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The days are long, but the years are short. This quote embodies manyof our challenges–the hullaballoo of the daily grind combined withlooking back and asking where all the time went. How can we lookback with no regrets? Let's face it, we get little training in dentalschool or other venues for the challenges of being a business owner,leader, parent or friend, even though they are the most stressful partsof our days and lives. This presentation will focus on how contentedpeople think and behave so they can prioritize their time to bringthemselves and others joy and a sense of purpose. These people arethe ones who look back on their life and say they have no regrets
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UPON COMPLETION OF THIS SESSION, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Describe the key components of happiness.
Describe the attributes of people who live highly meaningfuland impactful lives.
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Sreenivas “Sree” Koka was born in the United Kingdom to Indian immigrants, and grew up with two nationalities, two religions (Anglican and Hindu), two languages, and two cultures. At the age of 19, he emigrated to the United States and began his university education.
A lifelong learner, Sree has earned five graduate level degrees including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, a Master in Applied Sciences (MAS) from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Sciences from the University of Nebraska. In addition, Sree received a Master’s degree and doctoral degree from the University of Michigan.
Sree has had an active leadership career in private practice including as business owner; in hospital practice including serving as Department Chair at Mayo Clinic; as Executive Director of a non-profit organization; in academics including serving as Dean at the University of Mississippi Medical Center; by leading professional national and international organizations; and through professional service as Chair of the MIT Sloan School of Management Alumni Board. During his career he has been chosen as the outstanding teacher of the year many times by professional/graduate students.
Sree has lectured extensively nationally and internationally (six continents) and has given a TEDx presentation. He is the founder of the Shaping the Future (SHIFT) leadership workshop series specifically designed to teach the human side of leadership to early-career and mid-career professionals. He presents on a variety of leadership topics, focusing on the human side of building great teams, and is a sought-after speaker for audiences across many industries.
Through The Sweet Spot Leader program, Sree seeks to pass along his experience and wisdom to those who, like him, are dedicated to leading transformational change to make our world a better place for everyone.
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Lecture, up to 3 hours
Self-Improvement AGD Subject code:770; and Practice Management and Human Relations; AGD Subject code: 550
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Dr. Richard Schwartz graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1977. He spent 19 years as a restorative dentist before pursuing post-graduate training in endodontics. Early in his career, Dr. Schwartz completed a two-year general dentistry residency while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Following that, he balanced private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic training in 1996.
Dr. Schwartz has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and has been a cover author for three editions of “Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry” by Quintessence Publishing Co. He is also the first author of “Best Practices in Endodontics” and a cover author of “Advanced Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Endodontics.” His expertise has taken him around the globe, having lectured extensively across the U.S. and in 21 other countries.
In addition to his clinical and academic contributions, Dr. Schwartz has lectured 13 times at the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) national meeting. He was a founding member of the International Association of Endodontics (IAE) and served as its first secretary/treasurer. Dr. Schwartz is also a member of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the International Association of Dental Specialists (iADS), where he sits on the board. Dr. Schwartz and his wife Jeannette are shown with their grandchildren.
TX Top Docs Approves Dr. Richard S. Schwartz of Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio For 2026
Dr. Richard S. Schwartz has been reviewed and approved by TX Top Docs for 2026. For Dr. Schwartz, excellence in dentistry has always been driven by curiosity, lifelong learning, and a commitment to helping patients receive the highest level of care. With decades of experience spanning restorative dentistry, endodontics, education, and research, Dr. Schwartz has built a distinguished career grounded in both clinical expertise and innovation.
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Lecture, Up to 3 hours
Endodontics; AGD Subject code: 070
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Dr Vargas received his DDS from Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru in 1985. He attended a 2-year AEGD program with emphasis on restorative dentistry at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York. He received a certificate in operative dentistry and master of science degree from the University of Iowa in 1994. Currently, Dr Vargas is a professor in the Department of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa. He teaches undergraduate and graduate students and has published extensively in the areas of dental materials, adhesion, resin composites, and ceramics. He participates extensively in continuing education, nationally and internationally with many hands-on seminars with resin composites. Dr Vargas maintains a private practice limited to restorative dentistry with emphasis in esthetic dentistry.
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Lecture, up to 6 hours
Operative (Restorative) Dentistry; AGD Subject code: 250
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Dr. Bryan Harris is a Certified Prosthodontist with additional training to treat the most difficult and complex dental conditions. Patients are often referred from other dentists who recognize his unique ability to intervene in situations currently impacting people’s quality of life.
He has intentionally invested in technology and an onsite lab recognizing the benefit to patients of this per his early career experience as a Lab Technician. Since then He continued his education in dentistry at the University of Louisville with his DMD certificate in 2004 and the University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2007 with his Advanced Certificate in Prosthodontics.
Dr. Harris is a national lecturer on the topics of dental implants and restorative dentistry. Before becoming the owner of our practice in 2018, he ran the Dental Implant Clinic at the University of Louisville from 2007 to 2017.
Outside the office, Dr. Harris values time with his wife and sons, involvement at Southeast Christian Church, serving on the board of the Mpower Approach Ministries organization, mountain biking and being a “die-hard” Cincinnati Bengals fan!
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Lecture, up to 3 hours
Fixed Prosthodontics; AGD Subject code: 610
Meet the Hot Springs Study Club Team
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Dr Daron C. Praetzel DMD, FAACS, Col, USAFR
STUDY CLUB DIRECTOR / FOUNDER
Dr. Daron Praetzel, founder and director of the Hot Springs Study Club, is a double board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and seasoned international speaker. With a passion for education and community, he brings world-class continuing education to local dentists, specialists, hygienists, and their teams—advancing clinical excellence while strengthening the dental community in Hot Springs and beyond.
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Dr. Aaron Baldwin, DMD, MD
STUDY CLUB CONSULTANT
Dr. Aaron Baldwin, a dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon and Hot Springs native, brings both clinical expertise and leadership to study club. As president of the Arkansas State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a national delegate to AAOMS, he helps connect local clinicians with the latest standards, education, and advocacy in dentistry.
QUESTIONS?
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