PerioDash Multi-Program Spotlight: L.A. Team

Drs. Flavia Pirih & Beatriz Bezerra of UCLA organizing a city-wide periodash including UCLA, West L.A. VA and USC

What first inspired your program to take part in PerioDash?
We saw PerioDash as an opportunity to bring our residents, faculty, and friends together while supporting the AAP Foundation. It combines wellness, fun, and advocacy in a way that really resonates with our program. We have been doing it since its inception and has grown significantly over the years

What will your 2025 event in Santa Monica look like?
We’re planning the “L.A. Team” PerioDash 5K for Sunday, November 2, at Palisades Park in Santa Monica. Registration will include a t-shirt, medal, and breakfast. We’re also adding a raffle and prizes for the top finishers to make the day even more engaging.

How has the L.A. Team grown its presence year after year?
We invite everyone—faculty, residents, dental students, alumni, family, and friends—and make it a tradition that people look forward to each fall. Each year builds on the last, and the energy continues to grow.

What strategies have helped make you one of the largest teams and top fundraisers?
Keeping the event fun and welcoming is key. We encourage wide participation, highlight the AAP Foundation’s mission, and make sure people feel proud to be part of the effort. That combination has helped us grow both participation and support. Some of the things we do are: we sponsor part of the registration of dental students and residents, faculty help us with donating items for our raffle (at the end most people end up winning something), we have prizes for the fastest runners, amongst other things.

How do residents and students contribute to the team’s energy and success?
Residents and students bring enthusiasm and help rally their classmates and friends. Their involvement adds momentum and ensures strong student turnout, which energizes the whole group. The Periodontal Study Club is instrumental in engaging the dental students.

What impact has PerioDash had on your team morale and community spirit?
It’s a morale booster every year. Running, walking, and celebrating together outside of the clinic strengthens our sense of community and pride in the specialty.

Has participating opened doors to connect with patients, referring dentists, or the broader community?
Yes. The visibility of a large, enthusiastic group gathering for periodontal health sparks conversations and helps us connect more broadly — with colleagues, patients, and community members alike.

How does your team use PerioDash to help educate others about periodontal health?
PerioDash is a natural platform to highlight the importance of periodontal and peri-implant health. We take the opportunity to explain the event’s purpose, connect oral health to overall wellness, and point people to the resources of the AAP Foundation.

What advice would you give to other programs or practices thinking about hosting their own PerioDash?
Keep it simple. Pick a location and date, invite your group, and add one or two fun touches like breakfast or prizes. The most important part is gathering together to celebrate periodontics and support the AAP Foundation.

Thank you for joining us at the Practice Transition, Retirement, and Estate Planning Breakfast. We appreciate your time and interest in planning for the future of your practice and legacy, and in learning how these life milestones can also create meaningful opportunities for philanthropic impact through the AAP Foundation.

Download Presentation Materials Here

Thank you to Treloar & Heisel for sponsoring this important session.

PerioDash Private Practice Spotlight: Dr. Walt Colón

Dr. Walt Colón, Periodontal Associates of North Florida, AAP Board of Trustees member

What do you love most about being a periodontist?
I enjoy having specialized knowledge and skills that allow me to help patients in ways most others cannot. Beyond clinical care, being a periodontist also positions my office and partners as leaders in our community, a role we take to heart.

What first drew you to participate in PerioDash?
I was excited by the opportunity to support a worthy cause through a health-oriented, community-centered event. It’s a purposeful way to bring the dental community together while promoting wellness and our specialty of periodontics.

How did your team respond to the idea of participating?
My team is always enthusiastic about health-related competitions. They respond positively to any event that combines wellness, fun, and purpose, and PerioDash was no exception.

What did the planning process look like, and did you incorporate any creative elements?
The planning process grew organically and evolved each year. Dr. Jake Zellner took the lead on route planning and social media. Dr. Aixa Guzmán did a great job, especially in outreach to fellow female professionals. I focused on logistics such as securing food, signage, a race clock, shirts, flyers, and coordinating race-day assignments. I also handled communication with the AAP Foundation. It was truly a collaborative effort. Creativity was key. We chose not to charge participants and instead made a donation to the AAP Foundation that exceeded our participant count. We created and distributed custom event shirts with our logo as well as the Foundation’s, awarded prizes to the top three finishers, and saw great engagement on social media from participants.

How did participating in PerioDash affect your team dynamic or morale?
It was a tremendous morale booster. The team was all-in, not just during the race, but also with setup and breakdown. Many brought their families, including babies and pets. Seeing everyone come together outside the office for a shared mission was truly heartwarming.

Did it open opportunities to connect with patients, referring dentists, or your community?
Absolutely. Assistants from other practices made PerioDash their annual event and encouraged their doctors to join the following year. Several referring doctors and their staff toured our office, allowing for meaningful in-person connections. We even reconnected with former team members who shared how much they missed being part of our community-focused environment.

How do you see PerioDash helping educate the public about periodontal health?
We use our digital office sign and event activities to share community-focused health messages tied to PerioDash. During medal presentations, we explain the purpose of the event, highlight the work of the AAP Foundation, and connect physical wellness with periodontal health. It’s a great platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and public education.

What would you say to other periodontists considering PerioDash for their practice?
Do it! It’s a powerful tool to build team spirit, strengthen your referral network, and showcase your role as a health advocate. With thoughtful effort, it can be an energizing and unifying experience for everyone involved.

PerioDash 2025 is here. This virtual 5K brings together periodontists, dental teams, and supporters from around the world. Taking place between September 12 and October 10, the event offers a flexible and fun way to run or walk on your own schedule, either individually or as a team.

More Than Just a Run

PerioDash is more than just a run. It is a chance to build team spirit, strengthen connections, and raise awareness. Take this opportunity to educate your community about periodontal and peri-implant diseases, the importance of treatment, and the dedicated specialists who can help.

How to Participate

Registering for PerioDash 2025 is simple. The $35 registration fee includes a limited-edition t-shirt and medal to celebrate your participation. You can opt out of either item during registration if you prefer. Be sure to register by August 20 to receive your gear before the event begins.

Whether you run solo, with your practice, or alongside your perio program, your involvement helps elevate awareness of the essential care periodontists provide every day.

Why Your Participation Matters

The American Academy of Periodontology Foundation is a nonprofit organization advancing the specialty through advocacy, research, and education. By participating in PerioDash 2025, you help spread awareness about periodontal health and support a strong, informed community of care.

Teams will be celebrated through Foundation communications and recognized at the AAP Annual Meeting for their impact.

Ready to Get Involved?

Register today and be part of a global community moving together in support of periodontics.

Sign Up for PerioDash 2025

In February 2019, periodontology lost one of its greats - Dr. Mark Setter. Dr. Setter was well-loved and contributed to the field in many ways. He practiced for 30+ years, lectured, and mentored many dentists, periodontists, and students. To honor Dr. Setter's memory, Drs. Jason Souyias, Jason Stoner, and Mitch Godat, along with Mrs. Susan Setter, have worked with the AAP Foundation to establish the Dr. Mark K. Setter Leadership in Periodontology and Dental Implantology Award.