Oral Care of the Oncology Patient: Prehabilitation Concepts

• It’s more than screening for oral abnormalities and providing dental care to patients diagnosed with Oral Cancer. Cancer of any type affects most of us, if not personally then a friend, family member or patient that visits your office. This course covers oral concerns of oncology patients and their caregivers, products to aid in treatment of those oral concerns and how the cancer diagnosis affects treatment considerations in your chair. 1-4 CEU

The Hygienist’s Role in Screening of Oral Abnormalities

• An astute dental professional is able to recognize oral abnormalities as well as an array of other conditions affecting the oral cavity. The importance of a thorough intra/extra-oral exam and screening all patients for oral abnormalities is an essential part of everyday clinical practice.  Identifying areas of concern, clinical appearance, etiology and proper documentation are key aspects of early detection. Determining treatment options requires interdisciplinary communication between general dentist, registered dental hygienist, specialist and physician. 1-3 CEU

Risk Assessments and Caries Management

• Dental caries is the most common oral disease seen in dentistry despite advancements in science and continues to be a worldwide health concern. Many suffer from caries infection and the number of individuals susceptible to carious lesions and dental caries continues to expand with increased age. Using risk assessment is an evidence-based approach to recognizing an individual’s risk for dental caries. Taking the appropriate steps to reduce this risk at the earliest indications and symptoms of disease rather than waiting for irreversible damage to the teeth to take place is preferred. 1- 3 CEU

Protocols for the Dental Office Seeing a Patient with Cancer

• Understand why the concepts of Prehabilitation can be so effective, providing access to them, helping to educate them on what to expect during their treatment and become part of their Oncology Team. This course will help you know what information you need to provide safe dental treatment and the best products to recommend for targeted interventions. You have patients every day who are affected by cancer in some way. Don’t let them lose their smile to the cancer journey! 1.5 CEU

Oral Probiotics - Can This Be What We've Been Missing?

• There is movement in dentistry to treat the oral diseases of caries and periodontal disease at their source, instead of treating just the symptoms. Most of the patients we see in our offices are experiencing some level of dental disease. Biofilms are the true culprit in oral diseases. When biofilms get out of balance, whether due to prolonged or frequent periods of low pH or other causes, demineralization begins. In this course we will learn some tools to add and how to use them! Teaching patients what is causing the problems in their mouth and teaching them how to effectively manage the cause will lead to healthier patients. 1 CEU

Sometimes Spit Doesn’t Happen!

• Xerostomia relief has become an increasing concern for dental professionals. Medications are sometimes prescribed prior to elementary school and as we age, polypharmacy can become a part of life. This course reveals the special needs of people suffering from dry mouth at any age for any reason and discusses the importance of creating a healthy oral environment prior to a patient undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis, or entering an assisted care facility. Also discussed in this course is a review of current dry mouth relief products and how to create and recommend a home care regimen individualized to each patient’s needs. 1-2 CEU