In recent years, dental manufacturers have developed continuing education departments that provide the dental hygiene community with continuing education resources and materials. This column occasionally highlights various educational programs from these companies. These specific columns should not be construed as an endorsement by the author or RDH of any particular product or company. The column is a forum for hygienists to learn about the continuing education that is available through various commercial companies.
This month, I want to discuss the team of professional educators assembled by Philips Oral Healthcare. The team is scattered throughout the United States, and they provides a wide variety of educational programs, demonstrations, and seminars on an ever-expanding number of topics. The Philips team is comprised of Leslie Andrews, RDH, MBA; Linda Blackiston, RDH, BS; Stacy McCauley, RDH, MS; Lisa Copeland, RDH; Tracey Jacobs, BSDH, RDH; and Janis Keating, RDH, MA.
Philips Oral Healthcare’s team address topics such as oral health issues for senior citizens, women’s wellness, biofilms, periodontal diseases, dental implants, strategies for oral health success, and treatment of pediatric patients. Each presenter infuses the material with her own unique style, experience, and perspective.
For the purpose of this column, I will focus on only three of the programs: “Strategies for Oral Health,” “The Systemic Epidemic in Oral Health,” and “Oral Health Through the Golden Years.” Each program can be customized to suit any length of presentation, from two to four hours, depending upon the needs of the group or organization.
“Strategies for Oral Health: The Science, Psychology and Solutions” is designed to enlighten the dental professional on the scientific evidence which confirms oral fitness, or the optimal level of oral health one achieves, improves and strengthens their quality of life. By understanding and working with the realities of human behavior, dental professionals can establish a client care continuum that promotes and supports clinical outcomes. Topics included are:
• Developing the dental professional as a scientific resource for patients
• Building quality patient/clinician relationships
• Utilizing motivation and behavioral psychology to improve patient outcomes
• Promoting consistency of care and overcoming patient relapse realities
In order to achieve optimum dental and systemic health, patient and product assessments are discussed as they relate to individualized, needs-based and/or evidence-based recommendations and protocols. Emphasis is also placed on accessing and expanding the array of product and educational resources available to today’s progressive dental professionals.
“The Systemic Epidemic in Oral Health” is a fast-paced program that gives the dental professional the opportunity to explore complex, multi-faceted diseases that affect millions of people each year. New research and technologies that are constantly changing the way in which periodontal disease is assessed, prevented and treated are explored. Additionally, using a clinically based approach and interactive presentation, participants explore recent research findings that support the relevance of the oral-systemic connection and patient compliance. The program provides opportunities to discuss treatment strategies and protocols for incorporating a mountain of information into actual clinical practice.
Aging is a significant issue for the dental community. As the average age of the population increases and more people are living longer, dental professionals will be faced with the challenges of treating an increasing number of patients over the age of 65. With “Oral Health Through the Golden Years,” the dental professional becomes familiar with current medical and dental conditions specifically related to seniors. Geriatric care is multi-disciplinary; therefore, this program focuses on the biological, physiological and psychological/social changes that occur as people age. Various clinical aspects of senior care are discussed, along with product recommendations for specific treatments and useful office strategies for treating the senior population.
Each Philips educator brings a variety of experiences to the podium. Leslie Andrews, RDH, is the current president-elect of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Association and is active in both ADHA and AADH, along with memberships in other professional associations. She is passionate about holistic health and natural healing and incorporates these interests into her programs. She is a graduate of the Fones School of Dental Hygiene and has many years of experience in the corporate environment.
Linda Blackiston, RDH, received her bachelor of science in dental hygiene from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland. She volunteers annually to provide oral healthcare to underprivileged children in Mexico, mentors middle and high school students and is active in PANDA (Prevent Abuse and Neglect Through Dental Awareness). She practices clinically in the Baltimore area.
Stacy McCauley, RDH, practices dental hygiene in the Durham-Chapel Hill area of central North Carolina. She is a graduate of Kellogg Community College in dental hygiene and received her MEd in Dental Hygiene Education from the University of North Carolina. She has served as clinical assistant professor at UNC and conducted and published dental hygiene research.
Lisa Copeland, RDH, lives in Washington and is a graduate of Broome Community College in New York. She is employed as a restorative dental hygienist in an implant/prosthetic practice after having spent several years in Singapore. Lisa is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists' Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries & Practice Management, an organization dedicated to educating dental professionals and disseminating information pertaining to dental implants. Her passion in life is triathlons and she recently completed her first Ironman competition by swimming 2.5 miles, cycling 112 miles and running 26.2 miles!
Tracey Jacobs, RDH is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and is active in ADHA and the Florida Dental Hygiene Association. She has served as an ADHA delegate and alternate delegate from Florida to ADHA annual session, FDHA President in 2000-01 and currently serves as FDHA meeting planner.
Janis Keating, RDH, has been both a dental hygiene educator and clinician thoughout the course of her career. She is a graduate of Loyola University and received her MA from Northwestern University. She previously served as the Director of Loyola’s Dental Hygiene Education Program. Janis continues to practice clinically, is a part-time faculty member at the University of Colorado’s dental hygiene program, has authored numerous articles and a chapter in Esther Wilkin’s Clinical Practice for the Dental Hygienist, 9th edition.
As you can see, each educator brings a wealth of dental hygiene and life experiences as well as their own individuality to every presentation.
For information regarding any of the programs or any educator contact:[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; and [email protected]
Any professional company who provides continuing education is welcome to contact me at [email protected] so that I can spotlight your educational efforts or endeavors as well.
ABOUT THE COVER: Lisa Copeland, RDH, competes this month in the Seattle Marathon, and is “really looking forward to the 1.5-mile Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim in San Francisco in 2006. Last June, she swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles in Idaho to complete her first Ironman event in 14 hours. Copeland practices as a restorative hygienist in a Seattle office specializing in dental implant prosthetics. One of her goals as an athlete is to raise money for youth sports. “Involving children in sports can build confidence, instill values, demonstrate responsibility, and build self-esteem. Qualities such as these, embraced at a young age, will carry throughout a lifetime.”
Ann-Marie C. DePalma, RDH, BS, is currently a faculty member at Mt. Ida College’s dental hygiene program after spending more than 25 years in private practice. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in education in instructional design. A member of several professional dental hygiene associations, Ann-Marie has written numerous articles and provides continuing education programs for dental hygienists and dental team members. She can be reached at [email protected].
