What you will learn

The increasing number of dental lasers and applications for soft tissue procedures has led to confusion about lasers in oral health care. This course will enhance participants' knowledge of the science, functionality and importance lasers bring to everyday patient care, especially for dental hygiene and digital dentistry.

Today, the wide range of laser applications is almost limitless. Routine laser procedures include restorative preparations, endodontic procedures, osseous recontouring and treating periimplantitis. Soft tissue applications include hygiene and surgical procedures that can be minimally invasive or using photobiomodulation (PBM) for pain control and enhanced healing.

This course is specifically intended to assist in understanding the benefits of laser technology for enhancing patient care and the potential benefits the appropriate laser can provide in efficiency and improved treatment outcomes. Participants will gain the knowledge and confidence to evaluate and select the proper laser for their practice.

Learning objectives

This course will teach participants:

• The patient benefits of dental lasers.
• An introductory knowledge of laser physics relating to the proper selection of a laser.
• The applications and procedures that can be routinely performed with a laser.
• The training is recommended for successful and efficient implementation.
• Laser safety and infection control considerations.
• The confidence to select the type of laser beneficial to their practice.

Pricing and details

Once registration is opened an email will be sent to those on our waitlist notifying them they can register. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis with priority given to waitlist members. 

This course is 16 hours of class time. Most classes run on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Course dates are selected when registering, and further details will be sent closer to the date.

Course fees include:

• Lunches and refreshments
• Additional course reference materials
• Building on connections with participants and instructors
• Letter of attendance to use towards continuing competence
• All materials are provided
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Syllabus

Day one

• Overview of laser and light-based and their applications
• Understanding the basics of laser safety
  • Considerations, regulations and requirements
  • Role of the laser safety officer (lSO) and required training
  • Components of a facility’s laser safety policies and procedures
• Components and parts of health care laser system (HCLS)
  • Fiber and handpiece care, management and maintenance.
  • Infection control procedures for the laser, handpieces, tips and fibers
• Understanding laser science, technology and biophysics
  • Light wavelengths and their relationship to tissue interactions
  • The role and value that a laser’s power play
  • Reviewing the composition of biologic structures and understanding their relevance
• What is photobiomodulation?
  • The use of low-level laser energy to manage inflammation, reduce pain and enhance healing
• What is photoacoustic streaming?
  • Shock waves generated by super short-pulsed laser energy induce a streaming flow in the surrounding fluid
• Endodontic procedures
  • Enhanced cleaning and irrigation of the root canal system
  • Periapical surgery
• Soft tissue applications
  • Laser-assisted scaling and root planing
  • Periodontal and soft tissue surgical procedures
  • Other soft tissue procedures

Day two

• Interactive review and discussion
• Hard tissue procedures
  • Restorative preparations
  • Osseous surgery
  • Debriding an extraction site
• Lasers role in implantology implant-related procedures
  • Cautions and concerns with lasers in implantology
  • Debriding an osteotomy site
  • Management and treatment of peri-implantitis
• Incorporating laser technology into everyday dentistry
  • Considerations when selecting the appropriate laser technology
  • Establishing an effective and efficient workflow
  • Care and maintenance considerations
  • Educational considerations and requirements for the dental team
• Overview of the technologies participating in the workshop and workshop activities
  • Type of lasers and light-based technologies and their specifications
  • Activities to be performed during the workshop
  • Laser safety and laser protective eyewear during the workshop
• Hands-on experience rotations and activities with various lasers and light-based technologies

Online materials are accessible for one year.

Prerequisites

• DDS/DMD degree and active practicing license from their dental regulatory authority.
• Letter of good standing from your current dental regulatory authority.
• Current Heart & Stroke Foundation CPR certificate
  • Only Heart and Stroke Foundation CPR is accepted, due to corresponding ACLS training and certification through the foundation.
• Copies are required following registration.

Policies

• Refunds will not be facilitated except in extreme circumstances. Transfer to a future session may be facilitated under certain extenuating circumstances and with sufficient notice provided.
• A cancellation fee of 20% of the entire program fee will apply for cancellations. Last-minute cancellations within two days of the course start date have a zero refund policy.
• Please note tuition may be subject to an increase for future course offerings.