While cigarette use has been on the decline, both e-cigarette and cannabis use are on the rise. This course will arm the dental healthcare professional with information about the impacts of nicotine, vaping products, and cannabis use on oral health and provide practical solutions when treating patients who report smoking, vaping, and/or cannabis use. The dental team can be an integral part of nicotine and cannabis cessation and help patients prevent their oral health from going up in smoke!

Dr. David Rice
Creating the Ultimate Doctor & RDH Exam
8 – 9 am 

Tired of hearing "let's wait" from patients? How about hearing "yes" and then no follow through? Overworked, overstressed and unproductive is the story we hear time and again. If you're ready for better, join us and take home THE playbook that drives patient yes.

Dr. Bethany Valachi
Ergonomics
9 – 10 am

A staggering 80% of hygienists who retire early are forced to, due to work-related pain.  This research-based seminar bridges the gap between dental ergonomics and work-related pain to help you prevent injury and increase career longevity.  Discover how equipment selection, adjustment and positioning are affecting your health.

Ms. Lora Hooper
Biological Testing
10 – 11 am

Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your dental hygiene department and gain insights into achieving better patient outcomes through the power of testing. By harnessing salivary diagnostics, you'll gain the tools to unlock personalized treatment pathways and elevate the standard of care you provide.

Lunch is on your own from 11 am – 12:30 pm.

Dr. John Svirsky
Mother Said that There Would Be Days Like This
12:30-1:30 pm

This is the 2024 course that will review some interesting conditions emphasizing diseases from aphthous stomatitis to the HPV association with oropharyngeal cancer and oral cancer. Get ready to laugh, learn and make a difference in the life of your patients.  

Ms. Amanda Hill
Disinfection Dash: Mastering Operatory Turnover
1:30-2:30 pm

Welcome to Disinfection Dash, where we transform operatory clean-up into an adrenaline-pumping challenge! In this fast-paced and witty course, we'll uncover the sneaky spots commonly missed during treatment room disinfection and equip you with effective techniques to ensure every patient and clinician enjoys a safe and hygienic experience. 

Dr. Maria Geisinger 
The Myths and Mysteries of Oral Hygiene: Evidence-Based Recommendations in the Age of Dr. Google and Pinterest
2:30-3:30 pm 
From charcoal toothpaste to oil pulling to purple color-correcting toothpaste, our patients are bombarded with oral hygiene advice with dubious scientific basis. This course will examine the evidence behind oral hygiene recommendations for patients with various dental needs. 

Diabetes and Periodontal Health Periodontitis has been called the “sixth complication of diabetes mellitus.” It is well- established that long-term hyperglycemia can lead to damage of various end organs including the heart, eyes, kidneys, nervous system, vascular system, and periodontium. Research has also shown that active periodontitis can also worsen glycemic control. This
course will discuss the links between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus and aid in clinical decision-making to care for patients with diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease.

After injury or surgical intervention, platelets are natural reservoirs of growth factors and cytokines that play a critical role in healing through the formation, maturation, and repair of soft and hard tissues. Platelet concentrates have been used to improve such healing in multiple applications throughout medicine and dentistry since the 1940s. This course will review the underlying mechanisms of action of leukocyte-rich platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF) and the step-by-step protocols for L-PRF preparation from venipuncture through placement into patients.