Whiter Shade of Pale: Dental Hygienist's Role in Tooth Whitening

Description of Course:
Tooth whitening now offers a quick and safe means of improving a patient's appearance and oral health. The dental hygienist's role in tooth whitening includes a knowledge of the process and options for this opportunity. Importantly, the dental hygienist must also understand patient education and selection of this process. This course will provide a specific dental hygiene treatment plan that includes tooth whitening.

This newest course by an Oral Biologist and former NW Regional Clinical Trainer discusses the following topics for dental hygienists:

  1. •Etiology of Tooth Stains and Types

  2. •Process of Tooth Whitening

  3. •Treatment Options for Tooth Whitening

  4. •Patient Selection and Education

  5. •Whitening Abuse

  6. •Integration of Tooth Whitening into the Dental Practice

  7. •Scheduling Requirements for Tooth Whitening Options

  8. •Dealing with Complications of Tooth Whitening (oral cancer, caries?)

  9. •Case Scenarios taken from Private Practice Situations

  10. •See related newsletter.

After taking this newest course, the dental hygienists should be able to:

  1. •Understand the etiology of tooth stains and describe the different types.

  2. •Discuss the process of tooth whitening.

  3. •Identify the treatment options for tooth whitening.

  4. •Incorporate tooth whitening into patient education discussion.

  5. •Complete the medical history of a patient concerned with tooth whitening.

  6. •Complete the dental history of a patient concerned with tooth whitening.

  7. •Understand the integration of tooth whitening into the dental practice and how to deal with complications due to tooth whitening.

  8. •Form and provide a specific dental hygiene treatment plan that includes tooth whitening.


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Not So Sweet:
Treating the Compromised Diabetic Dental Patient

Description of Course:
Many dental professionals will encounter oral manifestations in patients with diabetes mellitus. This course provides a discussion of the disease's medical background, as it explains why it is important to understand the possible oral effects of this chronic disease, and also suggests steps to take in establishing a dental treatment plan for the diabetic patient.

This course discusses the following topics:

  1. •Etiology and main types

  2. •Risk factors and symptoms

  3. •Treatment and complications of diabetes

  4. •Emergencies associated with diabetes and its treatment

  5. •General and oral considerations for a diabetic patient

  6. •Specific dental treatment plan for the diabetic patient.


After taking this course, the dental professional should be able to:

  1. •Discuss the etiology and main types of diabetes mellitus.

  2. •Recognize the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes.

  3. •Identify the treatment and complications of diabetes.

  4. •Discuss the emergencies associated with diabetes and its treatment.

  5. •Understand and document the general and oral considerations for a diabetic patient.

  6. •Form a specific dental treatment plan that includes and integrates the general and oral considerations of a diabetic.

  7. •See related newsletter


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Getting Older and Keeping Better:
Mature Women's Oral Health Needs

Description of course:
Studies show that while women tend to take better care of their oral health than men do, women's oral health is not markedly better than men's. This is because hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many oral tissues. This course will give an overview of the perimenopausal and menopausal period of time for mature women. Discussion will center on the changes anticipated in the oral cavity during this transition time. Post breast cancer care will be discussed, as well as updated information on xerostomia, burning mouth syndrome, TMD, menopausal gingivostomatitis, osteoporosis, and elder abuse.  The controversy over the role of Hormone Replacement Therapy will also be covered. Related resources from literature and the Internet will be included. The goal is for the participant to be able to alter a dental hygiene treatment plan so that will be tailored to the mature woman's changing oral health needs.

This course discusses the following topics for dental hygienists:

  1. •Overview of Gender Issues in Dentistry

  2. •Considerations for Dental Hygiene Treatment

  3. •Perimenopausal and Menopausal Periods

  4. •Dental Concerns Associated with Transitional Period

  5. •Post Breast Cancer Care 

  6. •Update on Oral Health Concerns

  7. •Hormone Replacement Therapy (latest information)

  8. •Research and Role of Dental Hygienist

  9. •See related newsletter.

After taking this course, the dental hygienist should be able to:

  1. •Gain an understanding of the gender issues in dentistry.

  2. •Increase the understanding of the concerns of the population in regards to dental interventions.

  3. •Understand the differing periods in a mature woman's life.

  4. •Discuss post breast cancer care as it relates to dentistry.

  5. •Discuss hormone replacement therapy and its latest role in women's health.

  6. •Form a dental treatment plan geared to the mature women's life.

  7. •Locate reference sources for information on the mature women's and their dental concerns.

  8. •Integrate the knowledge concerning the mature women into their dental care.


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Margaret showing palpation skills to seminar participants

All Hands on Deck!
Advanced Patient Assessment Skills

Description of Course:
This course will review the head and neck anatomy necessary for a patient assessment, both intraorally and extraorally. Handouts will include figures and tables of related information. There will also be a discussion of assessment technique and lesion description so that the participant can easily perform the examinations.

This course by Oral Biology Textbook Author discusses the following topics for dental hygienists:

  1. •Review of Surface Anatomy and Regions of the Head and Neck (referenced by Illustrated Anatomy of Head and Neck, Fehrenbach and Herring, 3 ed, Saunders, Chapter: Extraoral and Intraoral Clinical Assessment, Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice, Darby and Walsh, 3 ed, Saunders).

  2. •Review of Lymphatic System

  3. •Patient Assessment Technique

  4. •Lesion Description and Method (referenced by Oral Pathology for Dental Hygienists, Ibsen and Phelan, Chapters Co-Authored by Fehrenbach, 5 ed,  Saunders)

  5. •Patient Self- Examination Procedures

  6. •Actual Case Scenarios taken from Private Practice Situations are Presented for Integration of Information.


*** Clinical Hands-On Demonstration Workshop Available of Intraoral and Extraoral Examinations ***

After taking this course, the dental hygienist should be able to:

  1. •Define and pronounce all anatomical terms.

  2. •Understand the anatomy of the head and neck, including the lymphatics.

  3. •Discuss patient assessment technique used by dental professionals.

  4. •Discuss the methods for lesion description.

  5. •Integrate the knowledge of head and neck anatomy, patient assessment techniques, and lesion description during patient examinations.

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Pump It Up!!!
Blood Pressure Issues in the Dental Office

Description of Course:
Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure and it is estimated that 1 in every 4 American adults has high blood pressure or around 50 million. Once it develops, it usually lasts a lifetime.  We can make a real difference in our patients lives, taking their blood pressure and then have them understand the changes they may need to make.

This course discusses the following topics for dental professionals:

  1. •Background on this important vital sign

  2. •Complications for high blood pressure

  3. •Various levels of blood pressure

  4. •Communication skills for relaying information on blood pressure

  5. •Types of medications given for high blood pressure

  6. •How to take effective measurement of blood pressure in the dental office

  7. •See related newsletter

*** Clinical Hands-On Demonstration Workshop Available for Taking Blood Pressures ***

After taking this course, the dental professional should be able to:

  1. • Describe the vital sign of blood pressure and what are its normal values. 

  2. •Recognize the need and the reasons for taking blood pressures of patient in the dental office. 

  3. •Discuss the various types of high blood pressure and what can cause it to be elevated.  Included is the new designation of prehypertension.

  4. •Communicate with our patients about how they may want to change their lifestyle to reduce their blood pressure. 

  5. •Understand the types of medications that are taken for high blood pressure. 

  6. •Effectively take and record a blood pressure reading of a patient in the dental office.

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Margaret demonstrates the correct methods for taking blood pressure to seminar participants


Not Such A Drag!
Tobacco Cessation Efforts Saves Lives in the Dental Office

Description of Course:
Tobacco use in U.S. is the leading cause of preventable death and disability and the number one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In addition it is the number risk factor for periodontal disease and is associated with 75% of oral cancers.  It is essential that dental professionals first identify those that use tobacco, and then know that even brief tobacco cessation discussion is effective. In addition, numerous effective pharmacotherapies now exist. Thus every dental patient who uses tobacco should be offered support to quit tobacco. This course can give the dental professional the tools to offer this support in the dental office.

The course by Oral Biologist and Dental Professional with experience in tobacco cessation, including State Liaison for ADHA and Tobacco Intervention Initiative ADHA Committee Member, will cover the following topics:

  1. •Burden of tobacco use

  2. •Typical protocols for tobacco cessation in the dental office use

  3. •Discussion of quitlines and pharmacotherapies for tobacco cessation

  4. •See related newsletter

  5. •See related PowerPoint Program

After taking this course, the dental professional should be able to:

  1. •Describe the burden of tobacco use, especially in its oral effects. 

  2. •Relate the present statistics for tobacco cessation. 

  3. •Outline the typical protocols for tobacco cessation that can be used in the dental office. 

  4. •Role play for varying patients when considering their history of tobacco use. 

  5. •Discuss the use of tobacco quitlines and pharmacotherapies for tobacco cessation.

  6. •Integrate the knowledge of tobacco cessation into the dental office setting.  


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Updated 7/2/201

 

Margaret at her seminar on Risk Assessment for Chicago Under One Roof, RDH Magazine. where she got to visit with her fellow RDH listers and Mark Hartley, Editor


Now access Margaret's
Online Continuing Education Coursework through dentassist Online Education

Fully Updated for 2010

  1. •Dental Erosion

  2. •Diabetes: The Sweet Tooth Reality

  3. •Essentials of the Geriatric Patient

  4. •Smoking & Periodontal Disease

  5. •The Oral Health of Women

  6. •Tongue Piercing: The Hole Story

  7. •Tuberculosis: Unmasking the White Plague

  8. •Coming: Knowing Your Basics: Updating of Hot Topics in Dentistry


  1. 1.Click on "dental continuing education online".

  2. 2.Previous Users - Login
    First time Users - Register online

  3. 3.Pay with a credit card and
    download courses.

  4. 4.Take tests online and receive immediate results.

  5. 5.CE certificates will be automatically emailed to you.


Courses are approved for license renewal in all States.


Comments from Online Participants:


“This is a great tool for getting the CE courses fast, still effective.”


“Great for working into my time schedule.”


“Overall an excellent course(s) and I appreciate the ability to do this online. Thank you!”


“This course is well written and better proofread than most online course work!”

COMMENTS ON ONSITE SEMINARS FROM PARTICIPANTS

"Last summer at an outdoor neighborhood fest, our neighbor was wearing a tank top and on her upper chest, just below the neck, I noticed a small growth.  I pointed it out to her and asked if she'd had it looked at.  She hadn't, and I urged her to get it checked.  A month later we are out again, she comes up to me and thanks me for saving her life--malignant melanoma.  Of course, she wanted to know why I had ever thought it looked odd, as it never had to her.   Just part of the job, I thought, and thank goodness  for those extra CE's I take on Oral Path.  So I will share the ‘THANKS’  with you."

"Great personality and speaking technique.   Subject could have been boring but speaker made it entertaining."  "The presenter was well organized and kept things moving well"  "I think the entire presentation was valuable." "Your verbal skills are as helpful as the technical ones.”

“I heard many favorable comments about your course, and would like to report that I made a clinical discovery myself due to your fine review.  I found an indurated lesion...which had a 75% chance of being cancerous, but turned out to be benign.  I don't know if I would have picked up on it so quickly if I hadn't just been to your course."

"Verbal and written comments indicate the participants thought it was a good learning experience.  As one of the participants said, 'Margaret was extremely energetic.’  Very enjoyable. " "Thank you for your knowledge and motivation." "Thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge with us."

"We were pleased that you were able to come and be with us for the review course.  The quality of the review was exceptional!"   

"Thank you and please come back again." "This was a much needed course that should be offered regularly."  "I have been practicing dental hygiene in private practice for 17 years in general practice and I learned a lot.  Thank you!" 

"I just wanted to thank you again for your wonderful presentation. You are a special person to take the time and travel to share your knowledge with your fellow hygienists."

Margaret has presented in both the United States and Canada, at ADHA and  ADA Annual Sessions and at the Yankee Dental Congress.  She has also presented at three past RDH Magazine’s "Under One Roof" sessions.  All onsite courses are presented with materials from her textbooks and other technical writing projects as well as extensive clinical experiences on PowerPoint format with useful handouts such as the latest ADHA Hyposalivation Tool. 

For more information on how your group may request Margaret for your future onsite seminar or to know more about the seminars listed below, contact her. Browse her updated resumé for more information on her background.  




Margaret at ADHA Annual Session speaking on the future of dental hygiene after receiving her ADHA Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene at the President's Luncheon (see flickr show)

 

2010-2011
ONSITE SEMINARS




Moments in Dental Science: Latest Concepts and Technology

Description of course:

This new course covers that latest concepts and technologies that are available for prevention to dental hygiene providers. It is an ever-changing course based on what is NOW new and useful for the clinician.  The course is given by an Oral Biologist  and Dental Hygiene Educational Consultant who can cover the following topics or others taken from the new updated edition of Saunders Review of Dental Hygiene (as well as the pages of the latest published research), which can be BOTH exciting and useful.

Examples of Topics Covered:

  1. •Protein in the Diet: Who Knew?

  2. •Bad Boy Bug with New Name: And Just as Bad

  3. •The Hidden Threat: The Thyroid Gland

  4. •Ready or Not: Dental Office Emergency Kit

  5. •Getting to the Heart of the Matter

  6. •Just When You Thought You Knew It All



CSI: Your City Here*: Crimes Against the Oral Cavity 
(*Case Study Investigations)

 

Description of Course:


This exciting seminar will cover the latest topics in a case study based format, using "graphic" physical evidence to solve the crimes against the oral cavity!  The participants will be given the information just as they would if they were the clinician treating the patient.  The participants will then discuss the case and collaborate on questions posed to the group by the speaker. The speaker will help moderate the discussion and then present the answers to the questions.  Questions will concern all possible aspects of dental hygiene care but mainly will concern decision-making skills and topics that have recently undergone updating. "High tech devices" will be included in the discussion. The course is given by a well-versed educator who will using for her source the new updated edition of Saunders Review of Dental Hygiene, (as well as from the pages of the latest published research). So solve the biggest mysteries yet known to dental hygiene care in your own backyard!

 

Objectives:


Learn the latest concepts and work with your decision-making skills by using the case study format. Review topics that are immediately useful to private practice.