From GP to Perio Practice: Expanding Your Role as a Dental Hygienist
Featured Podcast
PODCAST EPISODE
The 3D Printer That Could Replace Your Mill
Search for Live and On-Demand CE Classes
Upcoming Free Live Webinar Schedule - Earn Interactive CEU
Full SPEED Ahead from STML to SPEED: Lessons Learned from Eight Years of Digital Dentistry
Presenter: Dr. Lincoln Fantaski CE Supporter: Kuraray Noritake
Join us for Full SPEED Ahead: From STML to SPEED - Lessons Learned from 8 Years of Digital Dentistry, a webinar exploring the evolution of multilayer zirconia and its impact on modern digital restorative workflows. This CE webinar will review how optimized milling and sintering protocols can help reduce turnaround times while maintaining esthetic and functional outcomes. Participants will gain practical strategies for implementing high-speed zirconia workflows that improve efficiency, profitability, and the patient experience. The discussion will also highlight how expanded shade options can simplify treatment planning and inventory management in a digital practice.
( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
CO2 versus Er:YAG – The Battle of Two Dragons
Presenter: Dr. Georgi Tomov CE Supporter: Light Instruments
The current technological advances led to creating of all-tissues lasers for dental use like Er:YAG and CO2. However, these lasers have different characteristics based on their wavelength and main chromophores. While the Er:YAG laser is absorbed mainly by water and less by hydroxyapatite, the CO2 laser(s) are predominantly absorbed by hydroxyapatite and less by water. These differences are giving specific tissue interactions providing advantages and disadvantages in the context of different procedures. In contrast with Er:YAG laser the CO2 laser can ensure absolute hemostasis which is essential for the bleeding control but this is not desirable during the flap surgery where the tissue vitality is essential for the final success of the therapy. The caries treatment is also a challenge for the CO2 laser because of the highest absorption in the hydroxyapatite which is resulting in superficial energy concentration and melting. And while the melted surface is preferred for treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, in the context of caries treatment it could affect negatively the adhesive strength. These and many other aspects of laser-assisted treatment will be discussed in this lecture illustrated by relevant clinical cases and supported by evidence-based scientific data.
( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Beyond Bonding: The Next Evolution of Restorative Dentistry
Presenter: Dr. Todd Snyder CE Supporter: Pulpdent
Discover how preparation design, adhesive protocols, and bioactive restorative materials work together to create stronger, longer-lasting, more predictable restorations. Adhesive dentistry has transformed the way we restore teeth, but successful restorative treatment requires more than simply creating a strong bond. Material selection, preparation design, isolation, and an understanding of how restorative materials interact with the oral environment all play a critical role in long-term clinical success. This CE webinar explores the evolution of restorative dentistry beyond traditional adhesive concepts and examines how bioactive restorative materials can contribute to durable, predictable outcomes. Through evidence-based principles, clinical techniques, and real-world case presentations, participants will gain practical strategies for improving efficiency, reducing failures, and selecting restorative materials that support both the restoration and the surrounding tooth structure.
( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Elevating Soft-Tissue Dentistry with the 9.3-Micron CO2 Laser
Presenter: Dr. Yooson Kim CE Supporter: Convergent Dental
Why send procedures out when you can treat them confidently in your own practice? With the 9.3-Micron CO2 laser, clinicians can perform a wide range of soft and osseous tissue procedures in a way that is efficient, minimally invasive, and patient-friendly. In this CE webinar, Dr. Yooson Kim will explore how this technology supports clean, precise procedures with reduced bleeding and minimal need for sutures, while elevating the overall patient experience. Discover how incorporating these techniques can expand your scope of care with procedures like gingivectomies, frenectomies, crown lengthening, and more. ( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Same-Day Digital Dentures: A Live Clinical Case Demonstration
Presenter: Dr. Nitish Surathu and Dr. Neeraj Surathu CE Supporter: Rapid Shape
This CE webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the complete digital denture workflow, from patient evaluation and intraoral scanning to CAD design, 3D printing, post-processing, and final delivery. Through live demonstrations and practical clinical guidance, participants will learn how to identify appropriate cases for digital dentures, capture accurate digital impressions, design dentures using CAD software, and prepare files for 3D printing. The webinar also explores validated printing materials, finishing protocols, and chairside delivery techniques, equipping clinicians with the knowledge to incorporate an efficient, predictable digital denture workflow into everyday practice. ( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Top Infection Control Violations of 2026
Presenter: Dr. Karson Carpenter CE Supporter: Compliance Training Partners
This one-hour CE webinar is presented by Karson L. Carpenter D.D.S., president of Compliance Training Partners, and will review top infection control violations seen over the past year. The webinar will allow participants to see areas in which they may be vulnerable to citation and fine and provide practical solutions for preventing them. Participants will receive access to a detailed infection control compliance audit application that will allow them to evaluate their facility and formulate a plan for achieving full compliance. ( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Minimally Invasive Implant Maintenance: A Confident, Modern Approach to Implant Preservation
Presenter: Karen Davis, RDH, BSDH CE Supporter: EMS Dental
Implant maintenance doesn’t need to feel risky or uncertain. This CE webinar is designed to replace hesitation with clarity, confidence, and protocols to preserve implants and prevent disease initiation. Grounded in current evidence and minimally invasive principles, the webinar helps clinicians protect implant investments, prevent complications, and standardize care. Attendees will be able to appraise the science and benefits of Guided Biofilm Therapy for professional implant maintenance and appraise benefits of adjunctive technologies patients and clinicians value for implant preservation.
( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Taking the Plunge or Making the Change...Should I Change Aligner Systems - How To Implement a New System with Minimal Office Pain
Presenter: Dr. Melissa Shotell CE Supporter: ClearCorrect
In the dental space we seek consistency and predictability. It is easy to rely on the “that is what I learned in dental school” philosophy for day-to-day clinical success. New developments in techniques and materials offer great clinical advantages, but can create stress of the unknown and disruption of current office workflows. Changing systems and techniques, or utilizing a new product can be done with a clear road map to implement changes chairside, and understanding messaging for patients. Participants will attend a course that is designed to alleviate the stress of implementing a new system, by creating a working roadmap for office transition to new workflows, software, and clear patient communication. The CE webinar will cover the basics of aligner design, materials, and mechanical advantages to understand the importance of product selection. The webinar will cover the top ten why’s and how’s that can alleviate office stress and improve patient communication. After the webinar, the attendee should be able to construct a plan to change aligner systems or implement an aligner program within their practice. ( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Integrating Digital Dentistry and AI Applications into Esthetic Clinical Workflows
Presenter: Dr. Carlos Escobar CE Supporter: Bisco
Digital dentistry and artificial intelligence are transforming the way clinicians diagnose, treatment plan, communicate with patients, and deliver care. This CE webinar explores practical applications of intraoral scanning, digital smile design, CAD/CAM technologies, 3D printing, and AI-assisted treatment planning tools that can be incorporated into everyday clinical workflows. Special emphasis will be placed on digital smile design platforms which utilize facial references and clinician-specific design preferences to create personalized esthetic outcomes. Through clinical cases and real-world examples, attendees will gain insight into how digital technologies can enhance efficiency, accuracy, patient engagement, and treatment outcomes. Clinical cases will also demonstrate how adhesive protocols and restorative materials can be seamlessly integrated into digital workflows from treatment planning through final restoration delivery. Participants will leave with practical strategies for implementing digital workflows and AI-powered solutions in both private practice and academic settings.
( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Not Just the Water: Winning the Battle Against Dental Unit Biofilm
Presenter: Amanda Hill, RDH CE Supporter: Midmark Dental
Dental unit waterlines remain one of the most overlooked infection prevention challenges in dentistry, yet contaminated water can have serious consequences for both patients and dental teams. This engaging CE webinar separates fact from fiction while giving participants practical, evidence-based strategies they can implement immediately. We'll explore how biofilm forms, why it can be so difficult to eliminate, and what current research tells us about testing, treatment, maintenance, and documentation. You'll also discover how equipment design can play a role in reducing biofilm formation, including newer delivery systems engineered to minimize stagnant water and simplify long-term waterline maintenance. Whether you're just getting started or refining an existing waterline program, you'll leave with a realistic roadmap for keeping your dental unit waterlines clean, compliant, and working for you—not against you.
( full description, bio and commercial disclosure )
Effective isolation makes routine procedures easier and more predictable. In this CE webinar, you will see how routine procedures are made more efficient with effective isolation, and how isolation can be simplified.
Cementation is the final, decisive step that determines whether an otherwise excellent indirect restoration succeeds or fails, yet it's often where protocols become inconsistent, rushed, or based on habit rather than the specific material in hand. With the range of restorative materials in use today (zirconia, lithium disilicate and other glass-ceramics), no single cement or surface-treatment protocol applies to every case. This CE webinar takes a substrate-driven approach: matching the cement category and preparation steps to the restorative material, the clinical situation, and the amount of retention available.
Through a step-by-step walkthrough of the cementation workflow, this CE webinar covers cement selection, intaglio surface treatment, the role of primers and silane coupling agents, isolation and contamination control, try-in and cleaning, seating, and finishing. The goal is to give clinicians a clear decision framework they can apply chairside to improve predictability, reduce post-operative sensitivity and debonding, and streamline what is often an unnecessarily complicated part of restorative dentistry.
We are all familiar with fluoride varnish but in today's environment of fluoride hesitancy, misinformation, and marketing noise, it's easy to lose sight of the science that makes it so effective. To continue delivering the highest standard of preventive care, clinicians need a clear understanding of what actually happens after varnish is applied and why those mechanisms matter clinically. This CE webinar takes a closer look at the science behind fluoride varnish, including fluoride uptake, fluorapatite formation, and the role prolonged contact time plays in long-term enamel protection. We'll also explore how varnish formulations behave on the tooth surface and what clinicians should consider when selecting a varnish for their patients.
Periodontal disease is no longer understood as a condition driven by biofilm alone. Emerging evidence continues to highlight the role of airway dysfunction, altered breathing patterns, and chronic inflammation as contributing risk factors to periodontal breakdown. This two-part CE webinar series explores the airway-inflammation-periodontal connection through a prevention-focused, hygiene-centered lens. Participants will learn how mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing influence the oral microbiome, salivary function, and inflammatory burden, and how these changes present clinically during routine hygiene visits. Dental hygienists will gain practical tools for recognizing airway-related red flags, implementing simple screening strategies within their scope, communicating findings confidently with patients, and integrating prevention-based periodontal care models that support long-term stability.
Local anesthesia remains one of the most important advances in the history of dentistry, yet clinicians continue to face challenges related to injection discomfort, bitter taste, delayed onset, inadequate anesthesia, lingering numbness, and patient anxiety. This CE webinar will review the fascinating evolution of local anesthetic agents from the earliest use of cocaine to the introduction of lidocaine and today's expanding armamentarium of anesthetic solutions. Participants will explore the pharmacology, safety profiles, and clinical applications of commonly used local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors, while examining evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes. Special emphasis will be placed on innovations such as anesthetic buffering, flavor-masked formulations, and practical approaches to enhancing the overall patient experience.
This CE webinar explores the evolution of dentistry from a reactive, treatment-focused model to a proactive, patient-centered approach. Emphasizing minimally invasive and non-invasive dentistry, it highlights the importance of prevention, early intervention, and long-term health outcomes. Participants will gain insight into how oral health is intrinsically linked to systemic health and overall well-being. The session will also address the importance of viewing patients holistically-considering their medical history, lifestyle, behaviors, and individual risk factors-to deliver personalized, evidence-based care. By focusing on the "patient promise," this webinar underscores the ethical and professional responsibility to empower patients, foster trust, and promote sustainable oral health through education, prevention, and collaboration.
Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to influence comprehensive patient care -without feeling like salespeople. This CE webinar explores how thorough assessments, active listening, and thoughtful communication can transform routine appointments into powerful moments of advocacy and education. Learn how to leverage your clinical observations and patient interactions to support whole-person care, enhance treatment acceptance, and elevate your role within the practice - simply by saying what you see, hear, and know. No pressure. No pitch. Just purposeful prevention.
From simplified workflows to dependable clinical performance, this fast-paced CE webinar breaks down why universal adhesives and composites are quickly becoming the go-to materials - and why they may deserve a permanent spot in your restorative playlist.
This CE webinar provides clinicians with a practical framework for elevating their clear aligner practice and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Currie will present four interconnected strategies covering effective case presentation, increasing treatment acceptance, building clinical confidence through improved case selection and treatment planning, and enhancing the patient experience through better aligner tracking and monitoring. Attendees will leave with actionable techniques to strengthen communication, improve diagnostic workflows, and deliver more predictable results across a wider range of clear aligner cases.
Why do some patients maintain excellent home care habits while others struggle to stay consistent? This webinar explores the behavioral science behind oral health compliance, examining how patient preferences, habits, and reward systems influence daily home care routines. Participants will gain insight into the common reasons flossing and other preventive behaviors break down over time and learn practical strategies for guiding patients toward lasting change.
Through a behavior-based approach, attendees will discover how to improve patient engagement, strengthen recommendations, and select tools that support long-term success. By understanding what truly motivates patients, dental professionals can help transform home care from an occasional intention into a sustainable preventive habit.
Fostering a Culture of Health in the Practice
Sponsor: Viva Learning Presenter: Katrina Klein, RDH Released: 8/12/26
Play Clinical Tip
Katrina Klein discusses getting involved with adjusting the dentist's or hygienist's arm during a patient exam to foster a culture of learning in the practice.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
CO2 versus Er:YAG – The Battle of Two Dragons
Series: Viva Learning Originals
CE Credits: 0.5
Series: Shining 3D
CE Credits: 0.5
Series: Zyris, creators of Isolite
CE Credits: 0.5
Series: Bisco
CE Credits: 0.5
Series: NSK America
CE Credits: 0.5
