ADEA eLearn
ADEA Corporate Feature Webinar: Dental technology isn't scary—lessons learned from a four-year journey
Recorded On: 05/20/2026
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This session does not offer continuing education (CE) credit.
While dental education acknowledges the importance of integrating dental technology, staying relevant in the changing world of dental education and recruiting the best students, alignment on the best way to integrate dental technology into the curriculum to prepare future dental health professionals continues to be challenging. This webinar will share lessons learned from a four-year journey to integrate dental technology, from D1 to D4 at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. During this webinar, we will discuss the good, bad and ugly of curriculum innovation. Participants will learn three key elements for dental institutions to succeed in making dental technology accessible in their learning environment.
Note: This event does not offer continuing education (CE) credit.
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate the benefits of exposing first-year dental students to dental technology.
- Explain three key aspects of integrating dental technology for successful implementation.
- Create a checklist of criteria to determine the appropriate dental technology for your institution’s learning environment.
Original Release Date: May 20, 2026
Expiration Date: May 20, 2029
Questions? Contact learn@adea.org
Teaching Method: Lecture
Disclaimer
The purpose of this program is to educate and inform. Information provided in this program is not a substitute for professional care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests at this presentation express their own experience, opinions and conclusions, which do not necessarily reflect those of their employer or any organization or group with whom they may be affiliated. Expressed viewpoints and opinions by speaker(s), presenter(s), guest(s) and/or facilitator(s) are also not those of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), ADEA staff or the ADEA Board of Directors. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an endorsement by ADEA.
Alexandra Rodriguez, D.D.S., M.S. (Moderator)
Clinical Associate Professor
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
Alexandra Rodriguez, D.D.S., M.S., is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and serves as Director of Digital Dentistry for the Predoctoral Program. She has been actively engaged in CAD/CAM dentistry since 2010 when she did a Masters in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Michigan.
Over the past 10 years, Dr. Rodriguez has focused on the integration of CAD/CAM technologies into dental education—a rapidly evolving field that continues to inspire lifelong learning and innovation.
Dr. Rodriguez currently serves as Chair-Elect of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) CAD/CAM Special Interest Group (SIG), reflecting her commitment to leadership and collaboration in digital dental education.
Stephen Sterlitz, D.D.S., M.S.
Restorative Division Chief
University of Kentucky College of Dentistry
Dr. Stephen Sterlitz is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and a retired U.S. Navy Commander with a career focused on advancing dental education and technology. He has extensive experience in CAD/CAM dentistry, helping integrate digital workflows into both clinical practice and academic curricula. During his Navy service, he led major technology initiatives, deploying over $15 million in dental technology equipment to modernize care for thousands of providers and patients worldwide. Passionate about biomimetics, adhesive dentistry and clinically relevant materials, he continues to push for curriculum innovation to better prepare dentists for modern practice.
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