Current Concepts in Preventive Dentistry

Current Concepts in Preventive Dentistry is organized by The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).

Accreditation:
CE Credits: 2

Original Release Date: 2012
Review Date: 2018
?Expiration Date: 2021

Course Description:
It is difficult to believe that preventive dentistry has only been in practice for over one hundred years in the United States. In those 100 years we have seen advances in our delivery of professional oral health care in all disciplines. 

However, despite these advances, dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, even though it is largely preventable. Although caries has significantly decreased for most Americans over the past five decades, large disparities remain among some population groups. In addition, this downward trend has recently reversed for young children.1 Currently dental caries affects more than 25% of U.S. children aged 2-5 years and approximately 50% of children 12-15 years old. One fourth of adults aged 65 and older are endentulous.

Each year more than 9,000 Americans die from oral and pharyngeal cancers and about 49,670 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed this year (2018).2  This course  includes preventive topic areas that are important for the dental professional to know as they care for their patients. 

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:

• Identify the two bacteria most often associated with dental caries.
• Define terms used in caries prediction.
• Describe the caries process.
• Explain the general approach of caries risk assessment.
• Identify newer technologies for caries detection.
• Determine the cause of each pathology.
• Identify the typical visual cues for each pathology.
• Recite useful clinical information for each pathology.
• Describe treatment for each pathology.
• Discuss the clinical significance of each pathology.
• Explain the recommended treatment plan for cancer patients.
• Define dental plaque.
• Explain the process of plaque formation.
• Discuss manual and powered toothbrushes.
• Describe the various toothbrushing techniques.
• Identify the correct toothbrushing technique for the individual patient.
• Describe the two flossing methods.
• Identify which patients require auxiliary aids.
• Identify multiple sources of fluoride.
• Determine on an individual basis if a patient needs a professional fluoride application.
• Differentiate between pre-eruptive and post-eruptive fluoride.
• Identify the three types of professional fluoride.
• Discuss the concept of fluoride uptake in enamel.
• Discuss root surface caries treatment options.
• Describe the application of fluoride.
• Discuss fluoride varnishes.
• Identify foods that are considered cariogenic.
• Identify foods that are considered to be non-or low-acidogenic.
• Discuss soda consumption in the United States.
• Identify the criteria for selecting teeth for sealant placement.
• Identify the two types of sealant material.
• List the four commandments for successful sealant retention.
• Describe the sealant procedure.
• Identify sports that should use mouthguards.
• Identify which types of jaw fractures are more common.
• Identify which type of crown and root fractures are more common.
• Describe the treatment necessary when an emergency occurs with primary teeth.
• List the types of soft tissue dental injuries that can occur with sports.
• Identify the types of mouthguards available.