This course will provide participants with a hands-on scaling experience designed to enhance scaling efficacy and proper ergonomics in order to prevent work related pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and disability. Through video clips and hands-on participation using instruments with wider handles, you will learn reinforced instrumentation techniques while scaling in every quadrant on a typodont model attached to a portable simulation unit.

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate advanced instrumentation techniques,ideal fulcrum rests, and proper ergonomics while scaling.
2. Recognize the importance in utilizing the larger muscle groups in the arms while scaling to enhance scaling efficacy.
   
3. Identify ideal postural strategies while scaling, which can prevent career-ending injuries.

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Periodontal diseases are multi-factorial, chronic infections that cause destruction of periodontal structures and influence many non-oral disease processes in the body. Treating periodontal diseases successfully involves understanding how and why the disease progresses and developing customized strategies that are aimed at disease control. This course examines the latest evidence-based information related to patient care protocol, including (but not limited to) pathogenicity, disease progression considerations, patient classification, pain control modalities, traditional and novel treatment sequence and protocol, and documentation of periodontal care. Also covered are periodontal maintenance strategies and liability risk/informed refusal.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the role of the host and microbes in disease etiology.
2. Implement evidence-based treatment strategies.
3. Implement effective sequencing protocol for the periodontal patient.
4. Understand liability risks associated with refusal of definitive care.

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Third party reimbursement of dental hygiene procedures is an ongoing and confusing part of any dental practice. Treatment planning and management of periodontal procedures can be further complicated by insurance carriers decisions to benefit or not benefit necessary and recommended treatment. Understanding how dental insurance carriers determine their benefits as well as selecting correct procedure codes which accurately reflect the treatment provided is crucial for all dental staff, especially hygienists. Hygienists must know the definitions of the procedure codes they select in order to accurately document the treatment they provide. Communication and education are the keys to helping patients accept the necessary treatment your practice is recommending and it is critical for dental hygienists to understand the business side of periodontal treatment. Hygienists must know which procedure codes are appropriate and not be mislead into creative billing practices.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss what documentation requirements are necessary when reporting dental hygiene/periodontal treatment.
2. Explain what dental insurance is and what it is not and why it is important for patients to understand what cost containment and plan limitations may apply to their insurance plans.
3. Describe how to accurately report dental hygiene/periodontal treatment while understanding the definitions assigned by the most current American Dental Associations Current Dental Terminology.
4. Describe ethical and legal ways to schedule and bill combinations of dental hygiene/periodontal procedures.

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Sponsored by: Henry Schein Dental

Natural or man-made catastrophes often result in multiple casualties under circumstances that make victim identification difficult. A team of trained forensic dentists, as well as dental auxiliaries, can assist in the expeditious identification of these casualties. The purpose of this course is to give the backround necessary for those interested to participate in dental identifications as well as mass disaster identification teams. It will cover the history of dental id's, compare and contrast mass disasters from 1897 to the response at 9/11, hurricane's Katrina and Ike. We will then discuss bitemarks from its inception to current day applications. How the dental team works in the recognition, documentation, analysis and comparison of the bitemark to the comparison of the bitemarks to suspects.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize how the dental team works in mass disasters.
2. Understand the complexities of mass disaster response.Learn how you can participate on a dental ID team.
3. Learn how to document bitemarks and compare to possible suspects.
4. Understand bitemarks in child abuse cases.

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Today's highly competitive healthcare environment demands professionals who are able to demonstrate personal growth and development throughout their careers. Healthcare providers around the world are being called upon to provide ongoing validation of their clinical competencies and evidence of their abilities in meeting the standards of care within their profession. Single, point-in-time, clinical and written examinations are no longer adequate measures of competency for a lifetime of practice. Creating and maintaining a professional portfolio is becoming a requirement for licensure in many healthcare disciplines. The initial task of creating a portfolio can be overwhelming to entry level as well as seasoned practitioners. Setting professional goals and developing a working portfolio template for career related documents and activities make an ideal starting point. Dental hygienists can have unique opportunities to expand their careers outside of traditional practice settings by promoting their experiences and expertise in a professional portfolio.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the relevance of maintaining a professional portfolio.
2. Develop the basic skills and steps for building a professional portfolio.
3. Describe the role that self-assessment and reflection play in planning ongoing professional development.
4. Apply the ADHA Standards of Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice to self-assessment of individual knowledge and clinical skills.

The term flipping the classroom has been a buzzword in education for the past several years. The concept of flipping the classroom involves students doing the lecture portion of the class at home before they come to class, and allows for class time to be spent engaging in activities that facilitate critical and analytical thinking. While the concept seems simple, facilitating a flipped classroom requires planning and creativity. This course will discuss the flipped classroom. Strategies to deliver content will be covered and ideas for engaging students in meaningful learning activities will be presented. The speakers will discuss their own experiences in flipping the dental hygiene classroom and share lessons they have learned along the way. Join us to learn how to enhance your classroom using the flipped classroom model.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the flipped classroom concept.
2. Describe the role of the teacher in a flipped classroom.
3. Create engaging learning activities to facilitate critical thinking during class time.
4. Apply the concepts of the flipped classroom to dental hygiene curriculum.

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If all you are doing is root planing, you are merely scratching the surface. While bacteria initiate periodontal disease, the host response to bacteria determines the level of periodontal and systemic destruction. Traditional anti-bacterial therapies work, but they do not work for all patients. Come and learn how to determine which patients have a contributing host response. More importantly, learn the changes that you can make in your treatment protocols to help your patients modulate their host response. There are new advances in low dose doxycycline, nutrition and antioxidants. This course will show you how to use the new treatment advances in periodontics for the better of your patients and your practice. You will leave with a clear understanding of what to say, what to use and how to use it.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify how to incorporate a three-prong approach to disease management.
2. Determine which patients have elevated host response.
3. Understand host modulation concepts including: low dose doxycyline stress relief, nutrition (carboyhydrate, fatty acids, antioxidants, phytochemicals).
4. Develop a workable protocol for host modulation in your clinical practice.

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This program will provide participants with an update and overview of the most frequently prescribed FDA-approved brand name medications for the past year. Throughout the program, special emphasis will be given to those medications whose actions, side effects, or interactions with other medications may impact dental therapy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the most frequently prescribed FDA-approved medications.
2. Review the basic mechanism of action, principle therapeutic indications, and potential adverse reactions and drug interactions of these medications.
3. Discuss the clinical dental considerations of these medications and their potential impact on dental therapy.

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Dental hygienists play a key role in caring for people with all types of cancer. Oral health issues often go untreated during cancer therapy. Side effects, particularly oral mucositis, are associated with severe pain and infections that can often delay treatment and significantly impact the patient's quality of life. Individuals undergoing treatment for all types of cancer need ongoing support from their oral healthcare providers as well as their oncology team in order to maintain their oral health and minimize the oral side effects occurring during and following treatment. Program participants will learn ways to collaborate with healthcare providers to provide supportive care to patients with a cancer diagnosis.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the various cancer treatment modalities and the oral side effects from cancer therapy.
2. Describe the current, evidence based strategies for managing oral side effects and minimizing the severity of oral complications.
3. Describe how to integrate cancer screenings, early detection and education into daily dental hygiene practice.
4. Discuss ways to increase collaboration between oral healthcare providers and medical care providers for treating patients with cancer.

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Part of the current healthcare crisis is the result of an inability of health professionals to work together effectively. Interest in a more team-based educational approach has been promoted since the 1970's, but more recent issues of safety and the delivery of quality healthcare have accelerated and enhanced the focus on building interprofessional teamwork. Traditional learning occurs in educational silos which limits interprofessional collaboration. Interprofessional collaboration can improve understanding of professional knowledge and skills; enhance problem solving, critical thinking, and patient satisfaction, motivation and cooperation especially in relation to chronic health conditions. It is understood that schools of health professions have a need to educate students to close the gap between current health professions training and actual practice needs and certainties. Using the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice as a guide, interprofessional education can be developed. Incorporation of technology as a way to both educate the students and as means of disseminating information allows for the education to reach beyond the walls of an educational structure. Meeting the call for improved interprofessional collaboration, with the incorporation of technology, through interprofessional education was the purpose of our project.

Learning Objectives:

1. Presentation of the development and format for providing three courses for interprofessional education to graduate level students in four professional programs.
2. Discussion the process of working towards interprofessional education within the College of Health Science at Old Dominion University.
3. Presentation of results from the first full year of coursework from the perspectives of the faculty and students.

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Clinical research studies provide opportunities for dental hygienists to become valuable study team members. Dental hygienists may not realize their current skills and knowledge may be all that is required to find themselves in the world of research. In other circumstances, willingness to obtain training in related specialized techniques may be an area of opportunity. In addition to clinical application, dental hygienists may engage in research development, management, and regulatory documentation and compliance. Through example and discussion, this course will provide an overview of what it means to be a research study coordinator and the variety of clinical applications there are for dental hygienists.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the scope of clinical research.
2. Identify areas of personal interest where skills and knowledge can be applied to a research study.
3. Understand the role of a research assistant and the role of a study coordinator.

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Dentistry is well positioned to recognize the signs of individuals that are trapped in dangerous situations. Abuse, neglect, domestic violence and human trafficking surround us in today's society and leave clear indicators that-if we are properly trained to recognize them- can be detected. All too often an individual is crying for help and it goes unheard. Dental professionals are in a front-line capacity to prevent serious mental and physical consequences...perhaps even save a person's life. This course will highlight some of the key warning signs of abuse, neglect, maltreatment and human trafficking. Resources will be given for the most appropriate avenues for aiding these individuals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn to recognize the most common indicators of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
2. Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities involved in reporting and referring victims.
3. Explore available resources.
4. Implement an action plan.

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For health care providers, clear health communication is about helping patients to understand and act on health care information so they can follow instructions with the goal of improving health outcomes. Whether presenting oral hygiene recommendations to sustain oral health or recommending dental treatment, each team member plays a vital role in communicating the message to the patient. For the hygienist, this is a primary role of patient care. Today's technology offers many options to engage patients in their care. Learn strategies for evidence-based decision making for selection of oral care products and how to present them to your patients for improved adherence. Learn what communication science has to say regarding the type of communication that patients respond to best and how each team member's behavioral style contributes. Learn how your unique style can interfere or enlighten patient acceptance. This is a professional empowerment presentation that the dental team will apply immediately to their practices.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the health communication needs of providers and how they compare to the unique communication needs of the patients.
2. Discuss strategies to bridge the gap between the communication differences.
3. Discuss verbal/non verbal communication cues and how to benefit from them.
4. Develop strategies for improved patient relationships through understanding behavioral styles, use of technology, and individualizing product selection.

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Research validates that active learning via a collection of technology options effectively engages the adult learner and enhances the learning experience. Students of the 21st century have distinctively different learning styles from students of previous generations. The "net" generation of students is surrounded by digital technology and progressive dental educators can employ these technologies to enhance in-class and out-of-class student learning and maximize student engagement. This session will assist educators in kicking the habit of traditional podium lecture-based course and apply learning strategies that incorporate technologies into the education process. Dental hygiene faculty who utilize a wide span of technology methods to foster learning and critical thinking will conduct this session.

Learning Objectives:

1. Experience evidence-based approaches for engaging students of the 21st century through techniques such as social media and mobile apps.
2. Use evolving technology to meet instructional needs of students with varying learning styles.
3. Incorporate the latest technologies to enhance teaching effectiveness encompass creativity and maximize learning.

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In 2012, 8 million people received long term care services in a variety of settings in the United States. Demand for dental hygienists to provide services in these settings is rapidly increasing as older Americans age and keep more teeth longer. They expect to receive quality, cost effective, convenient, preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services on-site. Currently dental hygienists in 37 states can provide direct access care. This course will help prepare dental hygienist to provide care for adults in a variety of alternative living/long term care settings. It will focus on the special needs and challenges of caring for elderly and disabled adults; provide evidence-based, patient-centered treatment concepts; and first-hand practical information. Additionally, it will increase practitioner confidence to step up to meet the demands of our growing elderly population and reap the special rewards of providing special care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Assess and discuss the impact of aging demographics in America.
2. Discuss the federal regulatory requirements for dental services in nursing homes.
3. Identify common medical conditions of and medications for adults in long term care setting.
4. Discuss oral health challenges for persons living in long term care settings.

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This course is an overview of oral pathologic conditions affecting children, adults and geriatric clients. It includes both common and uncommon conditions. Many of the images and cases presented are from Ms. Lukes' own personal collection of lesion images accumulated over 32 years as a dental hygienist and a 24 year teaching career. Etiology, clinical appearance, treatment options and relevance to dental hygiene are included for each lesion/condition. Comparison images for inclusion in the differential diagnosis will also be presented and discussed. This course can serve as an excellent update for seasoned hygienists/dentists or a relevant review for new graduates entering the field.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the etiology of various oral pathologic conditions affecting children, adolescent, adult and geriatric clients.
2. Describe the clinical appearance of various oral pathologic conditions.
3. Explain the importance of current oral pathology knowledge when conducting intra/extra-oral exams.
4. Compare/contrast lesions that can be considered in a differential diagnosis for each pathologic entity.

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This course is for dental hygienists treating patients who have implants beyond the single tooth implant. Treatment of patients who currently have or in the future need implants begins with analyzing patient criteria for implant placement from medical issues to local anatomy requirements. This course will compare and contrast teeth and implants in sickness and in health. The presentation will examine causes and identify treatment options for peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Most importantly, each participant will leave the course with a management protocol for implant maintenance from the perspective of both the dental hygienist and the patient.

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze patient criteria for implant placement.
2. Identify criteria for healthy implants and ailing/failing implants.
3. Examine causes and identify treatment options for peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.
4. Determine proper management protocol for implant maintenance.

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This course will describes the field of oral health services research and explore its relevance to oral health and dental hygiene practice and policy. Attendees will be provided with an overview of the research process, from question formulation and study designs to data collection and analysis. These processes will be described as they were applied to recent dissertation work, Understanding the Influence of State Health Workforce Policies on Oral Health Service Delivery at U.S. Health Centers. Findings from this study have significant policy implications at the federal, state and local levels, and are especially relevant to the profession of dental hygiene. Conference attendees will come away with a basic understanding of oral health services research and its policy applications.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the field of health service research and its application in oral health policy.
2. Present key findings from seminal work in the area dental hygiene policy and access to care.
3. Discuss policy implications the oral health workforce.

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Having a clear vision of your career path is critical for implementing development strategies that will enhance both your academic career and professional satisfaction. This course will discuss many aspects of career development including how to develop the most marketable curriculum vitae and teaching portfolio; mechanisms to navigate the promotion and tenure process; setting goals to achieve success; protecting time and learning to say "no"; methods to increase promotion and career advancement; using the yearly evaluation process to market your strengths and more! This seminar will be presented by two seasoned dental hygiene academicians who are now leading faculty development initiatives at their respective institutions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Build and implement a professional plan for their academic career.
2. Implement strategies learned to build an impressive curriculum vitae and teaching portfolio.
3. Execute the necessary steps for moving through the ranks in academia.
4. Incorporate time management strategies to achieve work-life satisfaction.

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The National Center on Health (NCH) Oral Health Project in collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) is working to improve oral health status of pregnant women, infants, and children in Head Start. ADHA has identified a Head Start dental hygienist liaison (DHL) for every state and the District of Columbia to provide a communication link between NCH and Head Start oral health activities and programs. In addition, DHLs collaborate with state organizations and ongoing networks (e.g., Dental Home Initiatives), to address oral health education, disease prevention and access-to-care issues. Through an interactive question and answer format, this seminar will provide an overview of the approaches used, discuss success stories and challenges, and allow for audience participation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss successful strategies for collaboration to improve the oral health of pregnant women, infants, and children enrolled in Head Start.
2. Discuss successful efforts to overcome challenges related to education, disease prevention, and access to care issues impacting Head Start participants.
3. Describe materials produced by the National Center on Health focused on oral health and the integration of oral health into overall health.
4. Develop ways to interface with DHLs and Head Start programs in their own states.

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Have you ever had a patient ask you a question that you didn't know how to answer about community water fluoridation? Have you searched for information about fluoridation online? Search no further. Learn the history of community water fluoridation and understand the myths and facts around this evidence-based practice. Come learn how to answer questions from patients, decision makers and even the media in this interactive session on one of the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the history of community water fluoridation, why this health practice was begun and the many decades of research reinforcing its effectiveness and safety.
2. Understand the importance of framing fluoridation in the larger context of prevention and the need to protect teeth.
3. Convey the science behind fluoridation in language that elected officials, community organizations and other lay persons will find both understandable and persuasive.
4. Recognize the five most common arguments used by fluoridation opponents and why these claims are inaccurate or misleading.

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Learning about the patient with autism can also be extremely beneficial to the care and treatment of the patient with fear and anxiety. This course will review the data and definitions of Autism Spectrum Disorder and will explore the multitude of techniques that can help guide patients with both autism and anxiety through a successful dental appointment. Practitioners are finding patients who are challenged with these diseases in their practice on a more routine basis than ever before. The need to better understand these patients and their unique abilities and gifts has never been greater. A review of how to properly assess the patient's abilities will be conducted. Techniques for treatment and a review of technology and creativity that might be used will be explored. A comprehensive documented home care regimen that should be provided to caretakers will be discussed. Guidelines will be given for practitioners on how to easily incorporate these special patients into their practice and make their career more rewarding than they ever imagined it could be.

Learning Objectives:

1. Generate a basic understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
2. Provide a review of how to properly assess the patients abilities.
3. Establish and review techniques for treatment that encompass creativity and the latest in technology.
4. Provide guidelines on how to easily incorporate the patient with ASD into a typical practice.

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This course will provide participants with strategies for success when writing and submitting manuscripts for publication. Topics will include manuscript preparation, submission, addressing reviewer's comments and overall strategies for getting a paper into publishable form. How to write a meaningful and relevant paper also will be emphasized. Participants may bring examples of works in progress for feedback and guidance.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the peer review process and differentiate between publication types.
2. Discuss necessary elements that must be included in peer reviewed, scientific journal submissions.
3. List essential steps for responding to reviewers comments.

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Dental hygienists experience a level of stress beyond that of the average professional. They look for relief in addressing external problems in their practice by avoidance and withdrawal. However, external behaviors are not going to resolve this internal, biological reaction. Learn where stress is present in your practice, why it prevents you from achieving your goals, and how to move from functional to OPTIMAL. In her pragmatic approach, Jen Butler (nationally certified presenter and board certified coach) debunks the myths behind stress in dentistry and shares how to successfully navigate stressors unique to the world of dental hygiene. Attendees will build an actionable plan to incorporate practical, effective coping methods with the end result being less stress, increased production, and more energy for business and life.

Learning Objectives:

1. Know Your Stress - understand the different kinds of stress and the effects each has on the dental hygiene department and overall dental practice.
2. Assess Your Stress - evaluate personal stress levels and the impact on dental hygiene production and patient care.
3. Reduce Your Stress - recognize stress triggers and learn effective coping methods that create change.

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Practicums are a tool educators can use to transport students from the unknown to the known. This course offers a practical means for expanding the applicability of practicums for dental hygiene educators and dental hygiene students. Students of dental hygiene can use the practicum as a tool for finding their primary discipline and which areas of concentration interest them the most. A practicum provides dental hygiene students with autonomy not typically offered in the classroom. Involvement in a practicum corresponds with the increase in awareness of public health as a career choice, roles of leadership, and cultural diversity. As well, consider how the practicum can tie-in with research, build community partnerships, and motivate students.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the benefits of including practicum service learning as a teaching tool.
2. Provide students with the tools to experience working in the field of public health by creating, implementing, and evaluating a program in their community.
3. Recognize the future potential of practicum in dental hygiene curriculum.

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This presentation introduces the participants to interprofessional health care delivery and the role of the dental hygiene professional. Best practices are emphasized for team formation, effective communication strategies, and patient care processes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define an interprofessional approach to health care.
2. List national supporters of interprofessional health care.
3. Identify best practices for the dental hygiene professional in interprofessional health care.

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Service learning can play an integral role in developing critical thinking skills, heightening a student's or individual's sense of community, allow civic engagement, and may easily be integrated into a dental hygiene curriculum or private practice setting.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand service learning/servant leadership.
2. Determine where service learning can be implemented.
3. Implement instructional strategies and learning goals.

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Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death. Smoking rates have been declining in the US in the past 50 years but 18% of adult population continue to smoke. Many smokers fail to quit and switch to e-cigarettes. During this course we will discuss e-cigarettes as a potential harm reduction product, and systemic and local effects of 'vaporing'. The speaker will compare e-cigarettes with traditional cigarettes and NRTs. The nicotine content, potential for inducing addiction and assisting in tobacco cessation will be discussed. The participants will identify barriers for chair-side tobacco cessation counseling and discuss evidence-based interventions. The participants will become familiar with the current regulations of production and distribution of e-cigarettes in USA.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify systemic health risks and effects of e-cigarettes on the oral cavity.
2. Recognize differences in nicotine content in traditional cigarettes, NRTs and e-cigarettes.
3. Discuss evidence-based interventions and incorporate tobacco cessation into clinical practice.

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