DEKA Dental Academy
Partnering with Leading Educators
We are proud and honored to be partnering with leading educators in the dental industry with pricing, support, and education. If you are interested in pursuing continuing education, please inquire.
The DEKA Academy Empowers Your Practice
Purchasing new technology is an exciting time for a practice. With each new advancement in technology, a practice can offer more effective, faster, and safer treatments. It is an opportunity for a practice to have a significant impact on both patient care and the clinical workflow.
One of the biggest roadblocks to implementing technology is lack of training and ongoing support. The unfortunate reality is that after the initial training on new technologies, a significant number of offices are left to their own devices to implement and continue to learn with very little outside help – leading to frustration among team members.
The DEKA Academy wants your technology to become a centerpiece in your practice. As part of our DEKA family, you have exclusive access and preferred registration for all courses. And although the DEKA Academy was created to specifically support DEKA users in advancing their clinical skills and further the integration of the various technologies into their practices, all laser users are welcome.
DEKA Dental Academy Courses:
CO2 Facial Aesthetics
The course will include a range of topics including patient selection, pre-procedure and post-procedure instructions, patient post-care protocols, complication management, proper use and settings of the laser, and live patient observation.
WHEN: All dates are on Saturday
› CLOSED February 28
› CLOSED May 9
› September 12
› November 7
8 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION
701 E. Commercial Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
The course will be taught by Dr. Todd Sawisch, who has been using the DEKA CO2 Laser for facial resurfacing since 2004. Dr. Sawisch is a board certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and the founder and surgical director of South Florida Oral & Facial Surgery, Dental Implant Center. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology, Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and is licensed and trained to perform all levels of anesthesia.
Nd:YAG Basics of HILT / Facial Pain
This course has been created to help clinicians elevate the level of care provided for their sleep and TMD patients. It will review why High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) with the DEKA Nd:YAG laser not only improves healing and recovery, but also significantly enhances repair and regeneration of compromised structures, including cartilage and bone.
WHEN: All dates are on Saturday.
› March 21
› June 27
9 AM – 4 PM
7 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
5005 Rockside Rd, Ste 1225
Independence, OH 44131
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Kristina Wolf received her Bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace University, and then attended Case Western Reserve University and graduated with both an M.S. in Applied Anatomy and a D.M.D from the School of Dental Medicine. She began her career as a general dentist with her own private practice in Pennsylvania. In 2018 she moved back to Cleveland where she could continue her passion of educating, being an adjunct professor at Case Western School of Dental Medicine.
Since her return, she has dedicated her practice exclusively to the treatment of craniofacial pain and sleep related breathing disorders at the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Cleveland.
Dr. Wolf is now a sought-after lecturer, bringing her wealth of knowledge to both medical and dental professionals. In 2022 she began working with TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre International and Dr. Steven Olmos to deliver the Sleep Related Breathing Disorders and Craniofacial Pain Mini Residency Program and the Motor Nerve Reflex Testing Program.
She is a diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and is passionate to continue advancing the fields of pain and sleep.
Nd:YAG Basics Perio & Hygiene
This program provides an overview of the most popular Nd:YAG soft tissue management procedures and the world’s foremost laser technology from DEKA Laser Technologies, Inc. The course includes lectures on clinical procedures, a comprehensive overview and basic understanding of laser physics, laser tissue interactions, and safety. There will be hands-on learning exercises on pig jaws enabling participants to practice the techniques and procedures discussed.
WHEN:
› April 25
› August 15
› October 17
8 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
5290 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80122
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Matthew Wimmer studied biomedical engineering at Marquette University prior to attending dental school at Tufts University. He makes maximum usage of technology utilizing CBCT, Microscopes, Lasers, and a full production digital dental laboratory with milling and 3D printing. He has extensive experience with diode, CO2 hard and soft tissue lasers, as well as Nd:YAG applications particularly for treating periodontal diseases and biostimulation. Dr. Wimmer maintains a private practice in Centennial, Colorado.
CO2 Comprehensive In-Office Training
WHEN: This comprehensive in-office training will be scheduled directly for each office.
Nd:YAG Comprehensive In-Office Training
WHEN: This comprehensive in-office training will be scheduled directly for each office.
DEKA Dental Academy ELITE Courses:
CO2 Live Surgery (Level II)
This course is designed to instill a deeper understanding of the proper use of the DEKA CO2 family of lasers in a wide range of clinical applications. This course is primary focused on live patient observation and will include extensive discussion of all performed procedures with respect to technique and settings.
WHEN: All dates are on Friday.
› October 2 (CLOSED)
8 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
Aurora Hills Dental
400 S Potomac Way
Aurora, CO 80012
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. John K. Zalesky, DMD, MBS, FICOI, FAGD received his Master’s of Biomedical Science from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Biomedical Sciences. He was awarded his DMD degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and completed a General Practice Residency at Denver Health Medical Center. Dr. Zalesky went on to complete a second year, advanced training program, as Chief Resident at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine General Practice Residency, concentrating on Implants and Complex Prosthodontic cases. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Zalesky has been published in several respected dental journals. He currently serves as the President of the Colorado AGD, has consistently been listed as one of Colorado’s Top Dentists by 5280 magazine and was named 2023 Top 40 Under 40 by Incisal Edge Magazine.
CO2 QuietNite Laser Therapy
NOTE: This course can be taken independently, but is part of a two-day event. We encourage you to also take the corresponding Saturday Nd:YAG course to maximize your education weekend.
CO2 laser therapy for soft tissue surgical and non-surgical therapy along with oropharyngeal fractional ablation for the improvement of the airway.
Lasers have proven to improve the outcomes in many aspects of oral health. The advancement of different delivery methods of laser energy have made outcomes more affective and efficient.
Fractional CO2 ablation of the soft palate and oropharyngeal walls has changed the way we manage and reduce snoring. Treatments with QuietNite therapy have shown to not only decrease snoring, but also improve the nasal/oropharyngeal connection and allow a significant improvement in airflow. The immediate change via neo-collagenesis of the oropharyngeal wall reduces resistance and improves airflow with long lasting improvements.
CO2 laser energy is extremely versatile in the treatment of soft issue therapy ranging from biopsies, surgical excisions, frenectomies and tongue tie release procedures. Most anything soft tissue can have an improved outcome when utilizing CO2 laser techniques.
WHEN: All dates are on Fridays.
› August 21 (CLOSED)
› December 4
8 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
721 W. Glendale Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85021
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
A third generation dentist in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Mike Smith graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and pursued extensive post graduate education in dental rehabilitation in the field of occlusion, full mouth rehabilitation, implants, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea and conscious sedation. His private practice in Phoenix is dedicated to aesthetic, contemporary restorative, TMJ disorders and cosmetic rehabilitation. Dr. Smith instructs other dentists nationally and internationally as a lecturer and mentor for companies involved in advanced dental treatment and diagnosis in TMD, full mouth reconstruction, and implants. He is actively involved in numerous organizations and associations dedicated to the pursuit of providing doctors and patients with extraordinary advanced dental care. Dr. Smith is co-founder and past Director of the Arizona Community Dental Clinic in downtown Phoenix. He is one of the co-founders of Clinical Mastery Education Series and is currently developing the research and advanced studies department. Dr. Smith is also, the founder of Biting Education, PLC.
Nd:YAG HILT / TMD & Implant Care (Level II)
NOTE: This course can be taken independently, but is part of a two-day event. We encourage you to also take the corresponding Friday CO2 QuietNite course to maximize your education weekend.
Reducing Orofacial Pain and Improving Joint Health Using DEKA HILT
HILT laser therapy for regeneration and pain management
Lasers have proven to improve the outcomes in many aspects of oral health. The advancement of different delivery methods of laser energy have made outcomes more affective and efficient. The DEKA SmartPerio HILT laser is leading the charge in improving treatment outcomes in orofacial pain.
The optimization of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) with its biophysical effects, including photomechanical cellular stimulation, is an essential mechanism in tissue regeneration. This type of mechanical biostimulation is crucial in the management of cranial facial pain and includes promotion of hard and soft tissue regeneration. This level of biophysical effect on tissue can only be performed with a HILT laser and promotes cellular differentiation and proliferation for bone and cartilage regeneration.
The utilization of DEKA’s HILT laser not only provides pain relief, it also improves bone remodeling and accelerates soft tissue healing and regeneration. Understanding what is happening in chronic and acute tissue conditions allows a clinician to better understand how to choose settings to provide a wide range of therapeutic benefits, it also aids in knowing when to modify treatment parameters.
WHEN: All dates are Saturdays.
› August 22
› December 5
8 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
721 W. Glendale Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85021
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
A third generation dentist in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Michael Smith graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and pursued extensive post graduate education in dental rehabilitation in the field of occlusion, full mouth rehabilitation, implants, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea and conscious sedation. His private practice in Phoenix is dedicated to aesthetic, contemporary restorative, TMJ disorders and cosmetic rehabilitation. Dr. Smith instructs other dentists nationally and internationally as a lecturer and mentor for companies involved in advanced dental treatment and diagnosis in TMD, full mouth reconstruction, and implants. He is actively involved in numerous organizations and associations dedicated to the pursuit of providing doctors and patients with extraordinary advanced dental care. Dr. Smith is co-founder and past Director of the Arizona Community Dental Clinic in downtown Phoenix. He is one of the co-founders of Clinical Mastery Education Series and is currently developing the research and advanced studies department. Dr. Smith is also the founder of Biting Education, PLC.
CO2 Tongue Tie (Infants and Adults)
NOTE: This is a two-day course.
Dr. Jo describes this program as a comprehensive “crash course” on diagnosing, managing, and treating tethered oral tissues (TOT) in patients ranging from infants to adults. This practical, clinically focused course covers the full spectrum of signs and symptoms associated with TOT and provides a clear framework for accurate diagnosis of lip, buccal, and tongue ties—along with guidance on when surgical intervention is indicated and appropriate.
Participants will learn key anatomical landmarks to ensure safe, effective, and comfortable surgical procedures. The course includes a detailed walkthrough of performing releases with the DEKA laser, as well as an overview of the tools, equipment, and practice preparations needed to successfully integrate these services.
Dr. Jo will also review potential intraoperative and postoperative complications, proper wound care, and the expected healing timeline following a release.
A core philosophy woven throughout the course is Dr. Jo’s belief that optimal outcomes require understanding and evaluating the entire body system—not just the oral structures. She emphasizes the importance of appropriate pre-release bodywork and highlights the multidisciplinary care model used in her airway-focused practice, which includes chiropractors, a primitive reflex specialist, myofunctional therapists, a physical therapist, and a health coach to support whole-body readiness and healing.
WHEN: All dates are Friday-Saturday.
› April 10-11, 2026
› August 28-29, 2026
9 AM – 4 PM
14 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
9135 Ridgeline Blvd, Ate #100
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Kacy Jo-Williams grew up in South Korea, where Eastern medicine played a central role in her upbringing. After moving to the United States, she was introduced to Western medicine and later earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
After practicing general dentistry for five years, Dr. Jo discovered airway dentistry—a turning point that reshaped the direction of her career. As she treated more patients with tethered oral tissues (TOT), she recognized the need to integrate Eastern medicine into her clinical philosophy. This integrative approach led to noticeable improvements in post-release healing and overall patient function.
Dr. Jo’s passion deepened when she became a mother and faced her own breastfeeding challenges related to TOT. Her personal experience transformed her protocol for addressing infant tongue-ties and ignited her mission to educate families and providers on optimal, holistic care.
Dr. Jo now lives in sunny Colorado with her husband and two young children, and she enjoys spending her free time exploring the outdoors with her family.
CO2 Implant Surgery and Peri-Implantitis / Vestibuloplasty Course
Many laser courses focus on using lasers as an alternative to surgical procedures. In this course, the focus will be on using the CO2 laser as a precise and versatile surgical tool in periodontics, oral surgery and for peri-implantitis treatment. Combining biologics with laser surgery open the door to minimally invasive regeneration protocols around teeth and implants. Clinical cases will show long-term outcomes. The hands-on portion using DEKA CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers will demonstrate various laser applications in periodontics and peri-implantitis treatment.
Course Objectives:
1. To demonstrate laser surgical applications in periodontal surgery, implant surgery and periodontal plastic surgery.
2. CO2 laser applications in oral medicine, oral surgery and as part of a protocol to treat peri-implantitis will be shown.
3. Attendees will be shown how biologics in conjunction with laser surgery can result in tissue regeneration around teeth and implants.
WHEN: All dates are Saturdays.
› (CLOSED) April 11, 2026
› September 19, 2026
9 AM – 4 PM
7 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
313 Park Avenue, Suite 103
Falls Church, VA 22046
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Mehrdad Favagehi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow with the Academy of Osseointegration. Dr. Favagehi received his DDS from the Medical College of Virginia of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he has been a clinical professor since 1998. He received his Periodontics training and a Master in Oral Biology from the Ohio State University. In 2011, Dr. Favagehi received a Teaching and Mentorship award from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
Dr. Favagehi has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Periodontology and has served in the Research Submissions Committee of AAP, and Academy of Osseointegration (AO), where he also served as the Research Committee Chairman. Dr. Favagehi is the 2025 President of the Osseointegration Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of the Academy of Osseointegration Newsletter since 2020.
CO2 Hygiene
This course will discuss in detail how lasers enhance the anti-infective model, understanding the host-immune response, biological testing methods, laser safety and comfort control, treatment planning and documentation, insurance coding and scheduling, case presentation to increase case acceptance, and marketing and implementation. This course will include a hands-on laser training activity.
WHEN: All dates are Saturday
› April 18, 2026 in Mansfield, TX
› April 25, 2026 in White House, TN
› July 11, 2026 in Denver, CO
› October 17, 2026 in Denver, CO
9 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
APRIL 18 LOCATION IN MANSFIELD:
Central Park Dental & Orthodontics
1101 Alexis Ct., Mansfield, TX 76063
APRIL 25 LOCATION IN WHITE HOUSE, TN:
The Smile Center
2899 Highway 31 W South, White House, TN 37188
JULY & OCTOBER LOCATION IN DENVER:
The Vivos Institue
7001 Tower Rd., Denver, CO 80249
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Gwen Smukowski is the Founder of Continuity Consulting, an educator and coach, a national speaker, as well as clinical hygienist in private practice. Gwen maintains her focus on the development and expansion toward excellence in periodontal care and aesthetic/restorative team support. This focus on excellence has taken her worldwide as an instructor and speaker on the subjects of laser-assisted periodontal health, practice management, leadership development, operational excellence, integrated marketing and team-based comprehensive dentistry.
Gwen brings this broad prospective of clinical, managerial and academic experiences to her work. As a consultant and coach, her focus is to inspire and empower dental teams with current research, technology, and the systems necessary to reach new levels of growth and success for their practice.
Nd:YAG Perio Surgery & Peri-implantitis (Level II)
The course is designed to instruct the clinical use and protocols for use of the DEKA SmartPerio Nd:YAG laser for DEKA PRT (Periodontal Regenerative Therapy), a deeper understanding of Periodontal disease, and additional applications for treating Peri-Implantitis. Course will include both didactic and live patient demonstration.
WHEN: All dates are Saturdays
› May 2, 2026
› September 26, 2026
9 AM – 4 PM
7 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
1500 East Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 101
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Avi Schetritt is a board certified Periodontist. Dr. Avi is Chairperson of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) Table Clinic and Poster Presentations, and also a senior reviewer on the editorial board of Implant Dentistry, the official journal of the ICOI. He is a devoted educator, and lectures nationally and internationally on soft tissue procedures, bone regeneration, and implants. He has also authored several articles and textbook chapters on these topics. Memberships include Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI), American Academy of Periodontology, Canadian Academy of Periodontology, and Florida Association of Periodontists.
Advanced Tongue Tie Infant Focused
• Start and treat lip and tongue tie patients
• Prevent complications
• Plan post-operative care
• Handle insurance
• Consider posture and neurodevelopmental influences with lip and tongue tie release
• Understand pacifiers and oral habits: function and dysfunction
WHEN:
› November 13-14, 2026
Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 8 AM – 1 PM
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
4921 E 26th, Unit 1, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
NOTE: If you live within a 100 mile radius of Sioux Falls, SD, you are not eligible to take this course, due to competition with Dr. Kusek.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Edward Kusek: Mastership in Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) and Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), Diplomate in American Board of Oral Implantology (ABOI), Fellow American Academy of Implant Dentistry (FAAID), Adjunct professor at University of Nebraska Medical College of Dentistry and University of South Dakota Dental Hygiene, Immediate Past president of AAID and Past President of ALD, Author of Numerous Pier reviewed Dental Journals, Lifelong Service Reward in 2012, 2017, 2022 and 2024 from AGD.
CO2 Advanced Surgical and Suture Tongue Tie (Level III)
This advanced course will instruct clinicians how to recognize airway problems through facial recognition, discuss the implications of nose vs. mouth breathing, how to perform a two minute airway assessment (hands on), discuss the five treatments of airway and breathing, and tongue tie identification & treatment. This course will include live patient surgical observation.
WHEN: All dates are Saturdays.
› 2026 Dates Coming Soon
8 AM – 4 PM
8 CE Credits
Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION:
1067 S Wells Street, Meridian, ID 83642
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Lon McRae graduated from Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry in 1996. He has since built a successful practice in Meridian, Idaho, receiving recognition as the best dental practice in the Treasure Valley. He is a respected lifetime qualified member of the elite Crown Council Dental Association, American Dental Association, International Academy of Dental Implants (IADI), International Academy of Oral Medicine of Toxicology (IAOMT), and International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI).
Dr. McRae has been a clinical mentor for cosmetic dentistry with the Hornbrook Clinical Education Group since 2005. He has taught aesthetic dentistry both nationally and internationally. Dr. McRae has had his work published in many publications including The Journal of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is the past president of the International Academy of Dental Implantology (IADI), a diplomate of the IADI, and a fellow of the ICOI. He is the clinical director of implants for Utah Valley Dental Lab aswell as the developer.
DEKA Italy Trip
Join us for an upcoming DEKA Italy Trip and enjoy a wonderful experience in Florence, Italy and surrounding areas!
This exclusive and invitation-only experience combines a special look inside the incredible company of DEKA & El.En. Spending a week exploring Florence, we share all the best things that Italy and our special DEKA community has to offer — including exclusive education, incredible meals, and a curated experience that you will remember for years to come.
2026 Italy Trip Dates
April 20-25, 2026
October 5-10, 2026
CLOSED – October 12-17, 2026 Sold Out
LEARN MORE
DEKA Dental Academy
ELITE PROGRAM
- Advanced Training
- Cutting Edge Scientific Content
- Access to a Community of Specialists
Elite
DEKA Dental Academy ELITE is an evolution of DEKA Dental Academy, enriched with highly specialized content and community membership. This exclusive subscription offers advanced training, cutting-edge scientific content, and access to a community of specialists for discussing clinical cases.
What DEKA Dental Academy Elite Offers
- Comprehensive Training: Full access to +10 different topics for advanced training, repeated multiple times throughout the year, providing over 40 opportunities.
- CE Credits: All courses offer CE credits, essential for maintaining your professional license.
- Exclusive Content Access: Unlimited access to a vast library of educational materials, including videos, scientific articles, and clinical cases.
- Professional Community Engagement: Join an exclusive community of professionals, share your clinical successes, and network with peers and key opinion leaders (KOLs).
Are You Facing These Challenges?
- Maintaining an Active License: Need CE credits. DEKA Dental Academy Elite offers these at an advantageous price for members.
- Stand Out: Need to offer specialized and minimally invasive surgeries and therapies.
- Consult Experts: Want to consult with expert colleagues in laser surgery and therapy.
- Expand Practice: You aim to expand your practice into new areas such as sleep, biostimulation and regenerative therapies but feel you lack the right knowledge.
- Stay Updated: Want to stay updated on the latest advancements in laser technology.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Dental Clinic. The DEKA Academy wants your technology to become a centerpiece in your practice.
PRICING & BENEFITS
Elite DAILY PRICE BREAKDOWN
For a 3-operator office:
$5.50/day per operator
For a 2-operator ofice:
$8.20/day per operator
Included Benefits:
- Full access to +10 different topics for advanced training, repeated multiple times throughout the year, providing over 40 opportunities.
- Exclusive access to a dedicated section of the website with scientific articles, videos, and clinical cases.
- Membership in a network of dental specialists in laser surgery and therapy
BENEFITS OF JOINING
Provides CE Credits
Doctors who participate in DEKA Academy Plus courses earn CE credits.
Improved Skills and Knowledge
Enhance your expertise and confidence in using the laser.
Expanded Therapeutic Options
Broaden your clinical capabilities and offer advanced treatments.
Increased Profitability and Productivity
Implement new procedures to boost your clinic’s profitability and efficiency.
Access to a Community of Experts
Gain continuous support and networking opportunities with laser dentistry specialists.
WITHOUT DEKA DENTAL ACADEMY ELITE
Falling Behind
Risk of not staying current with advancements in laser dentistry.
Missed Opportunities
Lack of access to exclusive training and content.
Isolation
Missing out on networking opportunities and peer support.
Financial Loss
Dentists are forced to enroll in multiple expensive courses to maintain an active license and obtain CE credits.
HOW TO JOIN
1) SUBSCRIBE
Use the form below to sign up.
2) ACCESS TRAINING
Participate in hands-on courses and access our extensive library of educational materials.
3) ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY
Network with peers and share your clinical successes.
Join DEKA dental academy Elite TODAY!
Subscribe to elevate your clinic’s capabilities.
Call to get started:
(831) 324-6044
JOIN NOW.
DEKA Dental Lasers
400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 2600
Tampa FL 33602
(813) 324-6044
info@dekadentallasers.com
DECADES OF INNOVATION
DEKA has been innovating laser systems for more than 30 years, and is committed to our founder's vision of improving the work of doctors and the well-being of their patients.