Have you ever dissected why you do what you do within the walls of your operatory? Why do you feel compelled to perform an oral cancer exam on every patient? Why do you see signs of early perio disease but decide to do a prophy instead? Why do you recommend string floss to a patient with a history of non-compliance? Why does ‘selling’ products or presenting treatment services sometimes feel inauthentic and uncomfortable?

Finding a strong ‘why’, a strong reason to consistently implement new protocols, products or techniques is a key component to create lasting change that makes a real difference in your career and the lives of your patients. Even if treatment and homecare recommendations are backed by compelling research, without a strong, emotionally-based ‘reason to believe’ gaining patient acceptance is difficult.

This fast-paced webinar will walk participants through real-life examples of how Rachel has achieved ultimate success with her own patients and coaching clients through acceptance of compelling recommendations. Come and learn the how-to’s of crafting a strong ‘why’ behind your every-day clinical decisions and recommendations.

Special Spring Bundle Offer:
Buy "Finding Your Why" and receive a 50% Discount on your choice of any 2 currently available ineedce 2 credit hour courses.

All 3 Courses must be purchased at the same time.
To recieve discount enter Promotion Code: 3BUNDLE2013  Offer Expires 07/31/2013

Caries diagnosis is one of the most basic diagnostic skills that oral healthcare professionals must learn; and yet, it remains one of the most difficult skills to reliably and predictably master. In this course we will review the various caries detection technologies available to assist the dental professional with this complex task.

 Dentists are obligated to document and report suspected cases of abuse in all states, and dental hygienists are similarly obligated in some, but not all, states. The obligation is not to prove abuse or neglect, just to report what is suspected. Each state has different regulations on mandatory reporting for healthcare and other professionals, as well as specific reporting requirements for private citizens. It is essential that dental professionals know the potential signs and symptoms of the various types of abuse, are able to identify these, and understand the mandatory requirements for reporting in the state(s) in which they live and practice. It is by identifying, documenting and reporting abuse that victims can be protected and perpetrators prevented from continuing abusive practices and patterns.

Americans consume an average of 400 calories per day of added sugars in their diet from high-fructose corn syrup, table sugar, honey, and all other sweeteners with calories! Today’s sugar consumption has jumped 20% over the past 30 years with a correlating rise in obesity, and the domino effect continues with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, elevated triglyceride levels, liver disease and Type II diabetes. Soft drinks which are the greatest culprit of this growing “sugar obsession” are implicated in increased risk for dental caries and tooth erosion. This program gives a review of the literature related to sugar’s impact on overall health, but also provides good news for today’s clinician seeking methods to help reduce decay, remineralize tooth structure, and motivate patients to reclaim their health!

Program Format Note: This program is offered in both a Text based format (PDF) and an Audio Video Webinar format (Interactive).

Special Bundle Offer:
Buy "America’s Sweet Tooth Obsession and Its Impact on Oral and Systemic Health" and receive a 20% Discount on your choice of any 2 currently available ineedce 2 credit hour courses.

All 3 Courses must be purchased at the same time.
To recieve discount enter Promotion Code: 1BUNDLE2013
Offer Expires 12/31/2013

The current approach to dental caries focuses on modifying and correcting factors to favor oral health. Caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) is an evidence-based approach to preventing or treating dental caries at the earliest stages. Caries protective factors are biologic or therapeutic measures that can be used to prevent or arrest the pathologic challenges posed by the caries risk factors. Best practices dictate that once the clinician has identified the patient’s caries risk (low, moderate, high or extreme), a therapeutic and/or preventive plan should be implemented. Motivating patients to adhere to recommendations from their dental professionals is also an important aspect in achieving successful outcomes in caries management. Along with fluoride, new products are available to assist clinicians with noninvasive management strategies.

Oral irritations and ulcerations occur frequently in the general population. Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) are the most common. There are three types of RAU — minor, major and herpetiform, the most common being minor aphthae. The exact etiology of RAU is not known. Systemic and local factors, as well as infectious agents, have been proposed. Certain medications and foods are associated with oral ulcerations, and chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) contained in dentifrices have also been implicated. RAU also occur in more serious systemic diseases and where appropriate patients should be referred for screening and medical care. Treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers is palliative, based on the severity of the lesions. Both topical and systemic medications are available. Nutritional and oral hygiene advice should also be given, and if patients are sensitive to SLS, a low-dose SLS or SLS-free dentifrice should be recommended.

Dental erosion is a prevalent condition that occurs worldwide. It is the result of exposure of the enamel and dentin to nonbacterial acids of extrinsic and intrinsic origin, whereby mineral loss occurs from the surface of the tooth. The most frequently affected areas are the palatal surface of maxillary incisors and the occlusal surface of the mandibular first molars in adolescents. Characteristic early signs of dental erosion include smooth and flat facets on facial or palatal surfaces, and shallow and localized dimpling on occlusal surfaces. Early intervention is key to effectively preventing erosive tooth wear. Effective prevention of dental erosion includes measures that can avoid or reduce direct contact with acids, increase acid resistance of dental hard tissues and minimize toothbrushing abrasion.

Dentinal hypersensitivity has been referred to as one of the most painful and chronic dental conditions, with a reported prevalence of between 4% and 57% in the general population and a higher prevalence in periodontal patients. It may also occur as a result of, or during, dental treatment. Clinicians must screen for dentinal hypersensitivity and diagnose by exclusion, determine appropriate treatment, and provide treatment and preventive recommendations. Consideration should also be given to treating dentinal hypersensitivity associated with dental treatment. Traditional treatments have included adhesive resins, fluoride varnishes, HEMA, iontophoresis, gingival grafts and desensitizing dentifrices. Other technologies include the use of bioglass particles, ACP, as well as 8% arginine and calcium carbonate paste.

Dentistry is well positioned to recognize the signs of individuals that are trapped in dangerous situations. All too often an individual is crying for help and no one takes the time to get involved. Recognizing and reporting these dangerous situations is our responsibility as dental professionals. This course will highlight some of the key warning signs of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment and discuss the most appropriate avenues for aiding these individuals.

Program Format Note: This program is offered in both a Text based format (PDF) and an Audio Video Webinar format (Interactive)

Methamphetamines were originally derived from amphetamine. Meth can be illegally and easily synthesized, and is known by many names, including speed, crystal meth and ice. In the United States, more than 10 million people report having tried meth. Its use results in immediate effects that can be pleasurable but medically dangerous. Longer-term use results in serious and devastating medical, psychological and oral conditions, and in extreme cases can result in death. Dental professionals are in a position to help with the early identification of meth abuse and to refer patients to medical professionals for counseling and treatment. Palliative and preventive oral care and treatment, as well as counseling, should be provided, along with monitoring of the patient, and definitive care should be provided when appropriate for the individual patient.

Numerous healthcare experts have agreed that dental caries in the pediatric population is one of the most serious health concerns in this country.  Early prevention and intervention are the keys to ending this “silent epidemic”.  The American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, both support a child’s first dental visit before their first birthday.  This online program will address the primary foundation of long-term oral health: early risk assessment.  Participants will learn how to perform both initial and on-going risk assessments on infants and toddlers in their practices.  After discussing risk, through the use of patient case studies, participants will learn how to implement new strategies in preventing oral disease.  Based on risk assessment, CE attendees will then learn how to implement various therapeutic chair-side and at-home products appropriate for infant and toddler disease control.  Establishing a lifetime of good oral health begins with the dental professional’s knowledge of risk assessment in order to predict prevention.

Program Format Note: This program is offered in both a Text based format (PDF) and an Audio Video Webinar format (Interactive)

The first major active ingredient introduced into modernday, over-the-counter dentifrices was fluoride. Since then, dentifrices have been developed with ingredients offering anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis, anti-halitosis, whitening or desensitizing benefits, or a multiplicity of benefits. Given the range of dentifrices currently available, and their differences, a recommendation is important; this should be based on the individual patient’s specific needs and desires and the scientific support for a dentifrice.

For several decades, the use of fluoride has been a mainstay in controlling dental caries. Preventing and treating dental caries requires an individualized approach that must consider a patient’s risk level, determined through a risk assessment. In-office topical fluorides were developed between the 1950s and 1970s, with considerable research conducted on ways to enhance the duration of contact and uptake of fluoride. Based on available clinical trials and evidence-based data, the American Dental Association Council of Scientific Affairs developed recommendations for the use of in-office topical fluorides. In addition, antimicrobials and calcium and phosphate technologies are available for use.

It is now recognized that symptoms of heart disease in women may be different than those experienced by men. All too often, women ignore these symptoms. This discussion will lend itself to the recognition of these symptoms, risk factors, as well as preventive and treatment modalities for heart disease in women. Tips for maintaining good heart health over the course of a lifetime will be presented.

Program Format Note: This program is offered in both a Text based format (PDF) and an Audio Video Webinar format (Interactive).

Special Bundle Offer:
Buy "The Number One Killer of Women: Heart Disease" and receive a 20% Discount on your choice of any 2 currently available ineedce 2 credit hour courses.

All 3 Courses must be purchased at the same time.
To recieve discount enter Promotion Code: 2BUNDLE2013  Offer Expires 12/31/2013

Caries remains an endemic problem worldwide. A number of primary and contributory factors determine whether or not caries develops as well as a patient’s risk, while risk modifiers mitigate caries risk. Fluoride has played a central role for several decades in caries prevention, with in-office and home-care options available. Performing an individual risk assessment enables the dental professional to determine the level and type of preventive care appropriate for a particular patient.

Following the discovery that fluoride plays a role in the prevention of dental caries, professional topical fluorides were developed. Traditionally, fluoride gels and, later, fluoride foams were used in the US and Canada. More recently, fluoride varnishes were introduced first in Canada, and then in the US where they are cleared for use as desensitizing agents. The use of fluoride varnishes for caries prevention is ‘off-label’ in the US. A recent publication by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs recommends the use of fluoride varnish or fluoride gel for professional topical fluoride treatments, with the choice depending on patient age and risk category. Due to insufficient evidence, foams are not recommended for professional topical fluoride treatment and there is no evidence to support rinses. Fluoride gel and varnish have both proven to be effective, with only varnish recommended in the under-6 age group. Evidence-based treatment requires that the clinician assess a patient’s risk level prior to treatment, which can be done with formal risk assessment tools such as CAries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) and the Caries Assessment Tool (CAT).

Dental plaque is a complex biofilm consisting of a polysaccharide matrix containing bacteria, voids and nonvital material of bacterial origin. Both cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria reside in dental biofilm (plaque). While other factors must also be present for caries or periodontal disease to exist in a patient, without these bacteria neither bacterial disease will occur. The primary goal of toothbrushing is to remove the dental biofilm present on and adjacent to the teeth, thereby removing the bacteria associated with caries and periodontal disease; use of a dentifrice while brushing helps remove plaque and will also deliver agents to the tooth surface. Manual, powered and sonic brushes have all been shown to be effective and safe for the removal of plaque, when used appropriately. Selecting or recommending oral hygiene aids involves a number of considerations, including effectiveness, cleaning ability, ease of use and likely compliance.