Ms. Amber Auger

Donuts, Diabetes, and Dentistry: The Vital Role of Dental Professionals

8 - 9:30 am

34.2 million Americans have Diabetes. Another 88 million Americans are considered Pre-Diabetic. As dental professionals, we play a vital role in the early detection of Diabetes. This course is designed to uplevel your practice's current Diabetes standards for treatment.

• Review Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
• Identify what is contraindicated for dental treatment based on the patient's A1c levels
• Discover the risks of soft and hard tissue disease among Diabetic patients
• Investigate the latest technologies to prevent the progression of oral diseases both chairside and at home

Ms. Stephanie Botts

Protecting your Most Valuable Instrument: Your Body!

9:30 - 11 am

The dental profession is at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), with up to 96% of practitioners reporting pain due to clinical work habits. This is due to repetitive movements, bending, twisting, reaching, incorrect operator and patient positioning, and performing repetitive movements in a static posture. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the working environment to the practitioner, instead of forcing one's body to acclimate to the environment. Practicing proper ergonomics can increase productivity, decrease pain, and lengthen one's career. Allowing the individual to practice pain-free, ergonomics can increase the quality of one's life and work satisfaction. At the conclusion of this course, participants will learn ergonomic techniques, stretches and equipment choices to allow them to practice pain-free.

Lunch is on your own from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ms. Jo-Anne   Jones

First on the Scene

12 - 1:30 pm

By definition a first responder is “a person with specialized training who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene”. The dental hygienist is a ‘first responder’ to the oral cavity with our profession being optimally situated at the portal of entry and the gateway to systemic health. The oral-systemic link conceptually is not new, however the reduction of the burden of chronic inflammation has become a benchmark of healthcare delivery. Emerging research is signaling a strong reactionary link with the COVID pandemic and deterioration of oral health. Our actions and assessment as a critical stakeholder dictate treatment outcomes, and strongly influence both the quality and quantity of life of every client seated in our treatment room.
Course Objectives:

• Understand the biological pathways of periodontitis and the impact on systemic health
• Understand the role and influence of the dental hygienist in risk intervention strategies
• Discover how science and technology have influenced today’s oral care products
• Integrate educational resources into your dental hygiene practice and social media outreach

Ms. Rachel Wall

Surviving To Thriving: 3 Core Principles to Re-gain the Momentum and Mindset for a Thriving Hygiene Team

1:30 - 3 pm

So many dental teams have come out of the last few years weary, exhausted and unsure how to move forward. Discover core principles that can catapult hygiene teams from surviving to thriving for a great year and many years to come.

By attending this course, dentists and hygienists will be able to:

• Shift from a mindset that limits potential to one that empowers providers to deliver an elevated standard of care
• Incorporate updated information and verbal skills to improve patients' overall health and well-being
• Determine where the opportunity lies to take the hygiene-dentist collaboration to a new level

Dr. Mark Hyman 

Assisting Essentials

8 - 9:30 a.m.

Listen, learn, and laugh your way through a fast-paced, humorous review of "The High Impact Private Practice Dental Assistant." Learn how to capitalize on other skills to improve the productivity of your practice and the quality of the service your team produces. Learn systems you can implement today to lower stress, prevent burn out, and increase your enjoyment of dentistry. Review clinical cases from the doctor and team perspectives. Debate the fact -communication is a wonderful thing; you should try it sometime. Employ systems to lower stress and prevent burnout.

Ms. Shannon Pace Brinker

From Our Side Of The Chair: Materials and Techniques for the Dental Assistant

9:30 - 11 a.m.

This fast-paced lecture discusses everyday products, equipment, and materials that assistants use and should be familiar with. Learn about the latest dental materials and how they can impact your practice. There may even be a few giveaways!

Lunch is on your own 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Ms. Stephanie Botts

Protecting your Most Valuable Instrument: Your Body!

12 - 1:30 p.m.

The dental profession is at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), with up to 96% of practitioners reporting pain due to clinical work habits. This is due to repetitive movements, bending, twisting, reaching, incorrect operator and patient positioning, and performing repetitive movements in a static posture.

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the working environment to the practitioner, instead of forcing one's body to acclimate to the environment. Practicing proper ergonomics can increase productivity, decrease pain, and lengthen one's career. Allowing the individual to practice pain-free, ergonomics can increase the quality of one's life and work satisfaction.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will learn ergonomic techniques, stretches and equipment choices to allow them to practice pain-free.

Ms. Lisa Mallonee     

Life Saving PPE Essentials: Diet, Exercise, Self Care

1:30 - 3 p.m.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. As dental professionals, we are in a unique position to provide our patients with the highest degree of preventive healthcare. There has been a dramatic shift in lifestyle habits over the last year. Masks, face shields, gloves, glasses and expensive air filtration systems in our dental offices help guard and protect us at work BUT what we do OUTSIDE of our dental operatories to maintain our bodies and health should be a KEY priority in each of our lives.

Following the presentation, attendees should be able to:
1. Discuss how lifestyle habits contribute to the aging process, sleep quality and weight.
2. Integrate emerging science on diet, exercise and self-care into a personal plan of action.
3. Redefine exercise as a method of health maintenance rather than weight loss.
4. Identify healthy eating patterns and lifestyle modifications to promote optimal health.

According to recent studies, about 1 in 12 adults in America have an active substance use disorder. In addition, about 30% of adults misuse substances without showing any outward signs of a disorder. Research indicates substances have a detrimental effect on one’s health, including their oral health. The dental professional can play a vital role in supporting patients with substance use disorder. Oftentimes dental providers are the health care professional spending the most one-on-one time with patients. Therefore, they are in a position to screen and advise patients on this issue. With the right skills and confidence, dental professionals can serve as the first line of defense against risky substance use.