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American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Amid I. Ismail

Ann L. McCann

Aviv Ouanounou

Barbara A. MacNeill

Beth Jordan

Betty Ladley Finkbeiner

Bonnie G. Branson

Chris Hope

Connie M. Kracher

Constance Konen

Courtney Ison

Cynthia C. Gadbury-Amyot

David G. Dunning

David Ojeda Diaz

David R. Cagna

Debra A. Dixon

Denise Kissell

Diane Vernetti-Callahan

Donald J. White

Edward F. Wright

Edward Lo

Elizabeth McClure

Ellen Karlin

Emet D Schneiderman

Emily Lanzel

Erica DiMarco

Fady F. Faddoul

Franklin D. Wright

Gail F. Williamson

Gentiane Valiquette

Georgios A. Kotsakis

Geza T. Terezhalmy

Grishondra-L- Branch-Mays

Harold A. Henson

Hassem Geha

Hui Liang

Hussein M. Assaf

Istvan A. Hargitai

Ivonne Ganem

James Bahcall

James L. Harrison

Jane L. Forrest

Jayakumar Jayaraman

Jeanette MacLean

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Rudy

Jessica M. Latimer

Joan G. Ellison

John W. Hellstein

Joseph J. Massad

Karen B. Williams

Keith A. Mays

Kimberly Hanson Huggins

Kimberly Kurst Bray

Kristin A. Williams

LaQuia A. Vinson

Lara James

Larry LoPresti

Lavanya Rajendran

Leena Palomo

Lesley McGovern Kupiec

Leslie DeLong

Leslie E. Grant

Liran Levin

Luis Gerado Suarez Guzman

Luke Burroughs

M. Louay Taifour

Maggie A. Misch-Haring

Maria Goldie

Maria L. Geisinger

Marianne Dryer

Marilynn Heyde

Marsha A. Voelker

Melanie Simmer Beck

Michael P. Mills

Michael W. Finkelstein

Michaell A. Huber

Molly Mihlbachler

Nancy W. Burkhart

Natasha West

Nevin Zablotsky

Nicola West

Palma A. Freydinger

Pam Hughes

Pamela R. Overman

Patricia A. Frese

Patricia A. Walters

Phil Smith

Phyllis Beemsterboer

Regina Casian Ruiz Velasco

Richard C. Jordan

Richie Kohli

Robert V. Faller

Roger P. Levin

Ronald L Occhionero

Sabeel Valappil

Salme E. Lavigne

Samuel St. John

Sara Karlin

Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.

Approved Provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc.

This course is designed to educate dental professionals on the oral health needs common to nursing home residents and care-dependent patients, as well as the role dental professionals can play in promoting oral health among these populations and their caregivers. These are vulnerable populations that suffer from multiple barriers, such as reduced access to oral healthcare, potential physical or mental limitations, and dependence on others for daily care. Among nursing home residents, oral conditions and related effects on general health include dental decay, periodontal disease, fungal infections, abscesses, aspiration pneumonia, and many conditions related to dietary deficiencies. The dental community plays a critical role in treating the patients that visit dental offices and clinics. However, dental professionals are also needed to educate nursing staff, caregivers, and patients who are confined to long-term facilities or their homes.

Oral Care for Nursing Home and Care-Dependent Patients

This course seeks to improve understanding of the role dental healthcare providers can play in the prevention of opioid abuse. It will review the current evidence on best practices for analgesic prescribing for acute and post-operative discomfort. The course provides dental professionals tools to critically assess the individualized needs of their patients who may suffer from substance abuse, and resources to allow referral of those patients to resources to help treat their addictions.


This course seeks to improve understanding of the role dental healthcare providers can play in the prevention of opioid abuse, provides them with tools to critically assess the individualized needs of their patients who may suffer from substance abuse, and resources to allow referral of those patients to resources to help treat their addictions.

The Dental Professional’s Role in the Opioid Crisis

This course will focus on intraoral imaging basic principles, techniques and error correction. Appropriately prescribed intraoral radiographic images are an important component of patient diagnosis and treatment. Radiographs are especially helpful in the diagnosis of dental caries, periodontal bone loss, periapical pathoses, and other observations that may impact patient treatment. It is of the utmost importance that dental professionals are competent in taking intraoral and extraoral radiographic images that are diagnostically acceptable while keeping the radiation exposure to patients as low as reasonably achievable. 

The dental radiographer must have a working knowledge of radiographic image receptors and intraoral radiographic techniques to produce quality images. Occasionally, errors will occur which can result in undiagnostic radiographic images. When errors do occur, the radiographer must have the requisite skills to evaluate, correct, and ultimately eliminate the errors. A review of image receptors and the following troubleshooting steps can help correct and subsequently prevent common errors.

<div class="bg-aliceBlue" style="padding:10px;"><strong>Syllabus: Dental Radiology</strong>

The information in this 12-module syllabus is intended (1) to meet elements of initial educational/training requirements for Dental Students, Dental Hygiene Students, and Dental Assistant Students related to dental radiography; (2) to provide a framework for an in-service training program in oral healthcare settings to meet annual educational/training requirements as mandated by federal, state, local and professional organizations; and (3) to serve as a resource for oral healthcare personnel wishing to review evidence-based information on specific topics related to dental radiography. A PDF is available for each module that may serve as a convenient resource.

[Learn More](https://assets.ctfassets.net/u2qv1tdtdbbu/109dwCPHpa2Eg6lw9aSYXG/21401a094f1ebabfecf321cbf78c79bc/radiology-syllabus.pdf "Dental Radiology Syllabus")</div>

This course will focus on intraoral imaging basic principles, techniques and error correction. Appropriately prescribed intraoral radiographic images are an important component of patient diagnosis and treatment. Radiographs are especially helpful in the diagnosis of dental caries, periodontal bone loss, periapical pathoses, and other observations that may impact patient treatment. It is of the utmost importance that dental professionals are competent in taking intraoral and extraoral radiographic images that are diagnostically acceptable while keeping the radiation exposure to patients as low as reasonably achievable. 

The dental radiographer must have a working knowledge of radiographic image receptors and intraoral radiographic techniques to produce quality images. Occasionally, errors will occur which can result in undiagnostic radiographic images. When errors do occur, the radiographer must have the requisite skills to evaluate, correct, and ultimately eliminate the errors. A review of image receptors and the following troubleshooting steps can help correct and subsequently prevent common errors.

Intraoral Imaging: Basic Principles, Techniques and Error Correction (ce559) - Introduction

Intraoral Imaging: Basic Principles, Techniques and Error Correction

This course describes and discusses four‑handed dentistry; its integration in the modern dental office as well as a review of an ergonomically acceptable instrument transfer for use in four-handed dentistry. In addition, a series of exercises for the dental professional to use for stress reduction is included.

Over the years as new technology has been integrated into the modern dental office, no single product has increased productivity and reduced stress and strain on the dental team as much as using the concept of four‑handed dentistry. The clinical dynamics of four‑handed dentistry is an ergonomic chairside concept performed by a well-trained dental team in an organized manner. Combined with the practice of ergonomics in the workplace, the concept of true four‑handed dentistry must be revisited by the dental profession and applied to both the clinical and business areas of the office. The young dentists of the 21st century have had minimal exposure to true four‑handed dentistry during their educational experiences due to budget cuts in many of the dental schools around the country limiting their use of auxiliaries trained in this technique. The concept of four‑handed dentistry was born in the 1960s to overcome a manpower shortage. Demands were made on the dental profession to provide more services to more people due to the creation of third-party payment. As the years have passed, this single concept, when executed properly, has become even more important. Some demands may have diminished but the impact of regulatory agencies, managed care, infection control guidelines, the global pandemic due to COVID-19, and quality assurance of skills places even greater demands on the practicing dentist to implement efficient clinical practice methods to ensure a safe, comfortable environment for the entire team. 

This course describes and discusses four‑handed dentistry; its integration in the modern dental office as well as a review of an ergonomically acceptable instrument transfer for use in four-handed dentistry. In addition, a series of exercises for the dental professional to use for stress reduction is included.

The Concepts of Four-handed Dentistry Including Ergonomic Instrument Transfer and Exercises for Stress Reduction

This course will review the various signs, symptoms, and other aspects that substance use disorders can have on our patients. We will limit our scope to the effects on the oral cavity and we will cover more commonly abused substances. Information will be provided for the clinician to make distinctions, begin safe dialogues, document patient comments and oral findings, and provide resources and follow-up support to patients with substance use disorders.

Substance use disorders (SUD) remain a significant epidemic in present day society. According to the 2022  National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) , 48.7 million people aged 12 and older in the United States (17.8%) have  a substance use disorder.<sup>[61](/en-us/ce-courses/ce545/references#61)</sup> As contemporary dental professionals, it is important that we are educated on the current effects of commonly used and abused drugs or medications including alcohol and nicotine.

There are several reasons why today’s dental clinician needs to be observant when treating patients who may be using drugs, alcohol and/or nicotine. Medical emergencies during dental treatments spurred by health or drug interactions would be cause for concern. Long-term health of the oral cavity is another, but perhaps the most important consideration would be the quality of life and health that could be restored after abuse or addiction.

Focused chairside observation is essential considering that 50% of patients will reveal less about their lifestyles than they should. Unsubstantiated observations should not cause the clinician to assume the patient has a substance use disorder. Instead, careful questioning of the patient may reveal a substance use disorder. At the end of each section, we will review various approaches and acceptable means of guidance that a dental professional might employ with a patient regarding that particular substance. While this course is intended to encourage observation and detection of the signs and symptoms of various substance use disorders, sensitivity for the patient’s right to privacy should be respected. Providing gentle educational explanations about a particular oral condition and posing either straightforward or benign questions to the patient about how or why a particular condition might be arising is the best professional action. If dental professionals develop a dialog that promotes trust, we ensure the patient feels safe in our care. Approximately 50% of general dentists provide their patients with nicotine cessation information, but fewer provide information about alcohol or other substances. It is important for the dental professional to have broad-based knowledge regarding substance use disorders because a patient suspected of this disorder can be a challenge. Clinically, it is important to avoid drug treatment interactions or behavioral outbursts in the dental office and further support the patient as they attempt to become drug-free. Many times, the dental office can serve as a safe and non-threatening source of cessation assistance. Creating referral protocols may help our patients find appropriate professional treatment.

Most scientists consider addiction to be a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.<sup>[3](/en-us/ce-courses/ce545/references#3)</sup> There are implications for oral health professionals in identifying and managing the patient who is abusing substances. Management issues relevant to delivery of oral care include:

1. Identifying potential drug interactions, during oral care, with substances used.
2. Offering drug abuse cessation information.
3. Dealing with the erratic behavior of a patient who arrives at the oral care appointment while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.<sup>[24](/en-us/ce-courses/ce545/references#24)</sup>

An Introduction to Substance Use Disorders for Dental Professionals is a free dental continuing education course that covers a wide range of topics relevant to the oral healthcare professional community.

A History and Update of Fluoride Dentifrices

An Introduction to Substance Use Disorders for Dental Professionals

The clinical advances and changes in thought within the field of endodontics during the last few years have been significant. Unfortunately, these changes have led to difficulties for the general dentist in keeping up in everyday practice. This course will encompass diagnosis, local anesthesia, instrumentation/obturation, and pain medications and antibiotics in clinical endodontic treatment.


A Clinician’s Guide to Clinical Endodontics

Dental anxiety can be a barrier to the patient to seek dental treatment and a challenge to the treating dental team. The purpose of this course is for the dental professional to gain understanding on sedation in the dental office. An overview of the available pharmacological means to manage the anxious patient in the dental office is presented. The advantages and disadvantages as well as indications and contraindication of each sedation modality are discussed.

Dental anxiety can be a barrier to the patient to seek dental treatment and a challenge to the treating dental team. The purpose of this course is for the dental professional to gain understanding on sedation in the dental office.

Sedation in the Dental Office: An Overview

Susan Higham

This course is part 3 of a 10-part series entitled *Caries Process and Prevention Strategies*. It has been established that a host must be present for caries to develop. In this course, three host factors - the tooth, saliva, and the oral cavity's immune response - are introduced, and their roles in the caries process are explained.


Caries Process and Prevention Strategies:  The Host

This course is part 7 of a 10-part series entitled *Caries Process and Prevention Strategies*. This course establishes the concept of dental erosion as a condition that is distinct from caries, and as an emerging public health issue with increasing prevalence in people of all ages. Although often generalized under the heading of “tooth wear,” there are actually two distinct tooth surface loss processes that must be taken into account. Tooth surface loss can be the result of physical mechanisms, such as attrition and abrasion, or chemical mechanisms triggered by acid. Both of these mechanisms are discussed, as well as the chemical, biological, and behavioral factors that increase or reduce risk of tooth surface loss. For the purpose of this discussion, the impact of physical processes on tooth surface loss, such as attrition and abrasion, will be referred to as tooth wear. The process related to chemical acid attack resulting in tooth surface loss will be referred to as dental erosion.In addition, diagnosis and prevention measures related to dental erosion are introduced.


This course is part 7 of a 10-part series entitled *Caries Process and Prevention Strategies*. This course establishes the concept of dental erosion as a condition that is distinct from caries, and as an emerging public health issue with increasing prevalence in people of all ages. Although often generalized under the heading of “tooth wear,” there are actually two distinct tooth surface loss processes that must be taken into account. Tooth surface loss can be the result of physical mechanisms, such as attrition and abrasion, or chemical mechanisms triggered by acid. Both of these mechanisms are discussed, as well as the chemical, biological, and behavioral factors that increase or reduce risk of tooth surface loss. In addition, diagnosis and prevention measures related to dental erosion are introduced.

Caries Process and Prevention Strategies: Erosion

This course is part 4 of a 10-part series entitled *Caries Process and Prevention Strategies*. It has been established that the oral environment is one of the primary factors in the caries process. Only when acidity increases in the oral environment does demineralization of enamel, and subsequently caries, occur. In this course, the role of fermentable carbohydrates is discussed, paying particular attention to how caries can be influenced by the cariogenic potential of ingested sugars and starches, the physical traits of ingested carbohydrates (such as their adhesiveness), and the frequency of intake and exposure to sugars. The Stephan curve, which illustrates the dental pH changes over time in response to a carbohydrate challenge, is also introduced, with a discussion of how factors such as the type of carbohydrate, the buffering capacity of saliva, and the type and amount of bacteria present in plaque affect dental plaque pH responses.


This course is part 4 of a 10-part series entitled *Caries Process and Prevention Strategies*. In this course, the role of fermentable carbohydrates is discussed, paying particular attention to how caries can be influenced by the cariogenic potential of ingested sugars and starches, the physical traits of ingested carbohydrates (such as their adhesiveness), and the frequency of intake and exposure to sugars.

Caries Process and Prevention Strategies:  The Environment

Shelly Withers

The purpose of the course is to provide students and clinicians with a review of panoramic imaging techniques in order to take diagnostic images. Topics include equipment preparation, patient preparation, and patient positioning. Taking a diagnostic image the first time prevents additional patient exposure to radiation by following the principles of ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable). The course will review normal radiographic anatomy and structures, as well as various technique errors and how to correct them.

<div class="bg-aliceBlue" style="padding:10px;"><strong>Syllabus: Dental Radiology</strong>

The information in this 12-module syllabus is intended (1) to meet elements of initial educational/training requirements for Dental Students, Dental Hygiene Students, and Dental Assistant Students related to dental radiography; (2) to provide a framework for an in-service training program in oral healthcare settings to meet annual educational/training requirements as mandated by federal, state, local and professional organizations; and (3) to serve as a resource for oral healthcare personnel wishing to review evidence-based information on specific topics related to dental radiography. A PDF is available for each module that may serve as a convenient resource.

[Learn More](https://assets.ctfassets.net/u2qv1tdtdbbu/2TZ9hS16n9waSN9RM5yheq/56fed70c729e5eabaa61339a75882752/radiology-syllabus.pdf "Dental Radiology Syllabus")
  </div>

The purpose of the course is to provide students and clinicians with a review of panoramic imaging techniques in order to take diagnostic images. The course will review normal and abnormal radiographic anatomy and structures, as well as various technique errors and how to correct them.

Panoramic Radiographs: Technique & Anatomy Review

Shelly Feiwell

Participants in this course will be introduced to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1920.1200, also known as HazCom 2012.  The course is advisory in nature and informational in content.  Its purpose is to assist oral healthcare facilities to identify relevant parts of the rule.  In addition, it provides guidance to develop and implement an effective HazCom program.

<div class="bg-aliceBlue" style="padding:10px;"><strong>Syllabus: Infection Prevention, Hazardous Waste Management, and Hazard Communication Compliance</strong>

The information in this 13-module syllabus is intended (1) to meet initial educational/training requirements for Dental Students, Dental Hygiene Students, and Dental Assistant Students as mandated by OSHA and other federal, state, local and professional organizations, (2) to provide a framework for an in-service training program in oral healthcare settings to meet annual educational/training requirements as mandated by OSHA and other federal, state, local and professional organizations, and (3) to serve as a resource for oral healthcare personnel wishing to review evidence-based information on specific topics related to infection prevention, hazardous waste management, and hazard communication compliance.

[Infection Prevention, Hazard Waste Management, and Hazard Communication Compliance](https://assets.ctfassets.net/u2qv1tdtdbbu/5b9qPA39nMCDWmzUaZjYvM/ff77d8e04625cfd6bbbe757296bed34b/Infection_Prevention_Hazardous_Waste_Syllabus_-2023_update.pdf)</div>

Participants in this course will be introduced to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1920.1200, also known as HazCom 2012.  The course is advisory in nature and informational in content.  Its purpose is to assist oral healthcare facilities to identify relevant parts of the rule.  In addition, it provides guidance to develop and implement an effective HazCom program.

Hazard Communication Compliance

Dental practices are businesses, and every business has expenses that are essential. However, as a business, it is your responsibility to regularly review overhead costs and work on reductions. This course will explain dental practice overhead and provide ten ways to reduce expenses and improve overhead percentage.

Overhead is one of those factors that ultimately determines the success and profitability of a dental practice. Historically, dental practice overhead grew very slowly. In 2022 however, significant inflation occurred due to several factors, including staffing costs and accelerating technology expenses. In managing overhead, practices must track targets or key performance indicators (KPIs). There are recommended targets that represent a healthy amount of overhead (or expenses) for a practice.


Understanding Overhead and What It Means to Your Practice

This course will introduce the concept of __guided conversations__ and why effective communication with patients is so critical to the management systems that allow practices to operate efficiently and effectively. The concept of guided conversations (sometimes referred to as scripting), while not new, is effectively integrated into only a minority of practices. The course will outline the reasons guided conversations should be used with patients and how to implement them and train the team. All doctors and team members can improve their communication skills, and thereby practice performance, by understanding the psychological factors involved with creating the proper communication guidelines for every patient conversation and how that will improve patient cooperation and results.

Guidelines for Effective Patient Conversations

The purpose of this interactive course is to provide dental practitioners and students with an overview of hard tissue disease, factors that influence the disease process and evidence-based self-care prevention practices. This course includes patient cases as knowledge point checks.

Dental caries and dental erosion are global, prevalent issues that are largely preventable and can cause considerable pain, quality of life issues, esthetic challenges, or all. This module differentiates between caries and erosion by explaining their causes and development processes. It will then differentiate between strategies for prevention and optimal self-care.

To understand caries and erosion development, it’s necessary to understand the anatomy of teeth and their environment - genetics, and human protective factors within the oral environment and external factors at play and the complex system that works together to help stop caries and help prevent erosion.

The purpose of this interactive course is to provide dental practitioners and students with an overview of hard tissue disease, factors that influence the disease process and evidence-based self-care prevention practices. This course includes patient cases as knowledge point checks.

Oral Hard Tissue Disease and Home Care Management

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