ADTA LMS Webinars

Program Name and Presenter

An Educational Program's Experience from Start-up to Accreditation

Presenter: Dr. Karl Self

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry has been educating dental therapists since 2009. As one of the first dental therapy educational programs in the country, the school has charted its own course over the past 14 years from program development to implementation to accreditation. While other states have passed legislation authorizing the practice of dental therapy, very few educational programs are in existence today. This webinar will review the University of Minnesota’s dental therapy program history and discuss the impact that dental therapists have made in Minnesota. The presented information and Q&A could be helpful in the development of new educational programs in other states.

Dental Therapy in the Pacific Northwest

Presenter: Christina Friedt Peters

In 2014, Tribal leaders from the Pacific Northwest learned about dental therapy and immediately recognized that dental therapy could be a game changer for the oral health status of their communities. Communities worldwide and rural Alaska native Tribal communities had been benefitting from care delivered in the dental therapy model for decades. To make this happen strong collaboration with the Portland Area Tribes (WA, OR and ID) had to take place. At the direction of the 43 federally recognized Tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the NPAIHB led the work to educate and organize the tribal nations and participate in the Washington Dental Access Campaign (WDAC). The WDAC is a collaboration and partnerships between tribal governments and local and state-wide organizations. This campaign is made up of Over 50 organizations, including health care associations, consumer advocates, dentists, dental hygienists, senior groups, Tribal governments and educational institutions, that came together in support of increasing access to oral health care in Washington.

Becoming a Dental Therapy Champion: How FQHCs and Public Health Facilities can Benefit from the Adoption and Growth of Dental Therapy

Presenter: Dr. Jade Duncan 

In this enlightening presentation, dental professionals will delve into the transformative world of dental therapy, gaining a profound understanding of its unique role in reshaping oral healthcare delivery. The discussion will highlight the distinct responsibilities of dental therapists and their significant impact on underserved communities. Through an examination of the legal and regulatory considerations and the analysis of successful case studies, dental professionals will uncover the pivotal benefits of integrating dental therapy into the services offered by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and public health facilities. Furthermore, this presentation will equip dental professionals with the knowledge and motivation to overcome challenges, advocate for dental therapy, and foster collaborative efforts towards improving oral healthcare access in underserved populations.

Civic Engagement as a Means to Improve Health Equity

Presenter: Marcos Damian-Noyola

The causes of health-related social needs lie in the structural determinants of health, or the socio-economic, political, and environmental context at regional and national levels. To create change at the structural level, over 500 health centers promoted voting through Vot-ER’s health center-based voter access resources. This webinar presents the rationale behind dental therapists in underserved communities as advocates of civic engagement and presents the experience of health center-based voter registration efforts. Attendees will learn how voting improves health outcomes through self-advocacy and why dental therapists should take on the work of voter registration as one of Don Berwick's Moral Determinants of Health. Vot-ER’s resources to promote voter access in healthcare centers will be shown.

Highlighting Dental Therapists Practicing at Apple Tree Dental

Presenter: Alyssa Klugman

Apple Tree Dental is a nonprofit dental organization, in its 38th year, with 9 Centers for Dental Health across Minnesota along with a robust mobile and community outreach program. Apple Tree Dental was a key proponent of Dental Therapy legislation in Minnesota. After Minnesota became the first state to authorize dental therapy practice in 2009, Apple Tree was one of the first employers of dental therapists upon licensing in 2012. Over the last 11 years Apple Tree has employed 21 different dental therapists and currently has 13 dental therapists on their teams across the state. All of our dental therapists have unique roles in our organization based on their settings, location, clinical interests, expertise, and skills. Our dental therapists practice in urban and rural settings. Some of are practicing at centers located in hospitals or at community sites utilizing mobile equipment. We have dental therapists who work closely with our specialist teams, utilizing teledentistry and other innovations such as minimally invasive dentistry. This presentation will highlight 2-3 dental therapists in our organization and tell their stories. This will include where they are practicing, their clinical interests, special skills and expertise, how they fit into their dental teams, the patient populations they serve, and any special projects, leadership activities, and unique teams they are involved with.

From Dental Hygienist to Dental Therapist: A Tale of Two Hygienists

Presenters: 

Amy Coplen & Kimberly Perlot

Approved in 2020, Dental Pilot Project #300 began in Oregon. The curriculum was de-signed to allow a practicing dental hygienist with a Restorative Function Endorsement to continue working full-time while gaining 13 additional skills to become a dental therapist. During the pilot project, permanent legislation was passed in Oregon that allowed a pathway to licensure for anyone who completed training in a dental pilot project. Currently 17 dental hygienists have completed or are in the process of completing their requirements to become dental therapists through Dental Pilot Project #300. During this session, two pilot project participants with a passion to increase access to care to underserved populations will share their unique experiences, one with the goal of practicing clinically and the other with the goal to advance dental therapy education.

The Economic Impacts of Dental Therapists

Presenter: Dr. Frank Catalanotto

There are at least three ways to assess the economic impacts of dental therapy. First, being a dental therapist can have a tremendous personal impact on the individual who becomes a therapist. Salaries for dental therapists are quite good can significantly improve the quality of life for the therapist and family. A second way to evaluate economic impact is to evaluate the cost effectiveness and improved access to dental care for organizations which employ dental therapists compared to their costs of hiring dentists. A third way to evaluate economic impact is to examine the literature demonstrating improved systemic and oral health of individuals receiving dental care and the resulting cost savings. Examples of each of these areas of impact will be discussed.

It is easy to defend dental therapy when you have the facts on your side!

Presenter: Dr. Frank Catalanotto

Fourteen states have now passed legislation authorizing dental therapy over the past two decades. The only organization opposing dental therapy legislation in state legislatures is organized dentistry. These opponents use opinions, myths, misinterpretations, misinformation, inflammatory statements and just plain lies when talking to legislators, media and the public. Fortunately for advocates of dental therapy, the published literature is absolutely unambiguous as to the safety, quality, cost effectiveness and positive oral health outcomes related to dental care provided by dental therapists. During this presentation, we will review the most important papers and reports which document the positive outcomes of dental therapy. We will also review many of the false statements made by opponents. Participant will be prepared to present great information to policy makers, media and the public in the upcoming efforts to pass dental therapy legislation.

Lessons on Trust from Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Investigation

Presenter: Sujay Mehta, DMD, MPH

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Canada provided an opportunity for former students in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools to acknowledge past experiences separating children from their families. Lessons from former students’ oral treatment experiences reinforce the importance of a variety of perspectives, fair treatment, and appropriate decision-making in emergency and routine treatment for all people. Negative treatment experiences as a child impact trust with various types of healthcare providers. Former students recognize their distrust of dental and medical providers was passed on to family members through the oral tradition. One of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action was to improve education and increase awareness of the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada. Oral health provider education would benefit from improved understanding of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the lessons from former residential school students specifically to oral healthcare experiences. Moving forward requires not only increased appreciation to levels of distrust of oral and medical providers but reinforces the need to expand the number of Indigenous oral health professionals into the workforce. This session will review experiences of residential school students regarding traumatic injury and oral health treatment.

The Future of Dental Therapy

Presenter: Laura Hale Brannon

Since the first class of Alaska dental therapists began training in New Zealand in 2003, the dental therapy movement has emerged as a transformative force in not just expanding access to care, but re-envisioning what an anti-racist healthcare system could look like. To date, 13 states have legislatively authorized the practice of dental therapy and the base of supporters continues to grow. The trajectory of the dental therapy movement is incredibly positive and strengthened by new infrastructure and new voices. At the same time, it is critical now to understand the role that we all can play – dental therapists, dentists, policymakers, advocates, community members – to ensure the success of dental therapy in the U.S. and its part within a broader health justice movement. In this presentation, Community Catalyst will reground ourselves in how we got to this point, leverage the context of where we are now, and have a focused discussion on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We will focus on an understanding of what has worked well in dental therapy policy campaigns, how those lessons can be leveraged for current policy opportunities and discuss strategies for continuing the strength of the movement into the future. Participants will leave with a better understanding of where we have come, what got us here, and what we can do to propel the dental therapy movement forward.  

Dental Therapy: National Overview

Presenter: Dr. Miranda Davis

While 14 states have authorized dental therapy, legislation in each state has unique characteristics. A national model act has also been developed, though has not been replicated in actual legislation. Variability in laws results in a lack of continuity between states which can lead to confusion and challenges when implementing laws and planning education programs. This program will include a comparison of dental therapy legislation in various states in the United States, including topics such as: scope of practice, supervision requirements, preceptorship requirements, degree requirements and/or prerequisites, licensing/certification requirements, practice setting limitations, rules, and implementation status. When possible, this session will also share the evidence and research supporting or contradicting the efficacy of different aspects.

Research Demonstrating Effectiveness of Dental Therapists at Apple Tree Dental

Presenter: Heather Luebben

Apple Tree Dental is a nonprofit dental organization, in its 38th year, with 9 Centers for Dental Health across Minnesota along with a robust mobile and community outreach program. Apple Tree Dental was a supporter of Dental Therapy in Minnesota during the legislative process in 2008 and 2009. After Minnesota became the first state to authorize dental therapy practice in 2009, Apple Tree was one of the first employers of dental therapists upon licensing in 2012. Apple Tree currently employs 13 dental therapists across their centers and has been involved with numerous research studies on various aspects of dental therapy practice over the last 10 years. This presentation will highlight 4 of those studies with an overview of the studies and describe how their findings can be used to support the promotion of dental therapy nationwide. Studies included in presentation: -An Advanced Dental Therapist in Long Term Care (A case study by Apple Tree Dental with support from Pew Charitable Trusts)-An Advanced Dental Therapist in Rural MN (A case study by Apple Tree Dental with support from Pew Charitable Trusts) -2 studies from the Oral Health Workforce Research Center including “Provider and Patient Satisfaction with the Dental Therapy Workforce at Apple Tree Dental” and “The Contributions of Dental Therapists and Advanced Dental Therapists in the Dental Centers of Apple Tree Dental in Minnesota.”

Great Lakes Area Oral Health Survey Oversampling Toward Equitable Oral Health Data and Treatment

Presenters: 

Anthony Johnson & Zachary Bolzan

Public Health surveillance for American Indian/Alaska Native populations is often inadequate because of the small sample sizes. This often leads American Indians/Alaska Natives to be left out or aggregated into an “other race” category, which makes it difficult to make inferences about their community. These practices represent a form of erasure and lead to American Indian/Alaska Native people being victims of data genocide. Oral health is an important part of a child’s overall health. To address systematic undersampling in oral screening surveys, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to conduct an oversample of kindergartners and third graders for a basic screening survey (BSS) of oral health in the state. A similar partnership was established between GLITEC and the Minnesota Department of Health to conduct an oversample of 3rd-grade students for a BSS. This roundtable discussion will explore the foundations needed to create successful oversamples as well as public health data implications for oral health professionals.

How Dental Practices Can Incorporate Alternative Care Delivery Methods & Virtual Appointments Into Clinical Practice

Presenter: Melissa Turner

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent shutdown, and societal rebuild, the dental industry has been shaken to the core. Dental professionals were significantly impacted as employers and dental practice owners scrambled to find creative ways to care for their patients. With up to 70% of dental practices utilizing virtual appointments during the pandemic and new systems and workflows in place, patients now expect dentistry to come to them—whether through virtual appointments or mobile delivery of care. Brainstorming new and out-of-the-box ways to reach the dental patient is the secret to this new way of “doing” dentistry. This webinar will focus on what it takes to implement alternative care delivery methods into the traditional dental practice and how the dental team can take the lead in implementation and delivery of these new methods.

SDF and Its Role in Medical and Dental Integration

Presenter: Hayley Buckner

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) has been used for decades throughout the world and has had FDA clearance in the United States since 2014. There are many clinical uses of SDF in the dental field including hypersensitivity relief, caries arrest, liner under new restorations, occlusal barrier, control of gingivitis, and prevention for moderate to high-risk sites. To increase young children’s receipt of preventive oral health services, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends medical providers apply fluoride varnish to young children’s teeth during well-child visits through 5 years of age. Early Childhood Caries continues to be the most common chronic childhood disease in America. In order to change this statistic, we must increase access to preventive services and leverage our medical providers in this effort.

Its all Fine, with Povidone Iodine

Presenter; Hayley Buckner

Dental caries in young children has a multifactorial etiology; therefore, preventive measures usually involve a combination of dietary counseling, oral hygiene, and fluoride application. None of these interventions specifically targets Streptococcus mutans, the chief pathogen for caries. Current methods of caries management that are limited to traditional preventive approaches in combination with restorative treatments have proved inadequate to control the disease. Iodine, a necessary nutrient, has some positive oral implications. Iodine solutions are well known for their ability to suppress Streptococcus mutans dental populations when topically applied to the teeth. Several studies have reported suppression of S. mutans or plaque reduction by PVP-I (Povidone Iodine) in children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).

The Evolution of the Oral Health Workforce in Australia Over the Last 50 Years

Presenters: 

William Carlson Jones & Dr. Nicole Stormon 

The oral health workforce in Australia has evolved from supervised auxiliary practitioners, to independent practitioners who provide essential dental services. Oral health therapists evolved from Dental Therapist and Hygienists origins and their scopes of practice are able to manage the dynamic needs of the Australian population. Learn about the evolution of the oral health workforce in Australia with Dr Nicole Stormon & William ‘CJ’ Carlson-Jones. The presentation will discuss the history of the different oral health professions in Australia (which include Dental Therapists, Dental Hygienists, and Oral Health Therapists), the characteristics of the profession, their evolving scope of practice, and the key dental regulatory bodies in Australia.

Public Speaking Training for Dental Therapists: Becoming Our Own Advocates

Presenter: Ned Johnson

This webinar focuses on public speaking by using exemplary Ted Talks as a tool to demonstrate ways of capturing audience attention, avoiding common pitfalls, and persuading your audience.