(148) Breaking the Chain: Mastering Infection Control Basics

Amanda Hill, BSDH, RDH, CDIPC

Amanda Hill, BSDH, RDH, CDIPC, is an enthusiastic speaker, innovative consultant,
and award-winning author.  A sought-after thought leader contributing invaluable and
inspiring insights into the current trends in dentistry. She brings over 25 years of clinical
dental hygiene and now enthusiastically educates the dental industry. Amanda has
authored over one hundred articles, bringing clarity to hot topics in dentistry. Recipient
of the Association for Dental Safety’s Emerging Infection Control Leader award, she is
affectionately known as the Waterline Warrior. An active participant with the advisory
board for RDH magazine, Dentistry IQ, and the Association for Dental Safety’s Infection
Control In Practice Editorial Review Board and membership committee, Amanda strives
to make topics in dentistry accurate, accessible, and fun! She can be reached
at www.amandahillrdh.com and AmandaHillRDH@gmail.com

From remaining current with regulations, providing proper team training,
maintaining cleanliness and sterilization standards, including dental unit
waterline maintenance, managing costs, and implementing effective
communication and documentation processes, preventing exposure to
pathogens is one of the most important and challenging tasks that dental
professionals face.

However, noncompliance with dental infection control protocols is not an
option and can have serious consequences:  patient or team member
infections, legal and financial consequences, and damage to reputation,
leading to loss of patients and revenue.
Learning objectives:
1. Define infection prevention principles and recommendations for dental health
care settings
2. Recognize how to prevent transmission of infectious agents through standard
precautions, with a review of cross-contamination prevention, hand hygiene,
respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette.
3. Employ standard operating procedures to remain in compliance with
regulation, which includes PPE and practitioner safety, sharps safety, safe
injection practices, and environmental controls.
4. Formulate a successful dental unit waterline protocol, including dental unit
water quality and waterline testing.
5. Manage a successful infection control plan that includes sterilization of patient
care items to prevent disease transmission.

(490) Unlocking Periodontal Excellence: Strategies for Achieving Optimal Outcomes

Carol A. Jahn, RDH, MS

Carol Jahn, RDH, MS is a highly respected dental professional and
the Director of Professional Relations & Education at Water Pik,
Inc. With an extensive background in dental hygiene, Carol is
dedicated to advancing oral health education and promoting the
benefits of innovative dental technology.
Carol's passion for oral health extends beyond her professional
role. She is actively involved in various dental organizations and
serves as a trusted advisor to dental professionals worldwide. Her
expertise in dental hygiene and commitment to continuous
learning have made her a sought-after speaker at national and
international conferences.

As the Director of Professional Relations and Education at Water
Pik, Inc., Carol is at the forefront of promoting the benefits of
innovative dental technologies. She works closely with dental
professionals to educate them on the advantages of incorporating
these tools into their practice, ultimately improving patient
outcomes and oral health.

Effectively managing periodontal patients and achieving optimal
outcomes can present significant clinical challenges. Recent research
emphasizes the importance of assessing and managing the factors that
increase a patient's risk for periodontitis and its progression. This course will
review the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Staging & Grading
process, providing participants with practical guidance on how to effectively
assess and classify periodontal disease. Participants will learn how to create
persuasive talking points that effectively communicate the importance of
periodontal treatment to patients. By the end of this course, participants will
have the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of periodontal
patient care ultimately achieving better treatment acceptance and improved
clinical outcomes.
Topics covered:
• AAP Classification System/Staging & Grading
• Risk assessment: smoking, diabetes, biofilm
• Periodontal debridement/SRP/Maintenance
• Personalized self-care strategies
• Communication & behavior change
Learning Objectives
• Understand the role of staging & grading
• Discover the power of skilled inquiry when taking patient histories
• Utilize the patient history to personalize care
• List the key risk factors for the risk, severity, and progression of
periodontitis
• Evaluate the research on periodontal debridement
• Discuss the role of evidence-based standards in clinical care
• Develop key messages and strategies for motivating patients
• Recommended personalized self-care strategies/products

(153) Trauma and Mental Health; Understanding It's Impact & How to Respond

Dr. David King

David King has been a social worker for 30 years providing services in church,
community, and private practice settings. Dr. King holds a Doctorate in Social Work from
Walden University, a master’s in social work from the University of Kentucky, and a
Master's in Pastoral Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is a licensed
clinical social worker in Michigan. Over the course of his career, Mr. King has worked in
serving children and families, and adults with developmental disabilities, chronic mental
illness, and substance use, and co-occurring disorders. Dr. King has been teaching
social work at the graduate level since 2009. He is currently Associate Professor and
Program Director for the MSW program online at Indiana Wesleyan University and is a
therapist in private practice with Great Lakes Psychology Group.

Objectives
1. Participants will define different types of traumas and understand its impact on
health and mental health.
2. Participants will describe common symptoms of trauma and connections to
depression and anxiety.
3. Participants will develop strategies for responding to people with trauma more
effectively.

(010) AI & Perio: Own the Change and Become Empowered

Rachel Miller, RDH, MAADH

As a Dental Hygiene Consultant with over 30 years of experience in the field, I specialize in
empowering and educating dental professionals to integrate AI technology into their practices
effectively. My focus is on elevating the standard of care within dental hygiene through the
application of cutting-edge technology.
Currently, I am part of a pioneering team dedicated to developing advanced periodontal charting and
imaging software. In this role, I play a crucial part in product development, ensuring that our AI
solutions are both clinically robust and effective. My contributions help bridge the gap between
innovative technology and practical, everyday use in dental practices.
In addition to my consulting work, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in dental hygiene, which is
expanding my expertise in writing scientific data and deepening my dental knowledge. This
academic pursuit is enhancing my ability to contribute to research and development within the field.
My extensive career includes serving as a Clinical Research Coordinator for various dental studies,
where I facilitated vital communication between clinicians and software development teams. My
expertise also encompasses annotating DICOM CT scans using 3DSlicer for machine learning
applications, enhancing the precision and efficacy of diagnostic tools. Furthermore, I act as a liaison
between software as a medical device manufacturer and healthcare professionals, ensuring
seamless integration and understanding of technological advancements.
Committed to continual learning and innovation, I am dedicated to advancing the dental field through
both research and practical application of AI technology.

(730) Red, White & Blue; Colorful Oral Lesions

Dr. Ashley Clark, DDS

Dr. Ashley Clark is a board-certified oral pathologist currently serving as the Vice
President of CAMP Laboratory in Indianapolis, Indiana after a nearly decade-long
career serving as an oral pathologist in academia. She is on the Professional Board
for Oral Cancer Cause and Digital Dental Notes and the Advisory Board for General
Dentistry. Dr. Clark has won several teaching awards, has provided over 200
continuing education courses, and has authored more than 50 publications and book
chapters. She is a member of the American and International College of Dentists. For
a free biopsy kit, please email aclark@camplaboratory.com.

This course is designed to inform the participant about common “colorful” lesions
of the oral cavity. White lesions, red lesions, and pigmented lesions will all be discussed.
Objectives: After completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
1. Discuss common white, red, and pigmented lesions of the oral cavity
2. Establish a differential diagnosis for commonly encountered oral lesions
3. Determine a management approach for patients with these common colorful lesions

(158) “Waiting to Inhale?” Will Cannabis Challenge the Dental Professions as Tobacco Has in the Past?

Thomas Viola, R.Ph

Thomas Viola, the founder of “Pharmacology Declassified”, is a board-certified pharmacist who
also serves the professions of dentistry as a clinical educator, professional speaker and published
author. Tom is a member of the faculty of 16 dental professional degree programs and has received
several awards for outstanding teacher of the year. Tom has presented hundreds of continuing
education courses to dental professionals, nationally and internationally, in the areas of oral pharmacology and local anesthesia and is well-known for his regular contributions to several dentalprofessional journals. Through his informative, humorous and engaging live seminars and webinars, Tom has earned his reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team.

According to the DEA, cannabis is considered to have no accepted medical use and, thus, it is illegal
to possess. Yet, almost every state has enacted legislation aimed at legalizing or decriminalizing
cannabis for medical or recreational use. Despite this rise in social and legal acceptance, public health concerns regarding the use of cannabis remain, especially among dental professionals, since the major routes of administration of cannabis involve the oral cavity.
This program will introduce dental professionals to the pharmacology of cannabis, including its various dosage forms, routes of administration and adverse effects. Special emphasis will be placed on the effects of cannabis use on oral health and dental treatment, as well as the proposed use of cannabis in dentistry for the management of patient anxiety and odontogenic pain.