Florida Board of Dentistry-Dental Laboratory

Ethics in Dentistry 2 Hours

Dental/Dental Hygienist

New!

2 hours

This course empowers dental professionals to navigate the ethical complexities of modern practice with confidence and integrity. Participants will explore key dilemmas, such as balancing patient autonomy with professional recommendations, managing financial pressures while prioritizing patient welfare, and addressing inequities in access to care.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Monitoring Sedation and Anesthesia in Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

New!

4 hours

Sedation and anesthesia play a vital role in modern dental practices, providing patients with a more comfortable and anxiety-free experience during procedures. These techniques are particularly important for individuals with severe dental anxiety, low pain tolerance, or complex medical conditions that make routine dental care challenging. By offering sedation or anesthesia, dental professionals can perform more invasive or time-consuming procedures while ensuring the patient remains calm and cooperative. This not only improves the patient experience but also allows clinicians to deliver high-quality care efficiently.

However, the use of sedation and anesthesia requires a high level of vigilance from the entire dental team. Monitoring the patient continuously is crucial to ensuring their safety, as sedation can affect cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous system functions. Each team member must be aware of their role in monitoring vital signs, identifying potential complications, and responding promptly to changes in the patient’s condition. Proper monitoring reduces risks, enables timely interventions, and reinforces the trust patients place in the dental team to deliver safe and effective care. By prioritizing patient monitoring, dental practices uphold the highest standards of safety and excellence in care.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Cultural Competency and Implicit Bias in Dentistry 2 Hours

Dental/Dental Hygienist

New!

Jennifer Garland

2 hours

Implicit bias refers to the subconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions, often without our conscious awareness. These biases can influence behavior and judgments in ways that may not align with our explicit beliefs or intentions. Culturally competent care in dentistry requires that professionals explore their implicit biases and cultural beliefs.

This course will explore cultural competency and implicit bias and their pervasive impact on various aspects of society, including the dental office and healthcare. Through a combination of self-assessment tools, interactive case studies, and practical strategies, learners will explore the subconscious biases that influence their decisions and behaviors. The course aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and mitigate these biases, fostering more inclusive and equitable environments in both personal and professional settings.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health for Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

New!

2 hours

This course equips dental professionals with the knowledge and skills to address the intersection of substance use disorders and mental health issues in dental practice. Participants will explore the impact of substance abuse on oral health, recognize signs of mental health challenges in patients, and learn effective strategies for communication, intervention, and referral.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Principles and Practices in Dental Ethics 6 Hours

Dental/Dental Hygienist

6 hours

This course will enhance a dental professional’s ability to navigate the complex ethical challenges that arise in modern dental practice. Ethical dilemmas, such as balancing patient autonomy with professional recommendations, managing financial pressures while ensuring patient welfare, and addressing disparities in access to care, are integral to the profession. Dental professionals can strengthen patient trust, foster professional integrity, and improve decision-making in difficult situations by developing a deeper understanding of core ethical principles—autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and veracity. This course also equips dental professionals to handle emerging issues, such as the ethical use of technology and data, with confidence and responsibility. Ultimately, participating in this program ensures that dentists uphold the highest standards of professionalism and care, benefiting both their practice and their patients.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Abuse

Addiction Behavioral Technicians Counseling and Social Services Dental/Dental Hygienist Nursing

Kate Jensen

1 hour

Elder abuse is a pervasive issue in the United States, affecting thousands of individuals who are often unable to advocate for themselves. Vulnerable adults, including elderly individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments, are sometimes mistreated by the very people entrusted with their care.

This course will explore elderly and vulnerable adult abuse, those most vulnerable, abusers, how to recognize abuse the importance of reporting.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Hepatitis

Addiction Counseling and Social Services Nursing

Leesa M. Robertson

3 hours

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Hepatitis, a group of viral infections that affect the liver. It covers the types of Hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E), modes of transmission, prevention strategies, treatment options, and the impact of the disease on global health. The course is designed for healthcare professionals, students, and anyone interested in learning about Hepatitis.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Medical Errors Prevention in Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

Leesa M. Robertson

1 hour

The prevention of medical errors in dentistry is a critical issue. This course is designed for dental professionals seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of safety practices in dental care. The course covers crucial topics such as the definition of medical errors, the identification of common errors in dental settings, and a deep analysis of their root causes. This course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to significantly reduce medical errors and enhance patient outcomes in their dental practices.

This course is offered as a self-paced online course. An Internet connection is required.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Bruxism - Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Dental/Dental Hygienist Nursing

3 hours

Early identification and intervention can prevent significant long-term damage to patients’ oral health. Bruxism, often an undiagnosed condition, can lead to serious issues such as tooth wear, fractures, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and chronic facial pain. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and risk factors of bruxism, dental professionals are better equipped to diagnose the condition during routine examinations, offering timely solutions before the damage progresses.

Additionally, this course provides dental professionals with the knowledge to recommend and implement appropriate treatments, such as custom night guards, stress management techniques, and bite correction therapies. These interventions not only protect patients’ teeth but also improve their overall quality of life by addressing the underlying causes of bruxism, such as stress or misaligned bites. Staying informed about bruxism and its treatment allows dental professionals to deliver comprehensive care and educate their patients on prevention, helping to ensure healthier, long-term outcomes.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Pain Management For Dentistry Patients With A History of Addiction

Dental/Dental Hygienist

4 hours

Dentists prescribe approximately 9% of opioid analgesics dispensed by outpatient US retail pharmacies annually and are the highest percentage prescriber group for patients between 10 and 19 years of age.

This course aims to assist dental professionals in navigating the complexities of pain management for patients with chemical dependence and opioid use disorders. It will cover topics such as identifying risk factors and optimizing effective therapies while mitigating potential risks.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Florida Laws and Rules for Dental Laboratories

Dental/Dental Hygienist

1 hour

This course will explore the Florida Statue 466 and Florida Administrative Code (64B-27) govern Florida Dental Laboratories.

This course meets the requirement for mandatory continuing education in laws & rules for Florida Dental Laboratories.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Patient Compliance And Its Effect On Oral Care

Dental/Dental Hygienist

Sarah Reinhart

3 hours

What happens in the dental chair only accounts for a small portion of oral care. Patients play a large role in the overall health of their teeth and gums. Compliance with health-related behaviors and recommendations is crucial to the overall effectiveness of a treatment program.

Patient noncompliance, which refers to non-adherence or only partial adherence to healthcare behaviors and recommendations, is a well-recognized problem, and it continues to be a major obstacle to appropriate care that ensures patients’ health and well-being.

In this course, we will delve into the various factors influencing noncompliance, effective interventions, and strategies for helping your patients achieve optimal outcomes.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Medical Errors in Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

2 hours

This course will meet the Medical Errors Prevention in Dentistry requirements for license renewal. We will explore the primary areas where medical errors can occur and how to prevent them.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Vaping and E-Cigarettes for Dental Professionals

Dental/Dental Hygienist

1 hour

Nicotine vaporizers and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) remain popular among adults and adolescents. However, as they can lead to adverse effects within the oral cavity, including conditions like stomatitis and mouth ulcers, it’s essential to acknowledge that tobacco-containing products, including e-cigarettes, are linked to immediate and long-term oral and systemic health issues.

This course will explore the historical development of e-cigarettes and vaping, the e-liquid components, the potential damage caused by e-cigarettes and vaping, and assist dental professionals in educating their patients.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Comprehensive Care For Anxious Dental Patients

Dental/Dental Hygienist

3 hours

This course offers a patient-centered perspective on dental anxiety and proposes strategies for enhancing patients’ access to dental healthcare.

Key topics covered will encompass an examination of the terminology employed to delineate varying levels of dental apprehension and the application of behavioral and pharmacological techniques to support patients in completing their dental treatments. Additionally, the course will delve into treatment adjustments aimed at mitigating patients’ procedural fears, identifying the most common dental scenarios causing stress in patients, exploring the origins of dental-related fears, and addressing the adverse effects of stress on dental staff members.

This course is offered as a self-paced online course. An Internet connection is required.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Universal Precautions

Dental/Dental Hygienist Nursing

1 hour

Universal precautions involve an approach to infection control to protect workers from HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens in human blood and certain other body fluids, regardless of a patient’s infection status.

This course will explore the four primary universal precautions, proper handwashing, personal protective equipment and proper cough etiquette.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Child Abuse In Florida

Addiction Behavioral Technicians CAP/CAC/MCAP Counseling and Social Services Dental/Dental Hygienist Nursing

Roger K. Crutchfield

1 hour

Children are suffering from an epidemic of child abuse and neglect. The issue is larger than ever in the wake of the quarantines from the COVID-19 pandemic. This course will explore statistics of child abuse in Florida. We will explore the types of abuse and the signs and symptoms associated with each. The course will review the requirements, timeline, and procedures for reporting child abuse. Prevention strategies will be presented.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Sterilization and Infection Control in the Oral Health Care Setting

Dental/Dental Hygienist

2 hours

Every year, lives are lost because of the spread of infections in healthcare facilities. Dental professionals can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the dental office and laboratory. Proper handwashing, universal precautions, and knowledge can all help to lead the way to prevent the spread of infections.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Compassion Fatigue in Mental Health

Addiction Behavioral Technicians CAP/CAC/MCAP Counseling and Social Services Nursing

1 hour

Compassion fatigue is a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others, often described as the negative cost of caring. It is sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress or burnout. It is especially relevant to mental health and substance abuse professionals. Compassion fatigue describes the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of helping others.

This course will explore where this can occur, signs of compassion fatigue, and how to help yourself and others.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Infection Control in the Oral Health Care Setting

Dental/Dental Hygienist

Leesa M. Robertson

1 hour

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Domestic Violence

Addiction Behavioral Technicians CAP/CAC/MCAP Counseling and Social Services Dental/Dental Hygienist

Leesa M. Robertson

2 hours

This course will review the statistics and prevalence of domestic violence in our society. We will define domestic violence and its various types of abuse.

The course will review the dynamics of violent relationships. Violent relationships follow a predictable cycle of violence. This course will discuss this cycle and review its patterns and screening methods through multiple case studies. The course will delve into special populations and associated risk factors. Upon completing the course, the professional will understand the specific resources available for those in need.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Abuse Reporting in Florida

Addiction Behavioral Technicians CAP/CAC/MCAP Counseling and Social Services Dental/Dental Hygienist Nursing

1 hour

This course will explore the requirements for reporting child and elder abuse in Florida. The course will list who mandated reporters are, when a report is warranted, and how to make the report when necessary. We will explore the timeline for reporting and the procedures that must occur.

It will award 1 continuing education hour. Please see the board approval box or course approvals.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

The Use and Recommendation of Power Toothbrushes

Dental/Dental Hygienist

3 hours

Brushing teeth at home between professional cleanings is the foundation of good oral care and prevention. Dental professionals need to seek information and stay updated on the products available to their patients. This course will review the pros and cons of power toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes. We will also examine the various options available in the different power toothbrushes and how this affects efficacy and patient compliance.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Dental Anxiety

Dental/Dental Hygienist

1 hour

Dental fear refers to the fear of dentistry and of receiving dental care. This can be quite severe when diagnosed as dental phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia, or dentist phobia or less severe when described as generalized anxiety. This course will explore dental phobia and anxiety and strategies to reduce anxiety.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Nutrition and Dental Health

Dental/Dental Hygienist

4 hours

This course is intended to provide awareness and understanding of the connection between good nutrition and its impact on oral health. We will explore dietary guidelines, major nutrients, dietary implications in periodontal disease, the life cycle of the dental patient, factors in the dental caries process and nutritional counseling for the dental patient.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Dental Implant Hygiene

Dental/Dental Hygienist

3 hours

One key factor to implant success is adherence to an effective maintenance program. Dental hygiene plays an intricate role in overall success. With the placement of dental implants becoming more common, it is essential to have a maintenance protocol.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Motivational Interviewing To Induce Positive Patient Behavior Change in Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

3 hours

This course will explore a patient-centered approach to gaining dental patient buy-in through Motivational Interviewing. This technique is a collaborative, conversational method for strengthening motivation and commitment to changing behavior.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Mandated and Recommended Vaccines for Dental Professionals

Dental/Dental Hygienist

1 hour

Vaccines are on the minds of everyone at work this year. This course will explore the currently available knowledge essential for developing and implementing an effective vaccination strategy in an oral healthcare setting.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Safe and Effective Prescribing of Controlled Substances in Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

2 hours

This course delves into the key factors that contribute to the safe and effective prescribing of medications. It examines best practices, regulatory guidelines, and clinical considerations that healthcare providers must navigate to ensure patient safety. Topics include understanding drug interactions, recognizing contraindications, tailoring prescriptions to individual patient needs, and staying informed about current pharmacological advancements. Emphasis is placed on minimizing risks, enhancing therapeutic outcomes, and fostering informed decision-making in medication management.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Refresher on Medical Emergencies For Dental Professionals

Dental/Dental Hygienist

4 hours

This course will serve as a refresher on what a first responder is, how they are protected, what constitutes a medical emergency, what to do for many common emergencies, how medical emergencies should be transported, advice on psychological trauma, and the emotional toll on responders themselves.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation for the Dental Industry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

1 hour

Human trafficking is the trade of humans, most commonly for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others.

This course will explore what human trafficking is, how it occurs and who is most vulnerable, how to recognize risk factors, The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and the Justice for Victims Act of 2015, as well as how drug use is linked to trafficking, treatment options and procedures to helping fight this crisis.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Covid And The Dentist Office

Dental/Dental Hygienist

Rebecca Stine

3 hours

Dental settings have unique characteristics that warrant specific infection control considerations when dealing with COVID-19. This course will explore guidance on how to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the dental office.

This course will explore what COVID-19 is and the CDC and ADA statements regarding the dental industry. We will look at patient, facility, hygiene considerations.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Marijuana Use and How It Effects Oral Health

Dental/Dental Hygienist

2 hours

Upon completion of this course, oral health care professionals will have a better understanding of the impact on demographics, mechanisms, general health, and oral health with the use of marijuana.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Dental/Dental Hygienist

2 hours

Burning mouth syndrome is the generally used medical term for chronic or recurrent burning in the mouth without an obvious cause.

This course gives a working knowledge of the key factors related to burning mouth syndrome and the psychological components, pathogenesis, treatments, and necessity for patient education.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Addiction Counseling and Social Services Dental/Dental Hygienist Nursing

Leesa M. Robertson

1 hour

Bloodborne Pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria carried in the blood and can cause disease in people. This course will explore the primary bloodborne pathogens and the OSHA standards regarding these.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Hazardous Materials and Emergency Procedures

Addiction Behavioral Technicians CAP/CAC/MCAP Counseling and Social Services Dental/Dental Hygienist

Roger K. Crutchfield

1 hour

Hazardous materials include explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. Emergencies can happen during production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal. Everyone is at risk when chemicals are used unsafely or released in harmful amounts. This is why learning how to safely use and dispose of hazardous materials and respond if an accident occurs is important.

This course will explore how to store and handle hazardous materials and how to handle exposure and disposal.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Practice Management for Dentistry

Dental/Dental Hygienist

1 hour

Running a successful dental practice presents new challenges every day. Understanding how to create a safe, inviting, well-run environment where patients’ interests are the priority is important.

This course will explore the necessary areas of good practice management. This course adheres to the Standards of Rule 64B4-12.0175 (FAC).

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Counseling and Treating Bad Breath

Dental/Dental Hygienist

3 hours

This course is designed to provide dental professionals with practical strategies to facilitate discussing and treating oral malodor in the dental office.

This course describes a useful communication model to discuss potentially sensitive issues.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Tooth Whitening

Dental/Dental Hygienist

3 hours

Tooth whitening continues to be the number one cosmetic procedure requested by patients. This course explores the safe, effective treatment methods available.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.