Scripps Oral Pathology 2025 Annual Conference
“From Differential Diagnosis to Biopsy”
8 CE Units
California Dental Board
(Attendance will be limited)
Saturday, October 25, 2025
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Carlsbad, CA
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad, California, USA, 92008
(Right next to Legoland California Resort)
Venue and Room Below
Course Description
This is a 8 hour CE course designed to be a review and discussion of common oral cancer lesions found in our clinical practices. The focus is to expose general dentist, dental specialist, and medical colleagues to a wide variety of head and neck conditions while focusing on the more commonly occurring disease processes that involve the oral cavity and craniofacial bones. Diagnostic mimickers and clinical pathology pitfalls encountered in patient management will also be discussed.
Course Objectives
At the completion of the course, participants should have a strong understanding of the principles of oral disease, oral cancer, and current trends in oral and maxillofacial pathology. The participants should understand the importance of a thorough examination and be able to form a reasonable differential diagnosis based on the clinical findings. The clinician should then be able to contribute in the case management of the patient and enhance delivery of appropriate primary oral health care.
Speakers/Presentations
Dr. Gretchen Folk, DDS, MS – Laboratory Director
“Developing A Differential Diagnosis & Case Review”
Dr. Folk received her DDS from the University of Washington. She completed her Oral Pathology residency training at the Naval Dental School in Bethesda, MD and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Upon graduation, she also received a master’s degree in Oral Biology from George Washington University. Gretchen then joined the pathology department at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, where she also served as Department Head of Anatomic Pathology. Dr. Folk has contributed to the head and neck pathology, ENT and oral surgery literature. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Dr. Folk has been a staff pathologist at Scripps Oral Pathology Service since 2006 and is currently the laboratory director.
Dr. Lee Slater, DDS, MS – Staff Pathologist
“Common Oral Lesions and Lesion of Clinical Significance”
Dr. Slater graduated from UCLA School of Dentistry in 1975. He received his master’s degree in Oral Pathology from Indiana University in 1982. During his career in the US Air Force, he served as a staff pathologist in the Department of Oral Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC for 7 years. Dr. Slater has been a staff oral pathologist at Scripps Oral Pathology Service in San Diego since 2000. He has had a relationship with the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry for 20 years.
Dr. Brian Evans, DMD – Guest Speaker – Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
“Beyond the Sore: Recognizing Subtle Indicators of Oral Pathology in Clinical Practice”
Dr. Evans is a board certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and veteran of the Navy. After earning a BS from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Human Biology/Chemistry and a DMD from The University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Dr. Evans then went on to complete two residencies: a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton followed by Oral & Maxillofacial Residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He completed multiple deployments aboard the USS Carl Vinson and the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship. Throughout his decade of service, he has had the distinct privilege of treating many of our heroes, both Sailors and Marines, as they returned from combat and overseas tours. He is currently in private practice in San Diego, CA, where he continues to serve his community with compassion and surgical excellence.
Venue & Room Reservations
Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa Reservations
5480 Grand Pacific Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Westin Carlsbad Resort Room Reservations Call: 833.489.4455
Group Room Coordinator: Maria Lopez
Meeting Room Rate: $269.00/night if booked by 9/25/2025
Online Room Reservations Link
58,450 Diagnosed Oral/Oropharyngeal Cancer
12,230 will die as a result (1.4 deaths/hour)
69% 5-year survival (higher than other routine cancers)
*American Cancer Society – “Cancer Facts and Figures 2024”
These statistics are mostly a result of late diagnosis. Death from ORAL CANCER is preventable if it is diagnosed early. As practitioners and guardians of our patient’s oral health, it is our responsibility to help prevent our patients from becoming part of these devastating statistics.