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New Courses

Featured New Courses Popular Enroll Now

E-cigarettes, and Vaping: Current Trends, Neurob...
ADA Advanced Dental Coding Module: Preventive (D...
The Dental Hygiene Detective: What your patient'...
ADA Advanced Dental Coding Module: Diagnostic (D...
Highchair Dental Care: A Revolutionary Practice ...
Choosing the Business Structure That’s Best for ...
Digital Scanning for Everyday Practice

E-cigarettes, and Vaping: Current Trends, Neurobiology, Cessation, and the Role of the Dental Professional

Overview
While electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes were initially marketed as a harm reduction and smoking cessation strategy, there is conflicting evidence regarding their effectiveness as a smoking cessation strategy.
Given increasing rates of use of ENDS, especially among youth, and emerging concerns about potential ENDS-related harm, dental providers are strategically positioned to support population-level tobacco reduction efforts and provide health information about ENDS.
There is a pressing need for continuing education opportunities to help dental providers improve ENDS-related knowledge and counseling practices.

Presenters
Nicholas Chadi, MD, MPH:Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal, and clinician-scientist at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre in Montreal
Neeta Chandwani, DDS, MscD:Pediatric dentist at Boston Children's Hospital and the Predoctoral Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:
• Understand the origin and development of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as "e-cigarettes" and "Puff Bars"
• Understand the mechanism of action and combustion science of ENDS
• Discuss the epidemiology and trends associated with youth vaping, including use of flavored, nicotine and cannabis vaping products
• Describe the neurobiology of nicotine and cannabis and the unique vulnerability of the developing adolescent brain
• Use evidence-based screening and brief intervention strategy to help prevent and reduce youth vaping
• Apply effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological cessation approaches for youth with an addiction to e-cigarettes and other vaping products
• Understand the current knowledge about the effects of ENDS on oral health
• Recognize the dental professional's role in appropriate education and recommendations

Disclaimer
The views of the presenter(s) do not necessarily represent the views of the American Dental Association.

This course is $49 for ADA members and $69 for non-members
Non-dentists and non-members are welcome to take this course. You’ll be asked for an ADA Login when registering. Creating an account is free and does not require membership. Follow the links below to create an account.

Non-dentists
Non-dentists can create accounts here.

Non-members
Most U.S. dentists and dental students, regardless of membership status, have an ADA number, which functions as your User ID. To retrieve your ID, please visit Forgot User ID.

360CE

ADA Advanced Dental Coding Module: Preventive (D1000-D1999)

Expand on your coding expertise by diving deeper into CDT Code definitions and key concepts in Preventive category of service. Using coding scenarios based on real life situations, you will expand your knowledge on how to accurately document procedures completed and provide for the efficient processing of dental claims.

Since this is an advanced course, it is highly recommended that learners first complete the ADA Dental Coding Certificate: Assessment-Based CDT Program:

ADA Dental Coding Certificate: Assessment-Based CDT Program (books not included)

ADA Dental Coding Certificate: Assessment-Based CDT Program (books included)

NOTE: This course does NOT include the CDT 2022 or Coding Companion books. These books are required reference material necessary for succesful completion of the course.

Designed for the Dental Team
As the source of dental procedure codes, the ADA has answered thousands of members’ coding questions over the years. Based on this experience, the ADA created this training course to ensure your dental team understands CDT codes and how to use them correctly.

Note to CE Online subscribers: The ADA Dental Coding Certificate program is a premium course and not included in your subscription.

360CE

DT_CE

The Dental Hygiene Detective: What your patient's mouth is telling you (Dental Team Education)

There are many clues that provide evidence of diseases, such as occlusal wear, recession, bleeding, fissured tongues, erythemic tissues, incipient lesions, and many more. Determining our patient's high-risk factors for oral disease and systemic health is multi-factorial and our role as dental professionals allows us to evaluate the first signs of disease. This Dental Team Education course will help you and your team review the patient's risk factors in-depth, while empowering the clinician to compare clinical technologies that align with the patient's lifestyle to reduce decrease disease.

Presenter: Amber Auger, RDH, MPH

After this course you should be able to:
• Discover common oral conditions and identify what can be recommended for treatment
• Review clinical assessments to be used chairside that determine the severity of disease
• Evaluate the collaborative approach for prior disease management

DT_CE

ADA Advanced Dental Coding Module: Diagnostic (D0100-0999)

Expand on your coding expertise by diving deeper into CDT Code definitions and key concepts in Diagnostic category of service. Using coding scenarios based on real life situations, you will expand your knowledge on how to accurately document procedures completed and provide for the efficient processing of dental claims.

Since this is an advanced course, it is highly recommended that learners first complete the ADA Dental Coding Certificate: Assessment-Based CDT Program:

ADA Dental Coding Certificate: Assessment-Based CDT Program (books not included)

ADA Dental Coding Certificate: Assessment-Based CDT Program (books included)

NOTE: This course does NOT include the CDT 2022 or Coding Companion books. These books are required reference material necessary for succesful completion of the course.

Designed for the Dental Team
As the source of dental procedure codes, the ADA has answered thousands of members’ coding questions over the years. Based on this experience, the ADA created this training course to ensure your dental team understands CDT codes and how to use them correctly.

Note to CE Online subscribers: The ADA Dental Coding Certificate program is a premium course and not included in your subscription.

360CE

DT_CE

Highchair Dental Care: A Revolutionary Practice Model for Infants and Toddlers

Highchair Dental Care is an age-appropriate oral health care model — developed by Winifred J. Booker, D.D.S., F.A.A.P.D. — that identifies the opportunity to promote healthy behaviors at the point of care.

The purpose of the course is to share this revolutionary practice model with oral health professionals to:
• Help encourage more of these dental care providers to endear the 1 year-old patient
• Empower these dentists and dental hygienists with the most applicable and useful resources to do so

Dr. Booker shows you how this unique practice of dentistry is designed to excite more parents to decisively identify a dental home for their new baby before or by age 1. Highchair Dental Care provides an optimistic and insightful approach to infant oral health care. It teaches dental professionals an alternative way to treat children beginning as early as 8 months, while at the same time educating parents and caregivers. At this age babies can sit well for several minutes without support. The highchair provides the safety and security needed to conduct the proper infant oral exam. It also allows the infant this first examination in an environment familiar to them, which a traditional dental chair cannot.

Strategies that engage a child’s natural inclination to open their mouth, to laugh or to eat is a part of the course instruction. By placing the baby in a highchair, they are comfortable and usually most willing to open-wide for their first oral examination and dental cleaning. It is a child-friendly approach to patient care that works well with most infants.

The Highchair Dental Care Practice Model offers an alternative standard to address infant oral health. This Practice Model draws attention to the importance of innovation and early interventions to prevent early childhood caries and other potential unfavorable sequelae.

NOTE: This a premium course and is excluded from ADA CE Online subscription.

NCDHM23

Choosing the Business Structure That’s Best for Your Dental Practice (A Dentist's Guide to the Law Series)

Overview
So you want to start your own practice? One of the most critical threshold issues you’ll face is which business structure to use. This decision will impact every aspect of your business (even day-to-day management decisions!) and will have tremendous legal and tax consequences. In this presentation – which supplements the American Dental Association’s publication, A Dentist’s Guide to the Law: 246 Things Every Dentist Should Know – ADA Associate General Counsel Samara Schwartz will orient you to the following:
• The 5 business formats utilized by virtually all dentist practices, and their respective pros/cons
• How to identify when to revisit your choice of legal entity, even after your practice is up and running
• The value of consulting with professional advisors (attorneys and accountants) to get actionable advice tailored to the state where you are practicing as well as your unique circumstances

This course is $49 for ADA members and $69 for non-members
Non-dentists and non-members are welcome to take this course. You’ll be asked for an ADA Login when registering. Creating an account is free and does not require membership. Follow the links below to create an account.

Non-dentists
Non-dentists can create accounts here.

Non-members
Most U.S. dentists and dental students, regardless of membership status, have an ADA number, which functions as your User ID. To retrieve your ID, please visit Forgot User ID.

SEPAD21

Digital Scanning for Everyday Practice

This course originally presented at the ADA SmileCon Virtual 2021.

Overview
The dental impression is used in almost every corner of dentistry and is the crucial first step. It must be accurate and effective. The use of digital technology not only makes what we do more efficient, but it makes us better. See how digital dentistry is essential to the modern practice and evaluate existing and new tools that will make you be at your best. See the benefits of better communication with labs, patients and between clinicians. Dramatically improve the way you practice dentistry.

This course covers:
• Compare and contrast conventional impressions and digital impression
• Advantages and disadvantages of technology and where it is used
• What is digital workflow and how it improves clinical practice

Presenter: Jonathan Ng, DDS, prosthodontist, BC Cancer Agency

How Sweet It Is! Diabetes Mellitus, Dental Consi...
Dental patients’ perceptions of and desired cont...
Physical intimate partner violence and oralhealt...
Periodontal treatment associated with decreased ...
Bridge to SmileCon: Patients First — How to Crea...
Use of calcium-containing bioactive desensitizer...
Maternal disability and prenatal oral health exp...

How Sweet It Is! Diabetes Mellitus, Dental Considerations and Patient Care Planning

Diabetes mellitus remains the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Of the estimated 29.1 million Americans that have diabetes, 21 million are diagnosed, while 8.1 million remain undiagnosed. Diabetes, and its systemic complications, are often accompanied by, and exacerbated by, numerous other co-morbid conditions.

This program will provide participants with an overview of diabetes mellitus, the arsenal of medications used in its treatment and the impact of both the disease and its treatment on dental therapy. Using case scenarios, special emphasis will be placed on the complex interplay between diabetes and the oral-systemic connection, as well as developing patient management strategies essential for successful treatment planning and proper care of our diabetic patients.

Learning objectives
• Identify the different types of diabetes mellitus, including their symptoms and differential diagnosis
• Describe the complex interplay of diabetes mellitus with oral-systemic inflammation and co-morbid diseases
• Review the classes of medications used in the treatment of diabetes along with their mechanisms of action, adverse reactions and dental considerations
• Describe the treatment modifications, patient management strategies and care planning techniques recommended for dental patients with diabetes

Presenter:Thomas A. Viola, R.Ph., C.C.P.

Dental patients’ perceptions of and desired content from patient health portals (April 2023 Article 3)

JADA April 2023

Background.
Patient health portals (PHPs) encourage patient engagement to achieve the quadruple aim of health care: to improve the patient’s experience of care, improve population health, reduce health care costs, and improve the work life of health care providers. The purpose of this study was to capture dental patients’ perspectives on PHPs and their desired content. Specifically, the authors examined the important features for dental patients to have as well as the barriers and facilitators of PHPs.

Keywords.
Patient health portal; quality of care; oral health education; dental care.

Physical intimate partner violence and oralhealth problems during pregnancy (April 2023 Article 2)

JADA April 2023

Background.
The aim of this study was to assess the association between physical intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and reports of prenatal oral health problems among a sample of mothers in the United States.

Keywords.
Intimate partner violence; pregnancy; oral health; oral-facial injury; maternal health; PRAMS.

Periodontal treatment associated with decreased diabetes mellitus–related treatment costs (April 2023 Article 1)

JADA April 2023

Background.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontal disease have a suggested bidirectional relationship. Researchers have reported decreases in DM-related health care costs after periodontal treatment. The authors examined the relationship between periodontal disease treatment and DM health care costs in commercial insurance and Medicaid claims data.

Keywords.
Diabetes; dentistry; health data; health insurance; Medicaid; public health insurance.

Bridge to SmileCon: Patients First — How to Create Long-Lasting Relationships

American Dental Association on-demand webinar
This presentation was recorded in March 2023

Overview
Learn a new approach to your real-world business challenges in Patients First: How to Create Long-Lasting Relationships, a Master Class for professional development. Elite improviser Bob Kulhan’s secret recipe to building relationships combines the psychology behind decision-making with the very best aspects of his brand of customized, high-energy experiential learning, which drives measurable and sustainable ROI.

Learning objectives
• Easy-to-use, key collaborative relationship-building techniques to increase the number of patients and referrals
• Effective and immediately applicable real-world strategies to help you and your team better facilitate patient cooperation that result in improved compliance and positive outcomes

About the Bridge to SmileCon Webinar Series
The SmileCon® buzz continues with monthly free CE courses starring our eminent roster of past and upcoming speakers.

The views of the presenter(s) do not necessarily represent the views of the American Dental Association.

Use of calcium-containing bioactive desensitizers in dental bleaching (March 2023 Article 3)

JADA March 2023

Background.
Topical application of calcium-containing bioactive desensitizers (CBs) has been used to minimize bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity (TS). This study answered the research question "Is the risk of TS lower when CBs are used with dental bleaching in adults compared with bleaching without desensitizers?"

Keywords.
Tooth bleaching; hydrogen peroxide; dentin desensitizing agents; randomized clinical trials; systematic review.

Maternal disability and prenatal oral health experiences: Findings from Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (March 2023 Article 2)

JADA March 2023

Background.
Although disability has associations with poor health and reduced access to health care services, limited research exists on the connection between disability, oral health, and oral health care use. Moreover, to the authors’ knowledge, no study has examined the association between disability and oral health around the time of pregnancy. This is an important gap in research, considering that both disability and oral health play a critical role in maternal and infant wellbeing.

Keywords.
Oral health; disability; pregnancy; women’s health; PRAMS.

Pharmacotherapeutics for Dental Practitioners: A...
Emergency Medicine Part 1: Prevention
Emergency Medicine Part 2: Preparation
Pharmacotherapeutics for Dental Practitioners: A...
Emergency Medicine Part 3: Basic Management
Managing Sedation Complications

Pharmacotherapeutics for Dental Practitioners: Analgesics Clinical Implications

Introduce evidence-based information that will help with the selection of the most appropriate analgesic for the management of pain in the postoperative period.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss the basic mechanisms of acute pain
Discuss the pharmacology of analgesics
Discuss factors to be considered in the selection of analgesics
Discuss potential adverse drug events associated with the use of analgesics

Abstract:

The most common complaint causing a person to seek the services of an oral health care provider is pain. Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Proper management of pain requires an understand¬ing of its complexity, an appreciation for the factors that determine its expression in the clinical setting, the implementation of disease-modifying procedures (primary dental care) and sound pharmacological strategies (analgesia) in the postoperative period.

Outline:

Introduction
Physiology of pain
Activation of acute pain pathways
Intrinsic modulation of nociception
Role of the higher CNS in pain
Pharmacology of analgesics
Therapeutic considerations
NSAIDs
Acetaminophen
Opioid agonists
Adverse drug events
Conclusion

Updated in 2018!

360CE

Emergency Medicine Part 1: Prevention

Updated for 2018
This course describes the most common medical emergencies occurring in the dental environment and describes the steps necessary to prevent their occurrence: the medical history questionnaire, monitoring of vital signs; dialogue history, and the stress reduction protocol. A physical evaluation system is introduced.

Learning Objectives:

List the most common medical emergencies occurring in the dental environment
List the 5 components of physical evaluation of dental patients
List the 4 vital signs
Describe the A.S.A. physical status classification system
Provide examples of ASA 1, 2, 3, and 4 medical problems
List the 8 components of the Stress Reduction Protocol
Define the goal of physical evaluation

Abstract:

Medical emergencies can, and do, happen in the dental environment. Approximately 75% of these can be prevented through physical evaluation of the prospective dental patient, using a systematic review of the patient’s medical history and recording of vital signs. Assigning an ASA Physical Status can help to distinguish those patients who represent greater-than-usual risk during the planned dental treatment. The Stress-Reduction Protocol can then be utilized to minimize this risk.

Outline:

Medical emergencies in dentistry
1. What happens?
2. When do they happen?
3. Can they be prevented?
Prevention of medical emergencies
1. Medical History Questionnaire
2. Dialogue History
3. Physical evaluation
  1. Vital signs
    1. Blood pressure
    2. Heart rate & rhythm
    3. Respiratory rate
    4. Height
    5. Weight & BMI
    6. Body temperature
4. Risk Status Classification
  1. American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status
5. Classification System
6. Stress-reduction protocols

SEPAD21

Emergency Medicine Part 2: Preparation

Updated for 2018
Preparation of the office and staff for medical emergencies that will inevitably occur is discussed in this course. Basic life support; an in-office emergency response team; activating emergency medical services; and emergency drugs & equipment are reviewed.

Learning Objectives:

Define the legal obligation of a doctor to the victim of a medical emergency
List the 4 components of preparation of the office for medical emergencies
Describe the victim who is "clinically dead."
Describe the difference between "clinical" and "biological" death
List and describe the steps in the AHA 2010 cardiac arrest algorithm
List and describe the steps in the algorithm for all medical emergencies
Explain why survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest are significantly lower in young children than in adults
Describe the functions of each member of the In-Office Emergency Team
List the 7 drugs in the bare-bones-basic emergency drug kit

Abstract:

Not all medical emergency situations can be prevented. In this section we discuss the preparation of the dental office & staff to (1) prevent, (2) recognize and (3) efficiently manage those medical emergencies that might arise. The importance of basic life support; development of an in-office emergency response team; (3) activation of emergency medical services; and (4) a basic emergency drug kit & equipment will be discussed.

Outline:

Not all medical emergency situations can be prevented. In this section we discuss the preparation of the dental office & staff to (1) prevent, (2) recognize and (3) efficiently manage those medical emergencies that might arise. The importance of basic life support; development of an in-office emergency response team; (3) activation of emergency medical services; and (4) a basic emergency drug kit & equipment will be discussed.

EPHARM21

Pharmacotherapeutics for Dental Practitioners: Antibacterial Agents

Updated in 2018!

Introduce evidence-based information that will help with the selection of the most appropriate antibacterial agent for the management of an odontogenic infection.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss the etiology of odontogenic infections
Discuss the pharmacology of antibacterial agents
Discuss factors to be considered in the selection of an antibacterial agent
Discuss potential adverse drug events associated with the use of antibacterial agents

Abstract:

Most odontogenic infections are polymicrobial. The number of isolated strains ranges from 1 to 10 with an average number of approximately 4 isolates per infection. Ultimately, facultative gram-positive and gram-negative cocci and bacilli; and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative cocci and bacilli predominate in all types of odontogenic infections. Most odontogenic infections can be resolved satisfactorily through debridement (primary dental care). When antibacterial chemotherapy is indicated, the drug of choice should be either the most effective drug against the infective pathogens or the least toxic alternative among several available agents.

Outline:

Introduction
Microbiology of odontogenic infections
Pharmacology of antibacterial agents
Therapeutic considerations
1. Primary line of treatment
2. Secondary line of treatment
3. Tertiary line of treatment
4. Antibacterial prophylaxis
Adverse drug events
Conclusion

EPHARM21

Emergency Medicine Part 3: Basic Management

Updated for 2018
This program reviews the basic management protocol for all medical emergencies occurring in the dental office environment –P-C-A-B-D (Positioning – Circulation – Airway – Breathing – Definitive Care).

Learning Objectives:

List the steps in the Basic Algorithm in Managing Medical Emergencies
Describe each of the steps of the Basic Algorithm
Describe the proper positioning for patients during a medical emergency
Describe the method of assessing airway patency and of managing a patent airway
Describe the method of assessing breathing and of ventilating an apneic patient
Describe the method of assessing circulation
List and discuss the use of advanced airway devices

Abstract:

In this section the basic management of all medical emergencies is introduced. The algorithm is P-C-A-B-D – Positioning – Circulation – Airway – Breathing – Definitive Care. Each of these steps is described for (1) the conscious patient and (2) the unconscious patient.

Outline:

Introduction
1. Legal obligation of healthcare provider in medical emergency
Recognition & diagnosis of emergency situation
1. By patient
  1. Angina pectoris
  2. Bronchospasm (asthma)
2. By doctor or dental staff
  1. Diagnosis based on response – or lack of – to emergency treatment
    1. Syncope
    2. Cardiac arrest
    3. Hypoglycemia
3. Through recognition of presenting signs & symptoms
The basic emergency management algorithm: P – C – A – B – D
1. P = Positioning of victim
  1. Conscious
  2. Unconscious
2. C = Circulation
  1. Conscious
  2. Unconscious
3. A = Airway
  1. Conscious
  2. Unconscious
4. B = Breathing
  1. Conscious
  2. Unconscious
5. D = Definitive care
  1. Diagnosis
  2. Drugs
  3. Defibrillation

PREPCE

Managing Sedation Complications

This course is for dentists who provide minimal and moderate sedation and provides didactic instruction for patient assessment and monitoring. Particular emphasis is placed on airway management techniques.

Learning Objectives:

Describe qualities of dentist leadership of the in-office dental anesthesia team.
Recognize sedation levels and general anesthesia in terms of clinical characteristics and influence on respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Describe essential features of preoperative assessment for patients undergoing dental treatment under sedation or general anesthesia.
Identify principles of patient monitoring distinguishing requirements for moderate sedation versus deep sedation/general anesthesia.
Explain proper airway maintenance during sedation and general anesthesia.
Discuss the proper use of devices for oxygenation and ventilation.
Describe the pathogenesis, recognition and appropriate management of possible complications associated with moderate sedation, including essential pharmacology of emergency drugs that may be required.

Abstract:

The course is designed to train the practicing dentist in the proper recognition and management of respiratory complications that may be associated with the use of moderate sedation.

Outline:

Lesson 1: Patient Safety, Leadership Skills and Teamwork
Lesson 2: Presedation Patient Assessment
Lesson 3: Respiratory Monitoring
Lesson 4: Primary Assessment
Lesson 5: Supplemental Oxygenation
Lesson 6: Positive Pressure Ventilation
Lesson 7: Management of Respiratory Depression
Lesson 8: Management of Airway Obstruction
Lesson 9: Intra-operative nausea and vomiting
Lesson 10: Cardiovascular Considerations
Lesson 11: Summary and ADA Airway Algorithm

360CE

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ADA's Online CE platform provides trusted education to dental professionals at your convenience. Our ever-growing catalog of clinical, practice management, and personal development education offers peer-reviewed continuing education credits to fit your resources and schedule. Credits earned through this platform are maintained for all users in an online transcript that you can access when you need your verification letters.

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The ADA is a CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.